Patent ID: 8179432
Filing Date: 2012-05-15
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. A method of autofocusing a sample to obtain a plurality of sequential primary images representative of the sample, the method comprising: capturing a first auxiliary image of the sample, the first auxiliary image captured at a first sample distance and at a first lateral position determined with respect to an objective; determining a quantitative characteristic for the first auxiliary image; capturing a second auxiliary image of the sample, the second auxiliary image captured at a second sample distance and at a second lateral position that is offset from the first lateral position; determining a quantitative characteristic for a second auxiliary image; capturing a third auxiliary image of the sample, the third auxiliary image captured at a third sample distance and at a third lateral position that is offset from the first and second lateral positions; determining a primary sample distance based upon at least the quantitative characteristics for the first, second, and third auxiliary images; and capturing a primary image of the sample at the primary sample distance determined from the quantitative characteristics for the first, second and third auxiliary images and at a primary lateral position that is offset from the first, second and third lateral positions.