JPH11271635A - Optical microscope device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate operation easy in a dark room, to prevent unnecessary diffused external light from entering a visual field at the time of focusing and observation, and to enable more accurate focusing and observation by allowing a detecting means to generate and send a signal to a control means and turn off or blink a light emitting means which lightens up a display means when an observer enters a specific distance range for focusing or observation. SOLUTION: A sensor 1 as the detecting means is arranged at a position S which is in front of a control part 4 and above a viewer 3. The sensor 1 detects the microscope observer M present in the specific detection distance range and outputs a detection signal. When the observer M puts his or her face close to the viewer 3 for focusing or observation, the face enters the detection distance range of the sensor 1. Then the sensor 1 detects the observer M and its detection signal is transmitted to a signal amplifier of the control part 4, so that a release switch is turned OFF. Consequently, the light emission unit lighting up a display unit 5A turns off and no unnecessary disturbing light enters the visual field of the observer M, so that more accurate focusing and observation become possible.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical microscope apparatus for detecting the presence of a microscope observer and controlling illumination of a display.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in optical microscope apparatuses, various electronically operated parts and display of microscopic information are increasing in response to various observations. In such an optical microscope apparatus, a speculum or observation for avoiding extraneous light, such as a fluorescence spectroscope for observing a specimen whose observation light quantity is slightly insufficient, may be used in a dark room. In this case, a display indicating the position and operation state of various operation switches is provided so that the observer can easily perform, for example, switching of an observation optical path, switching of an objective lens, exposure operation in a photographing function, operation of setting various film constants, and the like. It is arranged in an optical microscope device. Light-emitting devices for illumination using LEDs and cold-cathode tubes are used for these displays.

[0003]

However, the above prior art has the following problems. That is, these light emitters are often arranged near the viewer of the optical microscope apparatus for ease of operation, despite the large amount of light emission, so that the observer can use the viewer to focus. When performing or observing a sample, the illumination light of those displays enters the field of view of the observer as disturbance light, which causes a problem that focusing and observation are adversely affected. This is because, in fluorescence observation, the brightness of the observation specimen is often insufficient,
It can be said that the influence of disturbance light is particularly remarkable. However, if the lighting function of those displays is lost, the position of each part becomes invisible when operating each part in a dark room, and the operation becomes difficult.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an object of the invention according to claim 1 or 2 is to make it easy for an observer to operate each part even in a dark room, and to achieve focus and focus. An object of the present invention is to provide an optical microscope apparatus which can prevent extraneous disturbance light from entering a field of view during observation and can perform more accurate focusing and observation.

[0005]

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above problems, the invention according to claim 1 is an optical microscope apparatus,
Display means for indicating an operation state, light-emitting means for illuminating the display means, detection means for detecting a microscope observer within a predetermined distance range for focusing or observation, and output from the detection means And a control means for controlling the light emitting means in accordance with a signal to be transmitted. According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the control unit includes a time delay unit, and is configured to operate only when the detection unit continuously performs detection for a predetermined time.

That is, in the optical microscope apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, when a microscope observer enters a predetermined distance range from the detecting means for focusing or observation, a signal is issued from the detecting means to the control means. introduce. The control means converts this signal, transmits the signal to the light emitting means, and turns off or dims the light emitting means for illuminating the display means. The optical microscope apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention has the effect of the first aspect of the present invention. Turns off or dims.

[0007]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In an embodiment of the present invention, when an observer brings his / her face close to an eyepiece of an optical microscope apparatus for focusing or observation, a sensor arranged near a viewer is activated. In order to turn off or dimming the illumination light of the unit with the light-emitting display unit near the field of view that is an obstacle to focusing and observation, and conversely for the observer to operate each part or to suspend the observation Further, a mechanism is provided in which, when the distance from the eyepiece section is out of the sensor detection range, the illumination light returns to the original illumination light again. For this reason, each part is easy to operate,
In addition, extra light outside the observation field of view in the field of view can be cut, and more accurate focusing and observation can be performed. Hereinafter, specific embodiments will be described.

(Embodiment 1) FIGS. 1 to 3 show Embodiment 1, FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an optical microscope apparatus, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control system of a photographing unit, and FIG. It is a flowchart of a system.

