JP2002354319A - Microscope/electronic camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a microscope/electronic camera that is capable of focusing and framing with high accuracy. SOLUTION: In the microscope/electronic camera for imaging the observation of samples by a microscope body, using an imaging element 20 and at the same time recording the images that have been photographed on a record medium 25, images that are photographed by the imaging element 20 are stored in a memory 263. At the same time, when a display magnification to a display section 13 for one portion of an image region being stored in the memory 263 by an operation section 24 is specified, the display magnification is changed to the image region, according to the specification for displaying on a display section 23.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a microscope electronic camera which is connected to a microscope and electronically photographs a specimen image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the development of digital technology,
In the field of microscopes, microscope electronic cameras for electronically capturing a sample image of a microscope have become widespread.

An example of such a microscope electronic camera is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-83184. In this case, as shown in FIG. 17, the microscope electronic camera 100 includes an image sensor 101 and an image sensor 1
The microscope is configured such that a signal processing unit 102 for processing an image pickup signal from the image processing unit 01, a memory 103 for recording image data processed by the signal processing unit 102, and a monitor 104 for displaying image data are integrally provided. Electronic camera 10
0 to the microscope body 105 and the TV camera adapter 106
To be installed via

[0004] With this configuration, the system of the microscope electronic camera 100 can be configured in a space-saving and inexpensive manner, and framing and focusing at the time of photographing can be easily and accurately performed.

[0005]

However, in such a microscope electronic camera, since the monitor 104 is provided integrally, it is not possible to use the monitor 104 with a very high resolution. For this reason, the image displayed on the monitor 104 is inferior in resolution as compared with a sample image visually observed through an eyepiece of a microscope, and there is room for improvement in focusing and framing accuracy.

In order to solve such a problem, a method using a digital camera having an electronic zoom function has been considered. That is, a digital camera having such an electronic zoom function is generally widely used for photographing a person, a landscape, and the like. The size of the specimen image to be displayed can be displayed on the monitor 104.

[0007] However, when such a digital camera is used, an image itself whose magnification has been converted by the electronic zoom function is recorded in the memory, so that an image having a lower resolution than the number of pixels is recorded. Problems arise.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a microscope electronic camera that can perform focusing and framing with high accuracy.

[0009]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
Storage means for storing an image taken by the imaging means in a microscope electronic camera in which an observation image of a specimen by a microscope is taken by an imaging means and an image taken by the imaging means can be recorded on a recording medium; Display means for displaying an image stored in the storage means, operation means for designating a display magnification for the display means for a part of the image area stored in the storage means, and display means for the image area in accordance with the designation by the operation means. Control means for changing a display magnification and displaying the change on the display means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, a part of the image area stored in the storage means designated by the operation means is a central portion of the image area, and The size is in a range corresponding to the displayed display magnification.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, a part of the image area stored in the storage unit designated by the operation unit has a size corresponding to the designated display magnification. And the image area can be moved in the image area, and all or a part of the image stored in the storage means can be recorded on the recording medium.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention, an index indicating an image area stored in the storage means designated by the operation means can be displayed on the display means. And

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention, one or more images recorded on the recording medium are read, and the read image is displayed in a reduced list on a part of the display means. It is characterized in that it can be displayed.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, a part of the image area stored in the storage means designated by the operation means is set at a plurality of positions in the image area. In addition to the above, the display magnification is changed for these image areas so that they can be displayed on the display means.

As a result, according to the present invention, focusing is facilitated by enlarging the gaze position of the sample, and even if the photographing is performed as it is, the image data itself is not operated by changing the display magnification. , Can always record a high-resolution image.

Further, according to the present invention, only the portion of interest of the sample image can be recorded on the recording medium, so that the size of the image data to be recorded can be reduced, and the storage capacity of the recording medium can be saved. Many images can be recorded.

Further, according to the present invention, an image area whose display magnification is to be changed can be displayed on the display means, so that a target portion of a sample to be recorded can be easily set.

Further, according to the present invention, since a plurality of target portions on the specimen image can be accurately positioned and focused, high-resolution imaging can be realized.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a microscope electronic camera to which the present invention is applied and a microscope main body to which the electronic camera is attached.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a microscope main body. The microscope main body 1 has a horizontal base 1a and a body 1b formed upright with respect to the base 1a. An object arm 1c parallel to the base 1a is provided at the distal end.

A stage 2 is provided on the body 1b of the microscope body 1.
Is provided so as to be movable up and down in the optical axis direction of the objective lens 5 described later. A specimen 3 is placed on the stage 2. In this case, the stage 2 can be moved in the horizontal direction within a plane perpendicular to the optical axis as well as vertically moving in the optical axis direction.

The revolver 4 is provided on the objective arm 1c. The revolver 4 contains the specimen 3 on the stage 2
A plurality of objective lenses 5 are provided in opposition to the revolver 4.
The objective lens 5 is selectively switched on the optical path by the rotation operation of. A lens barrel 6 is provided above the objective arm 1c. The lens barrel 6 is provided with an eyepiece 7 and a camera head 9 of a microscope electronic camera via a television adapter 8.

A transmission light source 10 is provided below the body 1b of the microscope main body 1. The illumination light from the transmission light source 10 enters the sample 3 from below the stage 2 via the lens 11, the mirror 12, the lens 13, the field stop 14, the aperture stop 15, and the condenser lens 16,
The luminous flux transmitted through the sample 3 passes through the objective lens 5 as a sample image, is imaged by the imaging lens 17 in the lens barrel 6, and is incident on the prism 18. The prism 18 splits the sample image, emits one through the eyepiece 7, and causes the other to enter the camera head 9 of the microscope electronic camera via the television adapter 8.

The camera head unit 9 has a shutter 19 and an image pickup device 20 such as a CCD as image pickup means, and picks up an incident sample image by the image pickup device 20 through the shutter 19. Here, the CCD constituting the image sensor 20 has an effective pixel number of 1280 × 960 pixels (of course, the number of pixels of the CCD is not limited to this pixel number).

An operation display section 22 is connected to the camera head section 9 via a cable 21. Here, the operation display unit 22 includes a display unit 23 and an operation unit 24 as operation means.
And a recording medium (memory card) 25. Here, the display unit 23 uses a liquid crystal color monitor having 640 × 480 pixels (the number of pixels of the liquid crystal color monitor is not limited to this number of pixels).

FIG. 2 shows an electric circuit of the camera head section 9 and the operation display section 22 of the microscope electronic camera. In this case, the camera head unit 9 and the operation display unit 22 include a signal processing unit 26 that processes a signal from the image sensor 20.

The signal processing unit 26 is connected to a bus line 27 and is controlled by a system control unit 28 connected to the bus line 27. Further, the above-described operation unit 24 and the external interface 29 are connected to the bus line 27.

The signal processing section 26 has a sample and hold section 261 for sampling a signal from the image pickup device 20,
An A / D conversion unit 262 for performing D conversion; a memory controller 264 for controlling input / output of data to / from a memory 263 as storage means for temporarily storing image data;
D / A conversion units 265 for performing the / A conversion are sequentially connected,
A signal from the image sensor 20 is output to the display unit 23. The D / A conversion unit 265 includes a display unit 2
A video output terminal 30 for outputting a video signal to the outside in addition to 3
Is connected to the display unit 23 for an external monitor (not shown).
The same image can be displayed. The output signal from the timing generator 266 is
0 and the signal input to the sample hold unit 261 and output from the sync generator 267 are output to the A / D converter 2
62, D / A converter 265 and memory controller 2
64. The timing generator 266 and the sync generator 267 are connected to the bus line 27, respectively, and control the operation of each block by receiving a command from the system control unit 28 via the bus line 27 and outputting a timing signal. Like that.

The system control unit 28 includes a CPU 281, a ROM 282 containing an operation program, and a work RA.
M283, the CPU 281, the ROM 282,
The RAMs 283 are also connected to the bus lines 27, respectively. The CPU 281 performs various controls of the electronic camera according to the operation program stored in the ROM 282.

The recording medium 25 is connected to the memory 263 and the memory controller 264 to store image data,
Reading is performed. Of course, as the recording medium 25, a recording medium other than a memory card can be used.

The operation unit 24 is connected to a system control unit 28 via a bus line 27, and transmits various operation instructions such as release to the system control unit 28 by the operation unit 24. The external interface 29 is for exchanging data with an external personal computer (not shown).

