JP4831877B2 - Microscope equipment - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a microscope photographing apparatus for photographing and recording an observation image of a microscope.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, as a peripheral device attached to a microscope, a microscope photographing device such as a microscope digital camera for photographing and recording an observation image of the microscope is used.
[0003]
In such a microscopic photographing apparatus, it is important to start up a predetermined function without malfunctioning, and a video disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-189700 has been proposed as an example employing such an idea. There is known an autofocus device that detects a focus position by calculating a contrast from a signal of a camera.
[0004]
This autofocus device detects the presence or absence of a video camera signal when the power is turned on.If the video camera is connected, it initializes as usual and performs autofocus. If the video camera is not connected, an error sound is signaled as an error. Is issued, and the subsequent autofocus operation is not performed. This makes it possible to avoid the possibility of damaging the specimen and the microscope body due to an autofocus malfunction even when the power is turned on and the microscope is operated when the video camera is not connected by mistake. ing.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described microscope photographing apparatus such as a microscope digital camera, a photographing mode for photographing an observation image (hereinafter, REC mode), a reproduction mode for confirming a recorded image (hereinafter, PLAY mode), and a PC cable are connected. In the REC mode, a shooting operation cannot be performed unless the camera head is connected. However, in the REC mode, a PLAY mode or a communication mode for communicating with a personal computer is provided. The PC communication mode needs to be able to operate regardless of the connection of the camera head.
[0006]
This is an error because the necessary signal cannot be obtained for the PLAY mode or the PC communication mode if the initialization is not performed unless a video camera is connected as in the conventional autofocus device. There is a problem that it is impossible to operate in these modes.
[0007]
On the other hand, there is a microscope photographing apparatus such as a microscope digital camera that automatically returns to the mode selected when the power is turned off for convenience. However, if the mode that was selected when the power was turned off at the same time when the power was turned on is initialized, for example, the camera head is not connected but the REC mode is started up or the PC communication cable is connected. also if you want to PC communication mode Te, and stood up in PLAY mode Mau. If the desired mode does not start up as described above, it is necessary to set the target mode by switching the mode, which may be inconvenient. In particular, when starting up in the PLAY mode, image reading in the medium starts and mode switching cannot be accepted until the reading is completed, so there is no problem if the image to be read is a small-sized file. When reading a non-compressed image with a digital camera of 10,000 pixel class, it takes several tens of seconds to several minutes, so it takes time to switch modes, and the operability may be significantly impaired.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a microscope photographing apparatus capable of improving operability.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The invention according to claim 1 is a microscope photographing apparatus comprising: an imaging unit having an imaging element for imaging an observation image of a microscope ; and a control unit connected to the imaging unit. Input operation means for setting, display means for displaying an image photographed by the photographing means, PCI / F for performing data communication with an external control means, and the microscope photographing of the input operation means and the display means a connection detecting means for detecting a connection state with respect to the apparatus, before Symbol photographing mode for photographing an observation image that is initially set at power up of the microscope imaging apparatus, the reproduction mode and the external control unit to check the captured image and the data communication an operation mode including a communication mode for performing the input operation means of connection state and the display means of the connection state and the association is by forming Ru table storage A storage means which, the, at power up of the microscope imaging apparatus, when the unconnected at least one of the means of the display means and the input operation means by said connection detecting means is detected, the initial The communication mode is determined as an operation mode to be set .
[0010]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the connection detecting unit further detects a connection state of the external control unit, and the table further includes the operation mode and the external control unit. of which the connection status is associated, wherein, at the time of power-on of the microscope imaging apparatus, when the connection of the front Kigaibu control means Ri by said connection detecting means is detected, it is the initial setting It is characterized by determining a pre-Symbol communications mode as a mode.
[0011]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the connection detecting unit further detects a connection state of the photographing unit, and the table further includes the operation mode and the connection of the photographing unit. The control unit is configured to perform the reproduction as the operation mode to be initialized when the connection detection unit detects that the imaging unit is not connected when the microscope photographing apparatus is powered on. It is characterized by determining the mode.
