Image creating apparatus and image creating method

An image creating method comprising:

• picking up, by an image creating apparatus, a plurality of images of a cell on different focal positions;
• classifying, by the image creating apparatus, the plurality of images into a plurality of depth ranges as to focal direction, wherein the plurality of depth ranges comprises a first depth range and a second depth range, further wherein a plurality of first images among the plurality of images belonging to the first depth range, and a plurality of second images among the plurality of images belonging to the second depth range;
• synthesizing, by the image creating apparatus, the plurality of images belonging to the first depth range by selecting pixels having the highest contrast from among pixels in the plurality of images belonging to the first depth range;
• synthesizing, by the image creating apparatus, the plurality of images belonging to the second depth range by selecting pixels having the highest contrast from among pixels in the plurality of images belonging to the second depth range;
• and
• creating, by the image creating apparatus with the selected pixels, a first two-dimensional focus-synthesized image in focus over the first depth range and a second two-dimensional focus-synthesized image in focus over the second depth range.

An image creating method comprising:

• generating a plurality of images of a cell at different focal positions;
• classifying the plurality of images into a plurality of depth ranges by the focal directions, where a plurality of first images among the plurality of images belong to a first depth range, and a plurality of second images among the plurality of images belong to a second depth range;
• synthesizing the plurality of first images belonging to the first depth range by selecting pixels with a higher contrast from the plurality of first images, wherein the selected pixels with the higher contrast from the first images are combined;
• synthesizing the plurality of second images belonging to the second depth range by selecting pixels with a higher contrast from the plurality of second images, wherein the selected pixels with the higher contrast from the second images are combined;
• and
• creating a first two-dimensional focus-synthesized image in focus over the first depth range based on the synthesis of the first images and a second two-dimensional focus-synthesized image in focus over the second depth range based on the synthesis of the second images through a computer processor;
• where the plurality of depth ranges comprises the first depth range and the second depth range.