JP5458643B2 - microscope - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a microscope that includes a main body and a stand, and the sample can be observed by removing the main body from the stand.

  Conventionally, a microscope called a digital microscope is known. A digital microscope is a microscope composed of a cylindrical main body and a stand that mechanically holds the main body. The main body has an optical system including an objective lens and the like, and observation light from a sample guided by the optical system. CCD (Charge Coupled Devices) is provided.

  When observing a sample with a digital microscope, a controller for controlling the operation of the main body and a monitor for displaying an observation image of the sample imaged by the CCD are connected to the main body by a cable. Then, depending on the sample to be observed, observation is performed with the main body removed from the stand or with the main body attached to the stand.

  For example, when observation is performed with the main body removed from the stand, the spectroscope holds the main body with a hand and approaches the desired part of the sample to observe the sample. In this case, the observation image picked up by the CCD is displayed on a monitor connected to the main body. Thus, if a digital microscope is utilized, it can observe reliably (for example, refer patent document 1).

JP 2008-175893 A

  However, in observation using a digital microscope, the controller and the monitor are connected to the main body by a cable, so that not only the usability is bad, but the sample observation environment is not good.

  For example, when observing a sample with the main body fixed to a stand, not only is the wiring of the cable connecting the main body, the controller, and the monitor complicated, but also the controller and monitor are desired due to restrictions such as cable length. In some cases, it cannot be arranged at the position.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and improves convenience and a sample observation environment when a sample is observed using a microscope including a stand and a main body detachable from the stand. Is to be able to.

The microscope of the present invention is a microscope including a stand for fixing a main body for observing a sample and the main body detachable from the stand, and the main body forms an optical image of observation light from the sample. An imaging unit that receives the observation light from the system and captures an observation image of the sample, a display unit that displays the observation image, a battery that supplies power to the main body, and an instruction for the operation of the main body A first operating means that is operated at times, and the stand detects a second operating means that is operated when instructing an operation of the main body and the main body is connected to the stand. An electrical connecting means that is provided on the main body and the stand, and electrically connects the main body and the stand in a state where the main body is mechanically connected to the stand. And before It provided in the body, if possible with the stand and the main body by the detection unit is electrically connected is detected, the power supply unit to select an external power as the source of the power supply to the said body And a control means for receiving an operation on the second operation means.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, when observing a sample using the microscope which consists of a stand and the main body which can be attached or detached to a stand, the convenience and the observation environment of a sample can be 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 an arrow view which shows the cross section of a microscope. It is an arrow view which shows the cross section of a microscope. It is a figure which shows an external appearance when a main body is removed from a stand. It is a flowchart explaining an observation process. It is a flowchart explaining the display process in the stand side. It is a flowchart explaining the display process in the main body side.

  Embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an embodiment of a microscope observation system to which the present invention is applied.

  This microscope observation system includes a microscope 11 and a monitor 12 connected to the microscope 11, and a sample 13 to be observed is observed by the microscope observation system.

  The microscope 11 includes a main body 21 provided with an optical system for observing the sample 13, an image sensor, an electric system for controlling each part, and the like, and a stand 22 to which the main body 21 is fixed. On the other hand, it is removable. In the example of FIG. 1, the main body 21 and the stand 22 are mechanically and electrically connected, and the sample 13 is placed on a stage 31 provided on the stand 22. Even when the main body 21 is detached from the stand 22, the main body 21 alone functions as a single microscope.

  At a position adjacent to the objective lens 23 on the end of the main body 21 on the stage 31 side, a plurality of LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) 32 are arranged in a ring shape along the inner wall of the casing of the main body 21 and fixed. Illuminates the sample 13 by irradiating the sample 13 with illumination light. In the main body 21, all of the plurality of LEDs 32 can be turned on at once, or only a part of the LEDs 32 can be turned on to obliquely illuminate the sample 13.

  Further, an objective lens 33 is provided at the end of the main body 21 on the stage 31 side so as to be surrounded by the LED 32, and in the center of the main body 21, zoom optics for changing the magnification of the image of the observation light from the sample 13 is provided. A system 34 and an imaging optical system 35 for forming an image of observation light are provided.

  Further, an image of the observation light formed by the imaging optical system 35 is captured at the end opposite to the end where the objective lens 33 is provided inside the main body 21, so that the observation image of the sample 13 can be seen in more detail. Is provided with a CCD 36 for obtaining image data of an observation image.

  The main body 21 includes a liquid crystal monitor or the like, and is provided with a small monitor 37 for displaying an observation image picked up by the CCD 36 and a memory 38 that is detachable from the main body 21 and records the observation image. The small monitor 37 may be provided on the side surface of the main body 21 as shown in FIG. 1, but preferably a holding member (not shown) for holding the monitor can be opened and closed with respect to the main body 21 by a hinge structure or the like. Be placed.

