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18th Siam Physics Congress IOP Publishing
Journal of Physics: Conference Series 2653 (2023) 012012 doi:10.1088/1742-6596/2653/1/012012

Design and development of OCR software for remote

measurement and calibration

N Nanna1, N Chanthawong1,2 and J Buajarern1,2

1
Digital Transformation Centre, National Institute of Metrology (Thailand),
Pathumthani 12120, Thailand
2
Dimensional Metrology Department, National Institute of Metrology (Thailand),
Pathumthani 12120, Thailand

Corresponding author’s e-mail address: naruesornn@nimt.or.th

Abstract. The advent of digital technology has led to significant changes in work processes in
many organizations and industries worldwide including Thailand. This work aims to apply
digital technology to improve measurement and metrology in terms of accuracy, productivity,
and variability. We developed machine vision software for monitoring and collecting digital data
from measurement systems. The application of Optical Character Recognition (OCR)
technology in metrology is the first step toward digitalization, enabling enterprises to improve
their measurement processes by automating data collection, analysis, and management.
Moreover, it can be integrated with machine learning algorithms to enhance the automation of
complex measurement tasks. To achieve this goal, an OCR software for data recording was
designed in the LabVIEW environment. The image captured by the camera is processed by the
LabVIEW OCR system which is trained continuously until it can recognize characters
consistently and accurately. This software has been tested with the calibration systems which
has a seven-segment digital format. The result shows that the software can acquire and transmit
the instrument reading with reliable and exceptional accuracy. In addition, it can also reduce the
steps and time required for measurement. In conclusion, the application of OCR technology can
improve the efficiency, productivity, and accuracy of measurement. It also has a promising
potential to enable remote measurement and calibration according to ISO/IEC 17025 possible.

1. Introduction
The advancements in technology, particularly in the field of OCR, have opened new possibilities for
remote calibration [1]. OCR is a technology that enables the conversion of scanned, photographed text
into digital characters, and has emerged as a significant tool in enhancing the accuracy, efficiency, and
automation of calibration procedures [2]. By leveraging OCR technology, calibration data can be
extracted directly from visual representations, such as images or scanned documents, eliminating the
need for manual data entry and reducing the potential for human error. Furthermore, remote calibration
systems powered by OCR enable remote access and adjustments to calibration parameters, even in
geographically dispersed locations. Remote calibration must meet the ISO/IEC 17025 requirements [3].
The laboratory shall manage all information, specify responsibilities, and authorities, and ensure that
personnel have the necessary competence. Despite the promising benefits, there are challenges
associated with OCR for remote calibration. Factors such as image quality, variations in fonts or
languages, and complex calibration procedures can impact the accuracy of OCR results [4].

Content from this work may be used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 licence. Any further distribution
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Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd 1
18th Siam Physics Congress IOP Publishing
Journal of Physics: Conference Series 2653 (2023) 012012 doi:10.1088/1742-6596/2653/1/012012

This paper aims to develop OCR software for automated data collection and validate its effectiveness
in facilitating remote calibration processes following ISO/IEC 17025 standards requirements. In this
study, we compare the calibration results obtained from the developed method with those obtained from
the general method.

2. Design and methodology

2.1. Remote measurement and calibration system

The design of the OCR system for remote calibration is depicted in figure 1. This system comprises a
calibration service and a client's site, which are connected through the internet to facilitate off-site
calibration [5, 6]. The camera device for capturing images will be connected to compare the
measurement results of the standard instrument with the unit under calibration at the client's site, which
includes the control system, such as motion system. The remote calibration is conducted using a transfer
standard, which autonomously performs comparative measurements promptly at the client's site via the
internet [7]. The OCR software is installed on the application server for access to the laboratory client's
site. These captured images are sent in real time to the calibration laboratory for analysis using the OCR
software. Additionally, direct calibration service personnel can perform self-measurements using cloud
cameras and control systems through application servers. Once the measurement process is completed,
the acquired data is analyzed by the calibration service, and a calibration certificate is issued to the
client.

Calibration Service Internet Client’s Site

Remote Control
Application Server Control PC Control System Standard
Data Transmission Instrument

Comparative
Calibration

Unit Under
Remote Monitoring Cameras
Direct Calibration Calibration
Device
Instrument

Calibration
Certificate

Figure 1. The OCR for remote measurement and calibration system.

2.2. OCR software

Figure 2(a) shows the OCR software for automated data collection in remote calibration was developed
using the LabVIEW program. The graphical user interface (GUI) was developed to facilitate user
interaction and ease of data input. This software can operate in three modes: manual, real-time, and
automatic. Any numerical data displayed on the monitor or display of instrument systems can be sent as
images to our software via a USB web camera or a device remotely connected through the Internet
Protocol (IP). This software's interface includes settings, display, measurement results, and other
information.
The measurement procedure of OCR software as shown in figure 2(b). First, begin by setting up the
camera position to capture the image or video from the instrument. Next, crop the region of interest
(ROI) in the image. Following this, perform image processing to reduce noise from reflected light
through techniques by gray scaling or binarization. Subsequently, proceed with segmentation and
feature extraction, which involves converting the data into a format suitable for machine learning. This
includes converting text data and comparing images to generate a series of numbers. Once this is

2
18th Siam Physics Congress IOP Publishing
Journal of Physics: Conference Series 2653 (2023) 012012 doi:10.1088/1742-6596/2653/1/012012

complete, proceed to classification by training and obtain a model file for character matching. The
measurement results are then recorded and exported to either an xlsx file or a csv file.

(a) (b)

Figure 2. OCR software (a) The GUI of LabVIEW front panel. (b) Flow chart of measurement.

2.3. Classification model training

A classification model was trained using a labeled dataset of characters, utilizing the NI Vision Assistant
function as depicted in figure 3(a). LabVIEW's machine learning capabilities, specifically its neural
network and support vector machine algorithms, were leveraged for this purpose [8]. The dataset was
carefully divided into training and validation sets to optimize the model's performance. During this
process, the user actively identifies and matches the images corresponding to numbers 0 to 9, minus,
and dot symbols. The resulting trained model, as shown in figure 3(b), is then saved as a model .abc file,
which can be utilized for subsequent character recognition tasks. Each data was trained at least twice
and stored in a model file.

(a) (b)

Figure 3. Classification process (a) OCR training interface. (b) The example of model training data.

2.4. Experimental validation

For software validation, the experimental setup involved the use of a laser hologauge (LGH-110), a
digital multimeter (KEW-1011), and a digital dial gauge (Mitutoyo 543-783) to compare measurement
results and measure light intensity with sensor (GY-30). The OCR software was seamlessly integrated
into the data acquisition process, enabling automated collection and analysis of calibration data.

3
18th Siam Physics Congress IOP Publishing
Journal of Physics: Conference Series 2653 (2023) 012012 doi:10.1088/1742-6596/2653/1/012012

3. Results and discussion

The measurement results for the validation software are presented in table 1. The measurements were
recorded automatically through the software by randomizing 100 values for each instrument and
condition. The results show that the readings from the laser hologauge, digital dial gauge, and digital
multimeters are perfectly accurate, achieving 100% accuracy with environment control. However, when
the light intensity varied between 67-213 lux, the accuracy of readings obtained with digital dial gauges
and digital multimeters was slightly lower, at 95.2% and 98.9% respectively.
Table 1. Measurement results of software validation.
Test item Conditions Numbers False rejection Accuracy (%)
Control environment 100 0 100
Laser hologauge
Brightness 900 0 100
Control environment 100 0 100
Digital dial gauge
Brightness 900 43 95.2
Control environment 100 0 100
Digital multimeter
Brightness 900 10 98.9

The impact of light intensity variations among displayed backgrounds on image quality and OCR
accuracy is indicated by the results of the study. Difficulties in accurately recognizing characters can
arise from the range of light intensity, including low or high light levels, particularly when the OCR
system is not adequately trained to handle such variations. The system's ability to accurately recognize
characters across diverse backgrounds can be compromised due to insufficient training that neglects
changes in light intensity. Therefore, considering the effect of light intensity and incorporating training
strategies that encompass a wide range of lighting conditions is crucial for improving OCR performance.
By training the OCR model with diverse datasets containing different light intensities and background
variations, the system can achieve higher accuracy in character recognition.

4. Conclusions
In conclusion, the OCR software developed with LabVIEW automates data collection and analysis,
integrating with calibration processes. The prototype enables extraction of calibration data, ensuring
real-time measurements following ISO/IEC 17025 standards. This software ensures accuracy through
validation with impressive results. Future work focuses on extensive model training for 100% accurate
character classification and developing server applications for real-time data transmission and video
streaming across devices.

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