US5763871A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Cytological system autofocus integrity checking apparatus
Assignee: TriPath Imaging Inc
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Filing: 1997-03-20
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Granted: 1998-06-09
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Expires: 2017-03-20
Abstract
Abstract An automated method for checking cytological system autofocus integrity. The automated method includes the steps of checking focus illumination integrity, checking focus camera Modulation Transfer Function, checking focus camera position integrity, and checking closed loop accuracy. Checking focus illumination integrity includes checking focus illumination system integrity, and checking a focus noise floor level. Checking focus camera position integrity includes checking focus camera longitudinal separation, and checking focus camera lateral separation. Checking focus camera position integrity includes checking focus filter frequency response.
Inventors
- 👤 William E. Ortyn
- 👤 Jon W. Hayenga
- 👤 Louis R. Piloco
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 10:39
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N7/00; H04N7/18; H04N7/183; G; G02; G02B; G02B21/00; G02B21/24; G02B21/241; G02B21/244; G02B7/00; G02B7/28; G02B7/36; H04N7/181; H04N7/188
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
An automated method for checking focus camera longitudinal separation in a system including a primary camera and at least two focus cameras, the automated method comprising the steps of: a) performing at least one focus pan over an image primitive for each of the primary camera and each of the at least two focus cameras; b) at a best focus position, calculating a focus longitudinal separation measure for each camera; and c) comparing that separation against predetermined limits.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
78 words
An automated method for checking focus camera longitudinal separation in a system including a primary camera and at least two focus cameras, the automated method comprising the steps of: a) performing at least one focus pan over an image primitive for each of the primary camera and each of the at least two focus cameras; b) at a best focus position, calculating a focus longitudinal separation measure for each camera; and c) comparing that separation against predetermined limits.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The automated method of claim 1 wherein the at least two focus cameras further comprise a plus focus camera and a minus focus camera.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: (a) checking a mean illumination level for each of the at least two focus cameras against limits; and (b) checking a coefficient of variation of the illumination for each of the at least two focus cameras against limits.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
71 words
An automated method for checking focus camera lateral separation in a system including a primary camera and at least two focus cameras, the automated method comprising the steps of: a) performing at least one focus pan over an image primitive for each of the primary camera and each of the at least two focus cameras; and b) at a best focus position, calculating a focus lateral separation measure for each camera.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
71 words
An automated method for checking focus camera lateral separation in a system including a primary camera and at least two focus cameras, the automated method comprising the steps of: a) performing at least one focus pan over an image primitive for each of the primary camera and each of the at least two focus cameras; and b) at a best focus position, calculating a focus lateral separation measure for each camera.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The automated method of claim 4 wherein the at least two focus cameras further comprise a plus focus camera and a minus focus camera.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 4 further comprising the steps of: (a) checking a mean illumination level for each of the at least two focus cameras against limits; and (b) checking a coefficient of variation of the illumination for each of the at least two focus cameras against limits.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
71 words
An automated method for checking focus camera angular separation in a system including a primary camera and at least two focus cameras, the automated method comprising the steps of: a) performing at least one focus pan over an image primitive for each of the primary camera and each of the at least two focus cameras; and b) at a best focus position, calculating a focus angular separation measure for each camera.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
71 words
An automated method for checking focus camera angular separation in a system including a primary camera and at least two focus cameras, the automated method comprising the steps of: a) performing at least one focus pan over an image primitive for each of the primary camera and each of the at least two focus cameras; and b) at a best focus position, calculating a focus angular separation measure for each camera.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The automated method of claim 7 wherein the at least two focus cameras further comprise a plus focus camera and a minus focus camera.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 7 further comprising the steps of: (a) checking a mean illumination level for each of the at least two focus cameras against limits; and (b) checking a coefficient of variation of the illumination for each of the at least two focus cameras against limits.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-06-08 | 2001-12-08 | 2002-06-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-06-08 | 2005-12-08 | 2006-06-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-06-08 | 2009-12-08 | 2010-06-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |