Research on Water Gauge Recognition Based on Deep Learning and Image Processing

Abstract: In order to improve the intellective level of water resources management, a real-time water level recognition method based on deep-learning algorithms and image-processing techniques is proposed in this paper. The recognition process is composed of four steps. Firstly, for the purpose of digit detection, YOLO-v3 model is deployed for extracting numbers from the water gauges. Then, the cropped number images are fed into the LSTM + CTC model as training samples so that digits can be recognized. In the third step, Hough transform are adopted to correct the tilt of water gauge in terms of the vertical edge feature. Morphological operation, associated with horizontal projection would position upper and lower edge of water gauge to recognize the scale lines correctly. Water level could be determined correspondingly. Model application shows that the recognition model has satisfying accuracy and efficiency, with potential being applied in practice.