  The main body 21 is provided with a zoom switch 39 that is operated when the zoom magnification of the zoom optical system 34 is changed, and a dimming switch 40 that is operated when adjusting the amount of illumination light from the LED 32. ing.

  Further, the main body 21 has a capture button 41 that is operated when instructing to capture an observation image, a reproduction button 42 that is operated when instructing reproduction of the observation image recorded in the memory 38, and display of the observation image. A switching button 43 for instructing switching is provided.

  For example, when the switching button 43 is operated, the display on the small monitor 37 or the external monitor 12 is an observation image as a moving image captured by the CCD 36 or a still image that is captured and recorded in the memory 38. Switching to one of the observation images. Hereinafter, an observed image as a captured moving image is also referred to as a live image, and an observed image as a still image obtained by capturing the live image is also referred to as a captured image.

  Further, inside the main body 21, there are provided a control board 44 that controls the operation of the whole main body 21, and a battery 45 that supplies power to each part of the main body 21, for example, the LED 32, the small monitor 37, the CCD 36, and the control board 44. ing. The battery 45 can be attached to and detached from the main body 21. The battery 45 can be removed from the main body 21 and charged by a dedicated charger (not shown).

  Further, the main body 21 and the stand 22 are provided with a pair of connectors 46-1 and 46-2 for connecting the main body 21 and the stand 22, respectively. When these connectors 46-1 and 46-2 are connected, the main body 21 and the stand 22 are mechanically connected and also electrically connected. Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the connector 46-1 and the connector 46-2, they are also simply referred to as a connector 46.

  The main body 21 is provided with a clamp 47 for fixing the main body 21 to the stand 22 when the main body 21 is connected to the stand 22. However, the clamp 47 is not essential, and the main body 21 may be installed on the stand 22 with an appropriate fitting force.

  Further, the stand 22 is provided with a vertical movement handle 48 that is operated when the stage 31 is moved in the longitudinal direction of the stand 22 (hereinafter, the vertical direction) in the drawing. When the vertical movement handle 48 is operated, the stage 31 is driven and moved. Thereby, focusing on the sample 13 on the stage 31 can be performed with the main body 21 mounted on the stand 22.

  The stage 31 can be moved in the lateral direction and the depth direction in the figure by a handle (not shown). Further, the stage 31 may be manually driven or electrically driven by a mechanical mechanism. Further, a mechanism that rotates or tilts the stage 31 may be provided.

  Further, the stand 22 is provided with an arm 49 to which the main body 21 is connected. When the vertical movement handle 50 provided on the stand 22 is operated, the arm 49 is operated in the longitudinal direction of the stand 22 (hereinafter referred to as up and down). Direction). The spectroscope can adjust the focus by moving the stage 31 and the main body 21 in the vertical direction by operating the vertical movement handle 48 and the vertical movement handle 50. The arm 49 may also be driven manually or electrically.

  The arm 49 is provided so as to protrude from the stand 22. For example, an ant may be provided on the stand 22 along the longitudinal direction of the stand 22, and the main body 21 may be installed so as to be movable along this. Good. At this time, the ant may have the function of the connector 46 to achieve electrical connection.

  Further, in the microscope 11, when the main body 21 is attached to the stand 22, the main body 21 is locked by the contact surface 49 a provided with the connector 46-2 of the arm 49. Therefore, if the main body 21 is pressed against the contact surface 49 a and the main body 21 is fixed to the arm 49 by the clamp 47, the stability of the main body 21 can be improved.

  The stand 22 is used when the main body 21 is mounted on the stand 22 and used, and the zoom switch 51 operated when changing the zoom magnification of the zoom optical system 34, the amount of illumination light from the LED 32, and the like. A dimming switch 52 that is operated when adjusting is provided.

  Further, the stand 22 is used when the main body 21 is mounted on the stand 22 and used, and is operated when a capture button 53 is operated when instructing to capture a live image, and when instructing reproduction of the captured image. A playback button 54 and a switching button 55 for instructing switching of the display of the observation image. As in the case of the switching button 43, the spectrographer can switch the display on the small monitor 37 or the monitor 12 to a live image or a captured image by operating the switching button 55.

  The monitor that displays an image when the main body 21 is attached to the stand 22 is preferably an external monitor 12. This is because the external monitor 12 is more effective when it is a larger monitor, and the acquired image can be observed on a larger screen.

