JP4847101B2 - Microscope system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique related to a microscope system, and more particularly to a technique related to acquisition of a microscope image of an observation body and display of the acquired microscope image.

  When observing an observation body using a microscope, the range that can be observed at one time (observation range) is mainly determined by the magnification of the objective lens. Here, when a high-magnification objective lens is used, the observation range is limited to a very small part of the observation body.

  For example, in pathological diagnosis such as cell or histological diagnosis, there is a demand for grasping the entire image of an observation body in order to prevent oversight of a diagnosis part. In addition, the development of information processing technology has promoted the conversion of electronic images into images even in such pathological diagnoses. Microscopic images captured via video cameras, etc., have the same high resolution as conventional silver halide films. There is a request to want.

  In order to realize these demands, for example, in Patent Documents 1, 2, or 3, the image of the observation body is divided into small sections in advance, and the portion of the observation body corresponding to the small sections is a high-resolution objective lens. The system which reconstructs the image of an observation object is disclosed by connecting the microscopic images obtained for each of the small sections. By using such a so-called virtual microscope system, it is possible to perform microscopic observation of an observation object even in an environment where the observation object does not actually exist. The following observations can be made.

  First, during low-magnification observation, for example, a wide-angle image is provided by reducing and displaying the connected microscope images. On the other hand, during high-magnification observation, a high-resolution image is displayed by displaying partial images taken for each small section Images can be provided.

Further, the display range of the microscope image being displayed can be moved in response to an XY direction operation (horizontal movement operation on a plane perpendicular to the optical axis) by the observer.
In such a system, it is possible to diagnose an observation object without being limited by time constraints, and by sharing image data representing a microscopic image with each person, a plurality of diagnosers can be different at the same time. Even in a place, it is possible to observe different parts of the same observation body.

  Further, when performing observation while performing an XY direction operation using the substance of the observation object, it is necessary to correct the focus shift caused by the inclination of the observation object. Since the observation can be continued in a focused state, the observation efficiency is increased, the observation omission due to the focus shift is reduced, and the diagnosis reliability is increased accordingly.

  Also, for example, in the case of education for pathologists, conventionally, it has been necessary to create a plurality of the same observation bodies and perform education such as observation training. Utilizing the advantage of sharing, education using the same observation object image becomes possible.

  Furthermore, it is extremely difficult to restore the actual observation object enclosed in the slide glass if it is faded or damaged, but the image data can be backed up. Therefore, in the system as described above, an observation body in the same state can be observed anytime and anywhere.

As described above, the virtual microscope system is efficient, highly accurate, and highly reliable for microscope observation using the substance of the observation body.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-281405 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-333056 JP-T-2002-514319

  By the way, in the above-described virtual microscope system, when the observation body is divided into a plurality of small sections, the state of the imaging target in each small section may be greatly different. For this reason, when imaging is performed under the same imaging parameters for a plurality of small sections to be imaged, fine image information may be lost. For example, when there are small sections containing nuclei that generate strong fluorescence and small sections containing actin that generates weak fluorescence, imaging parameters (exposure time, gain, etc.) suitable for the small sections containing nuclei When these small sections are imaged, image information is lost in the small sections including actin. In particular, in a virtual microscope system, in order to perform virtual observation using image data obtained by imaging without using an entity, it is desirable to retain as much image information as image data.

  In view of the above circumstances, the present invention is a so-called virtual microscope system that reconstructs an image of an observation body by connecting images obtained by imaging the observation body in each small section. Image data that is captured under the parameters and without image information loss is acquired, and the connected images are displayed as if they were obtained by imaging under certain imaging parameters. An object of the present invention is to provide a microscope system.

To achieve the above object, the microscope system according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a stage observations body is placed, a dividing means for dividing the specimen into a plurality of small compartments, the observation body Imaging condition setting means for setting imaging conditions at the time of imaging, imaging means for imaging the observation body in the small section based on the imaging conditions set by the imaging condition setting means, and acquiring an image in the small section; An imaging parameter acquisition unit that acquires imaging parameters when the imaging unit images the observation object in the small section based on the imaging condition set by the imaging condition setting unit; and the imaging parameter acquisition unit for each small section an imaging parameter recording means for recording imaging parameters acquired by, Awa connecting the image in the small compartment adjacent obtained by the image pickup means That the image synthesizing means, image display means for displaying an image, and the image display range designating means for designating a display range of the image, based on the imaging parameters at the time of imaging in has been the cubicle acquired by the imaging parameter acquisition means The image obtained from the image in the adjacent small section acquired by the imaging unit is expressed as if the image is an image obtained by imaging under a certain imaging parameter. And image processing means for performing first image processing, wherein the image processing means is designated by the image display range designation means based on the imaging parameters for each of the small sections recorded in the imaging parameter recording means. The first image processing is performed only on an image in the displayed range .

The microscope system according to a second aspect of the present invention is the microscope system according to the first aspect, wherein the imaging unit is configured to set, for each of the small sections, in the small section based on the imaging condition set by the imaging condition setting unit. The observation object is imaged a plurality of times under different imaging parameters, and a plurality of images in the small section are acquired.

  According to the present invention, in a so-called virtual microscope system in which an image of an observation object is reconstructed by connecting images obtained by imaging the observation objects in the respective small sections, each of the small sections is subjected to an appropriate imaging parameter. By capturing an image, it is possible to obtain image data that is free of image information. Even if the images in each subsection of the connected images are obtained under different imaging parameters, the imaging parameters at the time of imaging are held for each image in each subsection. By the image processing based on the parameters, the connected images can be displayed as if they were images obtained by imaging under a certain imaging parameter.

  Further, by limiting the image processing range to, for example, the display range, more image information held by the image (image data) in the small section included in the display range can be displayed.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a microscope system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
In the drawing, a microscope apparatus 1 includes a transmission illumination light source 6, a collector lens 7 that collects illumination light from the transmission illumination light source 6, a transmission filter unit 8, and a transmission field as an optical system for transmission observation. A diaphragm 9, a transmission aperture diaphragm 10, a condenser optical element unit 11, and a top lens unit 12 are provided. The epi-illumination observation optical system includes an epi-illumination light source 13, a collector lens 14, an epi-illumination filter unit 15, an epi-illumination shutter 16, an epi-illumination field stop 17, and an epi-illumination aperture stop 18.

