3
IoT-Enabled Vision System for Detection of Tint Level
In the case of an IoT system, the inputs are replaced by relevant sensor(s). Hence, the
possibility of human errors can be eliminated to a great extent. Whenever we use a visionbased IoT system, the camera acts as an input sensor. Unlike a computing system, the
processing application is located at a central server (or cloud system) in the case of an IoT
system. In many IoT systems, the sensors forward their data to a local computing system
via short-range wireless communication protocols such as Bluetooth, Zigbee, and WiFi.
The local computing system preprocesses it and sends it to a central server (cloud) at regular intervals using long-range wireless communication protocols such as SMS, 2G, 3G, 4G,
and WiMax. The central server (cloud) software collates the data and takes some informed
decision (generally using analytics) and sends it back to the local server/end user. But
in the case of an IoT system, one uses an actuator (controlling a valve) or an event driver
notification system (such as an SMS/e-mail alert in a mobile phone). Thus, an IoT system
uses sensor–processor–actuator principle. This can bring in next level of automation in
many industries. The important challenge in IoT is designing proper sensors, actuators,
and interfacing with wireless communication protocols. In general, the data handled by
the servers are unstructured.
Thus, a typical IoT-enabled system consists of sensors, embedded system, (wireless)
communication, data storage via Internet into a cloud server, an analytics software
system to take informed decisions at the cloud platform, and an optional receiver end
device (mobile). In few cases, the receiver end system will be an actuator that will execute certain actions on the targeted hardware. We can choose appropriate object(s) (such
as lockers, curtains, consumer electronics devices such as cookers) and interface it (them)
with an appropriate sensor(s). The embedded system attached with the object can sense
the required data and monitor it continuously. At periodic, pre-defined time intervals,
the necessary data are transfer to a remote location for storage using wired or wireless communication protocols (such as UDP, TCP/IP, Wi-FI, Bluetooth, ZigBee). The data
aggregated from various objects are stored in the server, preferably a cloud server.
At periodic intervals, the aggregated data are analyzed/diagnosed using appropriate
analytics software running in the server (cloud). The decisions are informed accordingly
to the end user/system. In most cases, it turns out to be the notification in the mobile
device or actuation of some subsystems of the end device (such as rotating a fan, opening
the valve system, switching ON/OFF).
Currently, there are many devices to measure the VLT/VRT values, called tint meters.
There are two popular types of tint meters available in the market, namely one-piece tint
meter and two-piece tint meter. The one-piece tint meter is used to check the tint level of
side (glass) windows. If we use the one-piece tint meter, then one has to request the driver
of the vehicle to be inspected to stop the vehicle and ask the driver/passenger to roll down
the (side) windows partially. The tint meter has a slot built in to it (as shown in Figure 1.1).
One has to insert the partially opened window into this slot and by pressing a button the
light waves of specific wavelength are transmitted from one side of the tint meter and a
receiver at the other side of the tint meter will analyze the received light waves. Depending
on the transmitivity/opacity of the glass along with the black film pasted on it, we get values ranging from 0% (opaque material such as card board) to 100% (for pure air). Generally,
the lighter glasses have high transmittance (65% to 80%) and the darker glasses have low
transmittance (20% to 35%). In many states/countries, the allowed transmittance level is
35%. If the vehicle’s glass tint level goes below this level, then one can issue a ticket and
initiate legal action.
In the case of two-piece tint meters, we have two pieces, one back meter and one front
meter (as shown in Figure 1.2). These kind of tint meters also are used to measure the
IoT-Enabled Vision System for Detection of Tint Level
In the case of an IoT system, the inputs are replaced by relevant sensor(s). Hence, the
possibility of human errors can be eliminated to a great extent. Whenever we use a visionbased IoT system, the camera acts as an input sensor. Unlike a computing system, the
processing application is located at a central server (or cloud system) in the case of an IoT
system. In many IoT systems, the sensors forward their data to a local computing system
via short-range wireless communication protocols such as Bluetooth, Zigbee, and WiFi.
The local computing system preprocesses it and sends it to a central server (cloud) at regular intervals using long-range wireless communication protocols such as SMS, 2G, 3G, 4G,
and WiMax. The central server (cloud) software collates the data and takes some informed
decision (generally using analytics) and sends it back to the local server/end user. But
in the case of an IoT system, one uses an actuator (controlling a valve) or an event driver
notification system (such as an SMS/e-mail alert in a mobile phone). Thus, an IoT system
uses sensor–processor–actuator principle. This can bring in next level of automation in
many industries. The important challenge in IoT is designing proper sensors, actuators,
and interfacing with wireless communication protocols. In general, the data handled by
the servers are unstructured.
Thus, a typical IoT-enabled system consists of sensors, embedded system, (wireless)
communication, data storage via Internet into a cloud server, an analytics software
system to take informed decisions at the cloud platform, and an optional receiver end
device (mobile). In few cases, the receiver end system will be an actuator that will execute certain actions on the targeted hardware. We can choose appropriate object(s) (such
as lockers, curtains, consumer electronics devices such as cookers) and interface it (them)
with an appropriate sensor(s). The embedded system attached with the object can sense
the required data and monitor it continuously. At periodic, pre-defined time intervals,
the necessary data are transfer to a remote location for storage using wired or wireless communication protocols (such as UDP, TCP/IP, Wi-FI, Bluetooth, ZigBee). The data
aggregated from various objects are stored in the server, preferably a cloud server.
At periodic intervals, the aggregated data are analyzed/diagnosed using appropriate
analytics software running in the server (cloud). The decisions are informed accordingly
to the end user/system. In most cases, it turns out to be the notification in the mobile
device or actuation of some subsystems of the end device (such as rotating a fan, opening
the valve system, switching ON/OFF).
Currently, there are many devices to measure the VLT/VRT values, called tint meters.
There are two popular types of tint meters available in the market, namely one-piece tint
meter and two-piece tint meter. The one-piece tint meter is used to check the tint level of
side (glass) windows. If we use the one-piece tint meter, then one has to request the driver
of the vehicle to be inspected to stop the vehicle and ask the driver/passenger to roll down
the (side) windows partially. The tint meter has a slot built in to it (as shown in Figure 1.1).
One has to insert the partially opened window into this slot and by pressing a button the
light waves of specific wavelength are transmitted from one side of the tint meter and a
receiver at the other side of the tint meter will analyze the received light waves. Depending
on the transmitivity/opacity of the glass along with the black film pasted on it, we get values ranging from 0% (opaque material such as card board) to 100% (for pure air). Generally,
the lighter glasses have high transmittance (65% to 80%) and the darker glasses have low
transmittance (20% to 35%). In many states/countries, the allowed transmittance level is
35%. If the vehicle’s glass tint level goes below this level, then one can issue a ticket and
initiate legal action.
In the case of two-piece tint meters, we have two pieces, one back meter and one front
meter (as shown in Figure 1.2). These kind of tint meters also are used to measure the