Session-Based Image Acquisition for Virtual Microscopy
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the context of pathology, acquiring high-resolution images of multiple biological samples using a virtual microscope is time-consuming, leading to operator limitations due to prolonged occupation of the image acquiring apparatus, necessitating improved management of image acquisition processing.
Innovation Solution
An image acquiring apparatus and method that correlates sample groups with session data, including macro and micro image data, to efficiently manage image acquisition processing, allowing for heightened operator freedom through session management and the use of barcode information for sample identification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high-resolution image acquisition is performed for multiple samples, then image quality is improved, but acquisition time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the image acquisition process into multiple sessions, where each session handles a specific group of samples. This segmentation allows the system to process samples in manageable batches rather than attempting to acquire all images in a single continuous operation, thereby reducing the time loss between sample changes while maintaining high resolution requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary actions by pre-setting acquisition parameters, pre-warming the camera system, and pre-organizing samples into sessions before acquisition begins. This preliminary preparation reduces the time required during actual image capture while ensuring high-resolution quality is maintained throughout the process.
2Quantity of substance
If image acquisition is performed for multiple samples sequentially, then comprehensive sample coverage is improved, but operator freedom deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic session management that allows operators to pause, resume, and switch between different acquisition sessions flexibly. This dynamic approach enables comprehensive coverage of multiple samples while maintaining operator freedom to intervene between sessions for other tasks, unlike rigid sequential processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service capabilities through automatic sample tracking, session state preservation, and automated resumption of acquisitions. This reduces the operator's burden of manually managing each acquisition sequence while still enabling comprehensive multi-sample coverage through the structured session framework.
3Measurement precision
If the image acquiring apparatus is occupied for long periods, then high-resolution image quality is maintained, but apparatus utilization efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by organizing acquisitions into discrete sessions with defined start and end points. Between sessions, the apparatus can be reconfigured, maintained, or prepared for different sample groups, thereby maintaining high resolution quality during active acquisition periods while improving overall utilization efficiency through structured idle periods.
Data Source
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AI summary
An image acquiring apparatus is made up of a macro image acquiring unit 20 used to acquire a macro image of each of a plurality of samples S, and a control unit 60 including a macro image acquisition control unit used to control a macro image acquiring operation and an image pickup condition setting unit used to set an image pickup condition for a micro image of the sample S with reference to the macro image. The control unit 60 includes a session managing unit used to define a session in accordance with a sample group consisting of the samples S and to manage a data group including data of the macro image and the image pickup condition as session data associated with the sample group for each session. According to this structure, it is possible to realize an image acquiring apparatus, an image acquiring method, and an image acquiring program capable of suitably managing image acquisition processing performed to acquire an image of each of a plurality of samples.