Turning Image Sensors into Position and Time Sensitive Quantitative Colorimetric Data Sources with the Aid of Novel Image Processing/Analysis Software

Abstract

Still images and video images acquired from image sensors are very valuable sources of information. From still images, position-sensitive, quantitative intensity, or colorimetric information can be obtained. Video images made of a time series of still images can provide time-dependent, quantitative intensity, or colorimetric information in addition to the position-sensitive information from a single still image. With the aid of novel image processing/analysis software, extraction of position- and time-sensitive quantitative colorimetric information was demonstrated from still image and video images of litmus test strips for pH tests of solutions. Visual inspection of the color change in the litmus test strips after chemical reaction with chemical solutions is typically exercised. Visual comparison of the color of the test solution with a standard color chart provides an approximate pH value to the nearest whole number. Accurate colorimetric quantification and dynamic analysis of chemical properties from captured still images and recorded video images of test solutions using novel image processing/analysis software are proposed with experimental feasibility study results towards value-added image sensor applications. Position- and time-sensitive quantitative colorimetric measurements and analysis examples are demonstrated.