Lane Scanning Image Acquisition Device with Tile Count Verification
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In image acquisition devices using the tiling scanning method, external environmental factors like vibration, static electricity, and temperature can cause malfunctions in position detection units, leading to the potential loss of tile images during the scanning process.
Innovation Solution
The device counts the number of tile images in each row and re-executes lane scanning if the planned acquisition count is not met, with the stage movement speed reduced during re-scanning to prevent image loss, and synchronizes image capturing with position detection information to ensure accurate targeting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the stage moves at a predetermined speed during lane scanning, then the image acquisition efficiency is maintained, but tile images may be lost when the position detection unit malfunctions due to environmental factors
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit counts the number of tile images acquired in each lane and compares it with the expected number. When a mismatch is detected (indicating potential image loss), the system automatically triggers a re-scan of the affected lane, creating a feedback loop that ensures complete image acquisition despite position detection malfunctions
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs a verification action (counting acquired tile images) immediately after the main scanning process. This preliminary check allows the system to detect and correct image loss before finalizing the observation image, ensuring reliability without permanently reducing acquisition speed
2Reliability
If the stage movement speed is reduced during re-execution of lane scanning, then the loss of tile images is suppressed, but the total image acquisition time increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of reducing the scanning speed for all lanes, the system applies the slower speed only to lanes that require re-execution. This partial application of the speed reduction minimizes the impact on total acquisition time while still ensuring reliable image capture in problematic areas
Solution Approach 2:
The image acquisition process is divided into independent lane scans. When image loss is detected in a specific lane, only that lane is re-scanned at the slower speed, while other lanes maintain their original acquisition timeline. This segmentation isolates the time penalty to only the necessary corrective actions
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
In an image acquisition device 1, when capturing an optical image of a sample S through lane scanning, the number of tile images T included in a tile image row R acquired in one lane is counted, and a determination is made as to whether or not the number of images reaches a planned acquisition count that is set in advance. In a case where it is determined that the number of images does not reach the planned acquisition count, lane scanning with respect to the lane is re-executed. Accordingly, even when a loss of the tile images T occurs due to an environment load, the tile images T are complemented by re-execution of the lane scanning, and thus it is possible to prevent the loss of the tile images T in an observation image.