Microbial testing methods and apparatus
Patent Information
- Application Number
- PCT/CN2025/084888
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-03-26
- Publication Date
- 2026-10-01
Smart Images
Figure CN2025084888_01102026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
MICROBIAL TESTING METHODS AND APPARATUSTECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This disclosure relates generally to water quality management, and more specifically to a microbial count system and method for terminal microbial water quality monitoring.BACKGROUND
[0002] Water systems are susceptible to contamination from a number of environmental and biological sources. For health reasons, water beverage systems for human consumption should have limited contamination from microorganisms (or microbials) such as bacteria, algae and fungi. Presently, microbial detection at remote water terminals relies on collection of water samples and mailing the water samples to a laboratory for testing. However, the collection and mailing of samples are susceptible to contamination, making the detection process potentially unreliable and inaccurate. In addition, the arrival of results from the laboratory can take days or weeks, making the testing protocol inefficient and inconvenient.
[0003] Such testing typically requires substantial capital investment in personnel and equipment and may involve a substantial amount of time and expense. Such testing also requires counting and measurement of impurities in the samples under test that is subject to human error in the counting and analysis. There is a need in the art for a microbial testing system that will allow for a controlled environment for microbial analysis of fluid samples which can be programmed for a variety of analysis parameters. Such as system should provide repeatable, accurate testing of fluid samples. A system which can be used at a testing site for relatively low cost would be preferable.
[0004] There is a need in the art for systems and methods for water terminal microbial monitoring that provide more reliable, convenient and accurate testing and reporting.SUMMARY
[0005] The present apparatus and methods provide a system for microbial monitoring using an intelligent incubator. Various examples are directed to a system including a microbial testing sample configured to collect water (or other fluid) samples, to conduct microbial cultivation and analysis, and to provide results of the analysis. The present disclosure provides features such as a programmable user interface for setting culture conditions and microbial activity measurement. In various embodiments, the system is portable and provides analysis of a number of samples. In various embodiments the system includes a communication interface to receive and transmit information to assist the analysis and reporting of samples. In various embodiments the system employs artificial intelligence for counting of microbial parameters for samples under investigation. The system optionally includes a cloud module configured to enable additional analysis and training sets for use with artificial intelligence algorithms.
[0006] This Summary is an overview of some of the teachings of the present application and not intended to be an exclusive or exhaustive treatment of the present subject matter. Further details about the present subject matter are found in the detailed description and appended claims. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The drawings illustrate generally, by way of example, various embodiments discussed in the present document. The drawings are for illustrative purposes only and may not be to scale.
[0008] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an intelligent incubator system with temperature and humidity adjustment modules, a camera, and AI recognition software, according to one embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0009] FIG. 2A illustrates an external view of an intelligent incubator, showing the housing with display screen and control interface, according to one embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0010] FIG. 2B shows a view of the carousel for holding and handling fluid samples, according to one embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0011] FIG. 3A shows a carousel for holding and handling fluid samples, according to one embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0012] FIG. 3B shows one example of an indication and control interface, including LED indicators and button controls for test status monitoring, according to one embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0013] FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate an example of a system for sample loading, showing a flip window mechanism, culture dish insertion, and fluid sample addition, according to one embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0014] FIGS. 4D-4E illustrate removal of a rotatable carousel and culture dishes for cleaning, according to one embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0015] FIG. 4F illustrates an example of a battery powered intelligent incubator according to one embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0016] FIGS. 5A-5C demonstrate a rotary operation sequence for media positioning, cultivation, and image capture, according to one embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0017] FIG. 6A shows a block diagram of an intelligent incubator having advanced processing capabilities, according to one embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0018] FIG. 6B is a block diagram demonstrating an intelligent incubator with additional remote information analysis functionality, according to one embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0019] FIGS. 7A-7C detail one example of an equipment housing structure, including a lid / window / handle assembly, insulation layer, and spring hook mechanism, according to one embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0020] FIGS. 8-10 illustrate examples of a control interface with LED display, an internal gear reduction motor, and a rotary table bearing system, according to various embodiments of the present subject matter.
[0021] FIG. 11 shows a diagram demonstrating lighting of a sample and a camera for taking images of the sample, according to one embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0022] FIGS. 12A-12B show temperature control systems, including a hot air diffusion design, according to one embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0023] FIG. 13 presents a block diagram showing various electrical components, according to one embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0024] FIG. 14 depicts an embedded software system architecture with three layers: application, driver, and hardware abstraction, according to one embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0025] FIGS. 15A-B, 16A-B, and 17 show different user interface concept designs with various display and control layouts, according to various embodiments of the present subject matter.
[0026] FIG. 18 is a block diagram of a machine in the example form of a computer system within which a set of instructions may be executed, for causing the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein.DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] The following detailed description of the present subject matter refers to subject matter in the accompanying drawings which show, by way of illustration, specific aspects and embodiments in which the present subject matter may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the present subject matter. References to “an” , “one” , or “various” embodiments in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references contemplate more than one embodiment. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims, along with the full scope of legal equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
[0028] The present subject matter relates to, among other things, a system and method for microbial analysis. The present disclosure provides features such as a programmable user interface for setting culture conditions and microbial activity measurement. In various embodiments, the system is portable and provides analysis of multiple samples. In various embodiments the system includes a communication interface to receive and transmit information to assist the analysis and reporting of samples. In various embodiments the system employs artificial intelligence for counting of microbial parameters for samples under investigation.
[0029] The present system and method provide convenient and accurate microbial detection and reporting, thereby solving problems found in traditional microbial detection methods. Specifically, the present system does not rely on a user saving and mailing test samples to a remote laboratory and waiting for the laboratory to respond with results.
[0030] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a microbial testing system 100 including an intelligent incubator 110, according to various embodiments. The intelligent incubator 110 contains at least one medium 112 and includes temperature and humidity control modules 116, 118. In various embodiments, the temperature control module 116 controls temperature between a high and low temperature range. In various embodiments, the controlled range includes, but is not limited to, 20 –40 degrees Celsius. In various embodiments, the humidity control module controls humidity between high and low humidity ranges. In various embodiments, the humidity ranges include, but are not limited to, between 50 and 100%humidity. Other temperature and humidity ranges and other parameters may be controlled without departing from the scope of the present subject matter.
[0031] The system supports measurement of various alternative media types including, but not limited to, one or more of, total bacteria medium, coliform medium, mold and yeast medium, Salmonella medium, Staphylococcus aureus medium, and Listeria medium (among others) . According to various examples, the incubator 110 is configured to cultivate microbials of a culture medium 112 in a culture dish according to programmable standards.
