JP2017126078A - microscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a microscope that can quickly perform focusing even when an electrically-driven focusing part has a large stroke.SOLUTION: A microscope comprises: a stage 21 on which a sample S is placed; an objective lens 24 that collects observation light from the sample S; an electrically-driven focusing part 27 that can adjust the distance between the stage 21 and objective lens 24; a display device 6a that displays an image and outputs a position touched by an object from the outside; and a control part 3 that controls to perform continuous drive or step drive of the electrically-driven focusing part 27 on the basis of an output from the display device 6a.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to, for example, a microscope that performs focusing operation electrically.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a microscope including an electric focusing unit that performs focusing operation electrically is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The depth of field of the microscope is as small as 1 μm or less compared to other optical instruments, and the in-focus range is very narrow. In addition, since the working distance is small, the operation of the microscope using the electric focusing unit tends to be favored by an operation handle that can be operated intuitively rather than by a button operation. Therefore, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, a rotary encoder is used for the handle of the electric focusing unit, and the electric focusing unit is driven according to the amount of rotation from the rotary encoder to realize the handle operation of the electric focusing unit. ing.

  By the way, in the case of an industrial upright microscope, the height of the sample to be observed may be 1 mm or less to exceed 100 mm, and in order to cope with this, it is necessary to have a long stroke of the electric focusing unit. However, in general, the electric focusing unit is optimized to focus at 1 μm or less according to the depth of field of the microscope. Therefore, when observing samples with significantly different heights, focus adjustment is required. When performing, it was necessary to turn many handles of the electric focusing unit, and it took a lot of time to start observation.

  In order to solve this problem, a switch is provided between the coarse movement mode for rough positioning and the fine movement mode for focusing on the electric stage, not the electric focusing unit. It is conceivable to apply a technique (for example, refer to Patent Document 2) for making the stage moving speed different in each mode to the electric focusing unit.

JP-A-8-166547 JP 2002-182122 A

  However, when the technique described in Patent Document 2 is applied to the electric focusing unit, a switch operation is required to switch the mode, and even if the mode is switched to the coarse movement mode, for example, a large stroke such as 100 mm is applied. In order to drive, many handle operations are required, and it takes time for rough alignment and focusing.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a microscope that can quickly focus even when the stroke of the electric focusing unit is large.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, a microscope according to the present invention includes a stage on which a specimen is placed, an objective lens that collects observation light from the specimen, the stage, and the objective lens. An electric focusing unit that can adjust the distance, an operating unit that operates the electric focusing unit, a detecting unit that detects an operation amount and an operation direction of the operating unit a plurality of times, and the operation amount is a first predetermined value A control unit that controls the electric focusing unit so as to continuously drive in a direction corresponding to the operation direction when the value is greater than or equal to the value.

  In the microscope according to the present invention, in the above invention, when the control unit detects the operation amount equal to or greater than the first predetermined value during continuous driving of the electric focusing unit, the electric focusing is performed. The quasi part is continuously driven.

  In the microscope according to the present invention, in the above invention, the control unit corresponds to the operation amount in a direction corresponding to the operation direction when the operation amount is less than a first predetermined value. It is characterized by step driving for a distance.

  In the microscope according to the present invention, in the above invention, when the control unit detects the operation amount less than a second predetermined value during continuous driving of the electric focusing unit, the electric focusing is performed. The drive of a part is stopped, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  In the microscope according to the present invention, in the above invention, when the operation direction detected by the detection unit is different from the operation direction detected last time during continuous driving of the electric focusing unit, Continuous driving of the electric focusing unit is continued, and driving of the electric focusing unit is stopped when the operation direction detected by the detecting means is the same as the previously detected operation direction.

  The microscope according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-described invention, the control unit changes a driving speed in continuous driving of the electric focusing unit according to the operation amount.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, even when the stroke of an electric focusing part is large, the microscope which can focus rapidly can be provided.

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the configuration of the microscope system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the microscope system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the electric focusing process executed by the control unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the configuration of the microscope system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a functional configuration of the microscope system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing an example of a user interface using the touch panel according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the electric focusing process executed by the control unit according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a speed table according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9A is a conceptual diagram showing another example of a speed table according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. FIG. 9B is a conceptual diagram showing another example of the speed table according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9C is a conceptual diagram illustrating another example of the speed table according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9D is a conceptual diagram illustrating another example of the speed table according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9E is a conceptual diagram illustrating another example of the speed table according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10A is a graph showing an aspect of a change in speed of the electric focusing unit according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10B is a graph showing the deceleration distance of the electric focusing unit according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the electric focusing process executed by the control unit according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited by the following embodiment. The drawings referred to in the following description only schematically show the shape, size, and positional relationship so that the contents of the present invention can be understood. That is, the present invention is not limited only to the shape, size, and positional relationship illustrated in each drawing.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the configuration of the microscope system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the microscope system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 1 and 2, the plane on which the microscope system 1 is placed will be referred to as an xy plane, and a direction perpendicular to the xy plane will be described as a z direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the microscope system (observation apparatus) 1 includes a microscope apparatus 2 that observes the specimen S, a microscope control unit 3 that drives and controls the microscope apparatus 2, and the specimen S via the microscope apparatus 2. The image pickup device 4 that picks up the image and generates image data, the image pickup control unit 5 that controls the drive of the image pickup device 4, the image corresponding to the image data picked up by the image pickup device 4, and various types of the microscope system 1 And a control terminal 7 that controls the microscope control unit 3, the imaging device 4, the imaging control unit 5, and the display device 6. The microscope device 2, the microscope control unit 3, the imaging device 4, the imaging control unit 5, the display device 6, and the control terminal 7 are connected by wire or wireless so that data can be transmitted and received.

