US5877489A
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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: 1999-03-02
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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
2026-10-31 23:54
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: 49
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
An apparatus for checking closed loop accuracy for focus of an optical system, the apparatus comprising: (a) means for focusing the optical system using a first focusing method to achieve a first focus; (b) means for focusing the optical system using a second focusing method to achieve a second focus; and (c) means for checking closed loop accuracy of the optical system by verifying that the first focus achieved using the means for focusing the optical system using the first focusing method is consistent with the second focus achieved using the means for focusing the optical system using the second focusing method.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
102 words
An apparatus for checking closed loop accuracy for focus of an optical system, the apparatus comprising: (a) means for focusing the optical system using a first focusing method to achieve a first focus; (b) means for focusing the optical system using a second focusing method to achieve a second focus; and (c) means for checking closed loop accuracy of the optical system by verifying that the first focus achieved using the means for focusing the optical system using the first focusing method is consistent with the second focus achieved using the means for focusing the optical system using the second focusing method.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first focusing method is an above and below focusing method.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second focusing method further comprises a Z panning focusing method.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the optical system further comprises a camera.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the optical system further comprises an autofocus system.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising a means for providing an indication that the autofocus system is operating properly.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the optical system further comprises a primary camera, a plus focus camera and a minus focus camera.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the primary camera performs a Z panning focusing method.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the plus focus camera and the minus focus camera perform an above and below focusing method.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising a means for checking a mean illumination level for the primary camera against limits.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising a means for checking a coefficient of variation of illumination for the primary camera against limits.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising a means for checking a mean illumination level for the plus focus camera and minus focus camera against limits.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising a means for checking a coefficient of variation of illumination for the plus focus camera and minus focus camera against limits.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the primary camera performs the first focusing method and the plus focus camera and minus focus camera perform the second focusing method.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the optical system focuses on an image primitive.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the optical system focuses on an image primitive.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the optical system focuses on an image primitive.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a first best focus position is obtained for the optical system using the first focusing method and a second best focus position is obtained for the optical system using the second focusing method.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 18 further comprising a means for determining a difference between the first best focus position and the second best focus position.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 19 further comprising a means for comparing the difference to a predetermined tolerance.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the predetermined tolerance is between 1000 nm and 3000 nm.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a means for determining a position of best focus in real time.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a means for determining a position of best focus in real time during a flash of a lamp.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the optical system further comprises a primary camera.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
83 words
A method for checking closed loop accuracy for focus of an optical system, the method comprising the steps of: (a) focusing the optical system using a first focusing method to achieve a first focus; (b) focusing the optical system using a second focusing method to achieve a second focus; and (c) checking closed loop accuracy of the optical system by verifying that the first focus achieved using the first focusing method is consistent with the second focus achieved using the second focusing method.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
83 words
A method for checking closed loop accuracy for focus of an optical system, the method comprising the steps of: (a) focusing the optical system using a first focusing method to achieve a first focus; (b) focusing the optical system using a second focusing method to achieve a second focus; and (c) checking closed loop accuracy of the optical system by verifying that the first focus achieved using the first focusing method is consistent with the second focus achieved using the second focusing method.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 25 wherein the first focusing method further comprises an above and below focusing method.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 25 wherein the second focusing method further comprises a Z panning focusing method.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 25 wherein the optical system further comprises a camera.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 25 wherein the optical system further comprises an autofocus system.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 29 further comprising the step of providing an indication that the autofocus system is operating properly.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 25 wherein the optical system further comprises a primary camera, a plus focus camera and a minus focus camera.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 31 wherein the primary camera performs a Z panning focusing method.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 31 wherein the plus focus camera and the minus focus camera perform an above and below focusing method.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 31 further comprising the step of checking a mean illumination level for the primary camera against limits.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 31 further comprising the step of checking a coefficient of variation of illumination for the primary camera against limits.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 31 further comprising the step of checking a mean illumination level for the plus focus camera and minus focus camera against limits.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 31 further comprising the step of checking a coefficient of variation of illumination for the plus focus camera and minus focus camera against limits.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 31 wherein the primary camera performs the first focusing method and the plus focus camera and minus focus camera perform the second focusing method.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 38 wherein the optical system focuses on an image primitive.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 31 wherein the optical system focuses on an image primitive.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 25 wherein the optical system focuses on an image primitive.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 25 wherein a first best focus position is obtained for the optical system using the first focusing method and a second best focus position is obtained for the optical system using the second focusing method.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 42 wherein a difference between the first best focus position and the second best focus position is compared to a predetermined tolerance.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 43 wherein the predetermined tolerance is between 1000 nm and 3000 nm.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 25 further comprising the step of determining a position of best focus in real time.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 25 further comprising the step of determining a position of best focus in real time during a flash of a lamp.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 25 wherein the optical system further comprises a primary camera.
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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) | 2002-03-01 | 2002-08-31 | 2003-03-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-03-01 | 2006-08-31 | 2007-03-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-03-01 | 2010-08-31 | 2011-03-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |