JP2011070050A - Microscope - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve versatility of a microscope having a body which can be attached and removed to and from a support stage. <P>SOLUTION: The microscope 11 has a microscope body 21, and a stand 22 which can be attached and removed to/from the microscope body 21 and which can change a distance between the microscope body 21 and a stage. The microscope body 21 has an image processing circuit 103 that processes a digital image signal obtained from a lens group 101, an imaging device 44 and an AD conversion device 102 in real time and generates digital image data, a display section 62 that displays an image based on the digital image data, and an interface circuit 105 that outputs the digital image signal to the outside. The stand 22 has an image processing circuit 122 that processes the digital image signal supplied from the microscope body 21 in real time, and generates digital image data for displaying an image on a monitor 12. The present invention can be applied to, for example, the microscope. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a microscope, and more particularly to a microscope in which versatility is improved.

  Conventionally, a head unit provided with an image sensor, a lens module, and illumination means, and a main body unit that drives and controls the head unit and performs image processing and the like are connected via a cable, and the head unit is attached to and detached from a stand base. A possible microscope has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2009-8918 A

  However, in the microscope described in Patent Document 1, the stand base is only for fixing the position of the head part, and the microscope is realized with and without the head part attached to the stand base. There was no difference in the functions that can be performed.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and is intended to improve the versatility of a microscope in which a main body part can be attached to and detached from a stand.

  A microscope according to one aspect of the present invention can be attached to and detached from a main body having an optical system that forms an image of observation light from a sample, and a photographing unit that photographs the sample through the optical system. A microscope including a support base, wherein the main body unit processes first image signals obtained by the photographing unit in real time to generate first image data, and the first image. First display means for displaying an image based on data; and output means for outputting the image signal to the outside, wherein the support base receives the image signal supplied from the main body via the output means. Second image processing means for generating second image data for processing in real time and displaying an image on a second display means different from the first display means is provided.

  In the microscope of one aspect of the present invention, in the main body, the image signal obtained by the photographing unit is processed in real time, the first image data is generated, the image based on the first image data is displayed, and the support base 2, the image signal supplied from the main body is processed in real time to generate second image data.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, the versatility of a microscope in which a main body part can be attached to and detached from a support base is improved.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of one Embodiment of the microscope observation system to which this invention is applied. It is a perspective view of a microscope main body. It is a block diagram which shows the example of the circuit structure of a microscope. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the detail of an observation process. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the detail of the observation process at the time of single use. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the detail of the observation process at the time of stand mounting | wearing.

  Hereinafter, specific embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration example of an embodiment of a microscope observation system to which the present invention is applied. In the present specification, the term “system” represents the entire apparatus constituted by a plurality of apparatuses.

  The microscope observation system in FIG. 1 is configured by connecting a microscope 11 that acquires an enlarged image (observation image) of a sample to be observed and a monitor 12 that displays an image of the sample acquired by the microscope 11. For example, it is used for observing the sample 13 which is a sample placed on the stage 51 of the microscope 11. In addition, the microscope observation system is, for example, a large sample (not shown) that cannot be placed on the stage 51 of the microscope 11 or a sample (not shown) that is not on the stage 51 and is not located on the stage 51. Can be used for observation.

  That is, the microscope 11 is connected to the microscope main body 21 provided with an optical system for acquiring an enlarged image of the sample, an imaging device, an electric system for controlling each unit, and the like, and a support for supporting the monitor 12. The microscope main body 21 can be attached to and detached from the stand 22, and a sample image can be acquired by the microscope main body 21 alone. For example, the spectroscope performs observation of the sample 13 on the stage 51 with the microscope main body 21 mounted on the stand 22, and moves away from the stand 22 with the microscope main body 21 removed from the stand 22. A sample (not shown) is observed. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the microscope main body 21 is detached from the stand 22, and a part of the microscope main body 21 is shown in cross section.

  The monitor 12 displays an image of the sample acquired by the microscope main body 21 and various types of information related to observation conditions such as the zoom magnification of the microscope main body 21 and the amount of illumination light. The monitor 12 is provided with a touch panel superimposed thereon, and the spectroscope can perform various operations on the microscope 11 by touching buttons or the like displayed on the monitor 12.