In the electronic camera thus constructed, the shutter 19, the image pickup device 20, the sample hold unit 261, the A / D converter 262, the timing generator 266, and the sync generator 267 are connected to the camera head unit 9.
The memory 263, the memory controller 264, the D / A conversion unit 265, the display unit 23, the system control unit 28, the operation unit 24, the recording medium 25, the external interface 29, and the video output terminal 30 Part 22
Housed within. (In the present embodiment, the microscope electronic camera is configured as the camera head unit 9 and the operation display unit 22 as described above. However, as in the related art, the monitor is integrated. The arrangement of electric circuits such as the signal processing unit, the control unit, the display unit, and the operation unit is not particularly limited.) The recording medium 25 is configured to be insertable into and removable from the operation display unit 22. Using the recording medium 25, image data can be exchanged with an external personal computer or the like.

FIG. 3 shows an operation surface of the operation unit 24. In this case, the button A is a shooting button for instructing a still image shooting by the shutter 19 and the image sensor 20, and the buttons B and C are used to enlarge the display magnification of the moving image picked up by the image sensor 20 displayed on the display unit 23. A display magnification enlargement button and a display magnification reduction button for reduction. A button D is a still image recording range display button for displaying a range for recording a still image on the display unit, and buttons E and F are a still image recording range enlargement button for enlarging and reducing a still image, and a still image recording range reduction. Buttons, buttons G, H,
I and J are an up button, a down button, a left button, a right button, and a button K for moving the still image recording range up, down, left and right, and one or more buttons recorded on the recording medium 25. An image list display button for executing a function of reading image data, creating a reduced image, and displaying the reduced image on the display unit 23.

In the first embodiment, only the buttons A, B, and C are used, and the other buttons D, E, F,
G, H, I, J, and K are used in second and third embodiments described later.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment configured as described above will be described.

First, the photographing procedure of the microscope electronic camera will be described with reference to FIG. In this case, the sample 3 is placed on the stage 2 in the microscope main body 1 and the selection of the magnification of the objective lens 5 is completed, and the sample is visually observed through the eyepiece 7 before the start of photographing in step 400. Observe.

In this state, when photographing is started in step 400, the microscope electronic camera captures a sample image by the image sensor 20, and stores the captured image in the sample hold unit 261, the A / D conversion unit 262, and the memory controller 26.
4 and stored in the memory 263 as image data of 1280 × 980 pixels. The memory controller 264 samples the image data stored in the memory 263 every other row and column, and displays it as display data of 640 × 480 pixels on the display unit 23 via the D / A conversion unit 265. Such processing is continuously repeated, and an image formed on the image sensor 20 is captured as a moving image,
It is displayed on the display unit 23.

Next, at step 401, the operation display unit 22
While looking at the screen of the display unit 23, the stage 2 is moved and adjusted in the optical axis direction to perform focusing.
In step 402, the stage 2 is moved and adjusted in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis while viewing the screen of the display unit 23, and the photographing position of the sample image is moved to the center of the screen of the display unit 23 (framing).

Next, at step 403, a display magnification on the display unit 23 is selected. The display magnification in this case is 1 × 2
You can select from 3 times, 2 times and 4 times. The selection of the display magnification is performed by the buttons B and C of the operation unit 24. First, in the initial state, the image is displayed at a display magnification of 1 ×, and the operation unit 2 is displayed.
By pressing the button B of No. 4 once, the setting is changed from 1 times to 2 times, and by pressing the button B again, the setting is changed from 2 times to 4 times. When the button C is pressed in a state where the display magnification is 2 × or 4 ×, the display magnification can be changed to 1 × or 2 ×, respectively. Simultaneously with such an operation, in step 404, the display magnification on the display unit 23 is changed.

In this case, the operation states of the microscope electronic camera corresponding to each display magnification are as follows.

Now, a case where the specimen 3 as shown in FIG. 5 is observed will be described as an example.

(1) When the display magnification is 1 × In this case, the microscope electronic camera converts the image picked up by the image pickup device 20 via the sample hold unit 261, the A / D converter 262, and the memory controller 264 as shown in FIG. As shown in (a), the image data is stored in the memory 263 as image data of 1280 × 960 pixels. Further, the memory controller 26
4 samples the image data stored in the memory 263 every other row and column, and as shown in FIG.
As the display data of 0 × 480 pixels, the D / A converter 26
5 is displayed on the display unit 23.