  The microscope apparatus 2 includes a microscope base 2a (stage-side main body) that holds the specimen S, and a head 2b that is held by the microscope base 2a. The microscope base 2a has a support portion 22 that supports the stage 21 on which the specimen S is placed. The head unit 2b holds the objective lens 24 via the nosepiece 23, and has a head main body unit 25 that can move in the z direction, and an epi-illumination light source 26 that emits illumination light that illuminates the specimen S. . Further, the microscope apparatus 2 includes an electric focusing unit 27 that connects the microscope base 2a and the head 2b and moves the head 2b in the z direction.

  The stage 21 is configured to be movable in the xy direction. The stage 21 is movable in the xy plane by a motor 211. Under the control of the microscope control unit 3, the stage 21 detects a predetermined origin position on the xy plane by an origin sensor at an xy position (not shown), and the drive amount of the motor 211 is controlled based on this origin position. The observation location on the specimen S is moved. The stage 21 outputs position signals (xy coordinates) regarding the x position and the y position at the time of observation to the microscope control unit 3.

  The nosepiece 23 arranges a desired objective lens 24 above the sample S via a slider 231 slidably provided with respect to the head main body 25. The nosepiece 23 holds a plurality of objective lenses 24 (241, 242) having different magnifications (observation magnifications) by the slider 231. Under the control of the microscope control unit 3, the nosepiece 23 slides the slider 231 in the x direction by the motor 232, thereby selecting the objective lens 24 that is inserted in the optical path of the observation light and used for observing the specimen S. Switch on. The nosepiece 23 is not limited to a slider type nosepiece but may be a revolver type nosepiece.

  The objective lens 24 attached to the slider 231 includes, for example, an objective lens 241 with relatively low magnification of 1 ×, 2 ×, and 4 × (hereinafter referred to as “low magnification objective lens 241”) and a low magnification objective lens 241. There is an objective lens 242 (hereinafter referred to as “high-magnification objective lens 242”) that has a higher magnification than the above magnification. The magnification of the objective lens 242 is, for example, 10 times, 20 times, or 40 times. At least one objective lens 241 and 242 is mounted on the slider 231. Note that the magnifications of the low-magnification objective lens 241 and the high-magnification objective lens 242 are examples, and it is sufficient that the high-magnification objective lens 242 is higher than the low-magnification objective lens 241.

  The head main body 25 holds the above-described nosepiece 23 and collects the illumination light L1 emitted from the epi-illumination light source 26 via the fiber 261 (hereinafter referred to as “epi-illumination light L1”). 251 and the half mirror 252 that deflects the optical path of the epi-illumination light L1 along the optical axis of the objective lens 24, the objective lens 24 that enlarges the specimen S, and the reflected light of the specimen S that is incident through the half mirror 252 An imaging lens 254 for focusing and forming an observation image is provided inside.

  The head main body 25 is held by a head holding portion 271 described later, and is movable in the z direction by a motor 274. The head main body 25 is controlled within the predetermined height range by controlling the drive amount of the motor 274 based on a predetermined origin position in the z direction of the head main body 25 under the control of the microscope control unit 3. The sample S is moved to an arbitrary z position. In the embodiment of the invention, the head main body 25 and the head holding portion 271 constitute an objective lens side main body.

  The epi-illumination light source 26 is constituted by a halogen lamp, a xenon lamp, an LED (Light Emitting Diode), or the like. The epi-illumination light source 26 emits epi-illumination light L <b> 1 for forming an observation image of the specimen S through the fiber 261.

  The epi-illumination light L <b> 1 is applied to the sample S through the illumination lens 251, the half mirror 252, and the objective lens 24. Reflected light L <b> 2 (hereinafter referred to as “observation light L <b> 2”) reflected by the sample S enters the imaging device 4 through the objective lens 24, the half mirror 252, and the imaging lens 254.

  The electric focusing unit 27 includes a head holding unit 271 that holds the head main body unit 25 and is movable in the z direction with respect to the support unit 22, and a motor 274 that drives the head holding unit 271 in the z direction. . The electric focusing unit 27 performs focusing by adjusting the distance between the stage 21 and the objective lens 24. The electric focusing unit 27 may move the stage 21 in the z direction instead of moving the nosepiece 23 in the z direction.