  The microscope body 21 is detected when the microscope body 21 is detached from the cylindrical body portion 31 centered on the optical axis L1, the display operation portion 32 including the operation portion 61 and the display portion 62 (see FIG. 2), and the stand 22. A mirror 33 is used to be used by the mirror for holding the microscope main body 21.

  Inside the main body 31, from the front end side (lower side in FIG. 1) to the rear end side (upper side in FIG. 1), the objective lens 41, the zoom lenses 42a to 42d, the imaging lens 43, the CCD, and the like The image pickup device 44 is arranged along the optical axis L1.

  At the time of observing the sample, observation is performed with the front end side of the main body 31 directed toward the sample. For example, when observing the sample 13, the microscope main body 21 is mounted on the stand 22 so that the distal end side of the main body portion 31 faces substantially vertically downward.

  Then, the observation light from the sample is introduced into the main body 31 through the objective lens 41, enlarged to a predetermined magnification by the zoom lenses 42 a to 42 d, and then the light receiving surface of the image sensor 44 by the imaging lens 43. An image of the sample is formed on the screen. Here, the zoom lenses 42b and 42c are configured to be movable along the optical axis L1 by, for example, a linear guide, a feed screw, and a motor (not shown) that drives the feed screw. By adjusting the positions of the zoom lenses 42b and 42c, the zoom magnification for photographing the sample is adjusted.

  In addition, an LED 45 that irradiates the sample with illumination light is mounted at the distal end portion of the main body 31. In the microscope main body 21, for example, a plurality of LEDs 45 are formed in an annular shape along the outer circumference of the objective lens 41. Are arranged side by side.

  The grip 33 is configured to be able to store a battery 46 such as a lithium ion secondary battery, for example, and the battery 46 supplies power to each part in the microscope main body 21 when the microscope main body 21 is detached from the stand 22. Supply. The battery 46 is charged with electric power supplied from a charging device (not shown) built in the stand 22 when the microscope main body 21 is connected to the stand 22, or from the grip 33. 46 can be extracted and attached to a dedicated charging device.

  In addition, a photographing button 47 is disposed in the vicinity of the connecting portion between the grip 33 on the side surface on the distal end side (lower side in FIG. 1) of the grip 33 and the main body 31. For example, when the examiner operates the photographing button 47, sample image data photographed by the image sensor 44 is recorded in a recording unit (for example, a recording medium 64 in FIG. 2 described later). Further, when the microscope main body 21 is connected to the stand 22, the image data of the sample photographed by the image sensor 44 is an external storage device that can be connected to the stand 22 or a large-capacity hard disk drive built in the stand 22. Or the like can be recorded in the recording unit 125 (see FIG. 3).

  The stand 22 is formed in a substantially L shape by a base portion 22a extending in the horizontal direction and a column portion 22b extending in the vertical direction, and a stage 51 on which the sample 13 is placed is disposed on the upper surface of the base portion 22a. The arm portion 52 is disposed on the side surface of the support column portion 22b on the stage 51 side.

  The arm portion 52 has a fitting portion 53 that is mechanically connected to the microscope main body 21 and a connector portion 54 that is electrically connected to the microscope main body 21 on the distal end side (left side in FIG. 1) extending from the column portion 22b. Is provided.

  The fitting part 53 is, for example, a male ant formed so as to extend in the longitudinal direction of the column part 22b, and the male ant and a female ant (not shown) formed on the microscope main body 21 are fitted. The microscope main body 21 and the stand 22 are mechanically connected. When the microscope main body 21 and the stand 22 are mechanically connected, the connector portion (not shown) of the microscope main body 21 arranged at a position corresponding to the connector portion 54 and the connector portion 54 are electrically connected. Connected. That is, the microscope main body 21 and the stand 22 are configured to be mechanically and electrically connected by attaching the microscope main body 21 to the stand 22.

  In this way, by electrically connecting the microscope body 21 and the stand 22, power and control signals are supplied from the stand 22 to the microscope body 21 via the connector portion 54, and the microscope body 21 to the stand 22. Image data is supplied. In addition, the microscope main body 21 and the stand 22 may be fixed by using a fixing jig (clamp, set screw, or the like) as necessary, in addition to fixing by the fitting force by the fitting portion 53.

