WO2021215010A1 - Control method, program, and control device - Google Patents

Control method, program, and control device Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2021215010A1
WO2021215010A1 PCT/JP2020/017852 JP2020017852W WO2021215010A1 WO 2021215010 A1 WO2021215010 A1 WO 2021215010A1 JP 2020017852 W JP2020017852 W JP 2020017852W WO 2021215010 A1 WO2021215010 A1 WO 2021215010A1
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WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
information
condition
microscope
arrangement
observation
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PCT/JP2020/017852
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French (fr)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
佐々木　豊
高橋　秀夫
マルティン リフテンベルク
ペトゥル リーシュカ
ヨハナ トゥロヤノヴァ
ローマン セドラク
ミロスラフ スヴォボダ
ペトゥル チーヴィス
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株式会社ニコン
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Priority to PCT/JP2020/017852 priority Critical patent/WO2021215010A1/en
Publication of WO2021215010A1 publication Critical patent/WO2021215010A1/en

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B21/00—Microscopes

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a control method, a program and a control device.
  • Patent Document 1 There is a microscope device in which a plurality of devices are attached to the main body of the microscope to observe various microscopes (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Since there are many combinations of how to use the plurality of devices, it is desired to use them under conditions suitable for desired microscopic observation.
  • Patent Document 1 US Pat. No. 6,075,643
  • control method which is an information acquisition step of acquiring information for specifying a device used in a microscope and information indicating the arrangement of the device in the microscope, and information for specifying the device. It also includes a condition display stage that displays candidates for the conditions of use of the microscope system, including the microscope and the device, based on a combination of information indicating the arrangement.
  • the program specifies an information acquisition step of acquiring information for identifying a device used in a microscope and information indicating the arrangement of the device in the microscope, and the device.
  • Perform a condition display step that displays candidates for the conditions of use of the microscope system, including the microscope and the device, based on a combination of information and information indicating placement.
  • an information acquisition unit that is a control device and acquires information for specifying a device used in a microscope and information indicating the arrangement of the device in the microscope, and information for specifying the device. It also includes a condition display unit that displays candidates for use conditions of the microscope system including the microscope and the device based on a combination of information indicating the arrangement.
  • the functional block of the control device 50 is shown.
  • the state transition of the control device 50 is shown.
  • the display screen 600 is shown.
  • the display screen 602 is shown.
  • the display screen 604 is shown.
  • the display screen 606 is shown.
  • the display screen 608 is shown.
  • the display screen 610 is shown.
  • the display screen 612 is shown.
  • the display screen 620 is shown.
  • the display screen 622 is shown.
  • the display screen 616 is shown.
  • the display screen 624 is shown.
  • the display screen 630 is shown.
  • the display screen 632 is shown.
  • the display screen 634 is shown.
  • the display screen 640 is shown.
  • the display screen 642 is shown.
  • the display screen 644 is shown.
  • the display screen 646 is shown.
  • the display screen 650 is shown.
  • the display screen 652 is shown.
  • An example of a computer is shown.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the control device 50 and the microscope system 20 according to the first embodiment.
  • the microscope system 20 observes the sample 210.
  • the control device 50 is connected to the microscope system 20 and controls the microscope system 20.
  • the vertically upward direction is defined as the Z direction
  • the direction orthogonal to the paper surface in the horizontal plane is defined as the X direction
  • the direction parallel to the paper surface is defined as the Y direction.
  • the control device 50 may be included in the microscope system 20.
  • the microscope system 20 includes an inverted microscope 200 (also referred to as a microscope main body of an inverted microscope) and a plurality of devices used in the inverted microscope 200.
  • the devices used in the inverted microscope 200 include a transmission light source port 202, a condenser lens 204, a differential observation prism 203, a phase difference observation ring diaphragm 205, an XY stage 206, a Z drive 208, an objective lens unit 250, and a polarizer 214.
  • the observation side optical path switching mirror 228, the right camera port 230, and the left camera port 234 are included.
  • the devices used in the inverted microscope 200 further include a transmission illumination 300, a TIRF adapter 314, a laser illumination unit 316, an LED illumination unit 324, an epi-illumination adapter 322 and a CMOS camera 330.
  • a large number of devices can be used in the microscope system 20. Further, in each device, conditions to be used when observing the sample 210 (may be simply described as "use conditions") are set.
  • This usage condition represents at least one of the state of each device in the microscope observation and the combination of the devices used for the microscope observation (details of the usage condition will be described later). Therefore, it takes time and effort for the user of the microscope system 20 to select each device and the usage conditions at the time of observation, and further, there is a possibility that the devices and usage conditions are improperly combined. Therefore, this embodiment presents the user with candidates for devices and usage conditions suitable for observation.
  • the transmission light source port 202 is a light source port for arranging a light source for transmission observation.
  • the condenser lens 204 collects light from a light source arranged in the transmission light source port 202 for transmission observation.
  • the differential observation prism 203 is a prism that is inserted and used on the optical path of the inverted microscope 200 when observing differential interference contrast. As the differential observation prism 203, for example, a Wollaston prism is used.
  • the phase-contrast observation ring diaphragm 205 is a member provided with an annular slit that is inserted and used on the optical path of the microscope system 20 for phase-contrast observation.
  • the XY stage 206 supports the sample 210 and moves in the XY direction.
  • the Z drive 208 moves the XY stage 206 in the Z direction.
  • the light focused by the condenser lens 204 is incident on the sample 210 on the XY stage.
  • the objective lens unit 250 has a rotary revolver 252 and six objective lenses 212 attached to the revolver 252. Addresses 1 to 6 are defined to identify the positions of the mounting portions for mounting the six objective lenses 212 on the revolver 252.
  • Polarizer 214 is a polarizer for differential interference contrast observation.
  • the epi-illumination upper filter turret 216 and the epi-illumination lower filter turret 218 each have one of the three filter cubes on the optical path, or none of the filter cubes in the "empty" state. do.
  • the filter cubes are arranged parallel to the Z direction to transmit the wavelength of the excitation light, a dichroic mirror arranged diagonally to the Z direction to reflect the excitation light and transmit fluorescence, and a dichroic mirror to transmit the fluorescence in the Z direction. It is provided with a vertically arranged filter that transmits the wavelength of fluorescence.
  • Addresses 1 to 4 are defined in the epi-illumination upper filter turret 216 to identify the "empty" position and the position of the three attachments to which the three filter cubes are attached. Addresses 1 to 4 are also defined in the lower filter turret 218 for epi-illumination.
  • the epi-light source upper port 220 and the epi-light source lower port 222 are light source ports for observing epi-illumination, respectively.
  • the epi-illumination upper shutter 221 switches whether to enter or block the light from the light source connected to the epi-illumination light source upper port 220.
  • the epi-illumination lower shutter 223 switches whether to enter or block the light from the light source connected to the epi-illumination light source lower port 222. More specifically, both the epi-illumination upper shutter 2211 and the epi-illumination lower shutter 223 determine whether to enter or block the light from the light source by inserting and removing an existing light-shielding member such as a metal plate on the optical path. Switch.
  • the state in which light is incident is sometimes referred to as open, and the state in which light is blocked is sometimes referred to as closed.
  • Analyzer 224 is an analyzer for differential interference contrast observation.
  • the intermediate magnification lens 226 is a variable magnification optical system that magnifies the image of the sample 210.
  • the observation side optical path switching mirror 228 switches the optical path from above (that is, the optical path from each light source) to either the right or the left (that is, the + Y direction or the ⁇ Y direction).
  • the right camera port 230 and the left camera port 234 are camera ports in which an imaging device is arranged.
  • the transmission illumination 300 is a light source used for transmission observation.
  • the TIRF adapter 314 is an optical unit used for TIRF observation.
  • TIRF is an abbreviation for Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence, and is also called total internal reflection fluorescence.
  • TIRF observes the fluorescence from the sample 210 using the evanescent light exuded by the tunnel effect on the back side of the total reflection surface such as the cover glass as an excitation light source.
  • the TIRF adapter 314 includes a drive mirror unit such as a galvano mirror that scans light from a light source in a two-dimensional direction.
  • the laser illumination unit 316 and the LED illumination unit 324 are light sources used for fluorescence observation and the like.
  • the laser illumination unit 316 includes four laser light sources 317, 318, 319, and 320 that emit four laser beams having different wavelengths from each other.
  • the LED lighting unit 324 includes four LED light sources 325, 326, 327, and 328 that emit light of four different wavelengths.
  • the epi-illumination adapter 322 is an optical unit used for epi-illumination observation.
  • the epi-illumination adapter 322 includes a field diaphragm and the like.
  • the CMOS camera 330 is an imaging device that captures an image of the sample 210 in fluorescence observation and bright field observation.
  • FIG. 2 shows a functional block of the control device 50.
  • the control device 50 is a personal computer or tablet, and operates by installing a software program or application.
  • the control device 50 has the following functional blocks.
  • the storage unit 520 contains information indicating the type of microscope such as an inverted microscope, an upright microscope, and a stereomicroscope, a device list 522 which is a list of devices that can be used for each type of microscope, and a requirement for narrowing down the usage conditions of the device. It stores a condition table 524 that defines (may be simply described as "narrowing down requirements").
  • a condition table 524 that defines (may be simply described as "narrowing down requirements").
  • the information acquisition unit 500 acquires information identifying the device used for the inverted microscope 200, information indicating the arrangement of the device, and the like from the user via an interface such as a keyboard.
  • the information acquisition unit 500 writes the acquired information in the device list 522.
  • the information that identifies the device acquired by the information acquisition unit 500 can be rephrased as information about the device or device-related information. Further, the information indicating the arrangement of the devices can be rephrased as the arrangement information of the devices.
  • the condition narrowing unit 502 narrows down the usage conditions in the device used for the inverted microscope 200 with reference to the device list 522 and the condition table 524.
  • the condition narrowing unit 502 passes the narrowed down usage conditions to the display unit 506 and the setting unit 508.
  • the display unit 506 displays the usage conditions received from the condition narrowing unit 502 on the screen as selectable candidates. In addition to the usage conditions, the display unit 506 also displays other information such as a list of available devices and observation conditions (sometimes simply referred to as “observation conditions").
  • the setting unit 508 sets the usage conditions received from the condition narrowing unit 502 in each device of the microscope system 20 when instructed by the user.
  • the setting unit 508 sets the usage conditions for the devices that can be electrically set from the control device 50 among the devices of the microscope system 20.
  • the control device 50 prompts the device that cannot be set electrically to set the usage conditions manually.
  • the devices that can be set electrically are, for example, the electric revolver when the revolver 252 is an electric revolver, the electric turret when the upper filter turret 216 for epi-illumination and the upper filter turret 216 for epi-illumination are electric turrets, and the optical path switching on the observation side.
  • the mirror 228 is an electric switching mirror
  • the electric switching mirror if the epi-illumination upper shutter 221 or epi-illumination lower shutter 223 is an electric shutter, the electric shutter, polarizer 214, analyzer 224, differential observation prism 203, phase difference observation
  • the mechanism for inserting and removing the ring diaphragm 205 into the optical path of the inverted microscope 200 is electric, it is the electric insertion / removal mechanism.
  • the epi-illumination upper shutter 221 and the epi-illumination lower shutter 223 are electric shutters
  • the observation side optical path switching mirror 228 is an electric switching mirror
  • the polarizer 214, the analyzer 224, the differential observation prism 203, and the phase difference observation is electric.
  • the mechanism for inserting and removing the ring diaphragm 205 into the optical path of the inverted microscope 200 is electric.
  • the list includes a list of devices used in the inverted microscope 200 in advance.
  • the device list 522 in FIG. 3 is an example of a device provided outside the inverted microscope 200.
  • the device list 522 in FIG. 4 is an example of a device provided on the inverted microscope 200 itself.
  • the list also lists possible arrangements of the device in the inverted microscope 200 in association with each device.
  • the device of the device list 522 of FIGS. 3 and 4 is an example, and the device of the device list 522 of FIG. 3 may be provided on the inverted microscope 200 itself, or the device of the device list 522 of FIG. 4 is inverted. It may be provided outside the microscope 200.
  • CMOS camera is listed in the list, and a left camera port and a right camera port are listed as possible arrangements for the device.
  • a laser illumination unit is mentioned as another device in the list, and possible arrangements for the device include an epi-light source upper port and an epi-light source lower port.
  • the device list 522 of FIG. 3 has a "selection + placement" column for storing information on the presence / absence of selection of the device and the selected arrangement in association with each device.
  • selection + arrangement when information for specifying the device to be used is acquired from the user by the information acquisition unit 500, that fact is recorded, and when information indicating the arrangement of the device is acquired. That is recorded.
  • the device list 522 records the case where the device is selected and the arrangement is also selected, and the case where the device is selected but the arrangement is not selected.
  • the CMOS camera in response to the acquisition of information indicating that the CMOS camera is attached to the right camera port from the user, it is arranged in the "selection + arrangement" column in association with the device "CMOS camera".
  • Information indicating "right camera port” is recorded.
  • the column of "selection + arrangement” is associated with the device.
  • Information (information not shown) indicating that the selection has been made but the arrangement is undecided is recorded.
  • the "arrangement” includes the case where the spatial positional relationship between the microscope main body and the device is indicated and the case where the optical connection relationship is indicated. Further, in any case, it can be said that the device is arranged in the microscope main body even when another device is interposed between the microscope main body and the device.
  • the transmission light source 300 of FIG. 1 is arranged in the transmission light source port 202 from the viewpoint that it is located above the transmission light source port 202, and the light from the transmission light source 300 can be said to be arranged in the transmission light source port 202.
  • the light source port 202 is arranged for transmission from the viewpoint that it is optically connected so as to be incident on the 202.
  • the LED lighting unit 324 of FIG. 1 is spatially separated from the epi-illumination adapter 322 but is connected via an optical fiber, and the LED is viewed from the viewpoint that the light of the LED illumination unit 324 is incident on the epi-illumination adapter 322. It can be said that the lighting unit 324 is arranged on the epi-illumination adapter 322. Further, since the epi-illumination adapter 322 is physically directly connected to the epi-illumination light source lower port 222, the LED lighting unit 324 is arranged at the epi-illumination light source lower port 222 via the epi-illumination adapter 322. I can say.
  • the COMS camera, the CCD camera, and the confocal unit have a common function of capturing an image of the sample 210, and are grouped together as an imaging device.
  • the laser lighting unit, the SIM laser lighting unit, the cofocal laser lighting unit, the halogen lamp, and the LED lighting unit have a common function of emitting light, and are grouped as a light source.
  • the device list 522 of FIG. 3 includes devices such as the CMOS camera 330 illustrated in the inverted microscope 200 of FIG. 1 and other devices that can be used in the inverted microscope 200.
  • the STORM unit in the device list 522 in FIG. 3 is an optical unit used for STORM observation.
  • STORM is an abbreviation for STochastic Optical Reconstruction Microscopy and is a type of localization method.
  • STORM probabilistically excites fluorescent molecules to obtain a plurality of fluorescent images, and superimposes the position information of each fluorescent dye molecule detected from the fluorescent images to reconstruct one high-resolution fluorescent image. It is a method of observation.
  • the STORM unit includes a drive mirror unit such as a galvano mirror that scans light from a light source in a two-dimensional direction.
  • the SIM unit in the device list 522 in FIG. 3 is an optical unit used for SIM observation.
  • SIM is an abbreviation for Structured Illumination Microscopy and is also called structured illumination microscopy.
  • SIM is an observation method that reads moire fringes generated from striped illumination and restores the structure of the specimen by image processing.
  • the SIM unit includes an intensity conversion element such as a diffraction grating that converts the spatial intensity distribution of light from a light source into a predetermined intensity distribution.
  • a transmission light source port In the device list 522 of FIG. 4, a transmission light source port, a field diaphragm, and the like are listed. Furthermore, those that have common functions for each user are summarized. For example, the transmission light source port, the epi-illumination light source upper port, and the epi-illumination light source lower port have a common function of attaching a light source, and are grouped as a light source port.
  • the field diaphragm is a diaphragm for limiting the illumination light to the observation range of the sample.
  • the aperture diaphragm is a diaphragm that adjusts the numerical aperture of the illumination light.
  • FIG. 5 is a condition table 524 of the objective lens unit.
  • the condition table 524 lists all the usage conditions that can be set in the target device in association with the target device in which the usage conditions are narrowed down. In the condition table 524 of FIG. 5, these objective lenses are specified in the column of "all possible usage conditions" corresponding to the target device "objective lens unit” being a revolver type holding six objective lenses. Addresses 1 to 6 are listed. What each of the objective lenses of addresses 1 to 6 shows is shown in FIG. 5 as a separate table. It is listed as a separate table for convenience of illustration only.
  • the attached table stores information on whether or not the objective lens at that address can be used under the observation conditions.
  • the objective lens at address 1 is used for bright-field observation
  • the objective lens at address 2 is used for both bright-field observation and phase difference observation.
  • Information indicating whether or not the usage conditions can be set electrically based on the drive signal from the control device 50 is also stored in the "Electric setting possible / impossible" column.
  • information indicating "possible” is stored, and when the device cannot be set electrically, information indicating "impossible” is stored.
  • the objective lens unit stores information indicating "impossible” in response to the fact that the objective lens unit cannot be electrically set by the control device 50.
  • the condition table 524 stores "restriction requirements" and “candidates for usage conditions” narrowed down by specific conditions among all possible usage conditions. ..
  • FIG. 6 is also an example of the condition table 524, which is a table of an analyzer, a polarizer, a prism for differential observation, a condenser lens, a ring diaphragm for phase difference observation, an upper shutter for epi-illumination, and a lower shutter for epi-illumination.
  • "in” and “out” are stored as all possible usage conditions for the target device "analyzer”.
  • “in” means inserting the analyzer into the optical path of the microscope system 20
  • “out” means retracting the analyzer out of the optical path of the microscope system 20.
  • information indicating that the electric setting is possible is stored in the "electric setting possible / impossible" column.
  • condition table 524 of FIGS. 7 to 9 is also provided with columns for "target device”, “all possible usage conditions”, “electric setting possible / impossible”, “narrowing requirements”, and “candidate usage conditions”. , The illustrated information is stored.
  • DAPI DAPI
  • FITC FITC
  • TRITC fluorescent dyes, respectively.
  • the excitation wavelength of DAPI is around 345 nm, and the wavelength of fluorescence generated as a result of excitation is around 455 nm.
  • the wavelength of fluorescence to be detected is hereinafter referred to as a detection wavelength. Therefore, the detection wavelength of DAPI is around 455 nm.
  • the excitation wavelength of FITC is around 488 nm, and the detection wavelength is around 530 nm.
  • the excitation wavelength of TRITC is around 543 nm, and the detection wavelength is around 580 nm. Therefore, in the condition table 524 of FIG.
  • address 2 filter cube for DAPI
  • the filter cube specified by address 2 is suitable for the excitation wavelength and the detection wavelength of DAPI. .. That is, the filter cube at address 2 reflects light in the vicinity of 345 nm, which is the excitation wavelength of DAPI, and transmits fluorescence in the vicinity of the detection wavelength of 455 nm from DAPI.
  • the usage conditions of the condition tables 524 of FIGS. 5 to 9 all define the state in which the target device for microscopic observation is used depending on the narrowing conditions.
  • FIG. 10 shows the state transition of the control device 50.
  • the state shifts to the state of selecting the microscope (S10).
  • the state shifts to one of a state of selecting the device (S11), a state of selecting observation conditions (S16), and a state of narrowing down and displaying the usage conditions (S12) according to the instruction of the user.
  • S12 includes a state in which the usage conditions are narrowed down as described later but not necessarily displayed. From S12, in addition to the states of S11 and S16, the state of selecting the arrangement (S14), the state of selecting the usage conditions (S18), and returning from them are performed.
  • the state of S12 can be changed to the setting state (S22).
  • the setting state (S22) shifts to the end selection state (S26) or the warning state (S24). From the warning state (S24) and the state of selecting the end (S26), it is possible to return to the state of S12.
  • end is selected in the state of S26, the operation ends.
  • the solid line arrow mainly indicates that the control device 50 automatically shifts the state.
  • the broken line arrow indicates that the state is changed mainly according to the instruction of the user.
  • the state transition in FIG. 10 is the execution of the control method by the control device 50.
  • FIG. 11 to 20 show an example of a display screen of the display unit 506 when the control device 50 operates while performing the state transition shown in FIG.
  • FIG. 11 is a display screen 600 in a state where a microscope is selected (S10).
  • FIGS. 11 to 20 show an example in which a single light source and a single imaging device are attached to an inverted microscope to observe epi-fluorescence.
  • the selection display field 400 is displayed on the upper left of the display screen 600.
  • the microscope type bar 402 the device used bar 406, the used condition bar 408, and the observation condition bar 412 are displayed in order from the top.
  • the characters "microscope type” are displayed on the microscope type bar 402 of the display screen 600.
  • the condition narrowing unit 502 displays the list of microscopes on the display unit 506. ..
  • Information on the microscope that can be identified by the user is stored in advance in the storage unit 520.
  • the condition narrowing-down unit 502 reads out “inverted microscope, upright microscope, and stereomicroscope” as information on the type of microscope stored in the storage unit 520 in advance and passes it to the display unit 506.
  • the display unit 506 displays a list of the microscopes in the microscope selection field 403.
  • a black-painted triangle symbol is displayed from the microscope type bar 402 to the microscope selection column 403. This makes it easy to visually understand that the display in the microscope selection field 403 is a specific list of "microscopes to be used" described in the microscope type bar 402.
  • the information acquisition unit 500 of the control device 50 receives the selection of the microscope displayed in the microscope selection field 403 from the user.
  • the information acquisition unit 500 accepts the selection of the microscope by using a method such as selection by the arrow keys on the keyboard, determination by the enter key, or double-clicking by the mouse.
  • FIG. 12 shows an example of the display screen 602 after the microscope is selected.
  • the selected inverted microscope 700 image of the microscope main body of the inverted microscope
  • the device as an entity and the information for identifying the device in the control device 50 will be described with the same device name.
  • the information that identifies the device includes a character string of the name of the device, an image showing the device on the display screen, and the like.
  • the reference numbers in the 200s and 300s mainly refer to the device as an entity
  • the reference numbers in the 700s and 800s, which are 500 added to them refer to the information that identifies the corresponding device. Therefore, the inverted microscope 700 of FIG. 12 is an image as information for identifying the inverted microscope 200 of the microscope 20 system in FIG. 1 as an entity.
  • the condition setting button 430 is displayed in the lower right.
  • the microscope type display field 404 immediately below the microscope type bar 402 of the display screen 602 the characters "inverted microscope” are displayed corresponding to the selected inverted microscope 700.
  • FIG. 13 is a display screen 604 in the state of selecting the device (S11).
  • FIG. 13 is displayed when the user selects the use device bar 406 from the state of FIG.
  • the condition narrowing unit 502 displays a list of devices on the display unit 506.
  • the condition narrowing-down unit 502 reads out the devices listed in the device list 522 and passes them to the display unit 506.
  • the display unit 506 displays the device in the device selection field 414.
  • the devices summarized in the device list 522 are continuously displayed vertically, and a delimiter "---" is shown between the devices and the other devices.
  • the CMOS camera, the CCD camera, and the confocal camera are grouped as an image pickup device in the device list 522 of FIG. 3, and are therefore displayed continuously vertically.
  • the laser illumination unit is not an imaging device, a delimiter "---" is shown between it and the confocal camera.
  • FIG. 13 further shows a state in which the "CMOS camera” is specified from the device selection field 414.
  • the specific method is that the "CMOS camera" in the device selection field 414 is specified by the cursor or the arrow keys, and the enter key is pressed or double-clicked.
  • information that identifies the device is acquired by the information acquisition unit 500.
  • the information for identifying the device is selectably displayed in the device used selection field 414.
  • the CMOS camera 830 is displayed on the upper right of the inverted microscope 700 by selecting from the device selection field 414. Further, the characters "CMOS camera 830" are displayed in the used device display field 416 immediately below the used device bar 406. As a result, the user can easily recognize that the CMOS camera 830 has been identified.
  • the information acquisition unit 500 writes information indicating that the CMOS camera has been selected in the device list 522. Since the arrangement of the CMOS camera 830 is not determined in the state of FIG. 13, information indicating that the arrangement is undecided is written in the “selection + arrangement” column of the CMOS camera in the device list 522 of FIG.
  • FIG. 14 is a display screen 606 in a state (S14) in which the arrangement of the devices is selected.
  • FIG. 14 shows a state in which the LED lighting unit 824 and the epi-illumination adapter 822 are also selected as the devices to be used further from the state of FIG.
  • the LED lighting unit 824 and the epi-illumination adapter 822 are selected by a method similar to the method described with reference to FIG. Corresponding to these selections, the LED lighting unit 824 and the epi-illumination adapter 822 are displayed in the upper right corner of the inverted microscope 700. Further, the characters “LED lighting unit 824" and "eclipse adapter 822" are displayed in the used device display field 416.
  • FIG. 14 further shows a state in which the user has specified the CMOS camera 830 in order to select the arrangement of the CMOS camera 830.
  • the designated method is such that the user moves the cursor on the image of the CMOS camera 830 and single-clicks the image.
  • the acceptance of the designation is indicated by displaying the outer frame of the image of the CMOS camera 830 thickly on the display screen 606.
  • the condition narrowing unit 502 reads out the arrangement possible for the device in the device list 522 and displays it on the display unit 506.
  • the left camera port and the right camera port are stored as possible arrangements in the CMOS camera in the device list 522 of FIG. 3, in FIG. 14, in the vicinity of the left camera port 734 and the right camera port 730, By displaying the serial numbers "(1)” and "(2)", it is visually indicated that the serial numbers can be arranged in either of the two locations.
  • Information indicating the arrangement of the CMOS camera 830 is acquired by the information acquisition unit 500 by designating a serial number, dragging and dropping the image of the CMOS camera 830 to each camera port, or the like. This is an example in which the information indicating the arrangement of the devices (in other words, the arrangement information of the devices) is acquired by the information acquisition unit 500. Further, it can be said that the information indicating the arrangement is selectively displayed on the display screen 606.
  • the information acquisition unit 500 writes the acquired arrangement in the "selection + arrangement” column of the device list 522.
  • the information acquisition unit 500 overwrites the “selection + arrangement” column with the “right camera port”.
  • FIG. 15 is a display screen 608 in a state (S12) in which the usage conditions are narrowed down and displayed.
  • FIG. 15 shows a state in which the arrangement of the LED lighting unit 824 and the epi-illumination adapter 822 is also selected from the state of FIG.
  • the arrangement of the LED lighting unit 824 and the epi-illumination adapter 822 is selected by the same method as that described with reference to FIG.
  • the epi-illumination adapter 822 is connected to the epi-illumination light source bottom port 722, and the LED lighting unit 824 is connected to the epi-illumination adapter 822 via an optical fiber.
  • the LED lighting unit 824 is indirectly arranged at the epi-illumination light source bottom port 722 via the epi-illumination adapter 822 and the optical fiber.
  • the CMOS camera 830 is shown in a state of being arranged in the right camera port 730 corresponding to the selection of the right camera port 730 in the state of FIG.
  • FIG. 15 further shows a state in which the usage condition bar 408 is selected.
  • the condition narrowing unit 502 narrows down the usage conditions by referring to both the device list 522 and the condition table 524, and displays them on the display unit 506.
  • a black-painted triangle symbol is displayed from the usage condition bar 408 to the usage condition selection field 420.
  • the display of the usage condition selection field 420 is a specific list of "use conditions" described in the usage condition bar 408.
  • the target device and usage conditions stored in the condition table 524 are displayed in the usage condition selection field 420.
  • the underline indicates that the usage conditions are narrowed down, in other words, candidates for usage conditions. That is, the conditions of use indicated by the underline are the device specified earlier and the arrangement of the device (in the above example, the specified inverted microscope 700, CMOS camera 830, LED lighting unit 824, and epi-illumination adapter 822. It is a condition of use (that is, a condition of use) of each device narrowed down by their arrangement). In other words, it indicates that the operating conditions are suitable for observation in the device specified above and the arrangement of the device. On the other hand, the eraser indicates that the condition is out of the narrowing down condition.
  • the usage conditions in which the erased lines are displayed are the usage conditions of the devices specified above and the usage conditions of each device that cannot be used due to the arrangement of the devices. In other words, it indicates that the device specified above and the arrangement of the device are not suitable for observation.
  • the user can select a desired condition from the candidates for the usage condition displayed in the usage condition selection field 420 by key operation or mouse operation (S18).
  • the "objective lens unit 750" as the target device and the addresses "1", “2", and “3" as the usage conditions are displayed with a eraser immediately below the target device.
  • the addresses "4", "5", and "6" are underlined.
  • the condition narrowing unit 502 refers to the column of "narrowing requirement" in the objective lens unit 750 of the condition table 524.
  • the "narrowing requirement" of the objective lens unit includes the selection of the light source port. Therefore, the condition narrowing unit 502 searches for the selected light source port in the device list 522. Since the LED lighting unit 824 is indirectly arranged at the epi-light source lower port 722 in FIG. 15, the epi-light source lower port 722 is extracted as the selected light source port in the device list 522.
  • the candidates for usage conditions are narrowed down based on the combination of the device called “LED lighting unit” and the arrangement of "port under the light source for epi-illumination".
  • the LED lighting unit 824 is selected as the light source and is connected to the epi-illumination light source lower port 722 via the epi-illumination adapter 822.
  • transmitted illumination is not selected as the light source. Therefore, since it is assumed that the observation is neither bright field, phase contrast, or differential interference contrast, which is transmission observation, the objective lenses at addresses 1, 2, and 3 used for bright field, phase contrast, and differential interference contrast are not used. Is not a candidate for usage conditions.
  • the objective lens is an example of an optical member arranged on the optical path of the microscope system 20
  • the type of the objective lens is an example of the usage conditions of the microscope system 20
  • the type of the objective lens is used in FIG. It is an example determined by.
