JP6568041B2 - Light source device and imaging system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a light source device and an imaging system.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a technique is disclosed in which illumination light over the entire visible light region is appropriately selected and high-speed measurement can be performed with a simple and miniaturizable configuration (see Patent Document 1).

  In the technique of Patent Document 1, the illumination filter device includes an optical filter whose transmission wavelength continuously changes according to a position where light is transmitted, and irradiates a sample after making broadband light into narrowband light. The camera device captures image data of a sample irradiated with light by the illumination filter device. At this time, by changing the position of the optical filter, the image data of the sample is analyzed while changing the wavelength of light applied to the sample, and the illumination setting suitable for the sample is determined.

JP 2004-4055 A

  However, since Patent Document 1 does not describe specific means for moving the position of the color filter at high speed, it is not clear how to change from broadband light to narrowband light.

  In addition, Patent Document 1 describes that image data of a sample is analyzed and illumination suitable for the sample is set based on the analysis result, but illumination lights having various predetermined wavelengths are continuously applied. There is no description of irradiating a sample while switching at high speed and capturing image data of the sample at that time.

  The present invention has been proposed in view of such circumstances, and it is possible to image a sample in synchronism with changes in wavelength while continuously changing the wavelength of light applied to the sample at high speed. An object of the present invention is to provide a light source device and an imaging system.

  A light source device according to the present invention includes a linear variable filter that is formed in a disk shape and is rotatable around a central axis, a light source that emits light and irradiates a sample with light transmitted through the linear variable filter, and the linear variable filter Rotating means that continuously changes the wavelength of light that passes through the linear variable filter and irradiates the sample by rotating the filter around the central axis, and for position detection with respect to the linear variable filter A position detecting light emitting means for emitting light of a predetermined wavelength; and a light receiving means for receiving light emitted from the position detecting light emitting means and transmitted through the linear variable filter and generating a signal corresponding to the amount of received light The number of frames of the image captured by the imaging device is counted based on the synchronization signal from the imaging device, and every time the counted number of frames reaches a predetermined value A frame number detection flag generating means for generating a frame number detection flag; a timing at which the signal output from the light receiving means reaches a peak; a timing at which the signal peaks; and a timing at which the frame number detection flag is generated. And a control means for controlling the rotation speed of the rotation means so as to synchronize with each other.

  The light source device according to the present invention is a linear variable filter which is formed in a long shape, is provided so as to be able to reciprocate on a straight line along the longitudinal direction, and the center wavelength of the bandpass varies along the longitudinal direction. And a light source that emits light and irradiates the sample with light that has passed through the linear variable filter, and reciprocally moves the linear variable filter on a straight line along a longitudinal direction, thereby transmitting the linear variable filter and From the moving means for continuously making the wavelength of light irradiated to the sample, the position detecting light emitting means for emitting light of a predetermined wavelength for position detection to the linear variable filter, and the position detecting light emitting means Light receiving means for receiving the light emitted and transmitted through the linear variable filter and generating a signal corresponding to the amount of received light; and the linear variable Control means for detecting a position where the signal output from the light receiving means reaches a peak while the filter moves on the straight line, and controlling the position of the linear variable filter on the straight line with the detected position as a reference position And a signal for setting one frame time to be longer than a predetermined value for an image generated by an imaging device for imaging the sample immediately after the linear variable filter starts to move and immediately before the movement ends. And a signal generating means for transmitting the generated signal to the imaging device.

  An imaging system according to the present invention includes the above-described light-emitting device and an imaging device that captures an image of a sample irradiated with light from the shipping device.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to image a sample in synchronism with the change in wavelength while continuously changing the wavelength of light applied to the sample at a high speed.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an imaging system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of a light source device. It is a figure which shows a general purpose linear variable filter. It is a figure which shows the light transmission characteristic when a spot light is irradiated to the position whose center wavelength of the band pass of a general purpose linear variable filter is 580 nm. It is a figure which shows a disk-shaped linear variable filter. It is a characteristic figure of the center wavelength of the band pass of a disk-shaped linear variable filter with respect to the rotation angle of a pulse motor. It is a timing chart of an image signal, a frame number detection flag, and an LVF reference position. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the frame number, the rotation angle of a disk-shaped linear variable filter, and the wavelength of the output light of a light source device. It is a figure which shows the image of the sample imaged with the imaging device. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the light source device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a top view of a long linear variable filter. It is a figure which shows the moving speed of a elongate linear variable filter. 6 is a timing chart of a trigger signal, an image signal, a frame number detection flag, and an LVF reference position. It is a figure which shows the moving speed of a elongate linear variable filter.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an imaging system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
The imaging system 1 includes a light source device 10 that irradiates a sample 30 with light whose wavelength changes continuously, and an imaging device 40 that images the sample 30 during a period in which the wavelength of irradiation light of the sample 30 continuously changes. I have.

  The light source device 10 outputs light having a wavelength that continuously changes, receives the synchronization signal transmitted from the imaging device 40, and controls the wavelength change timing to synchronize with the received synchronization signal.

  The imaging device 40 images the sample 30 in which different types of tablets are mixed. The wavelength of the reflected light of the sample 30 varies depending on the type of tablet. For this reason, by irradiating the sample 30 with light of various wavelengths and checking the image of the sample 30 at that time, it can be understood how much and what kind of tablets are mixed in the sample 30. The sample 30 is not limited to the above example.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the light source device 10. The light source device 10 includes a halogen light source 11, a first lens 12, a second lens 13, a disc-shaped linear variable filter 14, a pulse motor 15, and a motor driver 16.

  The halogen light source 11 outputs light including wavelengths from visible light to near infrared light and irradiates the first lens 12. The first lens 12 condenses the light from the halogen light source 11 and irradiates the condensed spot light toward the end of the disc-shaped linear variable filter 14. The spot light passes through the disk-shaped linear variable filter 14 and then enters the second lens 13 while diffusing. The second lens 13 converts the incident light into parallel light and irradiates the sample 30 with light.

  Thus, between the first lens 12 and the second lens 13, there is a disc-shaped linear variable filter 14 made of a linear variable filter at a position where the light collected by the first lens 12 becomes spot light. Is provided.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a general-purpose linear variable filter formed in a square shape. The linear variable filter is an optical interference filter that can change the transmission wavelength by moving the light incident position in a predetermined direction (vertical direction in FIG. 3). The linear variable filter has a characteristic that the center wavelength of the band pass (or the edge wavelength of the edge filter) changes linearly with respect to the light incident position. In FIG. 3, the bandpass center wavelength λ is linearly changed from the lower side to the upper side in the vertical direction with the minimum value λmin,..., The intermediate value (λmin + λmax) / 2,. Change. That is, one linear variable filter functions as a substitute for a plurality of wavelength filters.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing light transmission characteristics when spot light is irradiated at a position where the center wavelength of the bandpass of the general-purpose linear variable filter shown in FIG. 3 is 580 nm. As shown in the figure, the light transmission characteristics are almost 100% at a center wavelength of 580 nm ± 10 nm. However, the light transmission characteristics are almost 0% at wavelengths other than ± 10 nm of the central wavelength of 580 nm.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the disc-shaped linear variable filter 14. The disc-shaped linear variable filter 14 is obtained by forming the linear variable filter shown in FIG. 3 into a disc shape. A shaft hole is provided at the center point of the disc-shaped linear variable filter 14. The rotation shaft of the pulse motor 15 shown in FIG. 2 is inserted into this shaft hole. When the rotating shaft of the pulse motor 15 rotates, the disc-shaped linear variable filter 14 rotates around the center point.

  The spot light collected by the first lens 12 is applied not to the vicinity of the center of the disk-like linear variable filter 14 but to the end in the radial direction. When the disc-shaped linear variable filter 14 is rotated around the center point by the pulse motor 15, the center wavelength of the band pass corresponding to the position of the spot light sequentially changes. Therefore, the wavelength of the light that passes through the disk-shaped linear variable filter 14 changes continuously.

  FIG. 6 is a characteristic diagram of the center wavelength of the band pass of the disc-shaped linear variable filter 14 with respect to the rotation angle of the pulse motor 15. When the rotation angle of the pulse motor 15 is 0 degree, the center wavelength of the band pass of the disc-shaped linear variable filter 14 becomes the minimum value. As the rotation angle increases, the center wavelength of the bandpass increases. When the rotation angle is 180 degrees, the center wavelength of the band pass becomes the maximum value.

  As the rotation angle further increases, the center wavelength of the bandpass decreases. When the rotation angle is 360 degrees, the center wavelength of the bandpass becomes the minimum value again. As described above, the wavelength of the light transmitted through the disc-shaped linear variable filter 14 changes from the minimum value to the maximum value during one rotation of the disc-shaped linear variable filter 14, and then becomes the minimum value again.

