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                   SPEED BUMP CAMERA

                                    You have to check out the Speed Bump with a

                         

                         

                                      

Here is what the Speed Bump Camera is replacing.

Note where the cameras are located.  They are located at the gate line.  The cameras failed to catch a plate because of a 45 degree angle where they were pointed at the road, and they were not catching the plates, or the cameras were oriented dead on to the license plates, but the cars were to far away to catch the plates, and the cars were speeding up as they left the gate.

The LPR cameras should have been mounted away from the gate to catch license plates while they were stopped by the gate instead of being mounted right in line with the gates.

Here are some notes on the installation.

The conduit comes from the side of the road to the electrical box.  Note that you cannot center the speedbump "vertically" to the electrical box.  The bolts will go through conduit!  You will have to pre plan whether the speed bump will be "above", or below the electrical box.

Do not put the electrical box "centered" to where the speed bump will sit.  You will not be able to drive the bolt in to the center hole because your electrical box is underneath.  Have the box located to the side of the center bolt so that it does not go in to the box, or the conduit.

Do not rely on just the bolts to hold down the bumps.  Order the epoxy with the bump.  If it comes with the bump automatically then make sure you use it.

It is recommended to pour a slab for the speed bump.  I would agree with this.  If you drill the three holes, and insert the concrete anchors then they may "tilt" in the asphalt when the bump is hit.  Under the asphalt there is only dirt, and this may not be a good anchor.

Therer are four bumps in this system.  For the incoming side there is a speed bump with a camera , and in the other lane there is a speed bump without a camera.  For the outgoing side there is a similiar setup.  There is a speed bump with a camera, and in the other lane there is a speed bump without a camera.

Conduit was ran first, and concrete was poured by hand in to the chasm, and allowed to dry.

We used a piece of a shopping bag from Wall Mart, and we tied it to fishing line.  We used a shop vac with an extension cord to suck the piece of the bag attached to the fishing line through the conduit.  We attached our RG 59 Siamese to the fishing line, and hand pulled the wire through the conduit.

The top to the electrical box has a notch taken out of the side to allow the wire from the speed bump camera to enter the electrical box.  We smeared silicone sealant around the hole where the wire goes in to the box.

You will want the electrical box to be has high as possible to prevent water intrusion as much as you can.  We smeared silicone sealant around the lid of the electrical box to help prevent water intrusion.

SPEED BUMP MOUNTING DIAGRAM

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT LICENSE PLATE RECOGNITION

Will not warp, crack, chip, or rot.
Resistant to ultra violet light, moisture, oil, and extreme temperature variations.
Allows conformity to the contour of virtually any road surface.

Product description:

1. Material: compression molded composite: 100% recycled rubber and polyurethane prepolymer

100% recycled rubber from car and truck tires (NR, SBR)

2. Physical properties of the rubber composite:
a. Density 17g/cm³ in (ASTM C642)
b. Durometer Hardness 70A ± 7 (ASTM D2240)
c. Tensile Strength 300 psi (ASTM D412)
d. Compression deformation 7% at 70psi, 68°F (ASTM D575)
e. Brittleness at Low temperature: -40°F (ASTM D746)
f. Freeze and thaw when exposed to de-icing chemicals no loss after 50 cycles (ASTM C672)
g. Coefficient of thermal expansion: 8 x10-5 in/in/°F (ASTM C531)
h. Weathering 70 hours at 158°F (ASTM D573)
- hardness retained 100% (± 5%)
- compressive strength 100% (± 5%)
- tensile strength 100% (± 5%)
- elongation retained 100% (± 5%)

3. Finishing: Black recycled rubber composite with yellow, durable and reflective, in-molded pavement marking tape

There are many situations where it is desirable to be able to identify the vehicles which pass over particular portions of roadways, driveways and the like. Identification can be valuable for security purposes (such as entering, or leaving secure areas, parking garages and the like), for apprehension of scofflaws, such as on toll bridges and toll ways, and for crime prevention and incident resolution.

One of best ways to identify vehicles is by the use of license plate photographs. Various methods have been used in the past to photograph vehicles at various stages, with the intent of obtaining positive identifications. Pole and overhead mounted systems often provide poor angles of incidence. Especially during night conditions, glare, vehicle lights and fog lamps interfere with the camera's image capture, and therefore require sophisticated light filtering devices. Unfortunately, camera angles and weather and lighting conditions often conspire to obscure the license plates of the vehicles and make the identification difficult or impossible in many cases.

Accordingly, a continuing need exists to provide a system for obtaining usable quality vehicular license plate photography. In addition, there is a need for economical systems for providing identification images which capture readable license plates.

DISCLOSURE OF SBC (SPEED BUMP CAMERA).

Accordingly, it is an object of the SBC to provide a license plate photography system which is easy to use and inexpensive.

Another object of the SBC is to provide a durable mounting and support system for a camera to photograph license plates of vehicles.

Yet another object of the SBC is to provide an unobtrusive security device for surveillance photography of vehicles passing above the mounting location.

[0009] Still another object of the SBC is to provide an easily installed, maintained and removed surveillance system for license plate photography.

A further object of the SBC is to provide a speed bump visual (and tactile) appearance which urges drivers to slow the vehicle speed sufficiently that good visual images of license plates can be captured.

Briefly, one preferred embodiment of the SBC is a system for mounting visual surveillance equipment such as CCD (CCTV) camera elements in a "speed bump" secured to a driving surface. The speed bump is similar to normal traffic control structures and is secured to the surface of a driveway or street in a location where surveillance of the traffic is desirable. The speed bump is constructed of at least partially resilient materials to minimize shock and vibrational damage from the passage of vehicles. External control circuitry is connected to the internal camera elements.

The preferred SBC mounting system includes an elongated component with a semi-elliptical cross section which is secured to a driving surface. The elongated element includes a pair of opposed cameras containing holes situated near the center, each being angled to provide good aspect aiming for capturing images of license plates of approaching and receding vehicles, respectively. Axial grooves on the bottom surface provide access for electronic wiring as well as drainage for the camera apertures. The preferred embodiment further includes striping and reflectors to enhance visibility and warn approaching drivers of the speed bump.

An alternate embodiment utilizes a more compact alternate camera having a thread screw extending from the rear of the camera. The alternate camera is secured within the image tube by a washer and nut arrangement which may be tightened to hold the structure securely against the inner surface of the axial groove.

An advantage of the SBC is that the mounting of the camera element at road surface level provides optimum camera angles for photographing license plates.

Another advantage of the SBC is that embedding the camera elements within a speed bump provides an unobtrusive surveillance location.

Still another advantage of the SBC is that the system is adapted to be quickly and removably mounted on a driving surface, making it suitable for use in temporary surveillance situations.

A further advantage of the SBC is that the speed bump components of the system can be inexpensively manufactured so that the system is broadly usable.

Yet another advantage of the SBC is that the speed bump mounted license plate camera system captures either or both front and rear license plate images, thus increasing the probability of positive identification.

Still another advantage of the SBC is that it psychologically induces drivers to position the vehicle in perfect position for good image capture of license plates.

These and other objects and advantages of the SBC will become clear to those skilled in the art in view of the description of the best presently known modes of carrying out the SBC and the industrial applicability of the preferred embodiments as described herein and as illustrated in the several figures of the drawings.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE SBC

A preferred embodiment is a speed bump mounted license plate camera system adapted to be placed on a driving surface and used for vehicle surveillance and identification.

The speed bump is an elongated member having a semi-elliptical cross section with a curved upper surface and a planar lower surface for abutting against the driving surface . The speed bump elongated member has a vertical thickness which is maximal at the center axis and a horizontal thickness. The preferred elongated member is generally bilaterally symmetrical about a longitudinal axial plane and a bisecting perpendicular plane.

The SBC is provided with a resilient outer surface layer and a more rigid interior structural layer. The resilient surface layer serves to provide cushioning against vibrational shocks to the image subsystem and also helps to prevent fracturing of the material during the heavy usage, which includes large vehicles traveling over the speed bump, often at greater than optimal speeds. The denser interior structural layer is more rigid, but still somewhat resilient, and provides sufficient protection for the image subsystem components.

The elongated member is provided with a plurality of axially spaced mounting apertures which allow the insertion of bolts or screws which may be inserted therethrough to engage the driving surface and secure the speed bump in place on the driving surface. In the preferred embodiment three such mounting apertures are provided, with each being at the axis for extending through the maximum vertical thickness and providing the greatest support. Anchored lag bolts are the preferred bolts used to provide good anchoring with minimal disruption to the road surface.

A pair of image tubes are closely spaced on either side of the perpendicular plane, with one facing each direction. These are angled upward form the driving surface at about twenty degrees (20.degree.) to provide optimal camera angles for photographing license plates on approaching and receding vehicles respectively.

A pair of elongated axial grooves are provided in the lower surface  and extend the length of the elongated member . The grooves provide access from the ends of the speed bump to the image in order to permit interconnection of the image subsystem and the control subsystem. The grooves also allow drainage of the image tubes to prevent the build up or precipitation water, etc. which could obscure the image quality.

The upper surface of the speed bump is provided with a pair of broad yellow Hypalon stripes and six axially and radially spaced cat eye reflectors to facilitate visuals for approaching drivers. It is noted that most drivers seek to avoid actually driving over the speed bump member itself. Therefore, the total length of the elongated member is selected to be less than the typical wheel base separation of vehicles and is less than most speed bumps used for traffic calming purposes. The stripes and reflectors also help to visually align the speed bump in the driver's mind so the vehicles are usually well centered for license plate photography.

The image subsystem primarily includes a pair of matched cameras, each of which includes a focusing camera lens to capture the images. These are mounted within the image tube such that the camera lens is situated significantly within the image tube and in the interior of the speed bump. The portion of the image tube in front of the camera lens serves to provide physical protection of the camera against breakage. This also provides a barrier against ambient light which may come to the camera from directions other than the intended angle. The camera may be mounted snugly in the image tube and a drain hole is provided just outward of the camera lens to connect the image tube to the axial groove and facilitate draining water from in front of the camera lens. Alternatively, the camera may not be mounted so as to be completely flush with the interior of the image tube such that rainwater and the like may drain past the camera lens and out through the axial groove, rather than building up and obscuring the focus of the camera lens.

An optional protective lens may be mounted in the image tube to prevent objects or the like from damaging or obscuring the view, but this is not present in the preferred embodiment because of the difficulty in preventing breakage and the potential interference of the protective lens with image quality.

Each camera is typically powered by a battery array which is typically situated remotely from the camera, since the power and size parameters do not permit local battery power with current technology. The power, control and video are carried by control wiring connecting the camera with the remote control subsystem. The wiring extends from the camera through the axial groove. The wiring is provided with shrink tube protection against abrasion, crushing and moisture damage. It will typically be secured within the axial groove by a series of wire clips or staples to keep it above the driving surface 16.

The preferred embodiment includes a pair of matched cameras in order to function to capture images of both the front and rear plates of vehicles passing over the speed bump. It is certainly possible to implement the system with a single camera only, but this is not considered optimum, since obstacles may obscure one or the other of the plates.

Depending on the composition of the control subsystem, each camera may be adapted to provide continuous video feed or may be triggered by a remote pressure sensor or similar triggering mechanism for capture of discrete images. Continuous digital video recording is preferred. The precise composition and use of the control subsystem will be up to the particular user and may be adapted to the particular purpose, but will typically include a digital video recorder to record the captured images.

In the preferred embodiment of the SBC the elongated member  is constructed to have a length of 120 cm (48 inches), a horizontal width 28 of 30 cm (12 inches) and a vertical thickness 26 of 6.6 cm (25/8 inches). The three mounting apertures are spaced to be 40 cm (18 inches) apart with one being situated at the center of the elongated member. The axial grooves have a square cross section of 3.1 cm (1/4 inch).

The image tubes extend through the body of the elongated member at an angle of twenty degrees (20.degree.) and emerge from the upper surface at about the midpoint of the curve. Each image tube has its bottom terminus at the associated axial grove on the opposite side of the axis of the elongated member. Each image tube has a diameter of 2.8 cm (11/8 inch).

The preferred material of the elongated member is recycled rubber for the interior structural layer while the resilient surface layer is formed of virgin rubber and has a thickness of about 0.3 cm (1/8 inch).

The preferred image capturing camera is a 0.6 cm (1/4 inch) Color CCD image sensor, capable of resolving 512.times.491 pixels (NCSC) or 512.times.581 pixels (PAL). The resolution is 350 TV lines and minimum illumination is 1 Lux/F2.0. The signal to noise ratio is selected to be greater than 48 db (AGC off) with an electronic shutter adjustable between 1/60 to 1/100,000 second. The selected camera is adapted to function over a wide temperature range with low lag and high burn resistance.

Preferably a remote 12 Volt DC battery array (or a 12 Volt Power supply or AC/DC converter) is provided with the power being delivered to the camera via the wiring. Control commands are delivered to the camera and captured images are carried by the wiring from the camera to the control subsystem where the images are typically digitally recorded and stored (or transmitted to remote storage and analysis facilities). The digitally recorded images may later be converted to still photographs as required.

This embodiment utilizes an alternate image subsystem 14' including an alternate camera. The alternate camera is a weatherproof bullet camera, being a CCD camera with a 6 mm lens. It is a Sony Color 1/3 Super HAD device with Hi-Resolution color and 480 lines and 0.2 Lux. The alternate camera is characterized by having auto gain control and auto white balance along with wide dynamic range working power tolerance. In addition, the alternate camera has built-in features including surge voltage input protection and reverse polarity input protection. The alternate camera is further characterized as having low power consumption and uses 130 mAmp operating current.

The alternate camera is also mounted in a slightly different manner in order to secure it within the image tube. The rear camera end (opposite the lens) is bonded to a threaded shaft (either by adhesion or by a threaded connector in the alternate camera itself). The threaded shaft extends downward through the image tube and into the transverse axial groove. A slotted washer is placed over the threaded shaft so that it abuts against the edge of the surface of the axial groove. The slotted washer includes a slot to allow the wiring to pass through it without cramping. A smaller diameter standard washer is then added (with the wring extending past the circumferential edge thereof) to hold the slotted washer in position. Finally, a nut is tightened on the threaded shaft to hold the alternate camera firmly in position within the image tube.

The dimensions for the first alternate embodiment 10' are slightly different in that the alternate camera is shorter than the camera. The alternate camera is 4.5 cm (3 inches) long and 1.9 cm (3/4 inch) in diameter. The threaded shaft is #20 (1/4 inch) stainless steel and extends 5 cm (2 inches) beyond the rear camera end. The slotted washer has a diameter of 2.5 cm (1 inch) and has a 0.63 cm (1/4 inch) slot extending to the center bore. The standard washer is a 1.3 cm (1/2 inch) washer and the nut is a standard #20 (1/4 inch) threaded nut.

The dimensions, materials and precise components set forth above are exemplary only and are not intended as limiting the scope of the SBC.

A further alternative embodiment to the preferred speed bump system would be to mount the camera within the road surface itself (again angled to optimally capture the license plate images). This is not preferred because of damage to the driving surface, increased susceptibility to breakage and lack of portability.

Although the preferred embodiment is in the form of an elongated speed bump, the particular shape is not critical. A domelike disk member could also be utilized if properly centered on the roadway, as could components disguised as reflectors. The speed bump design is preferred because of ease of alignment, durability and commonplace usage.

While various embodiments have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not as limitations.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present device is adapted for use in surveillance and monitoring circumstances where it is desirable to record license plate images for use in vehicle tracking and identification. Typical uses may be at toll facilities, security garages, workplaces, cargo container gates, and vehicle drive through lanes where vehicular tracking is desired. The system is adapted for use by professionals and others and is simple enough in implementation and installation that many users will be able to make use of it.

In a typical installation a user will select a portion of a driving surface where monitoring is desired. The user will then place the elongated member across the driving surface to lie perpendicularly to the direction of travel. The speed bump is optimally centered in the lane so that most drivers will attempt to straddle rather than engage the bump. This both reduces wear and damage to the components and centers the cameras on the license plates of the vehicles. Anchoring bolts or screws are then placed through the mounting apertures and driven or screwed into the driving surface to hold the speed bump in place.

The control subsystem and the battery array/power supply  will typically be mounted at a location off of the driving surface (and preferably out of view) and will be connected to the image subsystem through the wiring. Typically, installation and set up of the system can be accomplished in forty-five minutes or less.

Once in place the system may be remotely monitored. Periodic maintenance may be required to clear debris out of the image tubes and to otherwise maintain alignment. Camera units may be replaced as necessary but the system should ordinarily be usable without significant maintenance for a period of weeks or months.

The simplicity of installation, relatively low cost of materials and components, and improved location of image capture components make the present invention particularly optimal for any circumstance where monitoring of vehicular license plates is desirable.

For the above, and other, reasons, it is expected that the speed bump mounted license plate camera system will have widespread industrial applicability. Therefore, it is expected that the commercial utility of the present SBC will be extensive and long lasting.