ESP32 Display Reader - optical reader for 7-segment displays and symbols using a camera with MQTT and Home Assistant integration

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:loudspeaker: New Open Source Project: ESP32 Display Reader

Ever wanted to integrate a device into Home Assistant but it only has a 7-segment display and no smart interface? That’s exactly the problem this project solves.

ESP32 Display Reader uses an ESP32-CAM to optically read 7-segment displays and status symbols — no hardware modifications, no soldering, no reverse engineering required. Just point the camera at the display and let it do the work.

What it does:

  • :camera: Camera-based recognition of 7-segment digits and status symbols
  • :satellite: Publishes values via MQTT with configurable intervals
  • :house: Full Home Assistant Auto Discovery — sensors appear automatically as entities
  • :bulb: Optional lighting control (PWM + WS2812B NeoPixel support)
  • :control_knobs: Web interface for configuration, ROI setup and segment profiles
  • :arrows_counterclockwise: OTA firmware updates directly from the browser
  • :outbox_tray: Config export/import as JSON

Works great with self-illuminated displays. LCD displays are supported too with some external lighting. Flash it straight from your browser — no tools needed.

:point_right: Web Installer | GitHub

Would love to hear your feedback and use cases! :raised_hands:

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This is great. The only thing I’m missing here is that it should be an ESP-Home component.

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I first tried to implement this with ESPHome, but then decided against it — outputting the data via MQTT is more universally usable, and it’s easier for me to program in plain C++! :wink: :+1: