Automated Mobile Meter Reader App using OCR and Barcodes

Project Title

Automated Mobile Meter Reader App using OCR and Barcodes

Project Area of Specialization Computer ScienceProject Summary

Automated mobile meter reader is an application to reduce load on meter readers by
providing customers an option of self-meter reading. The unique features associated with this
app are to identify the customer through unique barcode, to read the units that the customer
consumed and transmit it to the server. Using this we are going to step towards the
digitalized world by providing smart solution to meter reading problem. All the readings and
barcodes are going to be stored and managed on server side. The customers will be allowed
to transmit readings during specific dates so that the system is not deceived by providing
older readings.

Project Objectives

The main objective of this work is to make an android application. The system includes android
based application, a server where all the data is going to be managed and a barcode generating
machine which will generate barcodes for the meters.
The research will be done on how actually the barcodes are going to be scanned and also how
can we get both the barcode and the meter reading. Splitting of the camera according to the
meter dimensions would take place. Once the research is completed the development of
application will start. The application will capture the barcode and meter reading by using the
android app and stored the data by using the barcode which actually is the uniqueness of the
meter on server and place the reading accordingly. 

Project Implementation Method

Study OCR and its process.

Study of Android Google API’s of barcode and OCR.

Study about barcodes, how they will be store and how can we perform action on
barcode.

Study about camera that how it will split in two portions and how can we set the
dimensions of these portions.

Implementation of Application.

Checking and testing of application based upon predefined test cases.

Benefits of the Project

? User can easily capture the barcode with meter reading by their own android phone by
installing the app.
? The application will allow user to scan their meter reading and with barcode the meter of
the user’s home would be automatically unified on the server no need for manuallay adding your meternumber.
? The app will capture the image and then it will convert the image meter reading into
digits by using OCR (Optical Character Recognition), this process will be done internally
and will take only few microseconds comparatively it is fast.
? The app would be light weighted that can be run on any type of android phone.
? The app will provide the facility to only capture and store the user meter reading on
some specific dates as like happened in real time acording to the readers.
? All the user data will be managed on server side.
? The last and the most important benefit is that it is the solution of manual hectic processes.

Technical Details of Final Deliverable

An app that will:

1.Provide a user friendly environment where user can easilty scan their meter readings and the bill would be shown to the user in a form of receipt 

2.It will provide the security as the barcode and the OCR is going to be scanned at the same time so one user can not do any fradulent activity.

Final Deliverable of the Project Software SystemCore Industry Energy Other IndustriesCore Technology OthersOther TechnologiesSustainable Development Goals Affordable and Clean Energy, Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, Responsible Consumption and ProductionRequired Resources

Item Name	Type	No. of Units	Per Unit Cost (in Rs)	Total (in Rs)
			Total in (Rs)	73400
Barcode printer (TM-A 30)	Equipment	1	40000	40000
Gas meter	Equipment	1	5000	5000
Thesis printing	Miscellaneous	3	3000	9000
other Documents Printing	Miscellaneous	1	1000	1000
Azure membership cost per month	Equipment	4	4600	18400