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Video Counting Devices Save Time, Reduce Injuries
Author(s) -
Shaw Nancy,
Haddix Pryce L.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
opflow
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1551-8701
pISSN - 0149-8029
DOI - 10.1002/j.1551-8701.2004.tb02708.x
Subject(s) - monochrome , computer science , workload , computer vision , photography , artificial intelligence , computer graphics (images) , software , art , visual arts , programming language , operating system
This article describes how the American Water Quality Control and Research Laboratory simplified and accelerated its workload by using an automated bacterial colony counter to perform bacterial plate counts. The electronic counter combines video photography, image analysis, and data management in a spreadsheet format. Colony‐counting technology based on image analysis uses a high‐resolution monochrome or color video camera paired with a plate viewer. Video images are digitized, and colony forming units (CFU) are detected through their contrast to an agar background. For most instruments, the detection information is transferred to spreadsheet software. The article discusses evaluating the accuracy of the video counter, overall savings, and lists further sources of information.