Microscope System Multi-Magnification Container Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Microscope systems face challenges in maintaining high performance due to the need for laborious adjustments and settings, particularly when observing specimens at high magnification, as the field of view narrows and depth of focus becomes shallower, making it difficult to align the focal point with the observation target area.
Innovation Solution
A microscope system that acquires images at multiple magnifications and uses a processor to identify the type of specimen container, specify the container type, and perform object detection to display the relevant map region, thereby automating the observation preparation process and reducing user workload.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the magnification is increased to achieve higher resolving power, then the observation detail is improved, but the field of view becomes narrower and the depth of focus becomes shallower
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the observation process into two stages: first acquiring a macro image at low magnification to identify the specimen location and container type, then acquiring micro images at high magnification for detailed observation. This segmentation allows the system to benefit from both wide field of view (in macro mode) and high resolving power (in micro mode) without the trade-off limiting either function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds the dimension of multi-magnification observation by implementing both macro and micro image acquisition capabilities. This allows the system to operate in different magnification dimensions, switching between wide-area overview (macro) and detailed close-up (micro) as needed, rather than being constrained to a single magnification level.
2Measurement precision
If the magnification is increased to achieve higher resolving power, then the observation detail is improved, but the alignment of focal point with observation target becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by first acquiring a macro image to identify the specimen location and container type before proceeding to high-magnification micro image acquisition. This preliminary macro observation establishes the target area, making subsequent high-magnification alignment straightforward since the system already knows where to focus.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using the macro image information (specimen location and container type) to guide and adjust the micro image acquisition process. The macro observation provides feedback about the target area, which is then used to automatically position and focus the high-magnification observation, eliminating manual alignment difficulties.
3Measurement precision
If manual adjustments and settings are performed to achieve high performance observation, then the observation quality is improved, but the time and labor required increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the system to automatically identify container type and specimen location from macro images, and automatically determine the parameters and target areas for high-magnification observation. This eliminates the need for user expertise and manual adjustment, allowing the system to prepare high-quality observations autonomously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary automated analysis of macro images to identify container types and specimen locations before high-magnification observation begins. This preliminary automated work prepares all necessary information in advance, so when micro observation starts, no manual setup is needed, dramatically reducing preparation time and labor.
Data Source
AI summary
A microscope system is provided with a microscope that acquires images at least at a first magnification and a second magnification higher than the first magnification, and a processor. The processor is configured to specify a type of a container in which a specimen is placed, and when starting observation of the specimen placed in the container at the second magnification, the processor is configured to specify a map region corresponding to a map image constructed by stitching together a plurality of second images acquired by the microscope at a higher magnification than the first magnification by performing object detection according to the type of the container on a first image that includes the container acquired by the microscope at the first magnification, and cause a display unit to display the first image and a range of the map region on the first image.