AutoDetect : Automatic detection of spores in images

By Alain Henriot with the help of Sylvain Ard for AI.

This version 6.1 of Piximetre works identically to the previous standard version (5.10). All your settings and standards remain valid. However, it adds an innovative feature: the automatic detection of spores (or similar objects) present in the images. This feature is made possible thanks to artificial intelligence (AI) developed by Sylvain Ard. Using the most advanced technologies, he patiently taught it to recognize the outline of many mushroom spores (but not all...).

Here, opening the images in the Mesurer triggers the AI and, just a few short seconds later, the AutoDetect function is ready (in green in the status bar at the bottom - see figure) and the user can then select the appropriate spores by simply clicking on each of them. The detection of their measurements is immediate. No need to meticulously trace their two rectangular axes!

The choice of representative spores remains with humans.

Each spore thus selected is a proposal that remains pending validation by the user. The space bar on the keyboard or a mouse click outside the spore validates this proposal. The measurements are then transmitted to the Formulator. If the proposal is not correct, a new click on the spore provides a new proposal. Several successive proposals are possible, displayed under "Axis" on the left panel. If none is acceptable, the Delete key on the keyboard allows you to cancel this selection.

The Alt key at left of the keyboard's space bar allows you to switch from automatic detection mode to standard manual mode and vice versa at any time. This gives the user the ability to temporarily disengage the AI and regain complete control.

As an example, the figure above shows the axes automatically found by the AI on the image. Note that this is only calibrated by a test standard and that the measurements expressed are not meaningful. All your usual settings and standards are preserved and validated in this version 6.

To implement this feature of Piximetre 6 you will need to install the AI.

Piximetre and AI software are functional on Windows 10 and Windows 11, 64 bits.

Detection can be imperfect depending on image quality and spore shape. But technology is advancing rapidly... And Piximetre allows you to manually and easily correct the traces.

Version 6.1 Release Notes

General information

The "Enable AutoDetect" option, which is checked by default on the Piximetre 6 Settings panel, allows you to enable or disable this new feature as soon as the AI is installed.

Piximetre 6 can work without AI installed, but in this case the AutoDetect function is disabled.

Extensions of AI are being considered to generalize and further improve detection.

AI Control The AI analyzes images one by one. A control, superimposed on the image being processed, displays the progress of the task and offers two options to the user: Mark or not the detected objects. The marker allows the user to immediately identify the recognized objects, which can then be measured with a simple mouse click. It is a red dot placed on each of them, without affecting their measurements. Stop the image analysis. The AI then moves on to the next one.

Axis management

Axis rectification remains possible in AutoDetect mode as well as in Manual mode:

1. Press the Ctrl key on the keyboard and move the mouse cursor closer to one end of the axis you want to modify until its appearance changes,
2. Press the left mouse button and release Ctrl,
3. Move the cursor to the desired point,
4. Release the mouse button.

Deleting an axis is made easier by a right-clicking on its length label.

Deleting two coupled axes is done by right-clicking on their coupling point (in blue).

Presentation of the formula

Depending on the screen characteristics, the formula display may not be adequate. The mouse wheel on it allows you to change the font size and thus adjust its presentation as best as possible.