AI Vision Chemical Logging

TeamCrest's AI Vision feature can read pool test strips from photos, automatically extracting chemical values and logging them to your database. This reduces manual data entry errors and speeds up the logging process.

How It Works

The AI Vision Process

Take a photo of your test strip
AI analyzes the image and detects chemical levels
Values are extracted and pre-filled in the log form
You verify the readings before saving
Data is logged to your chemical tracking system

What AI Can Detect

The AI can read standard pool test strips including:

pH - Acidity/alkalinity levels
Chlorine - Free and total chlorine
Alkalinity - Total alkalinity
Hardness - Calcium hardness
Cyanuric Acid - Stabilizer levels
Bromine - Alternative sanitizer

Using AI Chemical Logging

Step 1: Access Chemical Logging

Navigate to Chemicals in the sidebar
Click "Log Reading" or "Add Entry"
Select "Use AI Vision" or camera icon

Step 2: Take a Clear Photo

Best Practices for Photos:

✅ Good Lighting

Natural daylight is best
Avoid harsh shadows
No direct sunlight causing glare

✅ Proper Positioning

Hold strip horizontally
Fill the frame with the strip
Keep camera steady (no blur)
6-12 inches from strip

✅ Timing

Take photo immediately after dipping (follow strip instructions)
Don't wait too long (colors fade)
Capture within the recommended time window

✅ Background

Use a neutral, plain background
White or light-colored surface works best
Avoid busy patterns or dark surfaces

Step 3: Review AI Results

After capturing the photo, AI displays:

Detected Values - Chemical readings from the strip
Confidence Levels - How certain the AI is about each reading
Visual Overlay - Highlights which parts of the strip were analyzed
Out-of-Range Warnings - Alerts for abnormal values

Step 4: Verify and Save

Always verify AI readings:

Compare AI values to visual inspection of strip
Adjust any incorrect readings manually
Add notes about conditions or observations
Save the log entry

Taking Perfect Photos

Lighting Tips

Natural Light (Best)

✅ Near a window with indirect sunlight
✅ Overcast day (diffused light)
✅ Shade outdoors

Artificial Light (Good)

✅ Well-lit room with overhead lights
✅ LED or fluorescent lighting
✅ Multiple light sources to avoid shadows

Avoid

❌ Direct sunlight (causes glare)
❌ Dim lighting (poor color detection)
❌ Single harsh light source (creates shadows)

Camera Positioning

Optimal Setup:

Hold phone/camera parallel to strip
Center the strip in frame
Fill 60-80% of frame with strip
Keep steady (use both hands or surface)

Common Mistakes:

❌ Too far away (strip too small)
❌ Angled shot (distorts colors)
❌ Partial strip visible
❌ Shaky/blurry image

Background Selection

Best Backgrounds:

White paper or card
Light-colored countertop
Neutral tile surface

Avoid:

Patterned surfaces
Dark or black backgrounds
Reflective surfaces (metal, glass)
Colored surfaces that affect color perception

Understanding AI Confidence

Confidence Levels

High Confidence (90-100%)

🟢 Green indicator
AI is very certain about the reading
Usually accurate, but still verify

Medium Confidence (70-89%)

🟡 Yellow indicator
AI detected the value but has some uncertainty
Double-check against visual inspection

Low Confidence (<70%)

🔴 Red indicator
AI struggled to read this value
Manually verify or retake photo

When to Retake Photo

Retake if you see:

Multiple low confidence readings
Values that don't match visual inspection
"Unable to detect" messages
Blurry or poorly lit image preview

Troubleshooting AI Vision

AI Can't Detect Test Strip

Possible Causes:

Strip not fully visible in frame
Poor lighting or heavy shadows
Strip orientation unclear
Background too busy

Solutions:

Ensure entire strip is visible
Improve lighting conditions
Use a plain background
Hold strip horizontally
Move closer to fill frame

Incorrect Readings

Why This Happens:

Test strip faded or expired
Photo taken too early/late after dipping
Lighting altered color perception
Strip damaged or contaminated

How to Fix:

Verify strip is within expiration date
Follow timing instructions on strip package
Retake photo with better lighting
Use a fresh test strip
Manually correct the values

Partial Detection

Scenario: AI reads some values but not others

Common Reasons:

Part of strip in shadow
Some pads faded more than others
Portion of strip out of focus

Solution:

Retake with even lighting
Ensure entire strip is in focus
Check strip hasn't been sitting too long

Best Practices

Before Taking Photo

Prepare Strip - Dip according to manufacturer instructions
Start Timer - Note the recommended reading time
Set Up - Position strip on neutral background
Check Lighting - Ensure adequate, even illumination

During Photo Capture

Hold Steady - Use both hands or rest on surface
Fill Frame - Get close enough to see strip clearly
Check Preview - Ensure strip is in focus before capturing
Take Multiple - Capture 2-3 photos for backup

After AI Analysis

Visual Verification - Compare AI values to strip colors
Check Ranges - Ensure values are within expected parameters
Add Context - Note weather, pool usage, recent treatments
Save Promptly - Don't delay logging the reading

Manual Override

When to Override AI

You should manually adjust readings when:

AI confidence is low
Values don't match visual inspection
You know the reading is incorrect based on recent tests
Strip shows edge cases (very high/low values)

How to Override

Click on the detected value
Enter the correct reading manually
Add a note explaining the override
Save the corrected entry

Data Accuracy

AI Accuracy Rates

Under optimal conditions:

pH: 95%+ accuracy
Chlorine: 90%+ accuracy
Alkalinity: 90%+ accuracy
Other parameters: 85%+ accuracy

Improving Accuracy

Your Actions:

Use fresh, unexpired test strips
Follow timing instructions precisely
Take photos in good lighting
Verify readings visually
Provide feedback on incorrect readings

System Improvements:

AI learns from corrections
Accuracy improves over time
Updates enhance detection algorithms

Privacy & Data

Photo Storage

Photos are processed immediately
Extracted values are saved
Original photos are deleted after processing
No images are retained long-term

Data Security

Chemical readings are encrypted
Access controlled by account permissions
Data isolated to your organization
Complies with data retention policies

Getting Help

AI Vision Not Working?

Check Feature Access - Ensure AI Vision is enabled in your plan
Update App - Make sure you're using the latest version
Review Photo Quality - Follow the guidelines above
Try Different Lighting - Experiment with light sources
Contact Support - Provide sample photos for troubleshooting

Reporting Issues

When contacting support about AI Vision:

Describe the issue clearly
Include sample photos (if possible)
Note the test strip brand/type
Mention lighting conditions
Share what values were incorrect

AI Vision Chemical Logging

Use AI to automatically read pool test strips and log chemical readings from photos.