  • the epi-illumination adapter 822 is an example of an optical member, and therefore FIG. 15 displays candidates for conditions of use of the microscope system 20 based on a combination of information identifying the optical member and information indicating the arrangement of the optical member. It is an example.
  • the usage conditions of the analyzer 724, the epi-illumination upper shutter 721, the epi-illumination lower shutter 723, the epi-illumination upper filter turret 716, the epi-illumination lower filter turret 718, and the observation side optical path switching mirror 728 are also narrowed down.
  • the narrowed down usage conditions are displayed in the usage condition selection field 420 as candidates for the usage conditions.
  • the usage conditions of the upper filter turret 716 for epi-illumination and the lower filter turret 718 for epi-illumination are narrowed down with those selections as direct narrowing requirements. ing.
  • the usage conditions are narrowed down in a chain reaction to the user's selection as follows.
  • the "lighting unit” narrows down the candidates for the usage conditions of the objective lens unit 750 to "addresses 4, 5, and 6".
  • the candidates for the usage conditions of the objective lens unit 750 are narrowed down to "addresses 4, 5, and 6”
  • Candidates for the conditions of use of the analyzer 724 are narrowed down to "out”.
  • the candidate for the usage condition of the objective lens unit 750 is also the narrowing requirement of the analyzer 724.
  • the types of the optical members include a polarizer, a prism for differential interference contrast, and a ring diaphragm for phase contrast observation.
  • the light deflection direction in the microscope system 20 is an example of the usage conditions of the microscope system 20
  • FIG. 15 shows an example in which the light deflection direction is determined by the direction of the observation side optical path switching mirror 728.
  • the CMOS camera 830 is an example of an imaging device, and therefore FIG. 15 is an example of displaying candidates for usage conditions of the microscope system 20 based on a combination of information identifying the imaging device and information indicating the arrangement of the imaging device. ing.
  • the excitation wavelength which is the usage condition of the LED lighting unit 824, has not been narrowed down at all.
  • the narrowing requirement of the LED lighting unit 824 in the condition table 524 is to specify the address of the "corresponding" filter turret, that is, the lower filter turret 718 for epi-illumination in this example, but in the state of FIG. 15, the above This is because the address of the lower filter turret 718 for street shots has not yet been identified.
  • the image displayed on the screen will be changed based on the narrowed down usage conditions.
  • the display screen 606 shows a white square frame representing "sky" as the initial state.
  • the lower filter turret 718 for epi-illumination uses a filter cube other than "empty", that is, any of "addresses 2, 3, and 4".
  • the display screen 608 of FIG. 15 is used. Shows an image that mimics a filter cube, showing that one of the filter cubes is used.
  • candidates for usage conditions are narrowed down and displayed based on the devices and their arrangements. This makes it possible to present to the user suitable usage conditions, that is, candidates for usage conditions in each device of the microscope in the current state. Furthermore, since the conditions of use are narrowed down, the number of choices of conditions of use is reduced, which simplifies the selection of the user. In other words, it is possible to reduce the time and effort required for the user to set the microscope. Furthermore, since the usage conditions that are not suitable for observation are excluded from the candidates, it is possible to suppress the mistake of selecting the usage conditions that are not suitable for observation. In other words, it is possible to prevent the user from misusing the microscope.
  • the display of the usage condition selection field 420 by selecting the usage condition bar 408 presents the usage conditions to the user on the screen, and the automatic setting by the setting unit 508 has not yet been performed.
  • FIG. 16 is a display screen 610 in a state (S16) in which observation conditions are selected.
  • FIG. 16 shows a state in which the observation condition bar 412 is selected after the CMOS camera 830 is arranged in the right camera port 730 from the state of FIG. 13 as an example.
  • the CMOS camera 830 is selected and the arrangement is determined in FIG. 16, but none of the devices may be selected prior to the selection of the observation conditions, and the devices are selected. However, the arrangement may not be decided.
  • the condition narrowing unit 502 causes the display unit 506 to display the observation conditions that can be observed by the inverted microscope 700.
  • the observation conditions that can be observed with the inverted microscope 700 are stored in the apparatus list 522 in advance.
  • the condition narrowing unit 502 reads out the observation conditions from the device list 522 and passes them to the display unit 506.
  • the display unit 506 displays the observation condition in the observation condition selection field 422.
  • FIG. 16 also shows a state in which "fluorescence" is selected from the six observation conditions displayed in the observation condition selection field 422.
  • "fluorescence" in the observation condition selection field 422 is specified by a cursor or an arrow key, and the enter key is pressed or double-clicked.
  • the information acquisition unit 500 accepts the input of the observation conditions. It can be said that the information for specifying the observation condition is selectively displayed in the observation condition selection field 422.
  • the character "fluorescence" is displayed in the observation condition display field 424 immediately below the observation condition bar 412. This allows the user to easily recognize that fluorescence observation has been selected.
  • FIG. 17 is a display screen 612 in a state (S12) in which the usage conditions are narrowed down and displayed again.
  • FIG. 17 shows a state in which the usage condition bar 408 is selected again from the state of FIG.
  • the usage conditions narrowed down based on the observation conditions selected in FIG. 16 are displayed.
  • the usage conditions of the objective lens unit 750 are narrowed down to "addresses 4, 5, and 6".
  • the usage conditions of the polarizer, the prism for differential observation, and the ring diaphragm for phase difference observation are all narrowed down to "out”. Since the analyzer, polarizer, and prism for differential observation are all used for differential interference contrast observation and not for fluorescence observation, they will not be used because fluorescence observation is selected as the observation condition. Is also "out”. Further, although the phase difference observation ring is used for phase difference observation, it is not used for fluorescence observation. Therefore, similarly, since fluorescence observation is selected as the observation condition, it is not used, and the use condition. Becomes "out”.
  • the usage conditions are narrowed down based on the devices, the arrangements, and the observation conditions. Is displayed. Thereby, suitable usage conditions for each device of the microscope in that state, that is, candidates for usage conditions can be presented to the user.
  • FIG. 18 is a display screen 620 in a state (S18) in which the user selects usage conditions.
  • FIG. 18 shows a state in which the LED lighting unit 824 in the usage condition selection field 420 is selected from the state of FIG.
  • the usage condition selection field 420 four excitation wavelengths are displayed corresponding to "all possible usage conditions" in the condition table 524 of the LED lighting unit 824 of FIG.
  • FIG. 18 further shows a state in which “470” (nm) is selected from the four excitation wavelengths.
  • the selection method and the indication that the selection has been made are as described with reference to FIG. 15 and the like.
  • the selection of the excitation wavelength "470" in the LED lighting unit 824 satisfies the narrowing requirements of other devices, for example, the epi-illumination lower filter turret 718, and the conditions for using the epi-illumination lower filter turret 718. Candidates are narrowed down.
  • FIG. 15 there are three candidates for the usage conditions of the lower filter turret for epi-illumination 718, "addresses 2, 3, and 4.”
  • the filter cube is an example of an optical member arranged on the optical path of the microscope system 20
  • the type of the filter cube is an example of the usage conditions of the microscope system 20
  • the type of the filter cube is the light source.
  • This is an example determined by the excitation wavelength of.
  • Each type of filter cube has a unique transmission wavelength and reflection wavelength.
  • the reflection wavelength is designed to reflect light of the excitation wavelength of the light source. Therefore, the fact that the type of filter cube is determined by the excitation wavelength of the light source means that the type of filter cube is determined by the reflection wavelength.
  • FIG. 19 is another display screen 622 in the state (S18) in which the user selects the usage conditions.
  • FIG. 19 shows a state in which the lower filter turret 718 for epi-illumination in the use condition selection field 420 is selected from the state of FIG.
  • FIG. 19 further shows a state in which "address 3", that is, "filter cube for FITC” is selected from the four addresses.
  • the selection method and the indication that the selection has been made are as described with reference to FIG. 15 and the like.
  • one usage condition is a narrowing requirement for the other. Therefore, by selecting the usage conditions of one of the devices, it is possible to narrow down the candidates for the usage conditions that are suitable combinations for the other device.
  • FIG. 20 is a display screen 616 in a state (S22) in which usage conditions are set.
  • FIG. 20 shows a state in which the condition setting button 430 is pressed down in a state in which the candidates for the usage conditions of each device are further narrowed down from the state of FIG. 18 as an example.
  • the fact that the condition setting button 430 is pressed down is displayed on the display screen 616 because the outer frame of the condition setting button 430 is thickened.
  • condition narrowing unit 502 refers to the device list 522 and the condition table 524, and passes the usage conditions of each device narrowed down in the current state to the setting unit 508.
  • the condition narrowing unit 502 also passes information indicating whether or not the usage conditions of each device can be electrically set to the setting unit 508.
  • the display unit 506 displays the usage conditions of each device in the current state in the usage condition selection field 420.
  • the display unit 506 distinguishes between a device that can be electrically set by the setting unit 508 and a device that the user physically operates, that is, manually sets the device.
  • the setting unit 508 outputs the setting information for setting the device to the inverted microscope 200 when there is only one usage condition for the device that can be set electrically. As a result, the usage conditions are automatically set for the device in the inverted microscope 200.
  • the usage conditions suitable for observation for the user are narrowed down by narrowing down the usage conditions of each device at the time of observation based on the devices used in the inverted microscope 200 and their arrangement. Can be presented. Further, by narrowing down the usage conditions of each device at the time of observation based on the observation conditions, it is possible to present the user with candidates for the usage conditions more suitable for the observation. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the time and effort required for the user to set the microscope. In addition, it is possible to prevent the user from misusing the microscope.
  • condition narrowing unit 502 narrows down the usage conditions each time the information is acquired by the information acquisition unit 500. Therefore, even when shifting from the state of selecting the device of FIG. 13 (S11) to the state of selecting the arrangement of the device of FIG. 14 (S14), if the device is selected in S11, the condition narrowing-down unit 502 is displayed. Narrow down the conditions of use regardless of the presence or absence. Therefore, even when shifting from S11 to S14, it can be said that the vehicle has passed through a state (S12) in which the usage conditions are narrowed down although it is not displayed.
  • a list of microscopes that can be selected in the example of FIG. 11 is displayed as characters in the microscope selection field 403.
  • an image imitating a selectable microscope may be displayed on the display unit 506, and the microscope may be selected by accepting the selection of the image.
  • the possible arrangement is displayed on the display unit 506.
  • the camera ports that can be arranged may be emphasized and displayed at the timing when the image of the CMOS camera 830 is dragged.
  • the differential interference prism, the condenser lens, and the ring aperture for phase contrast observation have been described in a form in which they are in / out.
  • a DIC prism, a condenser lens and a phase-contrast observation ring diaphragm may be attached to the turret and the conditions of use may be selected from empty, DIC prism, condenser lens and phase-contrast observation ring diaphragm.
  • FIG. 21 is a modified example of the screen display in the first embodiment.
  • a warning is displayed when the usage conditions conflict.
  • the candidates for the usage condition of the lower filter turret 718 for epi-illumination are narrowed down to "address 3" as described in FIG.
  • the lower filter for epi-illumination Terms of use conflict for turret 718 conflicting of usage conditions means that the usage conditions narrowed down from a certain narrowing requirement and the other usage conditions narrowed down from other narrowing requirements cannot be used at the same time for a specific device. It can be said that. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 21, the user can be alerted by displaying on the display screen 624 that a conflict has occurred.
  • FIG. 22 is a further modification of the screen display in the first embodiment.
  • FIG. 22 shows a display screen 630 in a state in which the objective lens unit 750 is selected from the state of FIG.
  • candidates for the usage conditions of the objective lens unit 750 are visually displayed in the image 631. That is, among the candidates for the usage conditions, the objective lens at address 4 has a magnification of 10 times, the objective lens at address 5 has a magnification of 20 times, and the objective lens at address 6 has a magnification of 40 times.
  • the address and the enlargement ratio are associated with the image 631 and are represented by characters. Further, the field of view of the objective lens at each address with respect to the sample 210 is schematically shown by concentric circles. This makes it possible to present the performance of each objective lens to the user in an easy-to-understand manner and facilitate the selection of the user.
  • the type of the objective lens is determined by the magnification, and the type of the objective lens as an optical member to be arranged on the optical path of the microscope system 20, which is an example of the usage conditions of the microscope system 20, is narrowed down. It is an example.
  • FIG. 23 is another modification of the screen display in the first embodiment.
  • FIG. 23 shows a display screen 632 in a state in which the used device bar 406 is selected from the state of FIG.
  • the devices listed in the device list 522 of FIG. 3 are displayed, but if there is a name summarized as having a common function in the device list 522, It is used.
  • the characters "imaging device” are displayed in the used device selection field 440 corresponding to the fact that the CMOS camera, the CCD camera, and the confocal unit are grouped as an imaging device.
  • it is surrounded by a square frame to indicate that "display device" is a collective name for a plurality of devices.
  • the display screen 632 also shows a state in which the "imaging device” in the device selection field 440 to be used is selected.
  • the characters “CMOS camera”, “CCD camera” and “confocal unit”, which are grouped as “imaging device” are displayed in the used device selection field 442. Has been done.
  • the devices having a common function are collectively displayed, so that the list of the devices used selection field 440 is shortened and easy to see. Furthermore, since the devices to be used can be selected hierarchically, it is easy to find the target device.
  • FIG. 24 is an example in which another device is selected in the first embodiment. More specifically, it is an example of transmission observation using transmission illumination 800.
  • FIG. 24 shows a display screen 634 in a state in which the transmission illumination 800 is selected instead of selecting the LED illumination unit 824 as in FIG. 14 from the state of FIG.
  • FIG. 24 is a state in which the transmission illumination 800 is further arranged in the transmission light source port 702.
  • the candidates for the usage conditions are narrowed down to "sky” because the transmission illumination 800 is arranged in the transmission light source port 702, and it is assumed that transmission observation is performed in a bright field. Therefore, the transmission illumination 800 to the right camera This is because it is not preferable to arrange a filter cube that reflects or transmits a specific wavelength in the optical path to the CMOS camera 830 arranged at the port 730.
  • FIG. 24 is an example in which candidates for usage conditions of the microscope system 20 based on a combination of information for identifying the light source and information indicating the arrangement of the light source are displayed. ing.
  • FIGS. 25 to 28 are still another example of the first embodiment. More specifically, FIGS. 25 to 28 are examples in which two light sources and two imaging devices are attached, and epi-fluorescence observation and bright-field transmission observation are possible.
  • a plurality of optical paths are assumed in the microscope by arranging the light sources in the two light source ports and arranging the image pickup devices in the two camera ports. The optical path is displayed as a candidate for usage conditions.
  • FIG. 25 is a display screen 640 in a state where the transmission light 800 is arranged in the transmission light source port 702 and the LED lighting unit 824 is connected to the epi-illumination light source lower port 722 via the epi-illumination adapter 822.
  • the display screen 640 is further in a state in which the CMOS camera 830 is connected to the right camera port 730 and the CMOS camera 831 is connected to the left camera port 734.
  • FIG. 26 is a display screen 642 in a state in which the usage condition bar 408 is selected from the state of FIG. 25.
  • the usage condition selection field 446 of the display screen 642 in addition to the list of devices and usage conditions displayed in the usage condition selection field 420 of FIG. 15, the characters of the optical path, the number of the optical path, and the legend of the line indicating the optical path are displayed. Will be done.
  • the optical path is a path through which light passes when observing the sample 710, and includes a path in which the light from the light source irradiates the sample 710 and a path in which the light from the sample 710 is incident on the imaging device or the detector.
  • the condition narrowing unit 502 identifies the light source port to which the light source is connected and the camera port to which the image pickup device or detector is connected with reference to the device list 522.
  • the condition narrowing unit 502 calculates possible optical path candidates from the specified light source port and camera port.
  • four optical path candidates are calculated with two light source ports and two camera ports. More specifically, the following four optical paths are calculated: “via the transmission light source port and the left camera port” (optical path 1), “via the epi-illumination lower light source port and the right camera port” (optical path 2),. “Via through the transmission light source port and the right camera port” (optical path 3) and “via the epi-illumination lower light source port and the left camera port” (optical path 4).
  • the optical path candidates are calculated using the light source port and the camera port, but once the optical path candidates are calculated, the optical paths including the devices connected to each port are specified. That is, the light source to the light source port and the camera port to the image pickup device are also included in the optical path.
  • the optical path in the light source unit from the selected light source to the outside of the light source unit is also included.
  • the specified optical paths 1 to 4 are displayed as candidates on the microscope image of the display screen 642 with line types that can be distinguished from each other. Further, the characters of the optical path, the number of the optical path, and the legend of the line type indicating the optical path are displayed in the usage condition selection field 446.
  • the optical path 1 is drawn with a solid line, and the optical path 2 is drawn with a broken line.
  • the optical path 1 and the optical path 2 are drawn because it is difficult to draw all the optical paths 1 to 4 on the drawing, and the optical path 3 and the optical path 4 are omitted.
  • FIG. 27 is a display screen 644 showing a state in which the optical path 1 is selected by the user from the state of FIG. 26. Since the optical path 1 is selected, the characters "optical path 1" are displayed in the device display field 416 used, and only the optical path 1 is displayed on the microscope image.
  • the optical path 1 By selecting the optical path 1 as the usage condition, the combination of the epi-illumination adapter 822, the LED lighting unit 824 and the CMOS camera 830 is used for microscopic observation, but the combination of the transmission illumination 800 and the CMOS camera 831 is not used. From this point of view, the optical path is a usage condition that represents a combination of devices used for microscopic observation.
  • the selection of the optical path is also a requirement for narrowing down other devices such as the observation side optical path switching mirror 728.
  • Candidates for the usage conditions of the side optical path switching mirror 728 are narrowed down to "right". This is because in the state of FIG. 26, since the image pickup devices are arranged in both the right camera port 730 and the left camera port 734, it is undecided whether the observation side optical path switching mirror 728 is directed to the right or the left, but the optical path. Since 1 is selected, the observation side optical path switching mirror 728 is narrowed down so as to be directed to the right so that light can be incident on the right camera port 730.
  • the plurality of optical paths are displayed in a selectable manner.
  • the optical path candidates as an example of the usage conditions of the microscope system are narrowed down and displayed from the combination of the devices used in the microscope and their arrangement. This makes it possible to present the user with an optical path suitable for the microscope in the current state. Furthermore, by letting the user select the optical path, it is possible to clarify which of the devices attached to the microscope is used for observation and which is not.
  • the optical path is narrowed down to one.
  • the optical path is also included in the optical path candidates narrowed down as an example of the usage conditions of the microscope system from the combination of the devices used in the microscope and their arrangement.
  • the displayed optical path candidates may be calculated separately from the light source port to the sample 710 and from the sample 710 to the camera port, instead of calculating based on the pair of the light source port and the camera port.
  • FIG. 28 is a display screen 646 in which the use condition bar 408 is selected after fluorescence is selected as the observation condition from the state of FIG. 26. Since it is assumed that the LED illumination unit 824 is used but the transmission illumination 800 is not used because fluorescence is selected as the observation condition, the optical path is narrowed down to the optical path 1 using the LED illumination unit 824. Thereby, when a plurality of optical paths are possible, the user can be presented with an optical path suitable for the selection by selecting a condition other than the optical path such as an observation condition.
  • the narrowing down, display, and selection by the user of the optical path candidates have been described assuming that the selection and arrangement of each device shown in FIG. 25 has already been made.
  • the narrowing down, display, and selection by the user of the optical path candidates are the examples of S12 and S18 in FIG. Therefore, the narrowing down, display, and selection by the user of the optical path candidates are performed according to the state transition of FIG. 10: device selection (S14), arrangement (14), selection of usage conditions of those devices (S18), and display (S12). Etc. may be performed in parallel.
  • the operating conditions (for example, the type of the objective lens and the type of the filter cube) of the device that is arranged on the optical path selected by the user and the usage conditions are not fixed to one are the devices. It is selected by the user in the selection of usage conditions (S18).
  • the information of only the devices arranged on the optical path selected by the user may be displayed in the used device display field 416.
  • candidates for usage conditions only for the devices arranged on the optical path may be displayed in the usage condition selection field 446.
  • FIG. 29 is a display screen 650 of a modified example of the first embodiment.
  • the device corresponding to the observation condition is displayed in a selectable manner.
  • the device list 522 of the modification is associated with information indicating whether or not the device can be used under specific observation conditions for each device.
  • FIG. 29 is a display screen 650 showing a state in which the used device bar 406 is selected from the state of FIG. 16 which is the same as that of the first embodiment in the modified example.
  • the condition narrowing-down unit 502 refers to the availability of the selected observation conditions for each device in the device list 522, and displays the device and its availability in the used device selection field 444. ..
  • the arrangement of the devices corresponding to the observation conditions may be displayed in a selectable manner.
  • the arrangement of the devices corresponding to the observation conditions is displayed in a selectable manner, information indicating whether or not the device can be used under the specific observation conditions is associated with each "possible arrangement" in the device list 522. Keep it.
  • the arrangement of the devices corresponding to the observation conditions is displayed in a selectable manner.
  • the device itself that is not suitable for the observation condition is excluded from the candidates, so that the user can more appropriately select the device suitable for microscopic observation and its usage condition.
  • FIG. 30 is a display screen 652 of a further modification of the first embodiment.
  • the device corresponding to the arrangement is displayed so as to be selectable.
  • FIG. 30 shows a display screen 652 in a state where the right camera port 730 is selected from the state of FIG.
  • a method of selecting the right camera port 730 an example in which the cursor 660 is placed on the right camera port 730 is shown.
  • the selection method is not limited to this, and arrow keys or the like may be used.
  • the device list 522 is referred to, and the device associated with the arrangement is read out and displayed on the display unit 506 so as to be selectable.
  • an imaging device such as a CMOS camera, a zoom, and a splitter are displayed in the device selection field 448 as devices associated with the device list 522 to the right camera port 730.
  • the user can select a desired device from the device candidates displayed in the device selection field 448 by key operation or mouse operation.
  • the devices that can be placed are displayed when the placement is selected first. Therefore, when the position of the port is to be decided first, a suitable device candidate is presented to the user. Can be done.
  • the type of the filter cube is determined by the reflection wavelength of the filter cubes of the epi-illumination upper filter turret 216 and the epi-illumination lower filter turret 218.
  • the transmission wavelength of the filter cube may determine the type of filter cube.
  • the filter cube is an example of a wavelength selection filter
  • a bandpass filter may be used as another example of the wavelength selection filter.
  • Bandpass filters have unique transmission wavelengths and absorption wavelengths depending on the type.
  • the type of bandpass filter is an example of the conditions of use of the microscope system and may be determined by at least one of the transmission wavelength and the absorption wavelength.
  • the type of the objective lens as the usage condition of the microscope system 20 is determined by the application and the magnification has been described.
  • the type of objective lens may be determined by the numerical aperture, focal length, working distance, and the like.
  • Applications may include drying, immersion, oil immersion and the like.
  • the control device 50 may acquire information identifying the device used in the inverted microscope 200 from the inverted microscope 200.
  • the inverted microscope 200 and the device are electrically connected so as to be able to communicate with each other, and the identification information of the device (that is, the information for identifying the device) stored in the device is transmitted from the device via the inverted microscope 200. It is transmitted to the control device 50.
  • the control device 50 when the top port 220 for the epi-illumination light source of the inverted microscope 200 and the laser illumination unit 316 are configured to be electrically connected, when the laser illumination unit 316 is connected to the port 220 on the epi-illumination light source, the user The control device 50 automatically acquires information identifying the laser illumination unit 316 without any selection.
  • the information acquisition unit 500 writes the information acquired from the inverted microscope 200 in the device list 522.
  • the condition narrowing unit 502 may refer to the device list 522 and narrow down the candidates for the use conditions assuming that the device used in the inverted microscope 200 has already been selected without requiring the user's selection.
  • the information that identifies the device acquired by the control device 50 can be rephrased as information about the device or device-related information.
  • the control device 50 may acquire information from the inverted microscope 200 that identifies where the device is located in the inverted microscope 200, in addition to the information that identifies the device used in the inverted microscope 200.
  • information indicating the connection position that is, information indicating the arrangement of the device
  • the control device 50 may acquire information from the inverted microscope 200 that identifies where the device is located in the inverted microscope 200, in addition to the information that identifies the device used in the inverted microscope 200.
  • information indicating the connection position that is, information indicating the arrangement of the device
  • Information indicating that the laser illumination unit 316 is located at the epi-light source port 220 is transmitted from the light source port 220 to the control device 50. Therefore, the control device 50 automatically acquires information indicating the arrangement of the devices without the user selecting.
  • the information acquisition unit 500 writes the information acquired from the inverted microscope 200 in the device list 522.
  • the condition narrowing unit 502 may narrow down the usage conditions by referring to the device list 522 and assuming that the device attached to the inverted microscope 200 and its arrangement have already been selected without requiring the user's selection.
  • the information indicating the arrangement of the devices acquired by the control device 50 (information acquisition unit 500) can be rephrased as the arrangement information of the devices.
  • the display on the display screens of FIGS. 11 to 30 is an example and may be another display.
  • the thick lines, erased lines, and underlines are examples based on the visibility on the drawing, and other visual effects such as blinking, shades of color, and different colors may be used.
  • control device 50 is connected to the microscope system 20 in FIG. 1, it does not have to be connected to the microscope system 20.
  • the control device 50 When the control device 50 is not connected to the microscope system 20, if the "set conditions" button described in FIG. 20 is pressed, the setting unit 508 will correspond to each usage condition when it is later connected to the microscope system 20.
  • a setting file set in the device may be created and stored in the storage unit 520.
  • the control device 50 may be a dedicated machine configured by an ASIC or the like, instead of the personal computer or tablet in which the software program or application is installed.
  • the LED lighting unit 324 is connected to the epi-illumination adapter 322 via an optical fiber in FIG. 1, it may be directly connected without the optical fiber.
  • the laser illumination unit 316 is connected to the TIRF adapter 314 via an optical fiber, it may be directly connected without the optical fiber.
  • the image is directly connected without the optical fiber, it is preferable to display the image directly connected without the optical fiber on the display screen of the control device 50.
  • the device list 522 in FIGS. 3 and 4 and the condition table 524 in FIGS. 5 to 9 may not be separated, and both may be combined into a database. It is preferable that the device list 522 and the condition table 524 are stored in the storage unit 520 in advance before use by the user. However, the content may be changed as appropriate by the user.
  • the apparatus list 522 and the condition table 524 may be provided for each microscope, or may be provided in common for a plurality of types of microscopes.
  • Various embodiments of the present invention may be described with reference to flowcharts and block diagrams, wherein the block is (1) a stage of the process in which the operation is performed or (2) a device responsible for performing the operation. May represent a section of. Specific stages and sections are implemented by dedicated circuits, programmable circuits supplied with computer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable medium, and / or processors supplied with computer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable medium. You can.
  • Dedicated circuits may include digital and / or analog hardware circuits, and may include integrated circuits (ICs) and / or discrete circuits.
  • Programmable circuits are memory elements such as logical AND, logical OR, logical XOR, logical NAND, logical NOR, and other logical operations, flip-flops, registers, field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), programmable logic arrays (PLA), etc. May include reconfigurable hardware circuits, including, etc.
  • the computer readable medium may include any tangible device capable of storing instructions executed by the appropriate device, so that the computer readable medium having the instructions stored therein is specified in a flowchart or block diagram. It will be equipped with a product that contains instructions that can be executed to create means for performing the operation. Examples of computer-readable media may include electronic storage media, magnetic storage media, optical storage media, electromagnetic storage media, semiconductor storage media, and the like.
  • Computer-readable media include floppy® disks, diskettes, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), Electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), static random access memory (SRAM), compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disc (DVD), Blu-ray (RTM) disc, memory stick, integrated A circuit card or the like may be included.
  • RAM random access memory
  • ROM read-only memory
  • EPROM or flash memory erasable programmable read-only memory
  • EEPROM Electrically erasable programmable read-only memory
  • SRAM static random access memory
  • CD-ROM compact disc read-only memory
  • DVD digital versatile disc
  • RTM Blu-ray
  • Computer-readable instructions are assembler instructions, instruction set architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine-dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state-setting data, or object-oriented programming such as Smalltalk, JAVA®, C ++, etc. Contains either source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including languages and traditional procedural programming languages such as the "C" programming language or similar programming languages. good.
  • Computer-readable instructions are applied to a general-purpose computer, a special purpose computer, or the processor or programmable circuit of another programmable data processing device, either locally or in a wide area network (WAN) such as a local area network (LAN), the Internet, etc. ) May be executed to create a means for performing the operation specified in the flowchart or block diagram.
  • WAN wide area network
  • LAN local area network
  • processors include computer processors, processing units, microprocessors, digital signal processors, controllers, microcontrollers and the like.
  • FIG. 31 shows an example of a computer 1200 in which a plurality of aspects of the present invention may be embodied in whole or in part.
  • the program installed on the computer 1200 can cause the computer 1200 to function as an operation associated with the device according to an embodiment of the present invention or as one or more sections of the device, or the operation or the one or more. Sections can be run and / or computer 1200 can be run a process according to an embodiment of the invention or a stage of such process.
  • Such a program may be run by the CPU 1212 to cause the computer 1200 to perform certain operations associated with some or all of the blocks of the flowcharts and block diagrams described herein.
  • the computer 1200 includes a CPU 1212, a RAM 1214, a graphic controller 1216, and a display device 1218, which are interconnected by a host controller 1210.
  • Computer 1200 also includes input / output units such as communication interface 1222, hard disk drive 1224, DVD-ROM drive 1226, and IC card drive, which are connected to host controller 1210 via input / output controller 1220.
  • input / output units such as communication interface 1222, hard disk drive 1224, DVD-ROM drive 1226, and IC card drive, which are connected to host controller 1210 via input / output controller 1220.
