Description
Measurement of a parameter of a moving object
Tne present invention relates to a method and a system for
measuring a parameter of a moving object
Measuring speed OF a vehicle is an important aspect for
traffic monitoring In oraer to monitor traffic efficiently,
speed of the vehicles is to be measured and drivers exceeding
speect limits are to be penalized In order to penalize
offenders, measurement of additional parameters of the
vehicle enable in easy identification of the vehicle
Additionally, in order to monitor traffic efficiently and
penalize of orders, it is required that the monitoring systen
be inconspicuous as drivers tend to slow oown on noticing the
speed monitoring system
High speed cameras are being used to image the vehicle and
ther measure the speed. However, high speed cameras require
additional lighting in case of bad ambient lighting This additional lighting can distract drivers and cause accidents.
Additionally, the lighting arrangement consumes large power.
This increases One operating expenses of the system.
Furthermore, as the monitoring system is conspicuous, an
offender shall reduce the speed as he approaches the
monitoring system. This, all offenders may not be caught and
the monitoring system becomes inefficient
It is an or/,ec; of tne invention to eliminate or at least
minimize th<~ above mentioned problems.
The above ch](,cl JS achieved by c? method of measuring a
parameter o* a moving object, wherein uhe method comprises
directing at least two distinct colours of light to a colour
camera, wherein the at least two distinct colours of light
are directed at a respective delay and the direction of the
at least tio distinct colours oT i_gnt to the colour camera

is partially obstruccec by the movjng object, capturing the
directed IK it to result rHo o \e Linage, the image
comprising ct least two distinguishable colour channels
capable of distinguishing the distinct colours of the light
and processing the image to compute a parameter of the moving
object from positions of the object m the at least two
distinguishable colof channels of the image
Thereby, enabling measurement of parameters of an object
movirg at a '"ngh speed us_ng inavpensive cameras
According tc an embodiment, cac>"> of the al least two distinct
colours of 1LQ^L ere directed Lo the colour camera Cor a
predetermined t-me al He resoective delay, wherein the
respective aelay is predetermined.
This enables capturing of plurality of colour channels of the
moving object at varying time instances m one image.
fAccordJng to yet another embodiment, the at least two
distinct coiouis of light are from-'fThe group consisting of a
red colour, a green colour and a blue colour
According tc yet anot^eil>Tri$oieirUuent, the parameter of the
object is one of the group consisting of a speed, a shape, a
si/e and a c olour
Additional oarameters such as s'>ape, size and colour enable
identification an^^ver^sp'eedTrrg—vefrfcle easily.
s According to yet another embodiment^ the speed of the
ooject is computed using a pattern matching algorithin
According L<~> vet another erinoc^ lent, the directing of the at
least t.JO a. sti ret co" ours of lignt to the colour camera
includes pesJtioring c. plurality of reflectors on a surface
opposite tc .he colojr camera, unereirj the surface is on a
p«Ln to be iraversea by tno objc t, determining F proximity

of the obje-c:, ilJurrnratng the plurality of reflectors if
proximity o: the object 3s below a threshold using at least
two light «c\uces, t^ az least two light sources emitting
the at least two dist i.nc~ colours of light, wherein each of
the at leas*- two ligm sources are strcbed at the respective
delay, and I he reflectors and the object, reflecting the
incident l.i.ht to the colour camera
Thereoy, epabUrg measuring speed of a vehicle and
identifying the colour of the vehicle
According to yet anotner embodiment, the plurality of
reflectors are a plurality of markers
According to yet anotner embodiment, the at least two light
sources are selected from the group consisting of a red light
source, a grcer light source arcl a blue light source
Acscordirg to yet anotror enoc.1 meni^dch of the at least two
light sources are"'"sTTtJb"err~Tor a predetermined on-time.
This^enables capturing tne dastmct^colours of light in one
lmag-e--^Moreover, the power consumption of the light sources,
is minimized
According to yet another embodiment^ the at least two light
sourc>9'^^J^AOxo,aJ^_JibIe__r.efJ ectos-s—try" transmitting thin rays
of light
Thus makes .he monitoring operation inconspicuous to a driver
and ninmiics power consumption
According to yet mother embodiment, tne directing of the at
least two Q-scmct colours of ^ight to the colour camera
includes rx ^1tjoning ? plurality of light sources on a
surface opposite to the colour camera, wherein the surface
is on a path to be traversed by the object, determining a
proximity ot the object, and strobing the plurality of light