[0012]
As a result, according to the present invention, the connection state of each unit can be detected, and the initial setting in the optimum operation mode can be automatically performed according to a table prepared in advance according to the connection state of these units.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0014]
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of a microscope digital camera as a microscope photographing apparatus applied to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0015]
In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a microscope operated by an observer for observing a specimen, and a microscope digital camera 2 is connected to the microscope 1. The microscope digital camera 2 has a camera head 3 as a photographing means attached to a camera port of the microscope 1 and a control box 5 as a control means connected to the camera head 3 via a camera head cable 4. . The control box 5 starts setting of operation modes such as a REC mode for capturing an observation image, a PLAY mode for confirming a recorded image, and a PC communication mode for communicating with a personal computer, image capturing, confirmation of a captured image, camera This is for setting. The control box 5 is connected to an external TV monitor 7 via a video cable 6 and a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC) 9 as external control means via a PC communication cable 8. The observed image can be displayed on the external TV monitor 7 or downloaded to the PC 9.
[0016]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of such a microscope digital camera 2.
[0017]
In this case, the camera head 3 includes a CCD 301 as an image pickup device that captures an observation image of the microscope 1, a timing generator 302 that generates a driving pulse for the CCD 301, and an A / D converter 303 that performs analog / digital conversion on an output image from the CCD 301. Is integrated.
[0018]
The control box 5 connected to the camera head 3 receives the image data output via the A / D converter 303 of the camera head 3 via the camera head I / F 501 and the camera head I / F 501. RAM 502 for temporarily storing the digital image data, a memory controller 503 for managing the write / read address of the data in RAM 502, a recording medium 504 for recording the image data stored in RAM 502, and the digital image data stored in RAM 502 A D / A converter 505 that converts analog data that can be displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 506 or the external TV monitor 7, and a liquid crystal monitor 506 as display means for displaying the image data converted by the D / A converter 505, Video cable 6 connected to external TV monitor 7 A PC communication cable 8 to the external video I / F 507 and the PC 9 is connected, and the data recorded on the recording medium 504 is read out to the PC 9 and the PCI / F 508 for performing camera-controlled data communication from the PC 9 As input operation means for performing various operations and settings of the microscope digital camera 2, a switch panel (hereinafter referred to as SW panel) 509, a camera head 3, a liquid crystal monitor 506, an external video I / F 507 (video cable 6), PCI / F508 (PC communication cable 8) and other connection detection means 510 for detecting the connection state of each unit, and the operation mode as the microscope digital camera 2 can be determined in advance based on the connection state detection signal from the connection detection means 510. The control device 51 for initializing the selected mode and instructing control of the entire device 1 etc. are integrated. The control device 511 has storage means for storing a table that stores the priority of operation modes that are initially set when power is turned on, which will be described later, in association with the connection state of each unit.
[0019]
Here, as a specific detection method of the connection state of each unit in the connection detection unit 510, the detection of the camera head 3 is performed by the output of a sensor that detects the presence or absence of an image signal from the camera head 3 or the connection of the camera head 3 As a result, a method of monitoring the voltage of the terminal whose voltage level is determined is used, and the detection of the liquid crystal monitor 506 and the SW panel 509 monitors the voltage of the terminal whose voltage level is determined by connecting these units. The method is used. Here, in order to detect whether or not the liquid crystal monitor 506 can be stored and whether or not it is stored (when it is stored so as to cover the SW panel 509 like a notebook computer), the liquid crystal monitor 506 is detected. A method of monitoring the output of an optical or magnetic sensor that detects the state in which the battery is stored or the output of a part of the liquid crystal monitor 506 mechanically pressing a switch is used. The external video I / F 507 and PCI / F 508 are detected by using a connector with a built-in switch circuit that detects insertion of the video cable 6 and the PC communication cable 8, or the video cable 6 and the PC communication cable 8 are connected. For example, a method of detecting a change in impedance of the line due to the above is used.
[0020]
FIG. 3 shows a schematic configuration of the SW panel 509. Mode switches 509a, a control panel 509b, an EXPOSE switch 509c, a menu switch 509d, a cross switch 509e, a SET / OK switch as switches related to the operation of the present embodiment. A switch 509f is provided.
