JP2005345578A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To image a clear observation image, without producing halation resulting from irregular reflections due to a surface shape and an optical property of an object to be observed when illumination light with comparatively strong light quantity is emitted as a side emission illumination. <P>SOLUTION: An imaging head (3), at a top end of which an observation aperture (2) for capturing the image of the object to be observed is formed, is attached to an apparatus body (6) equipped with an imaging element (4) and an illumination light source (5 ...). At the imaging head (3), an expansion optical system (9) which carries out image formation of an expansion image of the object to be observed onto the imaging element, a large number of optical fibers (10 ...) for side emission illumination which guide light of the illumination light source (5) and has an imaging area (A) of the expansion optical system (9) therewith irradiated from its surrounding and a polarizing plate (P) which makes light reflected from the object to be observed transmit onto an imaging optical axis (X) which starts from the imaging area (A), passes the expansion optical system (7) and reaches the imaging element (4), are arranged. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging device for observing the surface of an object to be observed, and in particular, when a beauty member who sells cosmetics determines an optimal cosmetic, shampoo, rinse, or the like according to the state of the user's skin or scalp. For example, it is suitable for an enlargement imaging apparatus used for magnifying and observing the user's skin and scalp.

In recent years, various measuring devices and diagnostic devices have been introduced not only at cosmetic department stores in department stores but also at cosmetic stores in shopping streets, etc., for promoting sales of cosmetics.
Among them, a magnifier such as a CCD microscope enlarges the skin to a high magnification that cannot be seen normally, and the fineness of the texture (spots), freckles, and skin formed by fine twills that run vertically and horizontally. It is an important tool for sales promotion because it can be displayed on the monitor and explained while showing the video to the user.

  By the way, in order to observe the degree of rough skin when observing the skin, when observing each texture (texture) formed by fine twills running diagonally in the vertical and horizontal directions, the diameter is extremely limited to 1 mm or less. In this case, an enlargement magnification of about 700 times is required, and a light amount per unit area required for imaging is also strong.

However, if the amount of light is increased when the magnification is high, the image becomes brighter.However, due to the uneven shape and optical properties of the object to be observed, partial irregular reflection occurs, and when part of the light goes directly to the image sensor, Caused halation, making it difficult to see the image.
In particular, when illumination light is irradiated to the object to be observed in substantially equilibrium with the imaging optical axis, the illumination light irradiated to the object to be observed is reflected toward the image sensor, and thus halation is likely to occur.

For this reason, the applicant has proposed an imaging apparatus in which a large number of side-illumination optical fibers for irradiating light from the periphery toward the imaging area are arranged when the magnification is increased.
JP 2003-29159 A

By using side-illumination in this way, although halation due to light directly reflected from the skin surface toward the image sensor has been eliminated, it is fine to run vertically and horizontally when imaging the texture of the skin. It has been found that halation occurs due to irregular reflection at the ridge line of the twill running in a specific direction of the twill, and irregular reflection at the horny curved surface portion and the tip portion that peeled off and turned up.
This is not limited to the case of directly imaging the skin, and as described in Patent Document 2, the horny layer is obtained by sticking and peeling off the keratin sampling sheet on which the keratin sampling adhesive layer is formed on one side of the base film. The same applies to the case where the skin is taken and the keratin adhering to the adhesive layer is imaged.
JP 2004-85272 A

  Therefore, the present invention can capture a clear observation image without causing halation due to irregular reflection due to the surface shape or optical properties of the object to be observed when illumination light with relatively strong light intensity is irradiated as side illumination. This is a technical challenge.

  In order to solve this problem, the present invention provides an imaging apparatus in which an imaging head having an observation through hole for capturing an image of an object to be observed is attached to an apparatus body including an imaging element and an illumination light source. The imaging head includes a magnifying optical system that forms an enlarged image of an object to be observed on an imaging device, and a side illumination that guides light from the illumination light source and irradiates the imaging area by the magnifying optical system from its surroundings. And a polarizing plate that transmits reflected light from the object to be observed is arranged on the imaging optical axis from the imaging area to the imaging device through the magnifying optical system.

According to the imaging apparatus of the present invention, the light of the light source arranged in the apparatus main body is guided to the optical fiber arranged in the imaging head, irradiated from the periphery of the imaging area as side illumination light, and positioned in the imaging area. The image of the object to be observed is magnified by the magnifying optical system and captured by the image sensor.
And, for example, when imaging the texture of the skin, because it is side-illuminated, there is almost no light reflected from the object to be imaged toward the image sensor, and a specific direction among the fine twills that run diagonally in the vertical and horizontal directions Even if irregular reflection occurs at the ridgeline of the twill that runs on the surface, or irregular reflection occurs at the tip of the horny skin that peels off and peels off, the diffusely reflected light is polarized in a specific direction. It is possible to take a clear image without halation, and there is an excellent effect.

  In this example, when illumination light with relatively high light intensity is irradiated as side illumination, a clear observation image can be captured without causing halation due to irregular reflection due to the surface shape or optical properties of the object to be observed. I made it.

  FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an imaging apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing another embodiment.

  An imaging apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 captures an image of exfoliated keratin attached to an adhesive layer of a stratum corneum sampling sheet S. An imaging head 3 having an observation through hole 2 for capturing an image of an object to be observed is formed at the tip. The image pickup device 4 such as a CCD device or a C-MOS device is detachably mounted on an apparatus main body 6 including an illumination light source 5 including nine high-intensity white light-emitting diodes arranged in a ring around the image pickup device 4.

  The stratum corneum collection sheet S has a stratum corneum collection adhesive layer 8 formed on one side of a transparent or opaque base film 7, and when a transparent base film is used, an opaque light-shielding plate (not shown) on the back. When an opaque base film is used, the image can be taken as it is.

  The imaging head 3 has a magnifying optical system 9 that forms an enlarged image of the object to be observed on the imaging device 4 and the light from the illumination light source 5 and irradiates the imaging area A from its surroundings by the magnifying optical system 9. 27 optical fibers 10 for side illumination, and a polarizing plate P that transmits the reflected light from the observation object on the imaging optical axis X from the imaging area A through the magnifying optical system 9 to the imaging device 4. It is arranged.

  In this example, a rotating ring 11 in which an observation through hole 2 is formed is provided in the imaging head 3, and a translucent support plate 12 is attached to the rotating ring 11, and an optical path and a transmission from the imaging area A to the imaging element 4 are transmitted. A portion intersecting with the optical support plate 12 is formed by the polarizing plate P.

The 27 optical fibers 10... Are formed in a bundle of three light incident ends 10 in and arranged opposite to the respective illumination light sources 5, and the light emission end side 10 out is individually branched, and the observation through hole 2. Are attached to the optical fiber holder 13 arranged so as to surround the.

The above is an example of the configuration of the present invention, and its operation will be described next.
When an enlarged image of the stratum corneum collected by the stratum corneum collection sheet S is imaged, first, the stratum corneum is collected by attaching and peeling the adhesive layer 8 of the stratum corneum collection sheet S to the skin, and the adhesive layer 8 is directed to the image sensor. Arranged in the imaging area A.

Then, when the illumination light source 5 of the image pickup apparatus 1 is turned on, the light is guided to the optical fibers 10... And irradiated conically as side illumination from the light exit end 10 out toward the image pickup area A.
At this time, even if specular reflection occurs in the stratum corneum sampling sheet S, the reflected light deviates from the imaging optical axis X, so that it does not go to the image pickup device 4, and therefore halation due to specular reflection does not occur.

  Further, the curved surface portion or the tip portion of the exfoliated horny layer or its optical specificity causes irregular reflection, and the reflected light may be reflected toward the image pickup device 4, but such reflected light is directed in a specific direction. Since light that is polarized and travels toward the image sensor 4 always passes through the polarizing plate P, the angle of the polarizing plate P is adjusted by turning the rotating ring 11 so that the reflected light becomes the weakest. It is possible to cut and capture a clear image without halation.

