# US 10,371,931 B2 · Digital microscope apparatus, method of searching for in-focus position thereof, and program > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,371,931 B2 - Document ID: US10371931B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/097,058 - Filed: 2016-04-12 - Published: 2016-08-04 - Granted: 2019-08-06 - Earliest claimed: 2013-03-14 - Assignees: Sony Corporation - Applicants: Sony Corporation - Inventors: Takashi Yamamoto; Takuya Oshima; Ryu Narusawa; Takamichi Yamakoshi; Norihiro Tanabe - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10371931B2 ## CPC - G02B 21/365: {Control or image processing arrangements for digital or video microscopes (G02B21/361, G02B21/362 take precedence)} - G02B 7/34: using different areas in a pupil plane - G02B 21/245: {using auxiliary sources, detectors} - G02B 21/247: {Differential detectors} - G02B 21/361: {Optical details, e.g. image relay to the camera or image sensor (G02B21/364 takes precedence; illumination details G02B21/06 and subgroups)} - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS ## Abstract A digital microscope apparatus includes a first imaging unit including a first imaging device and a first optical system including an objective lens configured to enlarge first and second images of a preparation that holds a sample, the first image being formed on the first device through the first system, a second imaging unit including a second optical system that is branched from the first system and has a depth of field larger than the first system and a second imaging device on which the second image is formed through the second system, and a controller configured to calculate a provisional in-focus position of the lens based on the second image, determine an area of the first device, from which the first image is read, and search for, based on the read image, an in-focus position of the lens in a predetermined range based on the provisional in-focus position. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An imaging control apparatus, comprising: a controller configured to: calculate a provisional in-focus position based on an image by phase difference auto focus; based on a result of a detection of the image and using the provisional in-focus position as a reference, search for an in-focus position in a predetermined range in an optical axis direction; based on the result of the detection of the image, search for the in-focus position based on an observed surface determined using the provisional in-focus position as a reference; and output the in-focus position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The imaging control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to: acquire signals of a set of phase difference images that are formed on an imaging surface of a first imaging device. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The imaging control apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the controller is further configured to: calculate an amount of defocus and an orientation of the defocus based on a distance between the set of phase difference images. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The imaging control apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the provisional in-focus position is calculated based on the image, the amount of defocus, and the orientation of the defocus. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The imaging control apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the search is done within a reading area of the image, and the reading area is restricted to a detected area that contains a sample based on a detection of the sample in the set of phase difference images. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The imaging control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the phase difference auto focus uses light split into two light beams. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The imaging control apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a splitter lens, wherein the two light beams are from the splitter lens. ### Claim 8 A method of searching for an in-focus position of an imaging control apparatus, comprising: calculating a provisional in-focus position based on an image by phase difference auto focus; based on a result of a detection of the image and using the provisional in-focus position as a reference, searching for the in-focus position in a predetermined range in an optical axis direction; based on the result of the detection of the image, searching for the in-focus position on an observed surface determined using the provisional in-focus position as a reference; and outputting the in-focus position. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method according to claim 8, further comprising: acquiring signals of a set of phase difference images that are formed on an imaging surface of a first imaging device. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method according to claim 9, further comprising: calculating an amount of defocus and an orientation of the defocus based on a distance between the set of phase difference images. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method according to claim 10, wherein the provisional in-focus position is calculated based on the image, the amount of defocus, and the orientation of the defocus. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method according to claim 11, wherein the search is done within a reading area of the image, and the reading area is restricted to a detected area that contains a sample based on a detection of the sample in the set of phase difference images. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The method according to claim 8, wherein the phase difference auto focus uses light split into two light beams. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method according to claim 13, further comprising a splitter lens, wherein the two light beams are from the splitter lens. ### Claim 15 A system, comprising: a microprocessor coupled to an imaging control device, the microprocessor programmed to: calculate a provisional in-focus position based on an image by phase difference auto focus; based on a result of a detection of the image and using the provisional in-focus position as a reference, search for an in-focus position in a predetermined range in an optical axis direction; based on the result of the detection of the image, search for the in-focus position on an observed surface determined using the provisional in-focus position as a reference; and output the in-focus position. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The system according to claim 15, wherein the microprocessor is further programmed to: acquire signals of a set of phase difference images that are formed on an imaging surface of a first imaging device. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The system according to claim 16, wherein the microprocessor is further programmed to: calculate an amount of defocus and an orientation of the defocus based on a distance between the set of phase difference images. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The system according to claim 17, wherein the provisional in-focus position is calculated based on the image, the amount of defocus, and the orientation of the defocus. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The system according to claim 18, wherein the search is done within a reading area of the image, and the reading area is restricted to a detected area that contains a sample based on a detection of the sample in the set of phase difference images. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The system according to claim 15, wherein the phase difference auto focus uses light split into two light beams. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The system according to claim 20, further comprising a splitter lens, wherein the two light beams are from the splitter lens.