A method for processing a water test strip

Abstract

A method for processing a water test strip is provided. The method comprises: receiving, at a processor, an image of a water test strip; identifying, by the processor, from the received image, one or more chromatic indicators on the water test strip, so as to establish a respective colour of each of the one or more chromatic indicators; and matching, by the processor, the established colour of each of the one or more chromatic indicators to a respective one of a plurality of predefined colour ranges. The matched one of the plurality of predefined colour ranges defines a parameter value associated with the respective chromatic indicator.

Description

[0001] A METHOD FOR PROCESSING A WATER TEST STRIP

[0002] Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to methods for processing testing strips provided as part of a water testing kit for the purposes of testing water quality.

[0004] Background

[0005] Fernox has been involved with domestic and commercial property water testing for more than 20 years, and has been a key industry leader in both portal and on-site water testing in line with governmental water quality guidelines for the UK, various European countries, and the USA.

[0006] With the evolution of technology and the focus on digital growth for all businesses within the water treatment industry, Fernox’s on-site testing range has grown substantially since its first introduction approximately 10 years ago.

[0007] Fernox offers a range of on-site tests, most recently being the Fernox Instant System Test. A test combining 4 separate manually entered parameters into one overall digital submission, generating a pass or fail entry, based on the user's results selection from each test. A video of the prior art app functionality with the Instant System Test is available to watch: https: / / www.youtube.com / watch?v=31 B3YaLJp6g.

[0008] Summary

[0009] A new on-site Al Water Test, is aimed at testing the internal content water quality of a heating system, both domestically, and commercially.

[0010] The Al function will remove nearly all manual processes for the user, and provide valuable time and cost savings for the heating industry professional performing the test, as well as giving a more comprehensive testing outcome and interpretation for the property owner, resulting in a better-performing heating system, and therefore a more energy efficient output, and lower costs for heating and ongoing maintenance.

[0011] The water test covers advanced image extraction, formatting, and processing measures, to test the quality of a commercial or domestic heating system water contents. When processed through an Al engine, each chemical test on the physical test strip will be converted to result codes, which in turn will be used in a pass I advisory I fail algorithm, to give a recommended action to the submitting user, and complete the test.According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for processing a water test strip according to claim 1.

[0012] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform any of the methods for processing a water test strip as disclosed herein.

[0013] According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer program product comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out any of the methods for processing a water test strip as disclosed herein.

[0014] Brief Description of the Figures

[0015] Non-limiting specific examples are described below in detail in relation to the following figures:

[0016] • FIGURE 1 shows an exemplary image of a test strip of a water testing kit.

[0017] • FIGURE 2 shows an exemplary image of a test strip of a water testing kit which has been recognised by a processor in accordance with the invention.

[0018] • FIGURE 3 shows an alternative exemplary test strip of a water testing kit.

[0019] Detailed Description

[0020] This outlines the process for conducting water tests using an Al-based system, with an emphasis on handling colour matching and dynamically updating colour criteria for future reference. The system involves capturing an image of the test kit, isolating the test kit, analysing the colours, and updating the colour criteria if the detected colour does not match predefined ranges.

[0021] 1. Image Capture

[0022] • The user captures an image of the water test kit using the mobile app as shown for example in FIGURE 1.

[0023] • Ensure the image is clear and well-lit for accurate processing.2. Test Kit Isolation

[0024] Image Segmentation

[0025] • The Al system utilizes advanced image segmentation techniques to separate the test kit from the background as shown for example in FIGURE 2.

[0026] Object Recognition

[0027] • The Al system identifies and isolates the test kit, focusing on the colour indicators.

[0028] Actual Onsite Water test would be similar to the kits shown in FIGURE 3. The first image of FIGURE 3 is before dipping the kit into water and second image of FIGURE 3 is after dipping into the water. It can be seen that the five chromatic indicators 321, 322, 323, 324, 325 display colours after the kit is dipped into water. For example, chromatic indicator 321 may be pink. Chromatic indicator 322 may be orange. Chromatic indicator 323 may be green. Chromatic indicator 324 may be purple. Chromatic indicator 325 may be blue.

[0029] 3. Colour Analysis

[0030] Colour Extraction:

[0031] • Al packages analyse the colours present on the isolated test kit.

[0032] • The system extracts specific shades and intensities of the colours.

[0033] Colour Palette Matching:

[0034] • Extracted colours are compared against predefined colour ranges in a colour palette database.

[0035] • The Al system determines the pH level, Corrosion level, and inhibitor level etc based on these matches.