[0032] A camera 120 captures images of the medium 112 under test. In various embodiments, the camera 120 also optionally captures a QR code 114 (or other scannable code or signal) associated with the medium. It is understood that the present subject matter is not limited to QR codes, bar codes, holographic codes, digital codes, RFID codes, or any other codes. In various applications the information associated with a sample may be stored in one or more variables or data structures and accessed by the processor. In various embodiments, process parameters may be stored in one or more variables or data structures and accessible by the processor. In various embodiments, stored information may be stored on one or more of: the intelligent incubator, on a mobile device application (such as a mobile or smart phone or portable computer) , on a remote device, on a network device, on a device in the cloud, or other location.
[0033] The resulting information can be processed locally using a processor capable of processing images of the media. In various embodiments, the processor may also process the QR or other scannable code. The QR or other scannable code may be associated with a particular fluid sample, and the code can be used to track and store in a database the sample, its process parameters, image information, other analysis parameters, and findings associated with the analysis of the fluid sample. Such database may be local to the intelligent incubator 110 or remote to it or be saved both locally and remotely.
[0034] In various embodiments, information is communicated to other devices which may be connected to a network, such as the cloud. In various embodiments AI software may be resident on the intelligent scanner, and / or on devices in the cloud. In various embodiments, processing may be done by the processing capabilities of the incubator, including, but not limited to, artificial intelligence (AI) processing. Processing may also be done by devices in communication with the incubator, including local and / or remote devices, which may be connected over a network. Such processing may include, but not be limited to, artificial intelligence (AI) processing. In various embodiments, the processing includes machine learning processing to better learn and apply algorithms to analyze the media of the intelligent incubator, control conditions for the media, report results, proposed and / or conduct additional testing, and assist with tracking trends or other progressions.
[0035] In various embodiments, the system may use QR codes (or other scannable codes) or signals to communicate between the temperature control module (116) , humidity control module (118) , camera (120) and the cloud AI software (122) , creating an integrated monitoring and analysis system, according to various embodiments of the present subject matter. In various embodiments, the AI software 122 is AI recognizing software which may be selected based on the medium being analyzed. Other AI software selection approaches may be used without departing from the present subject matter.
[0036] The present subject matter provides, among other things, a microbial count system which is convenient for user terminal microbial detection. The present subject matter is an improvement over current techniques, by providing improved testing equipment and solving the problem that terminal test samples are difficult and time-consuming to package and transport. Each controller may include a separate computer processor and dedicated storage, or two or more of the modules may share computer processors and storage, in various embodiments.
[0037] FIG. 2A depicts an external view of one example of an intelligent incubator 110, according to one embodiment of the present subject matter. In this example, the intelligent incubator 110 includes a housing 130, a cover or lid 140, a display 210, sample lights 220 and control buttons 230. The cover 140 includes a sample access door 240 and a handle 250 to lift the cover 140 to access internal components.
[0038] The present system leverages, among other things, imaging and advanced software to determine the level of microbial activity in water samples. In various embodiments, the system is a compact unit with an integrated display screen and control interface. In various embodiments the system is designed to receive a plurality of culture dishes from different fluid samples. In the example demonstrated herein, the system uses a carousel (shown in FIG. 2B) to receive and scan six different culture dishes. The number of dishes and systems for receiving and scanning may vary without departing from the scope of the present subject matter. In various embodiments, the system may be configured to receive and scan 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 samples. In various embodiments, the system may receive and scan more than 10 samples.
[0039] In various embodiments the system may use an artificial intelligence algorithm ( “AI Algorithm" ) to interpret images of a plurality of culture dishes to automate the process of discriminating microbial activity from other optical and surface image components and thereby assess the level of microbial activity. In various embodiments, the system provides portable testing. In various embodiments, the system provides fixed-site testing of fluids, such as drinking water.
[0040] FIGS. 3A and 3B detail one example of an indication and control interface, showing LED indicators corresponding to each medium position and the button operation interface for cultivation state control.
[0041] FIG. 3A shows an example of an intelligent incubator 110 with 6 positions of a carousel 550, one for each of six culture media in culture dishes. Other numbers of culture media and configurations are possible without departing from the scope of the present subject matter.
[0042] A control interface shown in FIG. 3B features a display system where each medium position corresponds to a dedicated indicator light 220. In various embodiments, the indicator lights 220 are light emitting diodes (LEDs) . Other lights may be used. The user interface 232 includes control buttons 230 or a keyboard for operational control and status setting, allowing operators to select and initiate cultivation states for each medium position. The display 210 and indicators 220 provide real-time feedback on the status of each sample, and the indicators indicate position using the LED indicators.
[0043] The operation process is managed through an integrated control system that coordinates the mechanical movement, sample handling, and monitoring functions while maintaining the required environmental conditions for microbial cultivation
[0044] FIGS. 4A-4C demonstrate one example of operation of an exemplary incubator. FIG. 4A shows the flip window mechanism for medium insertion, FIG. 4B illustrates the flip cover structure for contactless medium dish opening, and FIG. 4C depicts the water sampling mechanism for adding 1ml of water to the culture dish.
[0045] FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C show a flip window mechanism including a sample access door 240 that allows for media insertion. The sample access door 240 may be configured in various embodiments to connect to the culture dish cover 242 to allow a user to lift the culture dish cover 242 of culture dish 440 when sample access door 240 is opened. The device includes a specially designed window that can be opened to slide culture medium into any of up to six available positions in the carousel. In various embodiments, the flip cover structure is mounted on the turntable that enables opening a culture dish cover 242 without direct finger contact, maintaining sterility during the process. FIGS. 4B-4C demonstrate a precision sampling mechanism that enables the controlled addition of a known amount (e.g., ～1ml; however, other amounts may be used) of fluid into the culture dish through a dedicated sampling port. A quantitative delivery system ensures consistent sample volumes for standardized testing procedures. Other systems for delivery and sample volume measurement may be used without departing from the scope of the present subject matter.
[0046] FIGS. 4D and 4E illustrate a rotatable carousel 550 and culture dishes 440 that can be removed from the intelligent incubator 110 for cleaning, according to various embodiments of the present subject matter. The rotating carousel 550 may be taken out of the intelligent incubator as a whole, and all culture dishes 440 may be removed from the carousel 550 for disinfection and sterilization.
