JP2006189510A - Microscope apparatus and magnified image forming method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a microscope apparatus capable of quickly imaging a sample, using a simple constitution and with high sharpness. <P>SOLUTION: The microscope apparatus 100 is provided with a microscope 3, a line sensor 4 which scans the sample magnified by the microscope 3 and images the same, and a control part 5 which forms a magnified image of the sample from a photographed image of the line sensor 4. When the focus level of the pickup image is lower than the focus level of the immediately preceding pickup image, the control part 5 reverses the moving direction Dir. When the focus level of the photographed image is higher than the focus level of the immediately preceding pickup image, the control part 5 maintains the moving direction Dir, as it is, and moves the focus position of the line sensor 4 in the moving direction Dir by a prescribed amount dZ. Such a process is repeated during the scanning. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a microscope apparatus that captures an image while scanning a sample with an image sensor, and an enlarged image generation method.

Various observations and inspections using a microscope are frequently performed. With recent advances in digital image technology, microscopes of the type that capture and display enlarged images with a CCD camera or the like are also widely used. For example, a microscope apparatus using a line CCD camera is used. It is disclosed in Patent Document 1.
JP 2003-295063 A

  When acquiring an image of a sample to be observed / measured using a microscope apparatus as disclosed in Patent Document 1, since the surface of the sample has irregularities, in order to obtain a clear imaging screen, one screen at a time It is necessary to stop and image the sample every time it moves. However, in this case, it takes a lot of time to image the inside of the predetermined area. Further, in order to obtain a clear imaging screen, it is necessary to correctly set the focal length for each imaging.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a microscope apparatus and a magnified image generation method capable of capturing a sample with a simple configuration with high definition and speed.

In order to achieve the above object, a microscope apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention provides:
A microscope that magnifies the image of the sample,
An image sensor device that scans the sample in a predetermined direction and repeats division imaging of the image;
Image processing means for creating an enlarged image of the sample by combining divided image groups photographed by the image sensor device;
A focal position adjusting means for adjusting a focal position of the image sensor device during scanning of the image sensor device based on output image data of the image sensor device;
It is characterized by providing.

  For example, the focus position adjusting unit adjusts the focus position based on the relationship between the focus level of the image and the focus level of the immediately preceding divided image when the divided image is captured. In this case, for example, when the divided image is captured, the adjustment direction and the adjustment amount of the focal position are determined based on the difference between the focus level of the image and the focus level of the immediately preceding divided image.

    For example, if the focus level of the image is higher than the focus level of the immediately preceding divided image when the divided image is captured, the focus position adjusting unit maintains the adjustment direction as it is, and the focus level of the image is If the focus level of the immediately preceding divided image is lower, the adjustment direction is reversed.

For example, the image sensor device scans in a direction perpendicular to the long side of the line sensor by moving the line sensor and the line sensor relative to the sample. The focus position is adjusted based on m (m is a natural number) divided images immediately before the divided image is captured.
The focal position adjusting unit adjusts the focal position based on image data including a predetermined color component.

In order to achieve the above object, an enlarged image generation method according to the second aspect of the present invention includes:
Magnify the sample image with a microscope,
While the image sensor is scanned with respect to the sample in a predetermined direction, the image sensor repeatedly divides and captures an image of the sample, and the image sensor is scanned during the scanning of the image sensor based on output image data of the image sensor. Adjust the focal position of
Creating a magnified image of the sample by combining divided image groups taken by the image sensor;
It is characterized by that.

In order to achieve the above object, a computer program according to the third aspect of the present invention provides a computer,
While repeatedly scanning the image sensor in a predetermined direction with respect to the sample, the divided image of the sample image magnified by the microscope is repeatedly taken, and the image sensor is scanned during the scanning of the image sensor based on the output image data of the image sensor. Control the imaging device to adjust the focal position of
Creating a magnified image of the sample by combining divided image groups obtained from the imaging device;
It is characterized by that.

  According to the above configuration, the focal position of the image sensor device changes corresponding to the shape of the sample, and imaging at an appropriate focal position becomes possible.