The imaging device 21 in FIG. 2 is of a type that directly images the skin, and portions common to those in FIG.
When observing the skin, the observation through hole 2 at the tip of the imaging head 3 is brought into direct contact with the skin. Therefore, when the translucent support plate 12 and the polarizing plate P as shown in FIG. , This may come into contact with your skin and get dirty.
Therefore, in this example, the observation through-hole 2 is formed so that the focusing surface Z of the magnifying optical system 9 coincides with the skin surface when the tip of the imaging head 3 comes into contact with the skin to be observed. It arrange | positions in the position where the polarizing plate P does not contact skin.

Specifically, the ring gear 22 provided with a polarizing plate P intersecting with the imaging optical axis X on the inside is externally mounted at an intermediate position of the lens barrel 23 of the magnifying optical system 9 and is exposed to the outside of the imaging head 3. When the small-diameter drive gear 24 is rotated, it rotates in conjunction with this.
The optical fibers 10 are arranged in parallel outside the ring gear 22 so as not to obstruct the rotation of the ring gear 22.

Thereby, even if the tip of the imaging head 3 is brought into contact with the skin and the texture of the skin is imaged, the polarizing plate is not soiled by sebum adhering to the skin.
In addition, irregular reflection occurs at the edge of the twill that runs in a specific direction among the fine twills that run diagonally in the vertical and horizontal directions, or irregular reflection occurs at the horny tip that peels off and turns up, and the reflected light is reflected toward the image sensor 4. In some cases, such reflected light is polarized in a specific direction, and light directed toward the image sensor 4 always passes through the polarizing plate P. Therefore, when the drive gear 24 is rotated, the reflected light is the most. If the angle of the polarizing plate P is adjusted so as to be weak, the reflected light can be cut, and a clear image without halation can be taken.

  The present invention enlarges and observes a user's skin, scalp, and the like when a beauty member who sells cosmetics determines optimal cosmetics, shampoo, rinse, etc. according to the user's skin and scalp conditions Applicable to usage.

1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of an imaging device according to the present invention. Sectional drawing which shows other embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Imaging device S Corneal sampling sheet 2 Observation through-hole 3 Imaging head 4 Imaging element 5 Illumination light source 6 Device main body 7 Base film 8 Adhesive layer 9 for corneum sampling Magnifying optical system 10 Optical fiber 11 Rotating ring 12 Translucent support plate P Polarizing plate A Imaging area X Imaging optical axis

Claims (6)

In an imaging apparatus in which an imaging head in which an observation through-hole for capturing an image of an object to be observed is formed at the tip is attached to an apparatus body including an imaging element and an illumination light source,
The imaging head includes a magnifying optical system that forms an enlarged image of an object to be observed on an imaging device, and a side illumination that guides light from the illumination light source and irradiates the imaging area by the magnifying optical system from its surroundings. An imaging apparatus comprising: a plurality of optical fibers; and a polarizing plate that transmits reflected light from an object to be observed on an imaging optical axis that extends from an imaging area to an imaging element through an enlargement optical system.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the polarizing plate is provided to be rotatable about an imaging optical axis.   A rotating ring having an observation through hole formed on the distal end side is provided in the imaging head, and a translucent support plate is attached to the rotating ring, and an optical path from the imaging area to the imaging element intersects the translucent support plate. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the portion is formed of a polarizing plate.   The object to be observed is a stratum corneum collecting sheet in which a stratum corneum collecting adhesive layer is formed on one side of a substrate film, and an image of exfoliated keratin attached to the adhesive layer is captured through the observation through-hole. Item 2. The imaging device according to Item 1.   When the tip of the imaging head is brought into contact with the skin to be observed, an observation through hole is formed so that the in-focus surface of the magnifying optical system coincides with the skin surface, and the polarizing plate does not contact the skin The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the imaging device is arranged at a position. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging head is detachably attached to the apparatus main body.

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