Digital Microscope Image Assembly for Area-of-Interest Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current digital microscopes are not well-suited for all usage scenarios, lacking flexibility in handling and image generation modes that cater to user-specific areas of interest, leading to suboptimal trade-offs between image quality and speed.
Innovation Solution
A digital microscope system with an optical system and a method that includes an objective of a specific range of optical system and a method of selecting a specific method of selecting a method of providing a method of providing an assembled image by allowing user selection of the area of interest, adapting magnification, and combining individual images with a stage drive assembly and image sensor to optimize image quality and speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a digital microscope performs a row-wise or column-wise scan of the sample to assemble an image, then the image quality is improved, but the time required to generate the assembled image increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adaptation of the scanning process by allowing users to define areas of interest, which then dynamically adjusts the scanning range and number of individual images captured. The system dynamically selects which regions to scan based on user input, reducing unnecessary scanning of irrelevant areas while maintaining high image quality in the regions of interest.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality enhancement by concentrating imaging resources on specific areas of interest rather than uniformly scanning the entire sample. The system captures multiple individual images only in the defined areas of interest, providing high measurement precision locally where needed while reducing overall scanning time.
2Manufacturing precision
If a digital microscope captures multiple individual images to assemble a high-resolution image, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and focuses imaging efforts on only the necessary portions of the sample - the areas of interest defined by the user. Instead of capturing multiple images across the entire sample, the system extracts and images only the relevant regions, reducing the total number of individual images needed while maintaining high resolution in the areas that matter.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by capturing the exact number of individual images needed for the defined areas of interest - no more, no less. The system performs a partial scan rather than a complete scan of the entire sample, generating sufficient image data for high-resolution assembly only in the regions where users have indicated interest.
3Ease of operation
If a digital microscope uses a fixed scanning pattern for the entire sample, then the ease of operation is maintained, but the adaptability to different usage scenarios decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by enabling the digital microscope to operate in multiple modes: traditional fixed scanning mode for general overview and a new flexible mode where users can define custom areas of interest. The system universally supports both conventional and customized imaging approaches, adapting to different usage scenarios while maintaining ease of operation through intuitive user input mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic adaptability where the scanning pattern transitions from fixed to flexible based on user input. The system dynamically adjusts its operation to match the specific needs of each usage scenario, whether that requires a comprehensive scan or focused imaging of specific regions, enhancing versatility without complicating the user interface.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of providing an assembled image using a digital microscope is provided. The digital microscope includes an optical system having an objective revolver equipped with microscope objectives, an image sensor, and a stage. The stage is movable in relation to the optical system and the image sensor. The method includes: receiving a user selection regarding an area of interest of the sample, the user selection being indicative of the position and extension of the area of interest; depending on the user selection, selecting a microscope objective and controlling the objective revolver to place the particular microscope objective into an optical path of the optical system; moving the stage with respect to the optical system and the image sensor, and generating individual images of the area of interest; and combining the individual images into the assembled image, representing the area of interest.