JP6941297B2 - Colony detection system - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to a colony detection system that counts the number of colonies that are aggregates of cultured microorganisms.

When microorganisms are mixed in food, it may have an adverse effect on the human body. Microorganisms can multiply rapidly depending on environmental conditions and can cause large-scale health hazards such as food poisoning. As a system for detecting microorganisms mixed in food, a detection system has been proposed in which microorganisms collected from food are cultured on a petri dish or a film and the number of colonies, which are aggregates of the cultured microorganisms, is counted.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-212013

In order to quickly inspect whether or not microorganisms are mixed in many processed foods such as lunch boxes and delicatessen, prepare a large number of medium media such as films and place a culture surface on which microorganisms are cultured in each medium. A method of performing image analysis by reading at high speed with an imaging device such as a scanner is adopted. However, since the color and size of colonies differ depending on the type of medium, the processing algorithm for detecting colonies and counting the number of colonies must be changed for each type of medium. Therefore, it is not easy to efficiently process a large amount of medium in which a plurality of types of medium are mixed.

Further, depending on the type of medium, a plurality of microorganisms may be detected as colonies of different colors. However, the conventional colony detection system only counts the number of colonies in a single color, and cannot count the number of colonies separately by distinguishing each of a plurality of microorganisms existing on one medium. rice field.

As described above, there have been conventionally a method of efficiently counting the number of colonies in a large amount of medium in which a plurality of types of mediums are mixed, and a method of efficiently counting colonies in the medium by color. There wasn't.

The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and provides a colony detection system capable of efficiently and accurately counting colonies on a culture medium.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to the present disclosure, a medium medium for culturing a specific microorganism contained in a sample and manifesting a colony which is an aggregate of the cultured specific microorganisms.
A selection unit for selecting information including the type of medium and the colony counting function, and
An imaging unit that images the culture surface of the medium and
A first information detection unit that detects code information indicating the type of the medium contained in the image captured by the imaging unit, and a first information detection unit.
The image captured by the imaging unit is subjected to processing according to the information selected by the selection unit and the code information detected by the first information detection unit, and cultured in the medium. The first colony counting unit that counts the number of the colonies, and
A code information generation unit that generates new code information based on at least one of the information selected by the selection unit and the code information detected by the first information detection unit.
An image update unit that generates a new medium image in which the code information included in the image captured by the image pickup unit is updated with the new code information, and an image update unit.
A second information detection unit that detects the new code information included in the new medium image, and
The colony cultured in the medium is subjected to processing according to the information selected by the selection unit and the code information detected by the second information detection unit with respect to the new medium image. A colony detection system is provided that includes a second colony counting unit that counts the number of colonies.

The new code information and the code information detected by the first information detection unit may differ in information regarding at least one of the type of colony to be counted and the color of the colony.

One of the code information detected by the first information detection unit and the new code information is information instructing to count the number of all colonies on the medium, and the other is information on the medium. It may be information instructing to count the number of colonies of a particular color.

According to the present disclosure, a plurality of types of mediums in which a specific microorganism contained in a sample is cultured and colonies, which are aggregates of the cultured specific microorganisms, are manifested.
An imaging unit that images the culture surface of the medium and
A plurality of storage units that classify and store images captured by the imaging unit under predetermined conditions, and
The images stored in the plurality of storage units are subjected to processing unique to each storage unit according to the predetermined conditions for each storage unit, and the number of the colonies cultured in the medium is counted. A colony detection system is provided that comprises a colony counting unit.

Each storage unit is provided with an image processing unit that performs image processing unique to each storage unit according to the predetermined conditions for the images stored in the plurality of storage units.
The colony counting unit performs a treatment unique to each storage unit according to the predetermined conditions on the image after image processing by the image processing unit, and cultures the image in the medium. The number of the colonies formed may be counted.

The colony counting unit performs counting processing of the next storage unit after counting the number of the colonies for all the images stored in one storage unit among the plurality of storage units, and each storage unit. For each unit, the number of the colonies may be counted according to conditions unique to each storage unit.

A plurality of types of mediums in which a specific microorganism contained in a sample is cultured to reveal a colony which is an aggregate of the cultured specific microorganisms, and
An imaging unit that images the culture surface of the medium and
A storage unit that stores an image captured by the imaging unit by adding an identifier according to a predetermined condition to the file name.
A colony detection system including a colony counting unit that counts the number of the colonies cultured in the culture medium by performing a unique process according to the identifier on the image stored in the storage unit.

For each of the identifiers, an image processing unit that performs image processing unique to each storage unit according to the predetermined conditions is provided for the image stored in the storage unit.
The colony counting unit performs processing unique to each storage unit according to the predetermined conditions on the image after image processing by the image processing unit, and the number of the colonies cultured in the medium. 7. The colony detection system according to claim 7.

In the storage unit, the colony counting unit uses the file name after counting the number of colonies based on the corresponding predetermined conditions for all the images to which the specific identifier is added to the file name. The colony detection system according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the process of counting the number of colonies is repeated based on the corresponding predetermined conditions for all the images to which the other specific identifier is added.

The colony detection system according to any one of claims 4 to 9, wherein the predetermined condition includes the type of the medium.

