Installation Guide
1
SmartLPR Access
License Plate Recognition Unit
All-In-One
ZKAccess.com
SmartLPR Access Installation Guide
Safety Precautions
IR LIGHTING MODELS
LED RADIATION
LED PRODUCT RISK GROUP 1
DON'T LOOK DIRECTLY USING OPTICAL INSTRUMENTS (MAGNIFYING GLASSES, LENS
OR MICROSCOPES)
● OPTICAL POWER OUTPUT: 6W
● WAVE LENGHT: 850 nm
● LED PRODUCT CLASS 1M, as to UNE-EN 62471:2009 standard
Don't look directly at the light source of the unit from a short distance (20 cm) for
more than 30 seconds. The light source emits infra-red light unnoticeable to the
human eye but which can damage the retina in case of long exposures.
If you think that the light source is not working properly and you want to check it, use the
diagnosis tool that comes with the unit, set Live Camera on and point the light source to a
reflective object. Another easy method to see the lens working is going to Live Camera and
facing the light source with a digital camera (for instance, any mobile integrated camera). On
the digital camera you will be able to see the led shinning (due to the fact that digital cameras
are infra-red sensitive).
The following warning label is clearly placed in the device and must not be removed.
Risk Group 1
WARNING | ATTENTION
IR emitted from this product
Rayonnement infrarouge (IR)
émis par ce produit
WHITE LIGHTING MODELS
LED RADIATION
LED PRODUCT RISK GROUP 2
POSSIBLY HAZARDOUS OPTICAL RADIATION EMITTED FROM THIS PRODUCT
DO NOT STARE AT OPERATING LAMP. IT MAY BE HARMFUL TO THE EYE.
Exposure hazard values (EHVs) and the hazard distances with optional graphical presentation of
distant-dependent EHV: 55,7 sec.
Hazard distances (HD) for all relevant viewer-related risk groups below the assigned one (for
relevance see Tables 1 and 2): 200 mm
The following caution label is clearly placed in the device and must not be removed.
Risk Group 2
WARNING | ATTENTION
Possibly hazardous optical radiation. Do not stare at
operating lamp. It may be harmful to the eye.
Rayonnement optique éventuellement dangereux. Ne
pas regarder la lampe, cela peut être nocif
pour les yeux.
Quercus Technologies
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Basic Concepts .............................................................................................................. 7
1. Introduction .......................................................................................................... 8
1.1. What SmartLPR® Access is .............................................................................. 8
1.2. System description .......................................................................................... 8
1.3. Operating Modes ............................................................................................. 9
1.4. Available models ............................................................................................ 10
1.5. Optional parts ................................................................................................ 12
1.6. Integration .................................................................................................... 12
1.6.1. Development Alternatives ......................................................................... 12
1.7. Access control, white lists and Wiegand protocol ................................................ 13
1.8. Updates and compatibility ............................................................................... 14
Installation .................................................................................................................. 15
2. Installation of the unit ........................................................................................... 16
2.1. Front plate capture ........................................................................................ 17
2.1.1. Front plate capture ................................................................................. 17
2.1.2. Queue management in installations for front plate capture ........................... 18
2.2. Rear plate capture ......................................................................................... 19
2.2.1. Rear plate capture .................................................................................. 19
2.2.2. Queue management in installations for rear plate capture ........................... 19
2.3. Ceiling installation .......................................................................................... 20
2.4. Electrical installation and cables needed ............................................................ 20
3. Supplied material .................................................................................................. 21
3.1. List of materials for cabinet models .................................................................. 21
3.2. List of materials for camera housing models ...................................................... 22
3.3. Optional parts for camera housing models ......................................................... 22
4.1. Unit installation .............................................................................................. 23
4.1.1. Cabinet housing unit installation .................................................................... 23
4.1.2. Camera housing unit installation .................................................................. 24
4.1.2.1 Wall installation .................................................................................... 25
4.1.2.2. Ceiling installation ............................................................................... 26
4.1.2.3. Floor installation ................................................................................... 27
4.1.2.4. Vertical pole installation ......................................................................... 28
4.1.2. Common procedures ............................................................................... 28
4.2. Wiring and pinouts ......................................................................................... 29
4.2.1 Making the cables ..................................................................................... 29
Quercus Technologies
4.2.2. Input/Output system characteristics .......................................................... 33
4.3. Focus............................................................................................................ 33
4.4. Closing the unit ............................................................................................. 34
Configuration ............................................................................................................... 35
4. Configuration system ............................................................................................ 36
5.1. Login ............................................................................................................ 36
5.2. Lens adjustment ............................................................................................ 36
5.3.“Multi-unit configuration” ................................................................................. 37
5.4. Configure the units ......................................................................................... 38
5.5. Apply changes ............................................................................................... 41
Advanced concepts ....................................................................................................... 42
6.1. Firmware update ............................................................................................ 43
6.1.1. Steps required before updating ..................................................................... 43
6.1.2. Update ....................................................................................................... 43
6.2. The behavior of the control led ............................................................................ 44
6.3. OSD ................................................................................................................. 45
Annexes ...................................................................................................................... 48
7. Annex A: Table of product references and technical specifications ............................... 49
8. Annex B: CE Certificates ....................................................................................... 52
9. Annex C: FCC Certificate ....................................................................................... 57
10. Annex D: In case of malfunctioning ....................................................................... 62
11. Annex E: Support ................................................................................................ 63
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Basic Concepts
The section provides a basic summary of SmarLPR® Access main system characteristics such
as:
● basic system operation
● available models
● different development options
● available communications
● steps prior to installation.
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1. Introduction
1.1. What SmartLPR
®
Access is
SmartLPR® Access is a license plate recognition (LPR11) system specially designed to be used in
access lanes with barriers.
SmartLPR® Access is based on an All-In-One concept, which embeds in a single equipment all
the operations needed for license plate recognition (image acquisition and further processing),
so that installation becomes much easier compared to systems using separate capture and
process units.
1.2. System description
SmartLPR® Access is composed of a single set of hardware that must be installed in each lane
you want to control.
The device integrates all elements required for I/O signals, communications, lighting of the area,
image capture and processing. The unit includes a remotely adjustable motorized lens,
making zoom and focus configuration easy.
1
LPR is defined as the set of hardware and software elements required to capture the image of a vehicle and then
provide its license number as a text string.
Motorized lens
Adjusts the focus and the zoom without the need to open the unit
Smart LED lighting
Adapts the quantity of light depending on the environmental conditions
Main board
Captures, processes and recognizes the images
Integrated power supply
No need for an external power supply (AC voltage models)
Status LED
Shows system status
Transmission board
Integrates Ethernet communication, digital input /outputs, the motorized zoom controller and the Wiegand output
interface
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Please follow the indications and note you don't need to open the unit in order to install
and configure it and be aware that the warranty will be immediately voided if the unit
presents signs of manipulations applied in the attempt to open it.
1.3. Operating Modes
The main purpose of SmartLPR® Access is to provide to the client applicationthe license plates
of the vehicles traveling in the lanes controlled.
The system has different operating modes as follows:
1. Software Trigger: the client application notifies SmartLPR® Access of detecting vehicle
presence. The vehicle image is automatically captured and processed. The results obtained are
sent back to the client application.
2. Hardware Trigger: SmartLPR® Access receives directly from a sensor, installed
beneath the tarmac, a vehicle presence signal and notifies the client application. Then, the
vehicle image is captured and processed. The results obtained are sent back to the client
application. When the vehicle leaves the lane, the client application is once again notified.
Special cases:
3. Pre-trigger: SmartLPR® Access continually recognizes license plates as vehicles are
approaching and internally stores the best recognition obtained. When the client application
request the license plate, the unit immediately sends it.
● Installation scenarios:
● This operating mode should be used for those particular cases when the installation
has physical constraints and therefore it is mandatory to place the unit
immediately before or after the barrier or when the camera needs to be
embedded in the barrier.
● However, we recommend using the software or hardware trigger mode whenever
possible.
● As this mode works continuously, it is not possible to use it with color plate
recognition models (due to the fact they use white light) nor with WL (high
resolution) units.
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4. Pre-arming loop: SmartLPR® Access directly receives from a loop installed at the
beginning of the lane a signal indicating the recognition must start. When the client application
sends a recognition request, SmartLPR® Access sends the best recognition result obtained since
the recognition process has started.
● Installation scenarios: this mode is exclusively designed for rear plate captures. This
mode adapts a client application that works in software mode, normally
capturing front license plates, to a LPR system that reads rear license plates.
(see section 2.2. Rear plate captureto know more about this type of installation).
