Patent ID: 6763140
Filing Date: 2004-07-13
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
An apparatus for micro-imaging an uneven surface of interest of a sample comprising:a) means for selecting and storing positional coordinates of focus points associated with a sample coordinate space defined by the sample, to create a focus point list; b) means for determining an associated focus setting for each focus point in the focus point list; c) means for generating a focus surface using the focus point list; d) means for extracting a tile image focus setting at a tile image focus location from the focus surface wherein the means for extracting a tile image focus setting at a tile image focus location from the focus surface comprises an algorithm that selects a focus facet coincident with the tile image focus location, interpolates at the tile image focus location the focus settings associated with the focus points in the focus point group associated with the selected focus facet and sets the tile image focus setting to the interpolated focus setting; and e) means for positioning a micro-imaging system to acquire a tile image at the tile image focus setting.