Dual Offset Cameras for Automatic Microscope Focus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current microscope focus systems require multiple images and adjustments to determine the in-focus position, increasing microscopic scan time due to the need for sharpness measurements that do not indicate the direction of adjustment, and are inefficient in high-throughput scanning applications.
Innovation Solution
The system employs two offset focusing cameras positioned on either side of a focusing conjugate plane, with offset distances set to ensure equal sharpness measurements, allowing the hardware processor to determine focus when the sharpness values from both cameras are equal, thereby reducing the number of images and adjustments needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple images and adjustments are used to determine in-focus position, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the focus measurement function into two separate cameras positioned at different locations. Each camera independently measures sharpness, and their measurements are combined to determine both the in-focus position and the direction of adjustment. This segmentation allows simultaneous acquisition of multiple measurement data points, reducing the number of sequential adjustments needed while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary positioning using the two-camera setup to quickly identify the region containing the in-focus position. By capturing images from two different locations simultaneously and comparing sharpness measurements, the system preliminarily determines which direction leads to better focus, eliminating the need for exhaustive sequential searching and significantly reducing total focus time.
2Measurement precision
If sharpness measurements are taken at multiple Z positions, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing the number of Z-position measurements, the patent introduces a spatial dimension by placing two cameras at different lateral positions. This dimensional change allows the system to obtain multiple sharpness measurements simultaneously at the same Z position, achieving the precision benefit without the complexity of multiple Z-position adjustments and image captures.
3Ease of operation
If traditional sharpness measurement methods are used, then ease of operation is maintained, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the two cameras continuously monitor sharpness measurements and provide real-time information about focus quality and adjustment direction. This feedback allows the control system to make informed, rapid adjustments without requiring complex manual operations, thereby maintaining ease of operation while dramatically increasing throughput by reducing the number of adjustment cycles needed.
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic focus system for an optical microscope that facilitates faster focusing by using at least two offset focusing cameras. Each offset focusing camera can be positioned on a different side of an image forming conjugate plane so that their sharpness curves intersect at the image forming conjugate plane. Focus of a specimen can be adjusted by using sharpness values determined from images taken by the offset focusing cameras.