  The microscope control unit 3 is configured by using a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or the like, and comprehensively controls the operation of each unit constituting the microscope apparatus 2 under the control of the control terminal 7. Specifically, the microscope control unit 3 drives the slider 231 to switch the objective lens 24 arranged on the optical path of the observation light L2, and drives the motor 211 or the motor 274 to drive the stage 21 and the head body. The driving process of the unit 25, the adjustment process for adjusting each part of the microscope apparatus 2 accompanying the observation of the sample S, and the like are performed. Further, the microscope control unit 3 is in a state of each part constituting the microscope apparatus 2, for example, position information (xy position) of the stage 21, position information (z position) of the head main body 25, and the objective lens 24 attached to the slider 231. Type information and the like are output to the control terminal 7.

  The imaging device 4 is configured using an imaging element 41 such as a charge coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS). Under the control of the imaging control unit 5, the imaging device 4 captures an observation image of the specimen S incident through the imaging lens 254 and continuously generates image data of the specimen S. The imaging device 4 outputs the image data of the specimen S generated via the camera cable to the control terminal 7.

  The imaging control unit 5 is configured using a CPU or the like, and controls the operation of the imaging device 4. Specifically, the imaging control unit 5 controls the photographing operation of the imaging device 4 by performing ON / OFF switching processing of automatic gain control of the imaging device 4, gain setting processing, frame rate setting processing, and the like. The imaging control unit 5 includes an AE processing unit 51.

  The AE processing unit 51 automatically sets the exposure condition of the imaging device 4 based on the image data generated by the imaging device 4. Specifically, the AE processing unit 51 calculates the luminance from the image data acquired via the control terminal 7, and determines the exposure condition of the imaging device 4, for example, the exposure time based on the calculated luminance. 4 automatic exposure.

  The display device 6 includes a display communication unit 61 that performs communication with the control terminal 7 and a display unit 62 that displays an image.

  The display communication unit 61 is a communication interface for performing communication with the control terminal 7. The display communication unit 61 outputs the image data output from the control terminal 7 to the display unit 62.

  The display unit 62 is configured using a display panel made of liquid crystal, organic EL (Electro Luminescence), or the like. The display unit 62 displays an image corresponding to the image data input via the display communication unit 61. The display unit 62 displays various operation information of the microscope system 1 and the like.

  The control terminal 7 includes a control communication unit 71 that communicates with the microscope control unit 3, the imaging control unit 5, and the display device 6, and an input unit 72 that receives an input of a drive instruction signal that instructs driving of each unit of the microscope system 1. , A storage unit 73 that stores various information of the microscope system 1, a control unit 74 that controls each unit of the microscope system 1, and an operation unit 75.

  The control communication unit 71 is a communication interface for communicating with the microscope control unit 3, the imaging control unit 5, and the display device 6. Further, the control communication unit 71 outputs the image data output from the imaging device 4 to the control unit 74 via the camera cable.

  The input unit 72 is configured using a keyboard, a mouse, a joystick, various switches, and the like, and outputs operation signals corresponding to operation inputs of the various switches to the control unit 74.

  The operation unit 75 is configured using an operation handle or the like, and includes a rotary encoder 751 and a counter 752. The operation unit 75 detects the rotation amount and rotation direction of the rotary encoder 751 with the counter 752 and outputs the detected value to the control unit 74 as a counter value CNT including plus and minus signs. The control unit 74 drives the electric focusing unit 27 based on the counter value CNT. The sign included in the counter value CNT represents the operation direction, and the absolute value | CNT | of the counter value CNT represents the operation amount.

  The storage unit 73 is realized using a semiconductor memory such as a flash memory and a RAM (Random Access Memory) fixedly provided inside the control terminal 7. The storage unit 73 stores various programs (for example, a position detection program) to be executed by the microscope system 1 and various data used during the execution of the programs. The storage unit 73 temporarily stores information being processed by the control unit 74. The storage unit 73 includes an image data storage unit 731 that stores image data captured by the imaging device 4, and a position information storage unit 732 that stores position information regarding the position of the head main body unit 25. In addition, the memory | storage part 73 may be comprised using the memory card etc. which are mounted | worn from the outside.

  The control unit 74 is configured using a CPU or the like, and performs instructions and data transfer corresponding to each unit constituting the microscope system 1 in accordance with a drive instruction signal, a position signal, a switching signal, and the like from the input unit 72. The operation of the microscope system 1 is comprehensively controlled. Also, an image synthesis process for synthesizing an extended focus image and a 3D image, which will be described later, a process for setting the position of the head main body 25, and the like are performed.

  The control unit 74 includes an image processing unit 741, a drive control unit 742, a display control unit 743, and an AF processing unit 744.

  The image processing unit 741 performs predetermined image processing on the image data input via the control communication unit 71 to generate a display image to be displayed on the display unit 62. Specifically, the image processing unit 741 includes optical black subtraction processing, white balance adjustment processing, synchronization processing, color matrix calculation processing, γ correction processing, color reproduction processing, edge enhancement processing, and the like for image data. Perform image processing. The image processing unit 741 compresses the image data by a predetermined method, for example, a JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) method, and outputs the compressed image data to the image data storage unit 731.

  The drive control unit 742 performs drive control for driving the electric unit (stage 21, electric focusing unit 27) constituting the microscope apparatus 2 according to an input from the operation unit 75 or the input unit 72, for example. For example, the drive control unit 742 performs drive control such as moving the electric focusing unit 27 in the z direction.

