Confocal Microscope Stitched Image Construction with Local Brightness Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Confocal microscope systems face challenges in constructing stitched images with natural joints and reliable height measurements, especially when dealing with areas having large tilting angles or low reflectance, as uniform brightness settings can lead to noise in measurement data and reduced reliability.
Innovation Solution
A confocal microscope apparatus and method that adjusts brightness settings for each measurement visual field area to optimize light reflection, followed by image conversion to align luminance values with reference images, allowing for the construction of stitched images with natural joints and improved reliability by using an image acquisition unit and stitched image constructor to obtain and convert all-in-focus images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If uniform brightness settings are used for all measurement visual field areas, then the image acquisition process is simple, but measurement precision deteriorates due to noise in measurement data and reduced reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by adjusting brightness settings individually for each measurement visual field area based on its specific characteristics (tilting angle, reflectance). Instead of using a uniform brightness setting for the entire measurement area, the system determines appropriate brightness settings for each sub-area, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining operational simplicity through automated local optimization.
2Measurement precision
If brightness settings are adjusted for each measurement visual field area, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases due to multiple brightness settings and image conversion processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the measurement target area into multiple measurement visual field areas, each with its own optimized brightness setting. This segmentation allows independent optimization of brightness for each area based on local characteristics such as tilting angle and reflectance, improving measurement precision while managing complexity through modular, area-specific processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the brightness parameter dynamically for each measurement visual field area based on its specific characteristics. By adjusting brightness settings as a variable parameter for each area rather than using a fixed uniform setting, the system optimizes measurement precision while the complexity is managed through automated parameter determination based on area characteristics.
3Adaptability or versatility
If images are obtained in different brightness settings for different areas, then adaptability improves for various reflectance conditions, but difficulty of detecting and measuring increases due to luminance value alignment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms to determine appropriate brightness settings for each measurement visual field area based on its characteristics (tilting angle, reflectance). The system uses feedback from area analysis to automatically adjust brightness settings, improving adaptability to various reflectance conditions while reducing the manual complexity of luminance alignment through automated feedback-based optimization.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The approach results in highly reliable height measurements and stitched images with natural joints, reducing noise and enhancing measurement accuracy across varying reflectance and tilting angles, while maintaining a wide dynamic range.
Implementation Method 1
laser scanning confocal microscope apparatus, which use a laser as the light source
Implementation Method 2
irradiates the subject with a laser beam that is condensed by the objective into a spot
Implementation Method 3
Because the opening of a confocal diaphragm is formed at a position that is optically conjugate with the focal position of the objective, only light reflected from a portion in focus passes through the confocal diaphragm
Implementation Method 4
construct a stitched image on the basis of a plurality of second all-in-focus images obtained through conversion of the plurality of first all-in-focus images so that the images become closer to a plurality of reference all-in-focus images
Data Source
AI summary
A confocal microscope apparatus includes an image acquisition unit configured to obtain a first all-in-focus image of each of a plurality of measurement visual field areas constituting a measurement target area in a brightness setting in accordance with the corresponding measurement visual field area, and a stitched image constructor configured to construct a stitched image on the basis of a plurality of second all-in-focus images. The second all-in-focus images are obtained through conversion of the plurality of first all-in-focus images obtained by the image acquisition unit so that the images become closer to a plurality of reference all-in-focus images. The plurality of reference all-in-focus images are obtained when the plurality of measurement visual field area are captured in a brightness setting serving as a reference.