  In addition, on the observation optical path where the optical path of the transmission observation optical system and the optical path of the epi-illumination observation optical system overlap, an electric stage 20 on which the observation body 19 is placed and movable in the vertical and horizontal directions is provided. It has been. The movement control of the electric stage 20 is performed by the stage XY drive control unit 21 and the stage Z drive control unit 22. The electric stage 20 has an origin detection function (not shown) by an origin sensor, and coordinates can be set for each part of the observation body 19 placed on the electric stage 20.

  In addition, a revolver 24 that selects a plurality of objective lenses 23a, 23b,... (Hereinafter collectively referred to as “objective lens 23” as necessary) to be used for observation on the observation optical path by a rotating operation. A cube unit 25 for switching the observation method (spectroscopic method) and a beam splitter 27 for branching the observation optical path to the eyepiece 26 side and the video camera 3 side are provided. Further, a polarizer 28 for differential interference observation, a DIC (Differential Interference Contrast) prism 29, and an analyzer 30 can be inserted into the observation optical path. Each of these units is motorized, and its operation is controlled by a microscope controller 31 described later.

  The microscope controller 31 connected to the host system 2 has a function of controlling the entire operation of the microscope apparatus 1, and controls the cube unit 25 and the revolver 24 and transmits illumination according to a control signal from the host system 2. The light source 6 and the epi-illumination light source 13 are dimmed and have a function of sending the current observation state (microscopic state) by the microscope apparatus 1 to the host system 2. The microscope controller 31 is also connected to the stage XY drive control unit 21 and the stage Z drive control unit 22, and the electric stage 20 can also be controlled by the host system 2.

  A microscope image of the observation body 19 captured by the video camera 3 is taken into the host system 2 via the video board 32. The host system 2 has imaging function setting functions such as automatic gain control ON / OFF, gain setting, automatic exposure control ON / OFF, and exposure time setting for the video camera 3 via the camera controller 33. In addition, the host system 2 can store the microscope image sent from the video camera 3 and the imaging parameters sent from the camera controller 33 in the data recording unit 4 as an image data file. The image data recorded in the data recording unit 4 is read by the host system 2, and a microscope image represented by the image data can be displayed on the monitor 5 which is a display unit.

Furthermore, the host system 2 also provides a so-called video AF function that performs a focusing operation based on the contrast of an image captured by the video camera 3.
The host system 2 includes a CPU (central processing unit) that controls the operation of the entire microscope system by executing a control program, a main memory used as a work memory by the CPU, and a user such as a mouse and a keyboard. An input unit for acquiring various instructions (for example, imaging condition setting instructions, etc.), an interface unit for managing the exchange of various data between each component of the microscope system, various programs and data The computer has a very standard configuration having an auxiliary storage device such as a hard disk device for storage.

Next, the operation of this microscope system will be described.
First, the process of acquiring the microscope image data of the observation body 19 with the microscope system shown in FIG. 1 will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the contents of the microscope image data acquisition process performed by the host system 2. This process is realized and started when the CPU of the host system 2 executes a predetermined control program. In this process, it is assumed that a user instruction or operation is performed on an input unit (not shown) of the host system 2.

  In the figure, first, in S101, processing for obtaining an imaging condition setting instruction for observing the observation body 19 from a user is performed. Note that the imaging condition settings include automatic gain control ON / OFF, gain setting, automatic exposure control ON / OFF, and exposure time setting. When the amount of information for each acquired image is increased, For example, in order to appropriately set an exposure time or the like for each acquired image, it is desirable to set automatic exposure control or manual exposure control. In this embodiment, it is assumed that a setting instruction for performing automatic exposure control is acquired in S101.

In S102, an instruction is given to the microscope controller 31, and the revolver 24 is rotated to select the low-magnification objective lens 23a.
In S103, control processing for the focusing operation based on the contrast of the microscope image of the observation body 19 captured by the video camera 3 at this time is performed.

In S <b> 104, an instruction is given to the camera controller 33, and a process for capturing the entire image of the observation body 19 with the video camera 3 is performed.
In S <b> 105, a process of taking in the low-resolution microscope image obtained by the imaging in the previous step from the video camera 3 to the host system 2 via the video board 32 is performed.

  In S106, a small section (hereinafter referred to as “mesh”) corresponding to a field-of-view (view angle) region at the time of imaging of the observation body 19 using the high-magnification objective lens 23b with respect to the low-resolution microscope image captured in the previous step. The process of defining is performed. In the present embodiment, a rectangular mesh of l × n (l rows and n columns) is defined. A coordinate is uniquely assigned to each defined mesh.

  In S107, it is determined whether each partial region of the low-resolution microscope image divided by the mesh defined in the previous step includes an image of the portion of the observation body 19, and imaging using the high-magnification objective lens 23b is performed. Processing for determining a mesh to be performed (hereinafter referred to as “image capturing target mesh”) is performed. This determination can be made based on, for example, the presence or absence of a contour image (contrast image) of the observation body 19 obtained by calculating the difference between adjacent pixels, the color of each mesh image, and the like.

In S108, an instruction is given to the microscope controller 31, and the revolver 24 is rotated to select the high-magnification objective lens 23b.
In S109, processing is performed to determine whether or not there remains an imaging target mesh determined in S107 that has not been captured yet. Here, if the determination result is Yes, the process proceeds to S110.

  In S110, an instruction is given to the microscope controller 31, and the electric stage 20 is moved so that the portion of the observation body 19 represented in the area of the imaging target mesh that has not been imaged is positioned directly below the objective lens 23b. Is called.

In S111, control processing for the focusing operation based on the contrast of the microscope image of the observation body 19 captured by the video camera 3 at this time is performed.
In S112, an instruction is given to the microscope controller 31, and an imaging process by the video camera 3 is performed. The imaging condition at this time is set to an optimum exposure for the mesh area to be imaged by automatic exposure control.

  In S113, the high-resolution microscope image obtained by the imaging in the previous step is captured from the video camera 3 to the host system 2 via the video board 32, and the imaging parameters at the time of the imaging in the previous step (such as the gain of the video camera 3). The exposure time is taken in from the camera controller 33.

  After S113, the process returns to S109, and the above-described process is repeated. That is, as a result, the high-resolution microscope image and the imaging parameters at the time of imaging are acquired for each imaging target mesh determined in S107.