  Moreover, the arm part 52 is comprised so that a movement along the longitudinal direction (up-down direction of FIG. 1) of the support | pillar part 22b is possible. A vertical movement handle 55 is provided on the side surface on the front side of the support column 22b, and the arm part 52 moves up and down according to the operation of the vertical movement handle 55 by the examiner. The microscope main body 21 connected to 52 moves. The arm portion 52 can also be moved up and down electrically by an actuator (not shown) or the like.

  On the other hand, a vertical movement handle 56 is provided on the side surface on the front side of the base portion 22a, and the stage 51 moves up and down in the vertical direction in accordance with the operation of the vertical movement handle 56 by the examiner. The sample 13 placed on the stage 51 moves. That is, the distance between the microscope main body 21 and the sample 13 is adjusted according to the operation of the vertical movement handle 55 or 56, and thereby the focus adjustment when photographing the sample 13 is performed.

  Further, on the front side surface of the base portion 22a, a zoom switch 57 that is operated when changing the zoom magnification of the microscope main body 21, and a light control switch 58 that is operated when adjusting the amount of illumination light by the LED 45, The zoom switch 57 and the dimming switch 58 can be operated when the microscope main body 21 is attached to the stand 22. That is, when the microscope main body 21 is mounted on the stand 22, a control signal corresponding to the operation of the spectroscope with respect to the zoom switch 57 and the dimming switch 58 is supplied to the microscope main body 21 via the connector portion 54 and zoomed. The magnification and the amount of illumination light are adjusted.

  As described above, the microscope 11 is configured such that the microscope main body 21 and the stand 22 are not connected by the cable. Further, the microscope main body 21 has all the functions necessary for observing the sample in a state of being detached from the stand 22 and can be used alone.

  Further, the spectrographer can perform mechanical connection and electrical connection between the microscope main body 21 and the stand 22 in one operation. Of course, after the microscope main body 21 and the stand 22 are connected, a cable for electrical connection may be connected. Further, when the microscope main body 21 is attached to the stand 22, this is detected, and the power source is switched so that each part in the microscope main body 21 is driven by the power supplied from the stand 22, and the imaging element 44 takes a picture. The image inside is displayed on the monitor 12, and the storage destination of the image data captured by the image sensor 44 can be automatically switched to the recording unit 125 (FIG. 3) in the stand 22.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the microscope main body 21.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the microscope main body 21 is formed with a grip 33 that protrudes from the side surface of the main body 31 in the outer circumferential direction, and is approximately 90 degrees with respect to the grip 33 about the central axis of the main body 31. A display operation unit 32 is provided in the direction of.

  In the display operation unit 32, an operation unit 61 having a plurality of operation buttons is fixed to the side surface of the main body unit 31, and a display unit 62 having a liquid crystal monitor for displaying an image is operated via a hinge unit 63. It is attached to the part 61 so as to be openable and closable and rotatable.

  The operation unit 61 includes operation buttons for the spectrographer to perform various operations on the microscope main body 21 and a recording medium 64 (for example, a card-type flash memory) that records sample image data taken by the microscope main body 21. ) Can be inserted and removed. The operation button may be a touch panel type and displayed on the display unit 62.

  The display unit 62 displays a live image that is an image being photographed by the microscope main body 21 detached from the stand 22 and a reproduced image that is an image obtained by reproducing image data recorded on the recording medium 64. In addition, the display unit 62 displays various types of information related to observation conditions such as the zoom magnification of the microscope body 21 and the amount of illumination light. In particular, when the microscope main body 21 is attached to the stand 22, the display unit 62 preferably operates as a display unit for observation conditions. Note that the screen resolution and size of the display unit 62 are smaller than the screen resolution and size of the monitor 12.

