Integration of POS Machines with IoT-Enabled Electronic Weighing Systems for Transparent Public Distribution

Abstract

This paper presents a software simulation for integrating Point of Sale (POS) machines with IoT loadcell-based electronic weighing systems in Tamil Nadu’s Public Distribution System (PDS) ration shops, ensuring accurate commodity distribution without hardware. For testing simplicity, a 6-digit alphanumeric ID is employed instead of QR-based scanning, not aiming to replace its efficiency in practice. Built using Flask, SQLite, and HTML/CSS, the system fetches entitlement data via manual ID entry, simulates loadcell weight dispensing within ±50g tolerance, and logs transactions to a dashboard mimicking Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation (TNCSC) oversight. Developed to automate billing and enhances transparency, achieving reliable data flow. While PDS currently uses QR scanning, the main motive is future IoT loadcell integration for real-time data exchange with POS machines.Leveraging 2023–2025 PDS automation trends, testing confirms functionality via simulated scenarios. Future work targets IoT hardware deployment, offering a scalable, cost-effective foundation for PDS modernization

Introduction

Tamil Nadu’s Public Distribution System (PDS) uses over 33,000 ration shops to provide subsidized food, supported by POS machines with QR scanning since 2016. However, manual weighing of commodities risks errors and inefficiencies. This project proposes a software-only simulation integrating POS systems with IoT-enabled loadcell weighing machines to ensure accurate, transparent, real-time weight verification.

The simulation uses manual ID entry (instead of QR scanning) and models interactions between POS terminals, loadcell weight data, and a monitoring dashboard for the Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation (TNCSC). The architecture features wireless communication (Wi-Fi or Bluetooth) between POS and weighing devices, centralized databases, and a Flask-based interface for real-time transaction validation, aiming to prevent fraud and enforce physical dispensing.

While promising enhanced transparency and operational efficiency, limitations include inability to verify commodity type during weighing, reliance on stable wireless connectivity, hardware calibration risks, and potential operator manipulation. Future work focuses on adding commodity verification (e.g., barcode/RFID), improving connectivity in rural areas, enhancing hardware reliability, developing fraud detection algorithms, and scaling the system for broader deployment.

Conclusion

This software simulation effectively models POS-IoT loadcell integration in Tamil Nadu’s PDS, using a 6-digit alphanumeric ID for testing simplicity, not replacing QR scanning’s efficiency. It automates billing, enhances transparency, and prepares for hardware deployment, validated through simulated scenarios. Challenges like manual ID entry efficiency persist, but future IoT loadcell integration will address these, fostering a scalable, smart PDS framework.

References

[1] RCS Tamil Nadu, \"TAMILNADU CIVIL SUPPLIES CORPORATION PDS details,\" [Online]. Available: https://www.rcs.tn.gov.in/pds_cooperative.php. [2] The Hindu, \"‘Point of Sales’ machines installed at ration shops in Dindigul,\" [Online]. Available: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/Point-of-Sales-machines-installed-at-ration-shops-in Dindigul/article14393907.ece. [3] The New Indian Express, \"Scales, PoS devices at PDS shops to be linked in Tamil Nadu,\" [Online]. Available: https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2023/Jan/30/scales-pos-devices-at-pds-shops-to-be-linked-in-tamil-nadu-2542638.html. [4] S. Kumar and A. Singh, \"Implementation of Technological Upgradation in Public Distribution System in India for Ensuring Availability, Accessibility and Affordability,\" ResearchGate, May 2, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/380189217_Implementation_of_Technological_Upgradation_in_Public_Distribution_System_in_India_for_Ensuring_Availability_Accessibility_and_Affordability. [5] R. Rajesh and M. Shanmugam, \"An Automation Tool for Fair Price Shops in the Tamil Nadu Public Distribution System,\" IEEE Xplore, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10040456/. [6] S. K. Sahu and S. K. Nayak, \"Web-Based Ration Provisioning System in Public Distribution Shop,\" E3S Web of Conferences, vol. 377, no. 02005, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/372301720_Web-Based_Ration_Provisioning_System_in_Public_Distribution_Shop.

Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Dr. K. Karuppasamy, Mrs. Nivetha, Gokulakrishnan S, Aswin K, Renee Redella. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.