Height-Map Region Division for Overlapping Cell Cluster Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods struggle to accurately divide analysis target areas, particularly when cell clusters overlap, making it difficult to extract and analyze individual clusters in all-in-focus images.
Innovation Solution
An image processing method that utilizes a height map to divide analysis target areas into multiple regions based on height distribution, integrates inadequate areas with neighboring regions using a determination score, and generates an all-in-focus image from multiple picked-up images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the Watershed method is used to divide overlapping cell clusters, then division of analysis target area is attempted, but it becomes difficult when Seed regions cannot be obtained and the shape of divided areas cannot be controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The analysis target area is divided into multiple divided areas based on height distribution using histogram peak regions. Each peak region corresponds to a distinct height level, allowing segmentation of overlapping cell clusters at different vertical positions without requiring Seed regions or controlling specific shape characteristics.
2Reliability
If multiple picked-up images are combined to generate all-in-focus image, then whole target is in focus, but overlapping cell clusters appear merged and cannot be individually analyzed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the height dimension by generating a height map from multiple picked-up images at different focal positions. By dividing the analysis target area based on height distribution (peak regions in the histogram), cell clusters at different vertical positions are separated into distinct divided areas, enabling individual analysis while maintaining the all-in-focus image quality.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus includes a memory memorizing a target image representing a target viewed from a predetermined direction and a height map indicating heights, in the predetermined direction, of portions of the target corresponding to respective pixel positions of the target image, a target area specifying part for specifying an analysis target area in the target image, an area division part for dividing the analysis target area into divided areas in accordance with the height map, an inadequate area specifying part for specifying an inadequate area among the divided areas, which does not satisfy a predetermined determination condition, and an area integrating part for acquiring a new divided area by calculating a determination score in a case where the inadequate area is integrated with each of divided areas contacting the inadequate area and then integrating the inadequate area with one divided area based on the determination score.