[0036] 4. Handling Colour Mismatches

[0037] Colour Mismatch Detection:

[0038] • If the extracted colour does not match any predefined colour range, the system detects a mismatch.

[0039] Dynamic Colour Criteria Update:

[0040] • The Al system logs the colour mismatch instance and stores the extracted colour data.

[0041] • An update mechanism processes the new colour data to potentially adjust or expand the existing colour criteria.

[0042] • This mechanism may involve:• Colour Analysis: Advanced algorithms analyse the mismatch data to understand its characteristics.

[0043] • Criteria Adjustment: The colour criteria are updated to include new ranges or refine existing ones.

[0044] • Database Update: The updated colour criteria are stored in the colour palette database for future reference.

[0045] Verification:

[0046] • Updated criteria are tested with known samples to validate accuracy.

[0047] • Continuous monitoring ensures that new criteria improve the system's performance.

[0048] 5. Result Interpretation

[0049] Colour Range Criteria:

[0050] • The colour criteria are used to interpret test results.

[0051] Results Generation:

[0052] • The result is displayed to the user through the mobile app, indicating the water quality.

[0053] This Al-based water testing system provides a comprehensive solution for accurate water quality assessment. By integrating dynamic colour criteria updates, the system adapts to new colour data and improves over time, ensuring reliable results for users.

[0054] A number of combinations of the various described embodiments could be envisaged by the skilled person. All of the features disclosed herein may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and / or steps are mutually exclusive. In particular, the preferred features of the invention are applicable to all aspects of the invention and may be used in any combination. Likewise, features described in non-essential combinations may be used separately (not in combination).

[0055] It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of the present invention. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms ‘a’, ‘an’, and ‘the’ are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms ‘comprises’, ‘comprising’, ‘includes’, and / or ‘including’ when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0056] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms used herein should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of this specification and the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

[0057] Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. Thus, the same or similar numbers may be described with reference to other drawings even if they are neither mentioned nor described in the corresponding drawing. Also, elements that are not denoted by reference numbers may be described with reference to other drawings.

[0058] In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed typical embodiments of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A method for processing a water test strip, the method comprising:receiving, at a processor, an image of a water test strip;identifying, by the processor, from the received image, one or more chromatic indicators on the water test strip, so as to establish a respective colour of each of the one or more chromatic indicators; andmatching, by the processor, the established colour of each of the one or more chromatic indicators to a respective one of a plurality of predefined colour ranges, the matched one of the plurality of predefined colour ranges defining a parameter value associated with the respective chromatic indicator.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining, at the processor, a water quality based on the respective parameter value defined for each of the one or more chromatic indicators.

3. The method of any of claims 1 or 2, wherein identifying one or more chromatic indicators on the water test strip comprises isolating the portion of the image comprising the water test strip.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein isolating the portion of the image comprising the water test strip comprises using edge detection to identify the boundaries of the water test strip within the image.

5. The method of any of claims 1 to 4, wherein identifying one or more chromatic indicators on the water test strip comprises aligning the image according to predetermined guidelines.

6. The method of any of claims 1 to 5, wherein identifying one or more chromatic indicators on the water test strip comprises identifying one or more image contours of the image and associating one or more of the one or more image contours with a chromatic indicator square.

7. The method of any of claims 1 to 6, wherein identifying one or more chromatic indicators on the water test strip comprises producing a copy of the image at least part of which is blurred.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein identifying one or more chromatic indicators on the water test strip comprises identifying one or more image contours of the copy of the image at least part of which is blurred and associating one or more of the one or more image contours of the copy of the image with a chromatic indicator square.

9. The method of any of claims 1 to 8, wherein identifying one or more chromatic indicators on the water test strip comprises associating each chromatic indicator of the one or more chromatic indicators with a parameter.

10. The method of any of claims 1 to 9, wherein establishing a respective colour of each of the one or more chromatic indicators comprises normalising one or more of the image colour, the white balance, and / or the lighting conditions11. The method of any of claims 1 to 10, wherein establishing a respective colour of each of the one or more chromatic indicators comprises using histogram equalisation.

12. The method of any of claims 1 to 11 , wherein establishing a respective colour of each of the one or more chromatic indicators comprises converting the colour space of the image.

13. The method of any of claim 12, wherein converting the colour space of the image comprises converting the colour space of the image to the HSV colour space.

14. The method of any of claims 1 to 13, wherein establishing a respective colour of each of the one or more chromatic indicators comprises identifying the colour of each chromatic indicator square with a machine learning algorithm.

15. A computer program product comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method of any of claims 1 to 14.

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