  The hinge part 63 has a first rotation axis that can rotate 180 degrees for the display part 62 to open and close with respect to the operation part 61, and an axis that is orthogonal to the first rotation axis and the central axis of the main body part 31. A mechanism (so-called rotating biaxial mechanism) that supports the display unit 62 so as to be openable / closable and rotatable with respect to the operation unit 61 by a second rotation shaft that can rotate 180 degrees at the center. Further, the hinge part 63 has an appropriate holding force, and can hold the display part 62 at an arbitrary angle with respect to the operation part 61.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the circuit configuration of the microscope 11. In FIG. 3, a portion mainly related to image processing in the circuit of the microscope 11 is shown, and the other portions (for example, a portion related to illumination) are not shown. In FIG. 3, the objective lens 41, the zoom lenses 42a to 42d, and the imaging lens 43 are illustrated as one lens group 101.

  First, the circuit configuration of the microscope main body 21 will be described.

  The imaging device 44 uses the frame rate set by the image processing circuit 103 of the microscope main body 21 or the image processing circuit 122 of the stand 22 as the sample image formed on the light receiving surface by the lens group 101 such as an objective lens and a zoom lens. Then, it is converted into an analog electric signal (hereinafter referred to as an analog image signal) and supplied to an AD (Analog Digital) conversion element 102.

  The AD conversion element 102 converts the analog image signal supplied from the imaging element 44 into a digital image signal (hereinafter referred to as a digital image signal), and supplies it to the image processing circuit 103.

  The image processing circuit 103 performs various processes in accordance with an instruction input by the spectrographer via the operation unit 61 of the microscope main body 21, the operation unit 126 of the stand 22, or the touch panel provided on the monitor 12. . For example, the image processing circuit 103 takes the photographing conditions of the microscope main body 21 such as the magnification of the lens group 101, the amount of illumination light from the LED 45 (FIG. 1), the frame rate, exposure (aperture, shutter speed, ISO sensitivity, etc.), white balance, and the like. And the set shooting conditions are recorded in the recording unit 106. Further, for example, the image processing circuit 103 performs predetermined image processing on the digital image signal to generate digital image data, and supplies the generated digital image data to the image display circuit 104 or records it in the recording unit 106. To do. Further, for example, the image processing circuit 103 outputs the digital image signal supplied from the AD conversion element 102 to the outside as it is via the interface circuit 105. For example, the image processing circuit 103 performs a reproduction process of the digital image data recorded in the recording unit 106 and supplies the reproduced digital image data to the image display circuit 104.

  Based on the digital image data supplied from the image processing circuit 103, the image display circuit 104 displays a sample live image or reproduced image on the display unit 62.

  The interface circuit 105 is provided with a connector portion (not shown). By connecting the connector portion to the connector portion 54 (FIG. 1) provided in the interface circuit 121 of the stand 22, the microscope main body 21 and the stand are connected. 22 is electrically connected. A digital image signal, various control signals, power, and the like are transmitted and received between the interface circuit 105 and the interface circuit 121. The interface circuit 105 also supplies a control signal supplied from the stand 22 to the image processing circuit 103 and supplies power supplied from the stand 22 to each part of the microscope main body 21.

  The recording unit 106 includes a recording medium 64 that can be attached to and detached from the microscope main body 21 (FIG. 2), a memory (eg, EEPROM, RAM, etc.) built in the microscope main body 21, and the like.

  Next, the circuit configuration of the stand 22 will be described.

  The interface circuit 121 supplies a digital image signal and a control signal supplied from the microscope body 21 to the image processing circuit 122.

  The image processing circuit 122 performs various processes in accordance with instructions from the CPU 123 and the like. For example, the image processing circuit 122 performs predetermined image processing on the digital image signal supplied from the microscope main body 21, generates digital image data, and supplies the generated digital image data to the image display circuit 124. Or recording in the recording unit 125. Further, for example, the image processing circuit 122 performs a reproduction process of the digital image data recorded in the recording unit 125 and supplies the reproduced digital image data to the image display circuit 124.

  The CPU 123 controls the operation of each part of the stand 22 according to a command input by the spectrographer via the operation unit 126 or a touch panel provided on the monitor 12. Further, the CPU 123 overlays a sample image and displays text or graphics (for example, marking) in accordance with a command input by the spectroscope via the operation unit 126 or the touch panel provided on the monitor 12. And comments) (hereinafter referred to as overlay data) is generated and supplied to the image display circuit 124. Further, the CPU 123 measures distances and angles between a plurality of arbitrary points of the image displayed on the monitor 12 in accordance with a command input by the spectroscope via a touch panel provided on the monitor 12. Then, text or a figure indicating the measurement result is generated as overlay data and supplied to the image display circuit 124. Further, the CPU 123 sets shooting conditions other than the exposure of the microscope body 21, supplies a control signal indicating the set shooting conditions to the microscope body 21 via the interface circuit 121, and records the shooting conditions in the recording unit 125. To do.