  The display control unit 743 controls the display mode of the display unit 62. Specifically, the display control unit 743 displays each image of the plurality of image data stored in the image data storage unit 731 on the display unit 62. The display control unit 743 causes the display unit 62 to display operation information regarding each operation of the microscope system 1, for example, operation information of the stage 21 or the head main body unit 25.

  The AF processing unit 744 automatically adjusts the focus of the objective lens 24 based on the image data generated by the imaging device 4. Specifically, the AF processing unit 744 drives the electric focusing unit 27, evaluates the contrast of the image at each z position of the head main body unit 25, and detects the in-focus position (focus position). By doing so, the focus of the objective lens 24 is automatically adjusted.

  The microscope system 1 configured as described above causes the user to observe the image of the sample S by displaying the image data of the sample S captured by the imaging device 4 on the display unit 62 under the control of the control unit 74. be able to.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the electric focusing process executed by the control unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In step S101, the control unit 74 reads the counter value from the counter 752, substitutes it for the counter value CNT, and clears (initializes) the counter 752.

  In step S102, the control unit 74 compares the counter value CNT with a preset first threshold value TH1. When the control unit 74 determines that the absolute value | CNT | of the counter value CNT is equal to or greater than the first threshold value TH1 (step S102: Yes), the process proceeds to step S103, where the absolute value | CNT | When it is determined that it is less than the first threshold TH1 (step S102: No), the process proceeds to step S110.

  In the process of step S102, when the operation amount of the operation unit 75 is equal to or greater than the first threshold value TH1, the drive mode of the electric focusing unit 27 is set to the continuous drive mode (steps S103 to S108, step S111). This is a process for setting the step drive mode (step S110) when it is less than the first threshold TH1.

  The continuous drive mode in the first embodiment is a mode in which the electric focusing unit 27 is continuously driven in a predetermined direction at a predetermined speed until a stop instruction is issued regardless of the counter value CNT. The step drive mode is a mode in which the electric focusing unit 27 is driven in a predetermined direction with a drive amount corresponding to the counter value CNT. The step drive mode may be further divided into a fine movement mode and a coarse movement mode. In this case, the driving amount corresponding to the counter value CNT is made different between the two modes, for example, in the fine movement mode, such as making it smaller than in the coarse movement mode.

  In step S103, the control unit 74 determines whether or not the drive direction is positive. When the control unit 74 determines that the driving direction is positive (the sign of the counter value CNT is “+”) (step S103: Yes), the process proceeds to step S104, where the driving direction is negative (the sign of the counter value CNT is negative). If it is determined that “−”) (step S103: No), the process proceeds to step S111.

  In step S104, the control unit 74 sets the drive direction of the electric focusing unit 27 to be plus. Note that when the electric focusing unit 27 is driven in the vertical direction, the driving direction “plus” is one of up or down, and the driving direction “minus” is the opposite direction of “plus”. . Further, when the electric focusing unit 27 is driven in the left-right direction, the drive direction “plus” is one of left or right, and the drive direction “minus” is the opposite direction of “plus”. .

  In step S105, the control unit 74 instructs the electric focusing unit 27 to continuously drive in the driving direction set in step S104 or step S111 described later. Then, it waits for a predetermined time in step S106.

  In step S107, the control unit 74 reads the counter value from the counter 752, substitutes it for the counter value CNT, and clears (initializes) the counter 752.

  In step S108, the control unit 74 compares the counter value CNT read in step S107 with a second threshold value TH2 (TH2 <TH1) that is smaller than the preset first threshold value TH1. When the control unit 74 determines that the absolute value | CNT | of the counter value CNT read in step S107 is less than the second threshold value TH2 (step S108: Yes), the process proceeds to step S109, and is read in step S107. When it is determined that the absolute value | CNT | of the counter value CNT is greater than or equal to the second threshold value TH2 (step S108: No), the process returns to step S106.

  In step S109, the control unit 74 instructs the electric focusing unit 27 to stop. Thereafter, the electric focusing process is terminated.

  In step S110, the control unit 74 instructs the electric focusing unit 27 to perform step driving based on the counter value CNT read in step S101. Thereafter, the electric focusing process is terminated. When the sign of the counter value CNT is “+”, the electric focusing unit 27 is controlled to drive the driving amount corresponding to the absolute value | CNT | that represents the operation amount in the plus direction. On the other hand, when the sign of the counter value CNT is “−”, the electric focusing unit 27 is controlled so as to drive the driving amount corresponding to the absolute value | CNT | that represents the operation amount in the minus direction.

  In step S111, the control unit 74 sets the driving direction of the electric focusing unit 27 to be negative. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S105.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the counter value CNT of the counter 752 of the operation unit 75 is read, and the absolute value of the read counter value CNT is equal to or greater than the first threshold value TH1 set in advance. In addition, the electric focusing unit 27 is continuously driven at a high speed. When the absolute value of the read counter value CNT is equal to or greater than a preset second threshold value TH2 at the next read time, the continuous driving of the electric focusing unit 27 is continued and is less than the second threshold value TH2. If there is, the driving of the electric focusing unit 27 is stopped.