sources if i,rc-imity of the object is below a threshold to
direct the at least two distirct colours of light to the
colour camera, wherein the purs'ity of light sources are
configured to Q"rect ino at least two distinct colours of
light at tne respective delays
According to yet another embodiment, che plurality of light
sources are a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs).
Thereby, reducing tne oowcr consumption as the power consumed
by LEDs is Jow
According to yet another embodiment, the plurality of light
sources are scrobed to*- a erodeternnned on-time
Another embodiment includes ar apparatus for measuring a
parameter cf a moving ooject, wherein the apparatus comprises
an illuminating system (12) comprising at least two light
sources, the at least two light sources emitting light of
distinct colours, wherein each of tne at least two light
sources are strobed at a respective delay, a colour camera
(13) to capture the directed light to result into one image,
the image comprising at least two dist mgui shade colour
channels CJ >abJe of distinguish ng the distinct colours of
the nght a>d a processor (16) to process the image to
compute a parameter of tne mo'ing object (31) from positions
of the object in the at Least two distinguishable colour
channels of i_'i-> i^aqe
Thereby, eliminating the need of exoensive high speed cameras
for measuring parameters of an object moving at a high speed.
The present invention is further described hereinafter with
reference to illustrated emnodimerts shown in tne
accompanyma clrawmos, * r which

FIG 1 illustrates an apparatus for measuring a
parameter o£ a moving object according to an
embodiment herein,
FIG 2 illustrates a timing diagram of strobing the
Light sources in accordance co an embodiment of
the indention,
FIGS 3 " 1 1 ustratcv capturing of distinct colours of
light: in one image comprising distinguishable
colour channels to measure a parameter of a
moving object in accordance with an embodiment
herein,
FIGS 4a-4c illustrate examp]es of reflection of three
distinct colours of light at their respective
delays by the plurality of reflectors of FIG 3,
FIG 5 illustrates a composite image resulting from the
^apturinq of the non-obstructed red, green and
blue colou'" lignt,
FIGS 6a-6c illustrate the partial obstruction of the
reflection of the distinct colours of Lnght by a
vehicle,
FIGS 7 illustrates a composite image resulting from the
-apturing of tne partially obstructed red, green
and blue colour light,
FIG 8 is a flow Diagram illustrating one embodiment of
.i method of image acquisition and processing, and
FIG 9 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of
a method of measuring a parameter of a moving
object

Various ecnfo-.'vnents are described with reference to the
drawings, wherein li^'e reference numerals are used to refer
Lo li, 51 jmage processing means 14 to
compute a pu'r'ieter of the moving object ana a sensor 15 to
detect the proximity of an object The colour camera 13
captures the emitted distinct colours of light to result into
one image. Die parameter of the moving object measured herein
includes, but rot limited to speea, size, shape and colour
In tne shown example of rig 1, the illuminating system 12
comprises at least two light sources, wherein the light
sources emit Lignt of distinct coJours The light sources are
selected from u'ie principle colours red, green and blue Each
of the lighi rources is strobed at a respective predetermined
delay for a rescective predetermined on-time. In an
embodiment, L^e light fources may be strobed at the
respective predetermined deiay from a reference trigger.
In an embodiment, the light of at least two distinct colours
is directed to the colour camera 13 from a surface opposite
to the colour camera 13 In an embodiment, the light from the
illuminating system 12 nay be directed to the camera 13 by
illuminating a piuraiitv of reflectors Dositioned on the
surface opoos■te to tne camera i3
Tne object /v f t rnv„ r«-1 > cj t r-2 pa„n mry partially obstruct
tne direct! to 01 the distinct colours of J 1ght from the
surface to the camera 13

In an alternative enbucimeit, the illuminating system may be
arranged o~ a surface opposite to the camera 13 and the
surface is on ^ oath to bo traversed by the object The light
of at least lwe disti ct coJours eratted by the at least two
lig-it sources „s directed to the camera 13
The colour camera 13 is exposed tot the entire duration of
strobing of l>e ligh^ toupee'?, and thus, captures the
directed lionl of distinct colours in one image comprising
distinguishable colour channels Accordingly, the frame rate
of the camera 13 may be adjusted to correspond to one cycle
of strobing the light sources of the illuminating system 12
The image obtained is a composite image comprising the
plurality °f colour chorine] s For dn example, the number of
colour charncls in an ■'iticcjo *s equivalent to the number of
light sources illuminating the object Therefore, the
composite mviqe comprises the coloir channels that are
capaole of 0.1 st - rgui shir g the dist-nct colours of che light
emitted by the ] ignt ->oircos, for examoJe, the red, green,
ana b)uo cc.ours
Thus, directing of at least two distinct colours of light
from a surface opposite to the colour camera 13 and the
surface oeinq on the path to be traversed by the object
enable capturing the aist_.net colours of lignt at varying
instances ol time into ore image Capturing the partially
obstructed directed liaht of distinct colours at varying
instances ot time in one image allows imaging of an object
moving at c very hign speed 'Inc. capturing of the directed
light m O'-'C image comp-'i'*- ng roio; r channels capable of
distinguishi ig the uisi.net coiours of light enable
determining tne position of the object at varying instances
of t^me
Tn an embodiment, the image orocessmg mear s 14 comprises a
processor 16 ooerationally coupled to a memory 17 The
processor 16 processes the image captured by the camera 13 to

conpute the paraieters cf the moving object by determining
L'r>e posHics of the object ir i he different coJour channels
of the lmag* Tne memory 1/ nay comprise stored therein an
algorithin to determine the displacement of the moving object
The distance octween Lhe posjLions of tne objecL in different
colour channels is determined This distance between the
positions o£ tne objects in two colour channels of the image
provides the displacement of Lne object For an example, the
distance between the oosztions of the object in two colour
channels ma/ be compared as tne distance between the centers
of the obje L in two color cn^nnels ^s speed is a ratio of
displacement ano time, the ratao of tne displacement of the
object and < t:nc difference of strobing tne light sources
for which tre emitted light nas been caotured m the
resoecL i ve o1 or channels of the image, which have been
considered fot determining t*-e displacement of the object,
provides wi t h the speed of the object In order to measure
the speed of the moving object, it is required to measure the
displacement of the moving object Displacement may be
measured as a distance between positions of the object m two
color chanrels of the image Thus, speed of Lhe moving object
may be compi ted by processing an image comprising two colour
channels A. corcmgly, to measure speed of the moving object,
the illumiPctirq system 12 nay comorise two light sources
producing Ijght, of distinct colours
The sensor lb determine^ Lhe proximity of the object and
provides a', mcicatior if Lhe proximity of the object is
below a threshold This indication may act as the reference
trigger and on receiving this indication the camera 13 may be
exposed to capture the directed light of distinct colours in
one image arct the light sources of the lllummaLing system 12
may be strobed at their respective delays
FIG 2 illustrates a timing diagram of exposing the camera 13
and strobing the lig^L sources ir accordance to an embodiment
of Lhe IPVO; L^cr Jn L''C o-.anp ~- cf ^IG 2, the Liming diagram
il-ustiatec is for an < " i uiru not- ng system comprising three

