JPH10148760A - Lighting control device for photographing microscopic image - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve a lighting control device for photographing microscopic image which has a two-dimensional photo-electronic sensor device for grasping the luminance of an accurate and aligning-error-free microscopic image, the exposure time adjusted to object detail actually interested, by a simple and also widely applicable method. SOLUTION: A sensing device has an interface transmitting image information on an observation piece of a microscope grasped by this sensing device to an observing unit 17, and this observing unit 17 is connected with a first input means 12 which manually selects at least one arbitrary image area on the sensing device, and this strength value of image value is made to form a control signal of exposure time for photographing a picture. Moreover, a means is provided by which at least a part of the image is recognized by the sensing device; each of several photo-sensing areas is integrated into an image area of an adjustable size by an electronic image processing; their luminance is led from luminance values of individual photo-sensing areas; and exposure value is recognized from the luminance value.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an exposure control apparatus for photographing a microscope image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a microphotograph, a known spot metering having a different metering surface (for example, 3%, 1%,
0.1%) is used for exposure metering, which makes the sensor suitable for precise object details, especially in the case of highly dynamic microscopic objects such as fluorescent, dark-field and polarized observation specimens.

For this purpose, the object to be photometrically moved to the center of the field of view marked by an adjustment mark of a microscope eyepiece or a microscope camera telescope (by centering the object on a microscope table), or by a slidable photometric stop. Be captured.

[0004] In DE-A-13410682 a number of photoelectric detectors are positioned in different image areas in the image plane of a photographic microscope, indicating to the user the unevenness of the exposure intensity distribution.

[0005] In German Patent No. 3,506,492 A1,
A multi-field matrix, whose transmission can be controlled, is installed in the optical path of the optical device, is connected by a processor to the brightness of each field, and an optical sensor or an optical sensor matrix is provided afterward. The optimum exposure time is calculated from the field including the object structure, and the situation of the field whose brightness is controlled is determined for all the fields.

[0006] In EP 380 904 B1, a video camera mounted on a microscope in the usual way is replaced by a two-dimensional semiconductor image sensor having a very large field and a large numerical aperture in the primary image plane of the objective, with an intermediate connection. Generate real-time digital images without additional optical elements.

[0007] Unpublished German Patent No. 19517
In 476A1, the video camera attached to the microscope is used to calculate the exposure time of the connected photographic camera, and each image area of the generated video image is used for the exposure control selected by the observer.

[0008]

A method of capturing the details of an object in the spot side light by moving or sliding the center of the object to the center of the field of view by a side light stop capable of accurately aligning the details of the object (spot metering plane) with the center. Since the alignment mark of the sensor measuring the exposure time is assumed, even if this alignment is carried out precisely by the user, it is not always unambiguous spot positioning and even accurate exposure to the desired object details. Do not guarantee.

This spot positioning error is caused by the interface of the individual mechanical system components (eyepiece and microscope eyepiece or telescope, and microscope camera. Photographic output port of the microscope barrel and connection adapter of the microscope camera). The sum of the alignment errors of the photographic eyepiece or projection device and the connection adapter for the microscope camera, the microscope camera and the connection adapter for the microscope camera), gives rise to the sum of the systematic alignment errors of the microscope and the microscope camera system. This is a size error on the order of the spot diameter.

In addition to the total systematic alignment error that cannot be managed by the user of the microscope and the microscope camera system,
Subjective accidental alignment error, ie, user's adjustment skill, ie, exposed object detail (spot position)
Is actually a technical error in positioning the photometric position with the mark (the center crosshair of an adjustment aid such as an eyepiece or an adjustment telescope).

The above-mentioned two errors are, among others, "0.1
In the case of the "% spot" or small spot metering method, this is an essential problem and often results in exposure errors.

The aforementioned German Patents A13410682, 3506492A1 and 195174476A1 are disclosed.
The determination of the exposure time in the signal is made by means of averaging, in which case a video camera is always required.
However, each time a video camera is mounted, the optical system must correct for the shooting parameters of each camera.

