JP2000184146A - Photographing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To output an approximate picture suitable for observation by a video printer without loading a camera controller with an excessive calculation and to freely set a parameter of gradation processing. SOLUTION: This photographing system outputs a digital picture signal inputted from a photographing device 20 to a camera controller 60 to a personal computer 70, and the parameter of gradation processing is set in a parameter setting means 71 of the computer 70, and only the set parameter is sent to a conversion processing means 62 of the camera controller 60, and the conversion processing means 62 converts the picture signal to a video signal by gradation processing based on the inputted parameter.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a photographing system, and more particularly, to an improvement in a photographing system capable of easily outputting an image photographed by a photographing device by a video printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in the fields of biochemistry and molecular biology, a fluoresceuce system using a fluorescent dye as a labeling substance has been known. According to this system, by reading image information related to a sample in which a specific biological substance labeled with a fluorescent dye is distributed,
Gene sequence, gene expression level, metabolism / absorption / excretion pathway / state of administration substance in experimental mice, separation / identification of protein, or evaluation of molecular weight and characteristics can be performed.

[0003] For example, by electrophoresis in which a living cell in a suspension or a biological compound (protein, etc.) in a solution is moved by an electric charge to an anode or a cathode, a solution containing a plurality of DNA fragments is obtained. After the addition of the fluorescent dye, the plurality of DNA fragments are electrophoresed on a gel support, or the plurality of DNA fragments are electrophoresed on a gel support containing a fluorescent dye, or the plurality of DNA fragments are supported on a gel. After electrophoresis on the body, the gel support is immersed in a solution containing a fluorescent dye, etc.
A gel support (as a sample) in which fragment A (as a biological substance) is distributed is placed on an appropriate sample table, and the fluorescence used as a labeling substance is placed in a dark box shielded from external light. Irradiation with excitation light to excite the dye, fluorescence emitted on the gel support is photoelectrically read by a photoelectric reading means via a lens, and thus DNA labeled with fluorescence is obtained.
By obtaining image information indicating the distribution of fragments and displaying a visible image on a display unit such as a CRT based on the obtained image information, it is possible to evaluate the molecular weight and the like of DNA fragments.

On the other hand, in the same field, as a method for detecting nucleic acids and proteins in a membrane filter or the like after blotting, a chemiluminescence method in which chemiluminescence is imaged using a photoelectric reading means such as a CCD is known. As an imaging device for imaging such chemiluminescence imaging, as in the above-described fluorescence detection system, a membrane filter or the like is placed on an appropriate sample table and housed in a dark box shielded from external light, In this dark box, chemiluminescent light emitted from a membrane filter or the like is photoelectrically read by a photoelectric reading means via a lens, thereby obtaining image information representing a distribution of a specific protein or the like which reacts with a predetermined luminescent chemical substance. What is known is.

[0005] The photographing apparatus for detecting chemiluminescence described above includes an excitation light source that emits excitation light capable of exciting a fluorescent dye, and a method in which only fluorescence is incident on photoelectric reading means. By further providing an excitation light cut filter for preventing the above, it is also possible to provide an imaging device for the above-described fluorescence detection system. Therefore, an imaging device in which a function for detecting fluorescence is added to an imaging device for detecting chemiluminescence has been developed.

That is, when performing imaging for detecting chemiluminescence, the excitation light is prevented from being emitted, the excitation light cut filter is retracted from the optical path of the chemiluminescence, and the chemiluminescence emitted from the sample is photoelectrically read. Detected by means,
On the other hand, when performing imaging for fluorescence detection, the excitation light is emitted to irradiate the sample, and the excitation light cut filter is arranged on the optical path of the fluorescence emitted from the sample, and only the fluorescence is read by the photoelectric reading means. , The light source and the excitation light cut filter may be individually or integrally switched. Further, when the difference in intensity between fluorescence and chemiluminescence is remarkable, a variable stop may be provided to adjust the amount of light incident on the photoelectric reading means.

Further, this photographing apparatus irradiates a transparent original such as a film or a reflective original such as a photograph with illumination and photoelectrically reads the transmitted image or the reflected image by a photoelectric reading means through a lens to convert a digital image. It can also be used as a digitizer to obtain. In this case, the light emitted from the excitation light source is not simply excitation light in a band capable of exciting fluorescence, but white light, and the amount of transmitted light or reflected light incident on the photoelectric reading means is reduced. I just need.

In the photographing apparatus in which the photographing method can be switched according to the photographing object, the angle of view incident on the light receiving surface of the photoelectric reading means via the lens can be varied.
There is also known an image capturing apparatus capable of capturing an image suitable for the size of a sample to be captured. That is, as the sample stage disposition portion for disposing the sample stage, a plurality of disposition portions having different distances from the lens are formed, and the sample stage can be selectively selected from the plurality of disposition portions and arranged. The lens is moved in the direction of the optical axis in accordance with the arrangement portion of the sample stage that is selected and arranged, thereby enabling focus adjustment on the light receiving surface of the photoelectric reading means.

An image signal obtained by the above-described photographing apparatus is generally subjected to various image processings by a computer for analysis (including a personal computer) and used for quantitative analysis and the like. Constitutes an imaging system by an imaging device, an analysis processing computer, and a camera controller connecting between the imaging device and the analysis processing computer.

Here, the camera controller controls the exposure of the photoelectric reading means by inputting a control signal such as the start and end of exposure to the photoelectric reading means of the photographing apparatus, and controls the exposure of the photoelectric reading means. The signal is temporarily stored and output to an analysis processing computer.

On the other hand, an image photographed by the photographing device is
As a summary image before collecting research diaries and experimental data,
There is a demand for output on a recording medium such as paper or film. This is not used as actual research data or experimental data, like an image precisely analyzed and processed by an analysis computer, but is used as a memorandum for researchers etc. What is output cheaply and simply is desired.

In order to meet this demand, an imaging system has been developed in which an inexpensive video printer capable of outputting an image based on a video signal is connected to the above-described camera controller. In this imaging system, a camera controller receives an image signal output from an imaging device, inputs the image signal to a computer for analysis processing, converts the input image signal into a video signal, and converts the image signal into a video signal. A video signal is input to a video printer, and the video printer outputs an image represented by the video signal to a recording medium such as paper or film based on the input video signal. here,
A video printer that outputs an image based on a video signal is less expensive than a video printer connected to a computer, so that the cost of the entire imaging system can be reduced.

[0013]

By the way, the above-mentioned video signal is converted as a signal having a constant signal width regardless of the dynamic range of the image signal actually input to the camera controller. If the document has a relatively wide dynamic range, such as transmitted light or reflected light from a digitizer original, the image output from the video printer will be expressed with a somewhat appropriate gradation. With weak light, the output image is almost blackened, which is not practical.

Therefore, it is conceivable that the camera controller analyzes the dynamic range of the input image signal and performs gradation processing on the image signal into a video signal adapted to the dynamic range.

However, it is not practical to cause the camera controller to perform a process of obtaining an appropriate gradation processing parameter based on an input image signal because the load of the calculation process becomes excessively large. There is a problem that it is impossible to cope with a case where a user requests a free parameter setting.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a video printer that outputs a schematic image suitable for observation according to the dynamic range of an input image signal without imposing an excessive calculation load on a camera controller. It is another object of the present invention to provide a photographing system which can output the image data in the image processing apparatus and can also improve the degree of freedom in setting the parameters of the gradation processing.

[0017]

The photographing system of the present invention outputs an image signal inputted from a photographing device to a camera controller to a computer for analysis, and obtains a parameter for gradation processing by the computer. Is transmitted to the camera controller, and the camera controller converts the image signal into a video signal by performing gradation processing based on the input parameters.

That is, the photographing system of the present invention comprises: a photographing device for outputting an image signal; a computer for an analysis process for performing a predetermined analysis process based on the input image signal;
A video printer that outputs an image represented by the video signal based on the input video signal, and receives an image signal output from the image capturing device and inputs the image signal to the computer for analysis processing. A camera controller for converting the input image signal into a video signal and inputting the video signal to the video printer, wherein the computer outputs an image output from the video printer suitable for observation. Parameter setting for setting gradation processing parameters to be applied to the image signal based on the input image signal so as to obtain an image having a predetermined gradation, and inputting the set parameter to the camera controller. Means, wherein the camera controller is configured to control an image signal input from the photographing device. And a gradation processing unit that performs gradation processing based on the parameters input from the computer, and converts an image signal after the gradation processing is performed into the video signal. It is characterized by the following.

Here, the parameters of the gradation processing include the histogram information (upper and lower limit values of the linear conversion) of the image signal, the look-up table (for example, the input image signal
When it is set to 14 bits, a conversion table for converting the output image signal to 8 bits, etc.), the presence or absence of a positive / negative inversion flag, and the like.