light sources As shown m the example of TIG 2, each of the
light sources is trigged at a delay from a falling edge of
the refererce trigger ?] v%hich is tref In an embodiment, the
reference trigger 21 is an indication that an object's
proximity 1c oeJow a thres o • c s iirsL light souice is
strobed aft-~r a dolay t, froni tr_f for an or-tune wR A second
light source i <= strobed after a delay tG from t-Pt for an on-
time wG h ti ird light source is strobed after a delay t8 from
t1Cf for an on-tjme w,. The camera <3 of FIC las exposed for
a time tF Iron tcc<, such that the distinct colours of light
emitted by i.ne light sources of the illuminating system 12 of
FIG 1 is captured in a single image For an example, the
first light source may be a red light source, the second
light source may be a green light source and the third light
source may he a blue lignt source The on-time wR, wG and wB
and the dc^ys i>, tc and tp may be adjusted aepencang on the
field of av.plicat_on For example, for measuring parameters
of ver^ fas' novjnq objects the delays may be Decreased and
for mcasurv.g the parameters of slow moving objects the
delays may be increased
FIG 3 a " IUJ i tvitcs capturing of distinct colours of light in
one image comprising distinguishable colour channels to
measure a parameter of a moving object in accordance with an
embodiment herein The object m an implementation of the
present embodiment is a moving vehicle 31 A plurality of
reflectors ~>3 are positidred on a surface 35 opposite to the
colour camera 13 of FIG 1 The surface 35 is or a path to be
traversed bv a vehicle 31
In accordance with the present embodiment, m an
implemental . c i, ligat of three f\_sLmct colours is directed
to tne coki r camera 13 oy lljupunaltrg tne plurality of
reflectors Vi using the light sources of tns illuminating
system 12 of 1IG I and the reflectors 33 an turn reflect the
distinct cojours of light to tne colour camera 13 In an
implementaljon, the plurality of reflectors 33 may be a
plurality or markers

The on-tJme 01 the light sources of tnc illuminating system
12 nay be anjuried LO oe small, such tiat the distinct
colours of "" ight are rot: visible to an individual inside the
vehicle 31, for example, less than a im 1lisecond Moreover,
reducing the on-time of the light sources felicitate
minimizing trie power consumption of the illuminating system
12 Adctitio Tal-^y, tie light sources may be configured such
that they emi t light of thin rays
The colour -amera 13 raptires the reflected light of distinct
colours _rto one _mage comprising distinguishable colour
chanrels
FIG 4a through 4c lllistrates examples of reflection of three
distinct co os..rs of light at their respective delays by the
plurality oi reflectors 33 of FIG 3 FIG 4a illustrates the
reflection of red colour light by the plurality of reflectors
33 FIG 4b illustrates the reflection of green colour light
by the plurality of reflectors 33 FIG 4c illustrates the
reflection of blue colour light by the plurality of
reflectors "3 Jr the present embodiment, if the direction of
the distmc i colours of Light by the reflectors 33 to the
camera 13 : s not obstructed oy the vehicle 31 of FIG 1, i.e.,
m the absence of ary vehicle 31, the red, green and blue
colour ligM directed to the camera 13 of FTG 1 from the
reflectors ">3 are captuiori m ore 'mage, thus, resulting into
a composite image, deoictirg a white pattern.
FIG 5 illustrates a composite image 51 resulting from the
capturing of the non-obstructed red, green and blue colour
light The composite image 51 comprises a red, a green and a
blue colou1" channel to caotare tne respective colour of
light However, as the red, green and blue colour channels
are integralcd into ore to form the composite image, the
composite _nage 51 deoicts a white pattern The white pattern
depicted is due to the integration of the principle colour

