Jims Mobile, Inc. (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).