[0047] FIG. 4F illustrates an example of a battery powered intelligent incubator 110 according to one embodiment of the present subject matter. In various embodiments a battery, batteries, or battery pack 150 may be installed in a battery bay 154 in the intelligent incubator 110. A battery door cover, such as cover 152 keeps the battery, batteries, or battery pack ( “battery system” ) in place and protects them from the environment. In various embodiments, a 10-volt battery system is used. Other voltages may be used without departing from the present subject matter. In various embodiments the battery system is a backup power system, so that when the device is connected to an external power adaptor, the power adaptor may charge the battery system. In various embodiments, the battery system is the main power system and a power adaptor may be attached that charges the battery system. Other approaches may be employed without departing from the scope of the present subject matter. The battery system may be detachable for air transportation or other needs.
[0048] FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate a rotary operation sequence, according to one embodiment of the present subject matter. FIG. 5A shows the blank position rotation for new media insertion, FIG. 5B depicts the closed window during microbial cultivation, and FIG. 5C shows the rotation to camera position after cultivation period completion.
[0049] In various embodiments, the automated positioning system may include: a camera position 580, an insert position 560, and may include empty positions. For example, in the system of FIG. 5A, an insert position 560 is opposite where the camera position 580 is, and any of the positions that are not filled with a culture dish are empty positions. Other configurations are possible without departing from the scope of the present subject matter. When new media needs to be inserted, the device automatically rotates to align an empty position with the loading window. After the window is closed, the device begins microbial cultivation according to preset timing parameters. The system can handle between 1 to 6 media samples simultaneously or in sequential order. Other numbers of samples may be accommodated without departing from the scope of the present subject matter.
[0050] FIGS. 6A and 6B show examples of system architecture diagrams illustrating cloud integration. FIG. 3A displays the intelligent incubator 110 with AI processor 602 and display 604 in communication with other devices and / or networks. For example, in some embodiments the intelligent incubator 110 is in communication with cloud 610 and cloud storage 612. FIG. 6B extends this architecture to include remote information analysis 614.
[0051] Cloud storage 612 may store information collected by the intelligent incubator 110 for information analysis by a remote (e.g., cloud) information analysis device 614, as shown in FIG. 6B. The remote information analysis device 614 may be used to analyze the detection information stored in the cloud using an algorithm, in various embodiments. For example, the detection information may include an image of microbial cultivation, and the algorithm may be used to read and analyze the image to determine microbial compliance. In one example, the image automatic analysis system is adapted to record the microbial count and store the results of microbial cultivation in the cloud and further adapted to analyze a specific microbial count result using the algorithm to determine microbial compliance by comparing the microbial count to a programmable threshold or limitation. The cloud report editing module may be used to edit the results analyzed by the cloud information analysis module and transform the results into a standardized report. The display 604 may be used to display standard report information whether calculated locally by the intelligent incubator 110 or whether received from the cloud 610. Display 604 may provide the report (and / or other notifications) to the user. The report and notifications may be provided using any type of files and display modules, including but not limited to mobile applications (apps) , email, or display screens.
[0052] The intelligent incubator 110 may be used to conduct microbial cultivation for the test samples, collect test sample information and upload the cultivation results to the cloud storage module.
[0053] According to various embodiments, displaying at least a portion of the report for a user includes displaying at least a portion of the report using a mobile application. In some embodiments, displaying at least a portion of the report for a user includes displaying at least a portion of the report using an email system. Displaying at least a portion of the report for a user includes displaying at least a portion of the report using a graphical user interface (GUI) , in various embodiments. Receiving the standard microbial monitoring report includes using an internet-of-things (IoT) protocol, in some examples. In various examples, conducting microbial cultivation based on the water test sample information includes cultivating microbials on a culture medium according to programmable standards. In some examples, cultivating microbials on the culture medium according to programmable standards includes maintaining a cultivation environment at a programmable temperature. Maintaining the cultivation environment at the programmable temperature includes using at least one temperature controller, in one example. In various examples, the detection information includes an image of the culture medium. Obtaining the image of the culture medium includes using at least one camera 120, in various embodiments.
[0054] In various examples, the present microbial detection process includes three parts such as microbial detection, microbial analysis, and result display. In some examples, a user utilizes relatively small microbial detection equipment (e.g., the intelligent incubator 110) to complete microbial detection and analysis, without other tedious tasks like saving and mailing test samples as in prior systems. The present system reduces the testing cycles and improve the reliability and accuracy of microbial testing.
[0055] The present subject matter provides several benefits. First, the monitoring of microbiological risk is important for customers that rely on the water for drinking or cooking food for human consumption. Second, the water microbiological risk is difficult to detect conveniently, and the detection process is very tedious. Third, the test sample is difficult to obtain, store and transport. The present system replaces the traditional microbial detection method which involved collecting the test water samples and mailing the test water samples to a laboratory for analysis. Thus, the present system improves the convenience, reliability and accuracy of microbial water testing.
[0056] The intelligent incubator comprises several integrated subsystems designed for automated microbial testing. In various embodiments the system includes a temperature control subsystem, camera subsystem, lighting subsystem, mechanical interface to receive and cycle cultures for imaging, processing for processing images, and communications for communicating with other devices, such as devices in the cloud. In various embodiments the system includes a UV lighting system for disinfection. In various embodiments a disinfecting solution is sprayed on components to disinfect the unit. Other disinfection methods (for example, heat, radiation, etc. ) may be used without departing from the present subject matter. In various embodiments the system provides an air handling system that can control the temperature and flow of air for control of culture environment and temperature. In various embodiments the system includes processing capabilities on the apparatus and can produce reports, collect information for a database, and communicate with other processing, data storage, and reporting devices. In various embodiments, the system uses an AI algorithm to simplify image processing and generate data for one or more databases and one or more reports. In various embodiments the system includes an interface for controlling the samples to be analyzed and for conducting communications. Some examples include a dashboard whereby the parameters of each culture can be measured and processed parameters can be provided in a report.
[0057] A light system (e.g., UV LED) may be used for sanitizing the inner environment and the system may include various lighting options for photography, including white light. Some embodiments provide a pipette for quantitative water sample control, a camera for capturing microbial colonies, alternative medium options for different data collection, and temperature control systems for various micro-organisms.
[0058] The main housing features a lid / window / handle assembly with hinge incorporating rotation, limit, and strength design elements, along with a full cover insulation layer utilizing foam injection molding for operation under extreme cold conditions. A spring hook structure provides secure closure of the housing.
[0059] The carousel system accommodates up to six media samples and incorporates an internal gear reduction motor with photoelectric position detection for precise rotational control. The carousel mechanism is supported by roller bearings and ball supports to ensure smooth rotation and reliable positioning. A flip window mechanism enables media insertion, while a sealed splash-proof design prevents contamination during sample handling.
[0060] The environmental control system features PID-controlled temperature regulation using sensors and a sophisticated air circulation system. In various embodiments a Negative Temperature Coefficient (NTC) sensor may be used. In various embodiments a digital temperature sensor may be used. Other sensors may be used without departing from the scope of the present subject matter. The design includes a hot air temperature diffusion system with air tunnel design and heat sink for maintaining optimal cultivation conditions. A UV LED system provides sanitization of the inner environment.
[0061] The imaging system consists of a bottom-mounted camera with a 64-degree viewing angle positioned 50mm from the samples. The camera works in conjunction with a ring LED flash system providing 12V illumination through a soft light diffuser plate, ensuring uniform illumination for consistent imaging. The system employs precise photographic capabilities through rotary position control algorithms. In various embodiments, the positioning is performed using a photoelectric component, such as a photoelectric switch.
[0062] The processing electronics include a main PCB with integrated temperature control, supporting both 220V and 12V car power inputs. The system features a 4G communication module with SIM card support, battery cells for power backup, and a 3.5" display screen with LED indicators for each medium position.
[0063] In one example, an AI algorithm implementation is based on RetinaNet pre-trained on ImageNet, providing robust feature extraction capabilities. The system incorporates several optimizations including custom anchor size for micro-colony detection, stricter IoU threshold (0.8) to reduce false positives, and data augmentation techniques. The detection strategy employs a two-stage approach with refined region proposals and custom post-processing for overlapping colony separation. It is understood that the AI algorithms will change over time and that the present subject matter is not limited to any one algorithm or approach.
[0064] The AI Algorithm section displays sample images of microbial detection results, while the Report and Dashboard &Database can be used with cloud processing capabilities. The cloud processing system is described as allowing local data upload to central processors for AI-based microbial counting and record-keeping, emphasizing both big data capabilities and high accuracy results. In various embodiments the system is presented as an integrated solution for water safety evaluation, combining mechanical, optical, computational, and data management technologies in a single device.
[0065] Capabilities of the system may include one or more of the following (but are not limited to) : · A six-position carousel, which in various applications, may accommodate 3 water samples, with each sample tested for total coliform or E. coli / coliform as programmed by the user · A sealed and splash-proof sample addition system designed to minimize contamination risk · Temperature control and insulation systems utilizing PID and NTC for incubation · Precise photographic capabilities enabled by a rotary position control algorithm · Local data storage with automatic upload functionality via 4G module (or other wireless standard) and / or · Software interface (for example, by one or more: mobile application, local user interface, website-based) for sample record management, data collection, display and report generation.
[0066] The layout effectively communicates both the physical implementation and functional capabilities of the prototype design, presenting the mechanical, electronic, software, and user interface aspects of the system in an integrated manner. The system may include one or more of the following features: · 6 Test / Store capabilities · Temperature control systems · 24-hour photographing functionality, and / or · AI algorithm implementation.
[0067] The entire system is designed for both laboratory and field deployment, featuring a modular architecture that enables automated sample processing, environmental control, imaging, and analysis through integrated AI-powered detection and quantification of microbial colonies.
[0068] The system provides high accuracy results matched with laboratory testing, portable onsite testing with multi-functional modules, ease of operation without requiring microbiological expertise, and online tracking with database analysis capabilities. This application incorporates by reference the entire contents of co-pending patent application numbers PCT / CN2024 / 091159, “Drinking Water Safety Assurance Method and System” (SLW 4897.100WO1) , and PCT / CN2024 / 091131 "Systems and Methods for Terminal Microbial Monitoring, " (SLW 4897.106WO1) .
[0069] FIGS. 7A-7C show one example of an equipment housing structure, including the lid / window / handle design (7A) , insulation layer implementation (7B) , and spring hook structure (7C) .
[0070] The figures show a lid / window / handle assembly 770 with hinge that incorporates rotation, limit, and strength design features. A full cover insulation layer 780, 782 utilizing foam injection mold technology to ensure operation under extreme cold conditions and / or to control temperatures despite changes in the room environment. In various embodiments, the lid includes a spring hook structure for secure closure. The example of FIG. 7C shows a handle 792 that is connected to operate spring hooks 790a and 790b. Other closure mechanisms may be used without departing from the scope of the present subject matter.
[0071] FIG. 8 shows a control and LED interface with a screen. In various embodiments, the screen is a 3.5-inch screen 210 for displaying data and providing a user interface. Other screen sizes and configurations may be employed without departing from the scope of the present subject matter. Other user interfaces may be employed, including, but not limited, to applications running on mobile devices, such as portable computers, smart phones, tablet devices, etc. Desktop and other computers may be used. Cloud based and other remote controls are fully within the contemplation of the present subject matter. Local networks may be used whether wired, wireless, or combinations thereof. Indicator lights 220 and buttons 230 may be used to control the operation of the incubator. The assembly includes a cover plate 802, a chassis 804, screen 806, and light and button electronics 808, 810.
[0072] FIG. 9 illustrates an internal gear reduction motor assembly 920, 922 with photoelectric position detection, according to one embodiment of the present subject matter. FIG. 10 depicts the roller bearings and ball supports of the rotary table, according to one embodiment of the present subject matter. Various embodiments may employ other variations of the internal gear reduction motor and photoelectric position detection capabilities. In various embodiments, the rotary table mechanism supported by roller bearings and ball supports ensures smooth operation. Other mechanisms may be employed as known to those skilled in the art.
[0073] FIG. 11 shows a diagram demonstrating the lighting of a sample and a camera for taking images of the sample, according to one embodiment of the present subject matter. In various embodiments, illumination from various parts of the housing of the intelligent incubator 110 may be used. In various embodiments, a light source 1120 includes a plurality of LEDs on a frame allowing an opening for the camera 120 to take a picture of the sample 1010. In various embodiments, the lights include one or more diffusers to provide a more even illumination of the sample being analyzed. The use of a diffuse light source improves imaging and provides consistent imaging.
[0074] FIGS. 12A-12B show temperature control systems, including hot air diffusion design, according to one embodiment of the present subject matter. FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate temperature control systems and a hot air temperature diffusion design according to various embodiments. In the illustrated example, the hot air temperature diffusion system incorporates an air tunnel design and a heat sink (1224, 1220, 1222) to provide controlled environmental conditions.
