Image Acquisition Device Cassette Mounting Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing slide glass conveyance devices may fail due to unstable mounting of cassettes during operation, leading to potential device failures when not correctly mounted.

Innovation Solution

An image acquisition device equipped with a cassette mounting detection unit, utilizing a distance sensor to ascertain the mounting state of the cassette, ensuring proper alignment and preventing device operation when the cassette is not correctly mounted.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If a plurality of related art image acquisition devices are arranged in an array to perform tomographic measurement, then measurement coverage is improved, but the number of devices and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement coverageVSAvoidnumber of devices
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the measurement system into two functional segments: a movable image acquisition device that captures images at multiple positions, and a stationary control device that coordinates the movement and processes data. This segmentation allows the measurement coverage to be expanded through movement rather than by adding multiple stationary devices, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive measurement capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a movable image acquisition device that can dynamically change its position along the measurement object. This dynamic positioning capability allows a single device to cover multiple measurement positions that would otherwise require multiple stationary devices, thus improving measurement coverage while reducing the total number of devices needed in the system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If multiple image acquisition devices are used to reduce measurement time, then productivity is improved, but device complexity and data processing burden increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement speedVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by having the movable image acquisition device capture images at multiple predetermined positions sequentially before data processing begins. The control device pre-coordinates the movement to predetermined positions and prepares the measurement sequence in advance, allowing efficient data processing afterward without requiring complex real-time coordination of multiple devices during measurement, thus improving productivity while managing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If the image acquisition device is made movable to reduce the number of devices, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision may deteriorate due to positioning requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of devicesVSAvoidpositioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the control device monitors and records the actual positions of the movable image acquisition device at each measurement point. This feedback information is used to accurately associate captured images with their corresponding spatial positions, ensuring measurement precision is maintained despite the device's movement. The system compensates for positioning variations through this feedback-based position tracking and data correlation approach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

This solution allows for the reliable detection of the cassette's mounting state, preventing device failures and ensuring continuous, stable operation by only allowing image acquisition when the cassette is properly mounted.

Implementation Method 1

a distance sensor that measures a distance to the cassette held in the holding space

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDistance measurement:

Data Source

PatentEP3611511B1Image acquisition device and image acquisition method
Publication Date: 2023.07.12 HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS KK
  • EP3611511B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3611511B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3611511B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An image acquisition device (11) is an image acquisition device for acquiring an image of samples held on slide glasses (G) and includes a cassette mounting unit (21) in which a cassette (41) is detachably mounted, the cassette holding the slide glasses (G) in a plurality of stages in a predetermined arrangement direction, a distance sensor (69) that measures a distance to the cassette (41) mounted in the cassette mounting unit (21) and outputs a detection signal based on a measurement result, and an information generation unit (81) that generates state information on a mounting state of the cassette (41) mounted in the cassette mounting unit (21) on the basis of the detection signal.