components of red, green and blue captured m the respectxve
colour chsnrels of the image
When the volic e 31 of FIG 3 traverses over the reflectors 33
of FIG 1, t'e vehicle 31 may partially obstruct the
reflection of the d: v j p c t colo.irs of light, and thus, light
from ref"ectors underneath Lie vehicle 31 will not be
directec to tt-e camera J 3 of FIG 1 FIG 6a illustrates the
oartxal obt' > i <■ t J on of the reflection of the red colour light
by the vehicle 31 FIG 6b illusLTdtes t"e partial obstruction
of the reflection of the green colour light by the vehicle
31. FIG 6c illustrates the partial obstruction of the
reflection of the blue colour light by the vehicle 31. In the
shown examples of FIG 6a through 6c, it can be seen that the
vehicle 31 as at different positions at the different
instances of strobing the red, green and blue Ixght sources
of tie illuminating system 12 oi FIG 1 The vehicle 31
partially oirsiructs reflection of each of the distinct
colours of ..g.it The p&rtiaily obstructed red, green and
blue colour of light is captured I*- one image of the camera
13 to result into a composite image
FIG 7 11". u?trc tes a composite image 71 resulting from the
capturing of the partially obstructed red, green and blue
colour light. The composite image 71 comprises a red, a green
and a blue colour channel to capture the respective colour of
light However, as tnr red, green and blue colour channels
are mcegra ed ~nto ono to form the composite image 71, a
white pattein is depicted in the composite image 71 for the
distinct colours of l_ght captured by the camera 13 of FIG 1
m the respective colour channels This is due to the
integration of the orinv.ipie colour components of red, green
ana blue cclon., l e , t'ie • ifeqinlior of tie colours of the
non-obsLruv i eu light captured "> i the respective colour
channels At 'ocations, where tne vehicle 31 of FIG 3
obstructs tKe direction of the >ight to the camera 13, in an
embodiment, the respective colour channel at that location
may not capture any light The obstruction of the direction

of the ligb' jy tre voi:cl? 31 provides a respective colour
siqratjre ?.' czc'r- of Lie GO .our channel On tnc integration
of L'~e cole ' c-tarrc1 <.-., Lhe composite image 71 depicts white
patterns fcj Locations not ir terceDted by the vehicle 31 and
a respective colour signature 73, 75, 77 at locatiors
intercepted by the vehicle 31. The colour signature 73 is for
the position of the vehicle 31 as illustrated in TIG 6a. The
colour signature 75 is for Lhe position of tne vehicle 31 as
illustratec in FIG 6o The colour signature 77 JS for the
position of the veh"cle 31 as illustrated m TIG 6c In an
embodiment, as the coJour signatures 73, 75, 77 result due to
the integrator of tne colojr channels, a respective colour
signature cf t- colour chdrne1 of lhe composite image 71 may
be the mLe^rcitior of Lhe colour of Ingnt captured m the
other two c-.annels for example, for a red colour cnannel,
the colour signature 73 may be the integration of tne green
ana the bke colour as the camera 13 captures the green and
the blue colour of lignt in the respective green and blue
colour channels at the position of the vehicle 31 imaged in
the red color channel Accordingly, the colour signature 75
may be the integration of the red and blue colour ana the
colour signature 77 may be the integration of the rea and
green colour T'e co1o>..i signatures 13, 75, 77 aepict the
position of tKfc vehicle cl different time instances, for
example ;he respective \.ir\e of strobing the respective light
sources
Tron Lhe oo'-it ions of t ho vch_cle 15 at different Lime
instances n^oviced oy ih? concur signatures 73, 75, 77, the
displacement of Lhe vehicle 31 may be determined For
example, the difference between the position of the colour
signatures 73 and 75 shall provide the displacement of the
vehicle 31 with respect to Lhe initial oositior of the
vehicle 31 ct rea colour cnanne A disolacement vector 78
between the oositions of Lhe colour signs-Lures 73 and 75 is
computed as L^e Difference boLween the initial oosition of
the object, i e , Lhe colour signature 7 3 and the final
position of r"c vemcle 31, i e , Lhe colour signature 75.

