Absolute intensity determination for a light source in low level light imaging systems
First Claim
1. A method for generating absolute light intensity data for a light source being imaged at low intensity light levels, the method comprising:
- determining a compensation factor for converting data output by a camera into absolute intensity light data, the compensation factor corresponding to a set of imaging conditions;
storing the compensation factor;
calling the compensation factor based on the set of imaging conditions when the set of imaging conditions are used in imaging the light source; and
modifying image data, output by the camera, by the compensation factor to obtain the absolute light intensity data for the light source.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention describes systems and methods to obtain and present imaging data in absolute units. The systems and methods convert relative image data produced by a camera to absolute light intensity data using a compensation factor. The compensation factor accommodates for hardware and specific imaging conditions in the imaging system that variably affect camera output. The present invention determines the compensation factor based on assessing the output of the camera against a known light source for a specific set of imaging conditions in the imaging system. The compensation factor is then stored in memory corresponding to the specific set of imaging conditions. Upon subsequent imaging with the set of imaging conditions, the corresponding compensation factor is called from memory and applied to the camera output. A compensation factor may be determined and stored for each hardware state and imaging condition available to the imaging system.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method for generating absolute light intensity data for a light source being imaged at low intensity light levels, the method comprising:
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determining a compensation factor for converting data output by a camera into absolute intensity light data, the compensation factor corresponding to a set of imaging conditions;
storing the compensation factor;
calling the compensation factor based on the set of imaging conditions when the set of imaging conditions are used in imaging the light source; and
modifying image data, output by the camera, by the compensation factor to obtain the absolute light intensity data for the light source. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for imaging a light source at low intensity light levels in an imaging system including a camera and an imaging box, the method comprising:
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setting one or more image capture conditions in the imaging system;
capturing luminescent image data from the light source using the camera; and
converting image data produced by the camera to absolute light data for the light source using a compensation factor that accommodates for differences between the light emitted from the sample and data output by the camera based on a set of imaging conditions. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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24. An imaging system for capturing an image of a light source with a camera, the imaging system comprising:
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an imaging box having a set of walls enclosing an interior cavity;
a camera mount configured to position the camera relative to a fixed datum on one of said walls for viewing of the light source by the camera; and
a processor designed or configured to modify image data produced by the camera to absolute light data for the light source using a compensation factor based on a set of imaging conditions that accommodates for differences between the light emitted from the sample and data output by the camera.
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25. A computer readable medium including instructions for generating absolute light data for a light source being imaged at low intensity light levels, the instructions comprising:
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instructions for determining a compensation factor for converting relative intensity data output by a camera into absolute light data, the compensation factor corresponding to a set of imaging conditions;
instructions for storing the compensation factor;
instructions for calling the compensation factor based on the set of imaging conditions when the set of imaging conditions are used in imaging the light source; and
instructions for modifying image data, output by the camera, by the compensation factor to obtain the absolute light intensity data for the light source.
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Specification