  The light source device 10 shown in FIG. 2 further includes a light emitting element 17, a light receiving element 18, an operation unit 19, a synchronization signal receiving unit 20, a frame number detecting unit 21, and a controller 22.

  The light emitting element 17 and the light receiving element 18 are for detecting the rotation reference position of the disk-shaped linear variable filter 14 and face each other with the disk-shaped linear variable filter 14 in between. The light emitting element 17 irradiates light having a predetermined wavelength (for example, 550 nm) to the radial end of the disc-shaped linear variable filter 14.

  The light receiving element 18 receives light emitted from the light emitting element 17 and transmitted through the disk-shaped linear variable filter 14 and outputs a signal corresponding to the amount of received light to the controller 22. For this reason, the timing at which the signal output from the light receiving element 18 reaches a peak is the timing at which the light emitting element 14 faces the position of the center wavelength 550 nm of the bandpass of the disc-shaped linear variable filter 14. Hereinafter, the rotation position of the disc-shaped linear variable filter 14 at the time when the signal output from the light receiving element 18 reaches a peak is referred to as an LVF reference position.

Information corresponding to a user operation is input to the operation unit 19. Specifically, the operation unit 19 has a period until the wavelength of the light transmitted through the disc-shaped linear variable filter 14 reaches the maximum value from the minimum value by the user's operation (the disc-shaped linear variable filter 14 is half-finished). During the rotation period), the number of frames of the image to be captured is input.
The synchronization signal receiving unit 20 receives a synchronization signal (horizontal synchronization signal, vertical synchronization signal, etc.) output from the imaging device 40 shown in FIG.

  The frame number detector 21 counts the number of frames (number of frames) of the image captured by the imaging device 40 based on the synchronization signal received by the synchronization signal receiver 20. The frame number detection unit 21 outputs a frame number detection flag every time the counted number of frames reaches twice the number of frames input to the operation unit 19, resets the counted frame number, and again the frame number of the image Count.

  The reason for “twice the number of frames” is as follows. During the period in which the wavelength of light transmitted through the disc-shaped linear variable filter 14 is from the minimum value to the maximum value, the disc-shaped linear variable filter 14 is only half-rotated. For this reason, the number of frames input to the operation unit 19 during the period in which the disk-like linear variable filter 14 rotates once, that is, the period from when the LVF reference position is detected until the next LVF reference position is detected. This is because a value twice as large is required.

  In addition, when the disc-shaped linear variable filter 14 rotates once during the period in which the wavelength of light is from the minimum value to the maximum value, it is not necessary to set “2 times”, but “1 time (the number of frames)”. Good.

  In this embodiment, when the frame number “30” is input to the operation unit 19, the frame number detection unit 21 outputs a frame number detection flag every time the counted frame number becomes “60”. Then, after resetting the counted frame number, the frame number detection unit 21 counts the frame number of the image again.

  The controller 22 compares the timing at which the signal output from the light receiving element 18 peaks with the timing at which the frame number detection flag is output from the frame number detection unit 21, and the phase difference between the two timings is constant. The rotational speed of the disc-shaped linear variable filter 14 is determined by performing PLL control as described above. Then, the controller 22 controls the motor driver 16 so that the rotation speed of the rotation shaft of the pulse motor 15 becomes the determined rotation speed.

The imaging system 1 configured as described above images the sample 30 according to the following operation procedure.
First, the user operates the operation unit 19 of the light source device 10 illustrated in FIG. 2 and inputs the number of frames of an image to be captured by the imaging device 40 during a period in which the wavelength continuously changes from the minimum value to the maximum value. To do. In the present embodiment, the user operates the operation unit 19 to input the number of frames “30”.

  When the controller 22 detects that the number of frames “30” is input to the operation unit 19, the controller 22 causes the halogen light source 11 to emit light and rotates the pulse motor 15 via the motor driver 16. Thereby, the light source device 10 starts light emission.

  The imaging device 40 starts imaging the sample 30 in synchronization with the light emission start of the light source device 10. The imaging device 40 may start imaging when the user performs a switch operation, or automatically when the light source device 10 notifies the operation unit 19 that the number of frames has been input. Imaging may be started. When imaging starts, the imaging device 40 generates an image of the sample 30 in synchronization with a synchronization signal generated by a built-in synchronization signal generator and transmits the synchronization signal to the light source device 10.