Similarly, a cisplacsnent vector 79 between the colour
signatures /b and 77 is computed as the difference between
the initial position of the vehicle 31, i.e., the colour
signature /5 arc the final position of the vehicle 31, i.e.,
the colour signature // Speed of the vehicle 31 is computed
as the ratio of the -J _splescenent of the vehicle 31 and a time
difference of srrobirg the light sources of which the emitted
light ^as bee" .reflected by the reflectors and captured in
the respectJve color channels of the image which have been
considered for deterin.ning tie displacement of the object.
Additionally, the colour signatures 73, 75 and 77 may also
enable determining a size of the vehicle 31 As the colour
signatures 0 3, 75, 77 typically represent the obstruction
caused by the vehicle 31 and are distinguishable from the
white patteins, the size of the vehicle 31 may be determined
from a cole r signatu'e 73, 75, 77
In an alternative embodiment, the vehicle 31 may reflect
portion of the light incident onto it to the camera 13 The
reflected portion of the light by the vehicle 31 may be
captured in the respective colour chcine]s of the image.
Thus, on i "t -'grr.tion of the colour channels to result into
the composite image /i, the reflected portion of the light by
the vehicle 31 imaged at each colour channel may also be
integrated This provides additional information about the
moving veniole 31 and enables determining a colour of the
vehicle 31
In an ernbodimert, the displacement of tne venicle 31 may be
computed u"* oq c pattern matc^ang algorithin stored m the
memory 17 ol VTC 1 Tne oc'ttern natchi ig algorithin is used
for determining the displacement of the vehicle 31 The
pattern matching alaonthin, topically, uses a template
matching alcrotithin to compere tie pattern of the vehicle 31
lr the template with t^o colou1' signature of the vehicle 31
in each of 1 he colour channels of the image and identifies
the position of the vehicle 31 havjng the highest

similarityc» with the pattern in t^e template The template
matching ek;or t hra laentifjes the DOSIcion of t>e vehicle 31
consider j nu tie rotation, i e , or ■• entcstion of the vehicle 31
with respec■ to the pattern of the template A distinct
template 15 used for each colour channel of the image and
instances ol tie template are searched for in the image This
provides the position of the vehicle 31 m the image that
match to a pai ticular pattern of tne template, 1 e , position
of the vehicle 31 in a colour channel at a particular
irstance Vius, by determining the positions of the vehicle
31 in the -mage in eacn of the colour channels, position of
the vehicle ^ 1 at varying time instances are obtained In an
emoodiment, t^r pattern ~>atcmng algorithin used is a point-
set matchup algontrm rovever, >t should be apparent to a
person ski. ^ci m the art tiat other pattern matching
algorithin, ;novi in tie art, may aJso be used to determine
the displacement and one itation of the objects
FIG 8,, with references to FIGS 1 through 7 is a flow diagram
illustrating one embodiment of a method of image acquisition
and processing The object in one implementation of the
present emoodiment is a moving vehicle 31 At block 81,
proximity r£ the vehicle 3] is determined by the sensor 15.
If tne pro"' m > t \ of the v^nicle 3] is below a threshold, an
indication .s provided by no sersor lb On th:s receiving
this indication at block 32, a colour camera 13 is exposed
to capture 1 ne directed ~>ight of distinct colours in one
image comprising distinguishable colour channels Next, at
block P3, r r. v. colour J ahr source of t>e illuminating
system 12 ; > strobed and the red colour light is directed to
the reflectors 33 of FIG 3 At Mock 84, a green colour light
source of the illuminating system 12 is strobed and the green
colour light is directed to the reflectors 33 of FIG 3
Moving next to block 85, a blue colour light source of the
ilium; nat it'(i system 1'/ is btrohed and the light is directed
to the reflectors 33 of FIG 3 Next, at block 86, the
acquisition is stopped and c composite image 71 comprising
the di&ti">ci,n shab te colou* barrels is obtained At block 87,

