Colony Counting Method Using Rotational Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional colony counting methods using CCD cameras in the food industry face variations in colony counts due to lighting and image capturing conditions, leading to unstable data, especially when the position and angle of lighting and the camera relative to the petri dish change.
Innovation Solution
A colony counting method that stabilizes data by rotating the petri dish in increments around a central axis, capturing images at specified angles, and processing these images to separate central and peripheral regions for accurate counting, thereby reducing variations caused by image capturing conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If conventional colony counting methods using CCD cameras are used, then the counting process is automated and simple, but the colony count data varies and becomes unstable when lighting and image capturing conditions change
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by rotating the petri dish to multiple positions (0°, 60°, 120°, 180°, 240°, 300°) during the imaging process. This dynamic repositioning ensures that colonies are captured from various angles, making the counting system less sensitive to specific lighting and camera positions. The rotation transforms a static, position-dependent counting method into a dynamic, angle-independent method, thereby improving data stability while maintaining automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-dividing the petri dish into multiple angular sectors before actually performing the counting. By establishing the rotation angles and imaging sequence in advance, the system prepares multiple viewing perspectives beforehand. This preliminary arrangement ensures that when colonies are counted, the data reflects a comprehensive view rather than being biased by a single position, thus improving reliability without adding complexity to the automated process.
2Reliability
If image capturing is performed at multiple angles by rotating the petri dish, then the stability and reliability of colony count data is improved, but the complexity of the imaging process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a simple rotational mechanism that rotates the petri dish in fixed angular increments (60° each time). This dynamic approach, while increasing the number of images captured, maintains relatively simple device complexity by using standard rotation stages commonly available in microscopy. The key is that the rotation is systematic and predictable, allowing the complexity to be managed through algorithmic processing rather than requiring complex mechanical systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the full 360° rotation into 6 equal sectors of 60° each. This segmentation strategy reduces the complexity compared to continuous rotation or capturing at all possible angles. By focusing on these specific discrete angles, the system achieves adequate coverage of colony distributions while minimizing the number of images to process. The segmentation makes the complex task of multi-angle imaging manageable through structured, incremental capture steps.
3Measurement precision
If the petri dish is rotated and imaged at multiple specified angles, then the accuracy of colony counting is improved, but the time required for image capturing and processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the imaging process into 6 discrete angular positions (0°, 60°, 120°, 180°, 240°, 300°), which provides sufficient coverage to accurately represent colony distribution without requiring continuous or excessive sampling. This segmentation achieves a balance where the number of images is limited to what is necessary for accurate counting, avoiding unnecessary time consumption while maintaining measurement precision. The segmented approach allows for efficient processing by reducing the total image count to a manageable number.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic action by systematically rotating the petri dish through fixed angular intervals (60° per step) and capturing images at each period. This periodic imaging pattern creates a regular, predictable sequence that optimizes the balance between accuracy and time. The periodic sampling at key angular positions captures the essential colony distribution characteristics without the need for continuous or random imaging, thereby reducing processing time while maintaining high measurement precision through the systematic nature of the periodic captures.
Data Source
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AI summary
Problem to be Solved There is provided a colony counting method capable of obtaining highly reliable and stable colony count values with easy and simple means by eliminating the variation in colony count due to image capturing conditions when the number of colonies is counted by performing data processing on an image obtained by image capturing means performing image capturing on a petri dish. Solution When the number of colonies is counted by performing image capturing and data processing on microbial colonies developed in a culture medium 1 in a petri dish 2 by a CCD camera 7 (image capturing means) provided in an extension direction of a rotational axis C1, which is set near a center of the culture medium surface 1f of the petri dish, the petri dish is rotated around the rotational axis by a specified angle obtained by dividing one rotation of the petri dish by a predetermined number, and image data of the entire culture medium surface of the petri dish is acquired for each rotation by a specified angle; the number of colonies at each specified angle is counted separately by performing data processing on image data of the entire culture medium surface of the petri dish at the specified angle; and the number of colonies in the petri dish is calculated by performing numerical processing on the number of colonies counted separately at each specified angle.