Abstract: The invention provides method for locating one or more substantially circular-shaped tissue sample positioned on a solid support. The method involves the steps of transmitting light of a preselected wavelength onto a tissue sample, wherein the light induces the tissue sample to autofluoresce, identifying the center location of the tissue sample using the autofluoresced light, correlating the coordinates of the center location of the tissue sample on the solid support using an x, y-coordinate system, and mapping the coordinates of the tissue sample on the solid support to differentiate tissue sample containing regions from blank regions on the solid support. In a second aspect, the invention provides an apparatus for locating one or more substantially circular-shaped tissue sample positioned on a solid support.

Abstract: A method for imaging is presented. The method includes acquiring a plurality of images corresponding to at least one field of view at a plurality of sample distances. Furthermore, the method includes determining a figure of merit corresponding to each pixel in each of the plurality of acquired images. The method also includes for each pixel in each of the plurality of acquired images identifying an image in the plurality of images that yields a best figure of merit for that pixel. Moreover, the method includes generating an array for each image in the plurality of images. In addition, the method includes populating the arrays based upon the determined best figures of merit to generate a set of populated arrays. Also, the method includes processing each populated array in the set of populated arrays using a bit mask to generate bit masked filtered arrays. Additionally, the method includes selecting pixels from each image in the plurality of images based upon the bit masked filtered arrays.

Abstract: A method for imaging is presented. The method includes acquiring a plurality of images corresponding to at least one field of view using an imaging device having an objective and a stage for holding a sample to be imaged. Furthermore, the method includes determining a figure of merit corresponding to each pixel in each of the plurality of acquired images, wherein the figure of merit comprises a discrete approximation to a gradient vector. The method also includes synthesizing a composite image based upon the determined figures of merit.

Abstract: A method for imaging is presented. The method includes acquiring a plurality of images corresponding to overlapping fields of view at a plurality of sample distances using an imaging device having an objective and a stage for holding a sample to be imaged. Moreover, the method includes determining a figure of merit corresponding to each pixel in each of the plurality of acquired images. The method also includes synthesizing a composite image based upon the determined figures of merit.

Abstract: The invention provides method for locating one or more substantially circular-shaped tissue sample positioned on a solid support. The method involves the steps of transmitting light of a preselected wavelength onto a tissue sample, wherein the light induces the tissue sample to autofluoresce, identifying the center location of the tissue sample using the autofluoresced light, correlating the coordinates of the center location of the tissue sample on the solid support using an x, y-coordinate system, and mapping the coordinates of the tissue sample on the solid support to differentiate tissue sample containing regions from blank regions on the solid support. In a second aspect, the invention provides an apparatus for locating one or more substantially circular-shaped tissue sample positioned on a solid support.

Abstract: In an imaging device having an objective and a stage for holding a sample to be imaged, a method for autofocusing is presented. The method includes determining a measured focus value corresponding to at least a first of a plurality of logical image segments. Further, the method includes imaging the first logical image segment using the measured focus value. The method also includes determining a predicted focus value for a second of the plurality of logical image segments using the measured focus value and a stored focus variation parameter. In addition, the method includes imaging the second logical image segment using the predicted focus value.

Abstract: A method of autofocusing includes capturing first, second and third images of a sample, at respective first, second and third sample distances and respective first, second and third lateral positions determined with respect to an objective; determining a quantitative characteristic for the first, second and third images; determining a primary sample distance based upon at least the quantitative characteristics for the first, second, and third images; and capturing a primary image of the sample at the primary sample distance and at a primary lateral position that is offset from the first, second and third lateral positions.

Abstract: An Integration Controller integrates broadcast automation systems and thereby provides a single command and control center for monitoring production of the audio and video stream. An event-based schedule, or a “playlist,” specifies the segments to be played along with the necessary timing and hardware information. Each event in the schedule commands the playback or record of a video segment, generation of a special effect, transfer of a video segment from one device to another or closure of one or more video switches. Events may be launched automatically at a specified time, or manually by an operator. An Integration Controller (IC) communicates with an Event Scheduling System via a Scheduling System Interface. The Scheduling System Interface communicates with the Integration Controller via the IC server. The IC server utilizes various modules to communicate with Device Drivers, a Log Manager and one or more User Interfaces.

Abstract: A throttler method for rapid start-up for use with broadcast automation systems. A throttler loads an initial playlist while also accepting editing commands. The throttler interleaves these events and commands and generates and modifies the playlist of scheduled events. The throttler sends the events to a broadcast automation system for execution which drives audio and video devices based on the scheduled events, allowing the editing commands to be interleaved with non-editing commands. For unprocessed editing command, a command pair of up to two pieces of information are maintained: one deletion command and one insertion command. Each command, or event, has a unique “event identifier” and is hashed into a rapidly accessible priority queue table, according to urgency.

Abstract: A system and method for predicting the timing and costs of future service events. A scheduler determines a list of future service events for the product. A simulator simulates each of the listed future service events for the product and predicts the costs associated with the events. The list of the future service events and the total of the predicted costs are aggregated into a prediction that may be used in offering long term service agreements to maintain the product.