Hereinafter, a microscope apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
This microscope apparatus 100 includes a moving unit 2 for moving a sample 1 such as a solid track detector formed of stained cells or plastic, a microscope 3 for enlarging an image of the sample 1, and a sample enlarged by the microscope 3. A line sensor 4 that captures the image of the sample 1 and a control unit 5 that creates an image of the sample 1 from the line image acquired by the line sensor 4. The moving unit 2 and the microscope 3 are respectively supported by an L-shaped gantry 7.

  The moving unit 2 is installed on the horizontal part of the gantry 7 and includes an XY stage 21 that horizontally moves the sample 1 in the left-right and front-back directions (XY directions). The XY stage 21 is driven by a linear motor (not shown), for example. The linear motor is controlled by the control unit 5 and moves the sample 1 to a predetermined position.

  A sample stage 22 is disposed on the XY stage 21. For example, the sample 1 set in a preparation is disposed on the sample stage 22, and the sample 1 is moved in accordance with the movement of the XY stage 21. A condenser lens 23 is disposed under the sample table 22. An encoder (X encoder and Y encoder) 24 is disposed in the vicinity of the XY stage 21, and the movement amount of the XY stage 21 in the X axis direction and the Y axis direction is obtained and fed back to the control unit 5. To do.

  The microscope 3 includes an optical microscope, and includes an objective lens 31, an epi-illumination unit 32 that irradiates the sample 1, a control imaging unit 33, a lens barrel 34, an eyepiece 35 for visual observation, and a microscope. And a Z-axis drive unit 36 that adjusts (moves) the position 3 in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction).

  The objective lens 31 is composed of, for example, 10 × and 20 × lenses, and is configured to be switchable by a revolver 37.

  The epi-illumination unit 32 irradiates the sample 1 with light from a built-in light source bent along the optical axis of the microscope 3 to obtain reflected light from the sample 1. Further, the gantry 7 is provided with an optical fiber 8 for introducing light from an external light source so that transmitted illumination can also be irradiated.

  The control imaging unit 33 includes a two-dimensional CCD sensor 331, captures a relatively wide area image, and outputs the image to the control unit 5. Using the image of the two-dimensional CCD sensor 331, the range in which the line sensor 4 is scanned to obtain a high-resolution image, the approximate focus position (position of the line sensor 4), and the like can be easily set.

  The two-dimensional CCD sensor 331 has a relatively small capacity of, for example, vertical and horizontal 640 × 480 = about 310,000 pixels. As shown in FIG. 3, the two-dimensional CCD sensor 331 images a relatively wide range E on the surface of the sample 1 and sandwiching the imaging range C of the line sensor 4.

  The lens barrel 34 supports the eyepiece 35 for visual observation and the line sensor 4.

  A side portion of the lens barrel 34 is attached to an upright portion of the L-shaped gantry 7 via a Z-axis drive portion 36. The Z-axis drive unit 36 includes a slide plate 36 a fixed to the gantry 7 and a slide plate 36 b fixed to the lens barrel 34.

  As shown in FIG. 4, one of the slide plates 36 a and 36 b includes a motor 361, a pinion gear 363 fixed to the rotation shaft 362 of the motor 361, and an operation knob 364 configured to be coaxial with the rotation shaft 362. With. Further, a rack 365 is formed on the other of the slide plates 36a and 36b, and a pinion gear 363 is engaged with the rack 365 to constitute a rack and pinion mechanism. The pinion gear 363 is rotated by the rotational drive of the motor 361 and the rotational drive of the operation knob 364 to drive the rack 365. For this reason, the slide plate 36b slides up and down with respect to the slide plate 36a fixed to the gantry 7, and the lens barrel 34 moves up and down (Z-axis direction).

  The autofocus (AF) of the line sensor 4 is realized by the control unit 5 controlling the motor 361 based on the captured image of the line sensor 4 and sliding the microscope 3 up and down.

  The eyepiece 35 for visual observation tilts the optical axis from the objective lens 31 with a prism to facilitate visual observation.

  The line sensor 4 is housed in a case, and this case is detachably attached to the tip of the lens barrel 34. For example, an F mount is used as the mounting portion.