The colony detection system according to any one of claims 4 to 9, wherein the predetermined condition includes information indicating whether or not the number of colonies included in the image captured by the imaging unit can be counted.

The colony detection system according to any one of claims 4 to 9, wherein the predetermined conditions include inspection conditions for the medium.

According to the present disclosure, colonies on the medium can be counted efficiently and accurately.

The functional block diagram which shows the schematic structure of the colony detection system by 1st Embodiment. Top view of the culture medium sheet. The figure which shows the display example of the screen of the display part. The flowchart which shows the outline processing operation of the colony detection system by this embodiment. The figure which shows the example which displayed the image image of the culture medium sheet which should perform EC provisional process on the screen of the display part. The flowchart which shows the processing operation of the control part when the worker selects "EC provisional". The flowchart which shows an example of the processing operation of the 1st colony count part. The flowchart which shows an example of the processing operation of the 2nd colony counting part. The functional block diagram which shows the schematic structure of the colony detection system by 2nd Embodiment. The figure which shows typically the mode that the photographed image of a culture medium sheet is classified into a plurality of storage parts and stored. The flowchart which shows the schematic processing operation of the colony detection system by 2nd Embodiment. The flowchart which shows the schematic processing operation of the colony detection system according to 3rd Embodiment. The flowchart which shows the schematic processing operation of the colony detection system according to 4th Embodiment. The flowchart which shows the schematic processing operation of the colony detection system by 5th Embodiment.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings attached to the present specification, the scale, aspect ratio, etc. are appropriately changed from those of the actual product and exaggerated for the convenience of illustration and comprehension.

(First Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the colony detection system 1 according to the first embodiment. The colony detection system 1 according to the present embodiment can count the number of colonies of microorganisms cultured on the medium. Here, the colony is an aggregate of specific microorganisms cultured on a medium. The specific type of microorganism is not limited, but in this embodiment, various microorganisms mixed in food are mainly taken into consideration, and specific examples are Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The medium is a medium in which microorganisms can be cultivated, and may be a film-shaped medium sheet 2 or a petri dish. When reading images of a large amount of medium in a short time and automatically counting the number of colonies, it is desirable to use a medium sheet 2 capable of continuous imaging. Hereinafter, an example in which the medium sheet 2 is used as the medium is mainly described.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the culture medium sheet 2. The medium sheet 2 of FIG. 2 is transparent covering the base material layer 11, the culture layer 13 laminated in the circular frame 12 near the center of the base material layer 11, and the entire upper surface of the base material layer 11 and the culture layer 13. It has a protective layer 14.

The material of the base material layer 11 is a plastic film, paper, or the like. As a specific example of the plastic film, a resin film such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyester, or polycarbonate can be used. The base material layer 11 may have a multi-layer structure of resin and paper.

The material of the culture layer 13 differs depending on the type of microorganism. An identification code indicating which microorganism the culture layer 13 is culturing is printed on the surface of the base material layer 11. In the example of FIG. 2, a QR code (registered trademark) 15 is printed as an identification code. An identification code such as a barcode may be printed instead of the QR code 15.

The protective layer 14 covers the entire upper surface of the base material layer 11 to prevent foreign matter from entering the culture layer 13. Since the protective layer 14 is transparent, the culture surface can be imaged by the imaging unit 3 with the protective layer 14 attached.

The colony detection system 1 of FIG. 1 includes the medium sheet 2, the imaging unit 3, the storage unit 4, the user interface unit 5, the control unit 6, the image recognition unit 7, and the colony counting unit 8 shown in FIG. And a display unit 9.

The operator drops a diluted solution of the sample on the culture surface of the medium sheet 2 and cultivates the microorganisms contained in the sample on the medium sheet 2 for a predetermined culture time. The specific constituent materials of the medium sheet 2 are the same as those described above. Specimens are various foods and the like that may be contaminated with microorganisms.

The imaging unit 3 images the culture surface of the medium sheet 2 after a predetermined culture time has elapsed. For example, a commercially available optical scanner can be applied to the imaging unit 3. In particular, when an optical scanner having an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) function is used, the culture surfaces of a plurality of medium sheets 2 can be continuously read, and efficient reading work becomes possible. The captured image captured by the imaging unit 3 is stored in the storage unit 4. The control unit 6 reads the captured image from the storage unit 4 as necessary and transmits it to the image recognition unit 7 and the display unit 9.

The user interface unit 5 has an instruction member for the operator to perform various inputs and selections. The indicator member may be a selection device such as a mouse or a keyboard or an input device, or may be a touch sensor built in the screen of the display unit 9. The user interface unit 5 has a selection unit 5a for selecting information including the type of the medium sheet 2 and the conditions for counting the number of colonies. For example, the operator selects the type of the culture medium sheet 2 by the selection unit 5a, and also selects the conditions for counting the number of colonies in the culture medium sheet 2 of the selected type. Here, the type of the medium sheet 2 is the type of the microorganism to be cultured on the medium sheet 2. Further, the counting condition is a condition for designating which colony in the medium sheet 2 is to be counted. More specifically, counting only colonies of a specific color in the medium sheet 2, counting colonies of all colors, and the like.