  • the computer also includes legacy input / output units such as the ROM 1230 and keyboard 1242, which are connected to the input / output controller 1220 via an input / output chip 1240.
  • the CPU 1212 operates according to the programs stored in the ROM 1230 and the RAM 1214, thereby controlling each unit.
  • the graphic controller 1216 acquires the image data generated by the CPU 1212 in a frame buffer or the like provided in the RAM 1214 or itself, so that the image data is displayed on the display device 1218.
  • the communication interface 1222 communicates with other electronic devices via the network.
  • the hard disk drive 1224 stores programs and data used by the CPU 1212 in the computer 1200.
  • the DVD-ROM drive 1226 reads the program or data from the DVD-ROM 1201 and provides the program or data to the hard disk drive 1224 via the RAM 1214.
  • the IC card drive reads the program and data from the IC card and / or writes the program and data to the IC card.
  • the ROM 1230 stores in it a boot program or the like executed by the computer 1200 at the time of activation, and / or a program depending on the hardware of the computer 1200.
  • the input / output chip 1240 may also connect various input / output units to the input / output controller 1220 via a parallel port, serial port, keyboard port, mouse port, and the like.
  • the program is provided by a computer-readable medium such as a DVD-ROM1201 or an IC card.
  • the program is read from a computer-readable medium, installed on a hard disk drive 1224, RAM 1214, or ROM 1230, which is also an example of a computer-readable medium, and executed by the CPU 1212.
  • the information processing described in these programs is read by the computer 1200 and provides a link between the program and the various types of hardware resources described above.
  • the device or method may be configured to perform manipulation or processing of information in accordance with the use of computer 1200.
  • the CPU 1212 executes a communication program loaded in the RAM 1214, and performs communication processing on the communication interface 1222 based on the processing described in the communication program. You may order.
  • the communication interface 1222 reads and reads transmission data stored in a transmission buffer processing area provided in a recording medium such as a RAM 1214, a hard disk drive 1224, a DVD-ROM 1201, or an IC card. The data is transmitted to the network, or the received data received from the network is written to the reception buffer processing area or the like provided on the recording medium.
  • the CPU 1212 allows the RAM 1214 to read all or necessary parts of a file or database stored in an external recording medium such as a hard disk drive 1224, a DVD-ROM drive 1226 (DVD-ROM1201), or an IC card. , Various types of processing may be performed on the data on the RAM 1214. The CPU 1212 then writes back the processed data to an external recording medium.
  • an external recording medium such as a hard disk drive 1224, a DVD-ROM drive 1226 (DVD-ROM1201), or an IC card.
  • the CPU 1212 describes various types of operations, information processing, conditional judgment, conditional branching, unconditional branching, and information retrieval described in various parts of the present disclosure for the data read from the RAM 1214 and specified by the instruction sequence of the program. Various types of processing may be performed, including / replacement, etc., and the results are written back to the RAM 1214. Further, the CPU 1212 may search for information in a file, a database, or the like in the recording medium. For example, when a plurality of entries each having an attribute value of the first attribute associated with the attribute value of the second attribute are stored in the recording medium, the CPU 1212 specifies the attribute value of the first attribute. Search for an entry that matches the condition from the plurality of entries, read the attribute value of the second attribute stored in the entry, and associate it with the first attribute that satisfies the predetermined condition. The attribute value of the second attribute obtained may be acquired.
  • the program or software module described above may be stored on a computer 1200 or on a computer-readable medium near the computer 1200.
  • a recording medium such as a hard disk or RAM provided within a dedicated communication network or a server system connected to the Internet can be used as a computer readable medium, thereby providing the program to the computer 1200 over the network. do.
  • Microscope system 50 Control device 200, 700 Inverted microscope 202, 702 Transmission light source port 203 Differential observation prism 204 Condenser lens 205 Phase difference observation ring aperture 206 XY stage 208 Z drive 210, 710 Sample 212 Objective lens 214 Polarizer 216, 716 Top filter turret for epi-illumination 218, 718 Lower filter turret for epi-illumination 220, 720 Upper port for epi-illumination 221 and 721 Upper shutter for epi-illumination 222, 722 Lower port for epi-illumination 223, 723 Lower shutter for epi-illumination 224, 724 Analyzer 226 Intermediate Variable magnification lenses 228, 728 Observation side light path switching mirror 230, 730 Right camera port 234, 734 Left camera port 250, 750 Objective lens unit 300 Transmission illumination 314 TIRF adapter 316 Laser illumination unit 317, 318, 319, 320 Laser light source 324 , 824 LED lighting unit 322, 822 Epi-illumination adapter 325

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Abstract

A control method comprising: an information acquisition step for acquiring information specifying a device used by a microscope, and information indicating the positioning of the device in the microscope; and a condition display step for displaying a candidate for a usage condition of a microscope system that includes the microscope and the device, the usage condition being based on a combination of the information specifying the device and the information indicating the positioning. A device display step for displaying the information specifying the device such that the information can be selected may be further provided, and the information acquisition step may comprise acquiring the information specifying the device by receiving selection of the information specifying the device, displayed in the device display step.

Description

制御方法、プログラムおよび制御装置Control methods, programs and controls
　本発明は、制御方法、プログラムおよび制御装置に関する。 The present invention relates to a control method, a program and a control device.
　顕微鏡本体に対して複数の装置を取り付けて多様な顕微鏡観察をする顕微鏡装置がある（例えば、特許文献１参照）。複数の装置をどのように使用するかについて多数の組み合わせがあるので、所望の顕微鏡観察に適した条件で使用することが望まれている。
［先行技術文献］
［特許文献］
　　［特許文献１］米国特許第６０７５６４３号 There is a microscope device in which a plurality of devices are attached to the main body of the microscope to observe various microscopes (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Since there are many combinations of how to use the plurality of devices, it is desired to use them under conditions suitable for desired microscopic observation.
[Prior art literature]
[Patent Document]
[Patent Document 1] US Pat. No. 6,075,643
　本発明の第１の態様においては、制御方法であって、顕微鏡に用いられる装置を特定する情報、および、顕微鏡における装置の配置を示す情報を取得する情報取得段階と、装置を特定する情報、および、配置を示す情報の組み合わせに基づく顕微鏡および装置を含む顕微鏡システムの使用条件の候補を表示する条件表示段階とを備える。 In the first aspect of the present invention, there is a control method, which is an information acquisition step of acquiring information for specifying a device used in a microscope and information indicating the arrangement of the device in the microscope, and information for specifying the device. It also includes a condition display stage that displays candidates for the conditions of use of the microscope system, including the microscope and the device, based on a combination of information indicating the arrangement.
　本発明の第２の態様においては、プログラムであって、コンピュータに、顕微鏡に用いられる装置を特定する情報、および、顕微鏡における装置の配置を示す情報を取得する情報取得段階と、装置を特定する情報、および、配置を示す情報の組み合わせに基づく顕微鏡および装置を含む顕微鏡システムの使用条件の候補を表示する条件表示段階とを実行させる。 In the second aspect of the present invention, the program specifies an information acquisition step of acquiring information for identifying a device used in a microscope and information indicating the arrangement of the device in the microscope, and the device. Perform a condition display step that displays candidates for the conditions of use of the microscope system, including the microscope and the device, based on a combination of information and information indicating placement.
　本発明の第３の態様においては、制御装置であって、顕微鏡に用いられる装置を特定する情報、および、顕微鏡における装置の配置を示す情報を取得する情報取得部と、装置を特定する情報、および、配置を示す情報の組み合わせに基づく顕微鏡および装置を含む顕微鏡システムの使用条件の候補を表示する条件表示部とを備える。 In the third aspect of the present invention, there is an information acquisition unit that is a control device and acquires information for specifying a device used in a microscope and information indicating the arrangement of the device in the microscope, and information for specifying the device. It also includes a condition display unit that displays candidates for use conditions of the microscope system including the microscope and the device based on a combination of information indicating the arrangement.
　なお、上記の発明の概要は、本発明の必要な特徴の全てを列挙したものではない。また、これらの特徴群のサブコンビネーションもまた、発明となりうる。 The outline of the above invention does not list all the necessary features of the present invention. Sub-combinations of these feature groups can also be inventions.
第一の実施形態にかかる制御装置５０および顕微鏡システム２０の概略図である。It is the schematic of the control device 50 and the microscope system 20 which concerns on 1st Embodiment. 制御装置５０の機能ブロックを示す。The functional block of the control device 50 is shown. 装置リスト５２２の一例である。This is an example of the device list 522. 装置リスト５２２の一例である。This is an example of the device list 522. 条件テーブル５２４の一例である。This is an example of the condition table 524. 条件テーブル５２４の一例である。This is an example of the condition table 524. 条件テーブル５２４の一例である。This is an example of the condition table 524. 条件テーブル５２４の一例である。This is an example of the condition table 524. 条件テーブル５２４の一例である。This is an example of the condition table 524. 制御装置５０の状態遷移を示す。The state transition of the control device 50 is shown. 表示画面６００を示す。The display screen 600 is shown. 表示画面６０２を示す。The display screen 602 is shown. 表示画面６０４を示す。The display screen 604 is shown. 表示画面６０６を示す。The display screen 606 is shown. 表示画面６０８を示す。The display screen 608 is shown. 表示画面６１０を示す。The display screen 610 is shown. 表示画面６１２を示す。The display screen 612 is shown. 表示画面６２０を示す。The display screen 620 is shown. 表示画面６２２を示す。The display screen 622 is shown. 表示画面６１６を示す。The display screen 616 is shown. 表示画面６２４を示す。The display screen 624 is shown. 表示画面６３０を示す。The display screen 630 is shown. 表示画面６３２を示す。The display screen 632 is shown. 表示画面６３４を示す。The display screen 634 is shown. 表示画面６４０を示す。The display screen 640 is shown. 表示画面６４２を示す。The display screen 642 is shown. 表示画面６４４を示す。The display screen 644 is shown. 表示画面６４６を示す。The display screen 646 is shown. 表示画面６５０を示す。The display screen 650 is shown. 表示画面６５２を示す。The display screen 652 is shown. コンピュータの例を示す。An example of a computer is shown.
　以下、発明の実施の形態を通じて本発明を説明するが、以下の実施形態は請求の範囲にかかる発明を限定するものではない。また、実施形態の中で説明されている特徴の組み合わせの全てが発明の解決手段に必須であるとは限らない。 Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the invention, but the following embodiments do not limit the inventions claimed. Also, not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential to the means of solving the invention.
　図１は、第一の実施形態にかかる制御装置５０および顕微鏡システム２０の概略図である。顕微鏡システム２０は、試料２１０を観察するものである。制御装置５０は顕微鏡システム２０に接続され、当該顕微鏡システム２０を制御する。なお、説明のため、図１に示すように鉛直上向きをＺ方向とし、水平面内で紙面に直交する方向をＸ方向、紙面に平行な方向をＹ方向とする。なお、制御装置５０は顕微鏡システム２０に含まれていてもよい。 FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the control device 50 and the microscope system 20 according to the first embodiment. The microscope system 20 observes the sample 210. The control device 50 is connected to the microscope system 20 and controls the microscope system 20. For the sake of explanation, as shown in FIG. 1, the vertically upward direction is defined as the Z direction, the direction orthogonal to the paper surface in the horizontal plane is defined as the X direction, and the direction parallel to the paper surface is defined as the Y direction. The control device 50 may be included in the microscope system 20.
　顕微鏡システム２０は、倒立顕微鏡２００（倒立顕微鏡の顕微鏡本体とも呼ばれる）と、倒立顕微鏡２００で使用される複数の装置を有する。倒立顕微鏡２００で使用される装置には、透過用光源ポート２０２、コンデンサーレンズ２０４、微分観察用プリズム２０３、位相差観察用リング絞り２０５、ＸＹステージ２０６、Ｚドライブ２０８、対物レンズユニット２５０、ポラライザー２１４、落射用上フィルターターレット２１６、落射用下フィルターターレット２１８、落射用光源上ポート２２０、落射用上シャッター２２１、落射用光源下ポート２２２、落射用下シャッター２２３、アナライザー２２４、中間変倍レンズ２２６、観察側光路切替ミラー２２８、右カメラポート２３０および左カメラポート２３４が含まれる。倒立顕微鏡２００で使用される装置にはさらに、透過照明３００、ＴＩＲＦ用アダプター３１４、レーザー照明ユニット３１６、ＬＥＤ照明ユニット３２４、落射用アダプター３２２およびＣＭＯＳカメラ３３０が含まれる。 The microscope system 20 includes an inverted microscope 200 (also referred to as a microscope main body of an inverted microscope) and a plurality of devices used in the inverted microscope 200. The devices used in the inverted microscope 200 include a transmission light source port 202, a condenser lens 204, a differential observation prism 203, a phase difference observation ring diaphragm 205, an XY stage 206, a Z drive 208, an objective lens unit 250, and a polarizer 214. , Upper filter turret 216 for epi-illumination, lower filter turret 218 for epi-illumination, upper port 220 for epi-illumination, upper shutter 221 for epi-illumination, lower port 222 for epi-illumination, lower shutter 223 for epi-illumination, analyzer 224, intermediate variable magnification lens 226, The observation side optical path switching mirror 228, the right camera port 230, and the left camera port 234 are included. The devices used in the inverted microscope 200 further include a transmission illumination 300, a TIRF adapter 314, a laser illumination unit 316, an LED illumination unit 324, an epi-illumination adapter 322 and a CMOS camera 330.
　顕微鏡システム２０には、図１に示されるように、多数の装置が使用され得る。さらに、それぞれの装置において、試料２１０の観察時に使用する条件（単に「使用条件」と記載する場合がある）が設定される。この使用条件は、顕微鏡観察における各装置の状態と顕微鏡観察に使用する装置同士の組合せの少なくとも一方を表す（使用条件の詳細については後述する）。よって、顕微鏡システム２０の使用者が各装置を選択したり、観察時の使用条件を選択するのに手間がかかり、さらには、装置や使用条件を不適切に組み合わせてしまうおそれもある。そこで、本実施形態は、使用者に対して観察に適した装置や使用条件の候補を提示するものである。 As shown in FIG. 1, a large number of devices can be used in the microscope system 20. Further, in each device, conditions to be used when observing the sample 210 (may be simply described as "use conditions") are set. This usage condition represents at least one of the state of each device in the microscope observation and the combination of the devices used for the microscope observation (details of the usage condition will be described later). Therefore, it takes time and effort for the user of the microscope system 20 to select each device and the usage conditions at the time of observation, and further, there is a possibility that the devices and usage conditions are improperly combined. Therefore, this embodiment presents the user with candidates for devices and usage conditions suitable for observation.
　透過用光源ポート２０２は透過観察をする光源を配置する光源ポートである。コンデンサーレンズ２０４は透過観察する場合に透過用光源ポート２０２に配置された光源からの光を集光する。微分観察用プリズム２０３は、微分干渉観察する場合に倒立顕微鏡２００の光路上に挿入され用いられるプリズムである。微分観察用プリズム２０３として、例えば、ウォラストンプリズムが用いられる。位相差観察用リング絞り２０５は、位相差観察する場合に顕微鏡システム２０の光路上に挿入され用いられる環状のスリットが設けられた部材である。ＸＹステージ２０６は試料２１０を支持するとともにＸＹ方向に移動する。Ｚドライブ２０８はＸＹステージ２０６をＺ方向に移動する。コンデンサーレンズ２０４で集光された光はＸＹステージ上の試料２１０に入射する。 The transmission light source port 202 is a light source port for arranging a light source for transmission observation. The condenser lens 204 collects light from a light source arranged in the transmission light source port 202 for transmission observation. The differential observation prism 203 is a prism that is inserted and used on the optical path of the inverted microscope 200 when observing differential interference contrast. As the differential observation prism 203, for example, a Wollaston prism is used. The phase-contrast observation ring diaphragm 205 is a member provided with an annular slit that is inserted and used on the optical path of the microscope system 20 for phase-contrast observation. The XY stage 206 supports the sample 210 and moves in the XY direction. The Z drive 208 moves the XY stage 206 in the Z direction. The light focused by the condenser lens 204 is incident on the sample 210 on the XY stage.
　対物レンズユニット２５０は、回転式のレボルバー２５２と、当該レボルバー２５２に取り付けられた６つの対物レンズ２１２とを有する。レボルバー２５２における６つの対物レンズ２１２を取り付ける取付部の位置を識別するために、１から６の番地が定義されている。ポラライザー２１４は微分干渉観察する場合の偏光子である。 The objective lens unit 250 has a rotary revolver 252 and six objective lenses 212 attached to the revolver 252. Addresses 1 to 6 are defined to identify the positions of the mounting portions for mounting the six objective lenses 212 on the revolver 252. Polarizer 214 is a polarizer for differential interference contrast observation.
　落射用上フィルターターレット２１６および落射用下フィルターターレット２１８はそれぞれ、３つのフィルターキューブのいずれかを光路上に配するか、または、いずれのフィルターキューブも光路上に配さない「空」の状態にする。フィルターキューブはそれぞれ、Ｚ方向に平行に配されて励起光の波長を透過するフィルターと、Ｚ方向に対して斜めに配され、励起光を反射し、蛍光を透過させるダイクロイックミラーと、Ｚ方向に垂直に配されて蛍光の波長を透過するフィルターを備える。落射用上フィルターターレット２１６において「空」の位置および３つのフィルターキューブを取り付ける３つの取付部の位置を識別するために、１から４の番地が定義されている。落射用下フィルターターレット２１８にも同じく１から４の番地が定義されている。 The epi-illumination upper filter turret 216 and the epi-illumination lower filter turret 218 each have one of the three filter cubes on the optical path, or none of the filter cubes in the "empty" state. do. The filter cubes are arranged parallel to the Z direction to transmit the wavelength of the excitation light, a dichroic mirror arranged diagonally to the Z direction to reflect the excitation light and transmit fluorescence, and a dichroic mirror to transmit the fluorescence in the Z direction. It is provided with a vertically arranged filter that transmits the wavelength of fluorescence. Addresses 1 to 4 are defined in the epi-illumination upper filter turret 216 to identify the "empty" position and the position of the three attachments to which the three filter cubes are attached. Addresses 1 to 4 are also defined in the lower filter turret 218 for epi-illumination.
　落射用光源上ポート２２０および落射用光源下ポート２２２はそれぞれ落射観察をする光源ポートである。落射用上シャッター２２１は落射用光源上ポート２２０に接続される光源からの光を入射させるか遮断するかを切り替える。落射用下シャッター２２３は落射用光源下ポート２２２に接続される光源からの光を入射させるか遮断するかを切り替える。より具体的には、落射用上シャッター２２１１と落射用下シャッター２２３は共に、金属板等の既存の遮光部材を光路上に挿脱することで、光源からの光を入射させるか遮断するかを切り替える。なお、光を入射させる状態を開、遮断する状態を閉と表現することがある。 The epi-light source upper port 220 and the epi-light source lower port 222 are light source ports for observing epi-illumination, respectively. The epi-illumination upper shutter 221 switches whether to enter or block the light from the light source connected to the epi-illumination light source upper port 220. The epi-illumination lower shutter 223 switches whether to enter or block the light from the light source connected to the epi-illumination light source lower port 222. More specifically, both the epi-illumination upper shutter 2211 and the epi-illumination lower shutter 223 determine whether to enter or block the light from the light source by inserting and removing an existing light-shielding member such as a metal plate on the optical path. Switch. The state in which light is incident is sometimes referred to as open, and the state in which light is blocked is sometimes referred to as closed.
　アナライザー２２４は微分干渉観察する場合の検光子である。中間変倍レンズ２２６は試料２１０の像を拡大する変倍光学系である。観察側光路切替ミラー２２８は上からの光路（つまり、各光源からの光路）を右、左（すなわち＋Ｙ方向または－Ｙ方向）のいずれかに切り替える。右カメラポート２３０および左カメラポート２３４は撮像装置が配置されるカメラポートである。 Analyzer 224 is an analyzer for differential interference contrast observation. The intermediate magnification lens 226 is a variable magnification optical system that magnifies the image of the sample 210. The observation side optical path switching mirror 228 switches the optical path from above (that is, the optical path from each light source) to either the right or the left (that is, the + Y direction or the −Y direction). The right camera port 230 and the left camera port 234 are camera ports in which an imaging device is arranged.
　透過照明３００は透過観察に用いられる光源である。ＴＩＲＦ用アダプター３１４は、ＴＩＲＦ観察に用いられる光学ユニットである。ＴＩＲＦはTotal Internal Reflection Fluorescenceの略語であって、全反射照明蛍光とも呼ばれる。ＴＩＲＦは、カバーガラスなどの全反射面の裏側にトンネル効果によりしみだすエバネッセント光を励起光源として試料２１０からの蛍光を観察する。ＴＩＲＦ用アダプター３１４は、光源からの光を２次元方向に走査するガルバノミラーなどの駆動ミラーユニットを備える。 The transmission illumination 300 is a light source used for transmission observation. The TIRF adapter 314 is an optical unit used for TIRF observation. TIRF is an abbreviation for Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence, and is also called total internal reflection fluorescence. TIRF observes the fluorescence from the sample 210 using the evanescent light exuded by the tunnel effect on the back side of the total reflection surface such as the cover glass as an excitation light source. The TIRF adapter 314 includes a drive mirror unit such as a galvano mirror that scans light from a light source in a two-dimensional direction.
　レーザー照明ユニット３１６およびＬＥＤ照明ユニット３２４は蛍光観察等に用いられる光源である。レーザー照明ユニット３１６は、４つの互いに異なる波長のレーザー光を出射する４つのレーザー光源３１７、３１８、３１９、３２０が含まれる。ＬＥＤ照明ユニット３２４は４つの互いに異なる波長の光を発光するＬＥＤ光源３２５、３２６、３２７、３２８が含まれる。 The laser illumination unit 316 and the LED illumination unit 324 are light sources used for fluorescence observation and the like. The laser illumination unit 316 includes four laser light sources 317, 318, 319, and 320 that emit four laser beams having different wavelengths from each other. The LED lighting unit 324 includes four LED light sources 325, 326, 327, and 328 that emit light of four different wavelengths.
　落射用アダプター３２２は、落射観察に用いられる光学ユニットである。落射用アダプター３２２は、視野絞りなどを備える。ＣＭＯＳカメラ３３０は、蛍光観察や明視野観察において、試料２１０の像を撮像する撮像装置である。 The epi-illumination adapter 322 is an optical unit used for epi-illumination observation. The epi-illumination adapter 322 includes a field diaphragm and the like. The CMOS camera 330 is an imaging device that captures an image of the sample 210 in fluorescence observation and bright field observation.
　図２は、制御装置５０の機能ブロックを示す。制御装置５０はパーソナルコンピュータやタブレットであり、ソフトウェアプログラムやアプリケーションがインストールされることで動作する。 FIG. 2 shows a functional block of the control device 50. The control device 50 is a personal computer or tablet, and operates by installing a software program or application.
　制御装置５０は下記の機能ブロックを有する。格納部５２０は、倒立顕微鏡、正立顕微鏡および実体顕微鏡など顕微鏡の種類を示す情報、それぞれの顕微鏡の種類ごとに用いられ得る装置のリストである装置リスト５２２、および、装置の使用条件を絞り込む要件（単に「絞込要件」と記載する場合がある）を規定した条件テーブル５２４を格納している。以下、特に断らない限り顕微鏡の種類を倒立顕微鏡２００とした例で説明する。 The control device 50 has the following functional blocks. The storage unit 520 contains information indicating the type of microscope such as an inverted microscope, an upright microscope, and a stereomicroscope, a device list 522 which is a list of devices that can be used for each type of microscope, and a requirement for narrowing down the usage conditions of the device. It stores a condition table 524 that defines (may be simply described as "narrowing down requirements"). Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, an example in which the type of microscope is an inverted microscope 200 will be described.
　情報取得部５００は、倒立顕微鏡２００に用いられる装置を特定する情報および当該装置の配置を示す情報などを、キーボード等のインターフェースを介して使用者から取得する。情報取得部５００は、取得した情報を装置リスト５２２に書き込む。なお、情報取得部５００が取得する装置を特定する情報は、装置に関する情報や装置関連情報とも言い換えることができる。また、装置の配置を示す情報は、装置の配置情報とも言い換えることができる。 The information acquisition unit 500 acquires information identifying the device used for the inverted microscope 200, information indicating the arrangement of the device, and the like from the user via an interface such as a keyboard. The information acquisition unit 500 writes the acquired information in the device list 522. The information that identifies the device acquired by the information acquisition unit 500 can be rephrased as information about the device or device-related information. Further, the information indicating the arrangement of the devices can be rephrased as the arrangement information of the devices.
　条件絞込部５０２は、装置リスト５２２および条件テーブル５２４を参照して、倒立顕微鏡２００に用いられる装置における使用条件を絞り込む。条件絞込部５０２は、絞り込んだ使用条件を表示部５０６および設定部５０８に渡す。 The condition narrowing unit 502 narrows down the usage conditions in the device used for the inverted microscope 200 with reference to the device list 522 and the condition table 524. The condition narrowing unit 502 passes the narrowed down usage conditions to the display unit 506 and the setting unit 508.
　表示部５０６は、条件絞込部５０２から受け取った使用条件を選択可能な候補として画面に表示する。表示部５０６は、使用条件の他にも、使用可能な装置のリスト、観察の条件（単に「観察条件」と記載する場合がある）など、他の情報も表示する。 The display unit 506 displays the usage conditions received from the condition narrowing unit 502 on the screen as selectable candidates. In addition to the usage conditions, the display unit 506 also displays other information such as a list of available devices and observation conditions (sometimes simply referred to as "observation conditions").
　設定部５０８は、使用者からの指示があった場合に、条件絞込部５０２から受け取った使用条件を顕微鏡システム２０の各装置に設定する。設定部５０８は、顕微鏡システム２０の各装置のうち、制御装置５０から電動で設定できる装置に対して使用条件を設定する。一方、顕微鏡システム２０の各装置のうち、制御装置５０から電動で設定できない装置に対しては手動で使用条件を設定するよう促す。 The setting unit 508 sets the usage conditions received from the condition narrowing unit 502 in each device of the microscope system 20 when instructed by the user. The setting unit 508 sets the usage conditions for the devices that can be electrically set from the control device 50 among the devices of the microscope system 20. On the other hand, among the devices of the microscope system 20, the control device 50 prompts the device that cannot be set electrically to set the usage conditions manually.
　なお、電動で設定できる装置とは例えば、レボルバー２５２が電動レボルバーの場合はその電動レボルバー、落射用上フィルターターレット２１６や落射用上フィルターターレット２１６が電動ターレットの場合はその電動ターレット、観察側光路切替ミラー２２８が電動切替ミラーの場合はその電動切替ミラー、落射用上シャッター２２１や落射用下シャッター２２３が電動シャッターの場合はその電動シャッター、ポラライザー２１４、アナライザー２２４、微分観察用プリズム２０３、位相差観察用リング絞り２０５を倒立顕微鏡２００の光路に挿脱する機構が電動の場合は、その電動挿脱機構である。これらの装置は電動で使用条件が自動設定できる。本実施形態では、落射用上シャッター２２１および落射用下シャッター２２３が電動シャッターであり、観察側光路切替ミラー２２８が電動切替ミラーであり、ポラライザー２１４、アナライザー２２４、微分観察用プリズム２０３および位相差観察用リング絞り２０５を倒立顕微鏡２００の光路に挿脱する機構が電動である。 The devices that can be set electrically are, for example, the electric revolver when the revolver 252 is an electric revolver, the electric turret when the upper filter turret 216 for epi-illumination and the upper filter turret 216 for epi-illumination are electric turrets, and the optical path switching on the observation side. If the mirror 228 is an electric switching mirror, the electric switching mirror, if the epi-illumination upper shutter 221 or epi-illumination lower shutter 223 is an electric shutter, the electric shutter, polarizer 214, analyzer 224, differential observation prism 203, phase difference observation When the mechanism for inserting and removing the ring diaphragm 205 into the optical path of the inverted microscope 200 is electric, it is the electric insertion / removal mechanism. These devices can be electrically operated and the usage conditions can be set automatically. In the present embodiment, the epi-illumination upper shutter 221 and the epi-illumination lower shutter 223 are electric shutters, the observation side optical path switching mirror 228 is an electric switching mirror, the polarizer 214, the analyzer 224, the differential observation prism 203, and the phase difference observation. The mechanism for inserting and removing the ring diaphragm 205 into the optical path of the inverted microscope 200 is electric.
　図３および図４は装置リスト５２２の一例である。当該リストには、倒立顕微鏡２００に用いられる装置が予め列挙されている。図３の装置リスト５２２は倒立顕微鏡２００の外部に設けられる装置の例である。図４の装置リスト５２２は倒立顕微鏡２００自体に設けられる装置の例である。さらに、当該リストには、各装置に対応付けて、倒立顕微鏡２００における当該装置の可能な配置も列挙されている。ただし、図３および図４の装置リスト５２２の装置は例示であって、図３の装置リスト５２２の装置が倒立顕微鏡２００自体に設けられてもよいし、図４の装置リスト５２２の装置が倒立顕微鏡２００の外部に設けられてもよい。 3 and 4 are examples of the device list 522. The list includes a list of devices used in the inverted microscope 200 in advance. The device list 522 in FIG. 3 is an example of a device provided outside the inverted microscope 200. The device list 522 in FIG. 4 is an example of a device provided on the inverted microscope 200 itself. In addition, the list also lists possible arrangements of the device in the inverted microscope 200 in association with each device. However, the device of the device list 522 of FIGS. 3 and 4 is an example, and the device of the device list 522 of FIG. 3 may be provided on the inverted microscope 200 itself, or the device of the device list 522 of FIG. 4 is inverted. It may be provided outside the microscope 200.