The camera controller comprises, for example, a DRAM for storing the input image signal, and conversion processing means for performing a conversion process into a gradation signal and a video signal based on the gradation processing parameter input from the analysis computer. And a VRAM for storing a video signal, for example.

An image having a gradation suitable for observation means an image excluding at least an image which is crushed black or an image which flies white.

The camera controller may be formed integrally with the photographing device.

A monitor for simply displaying an image represented by a video signal is connected between the camera controller and the video printer, and the camera controller outputs the video signal to the video printer via the monitor. There may be. In particular, in an imaging system that enables focus adjustment on the light receiving surface of the photoelectric reading unit,
In many cases, a configuration in which a monitor for observing a focus state is connected is adopted in advance, and a camera controller in an imaging system configured as described above converts an input image signal into a video signal. Since a circuit capable of outputting the video signal to the monitor is already provided, the photographing system of the present invention can be easily constituted only by adding the above-mentioned gradation processing means. , It may be connected to a camera controller via a monitor.

The photoelectric reading means has a wide dynamic range capable of detecting weak chemiluminescence and fluorescence.
In addition, it is preferable to use an interline type CCD having a cooling element, which can detect with good linearity and can also take out a pseudo moving image by repeating photoelectric reading for a short time.

[0025]

According to the photographing system of the present invention, the image signal input from the photographing device to the camera controller is output to the analyzing computer, and the computer calculates the gradation processing parameters. The image signal is sent to the camera controller, and the image signal is converted into a video signal by performing gradation processing on the basis of the input parameter. Therefore, the image signal of the input image signal is not applied to the camera controller without excessive load. According to the dynamic range, a rough image suitable for observation can be output by a video printer, and since the parameters of the gradation processing are set by the analysis computer, the user can perform trial and error on the analysis computer. The setting of the repetition parameter can be performed.

The data transferred from the analysis computer to the camera controller is only the parameters of the gradation processing. The gradation processing is performed by the analysis processing computer, and the processed image signal is transferred to the camera controller. As compared with the case where the data is transferred to the controller, the data transfer amount can be reduced, and the transfer load on the analysis computer can be suppressed.

By inputting image signals to the camera controller from a device other than the photographing device (for example, a mere memory or a storage medium), these input image signals can be easily converted into images of appropriate gradation. A video signal can be output, and the present invention is not limited to an image signal read by a photographing device, and can be applied to a wide range of uses.

[0028]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a specific embodiment of a photographing system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of a photographing system according to the present invention. Illustrated photographing system 1
Reference numeral 00 denotes an image capturing device 20 for capturing an image of the sample 11, a personal computer 70 for performing image processing and analysis processing on the captured image signal, and recording an image represented by the video signal based on the input video signal. A video printer 80 for outputting to a medium and an image signal output from the photographing device 20 are input, and the image signal is input to a personal computer 70.
And a camera controller 60 for converting an image signal input from the video signal into a video signal and inputting the video signal to a video printer 80.

The photographing device 20 includes an interline type CCD 50 with a cooling element, which is one form of photoelectric reading means, a tray 10 on which a sample 11 to be photographed is placed, and a CCD.
A lens 4 for forming an image of the sample 11 on the light receiving surface 50
1, an excitation light source 30 for irradiating the sample 11 with excitation light L,
The excitation light cut filter 40 that blocks the excitation light L from entering the CCD 50 and allows the fluorescence K emitted from the sample 11 to pass therethrough is provided in the dark box 25 that is shielded from external light.

The personal computer 70 receives the input from the image storage memory 61 of the camera controller 60.
It performs various kinds of image processing on the digital image signal of bit and performs analysis processing and the like.Furthermore, the visible image output by the video printer 80 is a gradation image suitable for observation. On the basis of the input digital image signal, a conversion lookup table (hereinafter, referred to as LUT) for gradation processing to be applied to the digital image signal is set, and parameter setting means 71 for inputting the set LUT to the camera controller 60. Is further provided.

The camera controller 60 is connected to the photographing device 20
An image storage memory 61 for receiving a digital image signal output from the CCD 50 and storing the digital image signal as a 14-bit signal;
The 14-bit digital image signal stored in the
A conversion processing means 62 for converting an 8-bit digital image signal into an analog video signal in accordance with a predetermined conversion function, while converting the digital image signal into an 8-bit digital image signal with gradation processing according to T. When,
A video memory 63 that receives a video signal converted by the conversion processing unit 62 and outputs the video signal to the video printer 80 is provided.

