System and method for continuous, asynchronous autofocus of optical instruments
US8362409B2 · kind B2 · utility
10Cited by
5References
42Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 22, 2010 |
| Grant date | Jan 29, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 28, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B21/16
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to autofocus subsystems within optical instruments that continuously monitor the focus of the optical instruments and adjust distances within the optical instrument along the optical axis in order to maintain a precise and stable optical-instrument focus at a particular point or surface on, within, or near a sample. Certain embodiments of the present invention operate asynchronously with respect to operation of other components and subsystems of the optical instrument in which they are embedded.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.