[0013]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple but widely adaptable method for accurately and precisely adjusting the exposure time for adjusting the details of an object of interest. Is to guarantee the equipment.

This object is achieved according to the invention by the features of the independent claims. Preferred alternatives are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the configuration of the present invention, an image portion projected on a CCD matrix and related to exposure is converted into a cluster screen size in an intensity raster image format by an algorithm (computer program), and the computer screen (or a laptop screen) is used. Or on a notebook display) when the object details are displayed as identifiable gray or color raster images, with a correspondingly sized raster image on the monitor and the size of the smallest individual cluster resulting therefrom and having individual cluster resolution. The details of the desired object can be clicked on the console.

By means of suitable input means, possibly a mouse click on the screen, the image to be viewed on the observation unit can be changed, in particular by electronic image processing, in each case several light-sensitive areas of the sensor device. Are integrated into clusters of a selectable size on the observation unit.

By selecting at least one cluster,
For example, an average intensity value of the cluster derived from the individual region is used as a control signal of the exposure time.

The input means can advantageously change the image contrast in order to see a specific region of interest well.

An appropriate value corresponding to the luminance is derived from the signal of the photosensitive area of the sensor device, a first intermediate storage of the luminance values of at least some of the individual picture elements, and a first intermediate value corresponding to the specific luminance value or area. The second intermediate storage of those luminance values is performed in the two intermediate storage elements, and the luminance value or the frequency of the area that appears at that time is obtained by reading from the second intermediate storage element and displayed.

Exposure time is determined from the value of the first or second intermediate storage element and is conveniently stored and displayed according to that value or value range.

[0021]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The solution according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

The intermediate image 2 formed by the lens barrel 1 of the microscope is magnified by the photographic eyepiece 3 in the photographic optical path (photo lens barrel) behind the beam splitter element ST.

When the rotating mirror 7 is placed after the photographic eyepiece 3 and the mirror 7 rotates out of the optical path and the central shutter 4 is opened, the objective lens 5 is moved to the film surface 6 of the recording unit (not shown). Creates an enlarged intermediate image 6.

In order to control the exposure, the rotating mirror 7 is rotated into the optical path, whereby an intermediate image 9 is formed on the CCD matrix by the exposure optical system 8, and this is connected to the PC by a logic circuit (not shown). Combine with the connected evaluation unit.

The observation of the intermediate image 2 is performed by the observer's eye 11 by the beam splitter ST and the binocular tube 10.

Rotating mirror 7, shutter 4, objective lens 5
And the film surface 6, and in this case the exposure optics 8 and C
Since the CD matrix is an integral component with the mounting camera system AK that can be mounted on the photographic eyepiece 3 or the photographic output port behind the projection lens by an optical system,
No mutual adjustment or correction of the individual elements or new corrections when using the video camera separately is required.

The following is an example in which three-dimensionalization for evaluating the size of a cluster is performed on a PC monitor.

When a sensor surface 13 of 3.6 × 4.8 mm and a 1/3 inch CCD chip of 500 × 680 pixels are used, if an appropriate optical system is used, the screen size is 2.4 on the chip surface. × 3.6mm = 8.64mm ² 35
mm-size imaging is possible. For exposure metering, usually only a part of the screen (usually 30% of the screen size) is used. For example, if 9 × 14 pixels are integrated into one cluster, a cluster / sensor surface of 88 × 88 μm results. With this cluster size, a spot size of 0.1% is obtained. For example, 21 × 21 clusters (the combined sensor surface is 3.
42 mm ² ), a total photometric surface of 44% is obtained.

For example, 17 × 26 clusters = 4 on the chip surface
42 spots, ie, the spot metering size at the individual spot position 442, the cluster image size 1.5 × 2.
3 mm = 3.45 mm ² is obtained.