  In this way, the stand 22 is instructed to operate in common with the operation of the main body 21 by the operation of the operation system provided in the main body 21 so that the main body 21 can be operated when the main body 21 is mounted on the stand 22. An operating system that is sometimes operated is provided. That is, the stand 22 is provided with zoom switches 51 to 55 corresponding to the zoom switches 39 to 43 provided on the main body 21.

  The stand 22 also supplies power from a power source (not shown) connected to the stand 22 to each part of the main body 21, for example, the LED 32, the small monitor 37, the CCD 36, the control board 44, and the like via the connector 46. 56 is provided. The power supply unit 56 includes a charging unit 57, and the charging unit 57 charges the battery 45 by supplying power supplied to the power supply unit 56 from a power source (not shown) to the battery 45 via the connector 46. It is also possible.

  Further, the stand 22 is provided with a control board 58 for controlling the operation of the entire stand 22, and the control board 58 is electrically connected to the control board 44 via the connector 46.

  For example, when an observation image is supplied from the control board 44 via the connector 46, the control board 58 displays the supplied observation image on the monitor 12 connected to the stand 22. In addition, when an operation button or the like provided on the stand 22 is operated, the control board 58 performs an operation corresponding to the button or the like according to a signal supplied from the operated button or the like. Via the control board 44. For example, when the playback button 54 is operated, the control board 44 is instructed to play back the captured image.

  The display unit of the monitor 12 is provided with a touch panel (not shown) superimposed, and the spectrographer operates the touch panel to perform various operations of the microscope 11 performed when observing the sample 13 such as capturing a live image. The operation can be instructed. When the touch panel is operated by the spectrographer, a signal corresponding to the operation is supplied from the monitor 12 to the control board 58.

  The spectrographer can also display information indicating the captured image recorded in the memory 38, for example, a file name, a thumbnail image, and the captured image itself on the monitor 12 by operating the touch panel of the monitor 12.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, mechanical connection and electrical connection between the main body 21 and the stand 22 will be described.

  FIG. 2 is an arrow view when the microscope 11 is viewed from the direction of the arrow A in FIG. That is, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the microscope 11 at the position of the clamp 47 when the microscope 11 is viewed from above (CCD 36 direction) to below (object lens 33 direction).

  The main body 21 and the stand 22 are mechanically connected also by the connector 46 described above, but mechanical connection between the main body 21 and the stand 22 is mainly performed by a female ant 81 provided on the main body 21 and an arm 49. This is done by the male ant 82 provided.

  That is, a long groove is provided in the depth direction in FIG. 2, that is, the longitudinal direction of the stand 21 in FIG. Yes. In addition, on the surface of the arm 49 that comes into contact with the main body 21, a long protruding portion in the Z direction that fits the female ant 81 is formed to be a male ant 82.

  When the main body 21 and the stand 22 are mechanically connected, the spectroscope is in a state where the female ant 81 and the male ant 82 are fitted so that the main body 21 is in a desired position. Is aligned with the stand 22 in the Z direction. Further, when the main body 21 is in a desired position, the spectroscope presses the female ant 81 part of the main body 21 against the male ant 82 part of the arm 49 with the rod-shaped clamp 47 to fix the main body 21 to the arm 49. In this way, the main body 21 is mechanically connected to the stand 22. The clamp 47 may have a screw structure such as a set screw.

  Further, in the microscope 11, as shown in FIG. 3, the main body 21 is mechanically connected (fixed) to the stand 22, and at the same time, the main body 21 and the stand 22 are electrically connected. . 3 is an arrow view when the microscope 11 is viewed from the direction of arrow B in FIG. That is, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the microscope 11 at a position near the small monitor 37 when the microscope 11 is viewed from above (in the direction of the CCD 36) to below (in the direction of the objective lens 33).

  The connector 46 is provided in the microscope 11 so that when the main body 21 and the arm 49 are mechanically connected, the connector 46-1 and the connector 46-2 are also mechanically connected. ing. When the connectors 46 are mechanically connected to each other, a power supply line provided on each of the main body 21 and the stand 22, a line connecting the control board 44 and the control board 58, and the like are connected to each other. And the stand 22 are also electrically connected. That is, the main body 21 and the stand 22 are mechanically and electrically connected by so-called one action.

  Therefore, the spectrographer simply connects the main body 21 and the stand 22 both mechanically and electrically without being particularly conscious of the mechanical and electrical connection simply by fixing the main body 21 to the arm 49. can do.

  Further, when the main body 21 is fixed to the arm 49, for some reason, the connector 46-1 of the main body 21 is perpendicular to the Z direction with respect to the connector 46-2 of the stand 22, that is, the vertical direction in FIG. Further, there is a possibility of shifting in the lateral direction (hereinafter also referred to as XY direction).

