JP2003262797A - Microscope system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a microscope system by which reporting of the light quantity state of illumination light accompanying the control of light controlling to an observer is made possible. <P>SOLUTION: A subject 5 illuminated by an LED illumination unit 3 is projected to a CCD 11 through image lens groups 8 and 10 and the light quantity of the illumination light of the unit 3 is regulated by a light controllable volume 13, in addition, the magnification of the object projected to the CCD 11 is made variable by a zoom volume 9b. The energizing pulse width to the unit 3 synchronized with the driving pulses of the CCD 11 is varied by a light controlling section 14 cooperatively with at least one the volume 13 and the volume 9b, by which the light quantity of the illumination light is controlled and simultaneously the light quantity state of the illumination meeting the energizing pulse width of this time is displayed on a light controllable state display unit 22. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a microscope system capable of dimming control of illumination light.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Illumination light used for microscopic observation is controlled so as to have an optimum brightness according to a change in observation method.

In such illumination control of a microscope, there is known a technique for changing the intensity of illumination light in association with a change in observation method. For example, when the zoom lens is changed from low magnification to high magnification, Generally, a subject image becomes dark, but as a technique for correcting this, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 137167 discloses a method in which a subject is imaged by an image sensor and the power supply voltage supplied to a light source is controlled based on the brightness information to perform dimming.
Japanese Patent Publication No. 085 discloses a method of controlling light by controlling the aperture area of an aperture stop according to the magnification of a zoom lens system.

[0004]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.
In the one in which dimming is performed by controlling the power source voltage of the light source as in Japanese Patent Publication No. 000-137167, when the light source voltage that can be taken for dimming reaches the maximum value, the light amount can be further increased. However, it is impossible to notify the observer of this fact, and in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-71085, it is impossible to adjust the aperture area of the aperture stop for light adjustment, that is, the light amount cannot be adjusted. Even if the condition is reached, it is not possible to inform the observer of this, and there is a problem that unnecessary observer is given to the observer because the dimming cannot be performed without notifying the causes. .

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a microscope system capable of notifying an observer of a light quantity state of illumination light associated with dimming control.

[0006]

The invention according to claim 1 is
Illumination means for illuminating a subject, and image forming means for projecting the subject illuminated by the illumination means onto an image sensor,
A dimming unit that adjusts the light amount of the illuminating unit, a zoom unit that changes the magnification of an object projected onto the image sensor by the image forming unit, an adjustment by the dimming unit, and a change in the magnification by the zoom unit. Control means for controlling the amount of illumination light by changing the energizing pulse width to the illuminating means in synchronization with at least one of the driving pulses of the image sensor, and an energizing pulse to the illuminating means of the controlling means. It is characterized in that it comprises an informing means for informing a state of the amount of illumination light according to the width.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the notifying means is capable of displaying on the display means the state of the quantity of illumination light according to the energizing pulse width to the illuminating means. Is characterized by.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the notifying means converts the state of the light amount of the illumination light according to the energizing pulse width to the illuminating means into a sound and notifies the sound. Is characterized by.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the notifying means is an object in which the state of the quantity of illumination light according to the energizing pulse width to the illuminating means is imaged by the image pickup device. The feature is that it can be displayed overlaid on the image.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the notifying unit warns a dimming dead zone state in which the amount of illumination light controlled by the control unit does not change. The feature is that notification is possible.

As a result, according to the present invention, the dimming control state of the illumination light controlled by changing the energizing pulse width to the illuminating means in synchronism with the driving pulse of the image pickup device is promptly observed to the observer. Therefore, the observer can perform accurate dimming control while always grasping the current situation.

Further, according to the present invention, since the light quantity state of the illumination light can be notified by displaying on the display unit, by sound, by superimposing display on the subject image, etc., the operating environment of the microscope, etc. It is possible to provide the most suitable and highly confirmable notification.

Further, according to the present invention, since it is possible to give a warning in advance of the dimming dead zone state in which the light quantity of the illumination light does not change, it is possible to enhance the warning property to the observer for the dead zone area.

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a microscope system to which a first embodiment of the present invention is applied. In the figure, reference numeral 1 is a microscope main body, and above the microscope main body 1, L is provided via a vertical support arm 2.
The ED lighting unit 3 is arranged.

