LPR Cameras

• LPR Camera Information
• PL8RDR Hardware Connections
• Connecting to the PL8RDR
• PL8RDR Signal Strength
• Tattile LPR Camera
• Powering a Tattile Mobile LPR Camera
• Configure Tattile LPR Camera
• Connect to a Tattile Mobile Camera
• ANPR Setup Checklist -Tattile
• ANPR Tattile Camera Screenshots
• Static LPR Checklist - Tattile
• Updating Tattile Camera Firmware
• Trobleshooting Tips
• Setting Up Your Survision LPR Camera
• Static Camera Setup
• LPR Plate Lookups and Fuzzy Filtering
• Vehicle Counts
• Obtain GPS Coordinates

LPR Camera Information

What is LPR?

PL8RDR Hardware Connections

In the field, only the cellular antenna, wifi antenna, and power connectors are used.

Power is 12V DC and should be connected with an inline fuse.

Connecting to the PL8RDR

In order to scan plates, the PL8RDR computer will need to be connected to a handheld device running the OPS-COM enforcement app. The PL8RDR will broadcast a Wi-Fi network, pl8rdr.opscom. Connect to this network on your device. The network password is T0maha3k.

To check your PL8RDR signal strength, refer to this wiki article. 

PL8RDR Signal Strength

Signal Strength

• If you are a WIFI user you can test signal strength with multiple applications that are typical a free download. 
  
• If you are a LTE user you can see the signal strength by looking at the device's status from the LPR Scanning screen.
  By tapping on Status at the top right of the screen you will be presented with a list of items and their connection status. 
  Signal Strength will appear at the bottom of this list.

The closer to zero the better.

Tattile LPR Camera

Powering a Tattile Mobile LPR Camera

Standard Hardware

There are several pieces of gear that comprise the OPS-COM LPR system. A typical system includes the following items:

• 2-Tattile Mobile LPR Cameras with one connector cable per camera

• 1-PL8RDR Device 4G/LTE 

• 1-4G/LTE Tablet

• 1-3” Bluetooth printer

• 1-RAM Universal No-Drill Tablet Vehicle Mount & Accessories

Each Mobile LPR camera will need a cable built to accommodate communication between the PL8RDR device and the camera.
Cables are best to be custom built in order to suit the logistics of what vehicle is being used and where the camera is located on the vehicle.
Note: It is best practice to have the proper amount of cable so no coiling or stretching of the cable is required. 

Standard Power Cable

Used to supply power to the camera. The camera will connect to the PL8RDR computer wirelessly.

Parts Required for Each Cable

• BINDER M16 99-5672-19-08 series 423 connector (part code T18654)

• Power cable - RED/BLACK cable 0.50 mm cut to the proper length to accommodate the distance from the cable to the power source 

  • an inline fuse is suggested

This is the front view; holding the connector by the wires and viewing the terminals.

Advanced Cable For Troubleshooting

The following diagram represents how the cable should be wired in an advanced setup where the camera communicates with the PL8RDR through a standard ethernet cable. 

This is more likely to be used in troubleshooting rather than typical operation.

Parts Required for Each Cable

• BINDER M16 99-5672-19-08 series 423 connector (part code T18654)

• Ethernet CAT5 cable cut the proper length to accommodate the distance from the PL8RDR to each Camera 

• Power cable - RED/BLACK cable 0.50 mm cut to the proper length to accommodate the distance from the cable to the power source

  • NOTE: CAT cable can supply power on unused pair

This is the front view; holding the connector by the wires and viewing the terminals.

Configure Tattile LPR Camera

Connecting Wirelessly

The first step is to connect to your PL8RDR device via wireless connection. To do so bring up your systems Network Settings by following the steps below

Click on the Windows Home Button and start typing Control Panel.  It should pop up under Best Match as you are typing.

Click on Control Panel to access your Computer's Settings.

A list of all available configuration items will appear. Click on Network and Internet.

In Network and Sharing Center settings click on Connect to a Network.

