Description:DESCRIPTION:
Field of the invention:
[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to the technical field of morphometrics, and in specific relates to a portable apparatus for digitizing an organism to obtain accurate morphometric measurements.
Background of the invention:
[0002] Morphometrics is an advanced technique in biology that refers to the study of shape variation of organs and organisms in order to determine the factors that influence the distortions or to use as a tool for classification. These measurements of morphological diversity are important for ecological and genetic research as well. The primary method for obtaining these measurements is digitizing (2D data), which is done by researchers using rulers, calipers, goniometers, and photos, while 3D data can only be obtained via a 2D laser scanner or computer tomography. Taking this into consideration, there are a variety of different techniques used for automatically analyzing images. Such techniques can be used for a small range of tasks; however, there aren't any known methods of image analysis that are generic enough for a wide range of tasks.

[0003] In recent years, morphometric studies have been dominated by quantitative geometric-morphometric methods of data extraction such as an outline or landmark-based analysis, Generalized Procrustes analysis (GPA) (which uses biologically homologous points to describe shape differences between specimens), Fourier analysis and its successor, elliptic Fourier analysis (EFA), and linear discriminant analysis (LDA). This morphological information can then be compared between populations or species using multivariate statistics. Currently, different instruments and methods are used to achieve various objectives in this field, for example, some use rulers, digital calipers, and photos. However, in existing apparatus or methods, portable unit usage is not considered in the field, particularly to avoid the previous problems.

[0004] In light of the information previously provided, the following aspects may substantial influence on accuracy of the morphology procedure. They are a) biological changes that occur as organisms are transported from field to lab and as time passes; b) Relying on rudimentary methods such as a ruler or threading by hand results in an asymmetry in sample processing, especially with a repeat of the measuring. The procedures may take a long time to measure and record the numbers, and then return to the measurement using hands-based methods. The frequent handling required by the hands-based methods to perform several measurements exposes the samples to harm.

[0005] Further, methods based on photos lack a flexible tool to adjust in accordance with the sample size. The photo-based method lacks a tool that ensures capturing images from consistent distances. The photo-based method yields good results, but some small, crucial aspects of sample shapes do not show up in those kinds of common photos, particularly those of fish. Other bulk units can't be used for work in the field due to their size and weight.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need for a portable apparatus for digitizing an organism for accurate morphometric measurements. There is also a need for a portable digitizing apparatus that is lightweight and cost-effective. There is also a need for a portable digitizing apparatus for obtaining crucial aspects of a shape from an image of an organism. There is also a need for a portable digitizing apparatus that can ensure the capture of an organism’s image from consistent distances. There is also a need for a portable digitizing apparatus to be adjusted in accordance with the sample size of an organism. Further, there is also a need for a portable digitizing apparatus that does not harm the samples and takes less time to measure and record the measurements of the sample’s size.
Objectives of the invention:
[0007] The primary objective of the invention is to provide a portable and lightweight digitizing apparatus for accurate morphometric measurements of an organism.

[0008] Another objective of the invention is to provide a portable digitizing apparatus that can collect morphometric data from fresh samples in the field, which is reflected in the results.

[0009] The other objective of the invention is to provide a portable digitizing apparatus that can preserve captured images of an organism for a longer period of time than the samples.

[0010] The other objective of the invention is to provide a portable digitizing apparatus that can repeat or take new measurements at any time by consulting the captured images without requiring the sample itself.

[0011] The other objective of the invention is to provide a portable digitizing apparatus to capture images that can reduce touching of samples to a minimum.

[0012] Yet another objective of the invention is to provide a portable digitizing apparatus that can reduce the need to bring the samples to a lab unless the samples are needed for more investigation.

[0013] Further objective of the invention is to provide a portable digitizing apparatus that can ensures a highest level of accuracy when using a negative mode technique to analyze images of the samples.
Summary of the invention:
[0014] The present disclosure proposes an apparatus and method for digitizing an organism for obtaining morphological measurements. The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the claimed subject matter. This summary is not an extensive overview. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope of the claimed subject matter. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

[0015] In order to overcome the above deficiencies of the prior art, the present disclosure is to solve the technical problem to provide a portable apparatus for digitizing an organism for obtaining accurate morphometric measurements.