On the other hand, in the determination of S109, if the determination result is No, that is, if it is determined that all the imaging target meshes have been imaged, the process proceeds to S114.
In S114, in the acquired high resolution microscopic image in each imaging target mesh, the high resolution microscopic image in the adjacent imaging target mesh is connected, and the high resolution wide angle microscope image showing the entire observation body 19 is represented. Processing to create is performed.

  In S115, the high-resolution wide-angle microscope image created in the previous step, the low-resolution microscope image captured in S105, and the high-resolution microscope image in each imaging target mesh captured in S113. And the imaging parameter at the time of the imaging is integrated as one image data file.

In S116, a process of recording the image data file integrated in the previous step in the data recording unit 4 is performed.
As described above, according to this microscope image data acquisition process, not all of the imaging target meshes are uniformly imaged under the same imaging parameters, but each imaging target mesh is imaged under appropriate imaging parameters. Therefore, an image without missing image information can be obtained as a high-resolution microscope image for each imaging target mesh.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a high-resolution wide-angle microscope image created by this microscope image data acquisition process. However, this figure shows an example in which all meshes defined in S106 are taken as imaging target meshes.

  The high-resolution wide-angle microscope image shown in the figure is the height of each of the imaging target meshes of mesh M (1, 1) to mesh M (l, n) (l = 6, n = 12 in the figure). It is the image which connected the resolution microscope image.

  In the case of the example shown in the figure, a nucleus having a high luminance value exists in the portion of the observation body 19 in the mesh M (4, 9) and the mesh M (4, 10). The nucleus does not exist in the portion of the observation body 19 in M (5, 10), and this state is shown in the image of the A region surrounded by the thick line in FIG.

  4A and 4B show mesh M (4, 9), mesh M (4, 10), mesh M (5, 9), and mesh M (5, 10) corresponding to the A region. It is a figure which shows the image by which the high-resolution microscope image in each mesh of these was connected. However, Figure (a) is an image obtained when all the target meshes are imaged under the same imaging parameters so that the gradation values are not saturated, and (b) is an image target mesh. This is an image obtained when images are captured under appropriate imaging parameters so that the gradation value is not saturated every time, that is, an image obtained by the processing shown in FIG.

  Comparing the images in FIGS. 5A and 5B, it can be confirmed that the information amounts of the images in the mesh M (5, 9) and the mesh M (5, 10) are greatly different. This means that by capturing images under appropriate imaging parameters for each imaging target mesh, image information that is lost due to imaging of all the imaging target meshes under the same imaging parameters is retained without being lost. Because it can be done. Thus, according to this microscope image data acquisition process, an image without missing image information can be obtained.

  In the microscope image data acquisition process according to the present embodiment, as the imaging condition setting in S101, not only the above-described automatic exposure control and manual exposure control settings but also image information obtained by imaging with a short exposure time for each imaging target mesh. It is also possible to perform settings such as integration or settings for imaging with several exposure times. This also makes it possible to obtain an image with no missing image information.

  Next, a process for reproducing and displaying the microscope image on the monitor 5 in order to perform virtual observation of the microscope image represented by the image data file recorded in the data recording unit 4 by executing the microscope image data acquisition process described above. Will be explained.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the contents of the microscope image reproduction display process performed by the host system 2. This process is realized and started when the CPU of the host system 2 executes a predetermined control program. In this process, it is assumed that a user instruction or operation is performed on an input unit (not shown) of the host system 2.

  In the figure, first, in S151, in response to an instruction from the user, an image data file integrated with a microscope image, which is recorded in the data recording unit 4, is read out, and among the microscope images integrated therein, Then, a process of displaying a low-resolution microscope image on the monitor 5 as a macro image is performed.

  In S152, it is determined whether or not the imaging parameters (for example, exposure time and the like) in each imaging target mesh integrated in the image data file read in the previous step are different. If the determination result is Yes, the process proceeds to S153, and if No, S153 is skipped.

  In this determination, when the imaging parameters of the imaging target mesh are different, the luminance information of the high-resolution microscope image between the imaging target meshes cannot be relatively observed. Therefore, in this case, the next processing of S153 is performed so that it can be relatively observed.

  That is, in S153, based on the imaging parameters (for example, exposure time and gain) in each imaging target mesh integrated in the image data file read out in S151, the high-resolution wide image integrated in the image data file. An image obtained by imaging under a certain imaging parameter to the angle of view microscope image (a high-resolution microscope image obtained when all the imaging target meshes are imaged under the same imaging parameter is connected. Image processing (for example, image processing related to gradation normalization) so that the image is expressed as if it were a combined image, and this is temporarily stored in a predetermined working storage area of the host system 2 Processing to save is performed. The image stored here is hereinafter simply referred to as “first microscope image”.

  In this embodiment, such image processing is performed based on the imaging parameters in each imaging target mesh. For example, the gradation value of the joining position between each imaging target mesh in the high-resolution wide-angle microscope image is obtained. The processing may be performed by obtaining and correcting based on the gradation value, and any other processing method may be used as long as the same effect can be obtained. Further, such image processing may be performed when the high-resolution microscope images in the respective imaging target meshes are joined (S115 in FIG. 2). In the present embodiment, the first microscope image may also be integrated into the image data file.

  In S153, only when the gradation range of the first microscope image exceeds the gradation range that can be displayed by the monitor 5 (hereinafter simply referred to as “display gradation range”), the first microscope image is further displayed. Image processing for compressing the gradation value so that the gradation range of the image is expressed in the display gradation range is temporarily stored in a predetermined working storage area of the host system 2 Is also performed. The image stored here is hereinafter simply referred to as “second microscope image”.

In S154, processing for acquiring the selection contents of the objective lens 23 in the virtual observation by the user is performed.
In S155, when S152 is Yes, from the second microscope image obtained in S153 (or the first microscope image when the second microscope image is not acquired), or S152 is No. In the case of, from the high-resolution wide-angle microscope image integrated in the image data file read out in S151, a microscope image having a resolution corresponding to the objective lens 23 related to the selected content acquired in S154 ( A microscopic image corresponding to a microscopic image obtained by imaging the observation body 19 with the objective lens 23 according to the selected content is acquired by image processing such as resizing processing, and this is acquired as a predetermined work storage area of the host system 2 Is temporarily stored. The image stored here is hereinafter simply referred to as “third microscope image”.

