IP Library › Granted Patent US 6,924,607
Granted Patent B2
US 6,924,607 · App. 10/040,566 · Granted Aug 2, 2005

Method and apparatus for automatically shutting off a microscope

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 6,924,607
App. No.
10/040,566
Granted
Aug 2, 2005
Kind
B2
Abstract

An apparatus for automatically turning off a source of illumination in a microscope, comprising a switch operatively arranged to control the illumination source, and means for sensing inactivity of the switch and for turning off the illumination source after a predetermined time period of inactivity. The invention also includes a method for automatically turning off a source of illumination in a microscope, comprising the steps of monitoring activity of a switch operatively arranged to control the illumination source, and, turning off the illumination source after a predetermined time period of inactivity.

Claims (17)

1. An apparatus for automatically turning off a source of illumination in a microscope, comprising:

a switch operatively arranged to control said illumination source;

means for sensing inactivity of said switch and for turning off said illumination source after a predetermined time period of inactivity.

2. The apparatus recited in claim 1 , wherein said switch is a mechanical switch.

3. The apparatus recited in claim 2 , wherein said switch is a single pole, single throw switch.

4. The apparatus recited in claim 1 , wherein said means for sensing inactivity of said switch and for turning off said illumination source after a predetermined time period of inactivity comprises a microprocessor.

5. The apparatus recited in claim 1 , wherein said means for sensing inactivity of said switch comprises a digital semiconductor device operatively arranged to sense a logic level at one terminal of said switch.

6. The apparatus recited in claim 1 , wherein said illumination source is an incandescent light bulb.

7. An apparatus for automatically turning off a power supply in a microscope, comprising:

at least one switch element operatively arranged to control said power supply; and,

means for sensing inactivity of said at least one switch element and for turning off said power supply after a predetermined time period of inactivity.

8. The apparatus recited in claim 7 further comprising an illumination source controlled by said means for sensing inactivity of said at least one switch element.

9. A method for automatically turning off a source of illumination in a microscope, comprising the steps of:

monitoring activity of a switch operatively arranged to control said illumination source; and,

turning off said illumination source after a predetermined time period of inactivity.

10. The method recited in claim 9 wherein said step of monitoring activity of a switch comprises monitoring a logic level at one terminal of said switch, and triggering a shutdown of said illumination source when a transition in said logic level occurs.

11. The method recited in claim 9 wherein said step of monitoring is done digitally.