By displaying in this manner, the entire image of the specimen 3 captured by the image sensor 20 can be displayed on the display unit 23.

(2) In the case of a display magnification of 2 × In this case, the microscope electronic camera converts the image picked up by the image pickup device 20 through the sample hold unit 261, the A / D conversion unit 262, and the memory controller 264. 6
As shown in (c), the image data is stored in the memory 263 as image data of 1280 × 960 pixels. Further, the memory controller 264 samples 640 × 480 pixels (portion surrounded by a dashed line shown in FIG. 6C) at the center of the image data stored in the memory 263, and shows the data shown in FIG. Such display data of 640 × 480 is displayed on the display unit 23 via the D / A conversion unit 265.

By displaying in this manner, the center of the sample 3 picked up by the image pickup device 20 is displayed on the display unit 23, and a sample image having a size twice as large when the display magnification is 1 is displayed. Can be.

(3) In the case of a display magnification of 4 In this case, the microscope electronic camera converts the image picked up by the image pickup device 20 via the sample hold unit 261, the A / D converter 262, and the memory controller 264. 6
As shown in (e), the image data is stored in the memory 263 as image data of 1280 × 960 pixels. Further, the memory controller 264 samples 320 × 240 pixels (portion surrounded by a dashed line shown in FIG. 6E) at the center of the image data stored in the memory 263. Then, the image data is complemented by pixels and displayed as 640 × 480 display data via the D / A conversion unit 265 on the display unit 23 as shown in FIG.

By displaying in this manner, the center of the sample 3 picked up by the image pickup device 20 is displayed on the display unit 23, and a sample image having a size four times as large as when the display magnification is 1 is displayed. Can be displayed.

With the display magnification on the display unit 23 changed in this way, focusing is performed again with high accuracy in step 405. By the way, since the display magnification suitable for focusing differs depending on the specimen 3, the following step 4
At 06, it is determined whether the focusing is completed or the display magnification is changed to perform the focusing again. When re-focusing is performed, the process returns to step 403. When focusing is completed, shooting is performed in the next step 407.

This photographing is executed by pressing the button A of the operation unit 24. By pressing the button A, the microscope electronic camera synchronizes with the opening and closing operation of the shutter 19,
The sample image formed on the image sensor 20 is captured and stored in the memory 263 via the sample hold unit 261, the A / D converter 262, and the memory controller 264. The memory controller 264 includes the memory 263 and the recording medium 2
5 and 1280 × 96 stored in the memory 263.
The image data of 0 pixels is recorded on the recording medium 25, and the photographing is completed.

Accordingly, when the focus is adjusted while looking at the screen of the display section 23, the photographed portion of the sample 3 can be enlarged and displayed on the display section 23, and the focus of the sample image can be adjusted. Can be performed with higher accuracy. The image data recorded on the recording medium 25 is the image data itself captured by the image sensor 20, and the image data itself is not operated by changing the display magnification, so that a high-resolution image can always be recorded. .

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

Since the structure of the second embodiment is the same as that of FIGS. 1 to 3 described in the first embodiment, FIGS. 1 to 3 will be referred to.

In this case, in the second embodiment, the button A, the button B and the button C are operated on the operation unit 24 shown in FIG.
In addition to the above, a button D as a still image recording range display button for displaying a range for recording a still image on the display unit, a still image recording range enlarge button for enlarging and reducing a still image, and a button as a still image recording range reducing button Buttons G, H, I, and J, which are E and F, an up button, a down button, a left button, and a right button for moving the still image recording range up, down, left, and right, are used.

Next, the operation of the second embodiment configured as described above will be described.

First, the photographing procedure of the microscope electronic camera will be described with reference to FIG. In this case, the sample 3 is placed on the stage 2 in the microscope main body 1 and the selection of the magnification of the objective lens 5 is completed, and the sample is visually observed through the eyepiece 7 before the start of photographing in step 700. Observe.

