Imaging Apparatus Focus Continuity via Overlapping Areas
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Solution Overview
Problem
High magnification images captured by imaging apparatuses often exhibit noticeable boundaries due to significant differences in in-focus positions between adjacent imaging areas, leading to discontinuous focused areas, which can complicate visual observation and image processing, especially when samples have irregular thickness or slope surfaces.
Innovation Solution
The imaging apparatus sets second imaging areas that span adjacent first imaging areas with differing in-focus positions, capturing images at the in-focus position of these second areas and combining them with the first images to eliminate discontinuous focused areas at boundaries, using a predetermined threshold to determine when such adjustments are necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high magnification images are captured for each imaging area separately, then the imaging precision for each area is improved, but noticeable boundaries and discontinuous focused areas appear at the boundaries between imaging areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediate imaging area that overlaps with adjacent imaging areas. This intermediate area acts as a mediator to bridge the focus discontinuity between adjacent imaging areas. By capturing images in this overlapping region and selectively combining them, the system eliminates noticeable boundaries while preserving the high magnification imaging precision achieved through separate area capture.
2Manufacturing precision
If in-focus position is determined for each imaging area, then the imaging quality for each area is optimized, but the difference in in-focus positions between adjacent areas causes noticeable boundaries
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate imaging area serves as a mediator that captures focus information from multiple adjacent areas. By determining the in-focus position within this overlapping region and using it to generate complementary images, the system maintains optimized imaging quality for each area while providing a mechanism to smooth transitions between areas, reducing the complexity of boundary handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent captures images in an intermediate imaging area that extends beyond the strict boundaries of individual imaging areas. This excessive action of capturing in overlapping regions provides redundant focus information that can be selectively used to fill gaps and smooth boundaries, simplifying the overall image combining process by pre-resolving focus discontinuities.
3Measurement precision
If images are captured at different in-focus positions for adjacent imaging areas, then each area is focused optimally, but the combined image includes discontinuous focused areas at boundaries
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate imaging area captures focus information that is valid for multiple adjacent imaging areas. This intermediary capture preserves continuous focus information across boundaries by recording the in-focus position in the overlapping region, which can then be used to generate complementary images that maintain focus continuity when combined with the primary imaging area images.
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging apparatus includes: a first imaging area setting unit configured to divide an imaging range that includes a sample into a plurality of areas and set each of the plurality of areas as a first imaging area; a first imaging unit configured to capture a first image at an in-focus position of the first imaging area; a second imaging area setting unit configured to set an area that extends over adjacent first imaging areas as a second imaging area in a case where in-focus positions of the adjacent first imaging areas are so different from each other that the difference exceeds a predetermined value; a second imaging unit configured to capture a second image at an in-focus position of the second imaging area; and an image combining unit configured to combine the first image with the second image.