ALPR / PRIVACY

ALPR PRIVACY / BUILD & USE

User & operator guide

A reference for startup, normal operation and parked maintenance.

At startup

Apply stable power and allow the GPS receiver to acquire a usable fix. Check the database and GPS status in the maintenance interface. In the local v0.4.1 source, GPIO5 starts low and is activated only after a confirmed geofence entry.

During normal operation

The controller reads GPS and compares the position with its selected local database. The current source requires three confirming readings and applies an exit margin. Its GPIO5 output and external indicator follow the confirmed geofence state. The indicator shows the commanded output; it does not independently verify the panel’s optical state.

When GPS is unavailable

A missing or stale GPS fix means geofence decisions are unavailable. Treat the device as unable to provide reliable camera proximity information. Use the maintenance status and troubleshooting guide to diagnose acquisition, antenna and receiver problems.

Database maintenance — v0.4.1 prototype

  1. Park and provide stable power. Open Maintenance Mode.
  2. Connect the controller to a saved internet-capable Wi-Fi network.
  3. Open the Database Updates panel and request a check. After a cold boot, internet time synchronization is required for certificate checks.
  4. Review the offered database and choose Download and Install when ready.
  5. Wait for verification and successful activation. A relay that is on delays switching; an expired maintenance session can also delay activation.
  6. Confirm the selected database and slot after a normal power cycle.

The prototype checks when saved internet Wi-Fi becomes available, then daily, with a five-minute retry after a failed check. Automatic installation is off by default. Its alternating SD database slots are separate from firmware application partitions.

Lifetime trigger counter

The v0.4.1 counter records an OFF-to-ON relay transition after geofence confirmation. Remaining inside does not add counts. A count is not a measured blocked plate read; rebooting or reacquiring GPS can produce another activation. The total stays on the device, and erasing flash removes it.

Firmware changes

Firmware OTA is not implemented in the local v0.4.1 source. Do not interpret the public sample firmware entry as an automatic upgrade. Use a reviewed release and board-specific USB flashing instructions when available, preserving NVS during routine uploads.

What stays local

The documented prototype does not upload trigger totals or GPS history. Update requests still reach web infrastructure, which may log IP addresses and request details. See the privacy page.