Method and apparatus for checking automated optical system performance repeatability
US5499097A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 19, 1994 |
| Grant date | Mar 12, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 19, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B21/26
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A test checks for appropriate positioning of priority fields for image collection and evaluation. The tests characterize lateral repeatability of stage movement in an X-Y plane, the longitudinal repeatability of the stage along a Z axis, cross coupling of motion in the Z direction from the X-Y stage movement, repeatability of the microscope objective turret positioning, mechanical centration of optical paths and the parfocality of optical paths. The process includes moving to a rough location, performing focus pans to determine the best focus and searching for a known object to register coordinate locations, processing those locations to determine the repeatability and accuracy of the motion system. Further, a means of evaluating these parameters is disclosed by which an automated cytology instrument will validate or invalidate data taken since the last position integrity check.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.