Connect to pl8rdr.opscom

First make sure Wi-Fi is turned on by clicking the network icon at the bottom right of your screen. You will see a list of networks available to you. In this case we are looking for the pl8rdr.opscom network. 

Clicking the pl8rdr.opsom network will open a screen where you can click on Connect to join the network. You can also utilize the Connect automatically check box do avoid having to connect manually each time. 

Since the network is secured a password/PIN is required to connect. Click on Connect using a secure key instead to bring up a seperate password entry field.

Enter the password into the empty field and click on Next.
(Note: The password would be provided by OperationsCommander. If you do not know your password please contact support@ops-com.com)

You will be prompted to allow your PC to be discoverable by other PCs on this network. Click No as you do not want this connection to be open to other PC's. 

You will see the connection status below the pl8rdr.opscom network appear as Connected. 

Connect to the Camera

Now you can open a browser and enter the IP address of your camera in the go to field.

You will also need to follow the IP address with a port number. For mobile cameras the port number is 1080 therefore the URL would look like this:
http;// (IPaddress)(colon)(port number) as in the example below you can see the URL as http://10.42.0.140:1080

If you do not know the IP address of your camera see How to Find the IP Address of your Camera found below. 

You will be prompted for a Username and Password. 

The main Number Plate Reader Configurations page will appear. Note the IP address and port number in the browser as well as the rest of the URL that will resolve automatically

Naming Mobile Cameras

Under System → Network you can name camera appropriately.

• Mobile–L = Drivers side
• Mobile-R = Passenger side

How to Find the IP Address of your Camera

On the handheld unit go to main menu and tap on LPR Scanning.

Once in the LPR screen tap on Status near the top right of the screen.

You will see a list of connected devices. The device Type should be Tattile camera wifi. 

Please note that due to new cameras coming onto the market, your PL8RDR may list a camera as an unknown device.

In this case the cameras IP address was 10.42.0.140. Enter the IP address for your device with port :1080 into the browsers URL and hit Enter.

The below screen shot is taken after the cameras have read some plates. 

Notice the "stats" entry which clearly lists the camera IP addresses.

Also note that sometimes the system is not able to determine which device is a camera.

Connect to a Tattile Mobile Camera

First Time Connection

Power up the camera and give it a few minutes to fully boot up.

At that point you will see the camera in your network connections list.
Note the network name reflects the serial number of the camera In this case ANPR-2010011339
Click connect to establish a connection between your computer and the camera's hotspot.

The standard IP address for the camera coming from the factory is set at 192.168.150.1
You will also have to put the port number in your URL when trying to connect through your browser.

Open a browser and enter the camera IP and port into the address bar. In this case it will be 192.168.150.1:1080 (Where 192.168.150.1 is the camera IP and 1080 is the port number)

You will be prompted to enter a user name and password. 
Username superuser
Password superuser

You will then be directed to the Plate Reader Tab of the camera configuration.

There are Specific areas that you will need to configure.
On the Plate Reader tab you will edit:

General Settings
Event Actions Also known as TCP Events
JPEG Image Header Configuration
Plate Reader Settings

On the System tab you will edit:

Network Settings 
It is very important to edit the network settings properly and in a proper sequence. If for example you configure the camera to connect to the PL8RDR but forget to set it to assign an IP (DHCP) and save the changes. You will not be able to log in to the camera wirelessly.

Related Video

This video shows the process described above as to how to log in to the camera for the first time.

ANPR Setup Checklist -Tattile

Initial Setup

Initial Access to the Camera

Yet another setup trick is to login to the device initially using WIFI. 

The device will need to be plugged into a network hub that is connected to a DHCP server

This is useful since often your computer will become confused about where to send packets.  Using the wifi connection is good for configuration, but accessing other online resources may be problematic with the second connection.  Once the wifi is disconnected all configuration can be performed through the wired IP.

Connecting to PL8RDR from tablet or camera

WIFI: pl8rdr.opscom / T0maha3k   [10.42.0.1]

System - Network Settings

Changes on this panel will reboot the device.

This work is usually done by OPS-COM support. 
Details are here to help those clients that are doing initial configuration themselves.

* Suggested that WIFI settings be changed last unless you have a local DHCP server setup.  

During setup the device reboots several times, any changes to WIFI settings may make it more difficult to connect to complete configuration.

System - Time Sync

Changes on this panel will reboot the device.

Plate Reader - General Settings

NOTE: This graphic shows and old implementation. The text in this sample should be only:  OC_LIONS

Plate Reader - Plate Reader

Changes on this panel will reboot the device.

Plate Reader - Events Actions

During configuration set wired TCP Message connection as Enable=No

Cameras leaving Tomahawk's office will be setup to use wireless only.  Configuring wired settings can help with troubleshooting in the future.

Events - Specific

%IMAGE_BW sends the thumbnail image (required)
%IMAGE_COL sends the context image (not required)

Wireless Only with Wired Disabled

The final screen should look as shown below.  "TCP Message" is setup (disabled) for 192.168.8.1 and "TCP Message 2" is setup (enabled) for 10.42.0.1

We are shipping cameras with wireless configured and wired ready to be enabled if needed; as of spring 2020

Camera Context

Plate Reading Quick Test

You should now be able to go to Plate Reader - Text Result and hold a plate in front of the camera to confirm operation.

Further testing is suggested with a PL8RDR system.

ANPR Tattile Camera Screenshots

Static LPR Checklist - Tattile

Required fields are:

• IP Address
• NetMask
• Gateway
• DNS Server (8.8.8.8 can be used)

Time Server (use your own or one of these)

• 0.us.pool.ntp.org
• 1.us.pool.ntp.org
• 2.us.pool.ntp.org
• 3.us.pool.ntp.org

System - Time Sync

Changes on this panel will reboot the device.

Plate Reader

General Settings

Configure the site address which should be  client_subdomain : CLIENT_ID  (no spaces)

Your subdomain is the first part of your OPS-COM.com web portal address. 

As an example, the demo Tomahawk University is located on the web at tomahawku.ops-com.com and the entry here would be  tomahawku:OC_TOMA

If you are unsure of the client_subdomain or CLIENT_ID please contact OPS-COM support

Frame Grabber Settings

Iris Bounding Region

• For faster plate reads you can adjust the capture area
• Typically factory defaults to full frame
• For PL8RDR, it is necessary to create padding around the capture area (minimum 30 pixels)
  • In this example we have modified the factory defaults by 10% all around 
• Click on Show Iris Window to see the bounding box

Camera Auto Iris (advanced)

As directed by OPS-COM support staff adjustments may be made to specific camera properties.

• iris
• gain
• shutter speed

Events Actions

• There are 2 TCP Message options:
  • Ocr Read
  • Ocr Not Read (vanity plates)

Ocr Read Events

• READ (key fields)

  • Enabled = Yes

  • Server IP = 159.203.51.51

  • Server Port = 32000

  • Message = %PLATE_STRING%IMAGE_BW%IMAGE_COL%PLATE_MIN_X%PLATE_MIN_Y%PLATE_MAX_X%PLATE_MAX_Y

|

Ocr No Read Events

• NO_READ (key fields)

  • Enabled = Yes

  • Server IP = 159.203.51.51

  • Server Port = 32000

  • Message = %PLATE_NOT_READ%IMAGE_BW%IMAGE_COL%PLATE_MIN_X%PLATE_MIN_Y%PLATE_MAX_X%PLATE_MAX_Y

JPEG Image Header

Select to edit the configuration by selecting the Config button

Add %SITE_ADDRESS to the field Other custom TAGS

Updating Tattile Camera Firmware

Justification for Firmware Updates

There are two purposes behind updating the firmware of the LPR camera. One would be to simply update the existing firmware. The other is changing the firmware based on your specific region. There is specific firmware tailored to the region in which you are using the camera. There would be firmware specific to the state of California and it's surrounding states that would be optimized for reading plates in those states as opposed to plates in Florida for example, Firmware updates allow you to update the entire system. This instruction applies to ANPR Mobile cameras. 

How to Update

Two updating methods are available:

1. Upgrade firmware keeping current settings: in this section, the update is carried out without changing the previously configured parameters.
   Press the Browse button and select the update file from the PC file list. Once this file has been selected, press the Upload button and confirm the operation. When update completes, the User is asked to reboot the ANPR Mobile machine by pressing the Reset button displayed on screen. 
   
   
2. Upgrade firmware with default settings: in this section, the upgrade is carried out by deleting all user-defined parameters and reloading the default settings of the new .BIN file just loaded using the Browse and Upload command sequence.
   This procedure is the same as the one previously described.

How do I find my current firmware version?

1. Go to the System tab of the camera configuration screens. Look for Device Info.
   
   

   

   
   
2. Click on Device Info to bring up the Device Info screen. The firmware version is the first line in the information list.
   
   

   

   
   
3. If it is established that the firmware is out of date, go back to the system tab and look for the Firmware menu item.
   
   

   

   
   
4. Click on Firmware to bring yo to the update page.
   
   

   

   
   
5. If you are in the process of upgrading the firmware there are two main factors to consider.
   You are either starting with a new camera in which case you will upgrade with default settings or, if you have a previously configured camera you will be upgrading the firmware keeping current settings.
   
   

   

   
   
   
6. Navigate to the location of the firmware update file to select it for upload. This will be a .gpg file.
   
   

   

   
   
7. The file will be staged for upload. Notice the file name appears in the upgrade interface.
   
   

   

   
   
8. Click on Upload to complete the upgrade process. This may take a little time. 
   
   

   

   
   

Trobleshooting Tips

Powering the Camera

If the camera is not connecting to the PL8RDR there may be issues with power. Ensure that the connections are sturdy and follow the guide to Powering the Camera.
One way to check a camera to ensure it is powered on is to power up the unit and view the front of the camera using a cell phone camera. The use of the camera viewfinder does two things. It shields you from looking directly into the infrared light as well as allow you to see a slight flicker in the 6 lights on the front of the camera.

Checking Firmware updates.

You should always ensure you have the latest firmware installed. 

Adjusting the Camera's View

Depending on the application of your camera, whether it be fixed or mobile, there are adjustments that can be made to improve accuracy and speed of reads.
Adjusting the angle, height and width of camera's read area can improve performance by simply defining the camera's sweet spot so to speak. 

Setting Up Your Survision LPR Camera

Note: this is assuming you have a PL8RDR computer already set up. See the PL8RDR information section for more details.

Powering the Camera

Your Survision camera should come with a cable. This is only used for providing power to the camera; the camera connects to the PL8RDR wirelessly. Power on both the PL8RDR and the Survision camera.

Connecting to a Handheld Device

You will find the information for connecting to the PL8RDR here.

Positioning the Camera

Choose a plate on a vehicle to be your reference. Park your enforcement vehicle behind it and to the side, as if you were driving past a street-parked car. The camera on your vehicle should be 5 meters away from the reference plate, and angled less than 30 degrees off the front of the plate.

(This diagram shows a vertical angle, but the same applies horizontally.)

Connect to the pl8rdr.opscom Wi-Fi network on a device of your choice. The screenshots in this demonstration are from a phone, but any laptop or mobile device will work.

On your tablet (or other connected device) open a web browser, enter the IP address of the camera.

Click on "Configuration assistant".

Proceed through the first 3 screens by clicking "Next" each time. These settings will have already been configured for you.

On the 4th screen, you will be prompted to set the camera angle. Adjust the camera on your vehicle until the plate you have chosen as your reference point is centered in the green box. The lines of text above the camera feed should all turn green when it is set correctly. When you are done, click "Next".

On the 5th screen, leave all the fields blank and click "Finish". The next screen may display an error message saying no address is configured. You can safely ignore this; the address is configured on the pl8rdr.

Your camera should now be set up at the correct angle. You can go through this quick setup process every time you need to reposition the camera on your vehicle.

Static Camera Setup

Adding a Camera

To begin go to the Violations menu and click on LPR and Chalking. Then click on Camera Setup.

The LPR Camera Configuration Page displays.

Fill in the form with the required information:

• Camera Name
• Camera Type (entrance, exit or tracking)
• Camera IP

You may also want to record the following optional information:

• Admin link (to access camera configuration
• Username
• Password
• Notes

Click save to complete the process.

Once the camera is configured you are able to look up or edit the information from this interface as well.

Clicking on this link will bring you to the actual camera where you log in using the displayed credentials in order to configure or adjust settings on the camera itself.

When complete LPR Events can be set to display data from the specific camera selected.

LPR Plate Lookups and Fuzzy Filtering

Background

The OperationsCommander system has the ability for the system to map plates to new values. In layman's terms this means that this process of filtration can take an image of a plate and find many possibilities of what the plate may be matched to based on commonly misconstrued characters and  the license plates registered or in the known area database.

An example of this may be a plate that is read by LPR may be read as  ABC128  when the plate is actually  ABC123 .

The user is able to make this update and store the details.  This can be problematic for the user if the plate is never seen again and  8 's are regularly interpreted as  3 's

Update

This issue in the functionality of the LPR software is addressed by the use of the above methods and the use of the lookup table implemented to match which characters are easily misconstrued.

The sample lookup table that follows is comprised of data from past LPR updates by users;

"1I"

"HKR"

"2Z"

"HKM"

"38B"

"0DOQ"

"5S"

"FP"

"0DOQ"

"38B"

"HKR"

"0DOQ"

"TY"

"EF"

"VY"

"EFP"

"VTY"

"HKMR"

"2Z"

"1I"

Special Characters

The # (pound or hash) sign is a special wildcard character.  If this is seen, the PL8RDR has seen a character but is not sure what it is.

Handheld Example

Navigate to the 'Search Vehicles' menu on the main menu screen.

This will bring you to this search bar and type in the license plate number that you are looking for.

Since we have looked up AFVK663 the Handheld will match you with the registered vehicle APVK668.

It does this because in coherence with the lookup table the character 3 is similar to the number 8 and F is similar to the character V therefore fixing the license plate error by finding a plate in the database that matches.

 |
Application on Admin Side

The aforementioned example is not the only field in which the fuzzy filtration system is applied.

It is also shown in any form of  license plate search that is on the admin side as well as the license plate reader's capture log.

For the extent of this example we will be looking for license plate ABC128 in the License Plate Recognition (LPR) Capture Log although this method will work for any license plate search.

Administration Example

Navigate to the License Plate Recognition (LPR) Capture Log by clicking view LPR events under the License Plate Recognition sub-header in the Parking Management tab.

This will bring you to the License Plate Recognition (LPR) Capture Log which is where you can search for your chosen license plate.

In this scenario we will search our license plate ABC128 with the 'Fuzzy Search' prompt toggled off.  Expected Result: No License Plates Found.

Now if we repeat this search with the 'Fuzzy Search' toggled on the results are vastly different with there being many License Plate Captures for the registered vehicle with license plate ABC123 which is what we want.

It does this by referencing the previously provided lookup table and repeating license plate searches for each variation of the license plate's similar characters and by doing so it corrects any errors in the LPR reads. 

Vehicle Counts

Audit Report

To view the Audit Report gpo to the Parking Management Menu Item, hover over License Plate Recognition and select View LPR Report from the drop down menu.

The License Plate Recognition (LPR) Audit Log will appear.

From this interface you can:

1. Set the timeframe you wish to report on
2. Select the Camera or Cameras (Hold the control key down to select multiples) you wish to report on
3. Select the event type (Entrance, Exit, Tracking)
4. View the results. 

Vehicle counts can also be manually reset, To do so go to admin options and hover over Parking then select Manage Lot Groups.

Here we see a listing for one of the lot groups. I has a Vehicle count of 61. Click on edit.

To reset the count manually simple delete the number that appears in the vehicle count field

Obtain GPS Coordinates

Using Google Maps

• Search location within Google Maps
• Zoom into the location as necessary
• Right click on the map