When the vertical and horizontal cluster images are selectively displayed on the monitor to convert the cluster image size to a 10.4 inch monitor (35 mm full size 2.4 × 3.6 mm), the size is 66 × 99 mm. And a cluster of size 3.8 × 3.8 mm that can be clicked for spot metering. FIG. 2 shows an outline of this gray cluster image.

FIG. 2 shows a cluster image display on a notebook monitor having an individual cluster 13 and an object structure of different brightness, and an optimum exposure time is determined based on the brightness of the cluster or clusters in accordance with the specific individual cluster. To indicate a mouse click.

The solution according to the invention, in which the object details of the identifiable cluster image are clicked on as a new spot metering method, provides a clear relationship between the object to be exposed and the sensor for exposure, thereby resulting in the problem of alignment errors. Exposure errors associated with conventional spot metering are eliminated.

Image processing means for forming and displaying clusters, and further analyzing the structure of an object and increasing contrast, are known in the prior art. For example, an object is recognized by an image recognition system of an industrial robot; , Or as a PC screen saver.

In FIG. 1 according to the present invention, the input means 12 is provided, and the size of an individual cluster (screen area) can be adjusted and the image contrast can be changed by a PC.

This input means can be displayed on a PC screen and can be adjusted by clicking the mouse.

In the following, referring to FIG. 3, an advantageous method and apparatus for determining the optimal exposure times of a wide variety of photographic objects and specimens will be described.

For this reason, it is an intensity raster image,
Image areas or clusters 1 displayed on the monitor and individually or group selectable, each of several photosensitive areas of the D matrix being integrated into one cluster each
3, an individual intermediate storage element 14 for storing a luminance value derived from the individual luminance value of the photosensitive region, for example, by forming an average value.

As shown in FIG. . .
n, columns R1. . . When numbered by Rn, coordinates 1, R
1. . . Each of the individual clusters 13 of n and Rn is assigned an intermediate storage element 14 that includes information on the luminance value of the individual cluster as a numerical value and corresponds to a specific optimal exposure value.

As described above, each value of the intermediate storage can be displayed as a cluster image by the observation unit 17.

Furthermore, the intermediate storage elements 14 are read out in column order by the processing stage 15 and their luminance values are stored in the intermediate storage element 16 in the histogram classes Hi1. . . They are arranged and counted in the order of Hin.

Thus, the individual cluster 1, R1. . .
Information on the frequency of occurrence of specific luminance values or regions of n and Rn is obtained. The obtained frequency distribution is displayed on the monitor 17.

The storage elements 14, 16 are provided by another processing stage 18.
From the luminance values of the individual clusters HB1... By reading and, in particular, the product of the sensitivity of the film used and a constant coefficient k which depends on the optical shooting parameters. . . The histogram grade of the exposure time value of HBn is displayed.

The method for forming the cluster is as follows.
Is converted to an exposure time by the processing stage 21 and the camera 2
Advantageously, it can be automatically used by directly controlling the shutter exposure time of No. 2 and always determining and combining the actual brightness value and the associated exposure time from the selected cluster. By uniquely assigning an individual cluster to the same sample, a change in the luminance of the cluster can be considered from the progress.

The processing stage 18, which processes the determined and stored luminance values, can also calculate the exposure time from the luminance values and can communicate the exposure time of the preselected cluster directly to the camera 22 for control.

For this purpose, there is a feedback line, indicated by a dashed line, from the PC in the direction of the processing stage 18.

This process is also automatic, that is, the actual exposure time value for a cluster is always newly calculated and used to adjust the exposure time value of the camera 22.

FIG. 4 shows the individual cluster 13 to the monitor 17
Is shown schematically, on the other side of the monitor a bar graph 19 is displayed, which indicates the frequency of the individual brightness or the exposure time of the cluster 13 calculated therefrom.

To change the selected point on the cluster field 13, it can be operated by a PC mouse.
An input device that can be switched to select the above specific frequency class is also a component of the monitor image.

This allows the user to select either a specific cluster or a group of clusters containing the object structure of interest to the user, in which case the corresponding frequency class is assigned to the latter or the frequency class is selected. , All individual clusters whose brightness matches that class are displayed.

