US Patent 10001622 Multifunction autofocus system and method for automated microscopy

Multifunction autofocus for automated microscopy includes automatic coarse focusing of an automated microscope by reflective positioning, followed by automatic image-based autofocusing of the automated microscope performed in reference to a coarse focus position. In some aspects, the image-based autofocusing utilizes astigmatism in microscope optics for multi-planar image acquisition along a Z axis direction of a microscope. In some other aspects, the image-based autofocusing utilizes astigmatism in microscope optics in combination with chromatic aberration for multi-planar image acquisition along the Z axis direction.