Photographing Apparatus With Surface Tracking for Curved Focus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Microscopes with high-resolution images have a shallow depth of focus, leading to out-of-focus issues in non-contact imaging, and when photographing areas with varying distances from curved surfaces, the depth of focus is often compromised.
Innovation Solution
A photographing apparatus and method using an oblique plane microscopy system with a surface detecting unit to capture oblique plane images, track the object surface, and adjust focus by detecting strong reflection signals to maintain image clarity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high-resolution microscopy is used, then image resolution is improved, but depth of focus becomes shallow causing out-of-focus issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the imaging system into two separate units: a first imaging unit for capturing high-resolution images and a second imaging unit for detecting surface topography. This segmentation allows each unit to be optimized for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between high resolution and adequate depth of focus by using the surface detection data to guide the high-resolution imaging process
Solution Approach 2:
The second imaging unit acts as an intermediary that detects surface topography and provides feedback information about the object surface. This intermediary measurement system enables the first imaging unit to adjust its focus and capture high-resolution images at varying depths, effectively mediating between the need for high resolution and the challenge of shallow depth of focus
2Area of stationary object
If the photographing area is moved for large-area examination, then examination coverage is improved, but distance changes cause areas to fall outside depth of focus
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary surface topography detection using the second imaging unit before capturing high-resolution images with the first imaging unit. By pre-measuring the surface geometry, the system can predict where focus adjustments will be needed and prepare accordingly, ensuring that even when examining large areas with varying distances, all regions remain within the effective depth of focus
Solution Approach 2:
The second imaging unit continuously provides feedback about surface topography changes as the photographing area is moved. This feedback loop allows the system to dynamically adjust focus settings based on real-time surface measurements, maintaining reliable depth of focus across large examination areas despite distance variations
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
Enables capturing images in focus by adjusting the focal plane to accommodate varying distances and surface curvatures, achieving high-depth of focus imaging.
Implementation Method 1
second light irradiated by the second light source is incident on a surface of the object at an angle with an optical axis of the object lens, the second light detector receives the second light reflected by the surface of the object and captures an oblique plane image
Implementation Method 2
first light irradiated by the first light source is reflected by an object or realizes fluorescent light through excitation, the first light detector receives the fluorescent light or the first light reflected by the object and captures an image including a region of interest of the object
Implementation Method 3
first light irradiated by the first light source is reflected by an object or realizes fluorescent light through excitation, the first light detector receives the fluorescent light or the first light reflected by the object and captures an image
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a photographing apparatus including an image capturing unit including a first light source, an object lens, and a first light detector, a surface detecting unit including a second light source, the object lens, and a second light detector, a processor configured to obtain a strong reflection signal area where a reflection signal is strong in an oblique plane image obtained from the second light detector, and obtain a relative position relationship between a region of interest and a focal plane of the object lens, and an actuator configured to adjust the region of interest to be in focus.