This means that it is possible to consider whether the details of an object of interest to the user are actually grasped at the optimum exposure time for a particular frequency class. Alternatively, there is an advantage that the user can determine which frequency class is better for selecting the correct exposure time when taking another photograph.

In this way, for example, in the case of fluorescence photometry, the user can preselect or automatically select the highest possible luminance grade, or select a grade that is less than or equal to the highest luminance grade.

As an example, FIGS. 5 and 6 show a photograph of a lattice structure or a photometric point and a cluster field displayed on a monitor as a gray value distribution, respectively, in which the frequency distribution is a bar graph.

The user can click a specific frequency class with a PC mouse, and use the cluster image to determine whether or not an image region of interest to the user is included and whether or not the user will be exposed for an exposure time corresponding to this frequency class. it can.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show that the luminance or the exposure time frequency distribution of the image is directly assigned to the object structure as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, where various frequencies are used as various gray values or color values. Is displayed.

In this case, the user can directly select the exposure time of the image region of interest for the object to be photographed, and accurately and optimally photograph this image region.

The present invention is not limited only to the above-described use for exposure control, and can automatically grasp, classify, or examine a specific object by forming a cluster, grasping the brightness distribution of an image and its frequency class. It is conceivable that the present invention can be realized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an optical optical path for a micrograph from a lens barrel of a microscope in the direction of an imaging system.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an image displayed on a monitor by image processing of an observed object structure.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an exposure control device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a cluster image and a monitor image showing a frequency distribution.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a recorded lattice structure.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of recorded photometric points.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a three-dimensional frequency distribution of luminance of the structure of FIG. 5;

8 is a diagram showing a three-dimensional frequency distribution of luminance of the structure of FIG. 6;

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 lens barrel lens 2 intermediate image 3 photographic eyepiece, projection lens 4 center shutter 5 objective lens 6 intermediate image, film surface 7 rotating mirror 8 exposure optical system 9 intermediate image 10 binocular tube 11 observer 12 input means 13 individual cluster 14 Intermediate storage element 15 Processing stage 16 Intermediate storage element 17 Observation unit, monitor 18 Processing stage 19 Bar graph 20 Flying point 21 Processing stage 22 Camera 23 Bar graph, diagram ST Beam splitter AK Mounting camera

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Johannes Knobrich Germany D-07747 Jena Binswanger Strasse 8/322 (72) Inventor Hans Tundler Germany D-07745 Jena Ammer Bach Elstrasse 7 (72) Inventor Bernd Faltamayer Germany D-73431 Aalen Harz Strasse 69

Claims (26)

