Microscope Autofocusing via Bright Field Image Displacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microscope systems lack an effective autofocusing function, particularly in biological observation apparatuses, where manual focusing is common and feedback from images is not adequately utilized for autofocusing, leading to insufficient automation in capturing processes.
Innovation Solution
A microscope system with a movable stage, including a bright field image capturing unit, a fluorescent image capturing unit, and a controller that captures bright field images at different times, calculates movement, and adjusts the stage to cancel out movement, ensuring accurate autofocusing for fluorescent image capture, while also considering temperature-induced distortions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If manual focusing is used in biological observation apparatus, then operation simplicity is maintained, but automation level remains insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs autofocusing automatically by capturing bright field images, calculating movement, and adjusting the stage without requiring manual intervention. The system serves itself by using its own captured images for feedback and correction, eliminating the need for external focusing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system captures bright field images at different times, calculates the movement between images, and uses this feedback information to adjust the stage position. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables automatic focusing correction based on actual image content.
2Extent of automation
If bright field image capture and movement calculation are added to achieve autofocusing, then automation is improved, but capturing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the autofocusing function with the existing bright field image capture process. By utilizing bright field images that would otherwise be captured for observation purposes, the system performs movement calculation and focusing adjustment without requiring separate dedicated autofocus capture sequences.
Solution Approach 2:
The bright field image capturing unit serves multiple functions: it captures images for biological observation and simultaneously provides data for movement calculation and autofocusing. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate autofocus mechanisms and reduces overall capturing time.
3Measurement precision
If the stage is moved frequently to correct movement, then focusing precision is improved, but mechanical wear increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system calculates the necessary stage movement based on actual image displacement and only moves the stage by the required amount rather than performing excessive adjustments. This partial action approach achieves sufficient focusing precision while minimizing unnecessary mechanical operations and wear.
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging system, comprising a controller configured to control the imaging system to: capture a first image of a sample, the first image being one of a bright field image, a phase difference image, and a differential interference image; and capture, based at least in part on information obtained from the first image, a second image of the sample, the second image being a different type of image than the first image.