  FIG. 7 is a timing chart of the image signal, the frame number detection flag, and the LVF reference position. The frame number detection flag is output every time there are 60 frames. The LVF reference position is detected every time the signal output from the light receiving element 18 reaches a peak, that is, every time the disk-shaped linear variable filter 14 rotates 360 degrees.

  Here, when the rotation angle of the pulse motor 15 is 0 degree, the center wavelength of the band pass is a minimum value (for example, 900 nm). When the rotation angle of the pulse motor 15 is 180 degrees, the center wavelength of the band pass is a maximum value (for example, 1800 nm). Further, when the rotation angle of the pulse motor 15 is 360 degrees, the center wavelength of the band pass is again the minimum value (for example, 900 nm).

  In the present embodiment, the LVF reference position is detected when the rotation angle of the pulse motor 15 (disk-shaped linear variable filter 14) is 0 degrees, but the present invention is not limited to this. In other words, the LVF reference position only needs to be usable for detecting the point in time when the disc-shaped linear variable filter 14 makes one rotation, and may be detected when the rotation angle is a predetermined angle other than 0 degrees.

  The controller 22 shown in FIG. 2 controls the rotational speed of the pulse motor 15 via the motor driver 16 so that the frame number detection flag and the LVF reference position are synchronized. As a result, the wavelength change of the light output from the light source device 10 and the number of frames of the image captured by the imaging device 40 are synchronized.

  When a predetermined time elapses after the light source device 10 starts to emit light, the rotational speed of the disc-shaped linear variable filter 14 becomes constant. At this time, if the frame number (1 to 60) of the image captured by the imaging device 40 is specified by a control signal (frame number detection flag or the like) from the light source device 10 to the imaging device 40, the pulse motor 15 (disc) The rotation angle of the linear linear variable filter 14) and the wavelength of the light output from the light source device 10 are specified.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the relationship among the frame number, the rotation angle of the disk-shaped linear variable filter 14, and the wavelength of the output light from the light source device 10. In the present embodiment, 60 frames of images are obtained in the imaging device 40 during a period in which the disc-shaped linear variable filter 14 rotates 360 degrees. That is, 30 frames of images are obtained during a period in which the disc-shaped linear variable filter 14 rotates 180 degrees (a period in which the wavelength of the output light of the light source device 10 changes from the minimum value 900 nm to the maximum value 1800 nm).

  At this time, when the rotation angle of the disk-like linear variable filter 14 is θ1, θ2,..., The wavelength of the output light of the light source device 10 is sine wave-like as λ1, λ2,. Change. As a result, in the case of frame number 1, the wavelength of the irradiation light is λ1 (= 900 nm), and in the case of frame number 2, the wavelength of the irradiation light is λ2,. That is, when the number of frames is input to the operation unit 19 and the rotation speed of the disc-shaped linear variable filter 14 is synchronized with the image generation timing of the imaging device 40, the wavelength of the irradiation light corresponding to the frame number is determined.

  As described above, the imaging system 1 of the present embodiment synchronizes the change rate of irradiation light and the generation timing of an image, and sets the number of image frames (resolution) with respect to the rotation angle of the disc-shaped linear variable filter 14 as a user. By setting in accordance with the above operation, an image can be generated at a high speed while the wavelength of the irradiation light is continuously changed while the image (frame number) is associated with the wavelength of the irradiation light.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an image of the sample 30 captured by the imaging device 40. Here, three images when the wavelengths of irradiation light are different are shown. According to the figure, the types of tablets that are easily visible are different depending on the wavelength of the irradiation light. Therefore, the user can easily grasp how much and what kind of tablets are mixed by checking each image when the sample 30 is irradiated with various wavelengths. . When an output image corresponding to all wavelengths in the variable range is confirmed, an image may be obtained or an image may not be obtained. It goes without saying that such information on the presence or absence of an image also becomes information for specifying the state of the sample 30.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the site | part same as 1st Embodiment, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.
The imaging system according to the second embodiment is provided with a light source device 10A shown in FIG. 10 instead of the light source device 10 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a light source device 10A according to the second embodiment. The light source device 10A includes a long linear variable filter 25 shown in FIG. 10 instead of the disc-like linear variable filter 14 shown in FIG. A diaphragm 26 is provided on the light incident side of the long linear variable filter 25.