[Claims] An illumination control device for photographing a microscope image, comprising a two-dimensional photoelectric sensor device for grasping the brightness of the microscope image, which is a component of a camera system attachable to a standard output port for photography of a microscope. A sensor device having an interface for transmitting image information of a microscope object grasped by the sensor device to an observation unit, wherein the observation unit manually selects at least one arbitrary image area on the sensor device; A lighting control device, coupled to the means, wherein the intensity value of the image area forms a control signal for the exposure time of the photograph. 2. The illumination control device according to claim 1, further comprising second input means for changing an image that can be viewed on the observation unit. 3. The electronic image processing collects several light-sensitive areas of the sensor device into clusters on the viewing unit, and the intensity values of the clusters form a control signal of the exposure time by the selection of at least one cluster. The lighting control device according to claim 1. 4. The illumination control device according to claim 1, wherein the image contrast is changed by the second input means. 5. The illumination control device according to claim 1, wherein the microscope object is displayed as a gray raster image on the observation unit, and the intensity value of the gray raster forms a control signal for the exposure time. . 6. The illumination control device according to claim 1, wherein the resolving power is changed by changing the cluster size. 7. The illumination control device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor device is a CCD matrix. 8. The first and / or second input means includes a P
The lighting control device according to claim 1, wherein the lighting control device is controlled by a C monitor. 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the same cluster of sensor devices is used repeatedly to generate a control signal for the exposure time, each time correcting the exposure time to a new value. The lighting control device according to claim 1. 10. A device for ascertaining the brightness of a microscope image for exposure control, wherein at least a part of the image is ascertained by a sensor device, and each of several light sensitive areas of the sensor device can be adjusted by electronic image processing. A device that is integrated into image areas of different sizes, the luminances of which are derived from the luminance values of the individual photosensitive areas, and means for determining the exposure value from the luminance values is provided. 11. A processing means for deriving a value corresponding to luminance from a signal of a photosensitive region of the sensor device, a first intermediate storage element for storing a luminance value of at least a part of the individual image element, and a first intermediate storage element. 11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising processing means for forming an exposure value from the luminance value stored in the storage element. 12. A luminance value which is located between a second intermediate storage element corresponding to a specific luminance value or area and the first and second intermediate storage elements, and is stored in the second intermediate storage element. 12. Apparatus according to claim 10 or 11, comprising processing means for assigning and storing values. 13. A device for ascertaining the brightness of a microscope image for exposure control, wherein at least a part of the image is ascertained by a sensor device, and an interface between the sensor arrangement and the observation unit is ascertained by the sensor unit. For transmitting and displaying the image information to be transmitted, in which case several electronically sensitive areas of the sensor device are integrated into an adjustable sized image area by electronic image processing, and their luminance values are individually sensitized. A device derived from the brightness values of the region. 14. A processing device for deriving a value corresponding to luminance from a signal of a photosensitive region of a sensor device, and a first intermediate storage element for storing a luminance value of at least a part of an individual image element. An apparatus according to claim 13. 15. A luminance value which is located between a second intermediate storage element corresponding to a specific luminance value or an area and the first and second intermediate storage elements, and is allocated in the second intermediate storage element. 14. A processing unit for storing, and a processing unit for reading a second intermediate storage element and displaying a value of an appearing luminance or a frequency of an area.
An apparatus according to claim 4. 16. Apparatus according to claim 15, comprising processing means for calculating the respective exposure times from the values of the first and / or second intermediate storage elements. 17. The apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising a third intermediate storage element for storing the calculated exposure time according to a value or a value range. 18. The device according to claim 13, further comprising means for selecting at least one image area on the viewing unit. 19. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the first means for selecting at least one image area is located on the screen itself and is controllable by a mouse click or a touch panel. 20. Apparatus according to any one of claims 14 to 19, comprising a second means for selecting at least one frequency of luminance values appearing on the observation unit. 21. The method according to claim 18, wherein the first and second means for selection are simultaneously installed on the observation unit.
An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims. 22. A method for ascertaining the brightness of a microscope image for exposure control, wherein at least a part of the image is ascertained by a sensor device, transmitted to an observation unit through an interface with a sensor arrangement, and observed. The image information grasped by the sensor unit is displayed on the unit, and several photosensitive areas of the sensor arrangement are integrated into an image area of an adjustable size by electronic image processing, and their luminance values are set to the individual photosensitive areas. A method derived from luminance values. 23. A value corresponding to luminance is derived from a signal of a photosensitive region of the sensor device, a first intermediate storage of luminance values of at least a part of the individual image elements is performed, and a specific luminance value of these luminance values is provided. 23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the second intermediate storage in the second intermediate storage element corresponding to the area is performed, and the luminance value or the frequency of the area appearing by reading the second intermediate storage element is obtained and displayed. . 24. The method according to claim 23, wherein the exposure time is determined from the value of the first and / or second intermediate storage element and stored according to the value or the value range. 25. A method for ascertaining the brightness of a microscope image for exposure control, wherein the brightness value included in an image area of a preselectable size is compared with another image area. How the frequency of occurrence of is assigned. 26. A method for ascertaining luminance of a microscope image for exposure control, wherein a frequency of occurrence of a specific luminance value of an image region having a selectable size is assigned to the image region in advance.