Methods and Systems for In Situ Calibration of Imaging in Biological Analysis
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for validating the function of a biological instrument, the method comprising:
- providing an instrument comprising;
a photometric sensor having a plurality of pixels; and
a spatially non-uniform illumination source;
wherein the spatial non-uniformity of the illumination source comprises a range of signal intensities spanning the dynamic range of the photometric sensor;
capturing a series of images with the photometric sensor using the spatially non-uniform illumination source, wherein the images comprise a range of signal intensities spanning the dynamic range of the photometric sensor;
computing a value of a signal intensity and a noise level for each pixel, wherein each of the signal intensities of the range of spatially non-uniform signal intensities is associated with at least one pixel receiving the intensity;
estimating a relationship of signal intensity versus noise level for the photometric sensor over the dynamic range of the sensor using the computed values of signal intensity and noise level for each pixel; and
determining if the photometric detector is within the operational limits of detection using the estimated relationship.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Software, methods, and systems for calibrating photometric devices are provided. These involve using a non-uniform test illumination field to approximate a photon transfer curve by calculating stable pixel values and statistical dispersions on a pixel-by-pixel basis.
13 Citations
17 Claims
-
1. A method for validating the function of a biological instrument, the method comprising:
-
providing an instrument comprising; a photometric sensor having a plurality of pixels; and a spatially non-uniform illumination source;
wherein the spatial non-uniformity of the illumination source comprises a range of signal intensities spanning the dynamic range of the photometric sensor;capturing a series of images with the photometric sensor using the spatially non-uniform illumination source, wherein the images comprise a range of signal intensities spanning the dynamic range of the photometric sensor; computing a value of a signal intensity and a noise level for each pixel, wherein each of the signal intensities of the range of spatially non-uniform signal intensities is associated with at least one pixel receiving the intensity; estimating a relationship of signal intensity versus noise level for the photometric sensor over the dynamic range of the sensor using the computed values of signal intensity and noise level for each pixel; and determining if the photometric detector is within the operational limits of detection using the estimated relationship. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. A method for validating photometric detection used during biological analysis, the method comprising:
-
providing an instrument comprising; a photometric sensor having a plurality of pixels; and a test image, wherein the test image comprises a plurality of spatially non-uniform signal intensities spanning the dynamic range of the photometric sensor; measuring a series of images from the spatially non-uniform test image using the photometric sensor, wherein each signal intensity of the plurality of spatially non-uniform signal intensities is associated with each of at least one pixel receiving the intensity; generating a set of values for intensity and intensity variation for each of the at least one pixel associated with each signal intensity; approximating a photon transfer curve based on the set of values for intensity and intensity variation for each of the at least one pixel associated with each signal intensity; and determining whether the photometric detector is operating properly based on the photon transfer curve. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
-
Specification