# US 12,604,110 B2 · Sample observation device and sample observation method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,604,110 B2 - Document ID: US12604110B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/382,165 - Filed: 2023-10-20 - Published: 2024-06-27 - Granted: 2026-04-14 - Earliest claimed: 2022-12-27 - Assignees: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K. - Applicants: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K. - Inventors: Satoshi Yamamoto - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12604110B2 ## CPC - H04N 25/531: by controlling rolling shutters in CMOS SSIS - H04N 23/56: provided with illuminating means - H04N 23/76: by influencing the image signals - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION ## Abstract In a sample observation device, an image capturing unit includes an area image sensor that performs image capturing by the rolling shutter method in which a start of an exposure period of each of pixel columns in a pixel region is shifted by a predetermined time, and a generation unit sets one pixel column of the pixel columns as a reference pixel column, and combines a data portion corresponding to an exposure position of the reference pixel column in exposure positions of pixel columns of one frame and the data portion corresponding to an exposure position of the reference pixel column in exposure positions of pixel columns of other frames continuous to the one frame, thereby generating two-dimensional image data corresponding to the exposure position of the reference pixel column in the one frame. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A sample observation device comprising: an irradiation optical system configured to irradiate a sample with planar light; a scanner configured to scan the sample in a direction orthogonal to an irradiation surface of the planar light; an image capturer configured to include a pixel region for image capturing observation light generated in the sample by irradiation of the planar light to output image data based on a capturing result of the observation light in the pixel region; a generator configured to generate two-dimensional image data at each position in a scanning direction of the sample on the basis of the image data; and a linear encoder that outputs a trigger signal each time the scanner moves only by a predetermined distance, wherein the image capturer includes an area image sensor that performs image capturing by a rolling shutter method in which a start of an exposure period of each of pixel columns in the pixel region is shifted by predetermined time, the image capturer controls the exposure period in the image capturing by the rolling shutter method, based on the trigger signal, and the generator sets one pixel column of the pixel columns as a reference pixel column, and combines a data portion corresponding to an exposure position of the reference pixel column among exposure positions of pixel columns of one frame and a data portion corresponding to an exposure position of the reference pixel column among exposure positions of pixel columns of other frames continuous to the one frame, thereby generating two-dimensional image data corresponding to an exposure position of the reference pixel column in the one frame. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The sample observation device according to claim 1, wherein the generator sets a pixel column to be an array end of the pixel region as the reference pixel column. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The sample observation device according to claim 1, wherein the generator sets an intermediate pixel column of the pixel region as the reference pixel column. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The sample observation device according to claim 1, wherein the generator calculates a combination ratio of the data portions on the basis of roll time represented by a time difference of a start of an exposure period in each of the pixel columns, a scanning speed of the sample by the scanner, and resolution of the image capturer. ### Claim 5 A sample observation method comprising: irradiating a sample with planar light; scanning the sample in a direction orthogonal to an irradiation surface of the planar light; image capturing by using a pixel region for image capturing observation light generated in the sample by irradiation of the planar light to output image data based on a capturing result of the observation light in the pixel region; generating two-dimensional image data at each position in a scanning direction of the sample on the basis of the image data; and outputting a trigger signal with a linear encoder each time the scanning moves only by a predetermined distance, wherein the image capturing uses an area image sensor that performs image capturing by a rolling shutter method in which a start of an exposure period of each of pixel columns in the pixel region is shifted by predetermined time, the image capturing controls the exposure period in the image capturing by the rolling shutter method, based on the trigger signal, and the generating sets one pixel column of the pixel columns as a reference pixel column, and combines a data portion corresponding to an exposure position of the reference pixel column among exposure positions of pixel columns of one frame and a data portion corresponding to an exposure position of the reference pixel column among exposure positions of pixel columns of other frames continuous to the one frame, thereby generating two-dimensional image data corresponding to an exposure position of the reference pixel column in the one frame. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The sample observation method according to claim 5, wherein the generating sets a pixel column to be an array end of the pixel region as the reference pixel column. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The sample observation method according to claim 5, wherein the generating sets an intermediate pixel column of the pixel region as the reference pixel column. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The sample observation method according to claim 5, wherein the generating calculates a combination ratio of the data portions on the basis of roll time represented by a time difference of a start of an exposure period of each of the pixel columns, a scanning speed of the sample in the scanning, and resolution in the image capturing.