The control unit 6 controls each unit in the colony detection system 1 and controls the display unit 9 to display the number of colonies counted by the colony counting unit 8.

The image recognition unit 7 performs image recognition on the captured image of the culture medium sheet 2 captured by the imaging unit 3 to detect colonies. Further, the image recognition unit 7 may perform a process of automatically recognizing a sample identification code or the like from the captured image, if necessary.

The colony counting unit 8 counts the number of colonies contained in the captured image of the medium sheet 2. The colony counting unit 8 includes a first information detecting unit 8a, a first colony counting unit 8b, a code information generating unit 8c, an image updating unit 8d, a second information detecting unit 8e, and a second colony counting unit 8f. Has.

The first information detection unit 8a detects code information indicating the type of the culture medium sheet 2 included in the image captured by the imaging unit 3. The code information is, for example, a QR code (registered trademark), as will be described later.

The first and second colony counting units 8b and 8f perform treatments on the images captured by the imaging unit 3 according to the type of the medium sheet 2 selected by the selection unit 5a, and culture the images on the medium sheet 2. Count the number of colonies that have been formed.

The first colony counting unit 8b performs processing on the image captured by the imaging unit 3 according to the information selected by the selection unit 5a and the code information detected by the first information detecting unit 8a. Then, the number of colonies cultured on the medium sheet 2 is counted.

The code information generation unit 8c generates new code information based on at least one of the information selected by the selection unit 5a and the code information detected by the first information detection unit 8a. The new code information is, for example, a QR code (registered trademark). The new code information is different from the code information originally provided in the medium sheet 2 regarding at least one of the type of colony to be counted and the color of the colony. As a specific example, either the code information originally provided on the medium sheet 2 or the new code information is information instructing to count the total number of colonies on the medium sheet 2. The other is information instructing to count the number of colonies of a particular color on the medium sheet 2.

The image updating unit 8d generates a new medium image in which the code information included in the image captured by the imaging unit 3 is updated with new code information.

The second information detection unit 8e detects new code information contained in the new medium image. The second colony counting unit 8f performs processing according to the information selected by the selection unit 5a and the code information detected by the second information detecting unit 8e on the new medium image, and performs the processing according to the medium sheet. Count the number of colonies cultured in 2.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a display example of the screen of the display unit 9. The screen of FIG. 3 is provided with a first display area 31, a second display area 32, and a third display area 33.

In the first display area 31, various information regarding the image captured by the imaging unit 3 is displayed. For example, in the first display area 31, a column 31a for inputting the reading date and time when the image was taken by the imaging unit 3, a column 31b for inputting the inspection date which is the date when the culture was started on the medium sheet 2, and the medium sheet 2 The field 31c for inputting the type (medium) of the medium, the field 31d for inputting the serial number (S / N) of the medium sheet 2, and the field 31e for inputting the file name (setting file) of the intermediate processing data were counted. A field 31f for inputting the number of colonies, a comment field 31g, a registration button 31h, and the like are provided. Various types of information displayed in the first display area 31 are not limited to FIG.

On the culture medium sheet 2 of FIG. 3, a QR code 15 representing the serial number of the culture medium sheet 2 is printed on the base material layer 11. Therefore, by extracting the QR code 15 from the image captured by the imaging unit 3 and performing image recognition, the serial number corresponding to the QR code 15 is automatically input into the S / N field in the first display area 31. be able to.

In the comment field 31g, information such as a sample dropped on the medium sheet 2 is input. In the comment field 31g, the operator can directly input various information via the user interface unit 5 of the keyboard. When the medium sheet 2 is provided with an identification code such as a barcode 2a for identifying the sample, the identification code is extracted from the captured image and the identification code of the sample is automatically input to the comment field 31g by image recognition. However, if the medium sheet 2 is provided with character information instead of the identification code, even if the character information automatically read using the OCR (Optical Character Recognition) function is automatically entered in the comment field 31g. good. Here, the sample identification code is, for example, a product code of a certain food product. In the following, the identification code of the sample may be referred to as a product code.

The image itself captured by the imaging unit 3 is displayed in the second display area 32. In the third display area 33, a colony is automatically detected from the captured image of the second display area 32, and an image in which the detected colony is surrounded by a frame is displayed. In the example of FIG. 3, since there are eight frames in the third display area 33, the number of colonies in the first display area 31 is eight.

The colony detection system 1 shown in FIG. 1 can be configured by one or more hardware devices. As a specific example, the imaging unit 3 and the image recognition unit 7 are composed of an optical scanner, and the first and second colony counting units 8b and 8f, the control unit 6, and the user interface unit 5 are personal computers (hereinafter, PCs). ) Or a server device. Instead of configuring with one PC or server device, it may be configured with a plurality of network-connected PCs or server devices.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a schematic processing operation of the colony detection system 1 according to the present embodiment. First, the inspection worker dilutes the sample to be inspected for contamination with microorganisms with a predetermined diluent at a predetermined dilution ratio (step S1). Next, the inspection worker drops a liquid containing the diluted sample onto the medium sheet 2 according to the type of microorganism to be inspected, and cultivates the microorganism for a predetermined culture time (step S2). When it is desired to inspect the same sample for contamination with a plurality of different types of microorganisms, a plurality of types of medium sheets 2 are prepared, and the above-mentioned treatments of steps S1 and S2 are repeated.

