Optical Scanner Drive Transfer Function Correction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Optical scanners used in laser scanning microscopes face challenges in maintaining accurate control, especially at high scanning speeds, due to distortion and phase differences in feedback signals, and wear-related errors over time, making frequent optical calibration complex and costly.

Innovation Solution

A method for correcting the control of an optical scanner by determining and adjusting the drive unit transfer function, which includes generating control signals using parameters and transfer functions to ensure precise movement, allowing for quick and simple corrections that can be automated.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If optical calibration is performed frequently to maintain accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescanner control accuracyVSAvoidcalibration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex optical calibration procedures with an electronic control correction method. Instead of performing physical optical alignment and calibration using optical components and procedures, the system uses electronic transfer functions to model and correct the drive unit's response characteristics, thereby maintaining accuracy without the complexity of repeated optical calibration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the approach from physical calibration parameters to electronic control parameters. By determining and updating transfer function parameters that characterize the drive unit's response, the system achieves accurate control without physical recalibration. The transfer function parameters capture the essential behavior of the drive unit, allowing for frequent updates without optical intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If optical calibration is performed frequently to correct wear-related errors, then reliability is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescanner control accuracy over timeVSAvoidcalibration time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes time-consuming optical calibration procedures with rapid electronic parameter updates. The transfer function approach allows the system to account for wear and drift by updating control parameters electronically, which can be done quickly without the time required for physical optical realignment and calibration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary determination of the transfer function characteristics during initial calibration, creating a model that can be updated later without repeating the full calibration process. This preliminary work establishes a framework for ongoing corrections that is much faster than repeated optical calibration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If feedback signals are processed electronically to correct position deviations, then manufacturing precision is improved, but signal distortion and phase differences increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition control accuracyVSAvoidsignal distortion

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary correction by pre-calculating and pre-storing transfer function parameters that compensate for the drive unit's non-ideal response. Instead of trying to correct errors in real-time through feedback processing, the system uses pre-determined transfer functions to generate corrected control signals in advance, avoiding the signal distortion and phase differences that occur during real-time feedback processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8013288B2Method for correcting a control of an optical scanner and the optical scanner

Publication Date: 2011.09.06 CARL ZEISS MICROSCOPY GMBH

AI summary

In a method for correcting a control of an optical scanner (14) which has a beam deflecting element (31) for deflecting a beam of optical radiation and a drive unit (30, 30′) for moving the beam deflecting element (31), said drive unit deflecting a beam of optical radiation directed at the beam deflecting element (31) according to a predetermined target movement using at least one parameter and/or a transfer function, preferably optical, said parameter or transfer function being used to control or regulate the system. In a determination step at least one current value of a drive unit transfer function that reproduces the response of the drive unit (30, 30′) to a predetermined target movement or a change in a target movement is ascertained for at least one frequency, and in a correction step at least one parameter and/or the transfer function is corrected as a function of the current value of the drive unit transfer function.