[0016] According to an aspect, the invention provides a portable and lightweight digitizing apparatus for accurate morphometric measurements. In one embodiment herein, the portable digitizing apparatus can collect morphometric data from fresh samples in the field, which is reflected in the results. The portable digitizing apparatus can preserve captured images of an organism for a longer period of time than the samples. In one embodiment herein, the portable apparatus comprises a foldable base, an adjustable holder, a rotating ball, and a clip with a flexible arm. In one embodiment herein, the portable digitizing apparatus can ensure a highest level of accuracy when using a negative mode technique to analyze images of the samples.

[0017] In one embodiment herein, the foldable base is configured to place at least one organism, by a user, on at least one part of the foldable base. The foldable base is fixed with at least one supporting member at bottom to place the foldable base on a surface. In one embodiment herein, the foldable base comprises a ruler scale to measure dimensions of the at least one organism.

[0018] In one embodiment herein, the adjustable holder is affixed on the foldable base to grasp at least one capturing unit for capturing images of the organism manually by the user. In one embodiment herein, the capturing unit can comprise at least one of a camera, an optical image sensor, and other similar capturing units. In one embodiment herein, the rotating ball is connected to the adjustable holder in order to facilitate movement of the adjustable holder.

[0019] In one embodiment herein, the clip with the flexible arm is secured on at least one side surface of the foldable base to adjust the adjustable holder to a desired position through the rotating ball for capturing the images of the organism. The clip with the flexible arm is manually operated by a user to move on the side surface of the foldable base to adjust the flexible arm to the desired position. In one embodiment herein, the captured images are converted into inverted negative mode for obtaining an accurate morphological measurements of the organism.

[0020] According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method is disclosed for digitizing an organism to obtain accurate morphological measurements using a portable apparatus. First, at one step, the foldable base is unfolded by the user to place at least one organism on at least one part of the foldable base for digitization. At another step, the flexible arm is placed in connection with the adjustable holder by the user to grasp at least one capturing unit, where the adjustable holder with the capturing unit is affixed on the foldable base for capturing images of the organism.

[0021] At another step, the clip connected to the flexible arm is operated by the user to move and adjust the flexible arm to a desired position on the foldable base for automatically adjusting the adjustable holder to the desired position through the rotating ball where the clip with the flexible arm is secured on at least one side surface of the foldable base. At another step, the images of the organism are captured by the user through the capturing unit. Further, at another step, the captured images are converted into an inverted negative mode by the user for obtaining accurate morphometric measurements of the organism.

[0022] Further, objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from a study of the following portion of the specification, the claims, and the attached drawings.
Detailed description of drawings:
[0023] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate an embodiment of the invention, and, together with the description, explain the principles of the invention.

[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic view of a portable digitizing apparatus, in accordance to an example embodiment of the invention.

[0025] FIG. 2A illustrates an image of an organism captured by a capturing unit, in accordance to an example embodiment of the invention.

[0026] FIG. 2B illustrates an inverted negative image of the organism, in accordance to an example embodiment of the invention.

[0027] FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of a method for digitizing an organism to obtain accurate morphological measurements using the portable apparatus, in accordance to an example embodiment of the invention.
Detailed invention disclosure:
[0028] Various embodiments of the present invention will be described in reference to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same or similar reference numerals are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts or steps.

[0029] The present disclosure has been made with a view towards solving the problem with the prior art described above, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a portable apparatus for digitizing an organism to obtain accurate morphometric measurements.