the distinguisnable colour channels arc processed and a
parameter of the vehicle 31 is measured
In an altexracve embodiment, the illuminating system 12 of
FIG 1 may comprise ligh. emitting diodes (LEDs) as light
sources to etru t the <-ed, qieen and blue colour of light. The
LEDs may be may DO scrobea PI t'^e respective delay and for
che predetermined on-time to omit the distinct colours of
light In oi"dai to dnect the distinct colours of light to
the camera 13, the ; J urcnnating system 12 comprising the LEDs
is positioned or the surface 35 opposite to the colour camera
13 When the vehicle 31 is over the LEDs of the illuminating
system 12, the direction of the light from the LEDs to the
camera 13 is partially obstructed by the vehicle 31 The non-
obstructed Jight is captured oy the camera ]3 in the
respective colour channel of the image The obstruction of a
portior of the Jignt directed by the LEDs to camera 13 by the
vehicle 31 JS visible m the colour channel as no light is
captured at the location of obstruction T'-is provides a
respective < o our s grarure at each of the colour channel. On
the integral-.or of the colour channels, the composite image
depicts white oatterrs Cot: locations not irterccpred by the
vehicle 31 ; nd a respective colour signature at locations
intercepted by the vehicle 31 The colour signatures of the
respective colour channels provide the position of the
vehicle 31 at the instance of strobing the lignt source
corresponding to the colour channel.
The on-time of the LEDs of the illuminating system 12 may be
adjustec to be very s^ll, such that the distinct colours of
light are rot visible to individuals inside the vehicle 31.
Moreover, jeducing the on-time of the light sources
felicitate ni->_nizing t^e power consumption of the
llluminatmo system 11
From the post tiers ol t -'C vohxe'e 31 SL. different time
instances provided by the colour signatures, the displacement
of the vehicle 31 nay be determined. Tor example, the

difference between tne position of the colour signature of
the red coJ^ur cnannei cia tne qre^r colour channel snail
provide t>ie displacenenr of the vehicle 31 with respect to
the ir t d"! pc-H^on of tne vehicle 15 at red colour channel
Additionally, tne colour signatures may also enable
deternining a size of the vehicle 31. As the colour
signatures typically represent the obstruction caused by the
vehicle 31 e-nd are distinguishable from the white patterns,
the size of the vehic^ may me Determined from a colour
signature
FIG 9, wit' references to "IGS 1 t.irough 8, is a flow diagram
illustrat ng one embodiment of a method of measuring a
parameter c< <-i moving object At blocK 92, at least two
distinct co1ours of l^ght are directed to a colour camera 13.
The at least cwo distinct colours of light are directed at a
respective de_ay and the direction of the at least two
distinct colours of light to the camera 13 is partially
obstructed by the moving object 31 Next, at block 94, the
directed lignt is captured by tne camera 13 to result into
one image The image comprises at least two distinguishable
colour channels capable of distinguishing the distinct
colours of the ^ighc and the image is capable of
distingi i sh" ng the crcctea l^g'rt from the obstructed light.
Moving i cxl to mock 0,b, *. le mage is orocessed to compute a
parameter cf t^e moving object 31 from positions of the
object 31 an u^e at least two distinguishable colour channels
of the lnagp
Tnus, the c-iboa.nenLi oesenbed Herein enable determining
parameters such as speed, colour, si^e and shape of an object
(for exarnpTp, a vehicle) moving at a high speed using a
relatively less expensive camera The parameters sucn as
colour, s.-ic and shape enable tracking of en over-speeding
vehicle ea^ly This enables is efficient regulation of
traffic and thus imorov'e safety Moreover, scrobing the light
sources fo1 a srirll on-ti^e doe«- rot distract drivers and