  Based on the digital image data supplied from the image processing circuit 122, the image display circuit 124 displays a sample live image or reproduced image on the monitor 12. Further, the image display circuit 124 overlays text or graphics on the sample live image or reproduction image based on the overlay data supplied from the CPU 123 and causes the monitor 12 to display the image.

  The recording unit 125 includes a recording medium that can be attached to and detached from the stand 22, a memory (for example, a hard disk drive, an EEPROM, a RAM, and the like) built in the stand 22.

  The operation unit 126 includes switches, buttons, and the like for inputting various commands to the microscope 11, such as a zoom switch 57 (FIG. 1) and a dimming switch 58 (FIG. 1).

  The drive circuit 127 is configured by, for example, an actuator or the like, and electrically moves the arm unit 52 up and down according to a command from the CPU 123.

  Next, details of the observation process executed by the microscope observation system will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This process is started when, for example, the power of the microscope main body 21 is turned on, and is ended when the power of the microscope main body 21 is turned off.

  In step S1, the interface circuit 105 of the microscope main body 21 determines whether or not the microscope main body 21 and the stand 22 are electrically connected. For example, when it is determined that the microscope body 21 and the stand 22 are not electrically connected because the microscope body 21 is not attached to the stand 22 or the power of the stand 22 is cut off, that is, When the microscope main body 21 is used alone, the process proceeds to step S2.

  In step S2, the microscope main body 21 executes observation processing when used alone. Here, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5, the detail of the observation process at the time of single use is demonstrated.

  In step S <b> 31, the image processing circuit 103 of the microscope main body 21 determines whether or not the photographing conditions when the microscope main body 21 is used last time are recorded in the recording unit 106. If it is determined that the shooting conditions when the microscope main body 21 was used alone last time are recorded in the recording unit 106, the process proceeds to step S32.

  In step S32, the image processing circuit 103 sets the photographing condition of the microscope body 21 to the previous photographing condition. That is, the image processing circuit 103 reads out the photographing conditions when the microscope main body 21 was used alone last time from the recording unit 106, and according to the read photographing conditions, the zoom magnification of the microscope main body 21, the amount of illumination light, the frame rate, the white Set the balance. As for the exposure, the image processing circuit 103 measures the brightness around the microscope body 21 and sets it to an optimum value according to the surrounding brightness. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S34.

  On the other hand, in step S31, when it is determined that the imaging condition when the microscope main body 21 was used alone last time is not recorded in the recording unit 106, the process proceeds to step S33.

  In step S <b> 33, the image processing circuit 103 sets the photographing condition of the microscope main body 21 to the default photographing condition when the microscope main body 21 is used alone. As in the process of step S32, the image processing circuit 103 sets the exposure to an optimum value according to the brightness around the microscope body 21. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S34.

  Even after the imaging conditions of the microscope main body 21 are set in step S32 or S33, the imaging conditions are appropriately changed in accordance with the imaging environment and instructions from the spectroscope, and the changed imaging conditions are stored in the recording unit 106. To be recorded.

  In step S34, the microscope main body 21 starts photographing. Specifically, the image sensor 44 converts the sample image formed on the light receiving surface by the lens group 101 into an analog image signal at the frame rate set by the image processing circuit 103 and supplies the analog image signal to the AD converter 102. The process to start is started. In addition, the AD conversion element 102 performs AD conversion of the analog image signal supplied from the imaging element 44 into a digital image signal, and starts processing to supply to the image processing circuit 103.

  In the imaging device 44, for example, a color filter for each pixel is arranged according to a Bayer array, and color information for each pixel in the analog image signal and the digital image signal includes R (red), G (green), Only information of any one of B (blue) is included.

