Optical Marker Fingerprinting for Direct Microscope Specimen Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for identifying microscope specimens, particularly in series examinations, often require additional means like barcodes and separate scanners, which can be cumbersome and inefficient, especially for refrigerated specimens.
Innovation Solution
A device and method using optical markers in digital images to calculate a digital identification code through fingerprinting, allowing direct identification within the image without additional scanning devices, utilizing hash functions and optical markers such as irregularities or marker bodies to generate unique identification codes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If barcodes and separate scanners are used for identifying microscope specimens, then identification can be performed, but the process becomes cumbersome and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the identification function directly into the microscope imaging system. The microscope captures images of specimens, and identification codes are generated by processing features within these same images, eliminating the need for separate barcode scanners and external identification devices. This integration resolves the contradiction by combining multiple functions into a single system.
Solution Approach 2:
The specimen images themselves contain the identification information through their inherent features (optical markers, structural characteristics). The system extracts identification codes directly from the image data without requiring external labeling or separate scanning processes. The imaging system serves dual purposes: both observation and identification, making the system self-sufficient.
2Reliability
If additional scanning equipment is used for specimen identification, then identification is possible, but the equipment requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The microscope imaging system performs multiple functions: it captures images for scientific observation and simultaneously extracts identification codes from the same images. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated scanning equipment while maintaining reliable identification, as the microscope itself becomes a universal tool for both purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses image processing algorithms as an intermediary to extract identification information from specimen images. Instead of requiring physical contact with barcodes or external labels, the system uses computational analysis of optical features within the microscope images to generate unique identification codes, reducing hardware requirements.
3Measurement precision
If fingerprinting is performed on specimen images, then unique identification codes are generated, but image processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts specific identifiable features (optical markers, structural characteristics) from the complex specimen images and uses only these extracted features for identification code generation. This extraction approach maintains high identification accuracy by focusing on distinctive features while simplifying the processing by not analyzing the entire image data set.
Solution Approach 2:
The identification system focuses on local features within the specimen images rather than requiring analysis of the entire image. By identifying and processing specific optical markers or localized structural characteristics, the system achieves precise identification with reduced computational complexity, as only relevant local regions need detailed analysis.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for examining microscope specimens includes a microscope, wherein the microscope specimens include an object to be examined by the microscope and a specimen carrier holding the object, and wherein the device is configured to calculate a digital identification code of the microscope specimen by fingerprinting the microscope specimen using at least one optical marker in at least one digital image of at least a part of the object.