Section 5 Glossary - Prior Scientific ProScan III Manual

ProScan® III Manual
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
SECTION 5
Aperture - The area which is available for the passage of light
Autofocus - The ability of a Z focus system to automatically find the correct focus when
initiated by either an RS-232 command or the fire button on a joystick.
Autofocus Score - The relative number that represents the contrast for the best image
the Autofocus routine has captured.
Autofocus Range - A number from zero to five that represents the relative distance the
Z focus drive will travel when trying to maximize the Autofocus Score
Closed Loop Control - A control system whereby the controller adjusts the motor
position based on the measurement provided by an electronic linear scale or rotary
encoder
Coarse Focus Knob - The large knob on the side of a microscope that moves the stage
up and down large distances with relatively small motion.
Compatibility Mode - The serial communication status which allows the ProScan III
Controller to be backwards compatible with the H127 and H128 controllers. See the
"COMP" command. Compatibility mode is "COMP,1".
Controller - The device which provides positional control to the stage, focus drive, filter
wheel, or shutter.
Controller Demo – GUI used to control the ProScan III controller and peripherals.
Demo Software – Term for the whole software package that is downloaded from the
Prior website. Includes 'Prior Terminal' and 'Controller Demo'.
Digipot - A circular device/encoder, typically mounted on a joystick used to manually
rotate the fine focus knob. The digipot rotates the focus knob at an angle relative to the
angular movement of the rotation of the digipot.
Encoder - A feedback device which provides positional information for either an XY
stage or the focus drive assembly. Encoders can either be rotary or linear.
Encoder Feedback - The signal given from an encoder. This signal can be displayed as
in an open loop encoder system or fed back through the controller to provide closed loop
control.
Filter - A device typically made of glass or plastic and mounted in a filter wheel that is
used to alter the properties of light emitted from a microscope's light source.
Filter Wheel - A motorized turret that holds and positions optical filters in the light path
of a microscope
Fine Focus Knob - The small knob on the side of the microscope that moves the stage
up and down small amounts with relatively large movements. Typically 100 microns per
revolution of the fine focus knob.
Flash Memory Capability - The ability of the ProScan III controller to download new
software without requiring an EPROM change. This ability is analogous to that of a solid
state hard drive.
Focus Drive - A motor and adapter assembly that typically mounts to the coarse focus
knob of a microscope and drives the fine focus knob.
Hyperterminal –Now replaced with 'Prior Terminal'.
Imaging Packages - The general class of computer software including stereology and
image analysis which utilize motorized stages and/or focus drives.
Incident Illumination - Light which falls on the object from any direction (typically
refers to reflected light applications).
© Prior Scientific Instruments Ltd Version 1.12 June 2017 Page 73