The sample 11 placed on the tray 10 of the photographing apparatus 20 is, for example, a specific DNA labeled with a fluorescent dye.
Is a gel in which is distributed.

Next, the operation of the photographing system 100 according to the present embodiment will be described.

First, the excitation light L is emitted from the light source 30 to the sample 11 placed on the tray 10 of the photographing device 20. From the sample 11 irradiated with the excitation light L, a specific D
Fluorescence K is emitted due to the excitation of the fluorescent dye labeling NA, and a lens 41 is formed on the light receiving surface of the CCD 50.
As a result, a distribution image of the fluorescence emitted from the sample 11 is formed via the excitation light cut filter 40, and the CCD 5
0 performs exposure for a predetermined exposure time and photoelectrically reads this distribution image. The read image signal is 14 bit
Is input to the camera controller 60 as a digital image signal. Here, a part of reflected light of the excitation light L irradiating the sample 11 is also incident on the lens 41, but this excitation light L
Is cut by the excitation light cut filter 40 and CC
It does not enter D50.

The camera controller 60 temporarily stores the input digital image signal in the image storage memory 61 and inputs the digital image signal to the parameter setting means 71 of the personal computer 70.

The parameter setting means 71 converts the input 14-bit digital image signal so that the visible image output from the video printer 80 connected to the camera controller 60 becomes an image having a gradation suitable for observation. LUT for gradation processing to be applied to this digital image signal based on
Is set, and the set LUT is stored in the camera controller 60.
Is input to the conversion processing means 62.

Here, the parameter setting means 71
A specific operation of the LUT setting will be described. First, the parameter setting means 71 creates a histogram for the input digital image signal. Subsequently, the maximum value and the minimum value (dynamic range) of the 14-bit signal value are obtained based on the created histogram, and the signal value within the range between the maximum value and the minimum value is calculated by 8 bits. An LUT representing a conversion linearly assigned to the signal value of is obtained. Then, each element data constituting the obtained LUT is sent to the camera controller 60.

The dynamic range need not always be automatically set by the maximum value and the minimum value of the image signal. For example, the operator observes the histogram displayed on the CRT of the personal computer 70 and observes the dynamic range. Based on this histogram, a range corresponding to an image portion related to the region of interest is defined as a dynamic range,
The setting may be made by an operator. In this case, the degree of freedom of the gradation processing is high.

Further, since the gradation function for converting an 8-bit digital image signal into an analog video signal in the conversion processing means 62 of the camera controller 60 is fixed in advance, if the operator wants to adjust the contrast, The personal computer 70 may directly and freely rewrite the LUT.
Each time T is set (when rewritten, each time it is rewritten)
Based on the LUT, a visible image having a gradation expected to be output from the video printer 80 by a video signal corresponding to the image signal after being converted into an 8-bit digital image signal is output from the personal computer 70 in real time. C
It is displayed on the RT, and the appropriateness of the set LUT can be confirmed before the video printer 70 actually outputs the LUT.

The LUT elements thus set are input to the conversion processing means 62 of the camera controller 60.

The conversion processing means 62 creates an LUT based on the elements of the LUT input from the parameter setting means 71, and converts the 14-bit digital image signal stored in the image storage memory 61 into the created LUT. Therefore 8
Converts to digital image signal of bit. Further, the conversion processing means 62 converts the converted 8-bit digital image signal into an analog video signal in accordance with a preset gradation function, and inputs this to the video memory 63.

The video memory 63 outputs the input video signal to the video printer 80,
Outputs a visible image according to the input video signal on a recording medium.

The visible image output from the video printer 80 in this manner is a black image or a white image because the gradation is based on a signal whose gradation has been adjusted by the personal computer 70 in advance in accordance with the image signal. The image does not become an image but an image having a gradation suitable for observation.

As described above, the photographing system 1 of the present embodiment
00, the camera controller 6
0 to the personal computer 70.
The LUT for gradation processing is obtained by the computer 70, and only the obtained LUT is output to the camera controller 60.
And the camera controller 60 inputs L
Based on the UT, the image signal is converted into a video signal by performing a gradation process. Therefore, without applying an excessive calculation load to the camera controller 60, an outline suitable for observation according to the dynamic range of the input image signal. An image can be output by the video printer 80, and L
Since the UT setting is performed by the personal computer 70, the operator can repeatedly set the LUT on the personal computer 70 by trial and error.