　例えば、当該リストにはＣＭＯＳカメラが挙げられており、当該装置に可能な配置として、左カメラポートおよび右カメラポートが挙げられている。同様に、当該リストには他の装置としてレーザー照明ユニットが挙げられており、当該装置に可能な配置として、落射用光源上ポートおよび落射用光源下ポートが挙げられている。 For example, a CMOS camera is listed in the list, and a left camera port and a right camera port are listed as possible arrangements for the device. Similarly, a laser illumination unit is mentioned as another device in the list, and possible arrangements for the device include an epi-light source upper port and an epi-light source lower port.
　さらに、図３の装置リスト５２２は、各装置に対応付けて、装置の選択の有無および選択された配置の情報を格納する「選択＋配置」の欄を有する。「選択＋配置」欄は、情報取得部５００で使用者から使用する装置を特定する情報が取得された場合にその旨が記録されるとともに、当該装置の配置を示す情報が取得された場合にその旨が記録される。 Further, the device list 522 of FIG. 3 has a "selection + placement" column for storing information on the presence / absence of selection of the device and the selected arrangement in association with each device. In the "selection + arrangement" column, when information for specifying the device to be used is acquired from the user by the information acquisition unit 500, that fact is recorded, and when information indicating the arrangement of the device is acquired. That is recorded.
　装置リスト５２２は、装置が選択されてかつ配置も選択されている場合と、装置は選択されたが配置が選択されていない場合とを区別して記録する。図３に示す例において、使用者からＣＭＯＳカメラを右カメラポートに取り付けることを示す情報を取得したことに対応して、装置「ＣＭＯＳカメラ」に対応付けて「選択＋配置」の欄に配置「右カメラポート」を示す情報が記録されている。一方、使用者から図３の装置のいずれかを選択したことを示す情報を取得したが、配置を示す情報を取得していない場合には、当該装置に対応付けて「選択＋配置」の欄に、選択はされたが配置が未定であることを示す情報（不図示の情報）が記録される。 The device list 522 records the case where the device is selected and the arrangement is also selected, and the case where the device is selected but the arrangement is not selected. In the example shown in FIG. 3, in response to the acquisition of information indicating that the CMOS camera is attached to the right camera port from the user, it is arranged in the "selection + arrangement" column in association with the device "CMOS camera". Information indicating "right camera port" is recorded. On the other hand, if the information indicating that one of the devices shown in FIG. 3 has been selected has been acquired from the user, but the information indicating the arrangement has not been acquired, the column of "selection + arrangement" is associated with the device. Information (information not shown) indicating that the selection has been made but the arrangement is undecided is recorded.
　なお、本実施形態および以降の実施形態において、「配置」は顕微鏡本体と装置との空間的な位置関係を示す場合や光学的な接続関係を示す場合も含まれる。さらに、いずれの場合も、顕微鏡本体と当該装置との間に他の装置が介在する場合も顕微鏡本体に当該装置が配置されていると言える。例えば、図１の透過照明３００は、透過用光源ポート２０２の上に位置しているという観点から透過用光源ポート２０２に配置されているといえるし、透過照明３００からの光が透過用光源ポート２０２に入射するように光学的に接続されているという観点からも透過用光源ポート２０２に配置されているといえる。また、図１のＬＥＤ照明ユニット３２４は落射用アダプター３２２と空間的には離れているが光ファイバーを介して接続されており、ＬＥＤ照明ユニット３２４の光が落射用アダプター３２２に入射するという観点からＬＥＤ照明ユニット３２４は落射用アダプター３２２に配置されているといえる。さらに、落射用アダプター３２２は落射用光源下ポート２２２に物理的に直接接続されているので、落射用アダプター３２２を介することによって、ＬＥＤ照明ユニット３２４は落射用光源下ポート２２２に配置されているともいえる。 In the present embodiment and subsequent embodiments, the "arrangement" includes the case where the spatial positional relationship between the microscope main body and the device is indicated and the case where the optical connection relationship is indicated. Further, in any case, it can be said that the device is arranged in the microscope main body even when another device is interposed between the microscope main body and the device. For example, it can be said that the transmission light source 300 of FIG. 1 is arranged in the transmission light source port 202 from the viewpoint that it is located above the transmission light source port 202, and the light from the transmission light source 300 can be said to be arranged in the transmission light source port 202. It can be said that the light source port 202 is arranged for transmission from the viewpoint that it is optically connected so as to be incident on the 202. Further, the LED lighting unit 324 of FIG. 1 is spatially separated from the epi-illumination adapter 322 but is connected via an optical fiber, and the LED is viewed from the viewpoint that the light of the LED illumination unit 324 is incident on the epi-illumination adapter 322. It can be said that the lighting unit 324 is arranged on the epi-illumination adapter 322. Further, since the epi-illumination adapter 322 is physically directly connected to the epi-illumination light source lower port 222, the LED lighting unit 324 is arranged at the epi-illumination light source lower port 222 via the epi-illumination adapter 322. I can say.
　図３の装置リスト５２２においては、使用者にとって、それぞれ機能の共通性を有するものがまとめられている。例えば、ＣＯＭＳカメラ、ＣＣＤカメラおよび共焦点ユニットは、試料２１０の像を撮像するという機能が共通しており、撮像装置としてまとめられている。レーザー照明ユニット、ＳＩＭ用レーザー照明ユニット、共焦点用レーザー照明ユニット、ハロゲンランプおよびＬＥＤ照明ユニットは、発光するという機能が共通しており、光源としてまとめられている。付言すれば、図３の装置リスト５２２は、図１の倒立顕微鏡２００に図示されたＣＭＯＳカメラ３３０等の装置と、倒立顕微鏡２００で使用され得る他の装置とを含んでいる。 In the device list 522 of FIG. 3, devices having common functions for users are summarized. For example, the COMS camera, the CCD camera, and the confocal unit have a common function of capturing an image of the sample 210, and are grouped together as an imaging device. The laser lighting unit, the SIM laser lighting unit, the cofocal laser lighting unit, the halogen lamp, and the LED lighting unit have a common function of emitting light, and are grouped as a light source. In addition, the device list 522 of FIG. 3 includes devices such as the CMOS camera 330 illustrated in the inverted microscope 200 of FIG. 1 and other devices that can be used in the inverted microscope 200.
　なお、図３の装置リスト５２２のＳＴＯＲＭ用ユニットは、ＳＴＯＲＭ観察に用いられる光学ユニットである。ＳＴＯＲＭはSTochastic Optical Reconstruction Microscopyの略であって、ローカライゼーション法の一種である。ＳＴＯＲＭは、蛍光分子を確率的に励起させて複数の蛍光画像を得て、当該蛍光画像から検出した蛍光色素１分子ごとの位置情報を重ね合わせて、一枚の高分解能蛍光画像を再構築する観察の方法である。ＳＴＯＲＭ用ユニットは、光源からの光を２次元方向に走査するガルバノミラーなどの駆動ミラーユニットを備える。 The STORM unit in the device list 522 in FIG. 3 is an optical unit used for STORM observation. STORM is an abbreviation for STochastic Optical Reconstruction Microscopy and is a type of localization method. STORM probabilistically excites fluorescent molecules to obtain a plurality of fluorescent images, and superimposes the position information of each fluorescent dye molecule detected from the fluorescent images to reconstruct one high-resolution fluorescent image. It is a method of observation. The STORM unit includes a drive mirror unit such as a galvano mirror that scans light from a light source in a two-dimensional direction.
　また、図３の装置リスト５２２のＳＩＭ用ユニットは、ＳＩＭ観察に用いられる光学ユニットである。ＳＩＭはStructured Illumination Microscopyの略であり、構造化照明顕微鏡法とも呼ばれる。ＳＩＭは、ストライプ状照明から生まれるモアレ縞を読み取り、画像処理で標本の構造を復元する観察の方法である。ＳＩＭ用ユニットは、光源からの光の空間的な強度分布を規定の強度分布に変換する回折格子などの強度変換素子を備える。 The SIM unit in the device list 522 in FIG. 3 is an optical unit used for SIM observation. SIM is an abbreviation for Structured Illumination Microscopy and is also called structured illumination microscopy. SIM is an observation method that reads moire fringes generated from striped illumination and restores the structure of the specimen by image processing. The SIM unit includes an intensity conversion element such as a diffraction grating that converts the spatial intensity distribution of light from a light source into a predetermined intensity distribution.
　図４の装置リスト５２２には、透過用光源ポート、視野絞り等が挙げられている。さらに、使用者にとってそれぞれ機能の共通性を有するものがまとめられている。例えば、透過用光源ポート、落射用光源上ポートおよび落射用光源下ポートは、光源が取り付けられるという機能が共通しており、光源ポートとしてまとめられている。 In the device list 522 of FIG. 4, a transmission light source port, a field diaphragm, and the like are listed. Furthermore, those that have common functions for each user are summarized. For example, the transmission light source port, the epi-illumination light source upper port, and the epi-illumination light source lower port have a common function of attaching a light source, and are grouped as a light source port.
　当該リストのうち、視野絞りは、照明光を標本の観察範囲に制限するための絞りである。開口絞りは、照明光の開口数を調整する絞りである。 In the list, the field diaphragm is a diaphragm for limiting the illumination light to the observation range of the sample. The aperture diaphragm is a diaphragm that adjusts the numerical aperture of the illumination light.
　図５から図９は、条件テーブル５２４の一例である。特に、図５は対物レンズユニットの条件テーブル５２４である。 5 to 9 are examples of the condition table 524. In particular, FIG. 5 is a condition table 524 of the objective lens unit.
　条件テーブル５２４は、使用条件が絞り込まれる対象装置に対応付けて、対象装置で設定が可能な全使用条件が挙げられている。図５の条件テーブル５２４において、対象装置「対物レンズユニット」が６つの対物レンズを保持するレボルバー式であることに対応して、「可能な全使用条件」の欄にこれらの対物レンズを特定するための番地１から６が挙げられている。番地１から６のそれぞれの対物レンズが何を示すかは、図５に別表として記載されている。別表として記載されているのは単に図示の都合上である。 The condition table 524 lists all the usage conditions that can be set in the target device in association with the target device in which the usage conditions are narrowed down. In the condition table 524 of FIG. 5, these objective lenses are specified in the column of "all possible usage conditions" corresponding to the target device "objective lens unit" being a revolver type holding six objective lenses. Addresses 1 to 6 are listed. What each of the objective lenses of addresses 1 to 6 shows is shown in FIG. 5 as a separate table. It is listed as a separate table for convenience of illustration only.
　別表にはその観察条件でその番地の対物レンズが使用可能であるか否かの情報が格納されている。例えば、番地１の対物レンズは明視野観察で用いられるものであり、番地２の対物レンズは明視野観察でも位相差観察でも用いられるものである。 The attached table stores information on whether or not the objective lens at that address can be used under the observation conditions. For example, the objective lens at address 1 is used for bright-field observation, and the objective lens at address 2 is used for both bright-field observation and phase difference observation.
　「電動設定可・不可」の欄には制御装置５０からの駆動信号に基づいて電動で使用条件の設定が可能であるかどうかを示す情報も格納されている。当該装置が、電動で設定が可能である場合には「可」を示す情報が格納されており、電動で設定が可能でない場合には「不可」を示す情報が格納されている。図５の条件テーブル５２４においては、対物レンズユニットは、制御装置５０から電動で設定が可能でないことに対応して、「不可」を示す情報が格納されている。 Information indicating whether or not the usage conditions can be set electrically based on the drive signal from the control device 50 is also stored in the "Electric setting possible / impossible" column. When the device can be set electrically, information indicating "possible" is stored, and when the device cannot be set electrically, information indicating "impossible" is stored. In the condition table 524 of FIG. 5, the objective lens unit stores information indicating "impossible" in response to the fact that the objective lens unit cannot be electrically set by the control device 50.
　条件テーブル５２４には、可能な全使用条件のうち、特定の条件によって使用条件が絞り込まれる場合には、「絞込要件」と、それにより絞り込まれた「使用条件の候補」が格納されている。 The condition table 524 stores "restriction requirements" and "candidates for usage conditions" narrowed down by specific conditions among all possible usage conditions. ..
　図５の条件テーブル５２４において、対物レンズユニットについて「絞込要件」に「「光源ポート＝透過用光源ポート、かつ、アナライザー＝アウト、かつ、ポラライザー＝アウト、かつ、位相差観察用リング絞り＝イン」または「観察条件＝位相差」」が格納されており、「使用条件の候補」に「番地２」が格納されている。これらの絞込要件のうち「光源ポート＝透過用光源ポート」は、光源ポートとして透過用光源ポートが選択されている状態、すなわち、透過用光源ポートに光源が配置されている状態である。また、「観察条件＝位相差」は観察条件として位相差観察が選択されている状態である。アナライザー等の「イン」および「アウト」については後述する。また、絞込要件の選択方法の具体例は後述する。同様に、使用条件が「番地３」、「番地４、５、６」、「番地５」に絞り込まれる絞込要件が格納されている。 In the condition table 524 of FIG. 5, for the objective lens unit, "light source port = transmission light source port, analyzer = out, polarizer = out, and phase difference observation ring aperture = in" are set in the "aperture requirement". "Or" observation condition = phase difference "" is stored, and "address 2" is stored in "candidate for usage condition". Among these narrowing requirements, "light source port = transmission light source port" is a state in which a transmission light source port is selected as a light source port, that is, a state in which a light source is arranged in the transmission light source port. Further, "observation condition = phase difference" is a state in which phase difference observation is selected as the observation condition. The "in" and "out" of the analyzer and the like will be described later. A specific example of a method for selecting narrowing requirements will be described later. Similarly, the narrowing requirements for narrowing down the usage conditions to "address 3", "address 4, 5, 6", and "address 5" are stored.
　図６も条件テーブル５２４の一例であり、特にアナライザー、ポラライザー、微分観察用プリズム、コンデンサーレンズ、位相差観察用リング絞り、落射用上シャッターおよび落射用下シャッターのテーブルである。これらのうち一例としてアナライザーについて説明すると、対象装置「アナライザー」に対して、可能な全使用条件として「イン」と「アウト」が格納されている。ここで「イン」はアナライザーを顕微鏡システム２０の光路内に挿入させることであり、「アウト」はアナライザーを顕微鏡システム２０の光路外に退避させることである。さらに、「イン」にするか「アウト」にするかを電動で設定できることに対応して、電動設定可を示す情報が「電動設定可・不可」の欄に格納されている。 FIG. 6 is also an example of the condition table 524, which is a table of an analyzer, a polarizer, a prism for differential observation, a condenser lens, a ring diaphragm for phase difference observation, an upper shutter for epi-illumination, and a lower shutter for epi-illumination. To explain the analyzer as an example of these, "in" and "out" are stored as all possible usage conditions for the target device "analyzer". Here, "in" means inserting the analyzer into the optical path of the microscope system 20, and "out" means retracting the analyzer out of the optical path of the microscope system 20. Further, in response to the fact that it is possible to electrically set whether to set it to "in" or "out", information indicating that the electric setting is possible is stored in the "electric setting possible / impossible" column.
　さらに、アナライザーについて使用条件を絞り込む絞込要件とそれにより絞り込まれた使用条件の候補が２組格納されている。一組目は、「観察条件＝微分干渉」という要件が満たされた場合に、アナライザーの使用条件が「イン」に絞り込まれる。二組目は、「対物レンズユニット＝番地３以外」という要件が満たされた場合に、アナライザーの使用条件が「アウト」に絞り込まれる。 Furthermore, two sets of narrowing requirements for narrowing down the usage conditions for the analyzer and candidates for the narrowed down usage conditions are stored. In the first set, when the requirement of "observation condition = differential interference contrast" is satisfied, the usage condition of the analyzer is narrowed down to "in". In the second set, when the requirement "objective lens unit = other than address 3" is satisfied, the usage conditions of the analyzer are narrowed down to "out".
　図７から図９の条件テーブル５２４についても、「対象装置」、「可能な全使用条件」、「電動設定可・不可」、「絞込要件」および「使用条件の候補」の欄が設けられ、図示された情報が格納されている。 The condition table 524 of FIGS. 7 to 9 is also provided with columns for "target device", "all possible usage conditions", "electric setting possible / impossible", "narrowing requirements", and "candidate usage conditions". , The illustrated information is stored.
　図７から図９の条件テーブル５２４に記載されている「ＤＡＰＩ」、「ＦＩＴＣ」および「ＴＲＩＴＣ」はそれぞれ蛍光色素である。ＤＡＰＩの励起波長は３４５ｎｍ付近であり、励起の結果、生じた蛍光の波長は４５５ｎｍ付近である。なお、励起による蛍光を検出するため、以降、検出すべき蛍光の波長を検出波長と表す。したがって、ＤＡＰＩの検出波長は４５５ｎｍ付近である。また、ＦＩＴＣの励起波長は４８８ｎｍ付近であり、検出波長は５３０ｎｍ付近である。ＴＲＩＴＣの励起波長は５４３ｎｍ付近であり、検出波長は５８０ｎｍ付近である。よって、図７の条件テーブル５２４において「番地２＝ＤＡＰＩ用フィルターキューブ」とあるのは、番地２で指定されるフィルターキューブはＤＡＰＩの励起波長および検出波長に適したものであることを示している。つまり、番地２のフィルターキューブは、ＤＡＰＩの励起波長である３４５ｎｍ付近の光を反射し、かつ、ＤＡＰＩからの検出波長４５５ｎｍ付近の蛍光を透過する。 "DAPI", "FITC" and "TRITC" shown in the condition table 524 of FIGS. 7 to 9 are fluorescent dyes, respectively. The excitation wavelength of DAPI is around 345 nm, and the wavelength of fluorescence generated as a result of excitation is around 455 nm. In order to detect fluorescence due to excitation, the wavelength of fluorescence to be detected is hereinafter referred to as a detection wavelength. Therefore, the detection wavelength of DAPI is around 455 nm. The excitation wavelength of FITC is around 488 nm, and the detection wavelength is around 530 nm. The excitation wavelength of TRITC is around 543 nm, and the detection wavelength is around 580 nm. Therefore, in the condition table 524 of FIG. 7, "address 2 = filter cube for DAPI" indicates that the filter cube specified by address 2 is suitable for the excitation wavelength and the detection wavelength of DAPI. .. That is, the filter cube at address 2 reflects light in the vicinity of 345 nm, which is the excitation wavelength of DAPI, and transmits fluorescence in the vicinity of the detection wavelength of 455 nm from DAPI.
　図５から図９の条件テーブル５２４の使用条件はいずれも、絞込条件によって顕微鏡観察における対象装置をどのような状態で使用するかを定めている。 The usage conditions of the condition tables 524 of FIGS. 5 to 9 all define the state in which the target device for microscopic observation is used depending on the narrowing conditions.
　図１０は、制御装置５０の状態遷移を示す。制御装置５０の動作が開始すると、顕微鏡を選択する状態に移行する（Ｓ１０）。顕微鏡が選択されると、使用者の指示により、装置を選択する状態（Ｓ１１）、観察条件を選択する状態（Ｓ１６）および使用条件を絞り込んで表示する状態（Ｓ１２）のいずれかに移行する。 FIG. 10 shows the state transition of the control device 50. When the operation of the control device 50 starts, the state shifts to the state of selecting the microscope (S10). When the microscope is selected, the state shifts to one of a state of selecting the device (S11), a state of selecting observation conditions (S16), and a state of narrowing down and displaying the usage conditions (S12) according to the instruction of the user.
　上記Ｓ１１およびＳ１６からは、使用条件を絞り込んで表示する状態（Ｓ１２）に移行する。なお、Ｓ１２は後述するように使用条件を絞り込むが必ずしも表示をしない状態も含まれる。Ｓ１２からは、上記Ｓ１１およびＳ１６の状態の他、配置を選択する状態（Ｓ１４）、使用条件を選択する状態（Ｓ１８）へ移行したり、それらから戻ったりする。 From S11 and S16 above, the state shifts to the state (S12) in which the usage conditions are narrowed down and displayed. It should be noted that S12 includes a state in which the usage conditions are narrowed down as described later but not necessarily displayed. From S12, in addition to the states of S11 and S16, the state of selecting the arrangement (S14), the state of selecting the usage conditions (S18), and returning from them are performed.
　各装置に対する使用条件の候補が１つになった場合に（つまり、各装置の使用条件が決まったら）、上記Ｓ１２の状態から設定の状態（Ｓ２２）に移行することができる。設定の状態（Ｓ２２）からは終了を選択する状態（Ｓ２６）または警告の状態（Ｓ２４）に移行する。警告の状態（Ｓ２４）および終了を選択する状態（Ｓ２６）からは上記Ｓ１２の状態に戻ることができる。Ｓ２６の状態で終了が選択されると、動作を終了する。 When there is only one candidate for the usage condition for each device (that is, when the usage condition for each device is determined), the state of S12 can be changed to the setting state (S22). The setting state (S22) shifts to the end selection state (S26) or the warning state (S24). From the warning state (S24) and the state of selecting the end (S26), it is possible to return to the state of S12. When end is selected in the state of S26, the operation ends.
　なお、図１０において、実線矢印は主に制御装置５０が自動で状態を移行することを示す。一方、破線矢印は主に使用者の指示により状態を移行することを示す。付言すれば、図１０の状態遷移は制御装置５０による制御方法の実行であるともいえる。 Note that in FIG. 10, the solid line arrow mainly indicates that the control device 50 automatically shifts the state. On the other hand, the broken line arrow indicates that the state is changed mainly according to the instruction of the user. In addition, it can be said that the state transition in FIG. 10 is the execution of the control method by the control device 50.
　図１１から図２０は、制御装置５０が図１０に示す状態遷移をしながら動作するときの、表示部５０６の表示画面の例を示す。特に図１１は顕微鏡を選択する状態（Ｓ１０）における表示画面６００である。なお、図１１から図２０は、倒立顕微鏡に単一の光源と単一の撮像装置が取り付けられ、落射蛍光観察する場合の例となっている。 11 to 20 show an example of a display screen of the display unit 506 when the control device 50 operates while performing the state transition shown in FIG. In particular, FIG. 11 is a display screen 600 in a state where a microscope is selected (S10). It should be noted that FIGS. 11 to 20 show an example in which a single light source and a single imaging device are attached to an inverted microscope to observe epi-fluorescence.
　表示画面６００の左上に、選択表示欄４００が表示される。選択表示欄４００には上から順に、顕微鏡種類バー４０２、使用装置バー４０６、使用条件バー４０８および観察条件バー４１２が表示されている。 The selection display field 400 is displayed on the upper left of the display screen 600. In the selection display field 400, the microscope type bar 402, the device used bar 406, the used condition bar 408, and the observation condition bar 412 are displayed in order from the top.
　表示画面６００の顕微鏡種類バー４０２には、「顕微鏡の種類」という文字が表示されている。使用者がキーボードの矢印キーによる選択とエンターキーによる決定や、マウスによるダブルクリックなどの方法を用いて顕微鏡種類バー４０２を選択すると、条件絞込部５０２は顕微鏡のリストを表示部５０６に表示させる。使用者が特定可能な顕微鏡の情報は格納部５２０に予め格納されている。図１１の例において、条件絞込部５０２は、格納部５２０に予め格納されている顕微鏡の種類の情報として「倒立顕微鏡、正立顕微鏡および実体顕微鏡」を読み出して表示部５０６に渡す。表示部５０６は当該顕微鏡のリストを顕微鏡選択欄４０３に表示する。 The characters "microscope type" are displayed on the microscope type bar 402 of the display screen 600. When the user selects the microscope type bar 402 by using a method such as selection by the arrow keys and the enter key on the keyboard or double-clicking by the mouse, the condition narrowing unit 502 displays the list of microscopes on the display unit 506. .. Information on the microscope that can be identified by the user is stored in advance in the storage unit 520. In the example of FIG. 11, the condition narrowing-down unit 502 reads out “inverted microscope, upright microscope, and stereomicroscope” as information on the type of microscope stored in the storage unit 520 in advance and passes it to the display unit 506. The display unit 506 displays a list of the microscopes in the microscope selection field 403.
　顕微鏡種類バー４０２から顕微鏡選択欄４０３へ向けて黒塗り三角記号が表されている。これにより、顕微鏡選択欄４０３の表示が顕微鏡種類バー４０２に記された「使用する顕微鏡」の具体的なリストであることが視覚的に分かりやすい。 A black-painted triangle symbol is displayed from the microscope type bar 402 to the microscope selection column 403. This makes it easy to visually understand that the display in the microscope selection field 403 is a specific list of "microscopes to be used" described in the microscope type bar 402.
　制御装置５０の情報取得部５００は、使用者から顕微鏡選択欄４０３に表示された顕微鏡の選択を受け付ける。情報取得部５００は、キーボードの矢印キーによる選択とエンターキーによる決定や、マウスによるダブルクリックなどの方法を用いて顕微鏡の選択を受け付ける。 The information acquisition unit 500 of the control device 50 receives the selection of the microscope displayed in the microscope selection field 403 from the user. The information acquisition unit 500 accepts the selection of the microscope by using a method such as selection by the arrow keys on the keyboard, determination by the enter key, or double-clicking by the mouse.
　図１２は、顕微鏡が選択された後の表示画面６０２の一例を示す。表示画面６０２には、選択された倒立顕微鏡７００（倒立顕微鏡の顕微鏡本体の画像）が表示されている。 FIG. 12 shows an example of the display screen 602 after the microscope is selected. The selected inverted microscope 700 (image of the microscope main body of the inverted microscope) is displayed on the display screen 602.
　なお、以降の説明において、実体としての装置と、制御装置５０内での当該装置を特定する情報とを同じ装置の名称のままで記載する。装置を特定する情報は、装置の名前の文字列、当該装置を表示画面上で表す画像等を含む。さらに、２００番台および３００番台の参照番号は主に実体としての装置を指し、それらに５００を加えた７００番台および８００番台の参照番号は、対応する装置を特定する情報を指す。よって、図１２の倒立顕微鏡７００は、実体として図１における顕微鏡２０システムの倒立顕微鏡２００を特定する情報としての画像である。 In the following description, the device as an entity and the information for identifying the device in the control device 50 will be described with the same device name. The information that identifies the device includes a character string of the name of the device, an image showing the device on the display screen, and the like. Further, the reference numbers in the 200s and 300s mainly refer to the device as an entity, and the reference numbers in the 700s and 800s, which are 500 added to them, refer to the information that identifies the corresponding device. Therefore, the inverted microscope 700 of FIG. 12 is an image as information for identifying the inverted microscope 200 of the microscope 20 system in FIG. 1 as an entity.
　表示画面６０２にはさらに、選択表示欄４００が左上に表示されるのに加え、条件設定ボタン４３０が右下に表示される。表示画面６０２の顕微鏡種類バー４０２の直下の顕微鏡種類表示欄４０４には、選択済の倒立顕微鏡７００に対応して「倒立顕微鏡」という文字が表示されている。 On the display screen 602, in addition to the selection display field 400 being displayed in the upper left, the condition setting button 430 is displayed in the lower right. In the microscope type display field 404 immediately below the microscope type bar 402 of the display screen 602, the characters "inverted microscope" are displayed corresponding to the selected inverted microscope 700.
　図１３は、装置を選択する状態（Ｓ１１）における表示画面６０４である。図１３は、図１２の状態から、使用者が使用装置バー４０６を選択したことで表示される。 FIG. 13 is a display screen 604 in the state of selecting the device (S11). FIG. 13 is displayed when the user selects the use device bar 406 from the state of FIG.
　情報取得部５００が使用装置バー４０６の選択を受け付けると、条件絞込部５０２は装置のリストを表示部５０６に表示させる。図１３の例において、条件絞込部５０２は、装置リスト５２２に挙げられている装置を読み出して表示部５０６に渡す。表示部５０６は当該装置を使用装置選択欄４１４に表示する。 When the information acquisition unit 500 accepts the selection of the device bar 406 to be used, the condition narrowing unit 502 displays a list of devices on the display unit 506. In the example of FIG. 13, the condition narrowing-down unit 502 reads out the devices listed in the device list 522 and passes them to the display unit 506. The display unit 506 displays the device in the device selection field 414.
　装置リスト５２２でまとめられている装置同士は上下に連続して表示され、他の装置との間に区切り「―――」が示されている。例えば、ＣＭＯＳカメラ、ＣＣＤカメラおよび共焦点カメラは図３の装置リスト５２２において撮像装置としてまとめられているので、上下に連続して表示されている。これに対して、レーザー照明ユニットは撮像装置ではない装置なので、共焦点カメラとの間に区切り「―――」が示されている。 The devices summarized in the device list 522 are continuously displayed vertically, and a delimiter "---" is shown between the devices and the other devices. For example, the CMOS camera, the CCD camera, and the confocal camera are grouped as an image pickup device in the device list 522 of FIG. 3, and are therefore displayed continuously vertically. On the other hand, since the laser illumination unit is not an imaging device, a delimiter "---" is shown between it and the confocal camera.
　図１３はさらに、使用装置選択欄４１４のなかから「ＣＭＯＳカメラ」が特定された状態も示している。特定の方法は、使用装置選択欄４１４のなかの「ＣＭＯＳカメラ」がカーソルや矢印キーにより特定され、さらにエンターキー押下げやダブルクリックがされる等である。これにより装置を特定する情報（言い換えると、装置に関する情報）が情報取得部５００により取得される。付言すれば、使用装置選択欄４１４において装置を特定する情報が選択可能に表示されているともいえる。 FIG. 13 further shows a state in which the "CMOS camera" is specified from the device selection field 414. The specific method is that the "CMOS camera" in the device selection field 414 is specified by the cursor or the arrow keys, and the enter key is pressed or double-clicked. As a result, information that identifies the device (in other words, information about the device) is acquired by the information acquisition unit 500. In addition, it can be said that the information for identifying the device is selectably displayed in the device used selection field 414.
