Image Processing Apparatus Depth of Field Extension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for enhancing image quality in virtual slide systems struggle with generating low-magnification images with deep depth of field, as they either restrict to shallow depth of field images or require excessive computational resources, making it difficult to estimate three-dimensional structures and incur slower response times.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus that selects and generates image data with a deeper depth of field by acquiring imaging characteristics based on user settings, determining an influence range for focal position variations, and synthesizing image data using selected image data from a Z stack, reducing computational costs and improving throughput and response speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If all layer images from Z stack are used for depth of field extension processing, then image quality with deep depth of field is improved, but computational cost increases and response speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the Z stack layer images into two groups: those within the influence range (used for processing) and those outside (excluded). This segmentation allows selective processing of only necessary images, reducing computational load while maintaining image quality. The selection unit divides the plurality of shot images based on their focal positions relative to the synthesis focal plane and the calculated influence range.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by determining an influence range specific to each synthesis focal plane and processing only those images within this range. Different regions of the Z stack are treated differently based on their relevance to the desired depth of field, optimizing computational resources by focusing processing on locally relevant images rather than uniformly processing all images.
2Manufacturing precision
If coordinate conversion and three-dimensional filtering processing are performed on all shot images, then depth of field is extended, but computational cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary subset of shot images that fall within the calculated influence range, excluding images that would contribute minimally to the depth of field extension. This extraction principle reduces the input data volume for the coordinate conversion and three-dimensional filtering processes, thereby lowering computational cost while preserving the essential depth of field extension effect.
3Measurement precision
If high-magnification images are reduced to generate low-magnification images, then spatial resolution is maintained, but depth of field becomes shallower and defocusing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by calculating the influence range and selecting appropriate layer images before executing the depth of field extension processing. This pre-selection ensures that the images used for synthesis already have optimal focal positions, allowing the subsequent coordinate conversion and filtering to effectively extend depth of field without compromising spatial resolution. The synthesis focal plane is determined in advance based on the desired depth of field.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus includes: an imaging characteristic acquisition unit that acquires, on the basis of information that designates a depth of field for second image data to be generated, imaging characteristics of a virtual optical system having the designated depth of field; a selection unit that determines, on the basis of the imaging characteristics acquired, an influence range in which an influence exerted onto an image by an object that is spaced apart from the focal position in the optical axis direction is greater than a predetermined condition, and that selects first image data of which focal position is contained within the influence range, from among a plurality of first image data items; and a generation unit that generates the second image data using the first image data selected by the selection unit.