In FIG. 1, the optical microscope apparatus is configured such that a photographing unit 7 is connected to an upper part of a microscope main body 6. The photographing unit 7 includes a control unit 4 as control means connected to the microscope main body 6, a viewer 3 protruding from the front surface of the control unit 4, and a microscope camera 2 connected to an upper surface of the control unit 4. It is composed of The sensor 1 as a detecting unit is disposed at a position S on the front surface of the control unit 4 and above the viewer 3. The sensor 1 is a light reflection type sensor that detects a microscope observer M within a predetermined detection distance range and outputs a detection signal. The position S is a position at which when the microscope observer M brings his / her face close to the viewer 3 in order to perform focusing and observation, the approach near the upper forehead of the microscope observer M is detected.

On the right side of the front face of the control section 4, a display 5A is provided as display means. The display 5A displays, for example, the positions of various switches and the display of the exposure time. A light-emitting device 5B (not shown) serving as a light-emitting means is provided inside the display 5A. When the microscope observer M is not within the detection distance range of the sensor 1, the light-emitting device 5B is turned on and displayed. The container 5A is illuminated. In the light emitting device 5B,
LEDs and cold cathode tubes are used.

In FIG. 2, in the control system of the photographing unit, the sensor 1 is connected to the control unit 4, and the control unit 4 is connected to the light emitter 5B. The control unit 4 is formed by a signal amplifier 41 and a relay 42, and the signal amplifier 41
Is connected to the sensor 1 and the relay 42 is connected to the light emitter 5B. The signal amplifier 41 amplifies the detection output from the sensor 1 and drives the relay 42. The relay 42 is a normally closed contact. When no current flows through the relay coil, the relay switch is ON, and when current flows through the relay coil, the relay switch is OFF. The light emitter 5B is turned on when the relay switch of the relay 42 is on, and is turned off when the relay switch is off.

In the optical microscope apparatus having the above configuration, FIG.
The operation of performing focusing and observation will be described with reference to FIG. In step A, usually, the observer M is operating each part in preparation for focusing and observation, or is in a state in which focusing and observation are temporarily suspended. At this time, the display 5A is provided with a light emitting device 5B so that the operation thereof is easy.
Is lit and illuminated. Next, in step B, when the observer M brings his / her face close to the viewer 3 for focusing and observation, the observer M enters the detection distance range of the sensor 1 disposed at the position S above the viewer 3. Then, the sensor 1 detects the observer M, the detection signal is transmitted to the signal amplifier 41 of the control unit 4, and a drive signal of the relay 42 is generated. Next, the process proceeds to step C, in which a current flows through the relay coil of the relay 42, and the relay switch is turned off. As a result, the process proceeds to step D, in which the light emitter 5B that illuminates the display 5A is turned off, so that more accurate focusing and observation can be performed without extra disturbance light entering the field of view of the observer M.

In step B, when the observer M moves away from the viewer 3 and goes out of the detection distance range of the sensor 1 in order to temporarily stop or stop focusing and observation, the sensor 1 The detection is not performed, and the drive signal of the relay 42 is not generated. Then, proceed to Step E,
No current flows through the relay coil of the relay 42, and the relay switch is turned ON. As a result, the process proceeds to step F, where the light emitter 5B for illuminating the display 5A is turned on, and the position and display of each operation unit displayed on the illuminated display 5A become clear.

According to this embodiment, the observer can easily operate each part even in a dark room, and at the time of focusing and observation, extra disturbance light does not enter the field of view. You can make observations.

In this embodiment, the control section 4 has a control function of turning off the light emitting device 5B when the observer M performs focusing and observation, but the light emitting device 5B is turned off. Instead, the control unit 4 may have a control function of dimming light so as not to affect observation. In this case, operability is further improved by adding a function of allowing the observer to set the amount of light reduction. The position of the sensor 1 is not limited to the position S above the viewer 3, but may be any position where the observer M approaches a part of the body only when focusing and observing. Further, the number of sensors may be singular or plural.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 4 shows Embodiment 2 and is a block diagram of a control system of a photographing unit. The configuration of the optical microscope apparatus of the present embodiment is different from that of the first embodiment only in the control unit of the photographing unit. Therefore, only different portions are shown, and drawings and descriptions of the same portions are omitted. Also, in FIG. 4, the same members as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 4, in the control system of the photographing unit, the sensor 1 is connected to the control unit 8, and the control unit 8 is connected to the light emitter 5B. The control unit 8 is formed by a signal amplifier 41 and an on-delay timer 81 as time delay means.
And the timer 81 that operates after a predetermined time has elapsed
B is connected. The timer 81 is preferably capable of freely adjusting the operation start time, and may be of any type as long as it can be electrically connected to the signal amplifier 41. The signal amplifier 41 amplifies the detection output from the sensor 1, energizes the timer 81, and operates the contact of the timer 81 after a predetermined time has elapsed. If the signal from the sensor 1 is interrupted before the lapse of a predetermined time, the timer 81 returns and its contact does not operate. The function of the light emitting device 5B is the same as that of the first embodiment. The function of the contact portion of the timer 81 is the same as that of the relay switch of the relay 42 according to the first embodiment.

