Structured Illumination Parameter Prediction for Real-Time SIM

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current structured illumination microscopy (SIM) systems face challenges in accurately estimating structured illumination parameters due to mechanical instability and thermal variations, leading to parameter drift over time, which is computationally expensive and hampers real-time image processing.

Innovation Solution

Predict structured illumination parameters using interpolation or extrapolation methods based on previous image captures, adjusting hardware components to compensate for parameter changes, and storing estimated parameters for future use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If structured illumination parameters are estimated from captured images using computational methods, then measurement precision of parameters is improved, but computational time and processing complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructured illumination parameter estimation accuracyVSAvoidcomputational time for image processing
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary estimation of structured illumination parameters (frequency, phase, orientation) from captured images and stores these estimates. When a new image is captured, the system uses the stored parameter estimates as initial values, avoiding the need to perform full computational estimation from scratch. This preliminary action reduces the computational burden for real-time processing while maintaining parameter accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a copy of the parameter estimation process by using stored historical parameter values as substitutes for recomputing parameters from current images. This copying approach allows the system to maintain measurement precision without the time cost of repeated computational estimation, as the stored parameter estimates serve as ready-to-use references.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Measurement precision

If structured illumination parameters are estimated from captured images, then parameter accuracy is improved, but device complexity and processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparameter estimation accuracyVSAvoidcomputational processing requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary estimation of structured illumination parameters (frequency, phase, orientation) from captured images and stores these estimates. When a new image is captured, the system uses the stored parameter estimates as initial values, avoiding the need to perform full computational estimation from scratch. This preliminary action reduces the computational burden for real-time processing while maintaining parameter accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses its own previously computed parameter estimates to serve the current processing needs. By storing and reusing historical parameter data, the system reduces its dependency on complex real-time computational methods, thereby decreasing device complexity requirements while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Speed

If real-time image processing is implemented to estimate parameters, then response time is improved, but computational resources and processing power requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage processing speedVSAvoidcomputational power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary estimation of structured illumination parameters (frequency, phase, orientation) from captured images and stores these estimates. When a new image is captured, the system uses the stored parameter estimates as initial values, avoiding the need to perform full computational estimation from scratch. This preliminary action reduces the computational burden for real-time processing while maintaining parameter accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a copy of the parameter estimation process by using stored historical parameter values as substitutes for recomputing parameters from current images. This copying approach allows the system to maintain measurement precision without the time cost of repeated computational estimation, as the stored parameter estimates serve as ready-to-use references.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP3814824B1Predicting structured illumination parameters
Publication Date: 2026.04.15 ILLUMINA INC
  • EP3814824B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3814824B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3814824B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

Implementations of the disclosure are directed to predicting structured illumination parameters for a particular point in time, space, and/or temperature using estimates of structured illumination parameters obtained from structured illumination images captured by a structured illumination system. Particular implementations are directed to predicting structured illumination frequency, phase, orientation, and/or modulation order parameters.