[0021]
In order to perform a photographing operation using such a SW panel 509, the observer first turns on the power by operating a power switch (not shown). Next, the mode switch 509a is operated to select the REC mode or the PLAY mode. In this case, the REC mode includes a manual REC mode in which the exposure time of the camera head 3 can be manually switched and an auto REC mode in which the exposure time is automatically set. The observer further sets the mode switch 509a. Operate to set one REC mode. The setting mode at this time is displayed on the control panel 509b with an arrow indicating the mode.
[0022]
In this state, the observation image of the specimen acquired through the camera head 3 is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 506, and the microscope 1 is operated while viewing this, and the photographed image is framed and focused by operating a switch (not shown). Then, when the photographing becomes possible, the EXPOSE switch 509c is operated. As a result, photographing is performed by the camera head 3, and the photographed observation image is temporarily stored in the RAM 502 shown in FIG. 2 and then recorded on the recording medium 504. In this case, the recording image quality mode, time setting, ISO, and the like related to shooting with the camera head 3 are set by operating the cross switch 509e and the SET / OK switch 509f on the menu displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 506 by operating the menu switch 509d. To decide. When it is desired to check the captured image, the PLAY mode is selected by operating the mode switch 509a. In the PLAY mode, a captured observation image is read from the recording medium 504 and displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 506.
[0023]
In this manner, various modes such as the REC mode and the PLAY mode can be switched by operating the mode switch 509a. In this embodiment, the mode that is initially set when the power is turned on again is determined as described below. is doing.
[0024]
FIG. 4 is a table in which the priority order of the operation mode that is initially set when the power is turned on is stored for each unit, and is stored in advance in storage means (not shown) of the control device 511. In this case, the items in the column direction of the table are, for example, the detection units such as the SW panel 509, the liquid crystal monitor 506, the liquid crystal monitor 506, the PC communication cable 8, and the camera head 3 detected by the connection detecting unit 510. The items in the row direction are priorities that prioritize the initial settings. The elements of this table indicate which operation mode is initially set when each unit is connected / not connected, that is, in which operation mode the microscope digital camera 2 is initially set.
[0025]
For example, when the SW panel 509 is not connected when the power is turned on, the operation of the camera head 3 can only be performed by the PC 9 via the PC communication cable 8 and is thus initialized in the PC communication mode. Similarly, when the liquid crystal monitor 506 is not connected, since it is not possible to check the captured image, such as shooting framing and focusing, in this case as well, when checking on the monitor of the PC 9 via the PC communication cable 8 It is determined and initialized in the PC communication mode. Further, even when the liquid crystal monitor 506 is stored so as to cover the SW panel 509 like a notebook personal computer, it is determined that the switch operation and image recognition are performed on the PC 9 side via the PC communication cable 8. Then, it is initialized in the PC communication mode. And when the camera head 3 is not connected, since it can be used only in the PLAY mode, it is initialized in the PLAY mode. If the above items are not applicable, the normal mode is initialized to the mode used when the power was turned off last time.
[0026]
Next, a specific example of performing initialization upon power-on (initial setting of the operation mode) using such a table will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
[0027]
In this case, when a power switch (not shown) is operated to turn on the power, in step S501, the connection detection unit 510 sends the SW panel 509, camera head 3, liquid crystal monitor 506, external video I / F 507 (to the control box 5). The connection state of each unit such as the video cable 6) and the PCI / F 508 (PC communication cable 8) is detected. In step S502, it is determined whether the SW panel 509 is detected. Here, if the SW panel 509 is not detected, the PC communication mode is determined with reference to the table shown in FIG. 4, and initialization is performed in the PC communication mode in step S503, and the process is terminated. On the other hand, if the SW panel 509 is detected, the process proceeds to step S504, where it is determined whether the liquid crystal monitor 506 is detected. Here, when the liquid crystal monitor 506 is not detected, the PC communication mode is determined with reference to the table shown in FIG. 4, initialization is performed in the PC communication mode in step S503, and the process is terminated.
[0028]
If it is determined in step S504 that the liquid crystal monitor 506 has been detected, the process proceeds to step S505, where it is determined whether the liquid crystal monitor 506 is accommodated. Here, if the liquid crystal monitor 506 is housed, the PC communication mode is determined with reference to the table shown in FIG. 4, initialization is performed in the PC communication mode in step S503, and the process ends.
