Image focusing device, image focusing method and computer readable medium with image focusing control program

An imaging method comprising:

• scanning an observation region within a culture vessel in which an observation target is received and which is installed on a stage;
• detecting a focusing position of the observation region through auto-focus control;
• and
• performing imaging of the observation region on the basis of the detected focusing position,
• wherein, in a case where the observation target is imaged multiple times over time,
• the method includes
• detecting the focusing position of the observation region within the culture vessel and focusing positions of a plurality of reference positions which are set in advance within the culture vessel through the auto-focus control in a case where first imaging is performed, and
• performing the first imaging of each of the observation regions using the detected focusing position, and
• in a case where second imaging subsequent to the first imaging is performed, detecting focusing positions of a plurality of reference positions which are set in advance within the culture vessel through the auto-focus control in advance to the second imaging,
• correcting the focusing position of each observation region detected in the first imaging on the basis of the detected focusing positions of the plurality of reference positions in advance to the second imaging and the focusing positions of the plurality of the reference positions in the first imaging, and
• performing the second imaging using the corrected focusing position of each observation region.

A non-transitory computer readable recording medium storing an imaging control program causing a computer to execute a procedure of scanning an observation region within a culture vessel in which an observation target is received and which is installed on a stage, a procedure of detecting a focusing position of the observation region through auto-focus control, and a procedure of performing imaging of the observation region on the basis of the detected focusing position,

• wherein, in a case where the observation target is imaged multiple times over time,
• the program causes the computer to execute a procedure of detecting the focusing position of the observation region within the culture vessel and focusing positions of a plurality of reference positions which are set in advance within the culture vessel through the auto-focus control in a case where first imaging is performed, and a procedure of performing the first imaging of each of the observation regions using the detected focusing position, and
• in a case where second imaging subsequent to the first imaging is performed,
• the program causes the computer to execute, a procedure of detecting focusing positions of a plurality of reference positions which are set in advance within the culture vessel through the auto-focus control in advance to the second imaging a procedure of correcting the focusing position of each observation region detected in the first imaging on the basis of the detected focusing positions of the plurality of reference positions in advance to the second imaging and the focusing positions of the plurality of the reference positions in the first imaging, and a procedure of performing the second imaging using the corrected focusing position of each observation region.