Multi-Point Scanning Image Acquisition Signal Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image acquisition techniques face challenges in improving the signal-to-noise (SN) ratio during multi-point scanning, as they require additional single-point scanning steps, lengthening measurement time and involving time-consuming calculations, especially when dealing with varying depths of irradiation regions in the observation object.
Innovation Solution
An image acquisition apparatus and method that includes a light source, irradiation optical system, scanning unit, imaging optical system, detection unit with multiple pixels, and an image generation unit, where the detection unit corrects signals from pixels corresponding to imaging regions based on adjacent pixels, allowing for improved SN ratio without the need for additional scanning steps or lengthy calculations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multi-point scanning is performed to shorten measurement time, then productivity is improved, but the signal-to-noise ratio deteriorates due to noise light from scattering and aberration
Solution Approach 1:
The detection unit is divided into multiple imaging regions, each corresponding to a specific irradiation region. This segmentation allows light from different irradiation regions to be detected separately, reducing cross-contamination of noise light and improving the signal-to-noise ratio while maintaining the speed benefits of multi-point scanning
Solution Approach 2:
A light separating element (such as a dichroic mirror or beam splitter) is introduced as an intermediary to separate light from different irradiation regions before it reaches the detection unit. This intermediary component directs light from each irradiation region to its corresponding imaging region, preventing noise light from reaching wrong regions and improving image quality
2Measurement precision
If deconvolution calculation is performed to improve signal-to-noise ratio, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex computational deconvolution processing with a simpler optical separation approach using dedicated imaging regions and light separating elements. Instead of using software-based image processing to remove noise, the system uses hardware-based optical separation to prevent noise light from reaching the wrong detection regions, thereby improving the signal-to-noise ratio without increasing computational complexity
3Measurement precision
If single-point scanning is performed to obtain accurate light spread for deconvolution, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to increased measurement time
Solution Approach 1:
The detection unit is pre-configured with multiple imaging regions that correspond to the irradiation regions before scanning begins. This preliminary arrangement eliminates the need to perform separate single-point scanning to map light spread characteristics, as the spatial correspondence is already established by the optical system geometry and imaging region layout
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 solution enables easy improvement of the SN ratio in images generated by multi-point scanning, reducing noise and improving image quality while maintaining efficient measurement times, even at varying depths within the observation object.
Implementation Method 1
an irradiation optical system for performing focused irradiation on a plurality of irradiation regions on a surface or inside of an observation object with the light output from the light source
Implementation Method 2
an imaging optical system for guiding and imaging light generated in each of the plurality of irradiation regions by light irradiation on the observation object by the irradiation optical system
Implementation Method 3
a detection unit having a light receiving surface on which the plurality of irradiation regions are imaged by the imaging optical system, a plurality of pixels being arranged one-dimensionally or two-dimensionally on the light receiving surface, and for outputting a detection signal having a value according to a light receiving amount in each of the plurality of pixels
Data Source
AI summary
An image acquisition apparatus includes a spatial light modulator, an optical scanner, a detection unit, a control unit. The spatial light modulator performs focused irradiation on irradiation regions on a surface or inside of an observation object with modulated excitation light. The detection unit has imaging regions in an imaging relation with the irradiation regions on a light receiving surface, each of the imaging regions corresponds to one or two or more pixels, and a pixel that corresponds to none of the imaging regions exists adjacent to each imaging region. The control unit corrects a detection signal of a pixel corresponding to each imaging region on the basis of a detection signal of the pixel that exists adjacent to the imaging region and corresponds to none of the imaging regions, and generates an image of the observation object on the basis of the corrected detection signal.