The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 31, 1979
Filed:
Feb. 16, 1978
Rainer Fritsche, Wetzlar, DE;
Helmut Ringelhan, Wetzlar, DE;
Ernst Leitz Wetzlar GmbH, Wetzlar, DE;
Abstract
An automatic focusing device is disclosed which focuses an object onto an image plane. The device comprises an optical correlator which includes: a first focusing member, an optical fiber means, a grating structure and photoelectric receiving means. The device further comprises control means, motor means, and means for adjusting the first focusing means. A probe is disclosed which comprises an elongated tubular member; a first focusing means; an optical fiber bundle; a grating structure; photoelectric receiving means; means for focusing light received from the grating structure; and display means for electrically displaying the position of the probe. Also, a method of determining optimum focus position of a probe is disclosed which comprises passing the light image of an object through a bundle of optical fibers in the probe to form an image of the object. Light leaving the bundle is directed onto a grating having a grating constant such that the spatial frequency spectra of the fibers and of the grating do not overlap. The optical correlation between the object image and the structure are then determined and the probe is adjusted based upon electrical signals derived from the optical correlation.