[0029]
If it is determined in step S505 that the liquid crystal monitor 506 is not accommodated, the process advances to step S506 to determine whether the PC communication cable 8 is detected. If the PC communication cable 8 has been detected, the PC communication mode is determined with reference to the table shown in FIG. 4, and initialization is performed in the PC communication mode in step S503, and the process is terminated.
[0030]
If it is determined in step S506 that the PC communication cable 8 is not detected, the process proceeds to step S507 to determine whether the camera head 3 is detected. Here, if the camera head 3 is not detected, the PLAY mode is determined with reference to the table shown in FIG. 4, initialization is performed in the PLAY mode in step S508, and the process ends.
[0031]
If it is determined in step S507 that the camera head 3 is detected, the process proceeds to step S509, where the normal mode is initialized in the mode that was used when the power was last turned off, and the process ends.
[0032]
Accordingly, in this way, the connection state of each unit at the time of power-on can be detected, and the initial setting in the optimum mode can be automatically performed according to the table prepared in advance according to the connection state of these units. Therefore, since no extra operation is required, the operation is simplified and the operability can be improved.
[0033]
In addition, since settings other than the desired mode are not initially set, useless mode switching time does not occur, operation time can be shortened, and shooting and observation throughput can be improved.
[0034]
(Second embodiment)
FIG. 6 shows a schematic configuration of the microscope digital camera 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and the same parts as those in FIG.
[0035]
In this case, the control box 5 is provided with a setting storage unit 512 composed of a nonvolatile memory. The setting storage unit 512 stores a table in which the priority order of the initially set modes as described in FIG. 4 is set. The observer initializes the initial setting mode, that is, in which operation mode the microscope digital camera is initialized. It is possible to set or change whether or not. For example, when the observation image is taken with the EXPOSE switch 509c of the SW panel 509 shown in FIG. 3 while the PC communication cable 8 is connected, the photographed image is taken into the PC 9 by PC communication and checked. A part of the table described in 4 can be changed as indicated by the hatched portion in FIG.
[0036]
In this case, the observer first operates the menu switch 509d of the SW panel 509 shown in FIG. 3 to display a menu screen on the liquid crystal monitor 506 as shown in FIG. Is highlighted using the cross switch 509e or the like, and the SET / OK switch 509f is operated. Then, a submenu for setting the initial setting mode is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 506 as shown in FIG. The submenu for setting the initial setting mode corresponds to the table described in FIG. 4. The column direction item is each unit detected by the connection detecting means 510, and the row direction item is the initial setting item. It is a priority. Here, the portion displayed by the thick-line cursor 11 in the drawing indicates an inputable element. The position of the cursor 11 in the thick frame can be set to specify an arbitrary element by moving the cross switch 509e up / down / left / right.
[0037]
In this state, the position of the thick frame cursor 11 is selected on the initial setting mode setting submenu and the SET / OK switch 509f is operated. Then, the screen shown in FIG. 10 is displayed, and it becomes possible to change or set the selected element. In this case, the presence / absence of detection of the unit indicated by the selected element is selected. This is also determined by the SET / OK switch 509f by moving the cursor 11 with a thick frame by the up / down switch operation of the cross switch 509e. Thereby, the setting screen of the initial setting mode shown in FIG. 11 is displayed. In this screen, PC communication, REC, PLAY, and default are displayed, and the PC communication mode, REC mode, PLAY mode, and default (the same mode as the previous power-off is initialized as usual). Can be set.
[0038]
In this case, the thick frame cursor 11 is moved to select the REC mode, and the SET / OK switch 509f is operated. Then, the screen returns to the screen shown in FIG. 12, the initial mode (REC mode) set for the selected element is displayed, and a part of the table described in FIG. 4 is changed as shown in FIG. become. The changed table is stored in the setting storage unit 512 and used for initialization from the next power-on. Thus, when the PC communication cable 8 is detected thereafter, the REC mode is determined by referring to the table shown in FIG. 7, and the microscope digital camera 2 is initialized in the REC mode.
[0039]
In the above description, the case where a part of the elements of the priority order table is changed has been described. However, setting of the PC communication mode, the REC mode, the PLAY mode, and the default using the initial setting mode setting screen shown in FIG. By repeating the above, the initial setting mode can be set for all of the priority order tables.
