Microscope Autofocus Using an Auxiliary Camera and Calibration Curve
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical microscopes often capture defocused images, leading to loss of important optical information and inaccuracies in augmented reality analysis due to manual focusing limitations and user-dependent adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A microscope system with an auxiliary focusing device and method that utilizes an auxiliary focusing camera and light source to determine focal length adjustments based on image evaluation parameters, employing a calibration curve to ensure clear image capture through a camera assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual focusing is used in conventional optical microscopes, then the device complexity is reduced, but the focusing accuracy and reliability deteriorate due to user-dependent adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-storing a calibration curve that establishes the relationship between defocus amount and image evaluation parameters. This pre-computed reference data enables the system to quickly determine accurate focus adjustments without requiring complex real-time calculations, thereby improving focusing accuracy while limiting the increase in device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an auxiliary focusing camera as an intermediary device that captures images for focus evaluation. This separate evaluation path allows the system to measure focus accuracy independently from the main imaging path, enabling precise automatic focusing without significantly complicating the primary optical system
2Reliability
If automatic focusing with auxiliary devices is implemented, then the focusing accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the auxiliary focusing camera system to serve multiple functions: it evaluates focus accuracy, determines defocus amounts, and provides data for automatic focus adjustment. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve reliable automatic focusing while minimizing the number of separate components needed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using the auxiliary focusing camera to continuously monitor image quality and compare it against the pre-stored calibration curve. The system automatically adjusts focus based on this feedback loop, improving reliability by ensuring consistent focus accuracy while using a relatively simple feedback mechanism
3Productivity
If manual focusing is used, then the device complexity is low, but the productivity decreases due to time-consuming focusing adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-computing and storing the calibration curve that maps image evaluation parameters to defocus amounts. This pre-processing eliminates the need for complex real-time focus calculations, enabling rapid automatic focusing that significantly improves productivity while keeping the device complexity manageable
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical focusing adjustments with an automated optical-evaluation system. The auxiliary focusing camera and image processing algorithms substitute for manual operator actions, dramatically increasing focusing speed while the system complexity remains limited to adding a single camera and processing unit
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 automatic focusing, reducing focusing time and improving accuracy by ensuring the camera captures a clearly focused image, thereby enhancing the reliability of augmented reality analysis.
Implementation Method 1
an objective lens, configured to gather a first light of a target sample to enter a first optical path
Implementation Method 2
the first light converges, at a beamsplitter, with a second light generated by an image projection module
Implementation Method 3
a beamsplitter assembly, comprising at least one beamsplitter and configured to respectively separate and cast lights in different optical paths
Implementation Method 4
an auxiliary focusing device, comprising an auxiliary focusing light source and an auxiliary focusing camera, disposed in a second optical path, and configured to determine a focal length matching the camera assembly
Implementation Method 5
a focusing device, configured to adjust a focal length of image light entering the camera assembly according to a defocus amount of a target sample image determined by the auxiliary focusing device
Data Source
AI summary
A microscope system includes an objective lens, configured to gather a first light of a target sample to enter a first optical path, wherein the first light converges, at a beamsplitter, with a second light generated by an image projection module after entering the first optical path through a lens assembly; a beamsplitter assembly, configured to respectively separate and cast light in different optical paths; a camera assembly, configured to photograph the target sample in a microscope field of view, to photograph a clearly focused image through a first optical path by using the camera assembly; an auxiliary focusing device, configured to determine a focal length matching the camera assembly; and a focusing device, configured to adjust a focal length of image light entering the camera assembly according to a defocus amount of a target sample image determined by the auxiliary focusing device.