Reading device panels - integration with external systems

What is Panel Reader?

Panel Reader is a tool that reads values from device displays using photos. You take a picture of a pressure gauge, a digital display or another indicator - the system recognizes the value and saves it.

When is it useful?

• You have an analog pressure gauge and want to track pressure over time
• You want to document device readings without transcribing them by hand
• You need a measurement history from devices that have no digital interface

How does it work?

1. You upload a photo

Take a picture with your phone or upload an existing one.

2. The system analyzes the image

Roboflow AI recognizes indicators and digits and reads out the values.

3. The result is saved

The reading is added to the history together with its date and the source photo.

How to use Panel Reader

Step 1: Open the tool

1. Open Weather Station
2. Select Panel Reader from the menu

Step 2: Upload a photo

1. Click Choose file or drag and drop a photo
2. Select the device type:
   • Digital display
   • Analog gauge
3. Optionally enter a device name (e.g. “Tank A pressure gauge”)
4. Click Analyze

Step 3: Check the result

The system shows:

• The detected values
• A highlight on the photo marking where it found them
• The confidence level

If the result is correct, it is saved to the history.

Configuration (optional)

Roboflow API key

By default we use a shared key. If you have your own Roboflow project:

1. Go to Settings > Panel Reader
2. Enter your API Key
3. Provide the Model ID (e.g. digital-meter-detection/2)

Gauge calibration

For analog gauges you can set:

• Scale range (min/max values)
• Needle angles (the min and max positions on the dial)

This improves reading accuracy.

Reading history

At the bottom of the page you can see all previous readings:

• Date and time
• Device name
• Reading value
• Photo thumbnail

Tips for good photos

• Good lighting - avoid glare and shadows
• Straight on to the display - not at an angle
• Sharp digits/indicator - no blur
• Only one device per photo

Troubleshooting

“No value detected”

• Try better lighting
• Take the photo more straight on
• Make sure the digits/indicator are sharp

Wrong value?

• For gauges: check the angle calibration
• Try a different photo

What’s coming next?

Right now you upload photos manually. In the future we plan to add:

• Automatic cameras - a camera pointed at a gauge will take photos on its own and send them for analysis
• Alerts - the system will automatically notify you when pressure drops below the norm
• Winery monitoring - cameras on fermentation tanks reading temperature and level

This will give you continuous monitoring without having to take photos by hand.

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