JP2008102258A - Magnifying imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable-type magnifying imaging apparatus capable of photographing with high magnification, also, performing vertical illumination, that is freely portable, compact, and has good operability. <P>SOLUTION: A glass holder 8 is formed integrally with a lens barrel 4 of the main body 2, and a block-shaped glass body 9 held by the glass holder is disposed on the optical axis of a photographic lens 5, and on the side of an object 12. Biplanar surfaces 9a and 9b that are orthogonal to the optical axis CL of the lens, and parallel to each other are formed on the glass body 9, and the optical axis LA of the irradiation light from each LED 6 is emitted toward the upper planar surface located on the photographic lens side by a prescribed angle with respect to the optical axis of the lens. The optical axis of the irradiation light is refracted in the glass body, and comes to almost the vertical illumination state in an emission state from the lower planar surface, then, the object can be photographed with the illumination effect similar to that of the vertical illumination. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an enlargement imaging device for enlarging and photographing a subject clearly.

Conventionally, for example, an image of a subject that is magnified is provided with an image sensor (CCD camera or the like) attached to a microscope, but this is inconvenient for easy photographing. On the other hand, there is an optical system for enlarging a subject and an image pickup device for photographing the enlarged image and outputting the image data integrated with a portable body (for example, see Patent Document 1). .
JP 2000-154098 A

  On the other hand, in the case of a photographic device that has been reduced in size to be portable, the focal length of the photographic lens becomes shorter as the enlargement ratio is increased, and the distance between the device and the subject becomes very shorter. The problem is that is narrow. On the other hand, epi-illumination is desirable for the imaging device.

  In the conventional imaging device, a semiconductor light emitting element is used for illumination, and an epi-illumination light source and a ring illumination light source can be used. However, the epi-illumination optical unit is made into a cartridge so that it can be attached and exchanged to the chassis of the image pickup apparatus main body, and the epi-illumination optical unit protrudes to the side of the chassis, so there is a problem that handling is poor. is there. Further, the ring illumination light source is provided so as to surround the objective lens, and irradiates the subject obliquely from the periphery of the objective lens, and is not incident illumination.

  In order to solve such a problem and to realize a small-sized and easy-to-handle magnified image pickup apparatus that is capable of shooting at high magnification and epi-illumination, and can be freely carried, in the present invention, An enlarged image forming optical system that forms an image by enlarging the image, an image pickup device that is provided at the image forming position and outputs the image data of the subject, and an epi-illumination means for epi-illuminating the subject are carried with one hand. A magnifying imaging device integrated with a possible body, wherein a transparent block body having a parallel plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the objective lens is provided on the subject side of the objective lens of the magnifying imaging optical system, An illuminating means is provided on the side of the objective lens so as to irradiate a plane opposite to the subject side of the transparent block body with an irradiation optical axis oblique to the optical axis of the objective lens. It was assumed to have an emitter.

  In particular, it is preferable that the irradiation angle of the light emitter is set within a range in which light reflected by the plane toward the objective lens is equal to or less than a predetermined amount that causes noise in the image data. In addition, it is preferable that a focusing range for the subject by the objective lens is set on the subject side including a plane on the subject side of the transparent block body.

  As described above, according to the present invention, a transparent block body having a parallel plane perpendicular to the optical axis is provided on the object side of the objective lens, and the optical axis is set to the plane opposite to the object side of the transparent block body. On the other hand, since the light emitting body that illuminates obliquely is provided, the irradiation optical axis is refracted in the transparent block body, and the object side plane of the transparent block body is close to epi-illumination parallel to the optical axis with respect to the object. Therefore, it is possible to perform photographing with the same illumination effect as that of the epi-illumination without using the half mirror described in the above-mentioned patent publication. Further, when the transparent block body is a glass body, the amount of light attenuation is less than when a half mirror is used. In addition, when the irradiation angle can be irradiated only at a large angle with respect to the optical axis structurally (for example, when an illumination device is provided between the objective lens and the subject to irradiate the subject from the side of the objective lens) On the other hand, a very bright image can be obtained by irradiating at an angle substantially parallel to the optical axis. Furthermore, the space between the objective lens and the subject can be filled as much as possible with the transparent block body, so that the optical path length is about 1.5 times when the transparent block body is a glass body. Can be extended.