  Furthermore, the light source device 10A includes a light emitting element 27 that emits light of 1950 nm, instead of the light emitting element 17 shown in FIG. That is, the light emitting element 17 and the light emitting element 27 are different in that they emit light having different wavelengths.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of the long linear variable filter 25 and shows the relationship between the light incident position and the center wavelength of the band pass.
The long linear variable filter 25 is obtained by molding the linear variable filter shown in FIG. In the long linear variable filter 25, the center wavelength of the bandpass changes linearly along the longitudinal direction.

  The long linear variable filter 25 is provided so as to slide along the longitudinal direction based on the rotational drive of the pulse motor 15.

  Specifically, when the long linear variable filter 25 slides to the right in FIG. 11, spot light is irradiated to the left end portion (position L) of the long linear variable filter 25. The position L is a position where the center wavelength of the band pass becomes the minimum value (900 nm). At this time, the light emitting element 27 and the light receiving element 18 shown in FIG. 9 are provided on both sides of the position where the center wavelength of the band pass of the long linear variable filter 25 is 1950 nm.

  The light emitting element 27 is a light emitting diode used when setting the reference position of the long linear variable filter 25. The light emitting element 27 is provided at a position facing the light receiving element 18 with the long linear variable filter 25 interposed therebetween, and emits light of 1950 nm. The light receiving element 18 receives the light emitted from the light emitting element 27 and transmitted through the long linear variable filter 25, and generates a signal corresponding to the amount of light received.

  When the long linear variable filter 25 slides all the way to the left in FIG. 11, spot light is irradiated to the right end (position R) of the long linear variable filter 25. The position R is a position where the center wavelength of the band pass becomes the maximum value (1800 nm).

  When the long linear variable filter 25 is disposed at an intermediate position in the left-right direction in FIG. 11, spot light is irradiated to an intermediate position between the longitudinal position L and the position R of the long linear variable filter 25. This intermediate position is a position where the center wavelength of the bandpass is 1350 nm.

  Here, when the position (reference position) at which the signal output from the light receiving element 18 reaches a peak is determined by sliding the long linear variable filter 25 to an arbitrary position, the position where the center wavelength of the bandpass becomes 1950 nm. Further, the position of the center wavelength of the band pass from 900 nm to 1800 nm can be understood. Therefore, first, it is necessary to accurately set the reference position of the long linear variable filter 25.

  Further, the length of the center wavelength of the band pass in the longitudinal direction of the long linear variable filter 25 from 900 nm to 1800 nm is known in advance.

  For this reason, if the number of frames (the number of images to be captured while the wavelength of irradiation light changes from 900 nm to 1800 nm) is input to the operation unit 19, the movement of the long linear variable filter 25 by one frame is performed. The distance, that is, the rotation angle of the pulse motor 15 is determined. Therefore, the controller 22 controls the pulse motor 15 via the motor driver 16 in synchronization with the synchronization signal transmitted from the imaging device 40 while corresponding to the number of frames input to the operation unit 19.

The imaging system 1 configured as described above images the sample 30 according to the following operation procedure.
First, the controller 22 causes the light emitting element 27 to emit light. The controller 22 monitors the signal output from the light receiving element 18 and slides the long linear variable filter 25 in the longitudinal direction via the motor driver 16 and the pulse motor 15.

  The controller 22 stops the rotation of the pulse motor 15 when the signal output from the light receiving element 18 reaches a peak, and sets the position of the long linear variable filter 25 at that time as the reference position. Then, the controller 22 resets the rotation angle of the pulse motor 15 at the reference position, that is, sets it to 0 degree. Thereby, the initial setting of the light source device 10 is completed.

  When the initial setting of the light source device 10 is completed, the number of frames required when the sample 30 is not in the stationary position (moving) is acquired, and the image of the number of frames required when the sample 30 is in the stationary position is acquired. To do.

  Specifically, the user operates the operation unit 19 of the light source device 10 illustrated in FIG. 10 and inputs a necessary number of frames. The required number of frames refers to the number of frames (number of frames) of an image to be captured by the imaging device 40 during a period in which the wavelength of light output from the light source device 10 continuously changes from the minimum value to the maximum value. In the present embodiment, the user operates the operation unit 19 to input the number of frames “30”.

