Digital Microscope Controller Simulation for Latency Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Digital microscope systems often experience latency between user input and the corresponding operations of microscope components, leading to unresponsive navigation through the image displayed on the monitor.
Innovation Solution
A digital microscope system that includes an imaging device and a controller. The controller generates simulation monitor image data by performing digital image processing on stored digital image data, taking into account the changed setting, to compensate for the delay in updating the monitor image data. This allows for real-time navigation and a responsive user experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If additional effort is made to reduce latencies of individual microscope components, then responsiveness is improved, but development and hardware costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a simulated monitor image that is a copy or representation of what the actual monitor image will show once latency is resolved. This simulated image is generated by applying the pending setting changes to the current image data, allowing the user to see the expected result immediately without waiting for the physical components to actually change settings.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary computation of the future monitor image state by pre-processing the current image data with the pending setting changes. This preliminary action creates a preview of the result before the actual hardware changes are complete, effectively showing the user the outcome in advance.
2Ease of operation
If the total latency between user input and operation of microscope components is large, then system complexity is reduced, but user perception of responsiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The simulated monitor image acts as an intermediary between the user input and the actual microscope component operations. It provides immediate visual feedback to the user about what will happen when settings change, bridging the gap caused by latency without requiring the physical system to respond faster.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the need for fast mechanical response from microscope components with a computational approach. Instead of making the physical system respond faster, it uses image processing and simulation to provide immediate visual feedback, substituting mechanical speed with computational speed.
Data Source
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AI summary
A digital microscope system comprises an imaging device configured to generate digital image data representing a target region of an object, the target region being determined by a changeable setting of the imaging device; and a controller configured to generate monitor image data corresponding to the digital image data generated in accordance with the setting, the monitor image data being configured to be displayed as a monitor image; wherein the controller is further configured to change the setting in response to a user input; and wherein the controller is further configured to compensate for a delay in updating the monitor image data in accordance with the changed setting by storing the digital image data generated in accordance with the unchanged setting in response to the user input and generating simulation monitor image data by performing digital image processing on the stored digital image data taking into account the changed setting, the simulation monitor image data being configured to be displayed as a simulation monitor image during the delay.