  In particular, reflected light toward the objective lens is generated on a flat surface, and the reflected light may cause noise in the image data. Therefore, the illumination angle of the light emitter is set within a predetermined amount that causes the noise. Therefore, it is possible to perform good shooting from which noise is removed. This is possible by irradiating the transparent block body obliquely without using a half mirror, and can be realized in the structure of the present invention. The above-mentioned noise is generated when the light beam from the light source is reflected on the lens-side incident surface (the plane opposite to the object side) and hits the lens with a strong light beam. There are few situations where this happens. Furthermore, by setting the focusing range on the subject side including the subject side plane of the transparent block body, it is possible to shoot with the transparent block body in close contact with the subject, and the device can be used as a subject. Even in a close contact state, it can be taken as a sharply enlarged image due to the epi-illumination effect.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a portable enlargement photographing apparatus according to the present invention. As shown in the figure, this photographing apparatus has a telescopic structure using a cylindrical body, and a cylindrical main body 2 containing a CCD 1 as an image pickup device at the top in the figure, and can be displaced coaxially with the main body 2. The lens holder 3 received by the lens 2 and the lens barrel 4 coaxially integrated in the lower part of the figure of the main body 2 are rotated, and the lens holder is rotated by turning the cylindrical focus adjustment ring 2a that is externally mounted on the main body 2. 3 is displaced in the axial direction. In addition, about the displacement structure, it may be a cam mechanism by a well-known pin and a spiral groove, The description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The lower end surface in the axial direction in the figure of the lens barrel 4 is open, and a photographic lens 5 as a magnification imaging optical system is fixed to the lower end portion of the lens holder 3 facing the opening 4a. On the optical axis (lens optical axis) CL of the photographing lens 5, a CCD 1 as an image sensor is disposed. Note that by inputting the image data output of the CCD 1 to the external monitor MT, an image photographed by the CCD 1 on the screen of the monitor MT can be visually observed at a magnification of, for example, 200 to 400 times or more. Moreover, it can also print as needed.

  In the opening 4a of the lens barrel 4, a step is provided at the upper portion in the figure, which is the CCD 1 side, and a substrate 7 on which an LED 6 as a light emitter is assembled is fixed to the step. The substrate 7 is provided with a drive circuit for driving the LEDs 6. A plurality of LEDs 6 are arranged so as to surround the photographing lens 5. This is because in a portable magnifying apparatus, the focal length of the photographic lens 5 becomes very short by increasing the magnification, and a space for providing an illumination device between the photographic lens 5 and the subject 12 is secured. This is because the LED 6 is disposed on the side of the photographing lens 5 in order to obtain a simple illumination structure using the LED 6.

  A cap-shaped glass holder 8 is fixed to the lower end of the lens barrel 4 in the drawing so as to cover the opening 4a. At the center of the glass holder 8 (on the lens optical axis CL), a block-shaped glass body 9 having a predetermined thickness as a transparent block body protrudes by a predetermined amount outwardly from the lower side of the glass holder 8 in the figure. It is provided as follows. The glass body 9 is formed so as to have both parallel planes 9a and 9b orthogonal to the lens optical axis CL. The glass body 9 is sandwiched between a taper surface closely contacting the taper surface of the opening provided in the lower part of the glass holder 9 in the protruding direction and the glass pressing ring 11 assembled inside the glass holder 9. So that it is fixed.

  According to the present invention, the irradiation axis LA of the LED 6 is inclined obliquely with respect to the lens optical axis CL and is directed to the upper plane 9 a of the glass body 9. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the irradiation axis LA is inclined with respect to the lens optical axis CL, and the irradiation light is incident on the upper surface 9a at the irradiation angle θ1. Then, the glass body 9 advances at an angle θ2 (<θ1) with respect to the lens optical axis CL due to the refractive index of the glass body 9. Irradiation light that has traveled through the inside of the glass body 9 is emitted from the lower plane 9b of the glass body 9 to the outside (downward in the figure), but the emission position of the optical axis of the irradiation light is positioned on the lens optical axis CL. Further, the irradiation angle θ1 can be set in consideration of the refractive index of the glass body 9. In this way, the epi-illumination means is configured.

  Note that, as described above, the plurality of LEDs 6 arranged so as to surround the photographic lens 5 become ring-shaped light as a whole at the position of the LED 6, but the irradiation of the LED 6 as shown by the broken line in FIG. The light has a certain amount of spread. For example, when photographing the subject 12 located at a distance D from the lower plane 9b of the glass body 9, the lens optical axis of the spread of the irradiated light on the lens optical axis CL at that position. By aligning the edge on the CL side, the ring-shaped light can be turned into a disk-shaped light (diameter A). This is also possible by adjusting the irradiation angle θ1.

  In the present photographing apparatus configured as described above, the photographing lens 5 is displaced with respect to the subject 12 as shown by the arrow B in FIG. 1, and an enlarged image is formed on the light receiving surface of the CCD 1. The image data can be output to the monitor MT and visually observed. At this time, epi-illumination is desirable for the irradiation light applied to the subject 12. According to the present invention, as described above, even if the irradiation optical axis LA of the LED 6 is at a relatively large angle θ1 (for example, 45 degrees) with respect to the lens optical axis CL, the light of the irradiation light that has passed through the glass body 9 The axis is refracted (Snell's law) to irradiate the subject 12 at a relatively small angle θ2, which is an illumination state that can be said to be almost incident illumination. Thereby, clear magnified photography can be performed with suitable illumination.

  In setting the angle θ1, the reflected light is generated on the upper plane 9a and the imaging lens 5 is irradiated to cause noise in the image data, and the angle θ2 is 0 ° as much as possible (the lens light). It is better to be close to the axis CL.

  Further, since the glass body 9 is integrated as a part of the photographing apparatus, it is possible to photograph the lower plane 9b in close contact with the subject. In this case, since a part of the apparatus is brought into close contact with the subject, there is no fluctuation in relation to the subject, which is equivalent to photographing in a fixed state, and a stable photographing result without blurring is obtained. In particular, since the lower flat surface b to be brought into close contact with is a flat surface, it is preferably stable if the object to be imaged is a flat surface such as a chip surface. By adjusting the position of the photographic lens 5 and setting the focus position to the lower plane 9b, for example, in the case of a subject such as skin, the close position becomes the focus position, and clear enlarged shooting is easily performed. be able to. Shooting with such a close contact with the subject also has an effect of preventing image vibration caused by high magnification. The focusing range may be a range according to the lens characteristics on the subject side including the lower plane 9b.

  Further, when photographing with the focal position being set to a position somewhat away from the lower plane 9b of the glass body 9, adapters 13 and 14 as shown in FIGS. It is good to wear using. A circumferential engagement groove 8a is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the glass holder 8, and the adapter 13 is formed in a perforated dish shape having an outer peripheral wall that can be elastically deformed to some extent. By providing the engagement protrusion 13a that engages with the circumferential engagement groove 8a on the inner peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall of the adapter 13, the adapter 13 can be easily attached and detached as necessary.

  In the adapter 13, a small-diameter cylindrical portion 13b that surrounds the glass body 9 is formed, and a part of the small-diameter cylindrical portion 13b in the circumferential direction is recessed on the glass body 9 side. By providing the concave portion so as to correspond to the saddle shape, when photographing with the most concave portion on the subject, photographing with the distance D1 secured can be performed as shown in the figure. This is effective when the surface shape of the subject is curved and stable shooting is performed at a certain distance.

  In the adapter 14, the point which provides the engaging protrusion 14a corresponding to the engaging protrusion 13a may be the same as described above, and the large diameter cylindrical part 14b is provided instead of the small diameter cylindrical part 13b. . Further, the large-diameter cylindrical portion 14b is formed at the same height (height in the axial direction) over the entire circumference. The adapter 14 may be used when the subject is planar and the lower plane 9b of the glass body 9 is positioned at a certain distance D2 from the subject. The types (shapes) of adapters are not limited to the above two types, and adapters having any shape can be created and used according to the subject.

  In addition, according to the present invention, it is effective when shooting while preventing irregular reflection on the surface of the subject. Depending on the shape of the surface of the subject, the irradiated light may be irregularly reflected on the surface of the subject when photographing at a high magnification. In order to prevent the irregular reflection, as shown in FIG. 5, a transparent colloidal mucus 15 is attached to the surface of the subject 12, and the lower plane 9b of the glass body 9 is brought into close contact with the mucus surface. Most of the irregular reflection caused by the shape of the surface of the subject 12 can be removed, and a clear and clear image can be observed on the monitor MT. In this case, the interface between the glass and air is one surface between the optical system and the subject, and a clear image can be obtained as compared with the case where there are a plurality (2 to 3) of air interfaces. In addition, since the glass body 9 is provided at the front end of the object side of the apparatus, the mucus or liquid can be directly applied to the lower plane 9b of the glass body 9, and the mucus etc. can be wiped off after photographing. It can be easily removed, and photography using mucus or the like can be easily performed.