　使用装置選択欄４１４からの選択により、ＣＭＯＳカメラ８３０が倒立顕微鏡７００の右上に表示される。さらに、使用装置バー４０６の直下の使用装置表示欄４１６に「ＣＭＯＳカメラ８３０」という文字が表示されている。これらにより、ＣＭＯＳカメラ８３０が特定されたことを使用者が容易に認識することができる。 The CMOS camera 830 is displayed on the upper right of the inverted microscope 700 by selecting from the device selection field 414. Further, the characters "CMOS camera 830" are displayed in the used device display field 416 immediately below the used device bar 406. As a result, the user can easily recognize that the CMOS camera 830 has been identified.
　さらに、情報取得部５００は、ＣＭＯＳカメラが選択されたことを示す情報を装置リスト５２２に書き込む。図１３の状態ではＣＭＯＳカメラ８３０の配置は決まっていないので、図３の装置リスト５２２におけるＣＭＯＳカメラの「選択＋配置」の欄に配置が未定である旨を示す情報を書き込むことになる。 Further, the information acquisition unit 500 writes information indicating that the CMOS camera has been selected in the device list 522. Since the arrangement of the CMOS camera 830 is not determined in the state of FIG. 13, information indicating that the arrangement is undecided is written in the “selection + arrangement” column of the CMOS camera in the device list 522 of FIG.
　図１４は、装置の配置を選択する状態（Ｓ１４）における表示画面６０６である。図１４は、図１３の状態からさらに使用する装置としてＬＥＤ照明ユニット８２４および落射用アダプター８２２も選択した状態である。ＬＥＤ照明ユニット８２４および落射用アダプター８２２は、図１３で説明した方法と同様の方法により選択される。これらの選択に対応して、ＬＥＤ照明ユニット８２４および落射用アダプター８２２が倒立顕微鏡７００の右上に表示される。さらに、使用装置表示欄４１６に「ＬＥＤ照明ユニット８２４」および「落射用アダプター８２２」という文字が表示されている。 FIG. 14 is a display screen 606 in a state (S14) in which the arrangement of the devices is selected. FIG. 14 shows a state in which the LED lighting unit 824 and the epi-illumination adapter 822 are also selected as the devices to be used further from the state of FIG. The LED lighting unit 824 and the epi-illumination adapter 822 are selected by a method similar to the method described with reference to FIG. Corresponding to these selections, the LED lighting unit 824 and the epi-illumination adapter 822 are displayed in the upper right corner of the inverted microscope 700. Further, the characters "LED lighting unit 824" and "eclipse adapter 822" are displayed in the used device display field 416.
　図１４はさらに、ＣＭＯＳカメラ８３０の配置を選択すべく、使用者がＣＭＯＳカメラ８３０を指定した状態も示している。指定の方法は、使用者がＣＭＯＳカメラ８３０の画像上にカーソルを移動させてシングルクリックする等である。指定を受け付けたことは、表示画面６０６においてＣＭＯＳカメラ８３０の画像の外枠を太く表示することで表している。 FIG. 14 further shows a state in which the user has specified the CMOS camera 830 in order to select the arrangement of the CMOS camera 830. The designated method is such that the user moves the cursor on the image of the CMOS camera 830 and single-clicks the image. The acceptance of the designation is indicated by displaying the outer frame of the image of the CMOS camera 830 thickly on the display screen 606.
　ＣＭＯＳカメラ８３０の指定が受け付けられると、条件絞込部５０２は装置リスト５２２の当該装置に可能な配置を読み出し、表示部５０６に表示させる。図３の装置リスト５２２において、ＣＭＯＳカメラに可能な配置として左カメラポートおよび右カメラポートが格納されていることに対応して、図１４では、左カメラポート７３４および右カメラポート７３０の近傍に、通し番号「（１）」および「（２）」を表示することで、当該２か所のいずれかに配置が可能であることを視覚的に示している。 When the designation of the CMOS camera 830 is accepted, the condition narrowing unit 502 reads out the arrangement possible for the device in the device list 522 and displays it on the display unit 506. Corresponding to the fact that the left camera port and the right camera port are stored as possible arrangements in the CMOS camera in the device list 522 of FIG. 3, in FIG. 14, in the vicinity of the left camera port 734 and the right camera port 730, By displaying the serial numbers "(1)" and "(2)", it is visually indicated that the serial numbers can be arranged in either of the two locations.
　通し番号の指定や、ＣＭＯＳカメラ８３０の画像の各カメラポートへのドラッグ・アンド・ドロップ等によりＣＭＯＳカメラ８３０の配置を示す情報が情報取得部５００により取得される。これは、装置の配置を示す情報（言い換えると、装置の配置情報）が情報取得部５００に取得される一例になっている。さらに、これは、表示画面６０６において配置を示す情報を選択可能に表示しているともいえる。 Information indicating the arrangement of the CMOS camera 830 is acquired by the information acquisition unit 500 by designating a serial number, dragging and dropping the image of the CMOS camera 830 to each camera port, or the like. This is an example in which the information indicating the arrangement of the devices (in other words, the arrangement information of the devices) is acquired by the information acquisition unit 500. Further, it can be said that the information indicating the arrangement is selectively displayed on the display screen 606.
　情報取得部５００は、取得した配置を、装置リスト５２２の「選択＋配置」の欄に書き込む。図１４ではＣＭＯＳカメラ８３０の配置として「（３）」すなわち右カメラポート７３０が選択されているので、情報取得部５００は、「選択＋配置」の欄を「右カメラポート」で上書きする。 The information acquisition unit 500 writes the acquired arrangement in the "selection + arrangement" column of the device list 522. In FIG. 14, since “(3)”, that is, the right camera port 730 is selected as the arrangement of the CMOS camera 830, the information acquisition unit 500 overwrites the “selection + arrangement” column with the “right camera port”.
　図１５は、使用条件を絞り込んで表示する状態（Ｓ１２）における表示画面６０８である。図１５は、図１４の状態からさらにＬＥＤ照明ユニット８２４および落射用アダプター８２２の配置も選択された状態である。 FIG. 15 is a display screen 608 in a state (S12) in which the usage conditions are narrowed down and displayed. FIG. 15 shows a state in which the arrangement of the LED lighting unit 824 and the epi-illumination adapter 822 is also selected from the state of FIG.
　ＬＥＤ照明ユニット８２４および落射用アダプター８２２の配置は図１４で説明した方法と同様の方法により選択される。落射用アダプター８２２が落射用光源下ポート７２２に接続され、ＬＥＤ照明ユニット８２４が光ファイバーを介して落射用アダプター８２２に接続されている。これにより、ＬＥＤ照明ユニット８２４は落射用アダプター８２２および光ファイバーを介して落射用光源下ポート７２２に間接的に配置されていることになる。なお、ＣＭＯＳカメラ８３０は図１４の状態で右カメラポート７３０を選択したことに対応して、右カメラポート７３０に配置された状態が示されている。 The arrangement of the LED lighting unit 824 and the epi-illumination adapter 822 is selected by the same method as that described with reference to FIG. The epi-illumination adapter 822 is connected to the epi-illumination light source bottom port 722, and the LED lighting unit 824 is connected to the epi-illumination adapter 822 via an optical fiber. As a result, the LED lighting unit 824 is indirectly arranged at the epi-illumination light source bottom port 722 via the epi-illumination adapter 822 and the optical fiber. It should be noted that the CMOS camera 830 is shown in a state of being arranged in the right camera port 730 corresponding to the selection of the right camera port 730 in the state of FIG.
　図１５はさらに、使用条件バー４０８が選択された状態も示している。情報取得部５００が使用条件バー４０８の選択を受け付けると、条件絞込部５０２は、装置リスト５２２と条件テーブル５２４の両方を参照して、使用条件を絞り込んで、表示部５０６に表示させる。 FIG. 15 further shows a state in which the usage condition bar 408 is selected. When the information acquisition unit 500 accepts the selection of the usage condition bar 408, the condition narrowing unit 502 narrows down the usage conditions by referring to both the device list 522 and the condition table 524, and displays them on the display unit 506.
　使用条件バー４０８から使用条件選択欄４２０へ向けて黒塗り三角記号が表されている。これにより、使用条件選択欄４２０の表示が使用条件バー４０８に記された「使用の条件」の具体的なリストであることが視覚的に分かりやすい。 A black-painted triangle symbol is displayed from the usage condition bar 408 to the usage condition selection field 420. Thereby, it is easy to visually understand that the display of the usage condition selection field 420 is a specific list of "use conditions" described in the usage condition bar 408.
　条件テーブル５２４に格納されている対象装置と使用条件が、使用条件選択欄４２０に表示される。使用条件の表示において、下線は絞り込まれた使用条件、換言すれば使用条件の候補であることを示す。すなわち、下線で表示された使用条件は、先に特定された装置とその装置の配置（上記の例では、特定された、倒立顕微鏡７００、ＣＭＯＳカメラ８３０、ＬＥＤ照明ユニット８２４及び落射用アダプター８２２とそれらの配置）によって絞り込まれる各装置の使用の条件（つまり、使用条件）である。言い換えれば、先に特定された装置とその装置の配置において観察に適した使用条件であることを示す。一方、消し線は、絞り込みによって外れた条件であることを示す。すなわち、消し線が表示された使用条件は、先に特定された装置とその装置の配置によって使用することができない各装置の使用条件である。言い換えれば、先に特定された装置とその装置の配置において観察に適した使用条件でないことを示す。使用者は使用条件選択欄４２０に表示された使用条件の候補から所望の条件をキー操作やマウス操作によって選択することができる（Ｓ１８）。 The target device and usage conditions stored in the condition table 524 are displayed in the usage condition selection field 420. In the display of usage conditions, the underline indicates that the usage conditions are narrowed down, in other words, candidates for usage conditions. That is, the conditions of use indicated by the underline are the device specified earlier and the arrangement of the device (in the above example, the specified inverted microscope 700, CMOS camera 830, LED lighting unit 824, and epi-illumination adapter 822. It is a condition of use (that is, a condition of use) of each device narrowed down by their arrangement). In other words, it indicates that the operating conditions are suitable for observation in the device specified above and the arrangement of the device. On the other hand, the eraser indicates that the condition is out of the narrowing down condition. That is, the usage conditions in which the erased lines are displayed are the usage conditions of the devices specified above and the usage conditions of each device that cannot be used due to the arrangement of the devices. In other words, it indicates that the device specified above and the arrangement of the device are not suitable for observation. The user can select a desired condition from the candidates for the usage condition displayed in the usage condition selection field 420 by key operation or mouse operation (S18).
　図１５の例において、使用条件選択欄４２０には対象装置としての「対物レンズユニット７５０」と、その直下に使用条件として番地「１」「２」「３」が消し線付きで表示される。一方、番地「４」「５」「６」が下線付きで表示されている。 In the example of FIG. 15, in the usage condition selection field 420, the "objective lens unit 750" as the target device and the addresses "1", "2", and "3" as the usage conditions are displayed with a eraser immediately below the target device. On the other hand, the addresses "4", "5", and "6" are underlined.
　当該表示において、まず、条件絞込部５０２は条件テーブル５２４の対物レンズユニット７５０における「絞込要件」の欄を参照する。図５の例において対物レンズユニットの「絞込要件」には光源ポートの選択が含まれている。そこで、条件絞込部５０２は装置リスト５２２において、選択されている光源ポートを検索する。図１５でＬＥＤ照明ユニット８２４が落射用光源下ポート７２２に間接的に配置されているので、装置リスト５２２において、選択された光源ポートとして落射用光源下ポート７２２が抽出される。条件絞込部５０２は、対物レンズユニット７５０の「絞込要件」が「光源ポート＝落射用光源下ポート」かつ「光源＝ＬＥＤ照明ユニット」である場合の「使用条件の候補」として「番地４、５、６」を特定し、表示部５０６に表示させる。付言すれば、「ＬＥＤ照明ユニット」という装置と「落射用光源下ポート」という配置との組み合わせに基づいて、使用条件の候補が絞り込まれている。 In the display, first, the condition narrowing unit 502 refers to the column of "narrowing requirement" in the objective lens unit 750 of the condition table 524. In the example of FIG. 5, the "narrowing requirement" of the objective lens unit includes the selection of the light source port. Therefore, the condition narrowing unit 502 searches for the selected light source port in the device list 522. Since the LED lighting unit 824 is indirectly arranged at the epi-light source lower port 722 in FIG. 15, the epi-light source lower port 722 is extracted as the selected light source port in the device list 522. The condition narrowing unit 502 is set to "Address 4" as a "candidate for usage conditions" when the "narrowing requirement" of the objective lens unit 750 is "light source port = light source lower port for epi-illumination" and "light source = LED lighting unit". 5, 6 ”is specified and displayed on the display unit 506. In addition, the candidates for usage conditions are narrowed down based on the combination of the device called "LED lighting unit" and the arrangement of "port under the light source for epi-illumination".
　対物レンズユニット７５０において使用条件の候補が「番地４、５、６」に絞り込まれるのは、以下のような理由による。まず、光源としてＬＥＤ照明ユニット８２４が選択されて、落射用アダプター８２２を介して落射用光源下ポート７２２に接続されている。一方、光源として透過照明は選択されていない。したがって、透過観察である明視野、位相差および微分干渉のいずれの観察でもないことが想定されるので、明視野、位相差および微分干渉に用いる番地１、２、３の対物レンズは用いられないから使用条件の候補から外れる。付言すれば、対物レンズは顕微鏡システム２０の光路上に配置される光学部材の一例であって、対物レンズの種類は顕微鏡システム２０の使用条件の一例であり、図１５は対物レンズの種類が用途によって決まる例となっている。さらに、落射用アダプター８２２は光学部材の一例であり、したがって、図１５は、光学部材を特定する情報とその光学部材の配置を示す情報の組み合わせに基づく顕微鏡システム２０の使用条件の候補が表示される例となっている。 The reason why the candidates for usage conditions in the objective lens unit 750 are narrowed down to "addresses 4, 5, and 6" is as follows. First, the LED lighting unit 824 is selected as the light source and is connected to the epi-illumination light source lower port 722 via the epi-illumination adapter 822. On the other hand, transmitted illumination is not selected as the light source. Therefore, since it is assumed that the observation is neither bright field, phase contrast, or differential interference contrast, which is transmission observation, the objective lenses at addresses 1, 2, and 3 used for bright field, phase contrast, and differential interference contrast are not used. Is not a candidate for usage conditions. In addition, the objective lens is an example of an optical member arranged on the optical path of the microscope system 20, the type of the objective lens is an example of the usage conditions of the microscope system 20, and the type of the objective lens is used in FIG. It is an example determined by. Further, the epi-illumination adapter 822 is an example of an optical member, and therefore FIG. 15 displays candidates for conditions of use of the microscope system 20 based on a combination of information identifying the optical member and information indicating the arrangement of the optical member. It is an example.
　同様に、アナライザー７２４、落射用上シャッター７２１、落射用下シャッター７２３、落射用上フィルターターレット７１６、落射用下フィルターターレット７１８および観察側光路切替ミラー７２８の使用条件も絞り込まれている。絞り込まれた使用条件は、使用条件の候補として使用条件選択欄４２０に表示されている。 Similarly, the usage conditions of the analyzer 724, the epi-illumination upper shutter 721, the epi-illumination lower shutter 723, the epi-illumination upper filter turret 716, the epi-illumination lower filter turret 718, and the observation side optical path switching mirror 728 are also narrowed down. The narrowed down usage conditions are displayed in the usage condition selection field 420 as candidates for the usage conditions.
　落射用上シャッター７２１については、図１５の状態において落射用光源上ポート７２０に光源が接続されていない。よって、条件テーブル５２４の絞込要件「光源ポート＝落射用光源上ポートなし」によって使用条件の候補が「閉」（すなわち「遮断」）に絞り込まれている。 Regarding the epi-illumination upper shutter 721, the light source is not connected to the epi-illumination light source upper port 720 in the state of FIG. Therefore, the candidates for the usage conditions are narrowed down to "closed" (that is, "blocked") by the narrowing down requirement "light source port = no light source upper port for epi-illumination" in the condition table 524.
　落射用下シャッター７２３については、図１５の状態において落射用光源下ポート７２２にＬＥＤ照明ユニット８２４が接続されている。よって、条件テーブル５２４の絞込要件「光源ポート＝落射用光源下ポート」によって使用条件の候補が「開」（すなわち「入射」）に絞り込まれている。 Regarding the epi-illumination lower shutter 723, the LED lighting unit 824 is connected to the epi-illumination light source lower port 722 in the state of FIG. Therefore, the candidates for the usage conditions are narrowed down to "open" (that is, "incident") by the narrowing-down requirement "light source port = port under the light source for epi-illumination" in the condition table 524.
　落射用上フィルターターレット７１６については、図１５の状態において落射用光源上ポート７２０に光源が接続されていない。よって、条件テーブル５２４の絞込要件「光源ポート＝落射用光源上ポートなし」によって使用条件の候補が「番地１」（すなわち「空」）に絞り込まれている。 Regarding the epi-illumination upper filter turret 716, the light source is not connected to the epi-illumination light source upper port 720 in the state of FIG. Therefore, the candidates for the usage conditions are narrowed down to "address 1" (that is, "empty") by the narrowing down requirement "light source port = no light source upper port for epi-illumination" in the condition table 524.
　落射用下フィルターターレット７１８については、落射用光源下ポート７２２にＬＥＤ照明ユニット８２４が接続されている。よって、条件テーブル５２４の絞込要件「「光源ポート＝落射用光源下ポート」かつ「光源＝ＬＥＤ照明ユニット」」によって使用条件の候補が「番地２、３、４」に絞り込まれている。使用条件の候補が「番地２、３、４」に絞り込まれるのは、落射用光源下ポート７２２にＬＥＤ照明ユニット８２４が接続されていることで、落射用下フィルターターレット７１８を経由して蛍光観察されることが想定されるが、蛍光の種類までは特定されていないので、落射用下フィルターターレット７１８が有する蛍光観察用のフィルターターレットが使用条件の候補となることによる。 For the lower filter turret 718 for epi-illumination, the LED lighting unit 824 is connected to the port 722 under the light source for epi-illumination. Therefore, the candidates for the usage conditions are narrowed down to "addresses 2, 3, 4" according to the narrowing requirements "" light source port = port under the light source for epi-illumination "and" light source = LED lighting unit "" in the condition table 524. Candidates for usage conditions are narrowed down to "addresses 2, 3, and 4" because the LED lighting unit 824 is connected to the epi-illumination light source sub-port 722, and fluorescence observation is performed via the epi-illumination lower filter turret 718. However, since the type of fluorescence has not been specified, the filter turret for fluorescence observation included in the lower filter turret for epi-illumination 718 is a candidate for use conditions.
　付言すれば、使用者が光源と当該光源の配置とを選択したことで、それらの選択を直接的な絞込要件として落射用上フィルターターレット７１６および落射用下フィルターターレット７１８の使用条件が絞り込まれている。 In addition, when the user selects the light source and the arrangement of the light source, the usage conditions of the upper filter turret 716 for epi-illumination and the lower filter turret 718 for epi-illumination are narrowed down with those selections as direct narrowing requirements. ing.
　これに対し、アナライザー７２４については下記の通り使用者の選択に対して連鎖的に使用条件が絞り込まれる。まず、上記の通り落射用光源下ポート７２２にＬＥＤ照明ユニット８２４が接続されているので、上記の通り対物レンズユニット７５０の絞込要件「「光源ポート＝落射用光源下ポート」かつ「光源＝ＬＥＤ照明ユニット」」によって対物レンズユニット７５０の使用条件の候補が「番地４、５、６」に絞り込まれる。さらに、対物レンズユニット７５０の使用条件の候補が「番地４、５、６」に絞り込まれたことにより、アナライザー７２４の絞込要件「対物レンズユニット＝番地３以外」が満たされることになって、アナライザー７２４の使用条件の候補が「アウト」に絞り込まれる。付言すれば、対物レンズユニット７５０の使用条件の候補がアナライザー７２４の絞込要件にもなっている。 On the other hand, for the analyzer 724, the usage conditions are narrowed down in a chain reaction to the user's selection as follows. First, since the LED lighting unit 824 is connected to the epi-illumination light source lower port 722 as described above, the narrowing requirements of the objective lens unit 750 as described above are "" light source port = epi-illumination light source sub-port "and" light source = LED. The "lighting unit" narrows down the candidates for the usage conditions of the objective lens unit 750 to "addresses 4, 5, and 6". Furthermore, since the candidates for the usage conditions of the objective lens unit 750 are narrowed down to "addresses 4, 5, and 6," the narrowing requirement of the analyzer 724 "objective lens unit = other than address 3" is satisfied. Candidates for the conditions of use of the analyzer 724 are narrowed down to "out". In addition, the candidate for the usage condition of the objective lens unit 750 is also the narrowing requirement of the analyzer 724.
　付言すれば、上記の通りアナライザー７２４、落射用上シャッター７２１および落射用下シャッター７２３の使用条件が絞り込まれることは、顕微鏡システム２０の使用条件の一例である当該顕微鏡システム２０の光路上に配置する光学部材の種類、が絞り込まれる例になっている。なお、図１５には図示していないが、当該光学部材の種類には、ポラライザー、微分干渉用プリズム、位相差観察用リング絞りも含まれる。 In addition, as described above, narrowing down the usage conditions of the analyzer 724, the epi-illumination upper shutter 721 and the epi-illumination lower shutter 723 is arranged on the optical path of the microscope system 20 which is an example of the usage conditions of the microscope system 20. This is an example of narrowing down the types of optical members. Although not shown in FIG. 15, the types of the optical members include a polarizer, a prism for differential interference contrast, and a ring diaphragm for phase contrast observation.
　観察側光路切替ミラー７２８については、図１５の状態で右カメラポート７３０にＣＭＯＳカメラ８３０が接続されている一方、左カメラポート７３４には何も接続されていない。よって、条件テーブル５２４の絞込要件「右カメラポート＝撮像装置、かつ、左カメラポート＝なし」によって、観察側光路切替ミラー７２８の使用条件の候補が「右」に絞り込まれる。付言すれば、顕微鏡システム２０における光の偏向方向は顕微鏡システム２０の使用条件の一例であり、図１５は観察側光路切替ミラー７２８の向きにより光の偏向方向が決まる例になっている。ＣＭＯＳカメラ８３０は撮像装置の一例であり、したがって、図１５は撮像装置を特定する情報とその撮像装置の配置を示す情報の組み合わせに基づく顕微鏡システム２０の使用条件の候補が表示される例になっている。 Regarding the observation side optical path switching mirror 728, the CMOS camera 830 is connected to the right camera port 730 in the state of FIG. 15, while nothing is connected to the left camera port 734. Therefore, the candidates for the usage conditions of the observation side optical path switching mirror 728 are narrowed down to "right" according to the narrowing down requirement "right camera port = imaging device and left camera port = none" in the condition table 524. In addition, the light deflection direction in the microscope system 20 is an example of the usage conditions of the microscope system 20, and FIG. 15 shows an example in which the light deflection direction is determined by the direction of the observation side optical path switching mirror 728. The CMOS camera 830 is an example of an imaging device, and therefore FIG. 15 is an example of displaying candidates for usage conditions of the microscope system 20 based on a combination of information identifying the imaging device and information indicating the arrangement of the imaging device. ing.
　なお、ＬＥＤ照明ユニット８２４の使用条件である励起波長は全く絞り込まれていない。条件テーブル５２４におけるＬＥＤ照明ユニット８２４の絞込要件は、「対応する」フィルターターレットすなわち本例でいえば落射用下フィルターターレット７１８の番地が特定されることであるが、図１５の状態では上記の通り落射用下フィルターターレット７１８の番地はまだ特定されていなからである。 The excitation wavelength, which is the usage condition of the LED lighting unit 824, has not been narrowed down at all. The narrowing requirement of the LED lighting unit 824 in the condition table 524 is to specify the address of the "corresponding" filter turret, that is, the lower filter turret 718 for epi-illumination in this example, but in the state of FIG. 15, the above This is because the address of the lower filter turret 718 for street shots has not yet been identified.
　さらに、絞り込まれた使用条件に基づいて画面に表示されている画像も変更される。図１４では、落射用上フィルターターレット７１６および落射用下フィルターターレット７１８の使用条件はいずれも絞り込まれていないので、表示画面６０６では初期状態として「空」を表す白抜きの四角枠が示されている。一方、図１５の状態では落射用下フィルターターレット７１８の方は、「空」以外すなわち「番地２、３、４」のいずれかのフィルターキューブを用いるこれに対応して、図１５の表示画面６０８ではいずれかのフィルターキューブが用いられることを示す、フィルターキューブを模した画像が示されている。 Furthermore, the image displayed on the screen will be changed based on the narrowed down usage conditions. In FIG. 14, since the usage conditions of the epi-illumination upper filter turret 716 and the epi-illumination lower filter turret 718 are not narrowed down, the display screen 606 shows a white square frame representing "sky" as the initial state. There is. On the other hand, in the state of FIG. 15, the lower filter turret 718 for epi-illumination uses a filter cube other than "empty", that is, any of "addresses 2, 3, and 4". Correspondingly, the display screen 608 of FIG. 15 is used. Shows an image that mimics a filter cube, showing that one of the filter cubes is used.
　上記の通り、図１５で示した装置およびそれらの配置が選択された状態において、当該装置および配置に基づいて使用条件の候補が絞り込まれて表示される。これにより、現状態での顕微鏡の各装置において適した使用条件、すなわち使用条件の候補を使用者に提示することができる。さらに、使用条件が絞り込まれるため使用条件の選択肢の数が減るので、使用者の選択が簡単になる。換言すれば、使用者での顕微鏡の設定にかかる手間を軽減することができる。さらには、観察に適さない使用条件は候補から外れるので、観察に適さない使用条件を選択するという間違いを抑制することができる。換言すれば、使用者での顕微鏡の誤使用を防止することができる。なお、使用条件バー４０８の選択による使用条件選択欄４２０の表示は、使用者に使用条件を画面上で提示するものであって、設定部５０８による自動的な設定はまだ行われない。 As described above, in the state where the devices and their arrangements shown in FIG. 15 are selected, candidates for usage conditions are narrowed down and displayed based on the devices and their arrangements. This makes it possible to present to the user suitable usage conditions, that is, candidates for usage conditions in each device of the microscope in the current state. Furthermore, since the conditions of use are narrowed down, the number of choices of conditions of use is reduced, which simplifies the selection of the user. In other words, it is possible to reduce the time and effort required for the user to set the microscope. Furthermore, since the usage conditions that are not suitable for observation are excluded from the candidates, it is possible to suppress the mistake of selecting the usage conditions that are not suitable for observation. In other words, it is possible to prevent the user from misusing the microscope. The display of the usage condition selection field 420 by selecting the usage condition bar 408 presents the usage conditions to the user on the screen, and the automatic setting by the setting unit 508 has not yet been performed.
　図１６は、観察条件を選択する状態（Ｓ１６）における表示画面６１０である。図１６は、一例として図１３の状態からＣＭＯＳカメラ８３０を右カメラポート７３０に配置した後に、観察条件バー４１２が選択された状態である。なお、説明の都合上、図１６でＣＭＯＳカメラ８３０が選択されて配置が決まっている状態としたが、観察条件の選択に先立っていずれの装置も選択されていない状態でもよく、装置は選択されているが配置が決まっていない状態であってもよい。 FIG. 16 is a display screen 610 in a state (S16) in which observation conditions are selected. FIG. 16 shows a state in which the observation condition bar 412 is selected after the CMOS camera 830 is arranged in the right camera port 730 from the state of FIG. 13 as an example. For convenience of explanation, the CMOS camera 830 is selected and the arrangement is determined in FIG. 16, but none of the devices may be selected prior to the selection of the observation conditions, and the devices are selected. However, the arrangement may not be decided.
　情報取得部５００が使用条件バー４０８の選択を受け付けると、条件絞込部５０２は、倒立顕微鏡７００で観察が可能な観察条件を表示部５０６に表示させる。倒立顕微鏡７００で観察が可能な観察条件は予め装置リスト５２２に格納されている。条件絞込部５０２は装置リスト５２２から観察条件を読み出して表示部５０６に渡す。表示部５０６は当該観察条件を観察条件選択欄４２２に表示する。 When the information acquisition unit 500 accepts the selection of the usage condition bar 408, the condition narrowing unit 502 causes the display unit 506 to display the observation conditions that can be observed by the inverted microscope 700. The observation conditions that can be observed with the inverted microscope 700 are stored in the apparatus list 522 in advance. The condition narrowing unit 502 reads out the observation conditions from the device list 522 and passes them to the display unit 506. The display unit 506 displays the observation condition in the observation condition selection field 422.
　図１６は観察条件選択欄４２２に表示された６つの観察条件のうち「蛍光」を選択した状態も示している。選択の方法は、観察条件選択欄４２２のなかの「蛍光」がカーソルや矢印キーにより特定され、さらにエンターキー押下げやダブルクリックがされる等である。上記選択によって、情報取得部５００が観察条件の入力を受け付けている。これは、観察条件選択欄４２２において観察条件を特定する情報を選択可能に表示しているともいえる。 FIG. 16 also shows a state in which "fluorescence" is selected from the six observation conditions displayed in the observation condition selection field 422. As a selection method, "fluorescence" in the observation condition selection field 422 is specified by a cursor or an arrow key, and the enter key is pressed or double-clicked. By the above selection, the information acquisition unit 500 accepts the input of the observation conditions. It can be said that the information for specifying the observation condition is selectively displayed in the observation condition selection field 422.
　観察条件の選択に応じて、観察条件バー４１２の直下の観察条件表示欄４２４に「蛍光」という文字が表示されている。これにより、蛍光観察が選択されたことを使用者が容易に認識することができる。 Depending on the selection of the observation condition, the character "fluorescence" is displayed in the observation condition display field 424 immediately below the observation condition bar 412. This allows the user to easily recognize that fluorescence observation has been selected.