  Therefore, considering the position adjustment of the main body 21 in the Z direction and the displacement of the main body 21 in the XY direction, for example, a function that allows the connector 46 to allow a slight displacement in the Z direction and the XY direction using a spring or the like. It is desirable to have it. Further, the connector 46 may be held by a mechanical component, and a mechanism that allows the connector 46 to be displaced may be provided in the mechanical component.

  The main body 21 and the arm 49 have been described as being connected by the female ant 81 and the male ant 82 using an ant shape, but the position of the main body 21 relative to the arm 49 can be adjusted in the Z direction and the XY direction. 21 and the stand 22 may be connected in any way as long as they can be mechanically and electrically connected simultaneously. For example, the main body 21 and the stand 22 may be connected using a fitting such as a round bar or a rectangular guide shape.

  The main body 21 includes an LED 32 as a light source, an objective lens 33 to an imaging optical system 35 for forming an image of the sample 13, a CCD 36 for capturing a live image, a small monitor 37 for displaying an observation image, and a main body. A battery 45 that supplies power to each unit 21 is provided. Therefore, the spectrographer can remove the main body 21 from the stand 22 and observe the sample 13 using the main body 21 as a single microscope as shown in FIG.

  When the main body 21 is separated from the stand 22, the control board 44 switches the power supply source to the main body 21 from the stand 22 (power supply unit 56) to the battery 45, and also supplies the observation image from the stand 22. Switch to small monitor 37. Thereby, the main body 21 functions as a microscope alone, and an observation image is displayed on the small monitor 37.

  The spectroscope holds the main body 21 by hand and points the objective lens 33 of the main body 21 toward the sample 13 so that a desired part of the sample 13 can be observed. Then, since the small monitor 37 displays a live image of the part of the sample 13 close to the main body 21, the spectroscope sees the displayed live image or operates the capture button 41 to display the live image. The sample 13 is observed by capturing. Although not shown in the figure, the main body 21 may be formed with a gripping portion provided so as to protrude from the main body 21. Further, if the capture button 41 is arranged on the grip portion, the operability can be further improved.

  When the spectrographer wants to see the captured image, the display is switched by operating the switching button 43 to display the captured image on the small monitor 37. At this time, by operating the playback button 42, the spectrographer can display the captured images in the memory 38 one by one in order or display a plurality of captured images as thumbnails at the same time.

  Thus, in the microscope 11, when the main body 21 is detached from the stand 22, the main body 21 functions as a microscope alone, so that the sample 13 can be easily connected without connecting a monitor or a controller to the main body 21 with a cable or the like. Can be observed. Thereby, the convenience of the microscope 11 can be improved.

  By the way, when the power source of the microscope 11 is turned on and power is supplied to each part of the microscope 11, the microscope 11 starts an observation process, which is a process of imaging the sample 13 and displaying or recording an observation image. Hereinafter, the observation process by the microscope 11 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S <b> 11, the control board 44 determines whether or not the main body 21 is electrically connected to the stand 22.

  For example, whether or not the main body 21 is connected to the stand 22 is detected by a mechanical switch or sensor (not shown) provided on the connector 46. Further, for example, when the main body 21 and the stand 22 are electrically connected, a mechanism for supplying a signal indicating that the main board 21 and the stand 22 are connected to the control board 44 is provided in the microscope 11. The connection with the stand 22 may be detected by the mechanism.

  If it is determined in step S <b> 11 that the main body 21 is connected to the stand 22, the control board 44 selects the power supply unit 56 of the stand 22 as a power supply source to the main body 21 in step S <b> 12.

  Then, the control board 44 instructs the control board 58 to supply power from the power supply unit 56 via the connector 46. Then, the control board 58 controls the operation of the power supply unit 56 in accordance with an instruction from the control board 44, and the power supply unit 56 supplies power from an external power source via the connector 46 according to the control of the control board 58. Supply to each part.

  In step S <b> 13, the charging unit 57 of the power feeding unit 56 supplies power to the battery 45 via the connector 46 and charges the battery 45. Thereby, the spectrographer can charge the battery 45 without removing it from the main body 21. However, this charging operation is not essential, and charging can be performed with an external charger.

  In step S14, the control board 44 receives an operation on the main body 21 by the operation system on the stand 22 side, and invalidates the operation on the main body 21 by the operation system on the main body 21 side.

  That is, the control board 44 supplies a signal to the control board 58 via the connector 46 to accept the operation of the zoom switch 51 to the switching button 55 provided on the stand 22. Accordingly, the spectrographer can instruct operations on the main body 21 such as reproduction of a captured image and zoom magnification of the zoom optical system 34 by operating the zoom switch 51 to the switching button 55.