  In the case of a conventional photographing device, the photographing lens is exposed to the subject, and the front surface of the photographing lens may be covered with a filter-like glass in order to prevent the photographing lens from becoming dirty. When photographing using a transparent solution and a transparent sheet in that state, a total of three air interfaces, ie, both sides of the filter glass and one side of the transparent sheet, are formed between the subject and the photographing lens, so that the image is clear. The degree will be hindered. On the other hand, according to the present invention, the air interface is only one surface of the upper surface 9a of the glass body 9 on the photographing lens 5 side, and an image with sufficient sharpness can be obtained.

  Further, by making the degree of adhesion between the glass body 9 and the glass holder 8 water-tight using, for example, a sealing material, it is possible to shoot with the tip portion of the glass body 9 immersed under the liquid surface. In this case, it is effective for observing and photographing microorganisms in water by putting water in a petri dish or the like. After observation or photographing, simple cleaning such as wiping the surface of the glass body 9 may be performed in the same manner as described above, and the handleability is good.

  When a glass material having a refractive index of about 1.5 is used as the glass material of the glass body 9, the distance from the taking lens 5 to the focal point is 1.5 in the glass body 9 relative to the air. Double. The thickness of the glass body 9 is within the focusing range of the photographing lens 5 on the subject side from the subject lens surface of the photographing lens 5 (from the in-focus position to the position closest to the lens surface of the photographing lens 5). For example, about 40 to 50% from the photographing lens 5 to the closest focusing position is conceivable, but it is desirable to take as much as possible within the structural range.

  Further, the higher the magnification, the shorter the distance between the optical system and the subject-side in-focus position, and it becomes difficult to adjust the apparatus to the in-focus position with respect to the subject. However, the refractive index of the glass body 9 is 1.5, for example. If there is, the optical path length is 1.5 times that in the case of air, so the portion from the taking lens 5 to the tip protrudes, and the device for adjusting the focus position at high magnification Usability is improved.

  In the illustrated example, the portable type (portable) is used. However, the portable type is not limited to the portable type, and can be applied to a stationary type.

  The magnifying imaging device according to the present invention is a portable imaging device capable of shooting at a high magnification such as 200 to 400 times (for example, 600 to 800 times on a 14-inch monitor). Even if there is not enough space for illumination, it is possible to shoot in an epi-illumination state suitable for shooting, and is extremely effective for magnified shooting of a minute subject, for example It can be effectively used in the fields of industry, medicine, plants, beauty (such as skin), and police (such as fingerprints). Such effective photographing can be realized with a simple structure, and the present invention is not limited to the above fields, and can be applied as an inexpensive photographing device to fields where various high magnification magnification photographing is desired.

It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the portable expansion imaging device based on this invention. It is principal part expansion explanatory drawing which shows the optical axis of the illumination light based on this invention. It is principal part expansion explanatory drawing which shows the illumination state based on this invention. (A) is sectional drawing which shows an example of an adapter, (b) It is sectional drawing which shows the other example of an adapter. It is explanatory drawing which expands and shows the principal part at the time of imaging | photography using a mucus.

Explanation of symbols

1 CCD
2 Body 3 Lens holder 4 Lens barrel 5 Shooting lens 6 LED
8 Glass holder 9 Glass body, 9a / 9b Plane 13/14 Adapter

Claims (3)

An enlarged image forming optical system that forms an image by enlarging a subject, an imaging device that is provided at the image forming position and outputs image data of the subject, and an epi-illumination means for epi-illuminating the subject with one hand A magnifying imaging device integrated into a portable body,
A transparent block body having a parallel plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the objective lens is provided on the object side of the objective lens of the magnification imaging optical system,
To the side of the objective lens, the epi-illumination means irradiates a plane opposite to the subject side of the transparent block body with an irradiation optical axis oblique to the optical axis of the objective lens. An enlargement imaging device comprising a light emitter provided.   2. The irradiation angle of the illuminant is set within a range in which reflected light from the plane toward the objective lens is less than or equal to a predetermined amount that causes noise in the image data. Magnification imaging device.   3. The magnifying imaging device according to claim 1, wherein a focusing range for the subject by the objective lens is set on the subject side including a plane on the subject side of the transparent block body. .

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