  The line sensor 4 is configured, for example, by arranging approximately 4000 (1 × 4000) charge-coupled elements each having a side of 7 μm in a straight line. Therefore, when the imaging magnification is 10 times, the width (dX) is 7 micrometers / 10 = 0.7 micrometers, and the length (dY) is 7 micrometers × 4000 pieces / 10 = 2.8 millimeters. The range (range C in FIG. 3) can be imaged at once. The line sensor 4 sequentially images the sample 1 moving in the X-axis direction by the moving unit 2 for each range, and transmits each line image data to the control unit 5 through a connection code (not shown). . That is, the line sensor 4 performs relative movement with respect to the sample 1, scans the image of the sample 1 magnified by the microscope 3, and supplies corresponding image data to the control unit 5.

  The control unit 5 includes a computer, and functionally includes an arithmetic processing unit 51, a display unit 52, and a memory unit 53 that records line image data. The arithmetic processing unit 51, for example, sets the imaging region of the sample 1, moves the moving unit 2, adjusts the position of the line sensor 4 for autofocus (position in the Z-axis direction), and feeds back from the encoder of the moving unit 2. Based on the amount of movement, the imaging execution instruction of the line sensor 4, the capture of line image data from the line sensor 4, and the process of creating the entire image of the imaging region from the line image data are performed.

  Furthermore, the control unit 5 represents the focus level of the line image data (for example, an absolute value MTF: modulation transfer function of a response function for evaluating the sharpness of the image. If the image blur is large, the MTF is small and the blur is small. If the focus level of the image is better (higher) than the previous captured image, the Z-axis drive unit 36 is driven to move the line sensor 4 in the same direction. When the focus level of the image is worse (lower) than the imaging, the Z-axis drive unit 36 is driven to control the line sensor 4 to move in the opposite direction.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 1-9, operation | movement of the microscope apparatus 100 of this Embodiment is demonstrated.
When measuring and observing a sample using the microscope apparatus 100, as shown schematically in FIG. 5, first, the sample 1 to be observed is set on the upper surface of the sample stage 22 (step S11). Next, the measurement area 11 of the sample 1 is set (step S12).

  As shown in FIG. 6, the measurement region 11 is a rectangular range of an imaging target on the surface of the sample 1. By determining this range, it is possible to set the start point 11a and the end point 11b of the line images sequentially picked up by the line sensor 4.

  The measurement region 11 can be set while viewing the eyepiece 35 for visual observation. Alternatively, the imaging region E (see FIG. 3) of the two-dimensional CCD sensor 331 may be displayed on the display unit 52, and the measurement region 11 may be designated on the display image. For example, the two-dimensional CCD sensor 331 displays the periphery of the position 11a near the corner of one end on the diagonal line of the substantially rectangular sample 1 shown in FIG. Next, the periphery of the position 11b near the corner on the diagonal line is displayed to set the imaging end point, and those positions are registered in the personal computer. Thus, the XY coordinates of the positions 11a and 11b are recorded in the arithmetic processing unit 51 of the personal computer as information corresponding to the movement start point and end point position of the linear motor of the moving unit 2.

  A band obtained by dividing the Y-axis direction of the measurement region 11 by the length dY of the line sensor 4 is a region that can be imaged by one scan of the line sensor 4. Accordingly, when the sample 1 is imaged by the line sensor 4, the linear motor of the moving unit 2 is moved from the inner position 11 a that is the first imaging position to the horizontal that is the last imaging position by an instruction from the arithmetic processing unit 51. It moves sequentially to the direction position 11b.

  When the setting of the measurement region 11 is completed, the focal length is automatically set based on the image of the two-dimensional CCD sensor 331. For example, the focus position where the edge portion and the background portion of the captured image of the two-dimensional CCD sensor 331 are clear, that is, the sharpness is high is set as the focused position (step S13). Specifically, when the focus adjustment is attempted with the two-dimensional CCD sensor 331, in order to find a position where the focus level is the clearest, the front and back of the in-focus position are also checked to check the maximum value of the focus level, and the focus level is the highest. The position of the lens barrel 34 is set to the position.

  Subsequently, the measurement is performed by scanning the measurement region 11 with the line sensor 4 (step S14), and the result is displayed (step S15).

