Image Processing Architecture for Real-Time Micro- and Nanohandling Applications

Abstract

This article presents a software architecture for image processing applications. Its intended use is in the automation of manipulation processes at the microand nanoscale. The main requirements for this architecture are the capability for real-time processing, the flexibility to cover a wide range of different applications and simplicity of usage. Some of the biggest challenges include online changes of control- and data-flow, integration of a large number of devices for microscopy and the need for high-speed result forwarding. The architecture has been implemented and tested extensively. Three key applications are presented: object tracking, classification of biological cells and 3D image reconstruction for scanning electron microscopes. 1