  In addition, the control board 44 invalidates operations on the zoom switch 39 to the switching button 43 provided on the main body 21. That is, even if the zoom switch 39 to the switching button 43 is operated and a signal corresponding to the operation is supplied from the zoom switch 39 to the switching button 43 to the control board 44, the control board 44 does not perform the processing instructed by the operation. (Action) is not performed.

  As described above, when the main body 21 is connected to the stand 22, the operation on the operation system of the main body 21 is not accepted as invalid, and only the operation on the operation system of the stand 22 is accepted as valid, thereby observing the sample 13. The environment can be improved.

  It should be noted that switching between enabling or disabling the operation on the main body 21 side or the stand 22 side may be performed by separately providing a changeover switch and operating this switch.

  Specifically, in a state where the main body 21 is attached to the stand 22, if the spectroscope operates the operation system such as the capture button 41 of the main body 21, the main body 21 may vibrate. When the main body 21 vibrates, the subject on the live image shakes, causing the spectroscope to have difficulty in observing the sample 13 or causing the captured image to be out of focus.

  Therefore, the stand 22 that is less affected by the vibration of the main body 21 is provided with the same operation system as the operation system provided on the main body 21, and only the operation system on the stand 22 side is enabled, so that the vibration of the main body 21 is reduced. It is possible to suppress and improve the observation environment of the sample 13.

  In this case, if the operation system on the stand 22 side is provided on the side surface of the stand 22 on the side of the spectroscope, the operability of the microscope 11 can be further improved. For example, if the position of the operation system on the stand 22 is near the vertical movement handle 48, when the microscope 11 is placed on the fixed table, the position of the operation system is near the upper surface of the fixed table, that is, close to the hand of the examiner. It becomes a position and the spectrographer can easily operate without raising his arm.

  It has been described that when the main body 21 is fixed to the stand 22, the operation system on the main body 21 side is disabled and the operation system on the stand 22 side is enabled, but the operation system on the main body 21 side and the operation on the stand 22 side are described. Both systems may be validated. In such a case, for example, by increasing the rigidity of the main body 21 and the stand 22, it is possible to reduce vibration of the main body 21 caused by an operation on the operation system of the main body 21.

  Further, when the main body 21 is fixed to the stand 22, only the operation to the capture button 41 in which the vibration of the main body 21 caused by the operation greatly affects the observation of the sample 13 in the operation system on the main body 21 side is invalidated. The operations on other buttons and the like may be validated. This is because when the main body 21 vibrates when the capture button 41 is operated, the captured image is blurred. Further, even if the main body 21 vibrates during operation of the zoom switch 39, the dimming switch 40, and the switching button 43, the subject on the live image is only slightly shaken and does not have a great influence on the observation of the sample 13.

  In addition, when the main body 21 and the stand 22 are connected, only the operation system that is not provided on the stand 22 side among the operation systems provided on the main body 21 side may be effective.

  When the control board 44 switches the operation system to be effective in this way, the process proceeds from step S14 to step S15.

  In step S15, the control board 44 selects the stand 22 as the observation image supply destination. As a result, the observation image is displayed on the monitor 12.

  In addition, when the observation image supply destination is switched to the stand 22 side, the observation image is displayed on the monitor 12 having a display unit larger than the small monitor 37. Therefore, the observation image needs to be displayed on the small monitor 37. Disappears. Therefore, the control board 44 turns off the small monitor 37 when the supply destination of the observation image is switched to the stand 22. Thereby, wasteful consumption of electric power and heat generation from the small monitor 37 can be suppressed.

  Note that the observation image may be displayed on both the monitor 12 and the small monitor 37 without turning off the small monitor 37. Further, an observation image may be displayed on the monitor 12, and information regarding the observation conditions of the sample 13 such as the zoom magnification of the observation image and the light amount of the LED 32 may be displayed on the small monitor 37.

  For example, when the zoom switch 39 or the light control switch 40 is operated, a signal corresponding to the operation is supplied from the zoom switch 39 or the light control switch 40 to the control board 44. Further, when the zoom switch 51 or the dimming switch 52 is operated, signals corresponding to those operations are supplied from the control board 58 to the control board 44.

  Therefore, the control board 44 can obtain information on the observation conditions of the sample 13 in the microscope 11 such as the zoom magnification of the zoom optical system 34 from the signals supplied from the zoom switch 39 and the control board 58. Information on the observation conditions is displayed on the small monitor 37. Information regarding observation conditions may also be displayed on the monitor 12. In this case, if the small monitor 37 is attached by a hinge as described above, the monitor can be positioned toward the user side, and the usability is further improved.

