Title: Automatic focusing system including quantizing means

Abstract: An automatic focusing system is provided for a microscopic instrument having a lens assembly and a platform for supporting an object. The system includes a flying spot scanner, the light from which is directed through the lens assembly at the object. The system includes means responsive to the light directed at the object for generating a signal representative of the color density of the object. The system includes electronic circuitry responsive to the signals and connected to the microscopic instrument for changing the focus of the instrument. The electronic means which are responsive to the signal change the focus of the instrument a plurality of times and includes decision means responsive to the signal for determining the optimum focus and moving the instrument to the optimum focus. The circuitry includes quantization means responsive to the signal which effectively determines the focus position which provides the sharpest resolution of the object examined by the microscopic instrument.

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Inventors: Bouton, John C. (Doylestown, PA, US)
Partin, Melvin E. (Newtown Square, PA, US)
Hilghman, Robert C. (Willingboro, NJ, US)

Application Number: 465390
Filing Date: 1974-04-29
Publication_date: 1977-03-15
Assignee: Geometric Data Corporation (Wayne, PA)
Primary Class(es): 250/201.3 356/39, 356/125
Other Classes:
US Patent Ref:

2363409	Nov, 1944	Gibson	350/84.
3652164	Mar, 1972	Faramarzpour et al.	356/125.
3783269	Jan, 1974	McConnell	356/125.
3806257	Apr, 1974	Amos	356/201.
3824393	Jul, 1974	Brain	356/39.
3827804	Aug, 1974	Miller et al.	356/39.
3846629	Nov, 1974	Stauffer	356/125.
3883689	May, 1975	Mansour et al.	250/201.
3932733	Jan, 1976	Olsen et al.	235/151.

Other Refs:
Primary Examiner: McGraw, Vincent P.
Assistant Examiner:
Attorney: Caesar, Rivise, Bernstein & Cohen, Ltd.