  In this way, when the operation unit (operation handle) 75 is moved largely (first threshold TH1 or more), the electric focusing unit 27 moves at a high speed in the moved direction and continues to move greatly. The unit 27 continues to move at high speed. When the operation of the operation unit (operation handle) 75 is stopped or the operation amount is decreased (less than the second threshold value TH2), the driving of the electric focusing unit 27 is stopped. Therefore, a mode switching button is not required, and only one operation unit (operation handle) 75 is used to drive a long distance after exchanging samples in the electric focusing unit 27 (continuous drive mode) and to focus within the focal depth ( Step driving mode) is possible, and operability is improved.

  The operation unit (operation handle) 75 may include two types of a coarse movement handle and a fine movement handle. In this case, the above-mentioned electric focusing process is performed for the coarse handle, and switching between the continuous drive mode and the step drive mode allows long distance movement and rough focusing after the sample change, and the fine handle is only in the step drive mode. As a result, focus in more detail. By doing in this way, the same operational feeling as a conventional manual handle is obtained.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the configuration of the microscope system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a functional configuration of the microscope system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 4 and 5, the plane on which the microscope system 1a is placed will be described as an xy plane, and a direction perpendicular to the xy plane will be described as a z direction.

  In the description of the microscope system 1a according to the second embodiment, the same components as those in the microscope system 1 according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In the second embodiment, the microscope system 1a includes a display device 6a instead of the display device 6, and an operation unit (operation handle) 75 is omitted. The display device 6 a includes a display communication unit 61 that performs communication with the control terminal 7, a display unit 62 that displays an image, and a touch panel 63 that outputs a position signal corresponding to the contact of an object from the outside. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  The touch panel 63 is provided on the display screen of the display unit 62 and accepts an input according to the contact position of the object from the outside. Specifically, the touch panel 63 detects a position where the user touches (contacts) according to an operation icon displayed on the display unit 62, and outputs a position signal corresponding to the detected touch position to the control terminal 7. For example, the touch panel 63 functions as a graphical user interface (GUI) when the display unit 62 displays various operation information of the microscope system 1a in the image display area. In general, the touch panel includes a resistance film method, a capacitance method, an optical method, and the like. In the second embodiment of the present invention, any type of touch panel is applicable.

  FIG. 6 is a plan view showing an example of a user interface using touch panel 63 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The touch panel 63 is provided with a focusing touch (for continuous drive) operation unit 631 and focusing push (for step driving) operation units 632a and 632b.

  In the second embodiment, the touch panel 63 is used as the operation unit instead of the operation unit (operation handle) 75 of the first embodiment. For example, instead of the operation of moving the handle, when the user performs a flick operation or a swipe operation in a predetermined direction (for example, upward direction in the figure) in the focusing touch operation unit 631, the electric focusing is performed in the predetermined direction. The unit 27 is continuously driven. When a flick operation or a swipe operation is performed in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction (for example, the downward direction in the figure), the electric focusing unit 27 is continuously driven in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction.

  When the user touches the focusing push operation unit 632a, the electric focusing unit 27 is step-driven upward, for example, in accordance with the number of touches. When the user touches the focusing push operation unit 632b, for example, the electric focusing unit 27 is step-driven in a downward direction according to the number of touches.

  The focusing push (for step drive) operation units 632a and 632b may be omitted, and the continuous drive mode and the step drive mode may be switched depending on the amount of movement of the touch position by the flick operation or the swipe operation. For example, when the movement amount of the touch position by the flick operation or the swipe operation is equal to or larger than the first threshold value TH1 ′ set in advance, the electric focusing unit 27 is continuously driven at a high speed, and the next flick operation or swipe is performed. When the movement amount of the touch position due to the operation is greater than or equal to the preset second threshold TH2 ′, the continuous driving of the electric focusing unit 27 is continued and is less than the second threshold TH2 ′. In this case, the driving of the electric focusing unit 27 is stopped. A moving speed may be used instead of the moving amount.

  It should be noted that the continuous drive mode is entered by performing a click operation or a swipe operation on the touch panel 63 with a movement amount or movement speed greater than or equal to the first threshold value TH1 ′, and then the continuous drive mode is continued by continuously pressing the touch panel 63. You may make it do.

  In the second embodiment, the operation amount and operation direction for the touch panel 63 are stored as the counter value CNT, and after the control unit 74 reads the counter value CNT, the stored operation amount and operation direction are cleared.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, long distance driving (continuous driving mode) after sample replacement in the electric focusing unit 27 and short distance driving (step driving) for focusing within the depth of focus. Mode) can be easily switched to each other and the operability is improved.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the electric focusing process executed by the control unit according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a speed table according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In the third embodiment, the microscope system 1 according to the first embodiment or the microscope system 1a according to the second embodiment is used. The following example will be described on the assumption that the microscope system 1 according to the first embodiment is used.

  In the third embodiment, the index value i is set according to the operation amount of the operation unit 75 or the touch panel 63, and the first threshold value TH1i, the second threshold value TH2i, the initial speed FL, the maximum value corresponding to the set index value i are set. The speed FH and the acceleration time t are acquired from the speed table shown in FIG. 8, and electric focusing is performed using the acquired first threshold value TH1i, second threshold value TH2i, initial speed FL, maximum speed FH, and acceleration time t. The unit 27 is driven.