  When the observation image supply destination is selected, the microscope 11 captures a live image of the sample 13 in step S16. That is, the control board 44 controls the LED 32 to irradiate the sample 13 with illumination light. Then, the illumination light from the LED 32 is irradiated onto the sample 13, whereby the observation light from the sample 13 enters the CCD 36 through the objective lens 33, the zoom optical system 34, and the imaging optical system 35. The CCD 36 captures a live image by receiving incident observation light and performing photoelectric conversion. The live image of each frame obtained in this way is supplied from the CCD 36 to the control board 44.

  In step S <b> 17, the microscope 11 performs display processing on the stand 22 side and causes the monitor 12 to display an observation image. Details of the display process on the stand 22 side will be described later.

  In step S <b> 18, the control board 44 determines whether to turn off the power of the microscope 11. For example, when a power switch (not shown) is operated by the spectrograph and an instruction to turn off the microscope 11 is given, it is determined that the power is turned off.

  If it is determined in step S18 that the power is not turned off, the sample 13 is continuously observed, so the processing returns to step S11 and the above-described processing is repeated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S18 that the power supply is turned off, the control board 44 and the control board 58 turn off the power supply of the microscope 11 and the observation process ends.

  If it is determined in step S11 that the main body 21 is not connected to the stand 22, the control board 44 selects the battery 45 on the main body 21 side as a power supply source to the main body 21 in step S19. That is, the control board 44 controls the battery 45 to supply power to each part of the main body 21.

  Thereby, the main body 21 can function as a microscope alone. When the main body 21 is removed from the stand 22, as described with reference to FIG. 4, the spectroscope holds the main body 21 in the hand and observes the sample 13.

  In step S20, the control board 44 validates and accepts an operation on the operation system on the main body 21 side.

  In step S21, the control board 44 selects the main body 21 as the observation image supply destination. As a result, the observation image is displayed on the small monitor 37.

  In step S <b> 22, the microscope 11 captures a live image of the sample 13. In step S22, the same process as the process of step S16 is performed.

  In step S <b> 23, the microscope 11 performs display processing on the main body 21 side and displays an observation image on the small monitor 37. Details of display processing on the main body 21 side will be described later. When the display process on the main body 21 side is performed, the process thereafter proceeds to step S18, and the above-described process is repeated.

  As described above, the microscope 11 captures a live image of the sample 13 by switching the power supply source and the effective operation system depending on whether or not the main body 21 and the stand 22 are connected. Thereby, the convenience of the microscope 11 and the observation environment of the sample 13 can be improved.

  For example, when the main body 21 is attached to the stand 22, it is possible to suppress the consumption of the battery 45 on the main body 21 side by supplying power to the main body 21 from the outside. Therefore, the spectrographer can use the main body 21 for a longer time when the main body 21 is removed from the stand 22.

  Further, when the main body 21 is attached to the stand 22, the operation system of the main body 21 is disabled, and only the operation system of the stand 22 is enabled to prevent the vibration of the main body 21 due to the operation of the operation system. The observation environment of the sample 13 can be improved.

  Further, in the microscope 11, when the main body 21 is detached from the stand 22, the main body 21 functions as a microscope alone, and when the main body 21 is mechanically connected to the stand 22, it is electrically connected simultaneously. Is also connected, so the convenience and the observation environment of the sample 13 can be improved.

  For example, when the main body 21 is detached from the stand 22, it is not necessary to connect a monitor or a controller to the main body 21 with a cable or the like by allowing the main body 21 to function as a microscope alone, and convenience is improved. That is, the spectrographer can start observation simply and quickly by simply removing the main body 21 from the stand 22 without carrying the controller or the monitor.

  When the main body 21 is attached to the stand 22 and the sample 13 is observed, if the main body 21 and the stand 22 are mechanically connected, the main body 21 and the stand 22 are also electrically connected at the same time. And the stand 22 need not be connected to each other by a cable. Moreover, since there is no need to connect a device such as a monitor to the main body 21, workability does not deteriorate due to troublesome cable routing.

  Further, in the microscope 11, since there is no need to connect other devices to the main body 21 with a cable or the like, the main body 21 fixed to the stand 22 does not vibrate due to the shaking of the cable, etc. It can be observed in a better environment. That is, the observation environment of the sample 13 can be improved.

  Next, display processing on the stand 22 side corresponding to the processing in step S17 in FIG. 5 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. This display process is a process performed when the main body 21 is attached to the stand 22.

  In step S51, the control board 44 determines whether or not the live mode is set. Here, the live mode refers to a mode in which a live image captured by the CCD 36 is displayed on the monitor 12 or the small monitor 37 as a display unit. A mode in which the captured image recorded in the memory 38 is displayed on the monitor 12 or the small monitor 37 is referred to as a reproduction mode.