1.4. Available models
There are various SmartLPR® Access models that can adapt to different project demands. The
available models can be classified according to the following criteria:
1.4.1. Housing type or format
● Painted cabinet: cupboard-like housing to be vertically fixed on the floor.
● Stainless steel cabinet: cupboard-like housing to be vertically fixed on the floor. Made
of high quality stainless steel.
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● Camera housing: horizontal camera-like housing, useful when the unit must be fixed
on the wall or ceiling.
1.4.2. Type of lighting
● Infrared: black and white image format; equipped with infrared light source.
● Color: color image format; equipped with visible light source.
1.4.3. Image format
● Normal: image resolution of 752x480. Used in standard lanes.
● High resolution: panoramic image resolution of 1280x600. Useful in special installation
scenarios (wider lanes, road turns, etc. In these cases, our Support department will
advise you on how to install the unit).
For the units with color lighting there is no different model for each resolution, but a unique
model which can be configured with each of them.
1.4.4. Power
● Alternating current: operates on 110Vac or 240Vac networks, on 50Hz or 60Hz.
● Direct current: requires power from an external 12VDC network.
High resolution 1280x600
Normal 752x480
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1.4.5. Temperature control
● Without temperature control module: does not provide protection against extreme
temperatures.
● With temperature control module: provides protection against extreme temperatures
and increases its working range.
All models are absolutely compatible (at software level) between them and can be combined in
the same installation without any problem. Check the “Technical Data Sheets” provided with this
manual to know the references and technical specifications of each model.
1.5. Optional parts
The following parts are available for camera housing models:
● Wall bracket: with rotating and tilting head, allows you to fix the unit on a wall and
position it properly.
● Floor bracket: with rotating and tilting head, allows you to fix the unit to the floor.
● Ceiling bracket: with rotating and tilting head, fixes the unit to the ceiling and helps
position it properly.
● Tube adapter: to be used together with the wall bracket or ceiling bracket, mounts the
unit on any vertical or horizontal pole.
1.6. Integration
SmartLPR® Access communicates with the client application using the protocol described in the
SmartLPR® Programming Manual.
1.6.1. Development Alternatives
The protocol is embedded in C or C++ libraries compatible with Microsoft Windows and
GNU/Linux that make the communication between the client application and different SmarLPR®
Access units easier and add certain functionalities, such as history log.
The advantages and disadvantages of each integration method are described next:
● Class library in C++: dynamically linked library for Windows and GNU/Linux that
provides an object oriented vision of the system. It transparently manages simultaneous
communication with various units.
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● Function library in C: dynamically linked library for Windows and GNU/Linux that
provides a function oriented vision of the system. It transparently manages simultaneous
communication with various units and allows programming with C while keeping the high
level vision provided by the C++ library. It can be used with both C and C++ languages.
● Through SmartLPR
®
Access-specific UDP protocol: provides the protocol definitions
used in communication in a header file; it also provides help functions and C samples.
1.7. Access control, white lists and Wiegand protocol
SmartLPR® Access offers the possibility to upload into the unit a list of license plates, each of
them associated to an identifier. This feature allows comparing the license plate of the vehicle
arriving at the control point of the facility with the license plates included in the list. If the license
appears on the list, the unit sends the identifier associated with the vehicle through Wiegand
protocol. This way, the license plate reader acts as a “virtual” card reader.
White list & digital output:
The white list loaded can also be used to activate the digital output of the unit in case the license
plate found appears on the list. There are 3 possible choices (you can configure them in the
“Advanced settings” in the “Configuration” web page of the unit):
1. NEVER: The digital output will never be activated
2. OFFLINE: The digital output will activate when the external communications of the unit are
lost. This way, the unit acts as a stand-alone, “back-up” mechanism in case the access control
management system fails.
3. ALWAYS: The digital output will always activate. This way SmartLPR® Access is completely
autonomous.
1.8. Updates and compatibility
License plate recognition units in the SmartLPR® family have a firmware (software run inside the
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unit) which can be updated.
The client software is always backwards compatible, meaning you can control all SmartLPR®
versions by using the latest one.
Each version number of software/firmware is composed of three numbers (for example 2.4.5):
In order to know if a firmware update is compatible with your unit, the current version must be
checked and compared with the update version.
Version
Compatible
Firmware Update Required
Different first number
No2
--
Same first number
Different second number
Yes
Yes
Same first and second numbers
Different third number
Yes
No
2
Compatibility is not excluded but it cannot be guaranteed. Contact with Quercus Technologies Support
Department.