Next, a procedure for scanning the line sensor 4 and imaging the sample 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.
This imaging is controlled by a program built in the arithmetic processing unit 51 of the computer.

  The arithmetic processing unit 51 sets the pointer j for designating the measurement position in the Y-axis direction as j = 0 (step S21), and the coordinates of the position (initial position) of the line sensor 4 are X = 0, Y = 0 ( dY × j). Then, the moving unit 2 moves the sample 1 while monitoring the output of the encoder 24 so that the imaging range of the line sensor 4 is located at the position of the XY coordinates (0, 0) (step S22). This XY coordinate (0, 0) position is the lower left corner 11a of the measurement region 11 shown in FIG. 6, and this point is the starting point for starting imaging.

  Subsequently, the arithmetic processing unit 51 starts an autofocus process (automatic adjustment of the focal position) (step S23). The autofocus process will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Subsequently, an image (line image) captured by the line sensor 4 at the position (x, y) = (0, 0) is recorded (step S24), and the movement of the moving unit 2 is performed at a constant speed Vx in the X direction. Start (step S25). Thereafter, the moving unit 2 moves the stage in the X-axis direction at a constant speed Vx until instructed. The moving amount of the stage is measured by the encoder and notified to the arithmetic processing unit 51.

  The arithmetic processing unit 51 monitors the amount of movement (distance) of the stage notified from the encoder (step S26), and determines that the stage has moved by one measurement width dX of the line sensor 4 in the X direction (step S26). ; Yes), the image from the line sensor 4 at that position is recorded (step S27). That is, second, third. . . The line images from the line sensor 4 at the measurement positions (dX, 0) and (2 · dX, 0) are recorded.

  The arithmetic processing unit 51 determines whether or not the total amount of movement notified from the encoder 24 has reached L, that is, whether or not the line sensor 4 has reached the lower right corner of the measurement region 11 shown in FIG. (Step S28) If not reached (Step S28; No), Steps S26 and S27 are repeated for a range of one column having a width dY in the X direction and a length L, and line images are sequentially recorded.

  If it is determined that the line sensor 4 has scanned by the length L and has reached the lower right corner of the measurement region 11 (step S28; Yes), that is, when the capture of the imaging data for one column with the Y coordinate = 0 is completed, the arithmetic processing is performed. The unit 51 instructs the end of the autofocus process and instructs the moving unit 2 to stop moving (step S29).

  Subsequently, 1 is added to the pointer j (step S30), and it is determined whether j is larger than the maximum value (number of scanning columns) n (step S31).

  If j is less than or equal to n (step S31; No), measurement is performed by the moving unit 2 at the XY coordinate X = 0, Y = j · dY (0, dY × j) position in order to capture the next row of images. Move position. This position is a position moved in the Y direction by the length dY of the line sensor 4 at the same X coordinate as the lower left corner 11a of the measurement region 11 shown in FIG. Then, at the position of Y coordinate = dY, scanning is performed from the left end to the right end of the measurement region 11 to sequentially capture line images. In this way, the image of the sample 1 is recorded while scanning from left to right, and when j> n is reached (step S31; Yes), it is determined that the entire region of the measurement region 11 has been imaged, and the imaging process is performed. Then, the process returns to the main routine, and the line images are integrated and displayed on the display unit 52 (FIG. 5; step S15).

  While the sample 1 is being scanned and photographed by the line sensor 4 as described above, the control unit 5 follows the unevenness of the surface of the sample 1 as shown in FIG. Control is performed so that the focal position is located on the surface of the sample 1.

An operation for controlling the focal position will be described.
First, in step S23 of FIG. 7, when there is an instruction to start autofocus, the process of FIG. 8 is started.
First, the motor 361 is controlled to move the position of the line sensor 4 to the approximate focal position obtained in step S12 (step S41).

  Next, the position adjustment direction of the line sensor 4 is set to the upward direction (+ Z direction) (step S42).

  Next, it is determined whether or not an image of a predetermined number of lines (arbitrary natural number m) has been acquired (step S43), and images of m lines are obtained, that is, images of m · dX are obtained. stand by.

  When line images for a predetermined number of lines can be acquired, a focal point (an index indicating whether or not the focal points are in agreement) is calculated (step S44). That is, an index indicating the degree of focus, such as the sharpness of the luminance signal, such as the sharpness of the image, is obtained from the line image for the most recent m lines (image of size m · dX × dY). .

  Subsequently, the focal point obtained in step S44 is recorded in the register RA (step S45).

  Subsequently, the motor 361 is driven to move the line sensor 4 in the direction of Dir (upward) by a predetermined amount dZ (step S46).

  Subsequently, images for the previous m image lines are acquired (step S47), and the focal point is calculated (step S48).

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the line image of this time includes a color component scheduled in the image of the sample 1 (step S49). For example, when the sample 1 is a cell or the like, dyeing with a dye for observation is usually performed. Therefore, if there is a color component corresponding to the color of the dye in the acquired image, the sample 1 is observed. If there is no color component, the sample image is not included. become.

If there is no information on the designated color, the current line image is an image other than the sample 1, so the process returns to step S47 without processing the image and the same processing is repeated.
On the other hand, if there is information on the designated color, the previous focal point stored in the register RA is compared with the focal point calculated this time (step S50).

  If the previous focal point stored in the register RA is better than the focal point obtained this time (if the focus level is high), that is, the degree of the current focal point is worse (lower) than the previous focal point. If so, the direction of Dir (the moving direction of the line sensor 4) is designated in the direction opposite to the current value (step S51). Thereafter, the process returns to step S45, the register RA is updated with the focal point calculated in step S48, and the position of the line sensor in the Z direction is corrected to the Dir direction updated by dZ.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S50 that the current in-focus is better or equal to the previous in-focus (the focus level of the current image is higher than or equal to the focus level of the previous image), Dir Returning to step S45, the register RA is updated with the focal point calculated in step S48, and the position of the line sensor in the Z direction is corrected by dZ to the same Dir direction as before.

  The imaging operation in FIG. 7 and the autofocus operation in FIG. 8 are not executed in synchronization, but by continuing autofocus while the imaging operation is being executed, as schematically shown in FIG. Further, the line sensor 4 is arranged at the focal position following the unevenness of the surface of the sample 1, and a line image is acquired.

  In addition, since it is determined whether or not the image captured this time includes information of a predetermined color and the focal point is adjusted, for example, an unnecessary following operation is performed when a portion other than the sample is captured. There is no need to do.

In the above example, the sharpness is used in determining the focus level. However, in addition to this, contrast (maximum luminance / minimum luminance of the image) or luminance dispersion may be used. In the above example, when the previous in-focus point and the current in-focus value are the same, the Dir direction is left as it is, but it may be in the opposite direction.
Further, in the above-described example, the photographing by the line sensor 4 is scanned in the column direction (+ X direction) from the left to the right in FIG. 6, but may be performed in a zigzag (alternate) manner. For example, an image may be acquired by scanning from the left to the right (+ X direction) in the odd-numbered line and from the right to the left (−X direction) in the even-numbered line.

In the above example, the line sensor 4 is fixed and the sample 1 is moved by the moving unit 2 to scan the sample 1 with the line sensor 4. However, if the line sensor 4 and the sample 1 can be relatively moved, The configuration itself is arbitrary, and the sample 1 may be fixed and the objective lens 31 may be moved.
In the above-described example, the Z-axis drive unit 36 is configured by the rack and pinion method. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and other drive mechanisms such as a ball screw may be used.

In the above example, the adjustment amount dZ of the line sensor 4 in the Z-axis direction is a fixed value, but may be a variable amount. For example, the difference ΔI between the index It-1 indicating the previous focal point stored in the register RA and the index It indicating the current focal point may be obtained, and dZ may be adjusted according to this difference. For example, assuming that the Z-axis direction is positive and dZ = k ₁ · ΔI + k ₂ ∫ΔI + k ₃ dΔI / dt (k ₁ , k ₂ , k ₃ are constants), the adjustment direction and adjustment amount of the focal position on the Z-axis You may ask for it. DZ may be determined using only one or two terms on the right side of the above equation.

  The configuration of the line sensor 4 is arbitrary, and is not limited to the case where about 4000 CCDs are arranged one by one. It may be arranged shorter or longer. Furthermore, it is possible to use a two-dimensional CCD instead of a line sensor. When using a two-dimensional CCD, for example, the sample 1 is scanned in the X-axis direction with the two-dimensional CCD, and every time the two-dimensional CCD moves in the X-axis direction by the width (dX), imaging is performed. The contrast of the current captured image is compared with the contrast of the previous captured image.

  In addition, when the size of each pixel of the line sensor 4 is smaller, it is possible to capture an image with better resolution. However, when a larger size pixel is used, an image with better resolution can be obtained by increasing the magnification rate of imaging. An image can be taken.

  In addition, although the example which uses a CCD sensor as an imaging device was shown, a CMOS sensor etc. may be sufficient.

  A computer program and data for causing a general computer to perform the control operation of the microscope described with reference to FIGS. 5, 7, 8, etc. are stored in a recording medium such as a CD-ROM and distributed. Or may be transmitted and distributed via a communication line. These programs are downloaded and installed on any computer. In this case, the computer has the same function as the control unit 5 described above.

It is a side view of the microscope apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view of the microscope apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the visual field of a microscope, the imaging area of a line sensor, and the imaging area of a two-dimensional CCD. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a Z-axis drive part. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of a microscope apparatus. It is a figure for demonstrating the imaging area (observation area | region) set on a sample, and the imaging order by a line sensor. It is a flowchart of the process at the time of measurement and observation by a microscope. 5 is a flowchart of autofocus processing for aligning the focal position of the line sensor with the sample while the line sensor scans the sample. It is a figure which shows typically the motion of a line sensor at the time of scanning.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Sample 2 Moving part 3 Microscope 4 Line sensor 5 Control part 7 Mount 11 Measurement area

Claims (9)

A microscope that magnifies the image of the sample,
An image sensor device that scans the sample in a predetermined direction and repeats division imaging of the image;
Image processing means for creating an enlarged image of the sample by combining divided image groups photographed by the image sensor device;
A focal position adjusting means for adjusting a focal position of the image sensor device during scanning of the image sensor device based on output image data of the image sensor device;
A microscope apparatus comprising: In Claim 1, the said focus position adjustment means adjusts the said focus position based on the relationship between the focus level of the said image and the focus level of the immediately preceding divided image at the time of imaging | photography of the said divided image.
A microscope apparatus characterized by that. 3. The focus position adjusting unit according to claim 2, wherein the focus position adjustment unit calculates the focus direction adjustment direction and the adjustment amount based on a difference between a focus level of the image and the focus level of the immediately preceding divided image when the divided image is captured. decide,
A microscope apparatus characterized by that. 4. The focus position adjusting means according to claim 3, wherein when the divided image is captured, if the focus level of the image is higher than the focus level of the immediately preceding divided image, the adjustment direction is maintained as it is. When the focus level is lower than the focus level of the immediately preceding divided image, the adjustment direction is reversed.
A microscope apparatus characterized by that.   5. The focus position adjusting unit according to claim 2, wherein the focus position adjusting unit adjusts the focus position based on m (m is a natural number) divided images immediately before shooting the divided images. Microscope device. 6. The image sensor device according to claim 1, wherein the image sensor device moves in a direction perpendicular to the long side of the line sensor by moving the line sensor and the line sensor relative to the sample. To scan,
A microscope apparatus characterized by that.   The microscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the focal position adjusting unit adjusts the focal position based on image data including a predetermined color component. Magnify the sample image with a microscope,
While the image sensor is scanned with respect to the sample in a predetermined direction, the image sensor repeatedly divides and captures an image of the sample, and the image sensor is scanned during the scanning of the image sensor based on output image data of the image sensor. Adjust the focal position of
Creating a magnified image of the sample by combining divided image groups taken by the image sensor;
An enlarged image generation method characterized by that. While repeatedly scanning the image sensor in a predetermined direction with respect to the sample, the divided image of the sample image magnified by the microscope is repeatedly taken, and the image sensor is scanned during the scanning of the image sensor based on the output image data of the image sensor. Control the imaging device to adjust the focal position of
A computer program for creating an enlarged image of the sample by combining divided image groups obtained from the imaging device.

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