  Note that switching between the live mode and the playback mode is performed by operating the switching button 43 or the switching button 55. The control board 44 switches between the live mode and the playback mode according to a signal supplied from the switching button 43 or the switching button 55.

  If it is determined in step S51 that the mode is the live mode, in step S52, the control board 44 supplies the live image (observation image) to the stand 22 to which the observation image is supplied. That is, the control board 44 supplies the live image supplied from the CCD 36 to the control board 58 of the stand 22 through the connector 46. Then, the control board 58 supplies the live image from the control board 44 to the monitor 12 for display.

  As a result, the spectroscope can observe the sample 13 by viewing the live image displayed on the monitor 12. For example, when the monitor 12 having a display unit larger than the small monitor 37 is connected to the stand 22, a live image can be displayed larger and clearer and observed.

  In step S53, the control board 44 determines whether or not an instruction to capture a live image has been given. For example, when the capture button 53 is operated, a signal corresponding to the operation is supplied from the capture button 53 to the control board 58, and the control board 58 instructs the control board 44 to capture a live image. The control board 44 determines that the capture is instructed when the capture is instructed from the control board 58.

  In this case, since the capture button 41 is invalid, even if the capture button 41 is operated, it is not determined that the capture is instructed.

  When it is determined in step S53 that capture is instructed, the control board 44 captures the live image supplied from the CCD 36 in step S54. Then, the control board 44 supplies the captured image obtained by the capture to the memory 38 for recording, and the process proceeds to step S55.

  Further, for example, a large-capacity memory means such as a hard disk may be provided on the stand 22 side and preferentially stored in this hard disk.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S53 that capture has not been instructed, the process of step S54 is not performed, and the process proceeds to step S55.

  If it is determined in step S53 that capture has not been instructed, or if a live image is captured in step S54, in step S55, the control board 44 determines whether an operation on the optical system of the microscope 11 has been performed.

  For example, when the zoom switch 51 or the dimming switch 52 is operated, a signal corresponding to the operation is supplied from the zoom switch 51 or the dimming switch 52 to the control board 58. Then, the control board 58 instructs the control board 44 to change the zoom magnification and the amount of illumination light from the LED 32 according to the signal. When those instructions are given from the control board 58, the control board 44 determines that an operation on the optical system has been performed.

  If it is determined in step S55 that an operation has been performed on the optical system, in step S56, the control board 44 performs a process according to the operation of the spectroscope, and thereafter, the display process on the stand 22 side ends, and the process Advances to step S18 in FIG.

  For example, when the zoom switch 51 is operated, the control board 44 controls a drive circuit (not shown) to move the lens constituting the zoom optical system 34 and change the zoom magnification of the zoom optical system 34. For example, when the dimming switch 52 is operated, the control board 44 controls the LED 32 to change the amount of illumination light from the LED 32.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S55 that no operation has been performed on the optical system, the process in step S56 is not performed, the display process on the stand 22 side ends, and then the process proceeds to step S18 in FIG.

  When it is determined in step S51 that the mode is not the live mode, that is, in the reproduction mode, the control board 44 supplies the captured image to the stand 22 in step S57. That is, the control board 44 reads the designated captured image from the memory 38 and supplies it to the control board 58 via the connector 46. The control board 58 supplies the captured image from the control board 44 to the monitor 12 for display.

  In step S <b> 58, the control board 44 determines whether or not the playback button 54 has been operated based on a signal from the control board 58.

  For example, when the playback button 54 is operated, a signal corresponding to the operation is supplied from the playback button 54 to the control board 58. Then, since the control board 58 supplies an instruction according to the signal to the control board 44, the control board 44 determines whether or not the reproduction button 54 has been operated based on the instruction from the control board 58.

  If it is determined in step S58 that the playback button 54 has been operated, the control board 44 supplies a captured image corresponding to the operation on the playback button 54 to the stand 22 in step S59.

  For example, by operating the play button 54, the spectrographer displays the captured image next to the captured image currently displayed on the monitor 12 or the like among the ordered captured images, or displays the captured image. You can change the format. The control board 44 reads the captured image that is to be displayed next on the monitor 12 or the like from the memory 38 by the operation of the reproduction button 54, and supplies it to the control board 58. The control board 58 supplies the captured image supplied from the control board 44 to the monitor 12 for display.

  In step S59, when the captured image corresponding to the operation is supplied to the stand 22, the process thereafter proceeds to step S55, and the above-described process is repeated.

  If it is determined in step S58 that the playback button 54 has not been operated, the process proceeds to step S55, and the above-described process is repeated.

  As described above, when the main body 21 is attached to the stand 22, the main body 21 operates in accordance with an operation of only the operation system on the stand 22 side.

