Image Reading Apparatus Voltage Control via Pre-Scanning Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image reading apparatuses require users to repeatedly adjust voltage settings for photomultipliers to achieve desired image densities, leading to inefficient and cumbersome processes in biochemical analyses.

Innovation Solution

A control device and method for an image reading apparatus that includes an image receiving unit, a region information receiving unit, a calculation unit, and a scanning conditions setting unit to automatically calculate and set appropriate voltage values for photomultipliers based on pre-scanning images, ensuring accurate density for analysis during main scanning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If users manually adjust voltage settings for photomultipliers to achieve desired image densities, then measurement precision can be improved, but loss of time and productivity deteriorate due to repeated trial-and-error adjustments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage density accuracyVSAvoidtime for voltage adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs pre-scanning at a preliminary stage to obtain image data before main scanning. This preliminary action allows the calculation unit to compute appropriate voltage values in advance, eliminating the need for repeated manual adjustments during the actual analysis process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the pre-image obtained from pre-scanning as feedback to calculate the optimal voltage value. The calculation unit analyzes the pre-image data and determines the voltage setting that will produce the desired image density, creating a closed-loop control system that eliminates trial-and-error adjustments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If users manually adjust voltage settings for photomultipliers, then measurement precision can be improved, but device complexity and ease of operation worsen due to cumbersome adjustment procedures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage density accuracyVSAvoidease of voltage setting

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically calculating and setting the optimal voltage value based on pre-scanning data. The calculation unit and scanning conditions setting unit work together to autonomously determine and apply the appropriate voltage settings without requiring user intervention or manual adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical adjustment of voltage settings with an automated computational system. The calculation unit uses image data processing and mathematical calculations to determine voltage values, substituting the mechanical dial-adjustment process with an automated electronic control system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If pre-scanning is performed to obtain image data for voltage calculation, then productivity is improved by eliminating trial-and-error, but loss of time increases due to the additional pre-scanning step

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveefficiency of image acquisitionVSAvoidtime for pre-scanning

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The pre-scanning performs only a partial scan or uses reduced scanning parameters compared to full main scanning. This allows the system to obtain sufficient image data for voltage calculation without performing the complete, time-consuming main scanning process, thus minimizing the time overhead of the preliminary step.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 enables quick and easy output of images with appropriate densities for analysis, reducing the need for user-driven trial-and-error adjustments and streamlining the biochemical analysis process.

Implementation Method 1

a photomultiplier that detects light from an image carrier carrying image information

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric Effect: Photoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

fluorescence excited by the excitation light is detected by the photomultiplier

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Data Source

PatentUS11150188B2Control device of image reading apparatus, operation method thereof, and image detection system

Publication Date: 2021.10.19 FUJIFILM CORP

AI summary

There are provided a control device of an image reading apparatus, an operation method and an operation program thereof, and an image detection system capable of quickly and easily outputting an image having an appropriate density for analysis from an image reading apparatus. An image receiving unit receives a pre-image output in pre-scanning performed before main scanning for outputting a main image for analysis in an image reading apparatus. A region information receiving unit receives information of a region in the pre-image designated by a user. A calculation unit calculates an appropriate voltage value that is a voltage value of the photomultiplier at which a density of the region becomes an appropriate density for analysis. A scanning conditions setting unit sets the appropriate voltage value as temporary scanning conditions of main scanning.