Overlapped Swathe Image Generation for Biological Specimens
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing scanning methods for biological specimens, such as 2D array detectors, suffer from significant processing time, gaps in imaging due to detector gaps, limited color resolution, and image blurring due to capture time, while linear scan systems require complex data correlation for image reconstruction.
Innovation Solution
A method that selects a portion of an object, determines overlapping swathes containing pixels within that portion, correlates and adjusts adjacent swathes, and generates a digital representation of the selected portion, allowing for reduced processing time and efficient data extraction by correlating only necessary swathes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If 2D array detectors are used to scan objects, then color data can be captured, but significant processing time is required to join tiles and gaps between photo sites cause loss of information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the scanning process into multiple linear arrays (e.g., three arrays for red, green, and blue channels) that scan the object simultaneously or in rapid succession. Each array captures a swathe of data without gaps, and the segmented data sets are later combined to form the complete image, eliminating both the information loss from gaps and the time-consuming tile-joining process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple linear array data sets (from different color channels or overlapping scans) into a single comprehensive digital representation. By merging the data from multiple arrays during the scanning process rather than joining completed tiles afterward, the system eliminates processing delays while maintaining complete coverage without gaps
2Measurement precision
If 2D array detectors with interpolation are used, then color gaps are compensated, but digital zoom capability is limited and visual artefacts occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses multiple linear arrays that can be dynamically positioned and timed to capture overlapping swathes of data at different positions. This dynamic scanning approach allows the system to capture sufficient redundant information to support high-level digital zoom without relying on interpolation, thereby maintaining both color resolution and zoom capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary scanning with multiple linear arrays to capture complete color information for each pixel location before any zoom or cropping operations are applied. By pre-capturing the full-resolution color data without interpolation, the system enables subsequent digital zoom operations at high levels without generating visual artifacts
3Reliability
If 2D array detectors with 20 ms capture time are used, then color data is captured, but image blurring occurs due to sample movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses multiple linear arrays that operate in periodic cycles, with each array capturing a swathe of data in rapid succession. The periodic scanning pattern ensures that the entire object is captured through multiple quick passes rather than one slow capture, eliminating motion blur while maintaining complete color data acquisition
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous scanning using multiple linear arrays that operate simultaneously or in rapid sequence, maintaining continuous data capture throughout the scanning process. This continuous action eliminates the start-stop nature of single-array scanning, preventing motion blur while ensuring complete and redundant data collection for image clarity
4Manufacturing precision
If linear scan systems with full correlation are used, then complete digital image is produced, but complex and time-consuming data correlation is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the correlation process by assigning different linear arrays to different color channels (e.g., red, green, blue). Each array's data is independently correlated with reference data for its specific channel, dividing the complex full-image correlation into simpler, parallel channel-specific correlations that maintain accuracy while reducing overall complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic correlation techniques where the correlation process adapts to the specific characteristics of each linear array's data. By using dynamic algorithms that adjust to actual scan conditions rather than applying rigid uniform correlation, the system maintains high reconstruction accuracy while reducing computational complexity and processing time
Data Source
AI summary
A method of generating a digital representation of a portion of an object from sets of digital data defining the color content of individually stored, overlapping swathes of pixels of an image of the object portion. The method comprises:(a) selecting a portion of the object;(b) determining the swathes which contain pixels within the selected portion;(c) correlating adjacent ones of said swathes;(d) if necessary, adjusting the relative positions of the adjacent swathes in accordance with the results of the correlating step (c); and,(e) generating a digital representation of pixels of the selected portion from the correlated swathes.