  In the speed table shown in FIG. 8, the first threshold value TH1i, the second threshold value TH2i, the initial speed FL, the maximum speed FH, and the acceleration time t are set corresponding to the index values (i = 1 to 4). Yes. In the speed table shown in FIG. 8, as the index value i increases, that is, as the duration of the continuous drive mode increases, the first threshold value TH1i and the second threshold value TH2i increase, and the initial speed FL and the maximum speed. It is set so that FH becomes faster and acceleration time t becomes longer (acceleration (FH−FL) / t becomes constant).

  In step S201, the control unit 74 reads the counter value from the counter 752, substitutes it for the counter value CNT, and clears (initializes) the counter 752. In step S202, the control unit 74 sets the index value i to “1”.

  In step S203, the control unit 74 compares the counter value CNT with a preset first threshold value TH1i. When the control unit 74 determines that the absolute value | CNT | of the counter value CNT is greater than or equal to the first threshold value TH1i (step S203: Yes), the process proceeds to step S204, where the absolute value | CNT | When it is determined that it is less than the first threshold TH1i (step S203: No), the process proceeds to step S213.

  The process of step S203 sets the drive mode of the electric focusing unit 27 to the continuous drive mode (steps S204 to S211 and step S214) when the operation amount of the operation unit 75 is equal to or greater than the first threshold value TH1i. This is a process for setting the step drive mode (step S213) when it is less than the first threshold TH1i.

  In the continuous drive mode in the third embodiment, when the operation amount is large, that is, when the counter value CNT is large (for example, the first value acquired from the speed table referred to according to the currently set index value i). When the threshold value TH1i is exceeded), the initial speed FL and the maximum speed FH are increased.

  In step S204, the control unit 74 increments the index value i by “1” and sets it to “i = i + 1”.

  In step S205, the control unit 74 acquires the first threshold value TH1i corresponding to the index value i incremented in step S204 from the speed table, and compares it with the counter value CNT. When the control unit 74 determines that the absolute value | CNT | of the counter value CNT is less than the first threshold value TH1i (step S205: Yes), the process proceeds to step S206. When it is determined that the absolute value | CNT | of the counter value CNT is greater than or equal to the first threshold TH1i (step S205: No), the process returns to step S204, and the index value i is further incremented by “1”. When the operation amount is large, the index value i is incremented again, so that the electric focusing is performed using the first threshold value TH1i, the second threshold value TH2i, the initial speed FL, the maximum speed FH, and the acceleration time t according to the operation amount. The quasi part 27 is driven.

  In step S206, the control unit 74 determines whether or not the drive direction is positive. When the control unit 74 determines that the drive direction is positive (the sign of the counter value CNT is “+”) (step S206: Yes), the process proceeds to step S207, where the drive direction is negative (the sign of the counter value CNT is negative). If it is determined that “−”) (step S206: No), the process proceeds to step S214.

  In step S207, the control unit 74 sets the drive direction of the electric focusing unit 27 to plus. Note that when the electric focusing unit 27 is driven in the vertical direction, the driving direction “plus” is one of up or down, and the driving direction “minus” is the opposite direction of “plus”. . Further, when the electric focusing unit 27 is driven in the left-right direction, the drive direction “plus” is one of left or right, and the drive direction “minus” is the opposite direction of “plus”. .

  In step S208, the control unit 74 sets the initial speed FL and the maximum speed FH corresponding to the currently set index value i in the driving direction set in step S207 or step S214 described later with respect to the electric focusing unit 27. Instruct to continuously drive at acceleration time t. Then, it waits for a predetermined time in step S209.

  In step S210, the control unit 74 reads the counter value from the counter 752, substitutes it for the counter value CNT, and clears (initializes) the counter 752.

  In step S211, the control unit 74 acquires the second threshold value TH2i corresponding to the currently set index value i from the speed table, and compares it with the counter value CNT read in step S210. When the control unit 74 determines that the absolute value | CNT | of the counter value CNT read in step S210 is less than the second threshold value TH2i that is smaller than the first threshold value TH1i (step S211: Yes), step S212 is performed. If it is determined that the absolute value | CNT | of the counter value CNT read in step S210 is greater than or equal to the second threshold value TH2i (step S211: No), the process returns to step S209.

  In step S212, the control unit 74 instructs the electric focusing unit 27 to stop. Thereafter, the electric focusing process is terminated.

  In step S213, the control unit 74 instructs the electric focusing unit 27 to perform step driving based on the counter value CNT read in step S201. Thereafter, the electric focusing process is terminated. When the sign of the counter value CNT is “+”, the electric focusing unit 27 is controlled to drive the driving amount corresponding to the absolute value | CNT | that represents the operation amount in the plus direction. On the other hand, when the sign of the counter value CNT is “−”, the electric focusing unit 27 is controlled so as to drive the driving amount corresponding to the absolute value | CNT | that represents the operation amount in the minus direction.

  In step S214, the control unit 74 sets the drive direction of the electric focusing unit 27 to be negative. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S208.