[0075] The integration of these components creates a comprehensive system that enables precise control of sample positioning, environmental conditions, and imaging capabilities while maintaining operational reliability across various environmental conditions. The design emphasizes both functional efficiency and operational durability through the careful selection and arrangement of mechanical and electronic components.
[0076] FIG. 13 presents a hardware architecture diagram, detailing the interconnections between various electronic components including the user interface, temperature control, power management, and communication modules.
[0077] The circuit board 1310 includes a user interface section 1350 including a 1-inch display and 4 buttons on a printed circuit board. Other displays and controls may be used without departing from the present subject matter. The circuit board 1310 also includes a temperature control section 1360 including a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control, which is a 12-volt design in various embodiments. Other controllers and voltages may be used without departing from the scope of the present subject matter. In various embodiments, the temperature control section 1360 includes a DC motor control output, and / or a photoelectric switch. Other control features may be incorporated without departing from the scope of the present subject matter.
[0078] In various embodiments, the circuit board 1310 includes a power management section 1370 which may control power for components including, but not limited to, one or more of: an NTC sensor, a 12V / 8W heater, and / or heat flow fans.
[0079] In various embodiments a movement and location control section 1380 includes one or more of annunciators (e.g., LEDs) , a 12V DC motor output, and / or a photoelectric switch. Other components may be controlled and used without departing from the scope of the present subject matter.
[0080] The central controller 1320 may manage power conversion in various embodiments. For example, in circuits using 12 and 5 volts, the conversion system 1330 may convert 12V to 5V and includes connections for cells.
[0081] In various embodiments, the imaging section 1390 may include a flash and a camera. In various embodiments, the system may include a light emitting diode (LED) flash. In various embodiments, the system may include a 12-volt flash. In various embodiments, the system may provide a camera with a 72-degree viewing angle positioned 40mm from the subject. Other components, voltages, optics, imaging devices, and optical parameters may be employed without departing from the scope of the present subject matter.
[0082] Communication capabilities are provided by a communication section 1340. Various communication standards may be employed, including all forms of wireless communications. In various embodiments a cellular communication circuit is used. In various embodiments, a 4G communication circuit is used. In various embodiments, a 5G communication circuit is used. Other communications include, but are not limited to Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, LoRa, Zigbee, near-field communications, optical, acoustic, and other communications and communication standards. The entire system can be powered either through a wall plug (e.g., 120V, 220V) or 12V car power supply, demonstrating its versatility for both laboratory and field applications. In various embodiments the communication section may employ a SIM card. In various embodiments, the communication section may include one or more antennae to provide wireless communications. In various embodiments, the communication section may support several communication modes. Other variations are possible within the scope of the present subject matter.
[0083] FIG. 14 depicts an embedded software solutions system architecture, showing the three-layer structure comprising the application layer, driver layer, and hardware abstraction layer (HAL) .
[0084] The application layer, shown at the top of FIG. 14, encompasses five functional modules: human-machine interaction, motor management, time management, sensor management, and production testing. These modules are coordinated through a task-scheduling framework that manages their operation and interaction.
[0085] The middle section presents the driver layer, which contains the fundamental drivers necessary for hardware control, including components for buttons, photoelectric sensors, motors, power supplies, system running time, hardware delays, and real-time clocks. This layer serves as an intermediary between the application layer and the hardware.
[0086] At the bottom, the hardware abstraction layer (HAL) incorporates essential hardware-related libraries, specifically including SysTick, GPIO, ADC, UART, IIC, DWT, and RTC components. This layer provides a standardized interface for hardware access and control, enabling the higher layers to interact with the physical components of the system without direct hardware manipulation.
[0087] The entire architecture is designed to provide a modular, maintainable software structure that separates the application logic from the hardware-specific implementations while ensuring efficient system operation and control.
[0088] FIGS. 15A-17 showcase different user interface concepts, detailing various display layouts and control schemes for the device operation.
[0089] FIG. 15A illustrates a first user interface concept showing a side view of the intelligent incubator 110 with a display screen presenting six sample positions. Each position is labeled with specific sample identifiers, including "1-Store1 before filter, " "2-Store1 after filter, " "3-Store1 ice Machine, " "4-Store2 before filter, " "5-Store2 after filter, " and "6-Store2 Ice Machine. " Each sample position includes a checkbox indicator showing the selection status of each culture medium position. The interface provides a clear visual representation of all six culture media positions that can be monitored simultaneously by the system.
[0090] FIG. 15B depicts an enhanced user interface with additional operational details. In various embodiments, the interface includes a screen pixel size of 800: 480 and features Test 1-6 status LEDs corresponding to each culture medium position. In various embodiments, the System Status LEDs may communicate system wide. The display shows countdown status for each test, with options for displaying specific time or general countdown information, as demonstrated in the bars to the right of each of the system test status indicators. The system communication icons may communicate system-wide conditions including "Test in Process, " "Test Complete, " "Uploading, " "Connected, " "Low Temperature, " "High Humidity, " "Battery Charging, " and "Low Battery. " The button interface allows users to scroll through each test and system icons, with a dedicated Start / Enter button for selecting and initiating tests. The interface is designed so that icons can flash when there is an issue and can be selected to explore issues further, providing an intuitive monitoring and control system. The buttons of the button interface can be used to scroll through each test, to scroll through system communication icons, and for other purposes. A Start / Enter button may be used to select and start a test.
[0091] FIG. 16A presents a more compact user interface design that maintains functionality while optimizing screen space. The interface displays six test positions with abbreviated labels ( "1-Store1 before, " "2-Store1 after, " , “3-Store1 Ice” , “4-Store2 before” , “5-Store2 after” , “Store2 ice” , etc. ) and includes system status indicators for test progress (e.g., “Test in Process” , “Test Complete” ) connectivity (e.g., “Uploading” , “Connected” ) , environmental conditions (such as, low and high humidity) , and power status (for example, battery charging and low battery) . The design incorporates visual indicators that clearly communicate the operational state of each test position and overall system status through a combination of icons and abbreviated text labels.
[0092] FIG. 16B provides additional details about the button interface functionality. The figure illustrates how the interface displays tests 1-6 countdown status for tests 1-6 and incorporates a system status LED indicator that may communicate system-wide conditions. The button interface is designed to allow users to scroll through each test as well as system icons, with a Start / Enter button for selecting and initiating tests. The system communication icons can flash when there is an issue and can be selected to explore issues further, providing an intuitive and responsive user experience for monitoring and controlling the microbial testing process.
