Photomicroscopy System Exposure Control via Transient Sensitivity Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current image shooting techniques using microscopes with automatic exposure functions face challenges in achieving suitable brightness without increasing light intensity, leading to slow display update speeds and potential damage to samples, especially in weak fluorescence microscopy.
Innovation Solution
A photomicroscopy system that includes a microscope unit, an image capturing unit, and a computing unit that adjusts the sensitivity of the image capturing unit to high sensitivity during exposure time calculation and then returns to low sensitivity, allowing for reduced exposure time and improved frame rates without increasing light intensity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the exposure time is increased to obtain an image of suitable brightness for dark samples, then the image brightness is improved, but the display update speed (frame rate) slows down
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the sensitivity parameter of the image capturing unit (CCD) to high sensitivity temporarily during automatic exposure calculation, then returns it to low sensitivity after exposure time is determined. This parameter change allows the system to calculate appropriate exposure time without actually increasing the exposure duration, thus maintaining fast frame rates while achieving suitable image brightness.
2Illumination intensity
If the gain is increased to compensate for insufficient brightness in dark samples, then the image brightness is improved, but the image quality degrades due to noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent temporarily changes the sensitivity parameter to high sensitivity only during the automatic exposure calculation phase, then restores it to low sensitivity for actual image capture. This transient parameter change allows the system to determine appropriate exposure time without permanently increasing gain, thus avoiding noise degradation while achieving suitable brightness through optimized exposure timing.
3Loss of time
If the sensitivity of the image capturing unit is increased to high sensitivity, then the convergence time of automatic exposure is shortened, but the image quality may be degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs a preliminary action by temporarily setting sensitivity to high sensitivity only for the purpose of calculating exposure time, then immediately restores it to low sensitivity. This preliminary high-sensitivity state is used solely for computation, not for actual image capture, thus shortening convergence time without degrading final image quality.
4Illumination intensity
If the light intensity of the light source is increased to improve image brightness, then the image quality is improved, but the sample may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the sensitivity parameter of the image capturing unit instead of increasing light source intensity. By temporarily setting sensitivity to high sensitivity during exposure calculation and then restoring it to low sensitivity, the system achieves suitable image brightness through electronic parameter adjustment rather than increasing illumination, thus preventing sample damage from excessive light exposure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach shortens the convergence time of automatic exposure and maintains high-quality live image capture with minimal noise, preventing sample damage and enhancing the usability of the photomicroscopy system.
Implementation Method 1
an image capturing unit which forms an image of the light flux output by the microscope unit, and converts the formed image into digital data
Data Source
AI summary
A photomicroscopy system includes a microscope unit which outputs an enlarged image of a subject as a light flux, an image capturing unit which forms an image of the light flux output by the microscope unit and converts the formed image into digital data, a sensitivity changing unit which changes a sensitivity of the image capturing unit, and a computing unit which obtains an exposure time by using the digital data captured by the image capturing unit in a state where the sensitivity is increased to the high sensitivity after instructing the sensitivity changing unit to increase the sensitivity of the image capturing unit to the high sensitivity while calculating the exposure time for obtaining a suitable brightness by the image capturing unit, and sets the sensitivity of the image capturing unit to a low sensitivity after the exposure time is set in the image capturing unit.