  When the sample 30 is stationary at the stationary position, the controller 22 causes the halogen light source 11 to emit light and rotates the pulse motor 15 via the motor driver 16. At this time, the controller 22 determines the rotation angle of the pulse motor 15 per frame so as to correspond to the number of frames “30” input to the operation unit 19, and turns the pulse motor 15 through the motor driver 16. Control.

  Next, the light source device 10 starts to emit light. At this time, since the long linear variable filter 25 slides from the position L to the position R, the wavelength of light transmitted through the long linear variable filter 25 continuously changes from 900 nm to 1800 nm.

  The imaging device 40 starts imaging the sample 30 in synchronization with the light emission start of the light source device 10. The imaging device 40 may start imaging when the user performs a switch operation, or automatically when the light source device 10 notifies the operation unit 19 that the number of frames has been input. Imaging may be started. When imaging starts, the imaging device 40 generates an image of the sample 30 in synchronization with a synchronization signal generated by a built-in synchronization signal generator and transmits the synchronization signal to the light source device 10.

Here, the long linear variable filter 25 slides (reciprocates on a straight line) along the longitudinal direction by the rotation of the pulse motor 15. The rotation speed increases during the period immediately after the start of rotation of the pulse motor 15, and decreases during the period immediately before the rotation of the pulse motor 15 stops. For this reason, the moving speed of the long linear variable filter 25 is not constant during each period immediately after the rotation start of the pulse motor 15 and immediately before the rotation stop.
Note that the moving speed of the long linear variable filter 25 is constant during a steady rotation period of the pulse motor 15 (a period excluding immediately after the start of rotation and immediately before the stop of rotation).

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating the moving speed of the long linear variable filter 25. As shown in the figure, in the period immediately after the start of the movement of the long linear variable filter 25, the moving speed gradually increases. Thereafter, when the moving speed reaches the maximum value, the state is maintained. In the period immediately before the end of the movement of the long linear variable filter 25, the moving speed gradually decreases and finally becomes zero.

  Therefore, depending on the rotation state of the pulse motor 15, the moving speed of the long linear variable filter 25 is not constant, which causes a problem that the speed of wavelength change of light output from the light source device 10 does not become constant.

  Therefore, in the second embodiment, the imaging device 40 controls one frame time according to the rotation state of the pulse motor 15 of the light source device 10 while keeping the electronic shutter time (exposure time) constant.

  FIG. 13 is a timing chart of the trigger signal, the image signal, the frame number detection flag, and the LVF reference position. The trigger signal is a signal that the light source device 10 transmits to the imaging device 40 in order to control one frame time of an image generated by the imaging device 40.

  The imaging device 40 controls one frame time of the image in synchronization with the trigger signal transmitted from the light source device 10. Specifically, the imaging device 40 sets one frame time for each image so as to correspond to the signal interval of the trigger signal. Here, the trigger signal generated by the controller 22 of the light source device 10 is as follows.

In the period immediately after the start of the rotation of the pulse motor 15, the trigger signal has the lowest frequency (the signal interval is the longest), the frequency gradually increases, and reaches a predetermined frequency. At this time, the one-frame time of the image is the longest at first and gradually becomes shorter.
During the steady rotation period of the pulse motor 15, the trigger signal has a constant frequency (predetermined value frequency). At this time, a predetermined value is maintained for one frame time of the image.
In the period immediately before the rotation of the pulse motor 15 stops, the frequency of the trigger signal gradually decreases, and when the frequency becomes the lowest, the rotation of the pulse motor 15 stops. At this time, one frame time of the image gradually increases and finally becomes the longest.

  As described above, one frame time of the image generated in the imaging device 40 is controlled in synchronization with the trigger signal. The imaging device 40 can generate an image of the sample 30 while adjusting one frame time in response to a change in the wavelength of the irradiation light output from the light source device 10.

  As described above, the imaging device 40 adjusts one frame time in synchronization with the trigger signal from the light source device 10 even when the wavelength change speed of the irradiation light output from the light source device 10 is not constant. While generating the image. Thereby, it is possible to generate the image at high speed by continuously changing the wavelength of the irradiation light while making the image (frame number) correspond to the wavelength of the irradiation light.

  In this embodiment, since the speed of the wavelength change of the irradiation light is not constant, one frame time of the image of the imaging device 40 is controlled. However, if the imaging device 40 images the sample 30 during a period in which the wavelength change speed of the irradiation light is constant, control of one frame time becomes unnecessary. That is, if the imaging device 40 images the sample 30 while the long linear variable filter 25 of the light source device 10 is moving at a constant speed, control of one frame time is not necessary.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating the moving speed of the long linear variable filter 25. In this case, the long linear variable filter 25 is configured such that the length in the longitudinal direction is longer than that in the above-described embodiment.