It waits until the predetermined culture time elapses (step S3), and when the culture time elapses, the importing operator images the cultured medium sheet 2 with the imaging unit 3 (step S4). The control unit 6 displays the captured image on the display unit 9, and the image recognition unit 7 identifies the product code of the sample by image recognition when the captured image has a barcode of the product code or the like, and a comment column. Automatically input to 31 g (step S5). If the medium sheet 2 does not have the product code of the sample, the importing operator may input the product code or the like via the user interface unit 5. Further, any information other than the product code may be input by the importing operator into the comment field 31g via the user interface unit 5.

The culture time is not always the same for all types of medium sheet 2. When culturing the same sample on a plurality of types of medium sheets 2, it is necessary to perform the above-mentioned treatments in steps S4 and S5 after the culturing time specified for each medium sheet 2 has elapsed.

Next, the image recognition unit 7 automatically recognizes the colonies included in the captured image of the medium sheet 2, and arranges the frame 33a in each colony as shown in the third display area 33 of FIG. 3 (step S6). Next, the first and second colony counting units 8b and 8f count the number of frames 33a and count the number of colonies (step S7).

The types of the medium sheet 2 in which the first and second colony counting units 8b and 8f according to the present embodiment can count the number of colonies are, for example, AC, CC, EC, SA, YM, EB, LB, SL, and the like. LSM, ACR, HET, VP and the like. AC is a medium for measuring general viable bacteria, CC is a medium for measuring Escherichia coli, EC is a medium for measuring Escherichia coli and Escherichia coli, SA is a medium for measuring yellow staphylococcus, YM is a medium for measuring mold and yeast, and EB is a medium for measuring intestinal bacteria. Medium for measuring family bacteria, LB is medium for measuring lactic acid bacteria, SL is medium for measuring salmonella, LSM is medium for measuring listeria monocytogenes, ACR is medium for measuring general viable bacteria, HET is medium for measuring dependent vegetative bacteria, VP is a medium for measuring enteritis vibrio.

A plurality of types of microorganisms can be cultured on some medium sheets 2, and colonies of each microorganism may exhibit different colors in the same medium sheet 2. In this case, since the type of microorganism is different for each color of the colony, the number of colonies of a plurality of types of microorganisms can be individually detected by counting the number of colonies for each color.

Therefore, the colony detection system 1 according to the present embodiment discriminates the colors of the colonies cultured in the same medium sheet 2 and makes it possible to count the number of colonies for each color. Hereinafter, for EC, a processing procedure for identifying the color of the colonies in the medium sheet 2 and counting the number of colonies for each color will be described.

In the conventional colony detection system 1, the colonies in the medium sheet 2 are treated as a single color and the number of colonies is detected. The process of counting the colonies in the EC medium sheet 2 by color in a process procedure similar to that of the conventional process is hereinafter referred to as an EC provisional process.

The operator activates the colony detection system 1 on the PC, images the medium sheet 2 to be subjected to the EC provisional processing by the imaging unit 3, and displays the captured image on the display unit 9. FIG. 5 shows an example in which the captured image of the culture medium sheet 2 to be subjected to the EC provisional treatment is displayed on the screen of the display unit 9. Here, the operator selects "EC provisional" in the field 34 for selecting the medium type in the screen of FIG. In the EC provisional treatment, an EC treatment for counting the total number of colonies in the medium sheet 2 and a CC treatment for counting only the number of blue colonies in the medium sheet 2 are performed.

In the colony detection system 1 according to the present embodiment, when the operator selects "EC provisional" in the column 34 of FIG. 5, the selection information is sent to the control unit 6 via the selection unit 5a. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing operation of the control unit 6 when the operator selects “EC provisional”.

First, the control unit 6 instructs the first colony counting unit 8b to perform the EC process (step S11). Before and after the process of step S11, the control unit 6 instructs the code information generation unit 8c to generate new code information (step S12). The QR code on the medium sheet 2 to be subjected to the EC provisional treatment contains information for identifying the type of the medium sheet 2, and this information is specifically obtained from the EC indicating the medium for measuring Escherichia coli and coliform bacteria. be. Therefore, as it is, all the colonies in the medium sheet 2 will be counted. Therefore, the code information generation unit 8c newly generates a QR code including information on CC indicating the medium for measuring Escherichia coli.

Next, the control unit 6 instructs the image update unit 8d to generate an image of a new medium sheet 2 (hereinafter, medium image) including a new QR code (step S13). The image update unit 8d performs image processing in which the QR code in the captured image is replaced with a new QR code generated by the code generation unit.

Next, the control unit 6 transmits the medium image generated by the image updating unit 8d to the second colony counting unit 8f, and instructs the second colony counting unit 8f to perform the CC process (step S14).

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing operation of the first colony counting unit 8b. First, it is determined whether or not the QR code in the captured image of the medium sheet 2 is "EC" (step S21), and if it is not "EC", error processing is performed (step S22). In this case, the process of FIG. 7 is terminated without performing colony counting. The specific content of the error processing does not matter, but for example, a display indicating that the medium types do not match is displayed on the screen of the display unit 9.

