System and method for focusing optics
First Claim
1. An apparatus for focusing an optical device, comprising:
- an objective lens configured to collect light from a region of an object to be imaged, said region having a feature with a known geometric characteristic, wherein the geometric characteristic is known before the feature is imaged by the optical device;
a focusing sensor configured to observe a geometric characteristic of the feature;
a splitter configured to split the collected light into a first portion and a second portion, and directing said first portion through a weak cylindrical lens to the focusing sensor;
a processor configured to analyze the observed geometric characteristic and determine, by comparing the observed geometric characteristic to the known geometric characteristic, a predetermined relationship between the observed geometric characteristic and the known geometric characteristic; and
a mechanism configured to autofocus the optical device by moving at least one of the objective lens and the object to be imaged based on the predetermined relationship, in response to the analysis and determination of the processor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In an apparatus and system for focusing optics an objective lens is configured to collect light from a region of an object to be imaged, said region having a feature with a known geometric characteristic, wherein the geometric characteristic is known before the feature is imaged by the optical device. A focusing sensor is configured to observe a shape of the feature and a splitter is configured to split the collected light into a first portion and a second portion, and directing said first portion through a weak cylindrical lens to the focusing sensor. A processor is configured to analyze the observed shape and determine whether the observed shape of the feature has a predetermined relationship to the known geometric characteristic and a mechanism is configured to autofocus the optical device by moving at least one of the objective lens and the object to be imaged in response to the analysis and determination of the processor. In some embodiments, the feature can be a fluorescent bead. In some embodiments, the splitting step can be accomplished with a dichroic mirror. In other embodiments, the splitting step can be accomplished with a partial mirror. In some embodiments, the known geometric characteristic of the feature can be substantially spherical, the observed shape can be an oval, and the predetermined relationship can be an allowable aspect ratio of the oval. In some embodiments, the allowable aspect ratio can be approximately one.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. An apparatus for focusing an optical device, comprising:
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an objective lens configured to collect light from a region of an object to be imaged, said region having a feature with a known geometric characteristic, wherein the geometric characteristic is known before the feature is imaged by the optical device; a focusing sensor configured to observe a geometric characteristic of the feature; a splitter configured to split the collected light into a first portion and a second portion, and directing said first portion through a weak cylindrical lens to the focusing sensor; a processor configured to analyze the observed geometric characteristic and determine, by comparing the observed geometric characteristic to the known geometric characteristic, a predetermined relationship between the observed geometric characteristic and the known geometric characteristic; and a mechanism configured to autofocus the optical device by moving at least one of the objective lens and the object to be imaged based on the predetermined relationship, in response to the analysis and determination of the processor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A system for focusing an optical device, comprising:
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an objective lens configured to collect light from a region of an object to be imaged, said region having a feature with a known geometric characteristic, wherein the geometric characteristic is known before the feature is imaged by the optical device; a focusing sensor configured to observe a geometric characteristic of the feature; a light splitter configured to split the collected light into a first portion and a second portion, and directing said first portion through a weak cylindrical lens to the focusing sensor, wherein the focusing sensor observes a geometric characteristic of the feature; a processor, coupled to the motor and focusing sensor, configured to analyze the observed geometric characteristic and determine, by comparing the observed shape to the known geometric characteristic, a predetermined relationship between the observed geometric characteristic and the known geometric characteristic; and a mechanism for autofocusing the optical device by moving at least one of the objective lens and the object to be imaged based on the predetermined relationship, in response to the analysis and determination of the processor. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification