Design of an Image Recognition Device for Electronic Water Meter Readings Based on Improved Threading Method

In view of the low success rate and efficiency of existing image recognition methods for electronic water meter readings, an image recognition method based on improved threading method has been developed, and the corresponding image recognition device has been designed. After segmentation, correction, and preprocessing of the water meter reading image, the improved threading method is used to accurately recognize the individual numerical characters segmented, which involves scanning from the midpoint of the upper boundary of the number from top to bottom, and then scanning from left to right from the 3/4 midpoint and 1/4 midpoint of the left boundary of the number. Based on the results of three scans, specific numbers are identified, and the cumulative flow indication of water meter is finally synthesized. This method only requires scanning 3 lines, greatly simplifying the image recognition algorithm, shortening the algorithm running time, and improving the quality of image recognition. After testing, the success rate of the image recognition device in recognizing seven segment LCD digits is higher than 99.9%.