　図１７は、再び使用条件を絞り込んで表示する状態（Ｓ１２）における表示画面６１２である。図１７は、図１６の状態から再び使用条件バー４０８が選択された状態である。 FIG. 17 is a display screen 612 in a state (S12) in which the usage conditions are narrowed down and displayed again. FIG. 17 shows a state in which the usage condition bar 408 is selected again from the state of FIG.
　使用条件選択欄４２０には、図１６で選択した観察条件に基づいて絞り込まれた使用条件が表示されている。特に、対物レンズユニット７５０の使用条件が「番地４、５、６」に絞り込まれている。これは、図５の条件テーブル５２４において、対物レンズユニットの絞込条件「観察条件＝蛍光」に対して使用条件の候補「番地４、５、６」が格納されていることに対応している。絞込条件「観察条件＝蛍光」に対して使用条件の候補「番地４、５、６」に絞り込まれるのは、条件テーブル５２４の別表に記載の通り、番地１、２、３の対物レンズは蛍光観察に用いられないが、番地４、５、６の対物レンズは蛍光観察に用いられるからである。 In the usage condition selection field 420, the usage conditions narrowed down based on the observation conditions selected in FIG. 16 are displayed. In particular, the usage conditions of the objective lens unit 750 are narrowed down to "addresses 4, 5, and 6". This corresponds to the fact that in the condition table 524 of FIG. 5, the candidate "addresses 4, 5, 6" of the usage conditions are stored for the narrowing condition "observation condition = fluorescence" of the objective lens unit. .. As described in the attached table of the condition table 524, the objective lenses at addresses 1, 2, and 3 are narrowed down to the candidate "addresses 4, 5, and 6" for the use conditions with respect to the aperture condition "observation condition = fluorescence". This is because the objective lenses at addresses 4, 5 and 6 are used for fluorescence observation, although they are not used for fluorescence observation.
　アナライザー７２４の使用条件が「アウト」に絞り込まれている。これは、図６の条件テーブル５２４において、アナライザーの絞込要件「観察条件＝微分干渉以外」に対して使用条件の候補「アウト」が格納されていることに対応している。図１７には示されていないが、同様に、ポラライザー、微分観察用プリズムおよび位相差観察用リング絞りのいずれも使用条件が「アウト」に絞り込まれる。アナライザー、ポラライザーおよび微分観察用プリズムはいずれも微分干渉観察に用いられ、蛍光観察には用いられないので、観察条件として蛍光観察が選択されたことによりこれらを使用しないことになり、使用条件がいずれも「アウト」になる。また、位相差観察用リングは、位相差観察に用いられるが、蛍光観察には用いられないので、同様に、観察条件として蛍光観察が選択されたことによりこれを使用しないことになり、使用条件が「アウト」になる。 The usage conditions of the analyzer 724 are narrowed down to "out". This corresponds to the fact that in the condition table 524 of FIG. 6, the candidate "out" of the usage condition is stored for the narrowing down requirement "observation condition = other than differential interference contrast" of the analyzer. Although not shown in FIG. 17, similarly, the usage conditions of the polarizer, the prism for differential observation, and the ring diaphragm for phase difference observation are all narrowed down to "out". Since the analyzer, polarizer, and prism for differential observation are all used for differential interference contrast observation and not for fluorescence observation, they will not be used because fluorescence observation is selected as the observation condition. Is also "out". Further, although the phase difference observation ring is used for phase difference observation, it is not used for fluorescence observation. Therefore, similarly, since fluorescence observation is selected as the observation condition, it is not used, and the use condition. Becomes "out".
　一方、図１７における落射用上フィルターターレット７１６および落射用下フィルターターレット７１８の使用条件は絞り込まれていない。これは、図７および図８の条件テーブル５２４において、図１７での条件、すなわち、「観察条件＝蛍光」、「撮像装置＝ＣＭＯＳカメラ」、「左カメラポート＝撮像装置」では使用条件が絞り込まれないことに対応している。 On the other hand, the usage conditions of the epi-illumination upper filter turret 716 and the epi-illumination lower filter turret 718 in FIG. 17 have not been narrowed down. This is because in the condition table 524 of FIGS. 7 and 8, the conditions of FIG. 17, that is, "observation condition = fluorescence", "imaging device = CMOS camera", and "left camera port = imaging device" are narrowed down to use conditions. It corresponds to the fact that it cannot be done.
　以上、図１５で示した装置およびそれらの配置や、図１７で示した装置およびそれらの配置並びに観察条件が選択された状態において、当該装置および配置並びに観察条件に基づいて使用条件が絞り込まれて表示される。これにより、その状態での顕微鏡の各装置において適した使用条件、すなわち使用条件の候補を使用者に提示することができる。 As described above, in the state where the devices shown in FIG. 15 and their arrangements, the devices shown in FIG. 17, their arrangements, and the observation conditions are selected, the usage conditions are narrowed down based on the devices, the arrangements, and the observation conditions. Is displayed. Thereby, suitable usage conditions for each device of the microscope in that state, that is, candidates for usage conditions can be presented to the user.
　図１８は、使用者が使用条件を選択する状態（Ｓ１８）における表示画面６２０である。図１８は、図１５の状態から使用条件選択欄４２０におけるＬＥＤ照明ユニット８２４が選択された状態である。 FIG. 18 is a display screen 620 in a state (S18) in which the user selects usage conditions. FIG. 18 shows a state in which the LED lighting unit 824 in the usage condition selection field 420 is selected from the state of FIG.
　使用条件選択欄４２０には、図９のＬＥＤ照明ユニット８２４の条件テーブル５２４における「可能な全使用条件」に対応して４つの励起波長が表示されている。図１８はさらに、４つの励起波長のうち「４７０」（ｎｍ）が選択された状態が示されている。選択の方法および選択がされたことの表示は図１５等で説明した通りである。 In the usage condition selection field 420, four excitation wavelengths are displayed corresponding to "all possible usage conditions" in the condition table 524 of the LED lighting unit 824 of FIG. FIG. 18 further shows a state in which “470” (nm) is selected from the four excitation wavelengths. The selection method and the indication that the selection has been made are as described with reference to FIG. 15 and the like.
　さらに、ＬＥＤ照明ユニット８２４で励起波長「４７０」が選択されたことにより、他の装置、例えば落射用下フィルターターレット７１８の絞込要件を満足することとなり、落射用下フィルターターレット７１８の使用条件の候補が絞り込まれる。図１５においては、落射用下フィルターターレット７１８の使用条件の候補は「番地２、３、４」の三つある。しかしながら、図１８においては、ＬＥＤ照明ユニット８２４で励起波長「４７０」が選択されたので、図８の条件テーブル５２４における「ＬＥＤ＝４７０ｎｍ」という絞込要件によって、落射用下フィルターターレット７１８の使用条件の候補が「番地３」すなわち「ＦＩＴＣ用フィルターキューブ」に絞り込まれている。 Furthermore, the selection of the excitation wavelength "470" in the LED lighting unit 824 satisfies the narrowing requirements of other devices, for example, the epi-illumination lower filter turret 718, and the conditions for using the epi-illumination lower filter turret 718. Candidates are narrowed down. In FIG. 15, there are three candidates for the usage conditions of the lower filter turret for epi-illumination 718, "addresses 2, 3, and 4." However, in FIG. 18, since the excitation wavelength “470” was selected in the LED lighting unit 824, the usage conditions of the lower filter turret 718 for epi-illumination were met by the narrowing requirement of “LED = 470 nm” in the condition table 524 of FIG. Candidates are narrowed down to "address 3", that is, "filter cube for FITC".
　付言すれば、フィルターキューブは顕微鏡システム２０の光路上に配置される光学部材の一例であって、フィルターキューブの種類は顕微鏡システム２０の使用条件の一例であり、図１８はフィルターキューブの種類が光源の励起波長によって決まる例となっている。フィルターキューブはその種類ごとに固有の透過波長および反射波長を有している。特に反射波長は光源の励起波長の光を反射するために設計されている。よって、光源の励起波長によってフィルターキューブの種類が決定されるということは、反射波長によってフィルターキューブの種類が決定されているともいえる。 In addition, the filter cube is an example of an optical member arranged on the optical path of the microscope system 20, the type of the filter cube is an example of the usage conditions of the microscope system 20, and in FIG. 18, the type of the filter cube is the light source. This is an example determined by the excitation wavelength of. Each type of filter cube has a unique transmission wavelength and reflection wavelength. In particular, the reflection wavelength is designed to reflect light of the excitation wavelength of the light source. Therefore, the fact that the type of filter cube is determined by the excitation wavelength of the light source means that the type of filter cube is determined by the reflection wavelength.
　図１９は、使用者が使用条件を選択する状態（Ｓ１８）における他の表示画面６２２である。図１９は、図１５の状態から使用条件選択欄４２０における落射用下フィルターターレット７１８が選択された状態である。 FIG. 19 is another display screen 622 in the state (S18) in which the user selects the usage conditions. FIG. 19 shows a state in which the lower filter turret 718 for epi-illumination in the use condition selection field 420 is selected from the state of FIG.
　使用条件選択欄４２０には、図８の落射用下フィルターターレット７１８の条件テーブル５２４における「可能な全使用条件」に対応して４つの番地が表示されている。図１９はさらに、４つの番地のうち「番地３」すなわち「ＦＩＴＣ用フィルターキューブ」が選択された状態が示されている。選択の方法および選択がされたことの表示は図１５等で説明した通りである。 In the usage condition selection field 420, four addresses are displayed corresponding to "all possible usage conditions" in the condition table 524 of the lower filter turret 718 for epi-illumination in FIG. FIG. 19 further shows a state in which "address 3", that is, "filter cube for FITC" is selected from the four addresses. The selection method and the indication that the selection has been made are as described with reference to FIG. 15 and the like.
　さらに、落射用下フィルターターレット７１８で「番地３」が選択されたことにより、他の装置、例えばＬＥＤ照明ユニット８２４の絞込要件を満足することとなり、ＬＥＤ照明ユニット８２４の使用条件の候補が絞り込まれる。図１５の状態では、ＬＥＤ照明ユニット８２４のいずれの絞込要件も満足されていないので、使用条件の候補は４つある。しかしながら、図１９においては、落射用下フィルターターレット７１８で「番地３」が選択されたので、図９の条件テーブル５２４における「フィルターターレット＝ＦＩＴＣ」という絞込要件によって、ＬＥＤ照明ユニット８２４の使用条件の候補が「４７０」（ｎｍ）に絞り込まれている。 Furthermore, since "Address 3" is selected in the lower filter turret 718 for epi-illumination, it satisfies the narrowing requirements of other devices, for example, the LED lighting unit 824, and the candidates for the usage conditions of the LED lighting unit 824 are narrowed down. Is done. In the state of FIG. 15, since none of the narrowing-down requirements of the LED lighting unit 824 is satisfied, there are four candidates for the usage conditions. However, in FIG. 19, since "address 3" was selected in the lower filter turret for epi-illumination 718, the usage conditions of the LED lighting unit 824 were met by the narrowing requirement of "filter turret = FITC" in the condition table 524 of FIG. Candidates are narrowed down to "470" (nm).
　図１８および図１９の例のように、互いに適した組み合わせで用いられるべき使用条件については、互いに一方の使用条件が他方の絞込要件となっている。よって、いずれか一方の装置の使用条件を選択することで、他方の装置に対してそれに適した組み合わせとなる使用条件の候補に絞り込むことができる。 As in the examples of FIGS. 18 and 19, regarding the usage conditions that should be used in a combination suitable for each other, one usage condition is a narrowing requirement for the other. Therefore, by selecting the usage conditions of one of the devices, it is possible to narrow down the candidates for the usage conditions that are suitable combinations for the other device.
　図２０は、使用条件を設定する状態（Ｓ２２）における表示画面６１６である。図２０は、一例として図１８の状態からさらに、各装置の使用条件の候補が１つに絞り込まれた状態で、条件設定ボタン４３０が押し下げられた状態である。条件設定ボタン４３０が押し下げられたことは、条件設定ボタン４３０の外枠が太線になったことで表示画面６１６に表示されている。 FIG. 20 is a display screen 616 in a state (S22) in which usage conditions are set. FIG. 20 shows a state in which the condition setting button 430 is pressed down in a state in which the candidates for the usage conditions of each device are further narrowed down from the state of FIG. 18 as an example. The fact that the condition setting button 430 is pressed down is displayed on the display screen 616 because the outer frame of the condition setting button 430 is thickened.
　条件設定ボタン４３０が押し下げられると、条件絞込部５０２は装置リスト５２２および条件テーブル５２４を参照し、現状態で絞り込まれている各装置の使用条件を設定部５０８に渡す。条件絞込部５０２はさらに、各装置の使用条件が電動で設定可能であるかどうかを示す情報も設定部５０８に渡す。 When the condition setting button 430 is pressed down, the condition narrowing unit 502 refers to the device list 522 and the condition table 524, and passes the usage conditions of each device narrowed down in the current state to the setting unit 508. The condition narrowing unit 502 also passes information indicating whether or not the usage conditions of each device can be electrically set to the setting unit 508.
　表示部５０６は現状態での各装置の使用条件を使用条件選択欄４２０に表示する。表示部５０６は設定部５０８により電動で設定が可能な装置と、使用者が物理的に操作をするすなわち手動で設定する装置とを区別して表示する。 The display unit 506 displays the usage conditions of each device in the current state in the usage condition selection field 420. The display unit 506 distinguishes between a device that can be electrically set by the setting unit 508 and a device that the user physically operates, that is, manually sets the device.
　図２０において、手動で設定する装置については使用条件の左側に「（※）」が表示されるとともに、使用条件選択欄４２０の第１行目に「（※）は手動で設定！」という手動で設定を促すメッセージが表示されている。これにより「（※）」が表示された装置の使用条件は手動で設定すべきであるとともに、表示がない装置の使用条件は制御装置５０からの制御により電動で設定されることを使用者へ分かりやすく伝えることができる。 In FIG. 20, for the device to be manually set, "(*)" is displayed on the left side of the usage conditions, and "(*) is manually set!" Is manually displayed in the first line of the usage condition selection field 420. A message prompting you to set is displayed. As a result, the usage conditions of the device with "(*)" should be set manually, and the usage conditions of the device without the display should be set electrically by the control from the control device 50. Can be communicated in an easy-to-understand manner.
　設定部５０８は、電動で設定が可能な装置について、使用条件が１つである場合に当該装置を設定する設定情報を倒立顕微鏡２００に出力する。これにより、倒立顕微鏡２００における当該装置に当該使用条件が自動的に設定される。 The setting unit 508 outputs the setting information for setting the device to the inverted microscope 200 when there is only one usage condition for the device that can be set electrically. As a result, the usage conditions are automatically set for the device in the inverted microscope 200.
　以上、第１の実施形態によれば、倒立顕微鏡２００で使用される装置とその配置に基づいて、観察時における各装置の使用条件を絞り込むことにより、使用者に対して観察に適した使用条件の候補を提示することができる。さらに、観察条件にも基づいて観察時における各装置の使用条件を絞り込むことにより、使用者に対して観察により適した使用条件の候補を提示することができる。従って、使用者での顕微鏡の設定にかかる手間を軽減することができる。また、使用者での顕微鏡の誤使用を防止することができる。 As described above, according to the first embodiment, the usage conditions suitable for observation for the user are narrowed down by narrowing down the usage conditions of each device at the time of observation based on the devices used in the inverted microscope 200 and their arrangement. Can be presented. Further, by narrowing down the usage conditions of each device at the time of observation based on the observation conditions, it is possible to present the user with candidates for the usage conditions more suitable for the observation. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the time and effort required for the user to set the microscope. In addition, it is possible to prevent the user from misusing the microscope.
　なお、説明を簡便にするために図１２から図２０の順序で説明したが、条件絞込部５０２は、情報取得部５００により情報が取得される度に使用条件を絞り込んでいる。よって、図１３の装置を選択する状態（Ｓ１１）から図１４の装置の配置を選択する状態（Ｓ１４）に移行する場合にも、Ｓ１１で装置が選択されたら、条件絞込部５０２は表示の有無に関わらず使用条件を絞り込む。したがって、Ｓ１１からＳ１４に移行する場合にも、表示はしてないものの使用条件を絞り込む状態（Ｓ１２）を経由しているといえる。 Although the description has been given in the order of FIGS. 12 to 20 for the sake of simplicity, the condition narrowing unit 502 narrows down the usage conditions each time the information is acquired by the information acquisition unit 500. Therefore, even when shifting from the state of selecting the device of FIG. 13 (S11) to the state of selecting the arrangement of the device of FIG. 14 (S14), if the device is selected in S11, the condition narrowing-down unit 502 is displayed. Narrow down the conditions of use regardless of the presence or absence. Therefore, even when shifting from S11 to S14, it can be said that the vehicle has passed through a state (S12) in which the usage conditions are narrowed down although it is not displayed.
　また、図１１の例で選択可能な顕微鏡のリストが顕微鏡選択欄４０３に文字として表示される。これに代えて、選択可能な顕微鏡を模した画像を表示部５０６に表示し、当該画像の選択を受け付けることで顕微鏡を選択するようにしてもよい。また、図１４の例でＣＭＯＳカメラ８３０の指定を受け付けると、可能な配置が表示部５０６に表示される。しかしながら、ＣＭＯＳカメラ８３０の指定を受け付けても、可能な配置が表示部５０６に表示されなくてもよい。また、ＣＭＯＳカメラ８３０の画像をドラッグしたタイミングで、配置可能なカメラポートを強調して表示するようにしてもよい。 In addition, a list of microscopes that can be selected in the example of FIG. 11 is displayed as characters in the microscope selection field 403. Instead of this, an image imitating a selectable microscope may be displayed on the display unit 506, and the microscope may be selected by accepting the selection of the image. Further, when the designation of the CMOS camera 830 is accepted in the example of FIG. 14, the possible arrangement is displayed on the display unit 506. However, even if the designation of the CMOS camera 830 is accepted, the possible arrangement may not be displayed on the display unit 506. Further, the camera ports that can be arranged may be emphasized and displayed at the timing when the image of the CMOS camera 830 is dragged.
　さらに、第１実施形態においては、微分干渉プリズム、コンデンサーレンズおよび位相差観察用リング絞りはそれぞれがイン／アウトされる形態で説明した。これに代えて、微分干渉プリズム、コンデンサーレンズおよび位相差観察用リング絞りがターレットに取り付けられ、使用条件が空、微分干渉プリズム、コンデンサーレンズおよび位相差観察用リング絞りから選択されてもよい。 Further, in the first embodiment, the differential interference prism, the condenser lens, and the ring aperture for phase contrast observation have been described in a form in which they are in / out. Alternatively, a DIC prism, a condenser lens and a phase-contrast observation ring diaphragm may be attached to the turret and the conditions of use may be selected from empty, DIC prism, condenser lens and phase-contrast observation ring diaphragm.
　図２１は、第１実施形態における画面表示の変形例である。図２１に示す変形例では、使用条件が競合した場合に警告が表示される。 FIG. 21 is a modified example of the screen display in the first embodiment. In the modified example shown in FIG. 21, a warning is displayed when the usage conditions conflict.
　例えば、ＬＥＤ照明ユニット８２４の使用条件を「４７０」（ｎｍ）に選択したことによって、落射用下フィルターターレット７１８の使用条件の候補が上記図１８で説明した通り「番地３」に絞り込まれているのに、使用者が他の装置の使用条件を選択したことによって当該他の装置の使用条件を絞込要件として例えば「番地４」のみに候補が絞り込まれる場合が生じるとすると、落射用下フィルターターレット７１８について使用条件が競合する。使用条件が競合するとは、特定の装置に対して、ある絞込要件から絞り込まれた使用条件と、他の絞込要件から絞り込まれた他の使用条件とが、同時には使用できない関係にある場合であるともいえる。そこで、図２１に示すように競合が生じていることを表示画面６２４に表示することにより、使用者に注意を促すことができる。 For example, by selecting the usage condition of the LED lighting unit 824 to "470" (nm), the candidates for the usage condition of the lower filter turret 718 for epi-illumination are narrowed down to "address 3" as described in FIG. However, if the user selects the usage conditions of another device and the candidates are narrowed down to, for example, only "address 4" with the usage conditions of the other device as the narrowing requirement, the lower filter for epi-illumination Terms of use conflict for turret 718. Conflicting of usage conditions means that the usage conditions narrowed down from a certain narrowing requirement and the other usage conditions narrowed down from other narrowing requirements cannot be used at the same time for a specific device. It can be said that. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 21, the user can be alerted by displaying on the display screen 624 that a conflict has occurred.
　図２２は、第１実施形態における画面表示の更なる変形例である。図２２は、図１５の状態から対物レンズユニット７５０が選択された状態の表示画面６３０を示す。 FIG. 22 is a further modification of the screen display in the first embodiment. FIG. 22 shows a display screen 630 in a state in which the objective lens unit 750 is selected from the state of FIG.
　表示画面６３０においては、対物レンズユニット７５０の使用条件の候補が画像６３１で視覚的に表示されている。すなわち、使用条件の候補のうち番地４の対物レンズが拡大率１０倍であり、番地５の対物レンズが拡大率２０倍であり、番地６の対物レンズが拡大率４０倍であることに対応して、画像６３１に番地と拡大率が対応付けて文字で表される。さらに、試料２１０に対するそれぞれの番地の対物レンズの視野が同心円で模式的に示されている。これにより、使用者にそれぞれの対物レンズの性能を分かりやすく提示して、使用者の選択を容易にすることができる。本例は、対物レンズの種類が倍率によって決まることになり、顕微鏡システム２０の使用条件の一例である当該顕微鏡システム２０の光路上に配置する光学部材としての対物レンズの種類、が絞り込まれる他の例となっている。 On the display screen 630, candidates for the usage conditions of the objective lens unit 750 are visually displayed in the image 631. That is, among the candidates for the usage conditions, the objective lens at address 4 has a magnification of 10 times, the objective lens at address 5 has a magnification of 20 times, and the objective lens at address 6 has a magnification of 40 times. The address and the enlargement ratio are associated with the image 631 and are represented by characters. Further, the field of view of the objective lens at each address with respect to the sample 210 is schematically shown by concentric circles. This makes it possible to present the performance of each objective lens to the user in an easy-to-understand manner and facilitate the selection of the user. In this example, the type of the objective lens is determined by the magnification, and the type of the objective lens as an optical member to be arranged on the optical path of the microscope system 20, which is an example of the usage conditions of the microscope system 20, is narrowed down. It is an example.
　図２３は、第１実施形態における画面表示の他の変形例である。図２３は、図１２の状態から使用装置バー４０６を選択した状態の表示画面６３２を示す。 FIG. 23 is another modification of the screen display in the first embodiment. FIG. 23 shows a display screen 632 in a state in which the used device bar 406 is selected from the state of FIG.
　表示画面６３２の使用装置選択欄４４０には、図３の装置リスト５２２に挙げられている装置が表示されているが、装置リスト５２２において共通の機能があるとしてまとめられた名称がある場合にはそれが用いられている。例えば、装置リスト５２２においてＣＭＯＳカメラ、ＣＣＤカメラおよび共焦点ユニットが撮像装置としてまとめられていることに対応して使用装置選択欄４４０に「撮像装置」の文字が表示されている。さらに「表示装置」が複数の装置をまとめた名称であることを示すために四角枠で囲まれている。 In the device selection field 440 of the display screen 632, the devices listed in the device list 522 of FIG. 3 are displayed, but if there is a name summarized as having a common function in the device list 522, It is used. For example, in the device list 522, the characters "imaging device" are displayed in the used device selection field 440 corresponding to the fact that the CMOS camera, the CCD camera, and the confocal unit are grouped as an imaging device. Furthermore, it is surrounded by a square frame to indicate that "display device" is a collective name for a plurality of devices.
　表示画面６３２はさらに使用装置選択欄４４０の「撮像装置」が選択された状態も示している。使用装置選択欄４４０の「撮像装置」が選択されると、「撮像装置」としてまとめられていた「ＣＭＯＳカメラ」、「ＣＣＤカメラ」および「共焦点ユニット」の文字が使用装置選択欄４４２に表示されている。 The display screen 632 also shows a state in which the "imaging device" in the device selection field 440 to be used is selected. When the "imaging device" in the used device selection field 440 is selected, the characters "CMOS camera", "CCD camera" and "confocal unit", which are grouped as "imaging device", are displayed in the used device selection field 442. Has been done.
　表示画面６３２によれば、共通の機能を有する装置がまとめて表示されるので、使用装置選択欄４４０のリストが短くなって見やすくなる。さらに、使用装置を階層的に選択してくことができるので、目的の装置が探しやすい。 According to the display screen 632, the devices having a common function are collectively displayed, so that the list of the devices used selection field 440 is shortened and easy to see. Furthermore, since the devices to be used can be selected hierarchically, it is easy to find the target device.
　図２４は、第１実施形態で別の装置を選択した例である。より具体的には、透過照明８００を用いて透過観察する場合の例となっている。図２４は、図１３の状態から、図１４のようにＬＥＤ照明ユニット８２４を選択する代わりに、透過照明８００を選択した状態の表示画面６３４を示す。 FIG. 24 is an example in which another device is selected in the first embodiment. More specifically, it is an example of transmission observation using transmission illumination 800. FIG. 24 shows a display screen 634 in a state in which the transmission illumination 800 is selected instead of selecting the LED illumination unit 824 as in FIG. 14 from the state of FIG.
　図２４はさらに、透過照明８００が透過用光源ポート７０２に配置された状態である。これにより、条件テーブル５２４で絞込要件として「光源＝透過照明」および「光源ポート＝透過用光源ポート」を有する対象装置の使用条件の候補が絞り込まれる。 FIG. 24 is a state in which the transmission illumination 800 is further arranged in the transmission light source port 702. As a result, the candidates for the usage conditions of the target device having "light source = transmitted illumination" and "light source port = transmitted light source port" as the narrowing requirements in the condition table 524 are narrowed down.
　例えば、落射用上フィルターターレット７１６および落射用下フィルターターレット７１８はいずれも、絞込要件「光源＝透過照明」および「光源ポート＝透過用光源ポート」により、使用条件の候補が「番地１」すなわち「空」に絞り込まれている。使用条件の候補が「空」に絞り込まれるのは、透過用光源ポート７０２に透過照明８００を配置していることから明視野で透過観察されることが想定されるので、透過照明８００から右カメラポート７３０に配置されたＣＭＯＳカメラ８３０までの光路に特定の波長を反射したり透過したりするフィルターキューブが配されるのは好ましくないからである。 For example, in both the epi-illumination upper filter turret 716 and the epi-illumination lower filter turret 718, the candidate usage conditions are "address 1", that is, according to the narrowing requirements "light source = transmitted illumination" and "light source port = transmitted light source port". It is narrowed down to "empty". The candidates for the usage conditions are narrowed down to "sky" because the transmission illumination 800 is arranged in the transmission light source port 702, and it is assumed that transmission observation is performed in a bright field. Therefore, the transmission illumination 800 to the right camera This is because it is not preferable to arrange a filter cube that reflects or transmits a specific wavelength in the optical path to the CMOS camera 830 arranged at the port 730.
　上記の通り、図２４のように図１５とは別の装置を選択した場合でも、図１５と同様の効果を奏することができる。なお、透過照明８００は光源の一例であり、したがって、図２４は、光源を特定する情報とその光源の配置を示す情報の組み合わせに基づく顕微鏡システム２０の使用条件の候補が表示される例となっている。 As described above, even when a device different from that shown in FIG. 15 is selected as shown in FIG. 24, the same effect as that shown in FIG. 15 can be obtained. The transmitted illumination 800 is an example of a light source. Therefore, FIG. 24 is an example in which candidates for usage conditions of the microscope system 20 based on a combination of information for identifying the light source and information indicating the arrangement of the light source are displayed. ing.
　図２５から図２８は、第１実施形態のさらに別例である。より具体的には、図２５から図２８では２つの光源と２つの撮像装置が取り付けられ、落射蛍光観察と明視野透過観察とが可能な場合の例になっている。本例においては、２つの光源ポートにそれぞれ光源が配置されるとともに、２つのカメラポートに撮像装置が配置されることによって、顕微鏡に複数の光路が想定される。当該光路を使用条件の候補として表示する。 25 to 28 are still another example of the first embodiment. More specifically, FIGS. 25 to 28 are examples in which two light sources and two imaging devices are attached, and epi-fluorescence observation and bright-field transmission observation are possible. In this example, a plurality of optical paths are assumed in the microscope by arranging the light sources in the two light source ports and arranging the image pickup devices in the two camera ports. The optical path is displayed as a candidate for usage conditions.
　図２５は、透過用光源ポート７０２に透過照明８００が配置され、落射用光源下ポート７２２に落射用アダプター８２２を介してＬＥＤ照明ユニット８２４が接続された状態の表示画面６４０である。表示画面６４０はさらに、ＣＭＯＳカメラ８３０が右カメラポート７３０に接続され、ＣＭＯＳカメラ８３１が左カメラポート７３４に接続された状態である。 FIG. 25 is a display screen 640 in a state where the transmission light 800 is arranged in the transmission light source port 702 and the LED lighting unit 824 is connected to the epi-illumination light source lower port 722 via the epi-illumination adapter 822. The display screen 640 is further in a state in which the CMOS camera 830 is connected to the right camera port 730 and the CMOS camera 831 is connected to the left camera port 734.
　図２６は、図２５の状態から使用条件バー４０８が選択された状態の表示画面６４２である。表示画面６４２の使用条件選択欄４４６には、図１５の使用条件選択欄４２０で表示される装置および使用条件のリストに加え、光路の文字と、光路の番号および光路を示す線の凡例が表示される。光路は試料７１０の観察時に光が通る経路であって、光源からの光が試料７１０を照射する経路と、試料７１０からの光が撮像装置やディテクタに入射する経路とを含む。 FIG. 26 is a display screen 642 in a state in which the usage condition bar 408 is selected from the state of FIG. 25. In the usage condition selection field 446 of the display screen 642, in addition to the list of devices and usage conditions displayed in the usage condition selection field 420 of FIG. 15, the characters of the optical path, the number of the optical path, and the legend of the line indicating the optical path are displayed. Will be done. The optical path is a path through which light passes when observing the sample 710, and includes a path in which the light from the light source irradiates the sample 710 and a path in which the light from the sample 710 is incident on the imaging device or the detector.