  In S156, an image in a range corresponding to the magnification of the objective lens 23 according to the selection content acquired in S152 is acquired from the third microscope image acquired in the previous step, and this is the portion of the macro image described above. A process of displaying the enlarged image along with the macro image on the monitor 5 is performed. Thereby, the user can perform virtual observation by looking at the displayed microscope image.

  In S157, a process for determining whether or not the host system 2 has detected an operation for designating a gradation range (gain) by the user (for example, an operation for designating the upper and lower limits of the gradation range) is performed. If the determination result is Yes, the process proceeds to S158, and if it is No, S158 is skipped.

  In S158, in the image displayed as the partially enlarged image on the monitor 5, the gradation range (gain) designated by the operation detected in the previous step in the image is expressed in the display gradation range. Is Yes, by image processing on the first microscope image temporarily stored in the predetermined work storage area of the host system 2 at S153, or when S152 is No, at S151 An image expressed as such is acquired by image processing on a high-resolution wide-angle microscope image integrated in the read image data file, and the image is switched and displayed as a partially enlarged image to be displayed on the monitor 5 Processing is performed.

  Thereby, for example, when S152 is Yes, even if gradation value compression (image processing) is performed on the first microscope image so as to be expressed in the display gradation range in S153, in S158, Rather than performing tone value expansion (image processing) on the second microscope image after the gradation value compression, the first microscope image before the gradation value compression is performed. By expanding the gradation value (image processing), more image information can be displayed, and the image can be observed in more detail.

  In S159, it is determined whether or not the host system 2 has detected an operation for moving the XY position by the user, that is, an operation for moving the display part of the observation body 19 displayed on the monitor 5 as the partial enlarged image. A determination process is performed. Here, if the determination result is Yes, the process proceeds to S160.

  In S160, the third microscopic image temporarily stored in the predetermined work storage area of the host system 2 in S155 described above or S162 described later is referred to, and is displayed on the monitor 5 as a partially enlarged image in the microscopic image. The display range to be displayed is moved by the direction and amount corresponding to the moving operation detected in the previous step, and a process of switching and displaying on the monitor 5 is performed.

  In this manner, in S160, by using the third microscopic image temporarily stored (cached) in the working storage area, display is performed from the data recording unit 4 to the image data file. As compared with the case of sequentially reading out, the image display can be switched smoothly.

  Instead of temporarily storing the entire third microscope image acquired in S155 (or S162, which will be described later) in the work storage area, a portion of the microscope image near the partial image displayed on the monitor 5 is displayed. Only the partial image is saved in the work storage area, and in S160, in response to the user's operation to move the XY position, the nearby partial image is displayed, and the image data file is newly read from the data recording unit 4. , And a partial image in the vicinity of the displayed partial image may be acquired again and stored in the work storage area.

After S160, the process returns to S157.
On the other hand, in the determination of S159, when the determination result is No, that is, when it is determined that the movement operation of the XY position by the user is not detected, the process proceeds to S161.

  In S161, processing for determining whether or not an instruction to switch the selection contents of the objective lens 23 in the virtual observation of the observation body 19 has been acquired is performed. If the determination result is Yes, the process proceeds to S162.

  In S162, when S152 is Yes, from the second microscope image obtained in S153 (however, if the second microscope image is not acquired), or S152 is No. The resolution corresponding to the objective lens 23 according to the selection content corresponding to the instruction acquired in S161 from the high-resolution wide-angle microscope image integrated in the image data file read in S151. Is acquired by image processing such as resizing processing, and this is replaced with a third microscope image already stored in a predetermined working storage area of the host system 2 and temporarily stored. Is called. That is, processing for temporarily storing the image acquired in this step as the third microscope image is performed.

  In S163, an image in a range corresponding to the magnification of the objective lens 23 according to the selection content corresponding to the instruction acquired in S161 is acquired from the third microscope image acquired in the previous step, and the monitor 5 A process of switching the image displayed as the partially enlarged image to the image acquired in this step is performed.

After S163, the process returns to S157, and the above-described process is repeated.
On the other hand, in the determination of S161, when the determination result is No, that is, when it is determined that the instruction to switch the selection contents of the objective lens 23 is not acquired, the process returns to S157 and the above-described process is repeated. .

  As described above, according to this microscope image reproduction display processing, a high-resolution wide-angle microscope image integrated in an image data file is joined to a high-resolution microscope image obtained by imaging under different imaging parameters. Even if it is created, by performing image processing using the imaging parameters of each high-resolution microscope image integrated in the image data file, the high-resolution wide-angle microscope image is converted to the same imaging parameter. It can be displayed as if it were an image obtained by imaging below.

  In addition, by designating the gradation range when the image is displayed as a partially enlarged image, the designated gradation range in the image can be displayed in the display gradation range, and the image can be displayed. It can be observed in detail. Further, even if the image displayed when the gradation range is specified is an image after gradation value compression, the image processing on the image before the gradation value compression is performed. Since the image expressed as described above is obtained, more image information can be displayed, and the image can be observed in more detail.

  FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C are diagrams illustrating the process of S153 in the microscope image reproduction display process with a specific example. However, here, for convenience of explanation, the high-resolution wide-angle microscope image integrated in the image data file is created by joining the high-resolution microscope images in the two small sections (imaging target mesh). And Further, the imaging parameters for each imaging target mesh integrated in the image data file are set as exposure time and gain.

  FIG. 5A is a diagram showing a high-resolution wide-angle microscope image integrated in the image data file and the X Position-Intensity relationship of the image. As shown in FIG. 5A, the high-resolution wide-angle microscope image is an image created by connecting the high-resolution microscope images in the two small sections M1 and M2 having different imaging parameters at the time of imaging. The high-resolution microscopic image in the small section M1 is taken with an exposure time of 0.5 [s] and a gain of 1 ×, and the imaging parameters in the small section M1 are an exposure time of 0.5 [s] and a gain of 1 ×. It is. On the other hand, the high-resolution microscope image in the small section M2 is captured with an exposure time of 1 [s] and a gain of 1 ×, and the imaging parameters of the small section M2 are an exposure time of 1 [s] and a gain of 1 ×. .

  In this case, in S153 described above, first, based on the imaging parameters in the small sections M1 and M2 integrated in the image data file, the image with respect to the high-resolution wide-angle microscope image shown in FIG. Is represented as if it were an image obtained by imaging under a certain imaging parameter (an image created by stitching together high-resolution microscope images obtained by imaging under the same imaging parameter) As described above, image processing is performed.

