Frequency Domain Image Corruption Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current high-throughput automated fluorescence microscopy systems face challenges in detecting and eliminating abnormal images from biological samples due to issues like low contrast-to-noise ratios and focus failures, which affect segmentation and tracking accuracy.

Innovation Solution

A system and method utilizing wavelet or Fourier transforms to decompose images into sub-images, calculating energy ratios across frequency channels to detect and remove corrupted images, thereby improving image quality for segmentation and tracking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If automated focus mechanisms are used during high-speed acquisition protocols, then image acquisition speed is improved, but focus accuracy deteriorates causing defocused images

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage acquisition speedVSAvoidfocus accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing frequency domain analysis and corruption detection on images before they are used for segmentation and tracking. The system proactively identifies defocused or low contrast-to-noise ratio images through wavelet or Fourier transform analysis, allowing correction or rejection of corrupted images before they compromise downstream analysis accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If dye concentrations are reduced to avoid toxic side-effects, then cell viability is improved, but image contrast deteriorates resulting in low contrast-to-noise ratios

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecell viabilityVSAvoidimage contrast
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces direct optical contrast enhancement (increasing dye concentration) with a computational approach. Instead of relying on higher dye concentrations to improve image contrast, the system uses wavelet or Fourier transform-based frequency domain analysis to detect and correct low contrast-to-noise ratio conditions, enabling the use of lower dye concentrations that maintain cell viability while preserving sufficient image quality through computational compensation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If image processing complexity is increased to handle corruption detection, then image quality assessment is improved, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage quality assessment accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential quality assessment information by transforming images into the frequency domain using wavelet or Fourier transforms. This extraction approach isolates the critical frequency components that indicate image corruption (defocus or low contrast-to-noise ratio) without requiring complex full-image processing, enabling efficient detection of quality issues while maintaining high assessment accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

Effectively identifies and removes defocused and low contrast-to-noise ratio images, enhancing the accuracy of cell segmentation and tracking processes, and optimizing imaging conditions for better experimental results.

Implementation Method 1

applying a wavelet transform, Fourier transform, or other frequency decomposing transform to the at least one image to decompose the at least one image into a plurality of sub-images

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWavelet transform:

Implementation Method 2

applying a wavelet transform, Fourier transform, or other frequency decomposing transform to the at least one image to decompose the at least one image into a plurality of sub-images

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFourier transform:

Data Source

PatentEP2283463B1System and method for detecting and eliminating one or more defocused or low contrast-to-noise ratio images
Publication Date: 2014.10.29 GLOBAL LIFE SCIENCES SOLUTIONS USA LLC
  • EP2283463B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2283463B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2283463B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This invention, which provides a method for detecting a corruption in an image acquired from a biological sample, includes: providing at least one image of at least one cell; generating the image of the at least one cell over a period of time; determining if the at least one image of the at least one cell is corrupted; applying a wavelet transform, Fourier transform, or other frequency decomposing transform to the at least one image to decompose the at least one image into a plurality of sub-images, wherein the plurality of sub-images have a plurality of low frequency channels, a plurality of middle frequency channels and a plurality of high frequency channels; calculating a ratio based on an energy level of the plurality of low frequency channels and the plurality of middle frequency channels; and removing the at least one image of at least one cell if the at least one image is corrupted.