Tracking auto focus system
US7301133B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 20, 2005 |
| Grant date | Nov 27, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 20, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B7/285
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A tracking auto-focus system maintains a microscope pointed at a TFT array continuously in focus so as to eliminate the auto-focusing time that would otherwise be required. The tracking auto-focus system includes, in part, a microscope Z actuator, an auto-focus sensor, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), a signal conditioner, a digital proportional integrating and differentiating (PID) controller, and a digital-to-analog converter. The actuator adjusts the distance between the microscope's objective lens and the target and includes, in part, an amplifier, a linear motor, and a linear encoder which provides positional feedback. The auto-focus sensor together with the ADC and signal conditioner continuously monitor and detect the distance between the microscope's objective lens and the target and supply the measured distance to the amplifier. The PID controller together with the DAC stabilizes the distance separating the microscope's objective lens and the target to maintain the best focus.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.