FIG. 4B is a diagram showing an image when such image processing is performed and the relationship of X Position-Intensity of the image.
In the case of this example, assuming that the white balance or the like is fixed, the image in the small section M2 has the same imaging parameters as the image capturing parameters of the image in the small section M1 by simply doubling the gradation of the image. It can be handled as a captured image. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5B, by doubling the gradation of the image in the small section M2, the image between the small sections of M1 and M2 becomes a continuous image.

  In S153, when the gradation range of the image at this time exceeds the display gradation range, the gradation range of the image is further displayed for this image, that is, the image shown in FIG. As represented by the gradation range (Display Range), gradation values are compressed as image processing.

FIG. 4C is a diagram showing an image when such image processing is performed and the relationship of X Position-Intensity of the image.
In the case of this example, the gradation value of the image shown in FIG. 5B is compressed using the conversion coefficient (here, 0.5), and an image expressed in the gradation range (Display Range) is obtained.

FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C are diagrams for explaining the process of S158 in the above-described microscope image reproduction display process with a specific example.
FIG. 6A is a diagram showing an image displayed on the monitor 5 by the process of S156 (or S163) and the relationship of X Position-Intensity of the image.

FIG. 5B is a diagram showing a display window displayed on the monitor 5 when the gradation range (gain) is designated by the user in S157.
In this display window, the image displayed on the monitor 5 by the process of S156 (or S163) (image displayed as a partially enlarged image) and the relationship of X Position-Intensity of the image are displayed. In the portion where the X Position-Intensity relationship is displayed, two dotted lines representing the upper and lower limits of the gradation range, which are moved up and down by the user's gradation range designation operation, are shown.

  Here, if the gradation range represented by the two dotted lines shown in FIG. 5B is designated by the user, in S158, in the image displayed in the display window, the two dotted lines in the image are used. The first microscope temporarily stored in the predetermined working storage area of the host system 2 in S153 when S152 is Yes so that the represented gradation range is represented by the display gradation range An image expressed as such by image processing on an image or by image processing on a high-resolution wide-angle microscope image integrated in the image data file read in S151 when S152 is No Is acquired, and the image is switched and displayed as a partially enlarged image to be displayed on the monitor 5.

FIG. 4C is a diagram showing an image when such image processing is performed and the relationship of X Position-Intensity of the image.
As shown in FIG. 4C, an image in which the designated gradation range is expressed by the display gradation range is obtained. Note that the gradation value outside the designated gradation range is either the minimum value or the maximum value of the display gradation range, and is so-called collapsed or saturated.

  In the example shown in FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C, the gradation range is designated by designating the upper and lower limits of the gradation range. It is also possible to provide a button corresponding to the gradation range and specify the gradation range in accordance with the button operation.

FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C, and 8D are diagrams illustrating an example in which a gradation range is designated in accordance with such a button operation.
FIG. 11A is a diagram showing a display window displayed on the monitor 5 when the gradation range (gain) is designated by the user in S157.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, the display window in this example is partly different from the display window shown in FIG. That is, in the display window of this example, the image displayed on the monitor 5 (the image displayed as a partially enlarged image) by the processing of S156 (or S163), the histogram of the image, and the gradation range are designated. Three buttons 41, 42, and 43 for displaying are displayed. Here, in the histogram, the vertical axis represents gradation and the horizontal axis represents the number of pixels. The three buttons 41, 42, and 43 are buttons corresponding to the respective gradation ranges when the display gradation range is divided into three equal parts. That is, the button 41 designates the gradation range on the high luminance side among the three divided parts, the button 42 designates the gradation range on the medium luminance side among the three divided parts, and the button 43 is divided into the three equal parts. The tone range on the low luminance side is designated. Note that dotted lines 44 and 45 in the histogram of FIG. 4A indicate the boundaries of the gradation range divided into three equal parts.

  If the button 41 is operated (selected) in the display window shown in FIG. 6A, the above-described processing of S158 is performed assuming that the gradation range corresponding to the button 41 is designated.

  FIG. 5B is a diagram showing a display window when this button 41 is operated. As shown in (b) of the figure, the image displayed in the display window shown in (a) of the figure shows that the gradation range on the high luminance side corresponding to the button 41 in the image is the display gradation range. Switch to the rendered image. At this time, an image displayed as a partially enlarged image on the monitor 5 is also switched.

  As a result, an image expressed by expanding the gradation range on the high luminance side corresponding to the button 41 is displayed. Therefore, the gradation range on the high luminance side of the image shown in FIG. It can be observed in detail. However, since the gradation value is the minimum value of the display gradation range, the other gradation range portion is collapsed.

  The dotted lines 46, 47, and 48 in the histogram of FIG. 10B show the histogram shown in FIG. 10A (the same applies to FIGS. 10C and 10D). The dotted lines 46, 47, and 48 may not be displayed.

  If the button 42 is operated (selected) in the display window shown in FIG. 5A, the above-described processing of S158 is performed assuming that the gradation range corresponding to the button 42 is designated.

  FIG. 4C shows a display window when this button 42 is operated. As shown in (c) of the figure, the image displayed in the display window shown in (a) of the figure shows that the gradation range on the medium luminance side corresponding to the button 42 in the image is the display gradation range. Switch to the rendered image. At this time, an image displayed as a partially enlarged image on the monitor 5 is also switched.

  As a result, an image expressed by expanding the gradation range on the medium luminance side corresponding to the button 42 is displayed. Therefore, the gradation range on the medium luminance side shown in FIG. It can be observed in detail. However, since the gradation value is the minimum value of the display gradation range in the other portions of the gradation range on the low luminance side, so-called collapse occurs, and the portion of the gradation range on the high luminance side Since the tone value is the maximum value in the display tone range, so-called saturation occurs.

  If the button 43 is operated (selected) in the display window shown in FIG. 5A, the above-described processing of S158 is performed assuming that the gradation range corresponding to the button 43 is designated.

  FIG. 4D shows the display window when this button 43 is operated. As shown in (d) of the figure, the image displayed in the display window shown in (a) of the figure shows that the gradation range on the low luminance side corresponding to the button 43 in the image is the display gradation range. Switch to the rendered image. At this time, an image displayed as a partially enlarged image on the monitor 5 is also switched.

