Projection segmentation-based image recognition technology for automatic reading of gas meter

In view of the shortcomings of the existing gas meter reading methods, this paper introduces an automatic reading method and calibration device based on the projection segmentation method, which uses the color difference between the character part and the rest part of the last code wheel of the gas meter counter to realize image recognition of the turned characters, and then calculates the cumulative volume indication of gas meter based on the number of turned characters. The pixel projection value scanned by the camera device at the horizontal centerline of the last code wheel changes alternately when the code wheel rotates. The proposed projection segmentation method does not require recognition of specific characters, simplifying the algorithm and making it suitable for most calibration devices. Experiments show that the accuracy rate of the proposed method is 100% even under low-light conditions, which is a great improvement compared with the traditional character recognition method. Additionally, the reading resolution of the proposed method is improved by 10 times compared with the existing photoelectric sampling method and template matching method, and the total calibration time can be reduced by 6.7%–58.7%, which significantly enhances the calibration efficiency. •The principle of the proposed projection segmentation technique is illustrated.•An image recognition method and device for gas meters are designed.•The proposed method improves reading resolution, accuracy, and efficiency.