[0093] FIG. 17 presents an alternative user interface concept that combines both a handheld control device (which could be a smart phone, tablet, or laptop computer, among other things) and the main intelligent incubator unit. The upper portion of the handheld control device shows a mobile device displaying the six test positions with their status indicators and system communication icons. Below this is a comprehensive status panel showing test progress indicators (Test in Process, Test Complete) , connectivity status (Uploading, Connected) , and system condition indicators (Low Temperature, High Humidity, Battery Charging, Low Battery) . The figure also shows the intelligent incubator unit with a simplified interface featuring numerical indicators for the six test positions. This design demonstrates how the system can be controlled through either the main unit or a separate control device, providing flexibility in operation and monitoring.
[0094] These user interface designs collectively demonstrate some examples of the intelligent incubator's capability to provide clear visual feedback on test status, system conditions, and operational controls, enabling efficient monitoring and management of multiple microbial culture samples simultaneously. The interfaces are designed with user experience in mind, providing intuitive navigation, clear status indicators, and responsive controls for managing the microbial testing process.
[0095] The examples provided herein are demonstrative and not an exclusive or exhaustive set of user interface options. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that other user interfaces and other devices may be employed without departing from the scope of the present subject matter.
[0096] Various examples are directed to a computer system comprising one or more processors and a data storage system in communication with the one or more processors. The data storage system comprises instructions thereon that, when executed by the one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to collect water test sample information at the user water terminal, conduct microbial cultivation based on the water test sample information, store detection information including results of the cultivation, analyze the detection information to produce analysis results, edit the analysis results to provide a standard microbial monitoring report, and display at least a portion of the report for a user.
[0097] AI System
[0098] The AI algorithm implementation for microbial colony detection and counting is included in various embodiments. In one example, the AI algorithm is built on a RetinaNet-50 backbone pre-trained on ImageNet, which provides robust feature extraction capabilities. The system incorporates several algorithm optimizations, including, one or more of: · anchor scales (82, 322, 642... ) specifically designed for micro-colony detection of small objects, · a stricter IoU threshold of 0.8 to minimize false positives from plate background, and / or · data augmentation techniques including random gaussian blur, random noise, and color shift to enhance feature extraction robustness.
[0099] The detection strategy employs a multi-faceted approach comprising, one or more of: · two-stage detection with refined region proposals, · post-processing algorithms for separating overlapping colonies, and / or · background suppression utilizing plate-specific intensity thresholding.
[0100] The AI algorithm can detect and mark colonies with red bounding boxes on culture plates. The algorithm can identify and mark individual colonies across varying colony densities and distributions.
[0101] The AI algorithm results were compared with manual counting results across multiple samples. The results show a close correlation between automated and manual counts. The AI algorithm, based on RetinaNet-50 pre-trained on ImageNet, demonstrates a ±15%bias compared to manual counting methods, with nearly 70%of data meeting the requirement during a demonstration incubation.
[0102] The AI algorithm deep learning provides evidence of algorithm efficacy, and progressive improvement in performance metrics, including approximately 95%-100%precision and approximately 85%-100%accuracy. In some examples, testing showed approximately 97%precision and approximately 88%accuracy. Other ranges may be found and provide benefit without departing from the scope of the present subject matter.
[0103] In various embodiments, precision is measured for results both higher or lower than 100 cfu / ml. Accuracy is evaluated based on three criteria: · Average data <85 with difference <15 considered passing, · Average data between 85-115 with bias <15%considered passing, and · Average data >115 with difference <15 considered passing.
[0104] The resulting analysis shows correlation between AI counting and laboratory counting methods across multiple samples, demonstrating the system's improving capability to accurately and automatically detect and quantify microbial colonies using artificial intelligence algorithms.
[0105] FIG. 18 is a block diagram of a computing device in the example form of a computing system within which a set of instructions may be executed, for causing the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein.
[0106] For example, the processing performed by the intelligent incubator 110 could include all or some of the modules and components of FIG. 18. Likewise, processing devices that may communicate with the intelligent incubator 110 may include all or some of the modules and components of FIG. 18. Furthermore, remote or cloud devices may include all or some of the modules and components of FIG. 18. Therefore, the hardware, software, and firmware of the components of FIG. 18 provide support for a variety of electronics used in or with the present subject matter.
[0107] These different components can be located on a single device, multiple devices in one location, or multiple objects in various locations. A network may be used to interconnect any two or more of these modules. In the case of remote devices, the network may be a local area network (LAN) , the INTERNET, a personal area network, a wireless network, other networks, or any combination of these networks.
[0108] FIG. 18 illustrates a block diagram of an example machine 2000 upon which any one or more of the techniques (e.g., methodologies) discussed herein may perform. In alternative embodiments, the machine 2000 may operate as a standalone device or may be connected (e.g., networked) to other machines. In a networked deployment, the machine 2000 may operate in the capacity of a server machine, a client machine, or both in server-client network environments. In an example, the machine 2000 may act as a peer machine in peer-to-peer (P2P) (or other distributed) network environment. The machine 2000 may be in the form of a personal computer (PC) , a tablet PC, a set-top box (STB) , a personal digital assistant (PDA) , a mobile telephone, a smart phone, a cloud based device, an edge based device, a web appliance, a network router, switch or bridge, or any machine capable of executing instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. Further, while only a single machine is illustrated, the term “machine” shall also be taken to include any collection of machines that individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein, such as cloud computing, software as a service (SaaS) , other computer cluster configurations.
[0109] Examples, as described herein, may include, or may operate on, logic or a number of components, modules, or mechanisms. Modules are tangible entities (e.g., hardware) capable of performing specified operations and may be configured or arranged in a certain manner. In an example, circuits may be arranged (e.g., internally or with respect to external entities such as other circuits) in a specified manner as a module. In an example, the whole or part of one or more computer systems (e.g., a standalone, client or server computer system) or one or more hardware processors may be configured by firmware or software (e.g., instructions, an application portion, or an application) as a module that operates to perform specified operations. In an example, the software may reside on a machine readable medium. In an example, the software, when executed by the underlying hardware of the module, causes the hardware to perform the specified operations.
[0110] Accordingly, the term “module” is understood to encompass a tangible entity, be that an entity that is physically constructed, specifically configured (e.g., hardwired) , or temporarily (e.g., transitorily) configured (e.g., programmed) to operate in a specified manner or to perform part or all of any operation described herein. Considering examples in which modules are temporarily configured, each of the modules need not be instantiated at any one moment in time. For example, where the modules comprise a general-purpose hardware processor configured using software, the general-purpose hardware processor may be configured as respective different modules at different times. Software may accordingly configure a hardware processor, for example, to constitute a particular module at one instance of time and to constitute a different module at a different instance of time.