In this state, when photographing is started in step 700, the microscope electronic camera captures a sample image by the image sensor 20, and stores the captured image in a sample-and-hold unit 261, an A / D converter 262, and a memory controller 26.
4 and stored in the memory 263 as image data of 1280 × 980 pixels. The memory controller 264 samples the image data stored in the memory 263 every other row and column, and displays it as display data of 640 × 480 pixels on the display unit 23 via the D / A conversion unit 265. Such processing is continuously repeated, and an image formed on the image sensor 20 is captured as a moving image,
It is displayed on the display unit 23.

Next, at step 701, the operation display section 22
While looking at the screen of the display unit 23, the stage 2 is moved and adjusted in the optical axis direction to perform focusing.
In step 702, the stage 2 is moved and adjusted in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis while watching the screen of the display unit 23, and the photographing position of the sample image is moved to the center of the screen of the display unit 23 (framing).

Next, in step 703, the recording range of the still image is set. The recording range of the still image is 1280 × 9
Three types of settings of 60 pixels, 640 × 480 pixels, and 320 × 240 pixels are possible. These recording range settings can be changed by the still image recording range enlargement button E, the still image recording range reduction button F, the movement buttons G, H,
Performed by I and J. In this case, pressing the button F can reduce the still image recording range. That is, when the button F is pressed in the initial state of 1280 × 960 pixel recording, the recording range is reduced to 640 × 480 pixel recording, and the button F is pressed in the 640 × 480 pixel recording state.
Pressing reduces the recording range and changes to 320 × 240 pixel recording. In addition, when the button E is pressed in the state of 320 × 240 pixel recording, the recording range is enlarged, and the recording range is changed to 640 × 480 pixel recording. 1280 x 96
Changed to 0 pixel recording. In step 703, the still image recording range is set by the buttons E and F. At the same time, a frame indicating the still image recording range is displayed on the display unit 23 in the electronic microscope camera.

Next, the operation state of the microscope electronic camera corresponding to each still image recording range will be described.

In this case as well, the case where the sample 3 as shown in FIG. 5 is observed will be described as an example. According to the set still image recording range, a dashed-dotted rectangular shape representing the recording range shown in FIG. Are displayed as indices. These frames S1 and S2 are buttons E or F, respectively.
In response to an instruction from the system control unit 28 in response to the operation, the memory controller 264 superimposes the image data on the image sensor 20 stored in the memory 263 by the D / A
It is displayed on the display unit 23 via the conversion unit 265. That is, in FIG. 8A, the still image recording range is
Is the size of the image data itself captured by
Therefore, no frame is displayed. Also, in FIG.
A 40 × 480 rectangular frame S1 is displayed so as to be superimposed on the image data on the memory 263. Further, in FIG. 8C, a 320 × 240 rectangular frame S2 is displayed so as to be superimposed on the image data on the memory 263.

In the case where the still image recording range in FIG. 8A is the image data itself captured by the image sensor 20, the still image recording range is 1280 × 960 because there is no change on the display screen of the display unit 23. I can't recognize it. Therefore, “1280 × 960” is displayed in a part of the display unit 23.
And characters such as "Fu11" or the like.
May be provided with an LED or the like in a part thereof so that it can be recognized. This display may be performed only for a certain period after the setting is changed.

The frames S1 and S2 are displayed on the display unit 23.
Can be moved with the move buttons G, H, I, J while looking at the screen of FIG. That is, FIGS. 9A and 9B show a case where the recording range is 1280 × 960, and the entire image data captured by the image sensor 20 as shown in FIG. Is displayed on the display unit 23 as shown in FIG. FIGS. 9C and 9D show that the recording range is 640.
× 480 pixels, and in the initial state, FIG.
Move the frame S1 located at the center as shown in FIG.
This shows a case where the sample 3 is moved to a target portion by H, I, and J. That is, FIG.
It shows the image data of 1280 × 960 pixels above,
FIG. 9D shows 640 × 480 displayed on the display unit 23.
The display data of a pixel is shown. At this time, in the microscope electronic camera, the memory controller 2 is operated according to an instruction from the system control unit 28 in response to the input of the move buttons G, H, I, and J.
The position of the 640 × 480 frame S1 indicating the recording range is moved by 64 and is displayed on the display unit 23 so as to overlap the sample image.
9E and 9F show that the recording range is 320 × 24.
In the initial state, the frame S2 located at the center is moved to buttons G, H, I, and J as shown in FIG.
Shows a case where the sample 3 is moved to the target portion of the sample 3. That is, FIG. 9E shows 1280 × 9 on the memory.
FIG. 9F shows image data of 60 pixels, and FIG. 9F shows display data of 640 × 480 pixels displayed on the display unit 23. At this time, in the microscope electronic camera, the system control unit 28 corresponding to the input of the movement buttons G, H, I, and J
In response to the instruction, the memory controller 264 moves the position of the 320 × 240 frame S2 indicating the recording range and superimposes and displays the sample image on the display unit 23.