  In step S35, image processing in the microscope main body 21 is started. That is, the image processing circuit 103 processes the digital image signal supplied from the AD conversion element 102 in real time, and starts processing for generating digital image data. For example, the image processing circuit 103 performs interpolation processing of each color information of RGB based on the color information of each pixel indicated by the digital image signal so that all pixels have color information of three colors of RGB, or noise Digital image data is generated by performing image quality correction such as removal or conversion processing to an image format of a predetermined format. Further, the image processing circuit 103 supplies the generated digital image data to the image display circuit 104 and starts a process of recording in the recording unit 106.

  In step S36, image display on the microscope body 21 is started. That is, the image display circuit 104 starts processing for displaying a sample live image on the display unit 62 based on the digital image data supplied from the image processing circuit 103.

  In addition, before starting the recording of the digital image, a so-called preview may be performed in which the captured image is displayed on the display unit 62. In the preview state, for example, when a capture button provided in the operation unit 61 is pressed, a digital image may be recorded.

  Thereafter, the processing proceeds to step S3 in FIG.

  In step S3, the interface circuit 105 of the microscope main body 21 determines whether or not the microscope main body 21 and the stand 22 are electrically connected. The process of step S3 is repeatedly executed until the observation process ends or until it is determined that the microscope main body 21 and the stand 22 are electrically connected, and the microscope main body 21 and the stand 22 are electrically connected. If it is determined that the process has been performed, the process proceeds to step S4.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1 that the microscope main body 21 and the stand 22 are electrically connected, the processes in steps S2 and S3 are skipped, and the process proceeds to step S4.

  In step S4, the microscope 11 executes an observation process when the stand is mounted. Here, the details of the observation process when the stand is mounted will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S <b> 51, the CPU 123 of the stand 22 determines whether or not the shooting conditions when the microscope main body 21 was previously mounted on the stand 22 and used are recorded in the recording unit 125. If it is determined that the shooting conditions when the microscope main body 21 was previously attached to the stand 22 and used are recorded in the recording unit 125, the process proceeds to step S52.

  In step S52, the CPU 123 sets the photographing condition of the microscope body 21 to the previous photographing condition. Specifically, the CPU 123 reads out the shooting conditions when the microscope main body 21 was previously mounted on the stand 22 and used from the recording unit 125, and sends a control signal indicating the read shooting conditions to the interface circuit 121 and the interface circuit 105. To the image processing circuit 103 of the microscope main body 21. The image processing circuit 103 sets the zoom magnification of the microscope body 21, the amount of illumination light, the frame rate, the white balance, and the like according to the shooting conditions indicated by the acquired control signal. Similar to the processing in step S32 of FIG. 5, the image processing circuit 103 sets the exposure to an optimum value in accordance with the brightness around the microscope body 21. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S54.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S51 that the shooting conditions when the microscope main body 21 was previously mounted on the stand 22 and used are not recorded in the recording unit 125, the process proceeds to step S53.

  In step S53, the CPU 123 sets the photographing condition of the microscope main body 21 to the default photographing condition. Specifically, the CPU 123 sends, via the interface circuit 121 and the interface circuit 105, a control signal indicating a default imaging condition when the microscope main body 21 is mounted on the stand 22 and used. 103. The image processing circuit 103 sets the zoom magnification of the microscope body 21, the amount of illumination light, the frame rate, the white balance, and the like according to the shooting conditions indicated by the acquired control signal. Similar to the processing in step S32 of FIG. 5, the image processing circuit 103 sets the exposure to an optimum value in accordance with the brightness around the microscope body 21. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S54.

  Even after the imaging conditions of the microscope main body 21 are set in step S52 or S53, the imaging conditions are appropriately changed in accordance with the imaging environment and instructions from the spectroscope, and the changed imaging conditions are stored in the recording unit 125. To be recorded.

  In step S54, imaging is started in the same manner as in step S34 in FIG.

  In step S <b> 55, the microscope main body 21 starts supplying digital image signals to the stand 22. That is, the image processing circuit 103 of the microscope main body 21 starts processing to supply the digital image signal supplied from the AD conversion element 102 to the image processing circuit 122 of the stand 22 as it is via the interface circuit 105 and the interface circuit 121. To do.

  In step S56, image processing on the stand 22 is started. That is, the image processing circuit 122 processes the digital image signal supplied from the microscope main body 21 in real time, and starts processing for generating digital image data. For example, like the image processing circuit 103 of the microscope main body 21, the image processing circuit 122 is configured so that all pixels have color information of three colors of RGB based on the color information of each pixel indicated by the digital image signal. Digital image data is generated by performing interpolation processing of RGB color information, performing image quality correction such as noise removal, or performing conversion processing to an image format of a predetermined format. The image processing circuit 122 repeatedly performs image processing for one frame.

  Further, for example, the image processing circuit 122 is connected to the interface circuit 121 and the interface in accordance with the drive circuit 127 moving the arm unit 52 in the vertical direction under the control of the CPU 123 according to a command from the spectroscope. A predetermined control signal is supplied to the image processing circuit 103 via the circuit 105, and the microscope main body 21 is caused to photograph samples (samples 13) from a plurality of different heights. The image processing circuit 122 generates digital image data for all the focal points by synthesizing a plurality of digital image data obtained as a result of different focal positions.

  Further, for example, the image processing circuit 122 supplies a predetermined control signal to the image processing circuit 103 via the interface circuit 121 and the interface circuit 105 in accordance with a command from the spectrographer, so that different exposure is performed on the microscope main body 21. The sample (sample 13) is photographed over time. Then, the image processing circuit 122 synthesizes a plurality of digital image data obtained as a result of different exposure times, thereby expanding the dynamic range of the image or removing lens flare (halation).

  Further, the image processing circuit 122 supplies the generated digital image data to the image display circuit 124 and starts a process of recording in the recording unit 125.

  In step S57, display of an image on the monitor 12 is started. Specifically, the CPU 123 generates overlay data according to a command input by the spectrographer via the operation unit 126 or the touch panel provided on the monitor 12 and supplies the image data to the image display circuit 124. Start. Since the microscope main body 21 is attached to the stand 22, the image display circuit 124 starts processing to display a live image of the sample on the monitor 12 based on the digital image data supplied from the image processing circuit 122. When overlay data is acquired from the CPU 123, processing for overlaying text, graphics, or the like on the sample live image and displaying it on the monitor 12 is started based on the overlay data.

  The live image displayed on the monitor 12 has a higher resolution than the live image displayed on the display unit 62 when the microscope main body 21 is detached from the stand 22 and used alone, and the frame rate. Is set low.

  This is because, when the microscope main body 21 is used alone, it is usually taken with a hand, and thus camera shake occurs. On the other hand, when the microscope main body 21 is mounted on the stand 22 and used, camera shake does not occur. . Therefore, when the microscope main body 21 is mounted on the stand 22 and used, the movement of a subject such as a sample in the live image is reduced and the frame rate is set lower than when the microscope main body 21 is used alone. This is because an image without a sense of incongruity can be displayed. Further, since the monitor 12 has a larger screen and higher resolution than the display unit 62 of the microscope main body 21, when the microscope main body 21 is used while being attached to the stand 22, compared to the case where the microscope main body 21 is used alone. This is because the resolution needs to be set high.

  Therefore, the image processing circuit 103 of the microscope main body 21 performs image processing that prioritizes the frame rate over the resolution, and the image processing circuit 122 of the stand 22 performs image processing prioritizing the resolution over the frame rate. In addition, since the image processing circuit 122 of the stand 22 can secure a longer processing time per frame than the image processing circuit 103 of the microscope main body 21, more advanced image processing can be performed.

  Similar to the case where the microscope main body 21 is used alone, a so-called preview may be performed in which the captured image is displayed on the monitor 12 before recording of the digital image is started. In the preview state, for example, when a capture button provided on the operation unit 126 is pressed, a digital image may be recorded.

  Thereafter, the processing proceeds to step S5 in FIG.

  In step S <b> 5, the interface circuit 105 of the microscope main body 21 determines whether or not the electrical connection between the microscope main body 21 and the stand 22 has been disconnected. The process of step S5 is repeatedly executed until the observation process is completed or until it is determined that the electrical connection between the microscope main body 21 and the stand 22 has been disconnected. When it is determined that the electrical connection is disconnected, the process returns to step S2, and the processes after step S2 are executed.