[0111] Any of the modules herein may include a processor 2002. The processor 2002 may be a digital signal processor (DSP) , microprocessor, microcontroller, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) , field-programmable gate array (FPGA) , combinational logic, other digital logic, or combinations thereof. The processing may be done by a single processor, or may be distributed over different devices. The processing of signals referenced in this application may be performed using the processor or over different devices. Processing may be done in the digital domain, the analog domain, or combinations thereof. Processing may be done using subband processing techniques. Processing may be done using frequency domain or time domain approaches. Some processing may involve both frequency and time domain aspects. For brevity, in some examples, drawings may omit certain blocks that perform frequency synthesis, frequency analysis, analog-to-digital conversion, digital-to-analog conversion, signal transmission, amplification, buffering, and certain types of filtering and processing. In various examples of the present subject matter the processor is adapted to perform instructions stored in one or more memories, which may or may not be explicitly shown. Various types of memory may be used, including volatile and nonvolatile forms of memory. In various examples, the processor or other processing devices execute instructions to perform a number of processing tasks. In various examples of the present subject matter, different realizations of the block diagrams, circuits, and processes set forth herein may be created by one of skill in the art without departing from the scope of the present subject matter.
[0112] Machine (e.g., computer system) 2000 may include a hardware processor 2002 (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU) , a graphics processing unit (GPU) , a hardware processor core, or any combination thereof) , a controller, a microcontroller, a microprocessor, a main memory 2004 and a static memory 2006, some or all of which may communicate with each other via an interlink (e.g., bus) 2008. The machine 2000 may further include a display unit 2010, an alphanumeric input device 2012 (e.g., a keyboard) , and a user interface (UI) navigation device 2014 (e.g., a mouse) . In an example, the display unit 2010, input device 2012 and UI navigation device 2014 may be a touch screen display. The machine 2000 may additionally include a storage device (e.g., drive unit) 2016, a signal generation device 2018 (e.g., a speaker) , a network interface device 2020, and one or more sensors 2021, such as a global positioning system (GPS) sensor, compass, accelerometer, or other sensor. The machine 2000 may include an output controller 2028, such as a serial (e.g., universal serial bus (USB) , parallel, or other wired or wireless (e.g., infrared (IR) , near field communication (NFC) , etc. ) connection to communicate or control one or more peripheral devices (e.g., a printer, card reader, etc. ) .
[0113] The storage device 2016 may include a machine readable medium 2022 on which is stored one or more sets of data structures or instructions 2024 (e.g., software) embodying or utilized by any one or more of the techniques or functions described herein. The instructions 2024 may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the main memory 2004, within static memory 2006, or within the hardware processor 2002 during execution thereof by the machine 2000. In an example, one or any combination of the hardware processor 2002, the main memory 2004, the static memory 2006, or the storage device 2016 may constitute machine readable media.
[0114] While the machine readable medium 2022 is illustrated as a single medium, the term "machine readable medium" may include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and / or associated caches and servers) configured to store the one or more instructions 2024, and may store instructions for specific applications, such as an operating system 2405.
[0115] The term “machine readable medium” may include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding, or carrying instructions for execution by the machine 2000 and that cause the machine 2000 to perform any one or more of the techniques of the present disclosure, or that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying data structures used by or associated with such instructions. Non-limiting machine-readable medium examples may include solid-state memories, and optical and magnetic media. Specific examples of machine-readable media may include: non-volatile memory, such as semiconductor memory devices (e.g., Electrically Programmable Read-Only Memory (EPROM) , Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM) ) and flash memory devices; magnetic disks, such as internal hard disks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; Random Access Memory (RAM) ; Solid State Drives (SSD) ; and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks. In some examples, machine readable media may include non-transitory machine-readable media. In some examples, machine readable media may include machine readable media that is not a transitory propagating signal.
[0116] The instructions 2024 may further be transmitted or received over a communications network 2026 using a transmission medium via the network interface device 2020. Machine 2000 may communicate with one or more other machines utilizing any one of a number of transfer protocols (e.g., frame relay, internet protocol (IP) , transmission control protocol (TCP) , user datagram protocol (UDP) , hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) , etc. ) . Example communication networks may include wired and wireless communications, such as Ethernet, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, other Personal Area Networks (PANs) , LoRa, NFC, Wi-Fi, WiMAX, 3G, 4G, LTE, 5G, the unlicensed 915 MHz Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) frequency band, Zigbee, and LoRa, among others. Some standards may support mesh networks. The networks include, but are not limited to, a local area network (LAN) , a low-power wide-area network (LPWAN) , a wide area network (WAN) , a packet data network (e.g., the Internet) , mobile telephone networks (e.g., cellular networks) , Plain Old Telephone (POTS) networks, and wireless data networks, e.g., Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 family of standards known as IEEE 802.16 family of standards known as NFC, IEEE 802.15.4 family of standards, a Long Term Evolution (LTE) family of standards, a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) family of standards, peer-to-peer (P2P) networks, among others. The NFC circuitry may be embodied as relatively short-range, high frequency wireless communication circuitry and may implement standards such as ECMA-340 / ISO / IEC 18092 and / or ECMA-352 / ISO / IEC 21481 to communicate with other devices. In an example, the network interface device 2020 may include one or more physical jacks (e.g., Ethernet, coaxial, or phone jacks) or one or more antennas to connect to the communications network 2026. In an example, the network interface device 2020 may include a plurality of antennas to wirelessly communicate using at least one of single-input multiple-output (SIMO) , multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) , or multiple-input single-output (MISO) techniques. In some examples, the network interface device 2020 may wirelessly communicate using Multiple User MIMO techniques.
[0117] Other Notes and Examples
[0118] Example 1 is a system for incubating fluid samples, including: an incubator housing holding a camera and lighting system; a motorized sample carousel configured to hold a plurality of fluid samples and position them in a field of view of the camera for imaging at least one fluid sample of the plurality of fluid samples; a processor configured to receive information from the camera; processor-executable instructions configured to perform artificial intelligence processing of the information; and a control system configured to control the position of the carousel, to control imaging of the at least one fluid sample, and to process the information using artificial intelligence processing.
[0119] Example 2 includes the system of Example 1, wherein the sample carousel includes a plurality of culture dishes that are removable.
[0120] Example 3 includes the system of Example 1, wherein the sample carousel is removable from the system for disinfection.