If it is determined to be "EC" in step S21, mask processing is performed (step S23). Here, the image other than the medium area included in the captured image of the medium sheet 2 is removed, and the image in the medium area is extracted.

Next, the detection difficulty level determination process is performed (step S24). Here, the difficulty level of detecting the colony is determined from the image in the medium area, and if the difficulty level exceeds a predetermined value, a predetermined warning process is performed. Here, the difficulty level of detecting blue and red colonies is determined.

Next, a colony detection process is performed (step S25). Here, colonies whose degree of difference from the background color of the medium sheet 2 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value are detected. More specifically, blue and red colonies are mainly detected. In the medium sheet 2 for EC, the coliform colonies are blue and the coliform colonies are red. Since the EC treatment is intended to count the number of colonies of both Escherichia coli and coliform bacteria, the colony detection treatment detects blue and red colonies.

Next, noise removal is performed (step S26). Here, among the colonies detected by the colony detection process, the colonies considered to be noise such as foreign matter and coloring are removed. More specifically, in the noise removal in step S14, mainly green colonies are removed as noise.

Next, the boundary between the colonies in the medium sheet 2 is detected (step S27). Here, when the boundary between adjacent colonies is ambiguous, it is determined whether the colony is a separate colony or a single colony, and the boundary of each colony is defined.

Next, the number of colonies is counted (step S28). In the colony detection process of step S25, blue and red colonies are detected. Therefore, in step S28, the total number of blue and red colonies is counted.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing operation of the second colony counting unit 8f. First, it is determined whether or not the QR code in the medium image generated by the image updating unit 8d is "CC" (step S31), and if it is not "CC", error processing is performed (step S32). The process of FIG. 8 is completed.

If it is determined to be "CC" in step S31, mask processing is performed (step S33). Here, the same process as in step S22 of FIG. 7 is performed. Next, the detection difficulty level determination process is performed (step S34). Here, the difficulty of detecting blue colonies is determined. Next, a colony detection process is performed (step S35). Here, only blue colonies are detected. Since the CC treatment is intended to count only the number of Escherichia coli colonies, the colony detection treatment detects only blue colonies.

Next, noise processing is performed (step S36). Here, noise removal is performed based on the value of the hue H component of the HSV coordinate system. The colony boundary detection process performed next is the same as in step S26 of FIG. 7 (step S37). In the colony counting process performed next, since the colonies of only the blue line are detected in step S34, the number of colonies of the blue line is counted (step S38).

By the processing of FIGS. 7 and 8, the total number of colonies in the medium sheet 2 for EC and the number of blue-strained colonies can be counted. In the medium sheet 2 for EC, whether or not Escherichia coli colonies are present is the most important, but there are cases where it is desired to grasp the total number of Escherichia coli and coliform colonies. In the EC provisional treatment according to the present embodiment, the total number of coliform colonies and coliform colonies can be counted, and the number of coliform colonies can be estimated by taking the difference between the two.

In the above description, an example using a medium for measuring Escherichia coli and coliform bacteria has been described, but the colony detection system 1 according to the first embodiment can be applied to a medium sheet 2 other than the medium for measuring Escherichia coli and coliform bacteria. be. More specifically, it can be applied when colonies of a plurality of colors are cultivated in the medium sheet 2 and it is desired to separate the colonies for each color and count the number of colonies.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when the operator selects "EC provisional", the first colony counting unit 8b performs the EC treatment according to the QR code on the medium sheet 2, and the captured image of the medium sheet 2 After generating a new medium image in which the QR code of the above is rewritten, CC processing is performed by the second colony counting unit 8f. As a result, EC treatment and CC treatment can be performed without incurring the labor of the operator, and the total number of colonies of Escherichia coli and coliform bacteria and the number of colonies of Escherichia coli can be counted separately and accurately.

(Second Embodiment)
The medium sheet 2 is provided for each type of microorganism, and in a food factory or the like, a plurality of types of microorganisms are inspected. Therefore, in the colony detection system 1, a large amount of medium sheet 2 in which a plurality of types of medium sheets 2 are mixed is provided. Is desired to be processed efficiently. The colony detection system 1 according to the second to fifth embodiments described below is intended to efficiently process a large amount of medium sheet 2 in which a plurality of types of medium sheets 2 are mixed. More specifically, in the second to fifth embodiments, the images captured by the imaging unit 3 are classified under predetermined conditions and stored in a plurality of storage units 4, or the images captured by the imaging unit 3 are stored. An identifier corresponding to a predetermined condition is added to the file name and stored in the storage unit 4. The predetermined conditions may include the type of medium sheet 2. Further, the predetermined condition may include information indicating whether or not the number of colonies included in the image captured by the imaging unit 3 can be counted. Moreover, the predetermined condition may include the inspection condition of the culture medium sheet 2.

FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the colony detection system 1 according to the second embodiment. The colony detection system 1 of FIG. 9 includes the medium sheet 2 shown in FIG. 2, the imaging unit 3, a plurality of storage units 4, the user interface unit 5, the control unit 6, the image recognition unit 7, and the colony count. A unit 8, a display unit 9, and an image processing unit 10 are provided.

