The Zoom and focus page is available from the menu. Use the Zoom and focus page to adjust the images from the ALPR camera and context camera so that they are clear, and vehicles associated with plate reads can be easily identified.
Normally the zoom and focus is adjusted once, and only needs to be adjusted if the location of the SharpV changes.
NOTE: Information on context cameras is not applicable to SharpV ITS cameras.
To properly adjust the zoom and focus for the SharpV:
- The camera must be pointed at a stationary license plate or target so that you can evaluate the appearance of the plate reads.
- Select your camera
- Select which camera you want to adjust (ALPR or Context).
- Temporarily adjust the exposure
- Use the slider to adjust the exposure for the best plate image.NOTE: This temporary setting is only used while adjusting the zoom and focus. Auto-exposure is temporarily suspended and the iris is fully open. After adjustment is complete, this setting is ignored and the camera uses the Exposure setting that is configured on the Configuration > Cameras page.
- Enable Flash
- (Context camera only) If you need to calibrate the zoom and focus of the context camera in low light conditions, select this option to enable the IR illuminator.
- Set the zoom level
- Use the labeled screws on the bottom of the SharpV to adjust the zoom on the camera's LPR lens or context camera. Use the Show ruler option in the portal to help you adjust the zoom so that the plate characters are 25 - 60 pixels, where 30 pixels is ideal. You can visually monitor when the optimal setting is reached, using the Best score graph. The zoom screws are labeled as follows:
- CTX
- Context camera
- LPR
- ALPR camera
- T
- Telephoto
- W
- Wide
- (Context camera only) SR
- Standard range
- (Context camera only) LR
- Long range
IMPORTANT: The zoom level impacts the focus. Always adjust the zoom level before setting the focus.
- Set the focus
- Use the labeled screws on the bottom of the SharpV to adjust the focus on the camera's ALPR
lens or context camera. Focus the camera on a stationary plate located at the
mid-point of the vehicle's expected trajectory. You can visually monitor when the
optimal setting is reached, using the Best score graph. The
focus screws are labeled depending on the camera type and model:
- CTX
- Context camera
- LPR
- ALPR camera
- F
- Far
- N
- Near
- (Context camera only) SR
- Standard range
- (Context camera only) LR
- Long range
- Best score
- Use the Best score graph to visually monitor when the optimal setting is reached for the zoom and focus while you are adjusting the screws on the bottom of the SharpV. The bold orange line in the graph indicates the current focus value. The dim orange line indicates the best focus that has been achieved. You have reached the optimal point when the bold orange line separates from the dim orange line and begins to descend. At this point, you must reverse the direction that you are turning the screw so that the bold orange line returns upwards to meet the dim orange line. When the two lines intersect again, this is the optimal setting.
- Reset
- Click to reset the Best score graph.
- Show ruler
- Select this option to have the ruler display on the camera image. Drag the ruler next to the license plate and enter a pixel (px) value to change the size of the ruler on the screen. The height of the plate characters in the image should be between 25 - 60 pixels, where 30 pixels is ideal.Tip: Click the license plate to use digital zoom to help you evaluate the best zoom level. There are three zoom levels: 1:1, 2:1, and 4:1. A preview of the zoomed area is displayed in the top right corner of the image.
- Done
- Click when you are finished calibrating the zoom and focus for your ALPR and Context cameras.