After the still image recording range is set in this way, it is determined in step 704 shown in FIG. 7 whether the set recording range is enlarged and displayed on the display unit 23.
If focusing is possible without enlarging the display, the flow advances to step 706 to perform focusing. When performing focusing with high precision by enlarging the display, step 7
05, the enlarged display processing is set.

In step 705, the setting of the enlarged display processing is executed by pressing the still image recording range display button D. Here, when the still image recording range is 1280 × 960 pixels, as shown in FIG. 10A, the image data stored in the memory 263 is sampled every other row and column, and as shown in FIG. The display data is set to be displayed on the display unit 23 via the D / A conversion unit 265 as the display data of 640 × 480 pixels. Further, when the still image recording range is 640 × 480 pixels, the image data stored in the memory 263 shown in FIG. 10C set as described above is surrounded by a frame S1 of 640 × 480 pixels. The portion is sampled as it is, and is set to be displayed on the display unit 23 via the D / A conversion unit 265 as display data of 640 × 480 pixels as shown in FIG. Further, when the still image recording range is 320 × 240 pixels, 320 × 24 pixels of the image data stored in the memory 263 shown in FIG.
A portion surrounded by a frame S2 of 0 pixels is sampled, converted into display data of 640 × 480 pixels by interpolation processing, and then set to be displayed on the display unit 23 via a D / A conversion unit 265. . By performing such a setting, the sample image obtained by the microscope is displayed as a moving image on the screen of the display unit 23 with the still image recording range enlarged.

Next, focusing is performed in step 706, and photographing is performed in step 707 after focusing is completed.

This photographing is executed by pressing the button A of the operation unit 24. By pressing the button A, the microscope electronic camera synchronizes with the opening and closing operation of the shutter 19,
The sample image formed on the image sensor 20 is captured and stored in the memory 263 via the sample hold unit 261, the A / D converter 262, and the memory controller 264. The memory controller 264 includes the memory 263 and the recording medium 2
5 and 1280 × 96 stored in the memory 263.
The image data of 0 pixels or the image data of the portion set as the still image recording range is recorded on the recording medium 25, and the photographing is completed.

Accordingly, when the focus is adjusted while looking at the screen of the display unit 23, the photographed portion of the sample 3 can be enlarged and displayed on the display unit 23, and the focus of the sample image can be adjusted. Can be performed with higher accuracy. Further, since only the noted portion of the sample image can be recorded on the recording medium 25, the size of the image data to be recorded can be reduced, the storage capacity of the recording medium 25 can be saved, and more images can be captured and recorded. be able to.

(Modification 1) In the above-described second embodiment, an example has been described in which a still image recording range is set and then that portion is enlarged and displayed. For example, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 11, when the sample 3 is observed, the frame S3 is set as a still image recording range on the image, and the still image recording range display button D is pressed in the same manner as described above, to thereby obtain FIG. As shown in b), the display is enlarged only in the frame S3. Here, if the operator of the microscope electronic camera feels that the magnification is still low to perform the focusing, the display magnification enlargement button B is further pressed. As shown in FIG. 11C, the display magnification may be increased.

Thus, the operator can focus while observing at a display magnification suitable for focusing.

(Modification 2) In the second embodiment described above, the still image recording range is set to the rectangular frames S1, S
21, the still image recording range can also be represented by a display as shown in FIGS. FIG. 12A shows a frame S4 displaying only a part of the frame S4 so as not to disturb the sample observation. FIG.
2B shows a frame S5 in which the display method is changed between inside and outside. In the frame S5 in this case, the outer display brightness is reduced or monochrome display is performed. FIG. 12C shows a frame S6 composed of a double line of white and black or yellow and black. In this manner, when the image is dark, the frame itself and the yellow frame are conspicuous, and when the image is bright, the black frame is conspicuous, so that the frame S6 can be easily seen regardless of the type of the image. FIG. 12D shows a frame S7 in which the color of the display image inside or outside the frame is converted and displayed.
For example, a set of original display image data (red, green, blue) (R,
G, B), (255-R, 255-G, 255
-B) by performing the conversion process and displaying
The still image recording range is easily recognized.

(Third Embodiment) Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

The third embodiment is effective for photographing when one sample has a plurality of regions of interest, and the configuration is the same as that of FIGS. 1 to 3 described in the first embodiment. Therefore, FIGS. 1 to 3 are referred to.

In this case, in the third embodiment, one or more pieces of image data recorded on the recording medium 25 are read by the operation unit 24 shown in FIG. An image list display button K for executing a function to be displayed is used.

Next, the operation of the third embodiment configured as described above will be described.

Now, a description will be given of the photographing of the sample 3 observed as shown in FIG. 13 when observed with the objective lens 5 having a magnification of 10 times. In this case, the rectangular frames S8, S9, S1
Assuming that a portion 0 is an attention portion to be photographed, the method of photographing only these attention portions as a recording range as described in the above-described second embodiment causes a decrease in image resolution. In order to perform high-resolution imaging, it is only necessary to increase the magnification for each part of interest, but in the case of specimens such as cells, the shape of the part of interest is often similar, so simply increase the magnification. Even if you try to do so, it is difficult to adjust to exactly the same position when the magnification is high.

Therefore, in the third embodiment, only the region of interest is set as a recording range of 320 × 240 pixels at a low magnification and photographed, and the image is displayed on a part of the display unit 23 as an image list. Further, the magnification of the objective lens 5 is increased, and the same attention area is accurately positioned with reference to the image list display.

The operation of the microscope electronic camera at this time will be described. First, the objective lens 5 is switched to a 10-times one and a sample image by the microscope is displayed on the display unit 23 as shown in FIG. Next, according to the procedure described in the second embodiment, rectangular frames S8, S9,
S10 is photographed as a recording image range of 320 × 240 pixels, and each image data is recorded on the recording medium 25.

Next, an image list display button K on the operation unit 24 is displayed.
push. By pressing this image list display button K,
In the microscope electronic camera, the setting of the image list display is performed. That is, in response to the input instruction of the image list display button K, the system control unit 28 causes the memory controller 264 to store the attention area frames S8, S8 stored in the recording medium 25.
9. The image of 320 × 240 pixels in S10 is stored in the memory 26.
3 and resample these images to obtain a reduced image of 160 × 120 pixels.
Then, as shown in FIG. 14, the reduced images R1, R2, and R3 are displayed side by side as a list on the lower side of the screen of the display unit 23.
In this case, the upper part of the screen of the display unit 23 is composed of 320 × 240 pixels obtained by sampling image data of 1280 × 960 pixels imaged by the image sensor 20 and stored in the memory 263 every three rows and three columns by the memory controller 264. Image R
0 is displayed.

Next, the objective lens 5 is switched to a 40-times one, and the stage is set as shown in FIG. 15 while referring to the reduced images R1, R2 and R3 listed at the bottom of the screen of the display unit 23. 2, the attention area is positioned, and the moving image R4 enlarged by switching the objective lens of the sample 3 is displayed on the upper side of the screen of the display unit 23. When the display magnification enlargement button B is further pressed, the sample 3 displayed on the upper side of the display unit 23 is displayed.
To enlarge the moving image. At this time, the microscope electronic camera reads the 12 electronic image data stored in the memory 263 by the image sensor 20.
By re-sampling the 640 × 480 pixel area at the center of the 80 × 960 image by the memory controller 264, an enlarged image R5 of 320 × 240 pixels is displayed on the upper side of the screen of the display unit 23 as shown in FIG. .

