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Fast auto-focus in microscopic imaging

An automatic focus and focal length technology, applied in microscopes, instruments, installations, etc., can solve problems such as infeasibility and time-consuming, and achieve the effect of accurate estimation

Active Publication Date: 2014-01-22
ROCHE DIAGNOSTICS HEMATOLOGY INC
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Fine-tuning the focal length at each location by, for example, performing a full focus search is time-consuming and may not be feasible in many applications

Method used

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  • Fast auto-focus in microscopic imaging
  • Fast auto-focus in microscopic imaging
  • Fast auto-focus in microscopic imaging

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Embodiment Construction

[0022] The present disclosure describes fast autofocus in an imaging device based on estimating the ideal focal length at each imaging location rather than performing a time-consuming full focus search for each new location. The ideal focal length at a given location is estimated from the focus scores of multiple images obtained using focal lengths that are offset from each other and from the initial representative focal length. Representative focal lengths are calculated from one or more sets of training data, taking into account knowledge of previous estimates of ideal focal lengths at other locations. As more sites are imaged, such cumulative estimates gradually average out the associated estimation errors and progressively lead to a more precise estimate of the ideal focal length.

[0023] imaging system

[0024] figure 1 One embodiment of an imaging system 100 employing the fast autofocus method described herein is shown. Imaging system 100 includes imaging hardware 10...

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Abstract

The disclosure relates to methods and systems for automatically focusing multiple images of one or more objects on a substrate. The methods include obtaining, by a processor, a representative focal distance for a first location on the substrate based on a set of focal distances at known locations on the substrate. The methods also include acquiring, by an image acquisition device, a set of at least two images of the first location. The images are each acquired using a different focal distance at an offset from the representative focal distance. The methods further include estimating, by a processor, an ideal focal distance corresponding to the first location based on comparing a quality of focus for each of the images, and storing the estimated ideal focal distance and the first location in the set of focal distances at known locations.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to electronic imaging systems. Background technique [0002] Many imaging and scanning applications acquire images in an automated fashion. Acquired images should be properly focused to facilitate meaningful analysis and interpretation. In order to acquire a properly focused image, the focal length, eg, focal height or focal length, should be properly determined prior to acquiring the image. This can be done, for example, by taking several images of a given location with different focal lengths, and then selecting the best focused image. Acquiring multiple images can be time-consuming, especially in applications where a large number of images must be captured in a short time span. [0003] Imaging an object or plane may have local variations that require different focal lengths for different locations on the object or plane to obtain an acceptably focused image. For example, the surface of a glass microscope slide or a...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): G02B7/08G02B21/24
CPCG02B21/244G02B7/08G02B7/282
Inventor M.扎尼瑟
Owner ROCHE DIAGNOSTICS HEMATOLOGY INC
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