  As described above, the microscope main body 21 alone can photograph a sample and display and record the photographed image without selecting a place. In addition, the microscope main body 21 is attached to the stand 22, and the sample can be photographed more precisely to display and record a high-definition image, and advanced image processing and display effects are applied to the photographed image. Can do. That is, a single microscope 11 can be used for various purposes, and versatility is improved.

  In the above description, when the microscope main body 21 is mounted on the stand 22, the display of the image on the display unit 62 of the microscope main body 21 is stopped. However, the sample live image is simultaneously displayed on the display unit 62 and the monitor 12. May be displayed.

  In the above description, the monitor 12 and the stand 22 are provided separately. However, for example, the monitor 12 and the stand 22 may be integrated.

  Furthermore, in the above description, the photographing conditions when the microscope main body 21 is detached from the stand 22 and used alone or when the microscope main body 21 is attached to the stand 22 are recorded separately for the microscope main body 21 and the stand 22. All may be recorded on the microscope main body 21.

  Further, when the time can be separately managed by the microscope main body 21 and the stand 22, the time of the microscope main body 21 and the stand 22 may be synchronized when the microscope main body 21 is attached to the stand 22.

  Furthermore, after the photographing is completed, the digital image data recorded in the recording unit 106 or the recording unit 125 may be reproduced and displayed on the display unit 62 or the monitor 12.

  Further, when the microscope main body 21 is used alone, for example, the high-resolution digital image data is once recorded in the recording unit 125 by setting the image pickup device 44 to the high resolution mode, and then the microscope main body 21 is set on the stand. The digital image data recorded in the recording unit 125 when electrically connected to the recording unit 22 may be recorded in the recording unit 125 of the stand 22.

  Note that the above-described processing of the microscope 11 can be executed by hardware or can be executed by software. When a series of processing is executed by software, a program constituting the software is recorded on a computer (for example, image processing circuit 103, image processing circuit 122, CPU 123) incorporated in the microscope 11 or the like. Installed from media.

  Note that the program executed by the computer may be a program that is processed in time series in the order described in this specification, or in parallel or at a necessary timing such as when a call is made. It may be a program for processing.

  The embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Microscope, 12 Monitor, 13 Sample, 21 Microscope main body, 22 Stand, 31 Main body part, 32 Display operation part, 33 Grip, 41 Objective lens, 42a thru | or 42d Zoom lens, 43 Imaging lens, 44 Imaging element, 51 Stage, 52 arm part, 53 fitting part, 54 connector part, 61 operation part, 62 display part, 103 image processing circuit, 104 image display circuit, 105 interface circuit, 106 recording part, 121 interface circuit, 122 image processing circuit, 123 CPU , 124 Image display circuit, 125 Recording unit

Claims (5)

In a microscope including an optical system that forms an image of observation light from a sample, and a main body having an imaging unit that images the sample through the optical system, and a support base that can be attached to and detached from the main body.
The main body unit processes first image signals obtained by the photographing unit in real time to generate first image data, and a first image displaying an image based on the first image data. Display means, and output means for outputting the image signal to the outside,
The support base processes the image signal supplied from the main body through the output means in real time with the main body attached to the support base, and is different from the first display means. A microscope comprising second image processing means for generating second image data for displaying an image on a second display means. When the main body and the support are not electrically connected, the first image processing means processes the image signal in real time to generate the first image data, and the main body and the support 2. The microscope according to claim 1, wherein, when a support base is electrically connected, the second image processing unit processes the image signal in real time to generate the second image data. The first image data has a lower resolution and a higher frame rate than the second image data, and the second image data has a higher resolution and a lower frame rate than the first image data. Microscope. First imaging conditions set when the main body is used without being electrically connected to the support base, and set when the main body is electrically connected to the support base and used. Recording means for recording the second imaging condition,
Next, when the main body is used by being electrically connected to the support base, the photographing condition of the main body is set to the first photographing condition recorded in the recording means, and then the main body 4. When the camera is used by being electrically connected to the support base, the shooting condition of the main body is set to the second shooting condition recorded in the recording unit. 5. microscope. The microscope according to claim 4, wherein the first image processing unit sets exposure of the main body regardless of whether the main body is electrically connected to the support base.

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