[0030] According to an example embodiment of the invention, FIG. 1 refers to a schematic view of a portable digitizing apparatus 100. In one embodiment herein, the portable and lightweight digitizing apparatus 100 is provided for accurate morphometric measurements. In one embodiment herein, the portable digitizing apparatus 100 can collect morphometric data from fresh samples in the field, which is reflected in the results. The portable digitizing apparatus 100 can preserve captured images of an organism for a longer period of time than the samples. In one embodiment herein, the portable digitizing apparatus 100 can ensure a highest level of accuracy when using a negative mode technique to analyze images of the samples.

[0031] In one embodiment herein, the portable apparatus 100 comprises a foldable base 102, which is configured to place at least one organism on at least one part of the foldable base 102 by a user. The foldable base 102 can be made of wood or Polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The foldable base 102 may be in white or black color and is having dimensions of 100x30 cm in size with a thickness of 3cm. The foldable base 102 is dividable into two halves through at least two PCV or metal hinges. In one embodiment herein, the foldable base 102 is fixed with at least one supporting member 114 at the bottom to place the foldable base 102 on a surface. The supporting member 114 can be in a semi-circular shape and may be made of wood or Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) corresponding to the foldable base 102.

[0032] In one embodiment herein, the foldable base 102 comprises a ruler scale 112 to measure dimensions of the organism. The ruler scale 112 may have a length of 100 cm and may be made of PVC or metal. Further, the length of the ruler scale can be in millimetres, inches and thereof.

[0033] In one embodiment herein, an adjustable holder 104 is affixed on the foldable base 102 to grasp at least one capturing unit for capturing images of the organism manually by the user. The adjustable holder 104 comprises at least two jaws connected by a metal spring to hold the capturing unit. In one embodiment herein, the adjustable holder 104 can be made of Polyvinyl chloride (PVC). In one embodiment herein, the capturing unit can be at least one of a camera, an optical image sensor, and other similar capturing units.

[0034] In one embodiment herein, a rotating ball 106 is connected to the adjustable holder 102 in order to facilitate the movement of the adjustable holder 104. The rotating ball 106 can be made of at least one metal.

[0035] In one embodiment herein, a clip 108 with a flexible arm 110 is secured on at least one side surface of the foldable base 102 to adjust the adjustable holder 104 to a desired position through the rotating ball 106 for capturing the digitalized images of the organism. The clip 108 can be made of PVC and is having at least two jaws connected by a metal spring to hold on the side surface of the foldable base so as to adjust the flexible arm to the desired position manually by the user. In one embodiment herein, the flexible arm can be a spiral aluminium arm coated with rubber with a length of 75cm.

[0036] According to an example embodiment of the invention, FIGs. 2A and 2B refer to a digitization of the organism. In one embodiment herein, the captured images are converted into inverted negative mode using a conversion module for obtaining accurate morphological measurements of the organism. In one embodiment herein, the organism can be a live fish. In one embodiment herein, the conversion module can be tpsDig and Util software system to create a tps file from the captured images. The conversion module comprises a mode, which is used to convert the digitalized images into inverted negative mode to provide more details and accuracy about the morphology data of the organism.

[0037] Referring to FIG. 1, the foldable base 102 is unfolded and placed on the surface of the experimental location. In one embodiment herein, the flexible arm 110 is fastened to the rotating ball 106 of the adjustable holder 104 and the organism is placed on any part of the foldable base 102. In one embodiment herein, the user can adjust the flexible arm 110 and the adjustable holder 104 to the desired position with a single movement with respect to the organism.

[0038] In one embodiment herein, the images of the organism are captured by the user through the capturing unit as shown in FIG. 2A. In one embodiment herein, the images are converted into the inverted negative mode, as depicted in FIG. 2B, using the conversion module for obtaining accurate morphological measurements of the organism. The inverted negative mode can provide more details and accuracy about the morphology data of the organism and the morphological data is recorded to study the shape variation of the organism.

[0039] According to an example embodiment of the invention, FIG. 3 refers to a method for digitizing the organism to obtain accurate morphological measurements using the portable apparatus 100. First, at step 302, the foldable base 102 is unfolded by the user to place at least one organism on at least one part of the foldable base 102 for digitization. At step 304, the flexible arm 110 is placed in connection with the adjustable holder 104, where the adjustable holder can grasp at least one capturing unit and the adjustable holder 104 with the capturing unit is affixed on the foldable base 102 for capturing images of the organism.