  Next, a display process on the main body 21 side corresponding to the process of step S23 of FIG. 5 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This display process is a process performed when the main body 21 is detached from the stand 22.

  In step S91, the control board 44 determines whether or not the live mode is set. If it is determined in step S91 that the mode is the live mode, in step S92, the control board 44 supplies the live image (observation image) supplied from the CCD 36 to the small monitor 37 for display. As a result, the spectroscope can observe the sample 13 by viewing the live image displayed on the small monitor 37.

  In step S <b> 93, the control board 44 determines whether capture of a live image has been instructed based on a signal from the capture button 41.

  If it is determined in step S93 that capture is instructed, the control board 44 captures the live image supplied from the CCD 36 in step S94. Then, the control board 44 supplies the captured image obtained by the capture to the memory 38 for recording, and the process proceeds to step S95.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S93 that capture has not been instructed, the process of step S94 is not performed, and the process proceeds to step S95.

  If it is determined in step S93 that capture has not been instructed, or if a live image is captured in step S94, then the processing in steps S95 and S96 is performed, and the display processing on the main body 21 side ends.

  Note that the processing in step S95 and step S96 is the same as the processing in step S55 and step S56 in FIG. However, in the process of step S95, when the zoom switch 39 or the dimming switch 40 is operated, it is determined that an operation on the optical system has been performed.

  If it is determined in step S95 that the optical system has not been operated, or processing corresponding to the operation is performed in step S96 and the display processing on the main body 21 side is completed, then the processing proceeds to step S18 in FIG. .

  Further, when it is determined in step S91 that the mode is not the live mode, that is, in the reproduction mode, in step S97, the control board 44 reads the designated captured image from the memory 38 and supplies it to the small monitor 37 for display. Let

  In step S98, the control board 44 determines whether or not the reproduction button 42 has been operated based on a signal from the reproduction button 42.

  If it is determined in step S98 that the playback button 42 has been operated, in step S99, the control board 44 reads a captured image corresponding to the operation on the playback button 42 from the memory 38 and supplies it to the small monitor 37 for display. Let Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S95, and the above-described process is repeated.

  In contrast, if it is determined in step S98 that the playback button 42 has not been operated, the process proceeds to step S95, and the above-described process is repeated.

  As described above, when the main body 21 is detached from the stand 22, the main body 21 operates according to the operation of the operation system on the main body 21 side.

  The embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

  11 microscope, 12 monitor, 13 sample, 21 body, 22 stand, 32 LED, 33 objective lens, 34 zoom optical system, 35 imaging optical system, 36 CCD, 37 small monitor, 38 memory, 39 zoom switch, 40 dimming Switch, 41 capture button, 42 playback button, 43 switching button, 44 control board, 45 battery, 46-1, 46-2, 46 connector, 49 arm, 51 zoom switch, 52 dimmer switch, 53 capture button, 54 playback Button, 55 switching button, 57 charging unit, 58 control board, 81 female ant, 82 male ant

Claims (7)

A microscope comprising a stand for fixing a main body for observing a sample, and the main body removable from the stand,
The main body receives the observation light from an optical system that forms the observation light from the sample, picks up an observation image of the sample, display means for displaying the observation image, and the main body A battery for supplying electric power to the battery, and first operating means operated when instructing the operation of the main body,
The stand includes second operating means that is operated when instructing the operation of the main body, a detection unit that detects that the main body is connected to the stand, and a power feeding unit .
An electrical connecting means provided on the main body and the stand for electrically connecting the main body and the stand in a state where the main body is mechanically connected to the stand;
Wherein provided on the main body, the case where said stand and the body by the detection unit is detected to be electrically connected, the power supply unit to select an external power as the source of the power supply to the said body And a control means for receiving an operation on the second operation means. The microscope according to claim 1, wherein the control unit invalidates an operation on the first operation unit when the main body and the stand are electrically connected. The microscope according to claim 1, wherein the operation of the main body by the operation of the second operation means includes an operation common to the operation of the main body by the operation of the first operation means. The microscope according to claim 1, further comprising an illumination unit that is provided on the main body and illuminates the sample. The first operation means or the second operation means instructs at least one of capture of the observation image, operation relating to display of the observation image, operation for the optical system, or operation relating to illumination by the illumination means. The microscope according to claim 4, which is sometimes operated. Mechanical connection means for mechanically connecting the main body and the stand;
The said main body and the said stand will be in the state electrically connected by the said electrical connection means, when it will be in the state mechanically connected by the said mechanical connection means. microscope. The microscope according to claim 1, further comprising a charging unit that is provided on the stand and charges the battery when the main body and the stand are electrically connected.

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