As described above, the colony detection system 1 of FIG. 9 is different from the colony detection system 1 of FIG. 1 in that it includes a plurality of storage units 4. The plurality of storage units 4 may be physically housed in one storage device, or the plurality of storage units 4 may be physically configured as separate storage devices. Each storage unit 4 is provided for each type of the plurality of types of medium sheets 2, and stores the captured images of the corresponding medium sheets 2. When an identifier corresponding to a predetermined condition is added to the file name of the image captured by the imaging unit 3 and stored in the storage unit 4, only one storage unit 4 may be provided. That is, it is not always necessary to provide a plurality of storage units 4.

The user interface unit 5 is for the operator to perform various inputs and selections, and has a selection unit 5a. The selection unit 5a selects information including the type of the medium sheet 2 and the conditions for counting the number of colonies.

The colony counting unit 8 processes the images stored in the plurality of storage units 4 according to the type of the corresponding medium sheet 2 for each storage unit 4, and the number of colonies cultured in the medium sheet 2 is performed. To count. That is, the colony counting unit 8 counts the number of colonies by performing common processing on the images stored in the same storage unit 4 according to the information selected by the selection unit 5a. More specifically, the colony counting unit 8 performs counting processing of the next storage unit 4 after counting the number of colonies for all the images stored in one storage unit 4, and each storage unit 4 Each time, the number of colonies is counted according to the conditions peculiar to each storage unit 4.

The image processing unit 10 performs some kind of image processing on the captured image stored in the storage unit 4 before the colony counting unit counts the number of colonies. The specific processing content of the image processing is arbitrary, but for example, edge enhancement processing or noise removal processing of colonies in the captured image may be performed. Since the image processing unit 10 is not an essential component of the colony detection system 1, it may be omitted.

FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically showing how the images captured by the culture medium sheet 2 captured by the imaging unit 3 are classified into a plurality of storage units 4 and stored. The control unit 6 stores the captured image in any of the plurality of storage units 4 based on the result of image recognition of the QR code in the captured image of the culture medium sheet 2. In the example of FIG. 10, a plurality of folders provided in the storage device (for example, HDD) correspond to the plurality of storage units 4. Although specific folder division is arbitrary, in the example of FIG. 10, an AC folder 4a, a CC folder 4b, an EC folder 4c, and an SA folder 4d are provided.

The control unit 6 stores each captured image in one of the AC folder 4a, the CC folder 4b, the EC folder 4c, and the SA folder 4d according to the QR code in the captured image of the medium sheet 2. A separate folder may be provided to store captured images that do not correspond to any of these four folders.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a schematic processing operation of the colony detection system 1 according to the second embodiment. This flowchart shows a processing operation in the case of performing colony counting of a large amount of medium sheets 2 in which a plurality of types of medium sheets 2 are mixed.

First, a large amount of medium sheets 2 are sequentially imaged by the imaging unit 3 to generate an captured image (step S41). Next, image recognition of the generated captured image is performed in order to detect the medium type described in the QR code (step S42). Next, the captured image is stored in a folder corresponding to the detected medium type (step S43). Next, it is determined whether or not all the medium sheets 2 have been divided into folders (step S44). If the medium sheet 2 that has not been divided into folders still remains, the process returns to step S41, and if the folder division of all the medium sheets 2 is completed, one of the plurality of folders 4a to 4d is selected. Then, for the captured images in the folder, the colonies in the medium sheet 2 are counted under the conditions common to the folder (step S45). The conditions common to the folders are, for example, conditions such as counting all colonies in the medium sheet 2 and counting colonies of a specific color in the medium sheet 2.

Next, it is determined whether or not the colony count of all folders is completed (step S46), and if it is not completed yet, the processes after step S45 are repeated for each folder, and the number of colonies is counted for all folders. When it is finished, the process of FIG. 11 is finished.

Depending on the folder, the number of colonies of a plurality of types may be counted. For example, in the EC folder 4c, at least two may be performed: counting the number of colonies of Escherichia coli and coliform bacteria combined, counting the number of colonies of Escherichia coli only, and counting the number of colonies of coliform bacteria only. Similarly, in the SA folder 4d, the count of the total number of colonies of Staphylococcus aureus and false positive bacteria, the count of the number of colonies of only the blue line representing Staphylococcus aureus, and only the red line representing false positive bacteria, etc. You may do at least two with counting the number of colonies in.

In FIG. 11, an example in which the captured image of the medium sheet 2 is classified into a separate folder for each medium type and stored is described, but an identifier that can identify the medium type is added to the file name of the captured image of the medium sheet 2. You may remember from. In this case, each captured image may be collectively stored in one storage unit 4. As a result, the medium type of each captured image can be specified by the file name, so that the number of colonies according to the medium type can be counted for each captured image without dividing into folders.

As described above, in the second embodiment, the captured image of the medium sheet 2 captured by the imaging unit 3 is classified into a plurality of storage units 4 according to the medium type included in the image-recognized QR code and stored, or is stored. An identifier that can identify the medium type is added to the file name of each captured image and stored in the storage unit 4, and under conditions unique to each storage unit 4, or for each captured image having the same identifier in the file name. The process of counting the number of colonies is continuously performed. As a result, before the medium sheet 2 is imaged by the imaging unit 3, the operator does not have to manually classify the medium sheet 2 according to the medium type, and the condition for counting the number of colonies for each medium sheet 2 is worked. Since it is not necessary for the person to specify it, the labor of the worker can be saved. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the number of colonies of the large amount of medium sheet 2 stored in the storage unit 4 can be efficiently counted in a short time.