  As a result, an image expressed by expanding the gradation range on the low luminance side corresponding to the button 43 is displayed. Therefore, the gradation range on the low luminance side of the image shown in FIG. It can be observed in detail. However, the other gradation range portion is so-called saturated because the gradation value becomes the maximum value of the display gradation range.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the imaging parameters at the time of imaging of the high-resolution microscope images of the small sections are also integrated into the image data file, the high-resolution microscope images having the same imaging parameters are joined together. Even when an image obtained by the same method is displayed, by performing image processing based on the imaging parameters integrated in the image data file, the image is obtained by imaging under the same imaging parameters. The image can be displayed as if it were a recorded image.

  In addition, when the user designates a desired gradation range, the gradation range is displayed so as to be expressed in the display gradation range, so the designated gradation range in the image displayed as the partially enlarged image is displayed. Can be observed in detail.

  In this embodiment, when the gradation range is designated, FIGS. 7A, 7B, 8C, or 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D are used. As described above, the image processing is performed so that the designated gradation range is expressed in the display gradation range, and the gradation range other than the designated gradation range is collapsed. Or was saturated. Some users, for example, want to observe a part of the gradation range finely, but may want to observe it to some extent because other gradation ranges may be rough. Therefore, as described below, the gradation range in the image expressed in the display gradation range can be flexibly specified.

  FIGS. 9A and 9B are diagrams showing an example of a display window that allows the gradation range in the image to be specified flexibly. The display window shown in FIG. 7A corresponds to the display window shown in FIG. M1 and M2 shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B correspond to two imaging target meshes.

  When the display window shown in FIG. 9A is displayed, the user observes a graph (for example, gamma correction) showing the relationship of X Position-Intensity displayed in the display window using a mouse or the like. When it is transformed into a desired shape according to the level of the desired gradation range, image processing is performed so that the gradation range of the image displayed in the display window is changed according to the shape of the deformed graph, The image displayed in the display window and the image displayed as the partially enlarged image are switched to the image on which the image processing has been performed. This image is also processed by image processing on the first microscope image temporarily stored in the predetermined work storage area of the host system 2 in S153 when S152 is Yes, or S152 is No. If there is, it is obtained by image processing on the high-resolution wide-angle microscope image integrated in the image data file read in S151.

  FIG. 5B shows an example of the display window after the gradation range is specified flexibly in this way. According to the display window of this example, it is possible to finely observe the image of the area corresponding to M2 displayed in the display window shown in FIG. 5A, and the image of the area corresponding to M1 is not rough. Yes, it can be observed.

  Alternatively, in addition to the configuration described with reference to FIGS. 9A and 9B, for example, the user designates a partial area of the partially enlarged image displayed on the monitor 5. Thus, the image processing can be performed so that the gradation range in the area is expressed by the display gradation range.

Next, a microscope system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described.
The microscope system according to the present embodiment is different from the microscope system according to the first embodiment only in the operation related to the microscope image reproduction display process, and the other configurations and operations are the same.

  That is, in the microscope system according to the present embodiment, in the microscope image reproduction display process, image processing for representing an image as if it was an image obtained by imaging under the same imaging parameter is performed on the image data file. This is not performed on the entire integrated high-resolution wide-angle microscope image, but only on the image within the range to be displayed on the monitor 5.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the processing contents of the microscope image reproduction display processing performed by the host system 2 according to the present embodiment. This process is also realized and started when the CPU of the host system 2 executes a predetermined control program. Also in this process, it is assumed that user instructions and operations are performed on an input unit (not shown) of the host system 2.

  In the figure, first, in S171, in response to an instruction from the user, an image data file integrated with a microscope image, which is recorded in the data recording unit 4, is read out, and among the microscope images integrated therewith, Then, a process of displaying a low-resolution microscope image on the monitor 5 as a macro image is performed.

In S172, processing for acquiring the selection contents of the objective lens 23 in the virtual observation by the user is performed.
In S173, from the high-resolution wide-angle microscope image integrated in the image data file read out in S171, a microscope image of the resolution corresponding to the objective lens 23 according to the selected content acquired in the previous step (then A microscope image corresponding to a microscope image obtained by imaging the observation body 19 with the objective lens 23 according to the selected content is acquired by image processing such as resizing processing, and this is stored in a predetermined work storage area of the host system 2 Temporary storage processing is performed. The image stored here is hereinafter simply referred to as “fourth microscope image”.

  In S174, first, an image in a range corresponding to the magnification of the objective lens 23 related to the selected content acquired in S172 is acquired from the fourth microscope image acquired in the previous step, and read out in S171. Based on the imaging parameters (for example, exposure time, gain, etc.) in the corresponding imaging target mesh integrated in the acquired image data file, the acquired image is obtained by imaging under a certain imaging parameter. Image processing (for example, image processing related to gradation normalization) is performed so as to be expressed as if it were an obtained image, and this is aligned with the macro image as a partially enlarged image of the macro image, and the monitor 5 The process of displaying on is performed. However, when the gradation range of the image that has been subjected to the image processing exceeds the display gradation range, the gradation range of the image is further changed to the display gradation with respect to the image that has been subjected to the image processing. Image processing for compressing gradation values so as to be expressed in a range is performed, and processing for displaying this on the monitor 5 along with the macro image as a partially enlarged image of the macro image is performed. Thereby, the user can perform virtual observation by looking at the displayed microscope image.

  In S175, it is determined whether or not the host system 2 has detected an operation for moving the XY position by the user, that is, an operation for moving the display part of the observation body 19 displayed on the monitor 5 as the partial enlarged image. A determination process is performed. Here, if the determination result is Yes, the process proceeds to S176.

  In S176, the fourth microscope image temporarily stored in the predetermined work storage area of the host system 2 in the above-described S173 or S178 described later is referred to, and is displayed on the monitor 5 as a partially enlarged image in the microscope image. The display range to be displayed is moved by the direction and amount corresponding to the movement operation detected in the previous step, an image that becomes a new display range is acquired, and integrated into the image data file read in S171 Based on the imaging parameters in the corresponding imaging target mesh, the acquired image is expressed as if it was an image obtained by imaging under a certain imaging parameter. Image processing is performed, and processing for switching and displaying this on the monitor 5 as a partially enlarged image is performed. However, when the gradation range of the image that has been subjected to the image processing exceeds the display gradation range, the gradation range of the image is further changed to the display gradation with respect to the image that has been subjected to the image processing. Image processing for compressing gradation values so as to be expressed in a range is performed, and processing for switching and displaying this on the monitor 5 as a partially enlarged image is performed.