thus, reduce accident^ Additionally, strobing the lignt
sources for a small o^-time makes tne light rays
irconspicuo .s to drivers Therefore, offenders will not be
able to pot:te the ro" 1 ^.orincj svsten Moreover, as the light
sources are sLrooed for a anal] on-time, tre power
consumption o* the light sources is minimized. Additionally,
the techno ses described heieir eliminate the requirement of
high speed cameras, vhich are balky and expensive
Whue tnjs ;i~vention >a° oeer cescribed m detail with
reference tv. certain preferred eraoodimerts, it snould be
appreciated tnat the present invention is not limited to
those precise embodiments Ratner, m view of the present
disclosure which describes the current best mode for
practicing the invention, many modifications and variations
woula present themselves, to those of skill in the art
without departing from the scope and spirit of this
invention The scope of the mvontior is, therefore,
indicated by tne following claims rather than by the
foregoma cescn pt: c ^l. c! ancjes, moo... f ications, and
variations coming win.r the meaning and range of equivalency
of the clams are to bo corsidered within their scope.

WE CLAIM
1 A method of measuring a parameter of a moving object, said method being
characterized by
directing at least two distinct colours of light to a colour camera (13),
wherein the at least two distinct colours of light are directed at a respective
delay and the direction of the at least two distinct colours of light to said
colour camera (13) is partially obstructed by said moving object (31), capturing the directed light to result Into one image, said Image compnsing
at least two distinguishable colour channels capable of distinguishing the
distinct colours of the light, and
-processing said image to compute a parameter of said moving object (31)
from positions of said object In said at least two dishnguishable colour
channels of said image
2 The method as claimed In claim l, wherein each of the at least two distinct
colours of light are directed to sale colour camera (31) for a pre-determined
time at sard respective delay, wherein said respective delay is predetermined

3 The method as claimed in dalm 1, wherein the at least two distinct colours of
light are from the group consisting of a red colour, a green colour and a blue
colour
4 The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said parameter of said object is
one of the group consisting of a speed, a shape, a size and a colour
5 The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein said speed of said object is
computed using a pattern matching algonthin
6 The method as claimed in claim l, wherein the directing of the at least two
distinct colours of light to said colour camera (13) includes

surface (35) is on a path to be traversed by said object
(31),
-determining a proximaty of said object (31), and
-strobirg the plurality of light sources if proximity of
said object (31) is below a threshold to direct the at
least two distinct colours of light to said colour camera
(13), wherein the plurality of light sources are
configured, to direct the at least two distinct colours of
light at said respective delays
12 The method according to claim 1], wherein the
plurality of light sources are a plurality of light
emitting dioges (LEDs)
13 The method according to claim 11, wherein the
plurality of light sources are strobed for a predetermined
on time.
14 An apparatus for measuring a parameter of a moving
object, said apparatus comprising.
-an unluminating system (]2) comprising at least two light
sources, said at least two light sources emitting light of
distinct colours, wherein each of said at least two light
sources re strobec at a respective delay,
-a colour camera (13) to capture the directed light to
result into one image, said image comprising at least two
disting brr-bie c-Joi'i enamels capable of distinguishing
the dist net colo rs of the Light, and
-a processoi (16) to orocess said image to compute a
parameter of said moving object (31) from positions of
said object in said at least two distinguishable colour
channels of said image
15 The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the
plurality of light sources arc strobed for a predetermined
on-tume.

ABSTRACT

MEASUREMENT OF A PARAMETER ASSOCIATED WITH MOTION OF AN
OBJECT
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for measuring a
parameter of a moving object, wherein the method comprises directing at least
two distinct colours of light to a colour camera (13), wherein the at least two
distinct colours of light are directed at a respective delay and the direction of the
at least two distinct colours of light to said colour camera (13) is partially
obstructed by said moving object (31), capturing the directed light to result into
one image, said image comprising at least two distinguishable colour channels
capable of distinguishing the distinct colours of the light and processing said
image to compute a parameter of said moving object (31) from positions of said
object in said at least two distinguishable colour channels of said image