Abstract: An apparatus is proposed for identifying respective cover slip regions of respective cover slips having respective tissue sections on a specimen slide, which has multiple optical identifiers. The apparatus includes a planar light source, an image acquisition unit, a holding unit for positioning the specimen slide between the planar light source and the image acquisition unit, a slit diaphragm, which has multiple opening slits, reversibly positionable between the planar light source and the specimen slide, and an illumination unit, which is designed to illuminate that surface of the specimen slide which faces toward the image acquisition unit. Furthermore, the apparatus includes a monitoring unit which is designed, on the basis of a completely illuminated transmitted light image, an incident light image, and a partially darkened transmitted light image, to assign respective tissue sections to respective optical identifiers.

Abstract: A method is used for optical scanning of at least one object region placed on a transparent specimen holder. The method is as follows: for each sample lateral position of plural predefined sample lateral positions performing a focus determination by: performing laser reflection and using a first camera taking plural first images to determine a reference distance between the specimen holder and an objective lens; performing transmission flash illumination and using a second camera taking plural second images to define a focus distance taking into account the reference distance; after completing the focus determination, determining a focus distance topology across the object region based on the focus distances determined for ail sample lateral positions; and laterally moving the specimen holder and acquiring third images while focusing according to the focus distance topology.

Abstract: A method is used for optical scanning of at least one object region placed on a transparent specimen holder. The method is as follows: for each sample lateral position of plural predefined sample lateral positions performing a focus determination by: performing laser reflection and using a first camera taking plural first images to determine a reference distance between the specimen holder and an objective lens; performing transmission flash illumination and using a second camera taking plural second images to define a focus distance taking into account the reference distance; after completing the focus determination, determining a focus distance topology across the object region based on the focus distances determined for ail sample lateral positions; and laterally moving the specimen holder and acquiring third images while focusing according to the focus distance topology.