  As described above, in S176, the image data file is sequentially read from the data recording unit 4 by using the fourth microscopic image temporarily stored (cached) in the working storage area. Compared to the above, it is possible to smoothly switch the image display.

  In addition, instead of temporarily storing the entire fourth microscope image acquired in S173 (or S178 described later) in the work storage area, a portion of the microscope image near the partial image displayed on the monitor 5 is displayed. Only the partial image is stored in the work storage area, and in S176, in accordance with the movement operation of the XY position by the user, the process is performed using the partial image in the vicinity thereof, and the data recording unit 4 is newly processed. Alternatively, the image data file may be read out, and a partial image near the displayed partial image may be acquired again and stored in the work storage area.

After S176, the process returns to S175.
On the other hand, in the determination of S175, when the determination result is No, that is, when it is determined that the movement operation of the XY position by the user is not detected, the process proceeds to S177.

  In S177, processing for determining whether or not an instruction to switch the selection contents of the objective lens 23 in the virtual observation of the observation body 19 has been acquired is performed. Here, if the determination result is Yes, the process proceeds to S178.

  In S178, from the high-resolution wide-angle microscope image integrated in the image data file read out in S171, a microscope image of the resolution corresponding to the objective lens 23 according to the selection content acquired in the previous step (then A microscope image corresponding to a microscope image obtained by imaging the observation body 19 with the objective lens 23 according to the selected content is acquired by image processing such as resizing processing, and this is stored in a predetermined work storage area of the host system 2 Then, a process of replacing the already stored fourth microscope image and temporarily storing it is performed. That is, processing for temporarily storing the image acquired in this step as the fourth microscope image is performed.

  In S179, an image in a range corresponding to the magnification of the objective lens 23 according to the selection content corresponding to the instruction acquired in S179 is acquired from the fourth microscope image acquired in the previous step, and in S171. Based on the imaging parameters in the corresponding imaging target mesh integrated in the read image data file, the acquired image is an image obtained by imaging under a certain imaging parameter. Image processing is performed so as to be expressed as such, and processing for switching and displaying this on the monitor 5 as a partially enlarged image is performed. However, when the gradation range of the image that has been subjected to the image processing exceeds the display gradation range, the gradation range of the image is further changed to the display gradation with respect to the image that has been subjected to the image processing. Image processing for compressing gradation values so as to be expressed in a range is performed, and processing for switching and displaying this on the monitor 5 as a partially enlarged image is performed.

After S179, the process returns to S175, and the above process is repeated.
On the other hand, in the determination of S177, if the determination result is No, that is, if it is determined that the instruction to switch the selection contents of the objective lens 23 has not been acquired, the process returns to S175, and the above-described process is repeated. .

  As described above, according to this microscope image reproduction display process, only an image in the display range is expressed as if it was an image obtained by imaging under a certain imaging parameter, and it is displayed in the display gradation range. Image processing is performed as expressed by. As a result, the gradation range of the image in the display range becomes smaller than the gradation range of the entire image including the image in the display range, so that the above image processing is performed only on the image in the display range. More image information can be displayed, and the image can be observed in more detail.

  FIGS. 11A, 11B, and 11C are diagrams for explaining a part of the microscope image reproduction display processing with a specific example. However, here, for convenience of explanation, the high-resolution wide-angle microscope image integrated in the image data file is the high-resolution microscope image in the four small sections (imaging target meshes) M1, M2, M3, and M4. It is assumed that the images are created by joining them together. In addition, although the imaging parameters in each small section are different, the same is obtained by multiplying the gradation of the high-resolution microscope image in M1, M2, M3, and M4 by 1, 2, 3, 4, and 4 respectively. It can be handled as an image obtained by imaging under the imaging parameters.

  (A) of the same figure is a figure which shows the 4th microscope image obtained by the process of S173. Here, when the process of S174 is started and the image in the display range is an image of the region corresponding to M3 and M4, the image of the region corresponding to M3 and M4 is captured under a certain imaging parameter. The image processing is performed on the image in the region corresponding to M3 and M4 so that the image is expressed as if it is obtained by the above-described process and is expressed in the display gradation range.

FIG. 4C is a diagram showing an image of an area corresponding to M1 to M4 when such image processing is performed.
On the other hand, (b) in the figure shows that the image is obtained by imaging under a certain imaging parameter with respect to the fourth microscope image shown in (a). The image of the region corresponding to M1 to M4 when the image of the region corresponding to M3 and M4 is used as the display range after performing image processing so that it is expressed in the display gradation range. FIG.

  Comparing the image of the display area shown in (b) to the image of the display area shown in (c), the image of the display area shown in (c) is more detailed. Image information is displayed. This is because the gradation range of the image corresponding to M3 and M4 is smaller than the gradation range of the image corresponding to M1 to M4 as the gradation range of the image to be processed. Yes, it is possible to display more image information by performing image processing so that the gradation range of an image with such a small gradation range is expressed in the display gradation range, and the image can be displayed in more detail. Can be observed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the image processing for representing the image obtained by imaging under a certain imaging parameter and expressing it in the display gradation range is performed. By performing the process only on the image in the display range, more image information can be displayed, and the image can be observed in more detail.

  In this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, FIG. 7 (a), (b), (c) or FIG. 8 (a), (b), (c), (d) is used. As described above, in accordance with the specification of the gradation range, the display is performed so that the specified gradation range in the image displayed as the partially enlarged image is represented by the display gradation range. You can also Alternatively, as described with reference to FIGS. 9A and 9B, the gradation range can be flexibly designated.

As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to each embodiment mentioned above, A various improvement and change are possible within the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention.
For example, in the above-described microscope image data acquisition processing according to each embodiment, one high-resolution microscope image is acquired for one imaging target mesh. For example, imaging is performed for one imaging target mesh. A plurality of high-resolution microscope images having different parameters may be acquired. In this case, in the microscope image data acquisition process, after a focusing operation on one imaging target mesh, a plurality of imagings under different imaging parameters (for example, different exposure times, etc.) are performed based on an instruction for setting imaging conditions by the user. A plurality of high-resolution microscope images having different imaging parameters are acquired, and imaging parameters at the time of imaging for each high-resolution microscope image are acquired. Then, a plurality of high-resolution microscope images with different imaging parameters obtained for each imaging target mesh and imaging parameters for each high-resolution microscope image are integrated together in the image data file. In this case, the high-resolution wide-angle microscope image integrated into the image data file is, for example, a high-resolution microscope image (image) obtained by imaging under appropriate imaging parameters in each imaging target mesh. A high-resolution microscope image having the most information is connected to create an image.

