Microscope Auto Focus via Astigmatism Light Spot Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual focusing in microscope systems is slow and prone to errors, leading to missed critical observations due to inaccurate and time-consuming adjustments, while existing automatic focusing methods rely on complex iterative calculations and hardware-intensive mountain climbing search methods that delay focusing.
Innovation Solution
An automatic focusing device using a beam splitter, laser emitting device, lens set, and quadrant photo detecting device to generate a driving signal based on astigmatism shape analysis, with a database for focus error signal comparison to adjust the relative distance between the objective and testing subject for precise focusing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual focusing method is used to adjust the distance between the lens and the object, then the user can observe and adjust the focus, but the adjustment process is slow and prone to mistakes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical focusing system with an automatic optical detection and motor-driven system. A laser beam is projected onto the object, reflected back through the objective lens, and focused by a cylindrical lens onto a quadrant photo detector. The position of the light spot on the detector indicates the focus state, and a motor automatically adjusts the objective lens position based on this feedback, eliminating manual intervention and significantly reducing focusing time while improving accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service focusing by using the optical path itself to detect focus status. The laser beam and reflected light automatically indicate whether the object is in focus by the position of the light spot on the quadrant photo detector, without requiring external observation or manual adjustment. The system self-corrects by automatically moving the objective lens based on the detected light spot position.
2Extent of automation
If traditional automatic focusing method using mountain climbing search algorithm is used, then the focus can be found automatically, but the iterative computation requires complex hardware and increases focusing time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex computational algorithms with a direct optical measurement system. Instead of using computer vision and iterative image processing, the system uses a laser-cylindrical lens-quadrant detector optical path that directly converts focus status into a spatial position signal. This optical analog measurement eliminates the need for complex digital computation and hardware, achieving automatic focusing with simple and elegant optics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the one-dimensional focus adjustment problem into a two-dimensional spatial detection problem. By using a cylindrical lens to focus the reflected laser beam onto a quadrant photo detector, the system maps the focus distance information onto the lateral position of the light spot on the detector plane. This dimensional transformation allows direct optical measurement of focus status without iterative computation.
3Extent of automation
If traditional automatic focusing method with iterative computation is used, then the focus can be adjusted automatically, but the calculation process delays the focusing speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces computational processing with direct optical measurement. The laser beam reflected from the object is focused by a cylindrical lens onto a quadrant photo detector, where the light spot position directly indicates the focus error. This optical measurement provides instantaneous feedback without requiring image capture, processing, or iterative calculation, enabling very fast automatic focusing that maintains high speed while achieving full automation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables faster and more accurate focusing by analyzing astigmatism shapes to generate driving signals, reducing the complexity and time required for focusing adjustments, thus improving the efficiency of the microscope system.
Implementation Method 1
a laser emitting device disposed at a first side of the beam splitter set for providing a laser beam to the beam splitter
Implementation Method 2
a lens set disposed at a second side of the beam splitter set and opposing to the testing subject positioned at a third side of the beam splitter set for refracting a reflected beam from a testing subject for generating a light spot
Implementation Method 3
a photo detecting device disposed with respect to the lens set for receiving the light spot and generating a driving signal
Data Source
AI summary
An auto focus device and method are provided. The device comprises a beam splitter set; a laser emitting device disposed at a first side of the beam splitter set for providing a laser beam to the beam splitter; a lens set disposed at a second side of the beam splitter set and opposing to the testing subject positioned at a third side of the beam splitter set for refracting a reflected beam from a testing subject for generating a light spot; and a photo detecting device disposed with respect to the lens set for receiving the light spot and generating a driving signal.