  In the steady period of the pulse motor 15 (period from time t1 to time t30), the moving speed of the long linear variable filter 25 is constant, so the speed of wavelength change of the irradiation light output from the light source device 10 is constant. Become. Therefore, the imaging device 40 may image the sample 30 during the steady period of the pulse motor 15.

In addition, this invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned above, It can apply also to what was changed in the design within the range of the matter described in the claim.
For example, the light-emitting element 17 shown in FIG. 2 emits light of 550 nm and the light-emitting element 27 shown in FIG. 9 emits light of 1950 nm, but may emit light of other wavelengths.

  In addition, the number of frames input to the operation unit 19 is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and may be other values. Further, the operation unit 19 may be provided in the light source device 10 as shown in the above-described embodiment, or may be provided in the imaging device 40.

  Note that the intensity of the irradiation light output from the light source device 10 tends to vary depending on the wavelength (light source unevenness). Therefore, the imaging device 40 may switch the electronic shutter or gain for each frame so that images with the same signal level are always obtained.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Imaging system 10 Light source apparatus 11 Halogen light source 14 Disc-shaped linear variable filter 15 Pulse motors 17 and 27 Light emitting element 18 Light receiving element 19 Operation part 21 Frame number detection part 22 Controller 25 Long linear variable filter 30 Subject 40 Imaging apparatus

Claims (5)

A linear variable filter that is molded into a disk shape and can rotate around the central axis;
A light source that emits light and irradiates the sample with light transmitted through the linear variable filter;
Rotating means for continuously changing the wavelength of light that passes through the linear variable filter and irradiates the sample by rotating the linear variable filter around the central axis;
A position detecting light emitting means for emitting light of a predetermined wavelength for position detection with respect to the linear variable filter;
A light receiving means for receiving light emitted from the position detecting light emitting means and transmitted through the linear variable filter, and generating a signal corresponding to the amount of received light;
A frame number detection flag generating means for counting the number of frames of an image captured by the imaging device based on a synchronization signal from the imaging device and generating a frame number detection flag each time the counted number of frames reaches a predetermined value; ,
The timing at which the signal output from the light receiving means reaches a peak is detected, and the rotation speed of the rotating means is controlled so that the timing at which the signal peaks and the timing at which the frame number detection flag is generated are synchronized. Control means;
A light emitting device comprising: It further comprises operation means for inputting the predetermined value by a user operation,
The light-emitting device according to claim 1, wherein the frame number detection flag generating unit generates the frame number detection flag every time the counted frame number becomes the predetermined value input to the operation unit. A linear variable filter that is formed into a long shape, is provided so as to be able to reciprocate on a straight line along the longitudinal direction, and the center wavelength of the bandpass varies along the longitudinal direction;
A light source that emits light and irradiates the sample with light transmitted through the linear variable filter;
Moving means for continuously making the wavelength of the light transmitted through the linear variable filter and irradiated on the sample by reciprocating the linear variable filter on a straight line along the longitudinal direction;
A position detecting light emitting means for emitting light of a predetermined wavelength for position detection with respect to the linear variable filter;
A light receiving means for receiving light emitted from the position detecting light emitting means and transmitted through the linear variable filter, and generating a signal corresponding to the amount of received light;
While the linear variable filter moves on the straight line, the position where the signal output from the light receiving means reaches a peak is detected, and the position on the straight line of the linear variable filter is controlled using the detected position as a reference position. Control means to
Immediately after the start of the movement of the linear variable filter and immediately before the end of movement, a signal for setting one frame time to be longer than a predetermined value for an image generated by an imaging device for imaging the sample, Signal generating means for transmitting the generated signal to the imaging device;
A light emitting device comprising: The signal generating means sets the frame time so that one frame time gradually decreases until reaching the predetermined value in a period immediately after the start of the movement of the linear variable filter, and 1 period in the period immediately before the end of the movement of the linear variable filter. The light emitting device according to claim 3, wherein the signal for setting the frame time so as to be gradually increased from the predetermined value is generated. The light emitting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
An imaging device for imaging a sample irradiated with light by the light emitting device;
An imaging system comprising: