System of video-auditing for the control of vehicles in car parking lots through images

• Grant number: 00/07366-0
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Start date: March 01, 2001
• End date: January 31, 2004
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Electrical Engineering - Industrial Electronics, Electronic Systems and Controls
• Principal Investigator: Julio Augusto Leitão Machado
• Grantee: Julio Augusto Leitão Machado
• Company: Tecnima Imagem e Automação Ltda
• City: São José dos Campos

Abstract

The system proposes to increase the security of vehicles in closed parking lots, resolving weaknesses inherent in existing commercial systems, through the capture of their images on entry to and exit from the car park and the emission of a receipt specific to the vehicle on entrance, in such a way that the authorization of its exit can be given either via manual (through the operator) or automatic (by computer through the application of computerized vision for the identification and automatic reading of the number plate) comparison of both images. Increases in vehicle theft have led drivers to prefer the use of controlled car parks, as they provide a feeling of security and are covered by theft insurance policy. Nonetheless, the control systems, even those automated, essentially are concerned with commercial control and don’t offer protection against theft or false allegations of robbery, by failing to automatically issue receipts containing data linking the vehicle to its owner. The entirely digital processing of the images captured, as well as their storage together with the associated data (date, time and code of receipt provided to the driver of the vehicle), allows for the easy search of the images according to determined criteria. The proposed system is protected through a patent request with Registration Number MU7802291-6 at the INPI (National Institute of Industrial Property), with a view to its commercialization for owners or operators of controlled parking lots, whether paid for or free, as well as its use as a detector of stolen vehicles for highway police and traffic control agencies. Another application, also protected through a patent request with Registration Number MU7600785-5 at the INPI, consists of the automatic registration of the images and data associated with visitors and customers in banking establishments and companies. (AU)