[0040]
Accordingly, in this case, the setting storage unit 512 for storing the table in which the priority order of the initial setting mode is set is provided, and the table contents can be set and changed by the observer. It becomes possible to perform initial setting suitable for. Thus, if the same operation is repeated each time, for example, when applied to a semiconductor inspection process, the work content can be simplified and work efficiency can be improved.
[0041]
In each of the above-described embodiments, only one type of table in which the priority order of the initial setting mode is set is prepared, but a plurality of types of tables are prepared, and these tables are used by switching according to observation conditions or an observer. You may make it do. The table may be stored in the recording medium 504 and read out. Furthermore, in the above description, the CCD is used as the image pickup device of the camera head 3, but CMD or the like can be used as another image pickup device. Furthermore, the above-described connection detection unit 570 has described the case where the connection state of each unit is detected by hardware. However, it is also possible to check the connection state by writing and reading data to an arbitrary register by software. it can.
[0042]
In addition, the following invention is also contained in embodiment mentioned above.
[0043]
(1) In the microscope photographing apparatus according to claim 1,
The display means can be stored as one of the various units,
The connection detection means further has a function of detecting the storage state of the display means,
The table includes information associating a storage state of the display unit with an operation mode that is initially set when the microscope photographing apparatus is powered on.
[0044]
In this way, the table contents can be set and changed by the observer, so that an initial setting suitable for the use conditions can be made for each observer.
[0045]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a microscope photographing apparatus capable of improving operability.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a microscope digital camera applied to the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an SW panel used in the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a table storing priority order of modes to be initialized that are used in the first embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the first embodiment;
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a microscope digital camera applied to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a table showing a priority order of a mode to be initially set used in the second embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a menu screen for initial setting mode setting according to the second embodiment;
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating setting of an initial setting mode according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating setting of an initial setting mode according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating setting of an initial setting mode according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining setting of an initial setting mode according to the second embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Microscope 2 ... Microscope digital camera 3 ... Camera head 4 ... Camera head cable 5 ... Control box 6 ... Video cable 7 ... TV monitor 8 ... PC communication cable 9 ... PC
11 ... Cursor 301 ... CCD
302 ... Timing generator 303 ... A / D converter 501 ... Camera head I / F
502 ... RAM
503 ... Memory controller 504 ... Recording medium 505 ... D / A converter 506 ... Liquid crystal monitor 507 ... External video I / F
508 ... PCI / F
509 ... SW panel 509a ... Mode switch 509b ... Control panel 509c ... EXPOSE switch 509d ... Menu switch 509e ... Cross switch 509f ... SET / OK switch 510 ... Connection detection means 511 ... Control device 512 ... Setting storage unit

Claims (3)

Photographing means having an image sensor for photographing an observation image of a microscope;
Control means connected to the imaging means;
In a microscope photographing apparatus comprising:
The control means includes
Input operation means for setting the photographing means;
Display means for displaying an image photographed by the photographing means;
PCI / F for data communication with external control means,
A connection detection means for detecting a connection state of the input operation means and the display means with respect to the microscope photographing apparatus;
Photographing mode for photographing an observation image that is initially set at power up before Symbol microscope imaging apparatus, an operation mode including a reproducing mode and a communication mode for the external control means and the data communication to check the captured image, the input operation storage means in which a connection state of the connection state and the display unit means formed Ru table in correspondence are stored,
Have
At power up of the microscope imaging apparatus, when the unconnected at least one of the means of the display means and the input operation means by said connection detecting means is detected, the communication mode as the operation mode is the initial setting A microscope photographing apparatus characterized by determining a value . The connection detection means further detects a connection state of the external control means,
In the table, the operation mode is further associated with the connection state of the external control means,
Wherein, at the time of power-on of the microscope imaging apparatus, when the connection of the front Kigaibu control means Ri by said connection detecting means is detected, determining a pre-Symbol communications mode as a mode to be the initial setting The microscope photographing apparatus according to claim 1. The connection detection means further detects a connection state of the photographing means,
In the table, the operation mode is further associated with the connection state of the photographing means,
The control unit determines the reproduction mode as the operation mode to be initialized when the connection detection unit detects that the imaging unit is not connected when the microscope photographing apparatus is turned on. The microscope photographing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 .

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