The operation of focusing and observing the optical microscope apparatus having the above configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment. However,
Timer 81 having time delay means instead of relay 42
Therefore, if the face of the microscope observer M is separated from the sensor 1 before a predetermined time, the timer 81 returns and the contact does not operate. That is, even if a human body or an object crosses instantaneously within the detection distance range of the sensor 1, the contact point of the timer 81 does not operate, and the light emitter 5B is not turned off.

According to the present embodiment, in addition to the effect of the first embodiment, even when a human body or an object crosses in front of the sensor momentarily, the light emitting device is not turned off and the illumination of the display is turned off. There is no.

In the present embodiment, the modification shown in the first embodiment can be applied as it is. Also,
In the present embodiment, the malfunction of the light emitter is avoided by incorporating the timer into the control unit. Instead, a microprocessor is incorporated into the control unit, and the sensor detects the detection continuously for a fixed time on software. It may be configured to operate only when it is performed.

(Embodiment 3) FIGS. 5 to 6 show Embodiment 3, FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a control system of the photographing unit, and FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the control system. The configuration of the optical microscope apparatus of the present embodiment is similar to that of the second embodiment,
Since only the control unit of the photographing unit is different from that of the first embodiment, only different parts are shown, and drawings and descriptions of the same parts are omitted. Also, in FIG. 5, the same members as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 5, in the control system of the photographing unit, the sensor 1 is connected to the control unit 9, and the control unit 9 is connected to the light emitting unit 5B. The control unit 9 is formed by a signal amplifier 41 and an off-delay timer 91 as time delay means.
The timer 91 that stops operating after a predetermined time has elapsed is connected to the light emitter 5B. It is preferable that the timer 91 can freely adjust the operation stop time.
Any type can be used as long as it can be electrically connected to the device. The signal amplifier 41 amplifies the detection output from the sensor 1 and supplies power to the timer 91. When the detection output from the sensor 1 is interrupted, the coil of the timer 91 is not energized, and the contact operation of the timer 91 is stopped after a predetermined time has elapsed. If the signal from the sensor 1 is output again before the elapse of a predetermined time, the timer 91 is reset, and its contact does not stop but remains activated. The function of the light emitting device 5B is the same as that of the first embodiment.

The operation of the optical microscope having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. Step A is a state in which the observer M is focusing and observing while looking into the viewer 3. At this time, the light emitting device 5B of the display 5A is turned off so as not to hinder focusing and observation. Next,
In step B, when the observer M moves his / her face away from the viewer 3 for focusing and temporary suspension of observation or photographing,
It goes out of the detection range of the sensor 1 disposed at the position S above the viewer 3. Then, the sensor 1 does not detect the observer M, and the detection signal is not transmitted to the signal amplifier 41 of the control unit 9. If this state continues for a predetermined time, in step C, the relay switch of the timer 91 is turned on. As a result, the process proceeds to step D, in which the light emitter 5B for illuminating the display 5A is turned on, and the position and display of each operation unit displayed on each illuminated display 5A become clear.

According to the present embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, even when the face is taken away from the viewer, if the picture is taken within a predetermined time, extra disturbance light is generated from the observation optical path. Good photographing can be performed without entering.

Also in the present embodiment, the modifications shown in the first and second embodiments can be applied as they are.

[0026]

According to the first or second aspect of the present invention,
The observer can easily operate each part even in a dark room, and at the time of focusing and observation, extra disturbance light does not enter the field of view, so that more accurate focusing and observation can be performed. According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above effects, even when a human body or an object crosses in front of the detecting means instantaneously, the light emitting device is not turned off and the illumination of the display does not disappear.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an optical microscope device according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control system of the photographing unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a control system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a control system of the photographing unit according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a control system of the photographing unit according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a control system according to a third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Sensor 4 Control part 5B Light emitting device

Claims (2)

[Claims] A display means for indicating an operation state; a light emitting means for illuminating the display means; a detection means for detecting a microscope observer present within a predetermined distance range for focusing or observation; An optical microscope apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls the light emitting unit based on a signal output by the detection unit. 2. The control means comprises a time delay means,
2. The optical microscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the optical microscope apparatus is configured to operate only when the detection means continuously detects for a predetermined time.