  Note that a plurality of types of speed tables may be prepared as shown in FIGS. 9A to 9E. In the example shown in FIGS. 9A to 9E, different speed tables are prepared for each magnification of the objective lens 24. 9A is a speed table corresponding to the objective lens 24 of 5 times, FIG. 9B is 10 times, FIG. 9C is 20 times, FIG. 9D is 50 times, and FIG. 9E is 100 times.

  The first threshold value TH1i and the second threshold value TH2i at the same index value i are constant even when the magnification of the objective lens 24 is changed, but the initial speed FL, the maximum speed FH, and the acceleration time t of the electric focusing unit 27 are objective values. The lens 24 is set so as to decrease as the magnification of the lens 24 increases. Note that the examples shown in FIGS. 9A to 9E are merely examples, and the types of speed tables are not limited to these.

  When changing the speed table to be referenced for each type of the objective lens 24, the type (magnification) of the objective lens 24 is detected before and after step S201 or step S202 in FIG. 7, and step S203, step S205, and step are performed. In S208, the speed table is referred according to the index value i and the type (magnification, etc.) of the detected objective lens 24. In this case, not only the electric revolver (nosepiece 23) as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, but also a manual revolver having a revolver hole position sensor can be used.

  FIG. 10A is a graph showing an aspect of a change in speed of the electric focusing unit 27 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10B is a graph showing the deceleration distance of the electric focusing unit 27 according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

  When there is a driving instruction from the control unit 74 at timing T1, the electric focusing unit 27 starts driving at the initial speed FL of the speed table shown in FIGS. 8 and 9A to 9E, and reaches the maximum speed after an acceleration time t. FH is reached. Thereafter, the electric focusing unit 27 maintains the maximum speed FH, and stops at a timing T2 after a deceleration time t equal to the acceleration time when there is a stop instruction from the control unit 74. At this time, since there is a time difference from the timing T2 until the electric focusing unit 27 actually stops, an overrun corresponding to the deceleration distance shown in FIG. 10B occurs.

On the other hand, in the third embodiment, for example, the values of the overrun amount (initial speed FL, maximum speed FH, and acceleration time t) are set so as to satisfy the following expression (1). By setting the overrun amount of the electric focusing unit 27 in this way, even if there is an overrun after a stop instruction as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the electric focusing unit 27 within the depth of focus of the objective lens used. Can be stopped.
(Initial velocity FL + maximum velocity FH) × acceleration time t / 2 <focus depth of objective lens used (1)

  In addition, after the electric focusing part 27 stops completely, you may make it return in the reverse direction by the deceleration distance.

(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the electric focusing process executed by the control unit according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the fourth embodiment, the microscope system 1 according to the first embodiment or the microscope system 1a according to the second embodiment is used. The following example will be described on the assumption that the microscope system 1 according to the first embodiment is used.

  In the fourth embodiment, the sign (“+” or “−”) of the counter value CNT is changed regardless of the value of the counter value CNT instead of the operation of the operation unit 75 with the operation amount equal to or greater than the second threshold TH2. Thus, the continuous driving of the electric focusing unit 27 is maintained.

  In step S301, the control unit 74 reads the counter value from the counter 752, substitutes it for the counter value CNT, and clears (initializes) the counter 752.

  In step S302, the control unit 74 compares the counter value CNT with a preset first threshold value TH1. When the control unit 74 determines that the absolute value | CNT | of the counter value CNT is greater than or equal to the first threshold value TH1 (step S302: Yes), the process proceeds to step S303, where the absolute value | CNT | If it is determined that it is less than the first threshold TH1 (step S302: No), the process proceeds to step S311.

  In the process of step S302, when the operation amount of the operation unit 75 is equal to or greater than the first threshold value TH1, the driving mode of the electric focusing unit 27 is set to the continuous drive mode (steps S303 to S309, steps S312 to S314). Is set to step driving mode (step S311) when it is less than the first threshold value TH1.

  In step S303, the control unit 74 determines whether or not the drive direction is positive. When the control unit 74 determines that the drive direction is positive (the sign of the counter value CNT is “+”) (step S303: Yes), the process proceeds to step S304, and the minus (the sign of the counter value CNT is “−”). ) (Step S303: No), the process proceeds to step S312.

  In step S304, the control unit 74 sets the drive direction of the electric focusing unit 27 to be plus. Note that when the electric focusing unit 27 is driven in the vertical direction, the driving direction “plus” is one of up or down, and the driving direction “minus” is the opposite direction of “plus”. . Further, when the electric focusing unit 27 is driven in the left-right direction, the drive direction “plus” is one of left or right, and the drive direction “minus” is the opposite direction of “plus”. .

  In step S305, the control unit 74 substitutes “plus” for “counter direction” (“counter direction” = “+”).

  In step S306, the control unit 74 instructs the electric focusing unit 27 to continuously drive in the driving direction set in step S304 or step S312 described later. Then, it waits for a predetermined time in step S307.

  In step S308, the control unit 74 reads the counter value from the counter 752, substitutes it for the counter value CNT, and clears (initializes) the counter 752.