　条件絞込部５０２は、装置リスト５２２を参照して光源が接続されている光源ポートと撮像装置またはディテクタが接続されているカメラポートを特定する。条件絞込部５０２は特定した光源ポートおよびカメラポートから可能な光路の候補を算出する。図２６の例においては、光源ポート２個×カメラポート２個で４つの光路の候補を算出する。より具体的には、下記４つの光路が算出される：「透過用光源ポートおよび左カメラポートを経由」（光路１）、「落射用下光源ポートおよび右カメラポートを経由」（光路２）、「透過用光源ポートおよび右カメラポートを経由」（光路３）および「落射用下光源ポートおよび左カメラポートを経由」（光路４）である。 The condition narrowing unit 502 identifies the light source port to which the light source is connected and the camera port to which the image pickup device or detector is connected with reference to the device list 522. The condition narrowing unit 502 calculates possible optical path candidates from the specified light source port and camera port. In the example of FIG. 26, four optical path candidates are calculated with two light source ports and two camera ports. More specifically, the following four optical paths are calculated: "via the transmission light source port and the left camera port" (optical path 1), "via the epi-illumination lower light source port and the right camera port" (optical path 2),. "Via through the transmission light source port and the right camera port" (optical path 3) and "via the epi-illumination lower light source port and the left camera port" (optical path 4).
　光源ポートとカメラポートを用いて光路の候補を算出するが、光路の候補が算出されたら、それぞれのポートに接続されている装置も含めた光路を特定する。すなわち、光源から光源ポートまで、および、カメラポートから撮像装置まで、も光路に含める。ＬＥＤ照明ユニット８２４のようにそれぞれ異なる波長を出射する複数の光源を有する光源ユニットについては、選択された光源から光源ユニット外へ出射するまでの光源ユニット内の光路も含める。 The optical path candidates are calculated using the light source port and the camera port, but once the optical path candidates are calculated, the optical paths including the devices connected to each port are specified. That is, the light source to the light source port and the camera port to the image pickup device are also included in the optical path. For a light source unit having a plurality of light sources that emit different wavelengths, such as the LED lighting unit 824, the optical path in the light source unit from the selected light source to the outside of the light source unit is also included.
　特定された光路１から４が候補として互いに区別可能な線種で表示画面６４２の顕微鏡の画像上に表示される。さらに、光路の文字と、光路の番号および光路を示す線種の凡例が使用条件選択欄４４６に表示する。 The specified optical paths 1 to 4 are displayed as candidates on the microscope image of the display screen 642 with line types that can be distinguished from each other. Further, the characters of the optical path, the number of the optical path, and the legend of the line type indicating the optical path are displayed in the usage condition selection field 446.
　図２６において、光路１は実線で描かれており、光路２は破線で描かれている。なお、図２６では図面上に当該光路１から４をすべて描くことが難しいという理由によって光路１と光路２のみが描かれており、光路３および光路４が省略されている。 In FIG. 26, the optical path 1 is drawn with a solid line, and the optical path 2 is drawn with a broken line. In FIG. 26, only the optical path 1 and the optical path 2 are drawn because it is difficult to draw all the optical paths 1 to 4 on the drawing, and the optical path 3 and the optical path 4 are omitted.
　図２７は、図２６の状態から使用者により光路１が選択された状態を示す表示画面６４４である。光路１が選択されたことによって、使用装置表示欄４１６に「光路１」の文字が表示されるとともに、顕微鏡の画像上でも光路については光路１のみが表示される。 FIG. 27 is a display screen 644 showing a state in which the optical path 1 is selected by the user from the state of FIG. 26. Since the optical path 1 is selected, the characters "optical path 1" are displayed in the device display field 416 used, and only the optical path 1 is displayed on the microscope image.
　使用条件としての光路１を選択したことにより、落射用アダプター８２２、ＬＥＤ照明ユニット８２４およびＣＭＯＳカメラ８３０の組み合わせは顕微鏡観察に用いられるが、透過照明８００とＣＭＯＳカメラ８３１との組み合わせは用いられない。その観点から光路は顕微鏡観察に使用する装置同士の組み合わせを表す使用条件となっている。 By selecting the optical path 1 as the usage condition, the combination of the epi-illumination adapter 822, the LED lighting unit 824 and the CMOS camera 830 is used for microscopic observation, but the combination of the transmission illumination 800 and the CMOS camera 831 is not used. From this point of view, the optical path is a usage condition that represents a combination of devices used for microscopic observation.
　光路の選択は観察側光路切替ミラー７２８等の他の装置の絞込要件にもなっている。図２７に示すように、光路１が選択されたことにより、観察側光路切替ミラー７２８における図９の条件テーブル５２４の絞込要件「光路＝右カメラポート経由」が満たされることになるので、観察側光路切替ミラー７２８の使用条件の候補が「右」に絞り込まれる。これは、図２６の状態では右カメラポート７３０と左カメラポート７３４の両方に撮像装置が配置されているので観察側光路切替ミラー７２８を右に向けるか左に向けるかは未定であるが、光路１が選ばれたことにより右カメラポート７３０に光を入射させるべく観察側光路切替ミラー７２８を右に向けるように絞り込まれたことになる。 The selection of the optical path is also a requirement for narrowing down other devices such as the observation side optical path switching mirror 728. As shown in FIG. 27, since the optical path 1 is selected, the narrowing requirement “optical path = via the right camera port” of the condition table 524 of FIG. 9 in the observation side optical path switching mirror 728 is satisfied. Candidates for the usage conditions of the side optical path switching mirror 728 are narrowed down to "right". This is because in the state of FIG. 26, since the image pickup devices are arranged in both the right camera port 730 and the left camera port 734, it is undecided whether the observation side optical path switching mirror 728 is directed to the right or the left, but the optical path. Since 1 is selected, the observation side optical path switching mirror 728 is narrowed down so as to be directed to the right so that light can be incident on the right camera port 730.
　上記の通り、顕微鏡に用いられる装置およびそれらの配置が選択された状態において、複数の光路が可能である場合に当該複数の光路が選択可能に表示される。言い換えれば、顕微鏡に用いられる装置およびそれらの配置の組み合わせから、顕微鏡システムの使用条件の一例としての光路の候補が絞り込まれて、表示される。これにより、現状態での顕微鏡において適した光路を使用者に提示することができる。さらに、使用者に光路を選択させることにより、顕微鏡に取り付けられている装置のうちで観察に使われるものと使われないものを明確にすることができる。 As described above, in the state where the devices used for the microscope and their arrangements are selected, when a plurality of optical paths are possible, the plurality of optical paths are displayed in a selectable manner. In other words, the optical path candidates as an example of the usage conditions of the microscope system are narrowed down and displayed from the combination of the devices used in the microscope and their arrangement. This makes it possible to present the user with an optical path suitable for the microscope in the current state. Furthermore, by letting the user select the optical path, it is possible to clarify which of the devices attached to the microscope is used for observation and which is not.
　なお、光源ポートに光源が１つ接続され、かつ、カメラポートに撮像装置が１つ接続されている場合、光路が１つに絞り込まれる。当該光路も、顕微鏡に用いられる装置およびそれらの配置の組み合わせから、顕微鏡システムの使用条件の一例として絞り込まれる光路の候補に含まれる。表示される光路の候補は、光源ポートとカメラポートの組に基づいて算出することに代えて、光源ポートから試料７１０までと、試料７１０からカメラポートまでに分けて算出してもよい。 If one light source is connected to the light source port and one image pickup device is connected to the camera port, the optical path is narrowed down to one. The optical path is also included in the optical path candidates narrowed down as an example of the usage conditions of the microscope system from the combination of the devices used in the microscope and their arrangement. The displayed optical path candidates may be calculated separately from the light source port to the sample 710 and from the sample 710 to the camera port, instead of calculating based on the pair of the light source port and the camera port.
　図２８は、図２６の状態から観察条件として蛍光が選択された後に、使用条件バー４０８を選択した状態の表示画面６４６である。観察条件として蛍光が選択されたことにより、ＬＥＤ照明ユニット８２４は使用されるが透過照明８００は使用されないことが想定されるので、光路がＬＥＤ照明ユニット８２４を用いる光路１に絞り込まれている。これにより、複数の光路が可能である場合に観察条件等の光路以外の条件の選択によって、当該選択に適した光路を使用者に提示することができる。 FIG. 28 is a display screen 646 in which the use condition bar 408 is selected after fluorescence is selected as the observation condition from the state of FIG. 26. Since it is assumed that the LED illumination unit 824 is used but the transmission illumination 800 is not used because fluorescence is selected as the observation condition, the optical path is narrowed down to the optical path 1 using the LED illumination unit 824. Thereby, when a plurality of optical paths are possible, the user can be presented with an optical path suitable for the selection by selecting a condition other than the optical path such as an observation condition.
　上記図２５から図２８において、図２５で示す各装置の選択および配置がすでになされているものとして光路の候補の絞り込み、表示および使用者による選択を説明した。しかしながら、光路の候補の絞り込み、表示および使用者による選択は図１０のＳ１２およびＳ１８の例になっている。したがって、光路の候補の絞り込み、表示および使用者による選択は、図１０の状態遷移に従って装置の選択（Ｓ１４）、配置（１４）、それらの装置の使用条件の選択（Ｓ１８）および表示（Ｓ１２）等と並行して行われてよい。なお、使用者によって選択された光路上に配置される装置であって、使用条件が１つに定まっていない装置の使用条件（例えば、対物レンズの種類やフィルターキューブの種類など）は、装置の使用条件の選択（Ｓ１８）にて使用者により選択される。この場合、使用者によって選択された光路上に配置される装置のみの情報を使用装置表示欄４１６に表示させてもよい。また、当該光路上に配置される装置のみの使用条件の候補を使用条件選択欄４４６に表示させてもよい。使用装置表示欄４１６や使用条件選択欄４４６に表示させる情報を、使用者によって選択された光路上に配置される装置のみに絞ることにより、表示画面６４４に表示される情報量が必要最低限となるため、使用者が使用条件の候補を選択しやすくなる。 In FIGS. 25 to 28 above, the narrowing down, display, and selection by the user of the optical path candidates have been described assuming that the selection and arrangement of each device shown in FIG. 25 has already been made. However, the narrowing down, display, and selection by the user of the optical path candidates are the examples of S12 and S18 in FIG. Therefore, the narrowing down, display, and selection by the user of the optical path candidates are performed according to the state transition of FIG. 10: device selection (S14), arrangement (14), selection of usage conditions of those devices (S18), and display (S12). Etc. may be performed in parallel. It should be noted that the operating conditions (for example, the type of the objective lens and the type of the filter cube) of the device that is arranged on the optical path selected by the user and the usage conditions are not fixed to one are the devices. It is selected by the user in the selection of usage conditions (S18). In this case, the information of only the devices arranged on the optical path selected by the user may be displayed in the used device display field 416. In addition, candidates for usage conditions only for the devices arranged on the optical path may be displayed in the usage condition selection field 446. By limiting the information to be displayed in the used device display field 416 and the used condition selection field 446 to only the devices arranged on the optical path selected by the user, the amount of information displayed on the display screen 644 can be minimized. Therefore, it becomes easy for the user to select a candidate for the usage condition.
　図２９は、第１実施形態の変形例の表示画面６５０である。当該変形例においては、観察条件が選択されると、観察条件に対応した装置を選択可能に表示する。当該変形例の装置リスト５２２には、装置毎に特定の観察条件で使用が可であるか否であるかを示す情報が対応付けられている。 FIG. 29 is a display screen 650 of a modified example of the first embodiment. In the modified example, when the observation condition is selected, the device corresponding to the observation condition is displayed in a selectable manner. The device list 522 of the modification is associated with information indicating whether or not the device can be used under specific observation conditions for each device.
　図２９は、当該変形例において第１実施形態と同じ図１６の状態から、使用装置バー４０６を選択した状態を示す表示画面６５０である。使用装置バー４０６が選択された場合に、条件絞込部５０２は装置リスト５２２の装置毎に、選択された観察条件での可否を参照し、使用装置選択欄４４４に装置とその可否を表示する。 FIG. 29 is a display screen 650 showing a state in which the used device bar 406 is selected from the state of FIG. 16 which is the same as that of the first embodiment in the modified example. When the used device bar 406 is selected, the condition narrowing-down unit 502 refers to the availability of the selected observation conditions for each device in the device list 522, and displays the device and its availability in the used device selection field 444. ..
　図２９の例において、観察条件として「蛍光」がすでに選択されている。装置リスト５２２で装置「透過照明」に対応付けて観察条件「蛍光」の場合に使用「否」の情報が格納されている場合に、使用装置選択欄４４４では「透過照明」の使用が「否」であることを示す消し線が表示される。一方、装置リスト５２２で装置「レーザー照明ユニット」に対応付けて観察条件「蛍光」の場合に使用「可」の情報が格納されている場合に、使用装置選択欄４４４では「レーザー照明ユニット」の使用が「可」であることを示すべく、消し線は表示されない。なお、図２９において使用「否」の場合に消し線を表示することに代えて、当該装置名自体を使用装置選択欄４４４に表示しないようにしてもよい。 In the example of FIG. 29, "fluorescence" has already been selected as the observation condition. When the information of "No" used in the case of the observation condition "fluorescence" is stored in association with the device "transmitted illumination" in the device list 522, the use of "transmitted illumination" is "no" in the used device selection field 444. A eraser is displayed to indicate that. On the other hand, when the information of "possible" used in the case of the observation condition "fluorescence" is stored in association with the device "laser lighting unit" in the device list 522, the "laser lighting unit" is displayed in the device selection field 444. No eraser is displayed to indicate that the use is "OK". Instead of displaying the eraser line in the case of "No" in FIG. 29, the device name itself may not be displayed in the used device selection field 444.
　観察条件が選択された場合に観察条件に対応した装置を選択可能に表示することに代えて、または加えて、観察条件に対応した装置の配置を選択可能に表示するようにしてもよい。観察条件に対応した装置の配置を選択可能に表示する場合には、装置リスト５２２の「可能な配置」毎に特定の観察条件で使用が可であるか否であるかを示す情報を対応付けておく。これにより、図２９の例と同様に、観察条件に対応した装置の配置を選択可能に表示する。 Instead of or in addition to displaying the devices corresponding to the observation conditions in a selectable manner when the observation conditions are selected, the arrangement of the devices corresponding to the observation conditions may be displayed in a selectable manner. When the arrangement of the devices corresponding to the observation conditions is displayed in a selectable manner, information indicating whether or not the device can be used under the specific observation conditions is associated with each "possible arrangement" in the device list 522. Keep it. As a result, as in the example of FIG. 29, the arrangement of the devices corresponding to the observation conditions is displayed in a selectable manner.
　上記変形例によれば、観察条件を選択した場合に観察条件に適さない装置自体が候補から外れるので、顕微鏡観察時に適した装置およびその使用条件を使用者がより適切に選択することができる。 According to the above modification, when the observation condition is selected, the device itself that is not suitable for the observation condition is excluded from the candidates, so that the user can more appropriately select the device suitable for microscopic observation and its usage condition.
　図３０は第１実施形態のさらなる変形例の表示画面６５２である。当該変形例においては、配置が選択されると（Ｓ１４）、当該配置に対応した装置が選択可能に表示される。 FIG. 30 is a display screen 652 of a further modification of the first embodiment. In the modification, when the arrangement is selected (S14), the device corresponding to the arrangement is displayed so as to be selectable.
　図３０は、図１２の状態から右カメラポート７３０が選択された状態の表示画面６５２を示す。右カメラポート７３０の選択の方法として、右カメラポート７３０の上にカーソル６６０が置かれた例を示した。選択の方法はこれに限られず矢印キーなどが用いられてもよい。 FIG. 30 shows a display screen 652 in a state where the right camera port 730 is selected from the state of FIG. As a method of selecting the right camera port 730, an example in which the cursor 660 is placed on the right camera port 730 is shown. The selection method is not limited to this, and arrow keys or the like may be used.
　配置が選択された旨が情報取得部５００により取得されると、装置リスト５２２を参照して、当該配置に対応付けられた装置を読み出して、表示部５０６に選択可能に表示させる。表示画面６５２の例では、装置リスト５２２から右カメラポート７３０に対応付けられた装置として、ＣＭＯＳカメラなどの撮像装置と、ズーム、スプリッターが使用装置選択欄４４８に表示されている。使用者は使用装置選択欄４４８に表示された装置の候補の中から所望の装置をキー操作やマウス操作によって選択することができる。 When the information acquisition unit 500 acquires that the arrangement has been selected, the device list 522 is referred to, and the device associated with the arrangement is read out and displayed on the display unit 506 so as to be selectable. In the example of the display screen 652, an imaging device such as a CMOS camera, a zoom, and a splitter are displayed in the device selection field 448 as devices associated with the device list 522 to the right camera port 730. The user can select a desired device from the device candidates displayed in the device selection field 448 by key operation or mouse operation.
　上記変形例によれば、先に配置が選択された場合に配置可能な装置が表示されるので、ポートの位置を先に決めたい場合などに、適切な装置の候補を使用者に提示することができる。 According to the above modification, the devices that can be placed are displayed when the placement is selected first. Therefore, when the position of the port is to be decided first, a suitable device candidate is presented to the user. Can be done.
　上記実施形態において、落射用上フィルターターレット２１６および落射用下フィルターターレット２１８のフィルターキューブの反射波長によって、フィルターキューブの種類が決定されている例を挙げた。これに代えてまたはこれに加えて、フィルターキューブの透過波長によってフィルターキューブの種類が決定されてもよい。なお、当該フィルターキューブは波長選択フィルターの一例であるが、波長選択フィルターの他の例としてバンドパスフィルターが用いられてもよい。バンドパスフィルターはその種類によって、固有の透過波長と吸収波長を有している。この場合、バンドパスフィルターの種類は、顕微鏡システムの使用条件の一例であって、透過波長および吸収波長の少なくとも１つによって決定されてもよい。 In the above embodiment, an example is given in which the type of the filter cube is determined by the reflection wavelength of the filter cubes of the epi-illumination upper filter turret 216 and the epi-illumination lower filter turret 218. Alternatively or additionally, the transmission wavelength of the filter cube may determine the type of filter cube. Although the filter cube is an example of a wavelength selection filter, a bandpass filter may be used as another example of the wavelength selection filter. Bandpass filters have unique transmission wavelengths and absorption wavelengths depending on the type. In this case, the type of bandpass filter is an example of the conditions of use of the microscope system and may be determined by at least one of the transmission wavelength and the absorption wavelength.
　また、上記実施形態では顕微鏡システム２０の使用条件としての対物レンズの種類が用途や倍率で決まる例を説明した。他の例として、対物レンズの種類が開口数、焦点距離、作動距離等によって決まってもよい。用途には乾燥用、液浸用、油浸用などが含まれてもよい。 Further, in the above embodiment, an example in which the type of the objective lens as the usage condition of the microscope system 20 is determined by the application and the magnification has been described. As another example, the type of objective lens may be determined by the numerical aperture, focal length, working distance, and the like. Applications may include drying, immersion, oil immersion and the like.
　第１実施形態の更なる変形例として、制御装置５０は、倒立顕微鏡２００に用いられる装置を特定する情報を倒立顕微鏡２００から取得してもよい。この場合、倒立顕微鏡２００と装置とが通信可能なように電気的に接続され、装置に記憶された当該装置の識別情報（つまり、装置を特定する情報）が当該装置から倒立顕微鏡２００を介して制御装置５０へ送信される。例えば、倒立顕微鏡２００の落射用光源上ポート２２０と、レーザー照明ユニット３１６とが電気的に接続できるように構成されている場合、落射用光源上ポート２２０にレーザー照明ユニット３１６を接続すると、使用者が選択することなく自動的に制御装置５０は、レーザー照明ユニット３１６を特定する情報を取得する。情報取得部５００は、倒立顕微鏡２００から取得した情報を装置リスト５２２に書き込む。条件絞込部５０２は装置リスト５２２を参照して、使用者の選択を要することなく、倒立顕微鏡２００に用いられている装置は既に選択されたものとして使用条件の候補を絞り込んでよい。なお、制御装置５０（情報取得部５００）が取得する装置を特定する情報は、装置に関する情報や装置関連情報とも言い換えることができる。 As a further modification of the first embodiment, the control device 50 may acquire information identifying the device used in the inverted microscope 200 from the inverted microscope 200. In this case, the inverted microscope 200 and the device are electrically connected so as to be able to communicate with each other, and the identification information of the device (that is, the information for identifying the device) stored in the device is transmitted from the device via the inverted microscope 200. It is transmitted to the control device 50. For example, when the top port 220 for the epi-illumination light source of the inverted microscope 200 and the laser illumination unit 316 are configured to be electrically connected, when the laser illumination unit 316 is connected to the port 220 on the epi-illumination light source, the user The control device 50 automatically acquires information identifying the laser illumination unit 316 without any selection. The information acquisition unit 500 writes the information acquired from the inverted microscope 200 in the device list 522. The condition narrowing unit 502 may refer to the device list 522 and narrow down the candidates for the use conditions assuming that the device used in the inverted microscope 200 has already been selected without requiring the user's selection. The information that identifies the device acquired by the control device 50 (information acquisition unit 500) can be rephrased as information about the device or device-related information.
　制御装置５０は、倒立顕微鏡２００に用いられている装置を特定する情報に加えて、当該装置が倒立顕微鏡２００のどこに配置されているかを特定する情報を倒立顕微鏡２００から取得してもよい。この場合、倒立顕微鏡２００と装置とが通信可能なように電気的に接続された時、接続位置を示す情報（つまり、装置の配置を示す情報）が倒立顕微鏡２００を介して制御装置５０へ送信される。例えば、倒立顕微鏡２００の落射用光源上ポート２２０と、レーザー照明ユニット３１６とが電気的に接続できるように構成されている場合、落射用光源上ポート２２０にレーザー照明ユニット３１６を接続すると、落射用光源上ポート２２０から制御装置５０へ、レーザー照明ユニット３１６が落射用光源上ポート２２０に配置されていることを示す情報を送信する。したがって、使用者が選択することなく自動的に制御装置５０は、装置の配置を示す情報を取得する。情報取得部５００は、倒立顕微鏡２００から取得した情報を装置リスト５２２に書き込む。条件絞込部５０２は装置リスト５２２を参照して、使用者の選択を要することなく、倒立顕微鏡２００に取り付けられている装置とその配置は既に選択されたものとして使用条件を絞り込んでよい。なお、制御装置５０（情報取得部５００）が取得する装置の配置を示す情報は、装置の配置情報とも言い換えることができる。 The control device 50 may acquire information from the inverted microscope 200 that identifies where the device is located in the inverted microscope 200, in addition to the information that identifies the device used in the inverted microscope 200. In this case, when the inverted microscope 200 and the device are electrically connected so as to be able to communicate with each other, information indicating the connection position (that is, information indicating the arrangement of the device) is transmitted to the control device 50 via the inverted microscope 200. Will be done. For example, when the port 220 on the epi-light source of the inverted microscope 200 and the laser illumination unit 316 are configured to be electrically connected, if the laser illumination unit 316 is connected to the port 220 on the epi-light source for epi-illumination, the laser illumination unit 316 can be electrically connected. Information indicating that the laser illumination unit 316 is located at the epi-light source port 220 is transmitted from the light source port 220 to the control device 50. Therefore, the control device 50 automatically acquires information indicating the arrangement of the devices without the user selecting. The information acquisition unit 500 writes the information acquired from the inverted microscope 200 in the device list 522. The condition narrowing unit 502 may narrow down the usage conditions by referring to the device list 522 and assuming that the device attached to the inverted microscope 200 and its arrangement have already been selected without requiring the user's selection. The information indicating the arrangement of the devices acquired by the control device 50 (information acquisition unit 500) can be rephrased as the arrangement information of the devices.
　上記更なる変形例によれば、使用者の画面上の選択の手間や選択の間違いを減らすことができる。 According to the above-mentioned further modification, it is possible to reduce the trouble of selection on the screen of the user and the mistake of selection.
　なお、図１１から図３０の表示画面における表示は例示であって他の表示であってもよい。特に太線、消し線、下線は図面上での見易さに基づいて例示したものであって、点滅、色の濃淡、色違いなど他の視覚効果を用いてよい。 Note that the display on the display screens of FIGS. 11 to 30 is an example and may be another display. In particular, the thick lines, erased lines, and underlines are examples based on the visibility on the drawing, and other visual effects such as blinking, shades of color, and different colors may be used.
　また、図１において制御装置５０は顕微鏡システム２０に接続されているが、顕微鏡システム２０と接続されていなくてもよい。制御装置５０が顕微鏡システム２０に接続されていない場合において、図２０で説明した「条件を設定」ボタンが押されたら、設定部５０８は後に顕微鏡システム２０に接続されたときに各使用条件が対応する装置へ設定される設定ファイルを作成して格納部５２０に格納してもよい。また、制御装置５０はソフトウェアプログラムやアプリケーションがインストールされるパーソナルコンピュータやタブレットに代えて、ＡＳＩＣなどで構成された専用機であってもよい。 Further, although the control device 50 is connected to the microscope system 20 in FIG. 1, it does not have to be connected to the microscope system 20. When the control device 50 is not connected to the microscope system 20, if the "set conditions" button described in FIG. 20 is pressed, the setting unit 508 will correspond to each usage condition when it is later connected to the microscope system 20. A setting file set in the device may be created and stored in the storage unit 520. Further, the control device 50 may be a dedicated machine configured by an ASIC or the like, instead of the personal computer or tablet in which the software program or application is installed.
　また、図１においてＬＥＤ照明ユニット３２４は光ファイバーを介して落射用アダプター３２２に接続されているが、光ファイバーを介さずに直接接続されてもよい。同様に、レーザー照明ユニット３１６は光ファイバーを介してＴＩＲＦ用アダプター３１４に接続されているが、光ファイバーを介さずに直接接続されてもよい。光ファイバーを介さないで直接接続される場合には、制御装置５０の表示画面においても光ファイバーを介さないで直接接続されている画像を表示することが好ましい。 Further, although the LED lighting unit 324 is connected to the epi-illumination adapter 322 via an optical fiber in FIG. 1, it may be directly connected without the optical fiber. Similarly, although the laser illumination unit 316 is connected to the TIRF adapter 314 via an optical fiber, it may be directly connected without the optical fiber. When the image is directly connected without the optical fiber, it is preferable to display the image directly connected without the optical fiber on the display screen of the control device 50.
　また、図３および図４の装置リスト５２２と図５から図９の条件テーブル５２４は分かれていなくてもよく、両方を併せてデーターベース化されていてもよい。装置リスト５２２および条件テーブル５２４は使用者による使用の前に予め格納部５２０に格納されていることが好ましい。ただし、使用者が適宜内容を変更できるようにしてもよい。 Further, the device list 522 in FIGS. 3 and 4 and the condition table 524 in FIGS. 5 to 9 may not be separated, and both may be combined into a database. It is preferable that the device list 522 and the condition table 524 are stored in the storage unit 520 in advance before use by the user. However, the content may be changed as appropriate by the user.
　また、一例として倒立顕微鏡２００を用いて説明したが、上記いずれの実施形態も他の顕微鏡にも適用できる。他の顕微鏡の例は、正立顕微鏡、倒立顕微鏡などである。装置リスト５２２および条件テーブル５２４は顕微鏡毎に設けられてもよいし、複数の種類の顕微鏡に共通して設けられてもよい。 Although the description has been made using the inverted microscope 200 as an example, any of the above embodiments can be applied to other microscopes. Examples of other microscopes are upright microscopes, inverted microscopes, and the like. The apparatus list 522 and the condition table 524 may be provided for each microscope, or may be provided in common for a plurality of types of microscopes.
　本発明の様々な実施形態は、フローチャートおよびブロック図を参照して記載されてよく、ここにおいてブロックは、（１）操作が実行されるプロセスの段階または（２）操作を実行する役割を持つ装置のセクションを表わしてよい。特定の段階およびセクションが、専用回路、コンピュータ可読媒体上に格納されるコンピュータ可読命令と共に供給されるプログラマブル回路、および／またはコンピュータ可読媒体上に格納されるコンピュータ可読命令と共に供給されるプロセッサによって実装されてよい。専用回路は、デジタルおよび／またはアナログハードウェア回路を含んでよく、集積回路（ＩＣ）および／またはディスクリート回路を含んでよい。プログラマブル回路は、論理ＡＮＤ、論理ＯＲ、論理ＸＯＲ、論理ＮＡＮＤ、論理ＮＯＲ、および他の論理操作、フリップフロップ、レジスタ、フィールドプログラマブルゲートアレイ（ＦＰＧＡ）、プログラマブルロジックアレイ（ＰＬＡ）等のようなメモリ要素等を含む、再構成可能なハードウェア回路を含んでよい。 Various embodiments of the present invention may be described with reference to flowcharts and block diagrams, wherein the block is (1) a stage of the process in which the operation is performed or (2) a device responsible for performing the operation. May represent a section of. Specific stages and sections are implemented by dedicated circuits, programmable circuits supplied with computer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable medium, and / or processors supplied with computer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable medium. You can. Dedicated circuits may include digital and / or analog hardware circuits, and may include integrated circuits (ICs) and / or discrete circuits. Programmable circuits are memory elements such as logical AND, logical OR, logical XOR, logical NAND, logical NOR, and other logical operations, flip-flops, registers, field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), programmable logic arrays (PLA), etc. May include reconfigurable hardware circuits, including, etc.