(Third Embodiment)
In the third embodiment, the difficulty of detecting the number of colonies is determined based on the captured image of the culture medium sheet 2. The colony detection system 1 according to the third embodiment can be represented by the same functional block diagram as that of FIG. 9, but the type of the captured image stored in the storage unit 4 is different from that of the second embodiment.

The control unit 6 according to the third embodiment determines whether or not the number of colonies is difficult to detect based on the image captured by the medium sheet 2, and detects the captured image determined to be difficult to detect and the detected image. The captured image determined to be not difficult is stored in a separate storage unit 4.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a schematic processing operation of the colony detection system 1 according to the third embodiment. The medium sheet 2 is imaged in order (step S51), and it is determined whether the colonies included in the captured image cannot be correctly identified and the number of colonies cannot be counted, that is, whether the detection difficulty is high (step S52). .. For example, if the color of the colony is similar to the color of the medium and the colony cannot be correctly identified, it is determined that the count cannot be performed in step S52, that is, the detection difficulty is high. When the detection difficulty is high, the captured image is stored in a dedicated storage unit 4 (for example, a dedicated folder) (step S53).

When it is determined that the image can be counted in step S52, that is, the detection difficulty level is low, the captured image is stored in another storage unit 4 (for example, a normal folder) different from the dedicated storage unit 4 (step S54).

When the processing of step S53 or S54 is completed, as in steps S44 to S46 of FIG. 11, after the folder division of the whole medium sheet 2 is completed, each of the folders in each folder is subjected to the conditions unique to each folder. The number of colonies on the medium sheet 2 is counted (steps S55 to S57). When counting the number of colonies of each captured image in the dedicated folder in which the medium sheet 2 having a high degree of difficulty in detecting colonies is stored, the number of colonies is counted by setting parameters different from those of the normal folder. Here, the parameter is a threshold value or the like used when each process of steps S33 to S38 shown in FIG. 8 is performed.

In FIG. 12, an example in which folders are divided according to whether or not the colony detection difficulty in the captured image of the medium sheet 2 is high has been described, but an identifier indicating whether or not the detection difficulty is high is a file of each captured image. You may add it to the name and then memorize it. In this case, each captured image may be collectively stored in one storage unit 4. As a result, the detection difficulty level can be determined by the file name, so the number of colonies can be counted after determining whether or not the detection difficulty level is high for each captured image without dividing the folders. can.

As described above, in the third embodiment, the folders are divided based on the determination result of the detection difficulty level of the colonies of each medium sheet 2, or the identifier for determining the detection difficulty level is added to the file name of the captured image. do. More specifically, only the medium sheet 2 having a high degree of difficulty in detecting colonies is stored in a dedicated folder, or a specific identifier is added to the file name and the other medium sheets 2 are stored in a normal folder. A different identifier is added to the file name, and a separate parameter is set for each folder (or each identifier) to count the number of colonies. As a result, even if a large number of captured images include captured images with a high degree of difficulty in detecting colonies, the number of colonies can be counted with high accuracy without the need for the operator to manually sort the colonies in advance. can. Therefore, it is not necessary to reset the parameters and recount the number of colonies for the captured image having a high degree of difficulty in detecting the colonies.

(Fourth Embodiment)
The fourth embodiment is a combination of the processes of the second and third embodiments described above. The colony detection system 1 according to the fourth embodiment can be represented by a functional block diagram similar to that of FIG. The types of captured images stored in the storage unit 4 are those described in the second and third embodiments.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a schematic processing operation of the colony detection system 1 according to the fourth embodiment. In steps S61 to S63, as in steps S51 to S53 of FIG. 12, when it is determined that the captured image has a high degree of difficulty in detecting the number of colonies, the captured image is stored in a dedicated folder. For the captured images in this folder, the number of colonies is counted after setting specific parameters.

In steps S64 to S68, as in steps S42 to S46 of FIG. 11, folders are divided according to the medium type of the QR code of the captured image, and each folder is divided into folders under the conditions unique to each folder. The number of colonies on the medium sheet 2 is counted.

Also in FIG. 13, instead of storing the images in a plurality of folders separately, the identifier added to the file name of the captured image may be changed.

As described above, in the fourth embodiment, the captured image determined to have a high degree of difficulty in detecting the number of colonies is stored in a dedicated folder based on the captured image of the medium sheet 2, or the file name of the captured image is stored. In addition to adding a specific identifier to, other captured images are classified into separate folders for each medium type, or each file name is added with a separate identifier, so each folder (or each identifier) is added. The number of colonies can be counted after setting the parameters unique to the folder, and the number of colonies can be counted accurately.

(Fifth Embodiment)
In the fifth embodiment, the captured images are divided into folders based on various information read from the QR code of the captured image. The colony detection system 1 according to the fifth embodiment can be represented by the same functional block diagram as that of FIG. 9, but the type of the captured image stored in the storage unit 4 is different from that of the second to fourth embodiments. ..