[0121] Example 4 includes the system of Example 3, wherein the sample carousel includes a plurality of culture dishes that are removable.
[0122] Example 5 includes the system of Example 1, wherein the motorized sample carousel includes a six-position carousel configured to hold and rotate between a camera position, an insert position, and empty positions.
[0123] Example 6 includes the system of Example 1, wherein the incubator housing includes a flip window mechanism configured to allow insertion of fluid samples into the carousel.
[0124] Example 7 includes the system of Example 1, further including a temperature control system configured to maintain a programmable temperature range between 20-40 degrees Celsius.
[0125] Example 8 includes the system of Example 1, further including communications electronics configured to provide a network connection.
[0126] Example 9 includes the system of Example 8, wherein the communications electronics is configured to communicate with remote artificial intelligence software over the Internet.
[0127] Example 10 includes the system of Example 1, further including a diffused ring LED lighting system for sample illumination.
[0128] Example 11 includes the system of Example 1, further including an insulation layer configured for operation under cold conditions.
[0129] Example 12 includes the system of Example 1, further including a photoelectric position detection system for carousel positioning.
[0130] Example 13 includes the system of Example 1, wherein the artificial intelligence processing includes using a RetinaNet backbone pre-trained on ImageNet.
[0131] Example 14 includes the system of Example 1, further including a wireless communication module for transmitting data.
[0132] Example 15 includes the system of Example 14, wherein the wireless communication module is configured to communicate with wi-fi wireless standards.
[0133] Example 16 includes the system of Example 14, wherein the wireless communication module is configured to communicate with cellular communications standards.
[0134] Example 17 includes the system of Example 16, wherein the wireless communication module is configured to communicate with 4G wireless standards.
[0135] Example 18 includes the system of Example 16, wherein the wireless communication module is configured to communicate with 5G wireless standards.
[0136] Example 19 includes the system of Example 1, further including a display screen and LED indicators.
[0137] Example 20 includes the system of Example 1, further including a power system configured to operate on both 220V and 12V power inputs.
[0138] Example 21 includes the system of Example 1, further including a removable battery system.
[0139] Example 22 includes the system of Example 1, further including a rechargeable battery system.
[0140] Example 23 includes the system of Example 1, wherein the processor is configured to analyze microbial colonies with at least approximately 95%precision.
[0141] Example 24 includes the system of Example 1, wherein the processor is configured to analyze microbial colonies with at least approximately 85%accuracy.
[0142] Example 25 includes the system of Example 1, further including a real-time clock for cultivation timing control.
[0143] Example 26 includes the system of Example 1, further including roller bearings and ball supports for carousel rotation.
[0144] Example 27 includes the system of Example 1, further including a heat sink and air tunnel design for temperature control.
[0145] Example 28 includes the system of Example 1, wherein the lighting system includes a UV LED light source for sanitizing an inner environment of the incubator housing and a white light source for imaging samples.
[0146] Example 29 includes the system of Example 1, further including a spring hook structure for secure closure of the housing.
[0147] Example 30 includes the system of Example 1, further including a humidity control system configured to maintain a programmable humidity range between 50-100%.
[0148] Example 31 is at least one machine-readable medium including instructions that, when executed by processing circuitry, cause the processing circuitry to perform operations to implement of any one of Examples 1-30.
[0149] Example 32 is an apparatus comprising means to implement any one of Examples 1-30.
[0150] Example 33 is a system to implement any one of Examples 1-30.
[0151] Example 34 is a method to implement any one of Examples 1-30.
[0152] The foregoing examples are not intended to be an exhaustive or exclusive list of examples and variations of the present subject matter. This application is intended to cover adaptations or variations of the present subject matter. It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of legal equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
Claims
A system for incubating fluid samples, comprising:an incubator housing holding a camera and lighting system;a motorized sample carousel configured to hold a plurality of fluid samples and position them in a field of view of the camera for imaging at least one fluid sample of the plurality of fluid samples;a processor configured to receive information from the camera;processor-executable instructions configured to perform artificial intelligence processing of the information; anda control system configured to control the position of the carousel, to control imaging of the at least one fluid sample, and to process the information using artificial intelligence processing.The system of claim 1, wherein the sample carousel includes a plurality of culture dishes that are removable.The system of claim 1, wherein the sample carousel is removable from the system for disinfection.The system of claim 3, wherein the sample carousel includes a plurality of culture dishes that are removable.The system of claim 1, wherein the motorized sample carousel comprises a six-position carousel configured to hold and rotate between a camera position, an insert position, and empty positions.The system of claim 1, wherein the incubator housing comprises a flip window mechanism configured to allow insertion of fluid samples into the carousel.The system of claim 1, further comprising a temperature control system configured to maintain a programmable temperature range between 20-40 degrees Celsius.The system of claim 1, further comprising communications electronics configured to provide a network connection.The system of claim 8, wherein the communications electronics is configured to communicate with remote artificial intelligence software over the Internet.The system of claim 1, further comprising a diffused ring LED lighting system for sample illumination.The system of claim 1, further comprising an insulation layer configured for operation under cold conditions.The system of claim 1, further comprising a photoelectric position detection system for carousel positioning.The system of claim 1, wherein the artificial intelligence processing comprises using a RetinaNet backbone pre-trained on ImageNet.The system of claim 1, further comprising a wireless communication module for transmitting data.The system of claim 14, wherein the wireless communication module is configured to communicate with wi-fi wireless standards.The system of claim 14, wherein the wireless communication module is configured to communicate with cellular communications standards.The system of claim 16, wherein the wireless communication module is configured to communicate with 4G wireless standards.The system of claim 16, wherein the wireless communication module is configured to communicate with 5G wireless standards.The system of claim 1, further comprising a display screen and LED indicators.The system of claim 1, further comprising a power system configured to operate on both 220V and 12V power inputs.The system of claim 1, further comprising a removable battery system.The system of claim 1, further comprising a rechargeable battery system.The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to analyze microbial colonies with at least approximately 95%precision.The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to analyze microbial colonies with at least approximately 85%accuracy.The system of claim 1, further comprising a real-time clock for cultivation timing control.The system of claim 1, further comprising roller bearings and ball supports for carousel rotation.The system of claim 1, further comprising a heat sink and air tunnel design for temperature control.The system of claim 1, wherein the lighting system comprises a UV LED light source for sanitizing an inner environment of the incubator housing and a white light source for imaging samples.The system of claim 1, further comprising a spring hook structure for secure closure of the housing.The system of claim 1, further comprising a humidity control system configured to maintain a programmable humidity range between 50-100%.