JMI - Smart Focus

What is a Digital Read Out?

The electronic Digital Read Out system provides precise information on focuser position with an easy to read LED display.  The
four-digit display and focus control are integrated into one hand unit. With unprecedented focusing accuracy you can return to any
previous focus position after swapping equipment or users. This is especially helpful when returning a CCD camera to focus after
visual verification of the position of your telescope.

The DRO system designed for NGF focusers shows movement in millimeters with accuracy to 0.01mm. When installed on a MOTOFOCUS
motor, the display units will not be in millimeters but can be used just the same for positioning the focuser. The display units
and accuracy will be based on the mechanics of each focuser.

What is Smart Focus?

Smart Focus is a combination of hardware and software for precise remote control of JMI′s motorized focusers through a
personal computer′s serial port. The system can be controlled three ways: 1) manually using the control box, 2) with the
included basic focuser control software or 3) through third-party auto-focus functions found in popular CCD imaging software such
as Software Bisque′s CCDSoft and Cyanogen′s MaxIm DL/CCD. Auto-focus software automatically brings the system into
focus using the CCD camera in conjunction with Smart Focus. (JMI′s focuser control software does not include an
auto-focusing function.)

The system includes a hand control box (AC or DC power) and PC compatible focus control software. The hand control includes a
jack and cable for connecting to the focuser and a 9-pin serial RS-232 connector and cable for software control using a personal
computer.

Smart Focus

The Smart Focus system replaces the regular DRO Hand Unit (listed above) and allows one to remotely control a JMI focuser.
Popular CCD software (not included) can be used to automatically focus a CCD camera.
Smart Focus includes a hand control, AC adapter, focuser/encoder cable, serial computer cable and basic focuser control software.
The hand unit has two directional focusing buttons, a variable speed control, a power jack, a DB-9 serial connector and a DRO
encoder jack. It can be operated using a 9-volt alkaline battery (included).

One end of the focuser/encoder cable attaches to the hand control and the other end to the encoder assembly installed on the NGF
focuser or MOTOFOCUS motor (required, see above). The serial cable connects between the hand control and the 9-pin serial port of
a PC compatible computer running Windows 95/98/NT/2000/XP (please see note regarding serial ports).

JMI′s standalone basic focuser control software (included on a 3.5″ diskette) is sufficient to control the focuser
through the PC. Automatic focusing can be accomplished through popular CCD imaging software (not included) such as
Cyanogen′s MaxIm DL/CCD (using SharpStar) and Software Bisque′s CCDSoft (using @Focus).