Automated License Plate Reader

A system consisting of a camera or cameras and related equipment that automatically and without human control locates and focuses on, and photographs license plates and vehicles that come into the range of the device, that automatically converts digital photographic images of scanned license plates into electronic data, that is capable of comparing scanned license plate text data with data files for vehicles on a BOLO (be on the lookout) or hot list programmed into the device's electronic memory, and that notifies police when a scanned license plate matches the license plate on a programmed BOLO list. The term includes both devices that are placed at a stationary location and mobile devices affixed to a vehicle and capable of operation while the vehicle in in motion.