  Further, for example, in the microscope systems according to the above-described embodiments, the focusing operation is realized by using the video AF function provided by the host system 2, but other well-known focusing means may be used. Alternatively, the focusing operation may be performed manually.

  Further, for example, in the microscope system according to each of the embodiments described above, an upright microscope apparatus has been adopted as the microscope apparatus 1, but instead, an inverted microscope apparatus can also be adopted, The present embodiment can also be applied to various systems such as a line apparatus incorporating a microscope apparatus.

  Further, for example, in each of the above-described embodiments, the microscope image captured by the microscope system is reproduced and displayed by the same microscope system. Instead, the microscope system is individually installed at a remote location. The image data file of the microscope image generated by one microscope system is transmitted to the other microscope system using a communication line, and the microscope image represented by the image data file is reproduced and displayed in the other microscope system. It is also possible to perform.

  Further, for example, in the microscope system according to each of the above-described embodiments, a video camera is applied as an imaging device, but a known image capturing device such as a CCD or a line sensor can also be applied.

  Further, for example, the microscope systems according to the above-described embodiments can be applied to the entire microscope system. In particular, in time lapse observation that is often performed when observing live cells, it is possible to determine the time lapse observation position by using part or all of the processing according to each embodiment.

  Further, for example, in the microscopic image reproduction display processing according to each of the embodiments described above, even if the imaging parameters in each small section integrated in the image data file are different, the high level integrated in the image data file is high. It is also possible to display the high-resolution wide-angle microscope image created by connecting the high-resolution microscope images having different resolutions, that is, the high-resolution microscope images having different imaging parameters.

  By the way, a control program for causing the CPU of the computer having the standard configuration described above to perform the processing shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 2, 5, and 10 is created and recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. In addition, the present invention can be implemented even if the program is read from a recording medium into a computer and executed by the CPU.

  As a recording medium from which the recorded control program can be read by a computer, for example, a storage device such as a ROM or a hard disk device provided as an internal or external accessory device in the computer, or a medium driving device provided in the computer is inserted. A portable recording medium such as a flexible disk, MO (magneto-optical disk), CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or the like from which the control program recorded can be read out can be used.

  Further, the recording medium may be a storage device provided in a computer system functioning as a program server connected to a computer via a communication line. In this case, a transmission signal obtained by modulating a carrier wave with a data signal representing a control program is transmitted from the program server to a computer through a communication line as a transmission medium, and the computer demodulates the received transmission signal. By replaying the control program, the control program can be executed by the CPU of the computer.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a microscope system according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content of the microscope image data acquisition process performed by a host system. It is a figure which shows an example of the high-resolution wide-angle microscope image produced by the microscope image data acquisition process. (a), (b) is a figure which shows the image with which the high-resolution microscope image in the four meshes corresponding to A area | region was connected. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the processing content of a microscope image reproduction display process performed by the host system according to the first embodiment. (a), (b), (c) is a figure explaining the process of S153 in a microscope image reproduction display process by giving a specific example. (a), (b), (c) is a figure explaining the process of S158 in a microscope image reproduction display process by giving a specific example. (a), (b), (c), (d) is a diagram for explaining an example in which a gradation range is designated according to a button operation. (a), (b) is a figure which shows an example of the display window which enables a gradation range to be specified flexibly. 12 is a flowchart illustrating the processing contents of a microscope image reproduction display process performed by the host system according to the second embodiment. (a), (b), (c) is a diagram illustrating a part of the microscope image reproduction display processing according to the second embodiment with a specific example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Microscope apparatus 2 Host system 3 Camera 4 Data recording part 5 Monitor 6 Light source for transmission illumination 7 Collector lens 8 Filter unit for transmission 9 Transmission field stop 10 Transmission aperture stop 11 Condenser optical element unit 12 Top lens unit 13 Light source for epi-illumination 14 Collector lens 15 Epi-illumination filter unit 16 Epi-illumination shutter 17 Epi-illumination field stop 18 Epi-illumination aperture stop 19 Observation body 20 Electric stage 21 Stage XY drive control unit 22 Stage Z drive control unit 23 Objective lens 24 Revolver 25 Cube unit 26 Eyepiece lens 27 Beam splitter 28 Polarizer 29 DIC (Differential Interference Contrast) prism 30 Analyzer 31 Microscope controller 32 Video board 33 Camera controller 41, 42, 43 Tan 44,45,46,47,48 dotted line

Claims (2)

A stage on which the observation body is placed;
Dividing means for dividing the observation body into a plurality of small sections;
Imaging condition setting means for setting imaging conditions at the time of imaging of the observation body;
Imaging means for imaging the observation body in the small section based on the imaging condition set by the imaging condition setting means and acquiring an image in the small section;
Imaging parameter acquisition means for acquiring imaging parameters when the imaging means images the observation object in the small section based on the imaging conditions set by the imaging condition setting means;
Imaging parameter recording means for recording the imaging parameter acquired by the imaging parameter acquisition means for each of the small sections;
Image composition means for joining the images in the adjacent small sections acquired by the imaging means;
Image display means for displaying an image;
Image display range specifying means for specifying the display range of the image;
Based on the imaging parameter at the time of imaging in the small section acquired by the imaging parameter acquisition means, the image is fixedly captured with respect to the image obtained from the image in the adjacent small section acquired by the imaging means. Image processing means for performing the first image processing so as to be represented as if it were an image obtained by imaging under a parameter;
Have
The image processing means performs the first image processing only on the image in the display range designated by the image display range designation means based on the imaging parameters for each small section recorded in the imaging parameter recording means. A microscope system characterized by performing . The imaging unit captures a plurality of images in the small section by imaging the observation body in the small section a plurality of times under different imaging parameters based on the imaging conditions set by the imaging condition setting unit for each of the small sections. To
The microscope system according to claim 1 .