1. A method for controlling a density centrifuge blood processing device for separating fluid components, said method comprising the steps of: rotating a separation chamber about a central rotation axis wherein said fluid components in said separation chamber separate along a separation axis which rotates about said central rotation axis; acquiring a first two-dimensional image of fluid components within a region of interest on said separation chamber; performing a first measurement of an operating condition of said fluid components in said blood processing device from said first two-dimensional image corresponding to a first time; acquiring a second two dimensional image of said fluid components within said region of interest on said separation chamber; performing a second measurement of said operating condition of said fluid components in said blood processing device from said second two dimensional image corresponding to a second time; analyzing said first and second measurements of said operating condition of said fluid components using a predictive data analysis algorithm, wherein operation of said predictive data analysis algorithm generates a predicted operating condition of said fluid components in said blood processing device corresponding to a selected future time; comparing the predicted operating condition of said fluid components in said blood processing device corresponding to the selected future time to a desired operating condition; and automatically adjusting at least one setting of said blood processing device based on said comparison of the predicted operating condition of said fluid components in said blood processing device at said future time and the desired operating condition, thereby controlling said blood processing device.