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Installation
This section describes how a SmartLPR® unit is installed from the moment you plan its
placement and until it is finally installed.
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2. Installation of the unit
The correct operation of any LPR system depends on several external factors. Most of these
factors can be optimized if considered during the access lanes layout. Quercus Technologies
can guarantee an optimum operation of a SmartLPR® Access system only if the access
lanes are designed according to the layout described in this chapter.
If there are any physical constraints that make it impossible to observe these guidelines, it is
very important to carry out the installation with the supervision of Quercus
Technologies support department.
In case the unit has to be installed close to the 2,5 meters limit from the barrier, you must
take into account factors that might affect the quality of the recognition, for instance:
difficult angles, vehicles that might stop with their license plate partially or entirely out of the
image.
Take into account that a correct zoom and focus adjustment is compulsory for an optimum
functioning of the unit.
In case of outdoor installation, all direct sunlight on the lens should be avoided.
SmartLPR® Access system allows two types of way of obtaining a capture:
1. Front plate capture: This is the recommended operation mode as it is easier to install and
provides the best recognition rates.
2. Rear plate capture: to be used only when it is absolutely necessary, for example, in countries
where vehicles do not have a front plate.
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2.1. Front plate capture
2.1.1. Front plate capture
Recommended
2,5 – 3 m
Minimum distance
1,5 m
Maximum distance
5 m
The unit must always be installed at 2,5-3m from the barrier. In this type of installation, the
LPR unit captures the license plate when the vehicle arms the presence loop installed in line with
the ticket dispenser, as shown in the drawing below.
Warning:
The table above shows the recommended, minimum and maximum distance where you should
install the unit taking the barrier as reference.
3m
Barrier
Presence detection sensor
2,5m
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2.1.2. Queue management in installations for front plate capture
Queues are usually formed in barrier-controlled accesses, thus you have to make sure that the
license plate of the arriving vehicle will be fully seen. To this end, we recommend the use of two
metal loops: the second one should be placed under the barrier so that when the vehicle is no
longer on it, it won't appear in the image. This way, the vehicle does not appear in the images
of the vehicle that enters after it (the sequence of image capture starts when the first loop
reports presence and the second one doesn't report it any more).
Incorrect
Vehicle detection sensor pressed
Correct
Queue detection sensor free
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2.2. Rear plate capture
2.2.1. Rear plate capture
In installations for rear plate capture, we recommend installing a presence detector before the
one installed in line with the ticket dispenser. In this way you make sure that the camera captures
the license plate when the vehicle releases the first sensor (called “LPR sensor” in the drawing).
The recommended distance between the camera and the LPR sensor is 2,5m.
2.2.2. Queue management in installations for rear plate capture
In installations for rear plate capture, the best way to manage situations when queues are
formed is by installing a speed bump in line with the camera and before the LPR sensor that
triggers the capture. This way, a vehicle that enters after the first one must slow down and it
won't interfere in the capture taken of the first vehicle.
2,5m
6m
3m
Barrier
LPR sensor
Presence detection sensor
2,5m
6m
3m
Barrier
Presence detection sensor
LPRSensor
Speed bump
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2.3. Ceiling installation
In case the unit must be installed on the ceiling, the minimum horizontal distance from the unit
to the license plate must be of 5 m and the angle between the unit and the floor must not exceed
30º.
The maximum height where the unit could be installed (h), can be calculated as
follows:
h=L·tanβ
where for a minimum horizontal distance of 5 m, we get h= 2.9 m.
2.4. Electrical installation and cables needed
Each SmartLPR® Access recognition unit must have the following cables:
● Power cable: 3x1.5mm2 or 3x2.5mm2 section cable (alternating current) or 2x1.5mm2
(direct current).
● Shielded Network cable: UTP cable, category 5 (ethernet networking).
● Signal cable: 7-pin shielded cable (if the 2 inputs, one output and Wiegand
communication are required) with a 0.5mm
2
cross-section.
For more information about the power consumption of each unit, please refer to the “Technical Data
Sheets” downloaded at http://downloads.quercus.biz/.
Distance (L≥5m)
Height (h)
Camera angle (β≤30º)
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3. Supplied material
3.1. List of materials for cabinet models
1. Recognition unit
2. Quick start guide
3. Sun shield (optional)
4. Base fixing screws
5. 3 connectors (power, signals, network)
1 2 3 4 5
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