Microscope Image Stitching via Target-Aware Region Sequencing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microscope systems face challenges in accurately combining a large number of partial images to achieve high-resolution, wide-visual-field microscope observation images, with errors occurring due to insufficient combining accuracy and the need for precise position matching.
Innovation Solution
An information processing device that analyzes the presence of an observation target in multiple image regions, controls imaging to prioritize regions with higher likelihood of target presence, and adjusts likelihood levels to minimize errors in combining partial images, thereby improving the accuracy of image stitching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the number of partial images is increased to achieve high-resolution wide-visual-field imaging, then the resolution and field of view are improved, but the combining error increases and combining accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing image analysis on the entire image before partial image acquisition to determine which regions contain observation targets. This allows the system to pre-plan the imaging sequence, ensuring that partial images are acquired in an optimal order that minimizes combining errors while covering all regions with targets.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using the results of image analysis (detection of observation targets in different regions) to dynamically adjust and determine the imaging sequence. The combining accuracy is continuously optimized based on feedback from target detection results, allowing the system to adapt the acquisition order to minimize combining errors.
2Manufacturing precision
If matching processing is performed in overlapping regions to reduce combining error, then the combining accuracy is improved, but the processing time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and processes only the essential information needed for accurate combining - specifically, it performs matching processing only in overlapping regions between adjacent partial images in the imaging sequence, rather than performing exhaustive matching across all possible image pairs. This selective approach reduces processing time while maintaining combining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary image analysis to identify regions with observation targets before acquisition, which allows the system to pre-determine an optimal imaging sequence. This preliminary planning reduces the need for extensive post-acquisition matching processing, thereby reducing processing time while maintaining combining accuracy.
3Reliability
If all regions are imaged with high magnification to ensure no target is missed, then the detection reliability is improved, but the imaging time and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by performing high-magnification imaging only on regions that are determined to contain observation targets, rather than imaging all regions uniformly. The image analysis step identifies which regions require detailed imaging, allowing the system to apply excessive imaging (high magnification) selectively only where necessary to maintain detection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary low-magnification imaging and image analysis to identify regions containing observation targets before performing high-magnification imaging. This preliminary action allows the system to plan the high-magnification imaging sequence in advance, ensuring no target is missed while minimizing the total imaging time by avoiding unnecessary high-magnification imaging in empty regions.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an information processing device including an image analysis unit which divides an entire image in which an entire observation target region is imaged into a plurality of regions, and then judges whether an observation target is present in each region, and an imaging control unit which controls imaging of partial images with a magnification higher than a magnification of the entire image corresponding to the regions based on judgment results of the image analysis unit.