Patents by Inventor Miguel Bravo-Zanoguera

Miguel Bravo-Zanoguera has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Automatic on-the-fly focusing for continuous image acquisition in high-resolution microscopy
    Patent number: 6640014
    Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus, and related method, for continuous volume imaging a specimen using imaging a plurality of image planes at predetermined focal depths. The focal depth for each image plane is adjustable in accordance with a variety of desired spatial configurations. The images generated at the image planes are processing in parallel and the image corresponding the an optimal focal depth at an specimen location is selected for imaging the specimen at that location. The volume imaging apparatus of the invention allows for rapid scanning of an entire microscope slide at high image resolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Inventors: Jeffrey H. Price, Miguel Bravo-Zanoguera
  • Analog circuit for an autofocus microscope system
    Patent number: 5995143
    Abstract: An analog circuit for an autofocus microscope system measures a degree of focus of an object directly from the video signal of a microscope CCD camera. The circuit then returns an index to a host computer for the purpose of adjusting the position of the microscope's objective lens to bring the object in focus. Best focus is found by comparing indices at several different vertical positions. The criterion adopted for determining the degree of focus is derived from the energy distribution of the video signal spectrum. The high frequency energy of the video spectrum is a maximum at best focus and as the optics defocus, the distribution shifts to lower frequencies. Low cost, real time autofocus is achieved with the analog circuitry of this invention, replacing more expensive dedicated, real time image processing hardware.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Q3DM, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey H. Price, Miguel Bravo-Zanoguera
  • Analog circuit for an autofocus microscope system
    Patent number: RE40674
    Abstract: An analog circuit for an autofocus microscope system measures a degree of focus of an object directly from the video signal of a microscope CCD camera. The circuit then returns an index to a host computer for the purpose of adjusting the position of the microscope's objective lens to bring the object in focus. Best focus is found by comparing indices at several different vertical positions. The criterion adopted for determining the degree of focus is derived from the energy distribution of the video signal spectrum. The high frequency energy of the video spectrum is a maximum at best focus and as the optics defocus, the distribution shifts to lower frequencies. Low cost, real time autofocus is achieved with the analog circuitry of this invention, replacing more expensive dedicated, real time image processing hardware.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Q3DM, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey H. Price, Miguel Bravo-Zanoguera