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a schematic processing operation of the colony detection system 1 by the fifth mobile phone. The culture medium sheet 2 is sequentially imaged by the imaging unit 3 (step S71), the captured image is image-recognized, and for example, QR code information is detected (step S72). Here, the information is not only the medium type described in the second embodiment, but also information such as the inspection conditions (culture conditions) of the medium sheet 2. The specific content of the information does not matter, but it is assumed that information other than the medium type is included.

Next, the captured image is stored in the folder corresponding to the QR code information (step S73). For example, if the information includes inspection conditions, the captured images may be divided into folders for each inspection condition.

After that, in the same manner as in steps S42 to S46 of FIG. 11, all the captured images are divided into folders, and then, for each folder, the number of colonies of each medium sheet in each folder is counted under the conditions unique to each folder. (Steps S74 to S76).

In FIG. 14, an example in which the captured image of the medium sheet 2 is classified and stored in a separate folder for each QR code information has been described, but an identifier capable of identifying the QR code information in the file name of the captured image of the medium sheet 2 has been described. May be added and then memorized. In this case, each captured image may be collectively stored in one storage unit 4. As a result, the QR code information of each captured image can be specified by the file name, so that the number of colonies can be counted according to the QR code information for each captured image without dividing into folders.

As described above, in the fifth embodiment, the captured images are divided into folders in consideration of not only the medium type but also information such as inspection conditions, or an identifier that identifies each information is used as the file name of the captured image. As a supplement, the number of colonies can be counted by setting the optimum parameters for each folder or each identifier in consideration of information such as inspection conditions. Therefore, the counting process of the number of colonies can be performed accurately.

In the second to fifth embodiments described above, at the stage where the captured images are divided into folders (or an identifier is added to the file name), the image processing unit 10 shown in FIG. 9 performs each folder (or each identifier). ), Image processing unique to each folder (or each identifier) may be performed, and the number of colonies may be counted for the image-processed captured image. The image processing unit 10 may perform edge enhancement processing, noise removal processing, and the like of colonies in the captured image, for example. As shown in FIG. 7, noise removal processing and the like are performed in the colony number counting processing, but some image processing may be performed before starting the processing of FIG. 7. As described above, by performing various image processing as the preprocessing of the colony number counting process, it is not necessary to modify the existing colony number counting process.

At least a part of the colony detection system 1 described in the above-described embodiment may be configured by hardware or software. When configured by software, a program that realizes at least a part of the functions of the colony detection system 1 may be stored in a recording medium such as a flexible disk or a CD-ROM, read by a computer, and executed. The recording medium is not limited to a removable one such as a magnetic disk or an optical disk, and may be a fixed recording medium such as a hard disk device or a memory.

Further, a program that realizes at least a part of the functions of the colony detection system 1 may be distributed via a communication line (including wireless communication) such as the Internet. Further, the program may be encrypted, modulated, compressed, and distributed via a wired line or wireless line such as the Internet, or stored in a recording medium.

The aspects of the present disclosure are not limited to the individual embodiments described above, but also include various modifications that can be conceived by those skilled in the art, and the effects of the present disclosure are not limited to the contents described above. That is, various additions, changes and partial deletions are possible without departing from the conceptual idea and purpose of the present disclosure derived from the contents defined in the claims and their equivalents.

1 colony detection system, 2 medium sheet, 3 imaging unit, 4 storage unit, 5 user interface unit, 6 control unit, 7 image recognition unit, 8 colony counting unit, 8a first information detection unit, 8b first colony counting unit, 8c code information generation unit, 8d image update unit, 8e second information detection unit, 8f second colony count unit, 9 display unit, 11 base material layer, 12 circular frame, 13 culture layer, 14 protective layer

Claims (3)

A medium medium for culturing specific microorganisms contained in a sample and revealing colonies that are aggregates of the cultured specific microorganisms.
A selection unit for selecting information including the type of medium and the colony counting function, and
An imaging unit that images the culture surface of the medium and
A first information detection unit that detects code information indicating the type of the medium contained in the image captured by the imaging unit, and a first information detection unit.
The image captured by the imaging unit is subjected to processing according to the information selected by the selection unit and the code information detected by the first information detection unit, and cultured in the medium. The first colony counting unit that counts the number of the colonies, and
A code information generation unit that generates new code information based on at least one of the information selected by the selection unit and the code information detected by the first information detection unit.
An image update unit that generates a new medium image in which the code information included in the image captured by the image pickup unit is updated with the new code information, and an image update unit.
A second information detection unit that detects the new code information included in the new medium image, and
The colony cultured in the medium is subjected to processing according to the information selected by the selection unit and the code information detected by the second information detection unit with respect to the new medium image. A colony detection system including a second colony counting unit that counts the number of colonies. The colony detection according to claim 1, wherein the new code information and the code information detected by the first information detection unit are different in information regarding at least one of the type of colony to be counted and the color of the colony. system. One of the code information detected by the first information detection unit and the new code information is information instructing to count the number of all colonies on the medium, and the other is information on the medium. The colony detection system according to claim 2, which is information instructing the number of colonies of a specific color to be counted.

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