A stage 4 is provided on the upper part of the microscope body 1 corresponding to the LED illumination unit 3, and a subject 5 is placed on the stage 4.

The LED lighting unit 3 has an LED 6 as a lighting means and a collector lens 7, and
The light emitted from 6 is condensed by the collector lens 7 to illuminate the subject 5 on the stage 4.

On the other hand, on the optical path that passes through the subject 5 of the microscope main body 1, an image forming lens group 8 as an image forming means, a zoom mechanism 9 as a zooming means, an image forming lens group 10 and a CCD 11 as an image pickup element are provided. A subject image arranged and illuminated by the LED 6 is projected on the CCD 11 by the imaging lens groups 8 and 10 and can be observed by the monitor 12.

The zoom mechanism 9 changes the projection magnification of the subject image formed on the CCD 11, and has a zoom lens group 9a and a zoom volume 9b. By rotating a zoom shaft (not shown), the zoom lens group 9a is rotated. 9a is moved in the direction of the arrow in the figure, and a desired projection magnification can be set. A zoom volume 9b is provided on the zoom shaft (not shown). As shown in FIG. 3A, the zoom volume 9b has a variable resistance structure in which the resistance value changes according to the rotation angle of the zoom shaft, and corresponds to the projection magnification set by the zoom lens group 9a. It outputs the resistance value.

A dimming control section 14 is connected to the zoom volume 9b. Dimming control unit 14
A light control volume 13 as a light control means is connected to the. The light control volume 13 is a main volume switch for the observer to perform light control, and like the zoom volume control 9b, the resistance value changes according to the rotation angle of the volume as shown in FIG. 3B. It has a variable resistance structure.

The dimming control section 14 receives an input from at least one of the zoom volume 9b and the dimming volume 13 and controls the dimming of the LED lighting unit 3.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic structure of the dimming control section 14.

In this case, the dimming control section 14 includes a reference voltage generator 15 and a main volume gain 1
6, subtractor 17, zoom gain 18, adder 19, A /
It is composed of a D converter 20 and an LED drive pulse generator 21.

The reference voltage generator 15 has a reference voltage ref and an A / D input to the main volume gain 16.
The reference voltages VRB and VRT input to the converter 20 are generated. Here, the reference voltage ref input to the main volume gain 16 is 1V, the reference voltage VRB input to the A / D converter 20 is 1V, and VRT is 3V.
Is to occur.

The main volume gain 16 amplifies the reference voltage ref input from the reference voltage generator 15 according to the resistance value of the dimming volume 13, and here, the amplification is performed from 1 to 3 times. Has become.

The subtractor 17 has a main volume gain of 1
The reference voltage ref component is subtracted from the reference voltage amplified in 6.

The zoom gain 18 amplifies the electric potential obtained by the subtraction by the subtractor 17 according to the resistance value of the zoom volume 9b. Here, it is amplified from 1 to 10 times according to the zoom magnification. I am supposed to do it.

The adder 19 adds the reference voltage ref again to the potential amplified by the zoom gain 18.

The A / D converter 20 converts the potential obtained by the addition in the adder 19 into a digital signal. Here, the reference voltage VRB (1 V) to VRT (3
The voltage range of V) is converted into a digital value from 0 to 255.

The LED drive pulse generator 21 is shown in FIG.
As shown in (a), a CCD drive pulse having a period T for driving and controlling the CCD 11 is generated and
The same figure (b)-(e) synchronized with the cycle T of the CD drive pulse.
L of different energizing pulse widths t1, t2, t3, t4 shown in
An ED drive pulse is generated. In this case, the LED drive pulses having energizing pulse widths t1, t2, t3, and t4 are 0 to 255 input from the A / D converter 20.
The minimum pulse width to the maximum pulse width (continuous lighting) is set according to the digital values up to. The minimum pulse width here is tmin.

The LED drive pulse from the LED drive pulse generator 21 is applied to the LED lighting unit 3, and the light amount of the LED 6 is controlled by the energizing pulse widths t1, t2, t3, t4 at this time. There is.

Returning to FIG. 2, the A / D converter 20 of the dimming control section 14 is connected with a dimming state display unit 22 as an informing means. The dimming state display unit 22 is composed of an LED control system 23 and a dimming state display level meter 24 as a display means. L
The ED control system 23 sets the display level from the digital signal input from the A / D converter 20 of the dimming control unit 14. Further, the dimming state display level meter 24 is composed of ten LEDs 24a to 24j which can be turned on and off and are arranged in a horizontal row as shown in FIG. The LEDs 24a to 24j can be independently turned on and off by the LED control system 23. In addition, the LEDs 24a to 24j are those in which the 9th LED 24a to 24i from the left lights up in green, and the LE at the right end.
A red light is used for D24j.

The dimming state display unit 22 is provided in the lower portion of the microscope main body 1 shown in FIG. 1 so that the display contents of the dimming state display level meter 24 can be seen from the outside.

Next, the operation of the embodiment thus configured will be described.

In this case, in the microscope body 1, a case will be described in which the light adjustment is observed at 1/2 of the maximum value and the zoom magnification is 1.

First, when the observer rotates the light control knob 13 for adjusting the light quantity, the resistance value changes according to the rotation angle of the light control knob 13 at this time.

Then, in the dimming control section 14, the reference voltage ref (1V) input from the reference voltage generator 15 is amplified by the main volume gain 16 according to the resistance value of the dimming volume 13. In this case, if the rotation angle of the dimming control knob 13 is turned to 1/2 of the maximum angle, the main volume gain 16 performs amplification from 1 to 3 times according to the resistance value of the dimming control knob 13. Therefore, here, it is amplified twice and a potential of about 2 V is output. This potential is applied to the subtractor 1
2 is subtracted by the reference voltage ref (1V) by 7
To 1V.

Next, the zoom gain 18 performs amplification according to the resistance value of the zoom volume 9b. In this case, the zoom gain 18 amplifies from 1 to 10 times according to the resistance value of the zoom volume 9b, but since the zoom magnification is 1 here, the amplification factor is 1.
Doubled and the potential remains at 1V.

The potential amplified by the zoom gain 18 is added with the reference voltage ref (1V) by the adder 19 to increase from 1V to 2V and input to the A / D converter 20.

The A / D converter 20 digitally converts the voltage range of 1V to 3V into a value of 0 to 255. Here, the potential of 2V input from the adder 19 is converted into a digital value 128, It is input to the next LED drive pulse generator 21.

The LED drive pulse generator 21 is an LED having energization pulse widths t1, t2, t3 synchronized with the cycle T of the CCD drive pulse according to the digital value from 0 to 255 input from the A / D converter 20. Generate a drive pulse. Here, since the digital value output from the A / D converter 20 is 128, it is about 1/2 of the cycle T.
An LED drive pulse having an energization pulse width t2 of 1 is generated, and this LED drive pulse is given to the LED lighting unit 3. As a result, the LED 6 is in the continuous energized state Ma.
The dimming is performed at a light amount of about 1/2 of the x light amount.

Next, when the rotation angle of the dimming potentiometer 13 is stopped at the minimum position, in the main volume gain 16, the reference voltage ref (1V) input from the reference voltage generator 15 is the resistance of the dimming potentiometer 13. Depending on the value, it is amplified by a factor of 1 and remains at the potential of 1V. This potential is
The reference voltage ref (1V) is subtracted by the subtractor 17 to change from 1V to 0V. Then, since the output potential of the zoom gain 18 is 0 V and the output of the A / D converter 20 is also 0, the LED drive pulse generator 21 causes the energizing pulse width t1 synchronized with the cycle T of the CCD drive pulse, that is, the minimum pulse. An LED drive pulse having a width of tmin is generated, and this LED drive pulse is given to the LED lighting unit 3. As a result, the LED 6 is dimmed with the minimum light amount, which is the Min light amount.

Next, when the rotation angle of the light control knob 13 is turned to the maximum position, the main volume gain 16
Then, the reference voltage ref (1V) input from the reference voltage generator 15 is amplified three times by the resistance value of the dimming volume 13 and becomes a potential of 3V. This potential is subtracted by the reference voltage ref (1V) by the subtractor 17, and 3
It goes from V to 2V. Further, the output potential of the zoom gain 18 has a zoom factor of 1 and an amplification factor of 1, so that
It remains at 2V.

