Entry control point device, system and method
The present invention provides a device, system and method which can recognize a vehicle by its undercarriage image only. The present invention compares a new vehicle undercarriage image with those stored in a reference database to facilitate the automatic search of a vehicle's undercarriage. The present invention can compare the new undercarriage image to the same or similar undercarriage image previously entered in the reference database, highlighting any anomalies such as, for example, foreign objects, explosives, drugs, paraphernalia and other illegal and/or harmful substances and devices.
1. A scanner configuration for an entry control system, comprising:
a scanner framework having a front end, a back end and a top surface;
a scanner camera having a lens, the camera having means for recording video images;
a first mirror arrangement secured to the framework so as to provide a first reflecting surface angled upwardly toward the top surface and toward the framework front end; and
a second mirror arrangement secured to the framework so as to provide a second reflecting surface angled upwardly in a direction facing the framework top surface and the framework back end.
2. The configuration of claim 1 wherein the camera is secured to the framework such that the lens faces the framework front end.
3. The configuration of claim 1 wherein the first mirror arrangement includes a mirror mounted at or near the framework front end.
4. The configuration of claim 1 wherein the second mirror arrangement includes a primary mirror mounted at or near the framework back end, and a secondary mirror mounted at or near a location between the framework front and back ends.
5. The configuration of claim 4 wherein the primary mirror is larger than the secondary mirror.
6. The configuration of claim 2 wherein the camera is secured to the framework such that a portion of the lens faces the first mirror arrangement and a portion of the lens faces the second mirror arrangement.
7. The configuration of claim 1 wherein the first mirror arrangement includes a mirror mounted at or near the framework front end and the second mirror arrangement includes a primary mirror mounted at or near the framework back end and a secondary mirror mounted at or near a location between the framework front and back ends.
8. The configuration of claim 7 wherein the primary mirror of the second mirror arrangement and the mirror of the first mirror arrangement are substantially the same size.
9. The configuration of claim 1 wherein the scanner camera is secured such that the camera lens is angled downwardly away from the framework top surface.
10. The configuration of claim 1 wherein the camera is secured to the framework such that the lens faces the framework back end.
11. The configuration of claim 1 further including at least one lighting arrangement secured to the front or back end of the framework, the lighting arrangement comprising at least one LED lighting device.
12. The configuration of claim 1 wherein the framework includes a first glass member secured between the framework top surface and front end, and a second glass member secured between the framework top surface and back end.
13. The configuration of claim 12 wherein the first reflecting surface is angled toward the first glass member and the second reflecting surface is angled toward the second glass member.
14. The configuration of claim 1 further including an ambient heat shield (AHS) secured to the framework.
15. The configuration of claim 1 wherein the framework has a cover secured to the top surface thereof and further including an ambient heat shield (AHS) secured above the cover so as to create a gap between the cover and the AHS.
16. The configuration of claim 1 wherein the camera is provided with a single board computer (SBC) in two-way communication with a remote computer monitoring system.
17. A method for controlling entry of vehicles, comprising the steps of:
providing an entry control device having a front camera, scanner camera, presence trigger and monitor;
detecting the presence of an oncoming vehicle via the presence trigger;
obtaining a vehicle image via the front camera;
obtaining at least two simultaneous undercarriage images via the scanner camera, with one image being taken at an angle in the direction of vehicle travel and one image being taken at an angle against the direction of vehicle travel;
processing the images taken by the front and scanner cameras; and
comparing the images with previously stored images of the same or similar vehicle undercarriage.
18. A scanner configuration for an entry control system, comprising:
a scanner framework having a front end and a back end;
a scanner camera having a lens facing at least a portion of either the framework front end or the framework back end; and
means for recording by the camera at least two images of a vehicle underside from different angles at the same time, with the recording means including a first mirror arrangement secured to the framework so as to provide a first reflecting surface angled upwardly toward the top surface and toward the framework front end, and a second mirror arrangement secured to the framework so as to provide a second reflecting surface annied upwardly in a direction facing the framework top surface and the framework back end.