[0040] At step 306, the clip 108 connected to the flexible arm 110 is operated by the user to move and adjust the flexible arm 110 to a desired position on the foldable base 102 for automatically adjusting the adjustable holder 104 to the desired position through the rotating ball 106 where the clip 108 with the flexible arm 110 is secured on at least one side surface of the foldable base 102. At step 308, the images of the organism are captured by the user through the capturing unit. Further, at step 310, the captured images are converted into the inverted negative mode by the user for obtaining accurate morphometric measurements of the organism.

[0041] Numerous advantages of the present disclosure may be apparent from the discussion above. In accordance with the present disclosure, the portable and lightweight digitizing apparatus 100 is provided for accurate morphometric measurements. The portable digitizing apparatus 100 can collect morphometric data from fresh samples in the field, which is reflected in the results. The proposed apparatus 100 can preserve captured images of the organism for a longer period of time than the samples. The portable digitizing apparatus 100 can repeat or take new measurements at any time by consulting the captured images without requiring the sample itself.

[0042] The portable digitizing apparatus 100 can capture images that reduce the touching of samples to a minimum. The proposed apparatus 100 can reduce the need to bring the samples to a lab unless the samples are needed for more investigation. The portable digitizing apparatus 100 can ensure a highest level of accuracy when using a negative mode technique to analyze images of the samples.

[0043] It will readily be apparent that numerous modifications and alterations can be made to the processes described in the foregoing examples without departing from the principles underlying the invention, and all such modifications and alterations are intended to be embraced by this application.
, Claims:CLAIMS:
I/We Claim:
1. A portable apparatus (100) for digitizing an organism for accurate morphological measurements, comprising:
a foldable base (102) configured to place at least one organism on at least one part of the foldable base (102);
an adjustable holder (104) affixed on the foldable base (102) to grasp at least one capturing unit for capturing images of the at least one organism manually by a user;
a rotating ball (106) connected to the adjustable holder (104) in order to facilitate movement of the adjustable holder (104); and
a clip (108) with a flexible arm (110) secured on at least one side surface of the foldable base (102) to adjust the adjustable holder (104) to a desired position through the rotating ball (106) for capturing the digitalized images of the at least one organism.
2. The portable digitizing apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the clip (108) with the flexible arm (110) is manually operated by a user to hold on the at least one side surface of the foldable base (102) to adjust the flexible arm (110) to the desired position.
3. The portable digitizing apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the captured images are converted into an inverted negative mode for obtaining accurate morphological measurements of the at least one organism.
4. The portable digitizing apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one capturing unit comprises at least one of a camera, an optical image sensor, and other similar capturing units.
5. The portable digitizing apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the foldable base (102) comprises a ruler scale (112) to measure dimensions of the at least one organism.
6. The portable digitizing apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the foldable base (102) fixed with at least one supporting member (114) at bottom to place the foldable base (102) on a surface.
7. A method for digitizing an organism to provide accurate morphological measurements using a portable apparatus (100), comprising:
unfolding, by a user, a foldable base (102) to place at least one organism on at least one part of the foldable base (102) for digitization;
placing, by the user, a flexible arm (110) in connection with an adjustable holder (104) grasping at least one capturing unit, where the adjustable holder (104) with the at least one capturing unit affixed on the foldable base (102) for capturing images of the at least one organism;
operating, by the user, a clip (108) connected to the flexible arm (110) to move and adjust the flexible arm (110) to a desired position on the foldable base (102) for automatically adjusting the adjustable holder (104) to the desired position through a rotating ball (106), where the clip (108) with the flexible arm (110) secured on at least one side surface of the foldable base (102);
capturing, by the user, images of the organism through the capturing unit; and
converting, by the user, the captured images into inverted negative mode for obtaining accurate morphometric measurements of the at least one organism.