The data transferred from the personal computer 70 to the camera controller 60 is only the LUT. The personal computer 70 performs gradation processing and then outputs the processed image signal to the camera controller 60.
As compared with the case where the data is transferred, the data transfer amount can be reduced, and the transfer load on the personal computer 70 can be suppressed.

It should be noted that the communication between the photographing device 20 and the camera controller 60 is the RS232C standard,
0 and the personal computer 70 are preferably connected according to the SCSI standard.

The photographing system 100 according to the embodiment described above.
Is transmitted directly to the camera controller 60 by the video printer 8.
0 is connected, but the imaging system of the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. The camera may be connected to the camera controller 60 '.

As shown in FIG. 2, the camera controller 6
Imaging system 10 having a configuration in which monitor 90 is connected to 0 '
Reference numeral 0 'denotes that the lens 41 of the photographing device 20' is movable in the optical axis direction, and further includes a lens moving means 42 for moving the lens 41 in the optical axis direction. It is desirable to employ this in a device further provided with mode switching means 64 for selectively switching the reading mode to the photographing mode or the focus mode.

That is, the thickness of the sample 11 placed on the tray 10 is not always constant. Therefore, in order to form an image of the sample 11 on the light receiving surface of the CCD 50 without defocus, It is desirable to make the lens 41 movable in the optical axis direction and to move the lens 41 by the lens moving means 42 to perform focus adjustment. Then, the operator moves the lens 41 while holding the CCD 50.
It is necessary to confirm the state of image formation on the light receiving surface. Therefore, the CCD 50 can be switched between a photographing mode in which normal long-time exposure is photographed and a focus mode in which short-time exposure is repeated. The mode switching means 64 of the camera controller 60 ′ switches the CCD 50 reading mode to the focus mode. When the mode is switched, the photoelectric reading signal from the CCD 50 can be confirmed on the monitor 90 substantially in real time.

In the photographing system capable of such focus adjustment, when the mode switching means 64 switches the CCD 50 to the photographing mode, the photographing is performed by the same operation as that of the embodiment shown in FIG. It is only necessary to output a video signal.
When the CD 50 is switched to the focus mode, the conversion processing means 62 may perform a conversion process on the image signal input to the image storage memory 61 using a preset LUT, and output the converted signal to the video memory 63. As a result, in the focus mode, the CCD
The operator can adjust the focus while watching a pseudo moving image displayed on the monitor 90 based on the image signal transmitted from 50 to the camera controller 60 '.

Further, since such a focus-adjustable photographing system is provided with a conversion processing means for outputting a video signal to the monitor 90 and a video memory in advance, the photographing system of the present invention can be easily modified. A system configuration can be constructed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of a photographing system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of another embodiment of the photographing system of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 tray 11 sample 20 imaging device 25 dark box 30 excitation light source 40 excitation light cut filter 41 lens 50 CCD with cooling element 60 camera controller 61 image storage memory 62 conversion processing means 63 video memory 70 personal computer 71 parameter setting means 80 video printer 100 imaging System L Excitation light K Fluorescence

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2G043 AA03 BA16 CA03 DA02 EA01 GB07 HA01 JA03 LA03 NA06 2G054 AA03 AA08 CA22 EA03 FA33 FB03 GA04 GB02 JA04 5C072 AA01 BA20 DA02 DA09 EA05 RA10 RA12 UA11 UA13 VA01 VA03 XA

Claims (2)

[Claims] An imaging device for outputting an image signal, an analysis computer for performing a predetermined analysis process based on the input image signal, and outputting an image represented by the video signal based on the input video signal. Receiving an input of an image signal output from the photographing device, inputting the image signal to the computer for the analysis processing, converting the input image signal into a video signal, A camera controller for inputting a signal to the video printer, wherein the computer outputs the image signal so that the image output by the video printer is an image having a gradation suitable for observation. On the basis of the above, set a parameter of gradation processing to be performed on the image signal, and A parameter setting unit for inputting to a camera controller, wherein the camera controller performs a gradation process on an image signal input from the imaging device based on the parameter input from the computer. An imaging system comprising: an image signal that has been subjected to the gradation processing; and converts the image signal into the video signal. 2. A monitor for simply displaying an image represented by the video signal is connected between the camera controller and the video printer, and the camera controller outputs the video signal via the monitor. The photographing system according to claim 1, wherein the photographing is performed.