Method and apparatus for testing water quality using a cell-phone application, mirror and plastic bag
OwnerAlison Dana Bickinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present disclosure teaches a practical method and apparatus for providing accurate, economic drinking water testing using materials available worldwide: a mirror 10, cell-phone 20, and a plastic bag 30. Cell-phone 20 contains a C# computer application which captures color digital images of water whose water quality is desired, processes said color digital images, and displays information suitable for determining water quality on said cell-phone. The present invention is susceptible to use by the majority of persons capable of cell-phone operation.
Claims4
An apparatus for testing a water sample comprising:
- a cell-phone having
- an opposing lens and a display screen,
- capability of capturing color images,
- receiving and storing digital data,
- processing digital data,
- emitting light in a spectrum of approximately 430 to 670 nanometers, and
- displaying text;
- and
- a plastic bag containing said water sample.
An apparatus for testing a water sample comprising:
- a digital computer having
- an opposing lens and a display screen,
- capability of capturing color images,
- receiving and storing digital data,
- processing digital data,
- emitting light in a spectrum of approximately 430 to 670 nanometers, and
- displaying text;
- and
- a plastic bag containing said water sample.
A method for using a cell-phone, a mirror and a plastic bag to measure water-quality characteristics, said method comprising
- providing a water sample in said bag,
- providing said mirror with a reflective surface,
- placing said reflective surface facing and proximate to said bag,
- providing said cell-phone having a processor capable of manipulating digital data, an opposing lens and display screen,
- placing said cell-phone such that said display screen is parallel and proximate to said bag, and said lens is proximate to and facing said reflective surface,
- activating a software program in said cell-phone, further comprising the steps of
- a. creating and storing a standardized pixel lookup table,
- b. receiving and storing a test pattern image,
- c. displaying said test pattern image on said display screen,
- d. capturing an image of said water sample in said bag,
- e. inputting and storing said captured image,
- f. processing said captured image to assign pixel color and intensities,
- g. storing said processed pixel color and intensities of said captured image,
- h. comparing said processed image pixel color and intensities to said standardized pixel lookup table,
- i. selecting and assigning said water-quality characteristics to said captured image, and
- j. displaying said water-quality characteristics assigned to said captured image on said display screen.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.