  In step S309, the control unit 74 compares the sign of the counter value CNT read in step S308 with the “counter direction” substituted in step S305 or step S313 described later. When the control unit 74 determines that the sign of the counter value CNT read in step S308 matches the “counter direction” substituted in step S305 or step S313 described later (step S309: Yes), the process proceeds to step S310. If it is determined that they do not match (step S309: No), the process proceeds to step S314.

  In step S310, the control unit 74 instructs the electric focusing unit 27 to stop. Thereafter, the electric focusing process is terminated.

  In step S311, the control unit 74 instructs the electric focusing unit 27 to perform step driving based on the counter value CNT read in step S301. Thereafter, the electric focusing process is terminated. When the sign of the counter value CNT is “+”, the electric focusing unit 27 is controlled to drive the driving amount corresponding to the absolute value | CNT | that represents the operation amount in the plus direction. On the other hand, when the sign of the counter value CNT is “−”, the electric focusing unit 27 is controlled so as to drive the driving amount corresponding to the absolute value | CNT | that represents the operation amount in the minus direction.

  In step S312, the control unit 74 sets the driving direction of the electric focusing unit 27 to be negative. In step S313, the control unit 74 assigns “minus” to “counter direction” (“counter direction” = “−”). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S306.

  In step S314, the control unit 74 substitutes the sign of the counter value CNT read in step S308 in “counter direction”. Thereafter, the process returns to step S307.

  As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, the continuous drive mode can be maintained by reciprocating the operation unit 75 while the electric focusing unit 27 is driven in the continuous drive mode. Therefore, once the operation is switched to the continuous drive mode with a large operation, the electric focusing unit 27 can be continuously driven only by operating the operation unit 75 in small increments.

  The fourth embodiment is realized by using the hardware configuration of either the first embodiment or the second embodiment, but is further combined with the third embodiment in which the driving speed is changed using an index. Is also possible. In that case, the second threshold value TH2 of the speed table can be omitted.

  In the first to fourth embodiments described above, the electric focusing unit 27 that moves in the z direction (up and down direction) has been described. However, in any of the embodiments, the stage 21 that moves in the xy direction (left and right direction). It is applicable to.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,1a Microscope system 2 Microscope apparatus 2a Microscope base 2b Head part 3 Microscope control part 4 Imaging apparatus 5 Imaging control part 6, 6a Display apparatus 7 Control terminal 21 Stage 22 Support part 23 Nosepiece 24 Objective lens 25 Head main body part 26 Incident light Illumination light source 27 Electric focusing unit 41 Image sensor 51 AE processing unit 61 Display communication unit 62 Display unit 63 Touch panel 71 Control communication unit 72 Input unit 73 Storage unit 74 Control unit 75 Operation unit 211, 232, 274 Motor 251 Illumination lens 252 Half mirror 254 Imaging lens 271 Head holding unit 731 Image data storage unit 732 Position information storage unit 741 Image processing unit 742 Drive control unit 743 Display control unit 744 AF processing unit 751 Rotary encoder 752 Counter

Claims (9)

A stage for placing the specimen;
An objective lens for collecting observation light from the specimen;
An electric focusing unit capable of adjusting the distance between the stage and the objective lens;
A display device for displaying an image and outputting a contact position of an object from outside;
Based on the output of the display device, a control unit that controls the electric focusing unit to continuously drive or step drive,
A microscope comprising:   The control unit controls the electric focusing unit to continuously drive in a predetermined direction corresponding to the moving direction of the contact position when the moving amount or moving speed of the contact position is equal to or greater than a first predetermined value. The microscope according to claim 1.   When the movement amount or the movement speed is less than the first predetermined value, the control unit drives the electric focusing unit by the distance corresponding to the movement amount in the predetermined direction. The microscope according to claim 2. The display device
An operation unit for continuous driving for receiving an operation for controlling the electric focusing unit to continuously drive;
An operation unit for step driving that receives an operation for controlling the electric focusing unit to perform step driving;
The control unit is configured to continuously drive in a predetermined direction corresponding to the moving direction of the contact position when the moving amount or moving speed of the contact position with respect to the continuous driving operation unit is equal to or greater than a first predetermined value. The microscope according to claim 1, wherein the electric focusing unit is controlled.   5. The microscope according to claim 4, wherein the control unit drives the step of driving the electric focusing unit by a distance corresponding to the number of times in accordance with the number of times the step driving operation unit has received an operation. . The control unit is configured to continuously drive the electric focusing unit.
When the display device outputs the movement amount or the movement speed equal to or greater than a second predetermined value, the electric focusing unit is continuously driven,
The driving of the electric focusing unit is stopped when the display device outputs the movement amount or the movement speed less than the second predetermined value. The microscope described.   The control unit performs control so as to continue continuous driving of the electric focusing unit when contact with the display device is continued during continuous driving of the electric focusing unit. The microscope according to any one of 5.   The said control part controls the said electric focusing part so that it may drive continuously by predetermined speed irrespective of the said moving amount or the said moving speed, The any one of Claims 2-7 characterized by the above-mentioned. microscope.   The control unit controls the electric focusing unit to continuously drive in the predetermined direction when the movement amount or the movement speed output from the display device is a flick operation or a swipe operation. The microscope according to any one of claims 2 to 8.

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