　コンピュータ可読媒体は、適切なデバイスによって実行される命令を格納可能な任意の有形なデバイスを含んでよく、その結果、そこに格納される命令を有するコンピュータ可読媒体は、フローチャートまたはブロック図で指定された操作を実行するための手段を作成すべく実行され得る命令を含む、製品を備えることになる。コンピュータ可読媒体の例としては、電子記憶媒体、磁気記憶媒体、光記憶媒体、電磁記憶媒体、半導体記憶媒体等が含まれてよい。コンピュータ可読媒体のより具体的な例としては、フロッピー（登録商標）ディスク、ディスケット、ハードディスク、ランダムアクセスメモリ（ＲＡＭ）、リードオンリメモリ（ＲＯＭ）、消去可能プログラマブルリードオンリメモリ（ＥＰＲＯＭまたはフラッシュメモリ）、電気的消去可能プログラマブルリードオンリメモリ（ＥＥＰＲＯＭ）、静的ランダムアクセスメモリ（ＳＲＡＭ）、コンパクトディスクリードオンリメモリ（ＣＤ-ＲＯＭ）、デジタル多用途ディスク（ＤＶＤ）、ブルーレイ（ＲＴＭ）ディスク、メモリスティック、集積回路カード等が含まれてよい。 The computer readable medium may include any tangible device capable of storing instructions executed by the appropriate device, so that the computer readable medium having the instructions stored therein is specified in a flowchart or block diagram. It will be equipped with a product that contains instructions that can be executed to create means for performing the operation. Examples of computer-readable media may include electronic storage media, magnetic storage media, optical storage media, electromagnetic storage media, semiconductor storage media, and the like. More specific examples of computer-readable media include floppy® disks, diskettes, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), Electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), static random access memory (SRAM), compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disc (DVD), Blu-ray (RTM) disc, memory stick, integrated A circuit card or the like may be included.
　コンピュータ可読命令は、アセンブラ命令、命令セットアーキテクチャ（ＩＳＡ）命令、マシン命令、マシン依存命令、マイクロコード、ファームウェア命令、状態設定データー、またはＳｍａｌｌｔａｌｋ、ＪＡＶＡ（登録商標）、Ｃ＋＋等のようなオブジェクト指向プログラミング言語、および「Ｃ」プログラミング言語または同様のプログラミング言語のような従来の手続型プログラミング言語を含む、１または複数のプログラミング言語の任意の組み合わせで記述されたソースコードまたはオブジェクトコードのいずれかを含んでよい。 Computer-readable instructions are assembler instructions, instruction set architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine-dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state-setting data, or object-oriented programming such as Smalltalk, JAVA®, C ++, etc. Contains either source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including languages and traditional procedural programming languages such as the "C" programming language or similar programming languages. good.
　コンピュータ可読命令は、汎用コンピュータ、特殊目的のコンピュータ、若しくは他のプログラム可能なデーター処理装置のプロセッサまたはプログラマブル回路に対し、ローカルにまたはローカルエリアネットワーク（ＬＡＮ）、インターネット等のようなワイドエリアネットワーク（ＷＡＮ）を介して提供され、フローチャートまたはブロック図で指定された操作を実行するための手段を作成すべく、コンピュータ可読命令を実行してよい。プロセッサの例としては、コンピュータプロセッサ、処理ユニット、マイクロプロセッサ、デジタル信号プロセッサ、コントローラー、マイクロコントローラー等を含む。 Computer-readable instructions are applied to a general-purpose computer, a special purpose computer, or the processor or programmable circuit of another programmable data processing device, either locally or in a wide area network (WAN) such as a local area network (LAN), the Internet, etc. ) May be executed to create a means for performing the operation specified in the flowchart or block diagram. Examples of processors include computer processors, processing units, microprocessors, digital signal processors, controllers, microcontrollers and the like.
　図３１は、本発明の複数の態様が全体的または部分的に具現化されてよいコンピュータ１２００の例を示す。コンピュータ１２００にインストールされたプログラムは、コンピュータ１２００に、本発明の実施形態に係る装置に関連付けられる操作または当該装置の１または複数のセクションとして機能させることができ、または当該操作または当該１または複数のセクションを実行させることができ、および／またはコンピュータ１２００に、本発明の実施形態に係るプロセスまたは当該プロセスの段階を実行させることができる。そのようなプログラムは、コンピュータ１２００に、本明細書に記載のフローチャートおよびブロック図のブロックのうちのいくつかまたはすべてに関連付けられた特定の操作を実行させるべく、ＣＰＵ１２１２によって実行されてよい。 FIG. 31 shows an example of a computer 1200 in which a plurality of aspects of the present invention may be embodied in whole or in part. The program installed on the computer 1200 can cause the computer 1200 to function as an operation associated with the device according to an embodiment of the present invention or as one or more sections of the device, or the operation or the one or more. Sections can be run and / or computer 1200 can be run a process according to an embodiment of the invention or a stage of such process. Such a program may be run by the CPU 1212 to cause the computer 1200 to perform certain operations associated with some or all of the blocks of the flowcharts and block diagrams described herein.
　本実施形態によるコンピュータ１２００は、ＣＰＵ１２１２、ＲＡＭ１２１４、グラフィックコントローラー１２１６、およびディスプレイデバイス１２１８を含み、それらはホストコントローラー１２１０によって相互に接続されている。コンピュータ１２００はまた、通信インターフェース１２２２、ハードディスクドライブ１２２４、ＤＶＤ－ＲＯＭドライブ１２２６、およびＩＣカードドライブのような入／出力ユニットを含み、それらは入／出力コントローラー１２２０を介してホストコントローラー１２１０に接続されている。コンピュータはまた、ＲＯＭ１２３０およびキーボード１２４２のようなレガシの入／出力ユニットを含み、それらは入／出力チップ１２４０を介して入／出力コントローラー１２２０に接続されている。 The computer 1200 according to this embodiment includes a CPU 1212, a RAM 1214, a graphic controller 1216, and a display device 1218, which are interconnected by a host controller 1210. Computer 1200 also includes input / output units such as communication interface 1222, hard disk drive 1224, DVD-ROM drive 1226, and IC card drive, which are connected to host controller 1210 via input / output controller 1220. There is. The computer also includes legacy input / output units such as the ROM 1230 and keyboard 1242, which are connected to the input / output controller 1220 via an input / output chip 1240.
　ＣＰＵ１２１２は、ＲＯＭ１２３０およびＲＡＭ１２１４内に格納されたプログラムに従い動作し、それにより各ユニットを制御する。グラフィックコントローラー１２１６は、ＲＡＭ１２１４内に提供されるフレームバッファ等またはそれ自体の中にＣＰＵ１２１２によって生成されたイメージデーターを取得し、イメージデーターがディスプレイデバイス１２１８上に表示されるようにする。 The CPU 1212 operates according to the programs stored in the ROM 1230 and the RAM 1214, thereby controlling each unit. The graphic controller 1216 acquires the image data generated by the CPU 1212 in a frame buffer or the like provided in the RAM 1214 or itself, so that the image data is displayed on the display device 1218.
　通信インターフェース１２２２は、ネットワークを介して他の電子デバイスと通信する。ハードディスクドライブ１２２４は、コンピュータ１２００内のＣＰＵ１２１２によって使用されるプログラムおよびデーターを格納する。ＤＶＤ－ＲＯＭドライブ１２２６は、プログラムまたはデーターをＤＶＤ‐ＲＯＭ１２０１から読み取り、ハードディスクドライブ１２２４にＲＡＭ１２１４を介してプログラムまたはデーターを提供する。ＩＣカードドライブは、プログラムおよびデーターをＩＣカードから読み取り、および／またはプログラムおよびデーターをＩＣカードに書き込む。 The communication interface 1222 communicates with other electronic devices via the network. The hard disk drive 1224 stores programs and data used by the CPU 1212 in the computer 1200. The DVD-ROM drive 1226 reads the program or data from the DVD-ROM 1201 and provides the program or data to the hard disk drive 1224 via the RAM 1214. The IC card drive reads the program and data from the IC card and / or writes the program and data to the IC card.
　ＲＯＭ１２３０はその中に、アクティブ化時にコンピュータ１２００によって実行されるブートプログラム等、および／またはコンピュータ１２００のハードウェアに依存するプログラムを格納する。入／出力チップ１２４０はまた、様々な入／出力ユニットをパラレルポート、シリアルポート、キーボードポート、マウスポート等を介して、入／出力コントローラー１２２０に接続してよい。 The ROM 1230 stores in it a boot program or the like executed by the computer 1200 at the time of activation, and / or a program depending on the hardware of the computer 1200. The input / output chip 1240 may also connect various input / output units to the input / output controller 1220 via a parallel port, serial port, keyboard port, mouse port, and the like.
　プログラムが、ＤＶＤ－ＲＯＭ１２０１またはＩＣカードのようなコンピュータ可読媒体によって提供される。プログラムは、コンピュータ可読媒体から読み取られ、コンピュータ可読媒体の例でもあるハードディスクドライブ１２２４、ＲＡＭ１２１４、またはＲＯＭ１２３０にインストールされ、ＣＰＵ１２１２によって実行される。これらのプログラム内に記述される情報処理は、コンピュータ１２００に読み取られ、プログラムと、上記様々なタイプのハードウェアリソースとの間の連携をもたらす。装置または方法が、コンピュータ１２００の使用に従い情報の操作または処理を実現することによって構成されてよい。 The program is provided by a computer-readable medium such as a DVD-ROM1201 or an IC card. The program is read from a computer-readable medium, installed on a hard disk drive 1224, RAM 1214, or ROM 1230, which is also an example of a computer-readable medium, and executed by the CPU 1212. The information processing described in these programs is read by the computer 1200 and provides a link between the program and the various types of hardware resources described above. The device or method may be configured to perform manipulation or processing of information in accordance with the use of computer 1200.
　例えば、通信がコンピュータ１２００および外部デバイス間で実行される場合、ＣＰＵ１２１２は、ＲＡＭ１２１４にロードされた通信プログラムを実行し、通信プログラムに記述された処理に基づいて、通信インターフェース１２２２に対し、通信処理を命令してよい。通信インターフェース１２２２は、ＣＰＵ１２１２の制御下、ＲＡＭ１２１４、ハードディスクドライブ１２２４、ＤＶＤ‐ＲＯＭ１２０１、またはＩＣカードのような記録媒体内に提供される送信バッファ処理領域に格納された送信データーを読み取り、読み取られた送信データーをネットワークに送信し、またはネットワークから受信された受信データーを記録媒体上に提供される受信バッファ処理領域等に書き込む。 For example, when communication is executed between the computer 1200 and an external device, the CPU 1212 executes a communication program loaded in the RAM 1214, and performs communication processing on the communication interface 1222 based on the processing described in the communication program. You may order. Under the control of the CPU 1212, the communication interface 1222 reads and reads transmission data stored in a transmission buffer processing area provided in a recording medium such as a RAM 1214, a hard disk drive 1224, a DVD-ROM 1201, or an IC card. The data is transmitted to the network, or the received data received from the network is written to the reception buffer processing area or the like provided on the recording medium.
　また、ＣＰＵ１２１２は、ハードディスクドライブ１２２４、ＤＶＤ‐ＲＯＭドライブ１２２６（ＤＶＤ‐ＲＯＭ１２０１）、ＩＣカード等のような外部記録媒体に格納されたファイルまたはデーターベースの全部または必要な部分がＲＡＭ１２１４に読み取られるようにし、ＲＡＭ１２１４上のデーターに対し様々なタイプの処理を実行してよい。ＣＰＵ１２１２は次に、処理されたデーターを外部記録媒体にライトバックする。 Further, the CPU 1212 allows the RAM 1214 to read all or necessary parts of a file or database stored in an external recording medium such as a hard disk drive 1224, a DVD-ROM drive 1226 (DVD-ROM1201), or an IC card. , Various types of processing may be performed on the data on the RAM 1214. The CPU 1212 then writes back the processed data to an external recording medium.
　様々なタイプのプログラム、データー、テーブル、およびデーターベースのような様々なタイプの情報が記録媒体に格納され、情報処理を受けてよい。ＣＰＵ１２１２は、ＲＡＭ１２１４から読み取られたデーターに対し、本開示の随所に記載され、プログラムの命令シーケンスによって指定される様々なタイプの操作、情報処理、条件判断、条件分岐、無条件分岐、情報の検索／置換等を含む、様々なタイプの処理を実行してよく、結果をＲＡＭ１２１４に対しライトバックする。また、ＣＰＵ１２１２は、記録媒体内のファイル、データーベース等における情報を検索してよい。例えば、各々が第２の属性の属性値に関連付けられた第１の属性の属性値を有する複数のエントリが記録媒体内に格納される場合、ＣＰＵ１２１２は、第１の属性の属性値が指定される、条件に一致するエントリを当該複数のエントリの中から検索し、当該エントリ内に格納された第２の属性の属性値を読み取り、それにより予め定められた条件を満たす第１の属性に関連付けられた第２の属性の属性値を取得してよい。 Various types of information such as various types of programs, data, tables, and databases may be stored in recording media and processed. The CPU 1212 describes various types of operations, information processing, conditional judgment, conditional branching, unconditional branching, and information retrieval described in various parts of the present disclosure for the data read from the RAM 1214 and specified by the instruction sequence of the program. Various types of processing may be performed, including / replacement, etc., and the results are written back to the RAM 1214. Further, the CPU 1212 may search for information in a file, a database, or the like in the recording medium. For example, when a plurality of entries each having an attribute value of the first attribute associated with the attribute value of the second attribute are stored in the recording medium, the CPU 1212 specifies the attribute value of the first attribute. Search for an entry that matches the condition from the plurality of entries, read the attribute value of the second attribute stored in the entry, and associate it with the first attribute that satisfies the predetermined condition. The attribute value of the second attribute obtained may be acquired.
　上で説明したプログラムまたはソフトウェアモジュールは、コンピュータ１２００上またはコンピュータ１２００近傍のコンピュータ可読媒体に格納されてよい。また、専用通信ネットワークまたはインターネットに接続されたサーバーシステム内に提供されるハードディスクまたはＲＡＭのような記録媒体が、コンピュータ可読媒体として使用可能であり、それによりプログラムを、ネットワークを介してコンピュータ１２００に提供する。 The program or software module described above may be stored on a computer 1200 or on a computer-readable medium near the computer 1200. Also, a recording medium such as a hard disk or RAM provided within a dedicated communication network or a server system connected to the Internet can be used as a computer readable medium, thereby providing the program to the computer 1200 over the network. do.
　以上、本発明を実施の形態を用いて説明したが、本発明の技術的範囲は上記実施の形態に記載の範囲には限定されない。上記実施の形態に、多様な変更または改良を加えることが可能であることが当業者に明らかである。その様な変更または改良を加えた形態も本発明の技術的範囲に含まれ得ることが、請求の範囲の記載から明らかである。 Although the present invention has been described above using the embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes or improvements can be made to the above embodiments. It is clear from the claims that the form with such modifications or improvements may also be included in the technical scope of the invention.
　請求の範囲、明細書、および図面中において示した装置、システム、プログラム、および方法における動作、手順、ステップ、および段階等の各処理の実行順序は、特段「より前に」、「先立って」等と明示しておらず、また、前の処理の出力を後の処理で用いるのでない限り、任意の順序で実現しうることに留意すべきである。請求の範囲、明細書、および図面中の動作フローに関して、便宜上「まず、」、「次に、」等を用いて説明したとしても、この順で実施することが必須であることを意味するものではない。 The order of execution of operations, procedures, steps, steps, etc. in the devices, systems, programs, and methods shown in the claims, specifications, and drawings is particularly "before" and "prior to". It should be noted that it can be realized in any order unless the output of the previous process is used in the subsequent process. Even if the claims, the specification, and the operation flow in the drawings are explained using "first", "next", etc. for convenience, it means that it is essential to carry out in this order. is not it.
２０　顕微鏡システム
５０　制御装置
２００、７００　倒立顕微鏡
２０２、７０２　透過用光源ポート
２０３　微分観察用プリズム
２０４　コンデンサーレンズ
２０５　位相差観察用リング絞り
２０６　ＸＹステージ
２０８　Ｚドライブ
２１０、７１０　試料
２１２　対物レンズ
２１４　ポラライザー
２１６、７１６　落射用上フィルターターレット
２１８、７１８　落射用下フィルターターレット
２２０、７２０　落射用光源上ポート
２２１、７２１　落射用上シャッター
２２２、７２２　落射用光源下ポート
２２３、７２３　落射用下シャッター
２２４、７２４　アナライザー
２２６　中間変倍レンズ
２２８、７２８　観察側光路切替ミラー
２３０、７３０　右カメラポート
２３４、７３４　左カメラポート
２５０、７５０　対物レンズユニット
３００　透過照明
３１４　ＴＩＲＦ用アダプター
３１６　レーザー照明ユニット
３１７、３１８、３１９、３２０　レーザー光源
３２４、８２４　ＬＥＤ照明ユニット
３２２、８２２　落射用アダプター
３２５、３２６、３２７、３２８　ＬＥＤ光源
３３０、８３０　ＣＭＯＳカメラ
４００　選択表示欄
４０２　顕微鏡種類バー
４０４　顕微鏡種類表示欄
４０６　使用装置バー
４０８　使用条件バー
４１２　観察条件バー
４１４、４４０、４４２、４４４、４４８　使用装置選択欄
４１６　使用装置表示欄
４２０、４４６　使用条件選択欄
４２２　観察条件選択欄
４２４　観察条件表示欄
４３０　条件設定ボタン
５００　情報取得部
５０２　条件絞込部
５０６　表示部
５０８　設定部
５２０　格納部
５２２　装置リスト
５２４　条件テーブル
６００、６０２、６０４、６０６、６０８，６１０、６１２、６１６、６２０、６２２、６２４、６３０、６３２、６３４、６４０、６４２、６４４、６４６、６５０、６５２　表示画面 20 Microscope system 50 Control device 200, 700 Inverted microscope 202, 702 Transmission light source port 203 Differential observation prism 204 Condenser lens 205 Phase difference observation ring aperture 206 XY stage 208 Z drive 210, 710 Sample 212 Objective lens 214 Polarizer 216, 716 Top filter turret for epi-illumination 218, 718 Lower filter turret for epi-illumination 220, 720 Upper port for epi-illumination 221 and 721 Upper shutter for epi-illumination 222, 722 Lower port for epi-illumination 223, 723 Lower shutter for epi-illumination 224, 724 Analyzer 226 Intermediate Variable magnification lenses 228, 728 Observation side light path switching mirror 230, 730 Right camera port 234, 734 Left camera port 250, 750 Objective lens unit 300 Transmission illumination 314 TIRF adapter 316 Laser illumination unit 317, 318, 319, 320 Laser light source 324 , 824 LED lighting unit 322, 822 Epi-illumination adapter 325, 326, 327, 328 LED light source 330, 830 CMOS camera 400 Selection display field 402 Microscope type bar 404 Microscope type display field 406 Usage device bar 408 Usage condition bar 412 Observation condition bar 414, 440, 442, 444, 448 Used device selection field 416 Used device display field 420, 446 Usage condition selection field 422 Observation condition selection field 424 Observation condition display field 430 Condition setting button 500 Information acquisition unit 502 Condition narrowing unit 506 Display Unit 508 Setting unit 520 Storage unit 522 Device list 524 Condition table 600, 602, 604, 606, 608, 610, 612, 616, 620, 622, 624, 630, 632, 634, 640, 642, 644, 646, 650 , 652 display screen

Claims (21)

  1. 　顕微鏡に用いられる装置を特定する情報、および、前記顕微鏡における前記装置の配置を示す情報を取得する情報取得段階と、
    　前記装置を特定する情報、および、前記配置を示す情報の組み合わせに基づく前記顕微鏡と前記装置を含む顕微鏡システムの使用条件の候補を表示する条件表示段階と
    を備える制御方法。     An information acquisition step of acquiring information that identifies a device used in a microscope and information that indicates the arrangement of the device in the microscope.
    A control method comprising a condition display step of displaying candidates for use conditions of the microscope and a microscope system including the device based on a combination of information identifying the device and information indicating the arrangement.
  2. 　前記装置を特定する情報を、選択可能に表示する装置表示段階をさらに備え、
    　前記情報取得段階は、前記装置表示段階で表示された前記装置を特定する情報の選択を受け付けることにより、前記装置を特定する情報を取得する、
    請求項１に記載の制御方法。     Further provided with a device display stage for selectively displaying information identifying the device.
    The information acquisition stage acquires the information that identifies the device by accepting the selection of the information that identifies the device displayed in the device display stage.
    The control method according to claim 1.
  3. 　前記配置を示す情報を、選択可能に表示する配置表示段階をさらに備え、
    　前記情報取得段階は、前記配置表示段階で表示された前記配置を示す情報の選択を受け付けることにより、前記配置を示す情報を取得する、
    請求項１または２に記載の制御方法。     Further provided with an arrangement display stage in which information indicating the arrangement is displayed in a selectable manner,
    The information acquisition stage acquires the information indicating the arrangement by accepting the selection of the information indicating the arrangement displayed in the arrangement display stage.
    The control method according to claim 1 or 2.
  4. 　前記選択された装置について可能な配置を選択可能に表示する配置表示段階をさらに備え、
    　前記情報取得段階は、前記配置表示段階で表示された前記配置を示す情報の選択を受け付けることにより、前記配置を示す情報を取得する、
    請求項２に記載の制御方法。     It further comprises an arrangement display stage that selectively displays possible arrangements for the selected device.
    The information acquisition stage acquires the information indicating the arrangement by accepting the selection of the information indicating the arrangement displayed in the arrangement display stage.
    The control method according to claim 2.
  5. 　前記選択された配置が可能な装置を選択可能に表示する装置表示段階をさらに備え、
    　前記情報取得段階は、前記装置表示段階で表示された前記装置を特定する情報の選択を受け付けることにより、前記装置を特定する情報を取得する、
    請求項４に記載の制御方法。     Further provided with a device display stage for selectively displaying the devices capable of the selected arrangement.
    The information acquisition stage acquires the information that identifies the device by accepting the selection of the information that identifies the device displayed in the device display stage.
    The control method according to claim 4.
  6. 　観察の条件の入力を受け付ける条件受付段階をさらに備え、
    　前記装置表示段階は、前記条件受付段階で入力された前記観察の条件に対応する前記装置を特定する情報を、選択可能に表示する
    請求項２に記載の制御方法。     It also has a condition reception stage that accepts input of observation conditions.
    The control method according to claim 2, wherein the device display stage selectively displays information identifying the device corresponding to the observation condition input in the condition acceptance stage.
  7. 　観察の条件の入力を受け付ける条件受付段階をさらに備え、
    　前記配置表示段階は、前記条件受付段階で入力された前記観察の条件に対応する前記配置を示す情報を、選択可能に表示する
    請求項３に記載の制御方法。     It also has a condition reception stage that accepts input of observation conditions.
    The control method according to claim 3, wherein the arrangement display stage selectively displays information indicating the arrangement corresponding to the observation condition input in the condition acceptance stage.
  8. 　観察の条件の入力を受け付ける条件受付段階をさらに備え、
    　前記条件表示段階は、前記条件受付段階で入力された前記観察の条件、前記装置を特定する情報および前記配置を示す情報に基づく前記使用条件の候補を表示する
    請求項１に記載の制御方法。     It also has a condition reception stage that accepts input of observation conditions.
    The control method according to claim 1, wherein the condition display stage displays candidates for the usage conditions based on the observation conditions, the information for identifying the device, and the information indicating the arrangement, which are input in the condition reception stage.
  9. 　前記情報取得段階は、前記顕微鏡から、前記顕微鏡に用いられる前記装置を特定する情報、および、前記装置の配置を示す情報を取得する請求項１に記載の制御方法。 The control method according to claim 1, wherein the information acquisition step acquires information for identifying the device used for the microscope and information indicating the arrangement of the device from the microscope.
  10. 　観察の条件の入力を受け付ける条件受付段階をさらに備え、
    　前記条件表示段階は、前記条件受付段階で受け付けた前記観察の条件、前記装置を特定する情報および前記配置を示す情報に基づく前記使用条件の候補を表示する
    請求項９に記載の制御方法。     It also has a condition reception stage that accepts input of observation conditions.
    The control method according to claim 9, wherein the condition display stage displays candidates for the usage conditions based on the observation conditions received at the condition reception stage, information for identifying the device, and information indicating the arrangement.
  11. 　前記情報取得段階で取得された複数の前記組み合わせに基づいた複数の使用条件の候補が互いに競合する場合に、警告を表示する警告表示段階をさらに備える、
    請求項１から１０のいずれか１項に記載の制御方法。     A warning display stage for displaying a warning when a plurality of usage condition candidates based on the plurality of combinations acquired in the information acquisition stage conflict with each other is further provided.
    The control method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.
  12. 　前記使用条件には、前記顕微鏡システムの光路上に配置する光学部材の種類、前記顕微鏡システムの光源波長の種類、前記顕微鏡システムにおける光の偏向方向および前記顕微鏡システムで使用する光路の種類、のすくなくともいずれか１つが含まれる請求項１から１１のいずれか１項に記載の制御方法。 The conditions of use include at least the type of optical member arranged on the optical path of the microscope system, the type of light source wavelength of the microscope system, the direction of light deflection in the microscope system, and the type of optical path used in the microscope system. The control method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein any one of them is included.
  13. 　前記光学部材の種類には、対物レンズの種類が含まれる請求項１２に記載の制御方法。 The control method according to claim 12, wherein the type of the optical member includes a type of an objective lens.
  14. 　前記光学部材の種類には、波長選択フィルターの種類が含まれる請求項１２または１３に記載の制御方法。 The control method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the type of the optical member includes a type of a wavelength selection filter.
  15. 　前記装置には、光源、撮像装置、および、光学部材、の少なくともいずれか１つが含まれる請求項１から１４のいずれか１項に記載の制御方法。 The control method according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the device includes at least one of a light source, an image pickup device, and an optical member.
  16. 　前記配置には、前記光源の光源ポートおよび前記撮像装置のカメラポートの少なくとも１つが含まれる請求項１５に記載の制御方法。 The control method according to claim 15, wherein the arrangement includes at least one of a light source port of the light source and a camera port of the image pickup apparatus.
  17. 　前記条件表示段階で表示された前記使用条件の選択を受け付け、受け付けた前記使用条件で前記顕微鏡システムを設定する設定段階をさらに備える請求項１から１６のいずれか１項に記載の制御方法。 The control method according to any one of claims 1 to 16, further comprising a setting step of accepting the selection of the usage conditions displayed in the condition display stage and setting the microscope system under the accepted usage conditions.
  18. 　前記組み合わせに基づいた前記使用条件の候補が１つである場合に、前記条件表示段階に代えて、前記使用条件で前記顕微鏡システムを設定する設定段階をさらに備える請求項１から１６のいずれか１項に記載の制御方法。 Any one of claims 1 to 16 further comprising a setting step of setting the microscope system under the usage conditions instead of the condition display step when there is one candidate for the usage conditions based on the combination. The control method described in the section.
  19. 　前記設定段階は、前記使用条件において前記装置が手動で設定されるものである場合に、設定を促す旨を表示する請求項１７または１８に記載の制御方法。 The control method according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the setting step displays a prompt for setting when the device is manually set under the usage conditions.
  20. 　コンピュータに、
    　顕微鏡に用いられる装置を特定する情報、および、前記顕微鏡における前記装置の配置を示す情報を取得する情報取得段階と、
    　前記装置を特定する情報、および、前記配置を示す情報の組み合わせに基づく前記顕微鏡および前記装置を含む顕微鏡システムの使用条件の候補を表示する条件表示段階と
    を実行させるプログラム。     On the computer
    An information acquisition step of acquiring information that identifies a device used in a microscope and information that indicates the arrangement of the device in the microscope.
    A program that executes a condition display step of displaying candidates for usage conditions of the microscope and the microscope system including the device based on a combination of information for identifying the device and information indicating the arrangement.
  21. 　顕微鏡に用いられる装置を特定する情報、および、前記顕微鏡における前記装置の配置を示す情報を取得する情報取得部と、
    　前記装置を特定する情報、および、前記配置を示す情報の組み合わせに基づく前記顕微鏡および前記装置を含む顕微鏡システムの使用条件の候補を表示する条件表示部と
    を備える制御装置。     An information acquisition unit that acquires information that identifies a device used in a microscope and information that indicates the arrangement of the device in the microscope.
    A control device including a condition display unit that displays candidates for usage conditions of the microscope and a microscope system including the device based on a combination of information for identifying the device and information indicating the arrangement.
PCT/JP2020/017852 2020-04-24 2020-04-24 Control method, program, and control device WO2021215010A1 (en)

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Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH08211295A (en) * 1995-02-02 1996-08-20 Olympus Optical Co Ltd Microscope device
JP2003021791A (en) * 2001-07-06 2003-01-24 Nikon Corp Microscopic system
JP2007515686A (en) * 2003-12-22 2007-06-14 ライカ マイクロシステムス ツェーエムエス ゲーエムベーハー Apparatus and method for microscope configuration
JP2013231861A (en) * 2012-04-27 2013-11-14 Olympus Corp Microscope system
JP2016177108A (en) * 2015-03-19 2016-10-06 オリンパス株式会社 Microscope system

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH08211295A (en) * 1995-02-02 1996-08-20 Olympus Optical Co Ltd Microscope device
JP2003021791A (en) * 2001-07-06 2003-01-24 Nikon Corp Microscopic system
JP2007515686A (en) * 2003-12-22 2007-06-14 ライカ マイクロシステムス ツェーエムエス ゲーエムベーハー Apparatus and method for microscope configuration
JP2013231861A (en) * 2012-04-27 2013-11-14 Olympus Corp Microscope system
JP2016177108A (en) * 2015-03-19 2016-10-06 オリンパス株式会社 Microscope system

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