By performing focusing in this state, although the display area of the moving image is narrowed, focusing can be performed with high precision. After the focusing is completed, the photographing is performed by pressing the photographing button A. In this case, by pressing the button A, the microscope electronic camera captures the sample image formed on the image sensor 20 in synchronization with the opening and closing operation of the shutter 19, and the sample and hold unit 261,
The data is stored in the memory 263 via the A / D converter 262 and the memory controller 264. Memory controller 264
Controls the memory 263 and the recording medium 25, records the image data of 1280 × 960 pixels stored in the memory 263 on the recording medium 25, and completes the photographing.

The same photographing is performed for the frames S8, S9,
By performing the processing in S10, it is possible to perform shooting at a high resolution of 1280 × 960 for each attention area.

Accordingly, since a plurality of target portions on the sample image can be accurately positioned and focused with high accuracy, high-resolution imaging can be realized.

(Modification) In the third embodiment described above,
The images of S8, S9, and S10 are sequentially taken according to the procedure of the second embodiment, but the following modified examples are also possible.

The attention area shown in FIG. 13 is displayed on the display unit 23 as a recording image range. That is, a plurality of recording image ranges can be set and displayed. A plurality of ranges designated in this way are photographed simultaneously and recorded on the recording medium 25.
(At this time, instead of recording on the recording medium, the information may be directly stored in the list image display area in the memory controller.) The same effect can be obtained by the above-described modification.

[0086]

As described above, according to the present invention, a microscope electronic camera capable of performing focusing and framing with high precision can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a microscope electronic camera according to first to third embodiments of the present invention and a microscope main body to which the electronic camera is attached.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an electric circuit of a camera head unit and an operation display unit used in the first to third embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an operation unit used in the first to third embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a sample used for explaining the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram used to explain the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram used to explain the operation of the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram used to explain the operation of the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram used to explain the operation of the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram used to explain a modification of the second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram used for describing another modification of the second embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram used to explain the operation of the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram used to explain the operation of the third embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a diagram used to explain the operation of the third embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a diagram used to explain the operation of the third embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an example of a conventional microscope electronic camera.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Microscope main body 1a ... Base part 1b ... Body part 1c ... Objective arm 2 ... Stage 3 ... Sample 4 ... Revolver 5 ... Objective lens 6 ... Barrel 7 ... Eyepiece 8 ... TV adapter 9 ... Camera head part 10 ... For transmission Light source 11 Lens 12 Mirror 13 Lens 14 Field stop 15 Aperture stop 16 Condenser lens 17 Image forming lens 18 Prism 19 Shutter 20 Image sensor 21 Cable 22 Operation display 23 Display 24 ... Operation unit 25 ... Recording medium 26 ... Signal processing unit 261 ... Sample hold unit 262 ... A / D conversion unit 263 ... Memory 264 ... Memory controller 265 ... D / A conversion unit 266 ... Timing generator 267 ... Sink generator 27 ... Bus line 28 ... System control unit 281 ... CPU 282 ... ROM 283 ... RA M 29: external interface 30: video output terminal

Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2H052 AF14 AF21 2H054 AA01 5C022 AA13 AB36 AC13 AC42 AC69 CA02

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A microscope electronic camera in which an observation image of a specimen by a microscope is captured by an imaging unit and an image captured by the imaging unit can be recorded on a recording medium, wherein the storage unit stores an image captured by the imaging unit. Display means for displaying an image stored in the storage means; operation means for designating a display magnification for the display means for a part of the image area stored in the storage means; Control means for changing a display magnification of the image area and displaying the image area on the display means. 2. A part of an image area stored in the storage unit specified by the operation unit is a central portion of the image region and has a size range according to a specified display magnification. The microscope electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein: 3. A part of an image area stored in said storage means specified by said operation means is a range of a size corresponding to a specified display magnification, and is movable in said image area. 2. The microscope electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein all or a part of the image stored in the storage unit is recordable on the recording medium. 4. The microscope electronic camera according to claim 3, wherein an index indicating an image area stored in said storage means designated by said operation means can be displayed on said display means. 5. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein one or a plurality of images recorded on the recording medium are read, and a reduced list of the read images can be displayed on a part of the display means. Microscope electronic camera. 6. A part of an image area stored in the storage means designated by the operation means can be set at a plurality of positions in the image area, and a display magnification is changed for these image areas. The microscope electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein a list can be displayed on the display unit.