Modifying auto-exposure settings for underexposed plate reads - SharpOS 11.5

SharpOS Administrator Guide 11.5
Applies to
SharpOS 11.5
Last updated
2017-10-10
Content type
Guides
Guides > Administrator guides
Language
English (United States)
Product
SharpOS
Version
11.5

By default, the Sharp is configured to automatically adjust exposure settings for changing light conditions when capturing plates. You can use the Exposure Settings on the Live feed page of the Sharp portal to adjust the Gain and Shutter time range if your plate reads are underexposed (too dark).

What you should know

  • When adjusting a setting, the other settings are temporarily disabled so you can see your change immediately in the Video feed window.
  • Minimum range values cannot exceed the maximum range values.

Procedure

  1. Log on to the Sharp portal in Advanced mode.
  2. Click the Live feed tab.
  3. From the Camera drop-down list, select LPR camera from the drop-down list to view its live feed.
    NOTE: On a SharpX you can have more than one camera set, therefore you will see LPR camera 2, LPR camera 3, and so on.
  4. Under Exposure settings, make sure the Auto-exposure checkbox is selected.
    NOTE: Auto-exposure is enabled by default.
  5. Increase the minimum value for the Gain range.
  6. Increase the minimum value for the Shutter time range.
    IMPORTANT: Increasing the minimum values for the Gain and Shutter time range should be performed during the night with the plates closer to the Sharp camera.
  7. (Optional) If your plate reads are still too dark after modifying the minimum values for the Gain and Shutter time range, then it is recommended to increase the maximum values for the Shutter time and Gain range.
    NOTE: Increasing the maximum Shutter time and Gain range values should be done on a dark day with the plates further away from the Sharp camera.
    1. Increase the maximum value for the Shutter time range.
    2. (Optional) If you cannot increase the maximum Shutter time range value anymore without overexposing the plates, or the plate images are still too dark, increase the maximum value for the Gain range.
      IMPORTANT: It is important not to increase the maximum values for the Gain and Shutter time range too much because it may produce image artifacts, or overexposed plates in bright sunlight.
  8. (Optional) You can click Cancel at any time if you are not satisfied with your modifications.
  9. If you are satisfied with your modification results in the Video feed window, click Save.
  10. (Optional) Click Reset to default to reset the Sharp to use the factory default exposure settings.