Patent ID: 6825454
Filing Date: 2004-11-30
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
An autofocusing device for an optical instrument, such as a microscope, wherein the illuminating light is directed through imaging optics onto an object moving in a direction at least approximately perpendicular to the optical axis of the imaging optics; comprising:a diaphragm device being arranged in the illumination ray path between illumination source and imaging optics with at least one diaphragm opening which extends in a direction aligned with the direction of movement of the object; a receiving device being arranged in the ray path for the measuring light coming from a measuring location on the object, which receiving device has separate receiving areas that can be evaluated individually and that are arranged in a row beside each other in a direction aligned with the direction of movement of the object; said diaphragm having an opening being inclined relative to the optical axis of the illumination ray path or the receiving areas arranged in a row are inclined relative to the optical axis of the measuring ray path at an angle such that 0 degrees a synchronous control being present which initializes the sequential reading of the measuring results in receiving areas; and an evaluating device being provided which compares the measured values read from said receiving areas with desired values and from these comparisons generate signals for the optical instrument.