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 realtime 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