The reference voltage ref (1V) is added by the adder 19 to the potential amplified by the zoom gain 18,
The voltage rises from 2V to 3V and is input to the A / D converter 20. In the A / D converter 20, the 3V potential input from the adder 19 is converted into a digital value 255, and LE
It is input to the D drive pulse generator 21.

Since the digital value output from the A / D converter 20 is 255, the LED drive pulse generator 21 generates an LED drive pulse having the same energization pulse width t4 as the cycle T, and this LED drive pulse is the LED drive pulse. It is provided to the lighting unit 3. As a result, the LED 6 is dimmed by the Max light amount in the continuous energized state.

As a result, the light control knob 13 shown in FIG.
Angle of rotation and light quantity of LED6 (light quantity on CCD11)
As is clear from the above relationship, by changing the rotation angle of the dimming control knob 13, it becomes possible to continuously control the dimming light amount of the illumination light from the LED 6 within the range from the Min light amount to the Max light amount. In this case, since the LED drive pulse of the LED 6 is synchronized with the cycle T of the CCD drive pulse, there is no change in the color temperature even when the LED 6 is dimmed.
The dimming that can be observed on the TV monitor 12 can be performed. Further, in the same figure, the rotation angle of the dimming control knob 13 is set to the maximum position P, and when the dimming control knob 13 is rotated to a maximum angle P, it shifts to a dead zone region N where no dimming control is performed. .

Next, a case where the zoom volume 9b is operated will be described.

Here, the case where the zoom magnification is changed from the above-described 1 × to 1.2 × will be described. In this case, rotate the zoom volume 9b to set the zoom magnification to 1
When the zoom state is changed from the double state to the 1.2 state, the zoom lens group 9a moves to a position corresponding to the zoom ratio, and the CCD
The projection magnification of the subject image formed on 11 is 1.2.

At the same time, the resistance value of the zoom volume 9b changes according to the magnification. Then, the zoom gain 18 is
Since amplification corresponding to the zoom magnification is performed according to the resistance value of the zoom volume 9b, here,
The amplification factor of the zoom gain 18 is 1.4 times which is equal to the square of the zoom magnification.

Since the energizing pulse width of the LED driving pulse generated from the LED driving pulse generator 21 is variable according to the potential from the zoom gain 18, the energizing pulse width is also 1.4 times. Therefore, the light amount of the LED 6 is 1.4 times that when the zoom magnification is 1, but the light amount projected on the CCD 11 is 1 / 1.4 because of the projection magnification. As a result, the zoom magnification and CCD 11 shown in FIG.
As is apparent from the above relationship of the light amount, the light amount on the CCD 11 is 1 even when the zoom magnification is 1.2 times.
It is almost the same as when doubled. That is, the amount of light on the CCD 11 has substantially uniform brightness even when the zoom magnification is changed, and microscope observation in this state is possible.

As a result, the LED drive pulse generated by the LED drive pulse generator 21 will have a minimum pulse width tmin when the rotational position of the dimming volume 13 is minimized regardless of the change of the zoom magnification by the zoom volume 9b.
Therefore, the dimming of the Min light quantity can be performed, and when the rotating position of the dimming volume 13 is maximized, the LED driving pulse generated by the LED driving pulse generator 21 becomes
It becomes a continuous energization state, and dimming by Max light quantity can be performed.

When the rotating position of the dimming control knob 13 is minimized, since the CCD drive pulse of the period T to the CCD 11 is output, even if the light quantity from the LED 6 is a very small Min light quantity, it is natural energy. Microscopic observation is possible by taking in certain sunlight or ambient illumination light.

Next, the dimming state display unit 2 in this case
The operation of No. 2 will be described.

In this case, when both or one of the zoom volume 9b and the dimming volume 13 is rotated, the digital value output from the A / D converter 20 changes, and the output of the A / D converter 20 causes the digital value to change. LE
The display state of the dimming state display level meter 24 is changed through the D control system 23.

FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C show the case where the light quantity of the LED 6 of the LED lighting unit 3 is Min light quantity, 1/2 light quantity ((Max light quantity-Min light quantity) / 2) and Max light quantity, respectively. The display state of the dimming state display level meter 24 in FIG. Of these, FIG.
This shows the display state of the dimming state display level meter 24 when the amount of light is n, and all the LEDs 24a to 24j are turned off (OF
F) It is in a state. Further, FIG. 8B shows the display state of the dimming state display level meter 24 when the amount of light is 1/2. The LEDs 24a to 24j are turned on up to the fifth LED from the left end, that is, the LEDs 24a to 24e are turned on ( In the ON state, the other LEDs 24f to 24j are turned off (OF
F) It is in a state. Further, FIG. 8C shows Max.
It shows the display state of the dimming state display level meter 24 at the time of light quantity, and all the LEDs 24a to 24j are turned on (ON).
It is in a state. In this case, the LED 24j is Max
To make it easier to see when the amount of light is
The display color (red lighting) is different from that of D24a to 24i.

When the observer confirms the display state of the dimming state display level meter 24 as described above, L
It is possible to quickly recognize the ED light control state.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, when the observer operates the rotation angle of the light control knob 13 to the maximum position P or more,
Although it shifts to the dead zone region N where the amount of illumination light does not change,
This can also be notified in advance from the display of the dimming state display level meter 24 indicating that the current state is the Max light amount.

Therefore, in this way, when the dimming control of the illumination light is performed in conjunction with the observation method of the microscope, the dimming control state can be promptly notified to the observer. The observer can perform reliable dimming control with a sense of security while always grasping the current situation.

Further, even in the light-dead zone where the dimming of the light quantity is impossible, the fact can be notified to the observer in advance, and this causes unnecessary anxiety to the observer. Such a thing can be avoided.

(Modification 1) In the above-described embodiment, the dimming state display level meter 2 of the dimming state display unit 22.
As shown in FIG. 4, 10 LEDs 24a to 2 arranged in a horizontal row
Although the one using 4j has been described, a numerical representation can also be used.

FIG. 9 shows a dimming state display level meter 31 of the dimming state display unit 22 applied to the modified example 1. In this case, the dimming state display level meter 31 is
It is composed of three 7SEG-type LEDs 31a, 31b, 31c that can display the ones, tens, and hundreds, and these 7SEG-type LEDs 31a, 31b, 31c can display the numbers 000 to 999. ing.

10A, 10B, and 10C show the case where the light quantity of the LED 6 of the LED lighting unit 3 is Min light quantity, 1/2 light quantity ((Max light quantity-Min light quantity) / 2), and Max light quantity, respectively. The display state of the dimming state display level meter 31 in FIG. Of these, FIG.
This indicates the display state of the dimming state display level meter 31 when the amount of light is in. In this case, 7S indicates the ones digit and the tens digit.
"0" and "0" are displayed on the EG type LEDs 31a and 31b respectively, and "0" is displayed as the dimming state display level meter 31.
"0" is displayed. In addition, FIG. 10B shows 1 /
This shows the display state of the dimming state display level meter 31 at the time of two light quantities, and in this case, 7SE showing the ones digit and the tens digit.
"0" and "5" are displayed on the G type LEDs 31a and 31b, respectively, and "50" is displayed as the dimming state display level meter 31.
Is displayed. Further, FIG. 10C shows the display state of the dimming state display level meter 31 at the time of Max light quantity. In this case, 7SE showing the ones digit, the tens digit, and the hundreds digit.
“0” is displayed on each of the G-type LEDs 31a, 31b, 31c.
“0” and “1” are displayed and the dimming status display level meter 3
“100” is displayed as 1.

Therefore, even when the observer observes the display contents of the dimming state display level meter 31 in this manner to operate the zoom volume 9b and the dimming volume 13 to perform LED dimming, The LED dimming state at that time can be easily recognized.

In order to enhance the warning performance when the amount of Max light is emitted, 7SEG representing the hundreds digit used only when the amount of Max light is used.
The display color of the type LED 31c is changed to another 7SEG type LED 31.
It is also possible to change it to a, 31b, or to control the display of each of the 7SEG LEDs 31a, 31b, 31c to blink in the case of Max light quantity.

(Modification 2) FIG. 11 is a schematic configuration showing a modification 2 of the first embodiment. The same parts as those in FIG. 2 are designated by the same reference numerals.

In this case, a dimming switch 32 is connected to the dimming volume 13, and this dimming switch 32 is
The LED drive pulse generator 21 is connected. The dimming switch 32 is a switch integrated with the dimming volume 13, and as shown in FIG.
When the resistance value of is operated in the region of 0 or more and the light quantity on the CCD 11 is dimmed between the Min light quantity and the Max light quantity, the switch state is turned ON, and the dimming volume 1
When the switch 3 is rotated from the state where the resistance value is 0 to the direction in which the resistance value is further reduced, the state of the switch is turned off. Then, when the dimming switch 32 is turned off, LE
The generation of the LED drive pulse from the D drive pulse generator 21 is forcibly stopped.

According to this structure, when the resistance value of the dimming control knob 13 is operated in the region of 0 or more and the dimming switch 32 is ON, the dimming control knob is the same as that described in the first embodiment. It is possible to continuously control the light amount of the LED 6 in the range from the Min light amount to the Max light amount according to the rotation angle of 13.

Here, when the dimming control knob 13 is operated in the direction of further decreasing the resistance value from the resistance value of 0, the dimming switch 32 is turned off. Then,
The generation of the LED drive pulse from the LED drive pulse generator 21 is forcibly stopped, and the dimming of the LED 6 is also stopped. Also, the resistance value becomes 0 by operating the dimming control 13.
After returning to the above, the dimming switch 32 is turned off, the LED drive pulse is again output from the LED drive pulse generator 21, and the light quantity of the LED 6 is changed from the Min light quantity to the M light quantity.
It is possible to perform continuous dimming control within the range of the ax light amount.

In this case, when the dimming state display level meter 31 described in FIG. 9 is used, the dimming switch 32 is turned on.
In the case of, 7SEG type LED3 as described in the modification 1
Numerical values of 0 to 100 are displayed by 1a, 31b, and 31c, and when the dimming switch 32 is turned off, LE is displayed.
With the dimming of D6 stopped, 7SEG LE
No display is made in D31a, 31b, and 31c, so that ON / OFF of the dimming of the LED 6 can be recognized through the dimming state display level meter 31.

Therefore, in this way, when the dimming control knob 13 is operated in the direction of further decreasing the resistance value from the resistance value of 0, this state can be recognized through the dimming status display level meter 31. Therefore, the observer can carry out reliable dimming control of the LED 6 with a sense of security.

(Second Embodiment) Next, the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The embodiment will be described.

In this second embodiment, FIGS. 1 and 2 described in the first embodiment are similar to these drawings, and here, FIGS. 1 and 2 are incorporated. .

In this case, the dimming state display level meter 24 of the dimming state display unit 22 is composed of only one LED, and this LED is turned on only when the amount of Max light is emitted and turned off in other states. ing.

In this way, when the Max light amount is reached, the LED
When is turned on, a warning for shifting to the dead zone region can be issued to the observer, so that the warning property of the dimming state display level meter 24 is improved. Further, since the number of LEDs used as the dimming state display level meter 24 can be greatly reduced, the cost can be reduced, and further,
The mounting space for the dimming state display unit 22 on the microscope body 1 can be greatly reduced.

(Third Embodiment) Next, the third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The embodiment will be described.

In the third embodiment, FIGS. 1 and 2 described in the first embodiment are similar to these drawings, and here, FIGS. 1 and 2 are referred to. To do.

In this case, instead of the dimming state display unit 22 shown in FIG. 2, the dimming state sounding unit 3 shown in FIG.
3 is provided. This dimming state sounding unit 33
Is voice data that has been stored in advance with predetermined voice data, such as voice data such as "light intensity is 0%", "light intensity is 50%", "light intensity is 100%. The light intensity cannot be increased thereafter." A speaker control system 35 for reading voice data from the voice data storage device 34 by a CPU (not shown) based on digital signals from the storage device (ROM) 34 and the A / D converter 20, and setting a speaker sound output level, and this speaker control. Speaker 3 that outputs the voice data read by the system 35 as voice
Have six.

