Precision luxmeter methods for digital cameras to quantify colors in uncontrolled lighting environments

Abstract

In one embodiment, a diagnostic system for biological samples is disclosed. The diagnostic system includes a diagnostic instrument, and a portable electronic device. The diagnostic instrument has a reference color bar and a plurality of chemical test pads to receive a biological sample. The portable electronic device includes a digital camera to capture a digital image of the diagnostic instrument in uncontrolled lightning environments, a sensor to capture illuminance of a surface of the diagnostic instrument, a processor coupled to the digital camera and sensor to receive the digital image and the illuminance, and a storage device coupled to the processor. The storage device stores instructions for execution by the processor to process the digital image and the illuminance, to normalize colors of the plurality of chemical test pads and determine diagnostic test results in response to quantification of color changes in the chemical test pads.

1 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A diagnostic instrument for biological samples, the diagnostic instrument comprising: a substrate having a handle at one end and a blade at an opposite end;
 a plurality of chemical test pads mounted to the substrate near the blade with an adhesive, each of the chemical test pads to receive a biological sample and undergo a chemical reaction to display a color proportional to a test of the biological sample; and   a reference color bar mounted to the substrate between the handle and the blade, the reference color bar having a plurality of differing known color samples;   wherein the reference color bar is configured to normalize the colors of the chemical test pads in response to illuminance of the diagnostic instrument and the plurality of chemical test pads.   
     
     
         13 . The diagnostic instrument of  claim 12 , wherein the biological sample is urine. 
     
     
         14 . The diagnostic instrument of  claim 12 , wherein the biological sample is blood. 
     
     
         15 . The diagnostic instrument of  claim 14 , wherein the test is for blood type. 
     
     
         16 . The diagnostic instrument of  claim 12 , wherein the test is for acidity (PH) of the biological sample. 
     
     
         17 . The diagnostic instrument of  claim 12 , wherein the test is for analyte concentration in the biological sample. 
     
     
         18 . The diagnostic instrument of  claim 12 , wherein the test is for protein concentration in the biological sample. 
     
     
         19 . The diagnostic instrument of  claim 12 , wherein the test is for nitrite concentration in the biological sample. 
     
     
         20 . The diagnostic instrument of  claim 12 , wherein the test is for leukocyte concentration in the biological sample. 
     
     
         21 . The diagnostic instrument of  claim 12 , wherein the test is for urobilinogen concentration in the biological sample. 
     
     
         22 . The diagnostic instrument of  claim 12 , wherein the test is for microalbumin concentration m the biological sample. 
     
     
         23 . The diagnostic instrument of  claim 12 , wherein the test is for bilirubin concentration in the biological sample. 
     
     
         24 . The diagnostic instrument of  claim 12 , wherein the test is for glucose concentration in the biological sample. 
     
     
         25 . The diagnostic instrument of  claim 12 , wherein the test is for creatinine concentration in the biological sample. 
     
     
         26 . The diagnostic instrument of  claim 12 , wherein the test is for ketone concentration in the biological sample. 
     
     
         27 . The diagnostic instrument of  claim 12 , wherein the test is for the specific gravity of the biological sample. 
     
     
         28 . The diagnostic instrument of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 an identification tag mounted to the substrate between the handle and the blade.   
     
     
         29 . The diagnostic instrument of  claim 28 , wherein the identification tag is a bar code. 
     
     
         30 . The diagnostic instrument of  claim 29 , wherein the bar code is a two dimensional bar code. 
     
     
         31 . The diagnostic instrument of  claim 29 , wherein the plurality of chemical test pads are mounted to the substrate in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns. 
     
     
         32 - 61 . (canceled)