Deep Learning-Based Pointer Meter Reading Recognition for Advancing Manufacturing Digital Transformation Research

With the digital transformation of the manufacturing industry, data monitoring and collecting in the manufacturing process become essential. Pointer meter reading recognition (PMRR) is a key element in data monitoring throughout the manufacturing process. However, existing PMRR methods have low accu...

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Main Authors: Xiang Li, Jun Zhao, Changchang Zeng, Yong Yao, Sen Zhang, Suixian Yang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Sensors
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/1/244
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author Xiang Li
Jun Zhao
Changchang Zeng
Yong Yao
Sen Zhang
Suixian Yang
author_facet Xiang Li
Jun Zhao
Changchang Zeng
Yong Yao
Sen Zhang
Suixian Yang
author_sort Xiang Li
collection DOAJ
description With the digital transformation of the manufacturing industry, data monitoring and collecting in the manufacturing process become essential. Pointer meter reading recognition (PMRR) is a key element in data monitoring throughout the manufacturing process. However, existing PMRR methods have low accuracy and insufficient robustness due to issues such as blur, uneven illumination, tilt, and complex backgrounds in meter images. To address these challenges, we propose an end-to-end PMRR method based on a decoupled circle head detection algorithm (YOLOX-DC) and a Unet-like pure Transformer segmentation network (PM-SwinUnet). First, according to the characteristics of the pointer dial, the YOLOX-DC detection algorithm is designed based on the exceeding you only look once detector (YOLOX). The decoupled circle head of YOLOX-DC detects the pointer meter dial more accurately than the commonly used rectangular detection head. Second, the window multi-head attention of the PM-SwinUnet network enhances the feature extraction ability of pointer meter images and solves problems of missed scale detection and incomplete pointer segmentation. Additionally, the scale and pointer fitting module is introduced into the PM-SwinUnet to locate the accurate position of the scale and pointer. Finally, through the angle relationship between the pointer and the first two main scale lines, the pointer meter reading is accurately calculated by the improved angle method. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed end-to-end method across three-pointer meter datasets. Furthermore, it provides a rapid and robust approach to the digital transformation of manufacturing systems.
format Article
id doaj-art-28be70f540b840b5913e03ecc87cbe61
institution Kabale University
issn 1424-8220
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publishDate 2025-01-01
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spelling doaj-art-28be70f540b840b5913e03ecc87cbe612025-01-10T13:21:20ZengMDPI AGSensors1424-82202025-01-0125124410.3390/s25010244Deep Learning-Based Pointer Meter Reading Recognition for Advancing Manufacturing Digital Transformation ResearchXiang Li0Jun Zhao1Changchang Zeng2Yong Yao3Sen Zhang4Suixian Yang5School of Mechanical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, ChinaNational Institute of Measurement and Testing Technology, Chengdu 610056, ChinaSchool of Computer Science, Civil Aviation Flight University of China, Guanghan 618307, ChinaNational Institute of Measurement and Testing Technology, Chengdu 610056, ChinaSchool of Big Data, Guizhou Institute of Technology, Guiyang 550003, ChinaSchool of Mechanical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, ChinaWith the digital transformation of the manufacturing industry, data monitoring and collecting in the manufacturing process become essential. Pointer meter reading recognition (PMRR) is a key element in data monitoring throughout the manufacturing process. However, existing PMRR methods have low accuracy and insufficient robustness due to issues such as blur, uneven illumination, tilt, and complex backgrounds in meter images. To address these challenges, we propose an end-to-end PMRR method based on a decoupled circle head detection algorithm (YOLOX-DC) and a Unet-like pure Transformer segmentation network (PM-SwinUnet). First, according to the characteristics of the pointer dial, the YOLOX-DC detection algorithm is designed based on the exceeding you only look once detector (YOLOX). The decoupled circle head of YOLOX-DC detects the pointer meter dial more accurately than the commonly used rectangular detection head. Second, the window multi-head attention of the PM-SwinUnet network enhances the feature extraction ability of pointer meter images and solves problems of missed scale detection and incomplete pointer segmentation. Additionally, the scale and pointer fitting module is introduced into the PM-SwinUnet to locate the accurate position of the scale and pointer. Finally, through the angle relationship between the pointer and the first two main scale lines, the pointer meter reading is accurately calculated by the improved angle method. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed end-to-end method across three-pointer meter datasets. Furthermore, it provides a rapid and robust approach to the digital transformation of manufacturing systems.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/1/244PMRRdeep learningdigital transformationimage processingpattern recognition
spellingShingle Xiang Li
Jun Zhao
Changchang Zeng
Yong Yao
Sen Zhang
Suixian Yang
Deep Learning-Based Pointer Meter Reading Recognition for Advancing Manufacturing Digital Transformation Research
Sensors
PMRR
deep learning
digital transformation
image processing
pattern recognition
title Deep Learning-Based Pointer Meter Reading Recognition for Advancing Manufacturing Digital Transformation Research
title_full Deep Learning-Based Pointer Meter Reading Recognition for Advancing Manufacturing Digital Transformation Research
title_fullStr Deep Learning-Based Pointer Meter Reading Recognition for Advancing Manufacturing Digital Transformation Research
title_full_unstemmed Deep Learning-Based Pointer Meter Reading Recognition for Advancing Manufacturing Digital Transformation Research
title_short Deep Learning-Based Pointer Meter Reading Recognition for Advancing Manufacturing Digital Transformation Research
title_sort deep learning based pointer meter reading recognition for advancing manufacturing digital transformation research
topic PMRR
deep learning
digital transformation
image processing
pattern recognition
url https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/1/244
work_keys_str_mv AT xiangli deeplearningbasedpointermeterreadingrecognitionforadvancingmanufacturingdigitaltransformationresearch
AT junzhao deeplearningbasedpointermeterreadingrecognitionforadvancingmanufacturingdigitaltransformationresearch
AT changchangzeng deeplearningbasedpointermeterreadingrecognitionforadvancingmanufacturingdigitaltransformationresearch
AT yongyao deeplearningbasedpointermeterreadingrecognitionforadvancingmanufacturingdigitaltransformationresearch
AT senzhang deeplearningbasedpointermeterreadingrecognitionforadvancingmanufacturingdigitaltransformationresearch
AT suixianyang deeplearningbasedpointermeterreadingrecognitionforadvancingmanufacturingdigitaltransformationresearch