In such a structure, when the light control knob 13 is rotated, the digital value output from the A / D converter 20 changes, and the A / D converter 20 changes.
The voice data in the voice data storage device 34 is read by the output of the above, and is output from the speaker 36.

In this case, the LED of the LED lighting unit 3
If the light quantity of 6 is the Min light quantity, the audio data storage device 3
The voice data "The amount of light is 0%." Is read from the speaker 4 through the speaker control system 35, and this voice data is sounded by the speaker 36. Moreover, the light quantity of the LED 6 is 1
In the case of / 2 light intensity ((Max-Min) / 2), the voice data "light intensity is 50%" is read from the voice data storage device 34 through the speaker control system 35, and this voice data is output to the speaker. 36 pronounced. Furthermore, LE
When the light quantity of D6 is the Max light quantity, the sound data storage device 34 outputs “100% light quantity” via the speaker control system 35.
is. After that, the light intensity cannot be increased. The voice data of “” is read out and is output as a message from the speaker 36.

Therefore, in this way, the speaker 36
The viewer can easily recognize the LED dimming state even when the dimming volume 13 is operated and the LED dimming is performed by the observer listening to the content of the voice message emitted from the device. Further, when the light quantity of the LED 6 is the Max light quantity, a warning to shift to the dead zone region is issued from the speaker 36 by a message, so that it is possible to enhance the warning property to the observer. In this case, if the message from the speaker 36 at the time of Max light quantity is repeated, the warning property can be further improved.

In the third embodiment, the dimming state display unit 22 is replaced with the dimming state sounding unit 33.
The dimming state display unit 2 is provided.
Both the 2 and the dimming state sounding unit 33 may be used. In this way, it is possible to visually and auditorily check the light intensity state, and especially when the microscope device is installed in a place where it is too bright, such as in the hot sun, or in a noisy place.
The confirmation of the light quantity state is improved.

(Modification 1) Although the speaker 36 is used in the third embodiment, a buzzer can be used instead of the speaker. In this case, by using a buzzer, a buzzer control system is provided instead of the speaker control system 35, and the voice data storage device 34 becomes unnecessary.

In this case, the buzzer sounds only when the amount of Max light is emitted, and does not sound in other states.

In this way, the buzzer sounds when the Max light amount is emitted, so that the warning can be issued to the observer, and the observer can grasp the dead zone area in advance. The operability for LED dimming can be further improved. Further, since the voice data storage device 34 can be eliminated, the cost can be reduced.

The buzzer sound emitted when the amount of Max light is
The light may be continuously emitted during the Max light amount period, or may be emitted only for a certain period of time when the Max light amount is reached from the state where the Max light amount is not reached.

(Fourth Embodiment) Next, the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The embodiment will be described.

This fourth embodiment is the same as FIG. 1 described in the first embodiment, and here,
The figure shall be incorporated.

FIG. 14 shows a schematic structure of the dimming control section 14 applied to the fourth embodiment.
The same parts as 1 are designated by the same reference numerals. In this case, the A / D converter 20 of the dimming control unit 14 is
An SD (ON Screen Display: means to superimpose and display information such as characters on a monitor image) generator 37 is connected. The OSD generator 37 superimposes character information and the like on the display image of the monitor 12, and stores the OSD control system 38 having a CPU, a program ROM and the like (not shown) and the information such as the superimposed character and the like as OSD data. OSD data storage device (ROM) 39
have. In this case, the 0SD data storage device 39
Is, for example, as OSD data, “light quantity:
“0%”, “light amount: 50%”, “light amount: 100%”, etc. are stored.

In such a configuration, when the dimming volume 13 is rotated, the digital value output from the A / D converter 20 is given to the OSD generator 37.
In the OSD generator 37, the A / D is controlled by the OSD control system 38.
The dimming state corresponding to the digital value of the converter 20 is determined, and as a result, 0S in the OSD data storage device 39 is determined.
The D data is referred to and the corresponding 0SD data is read.
Then, the 0SD data is sent to the monitor 12 and displayed as character information on the display image of the monitor 12 in an overlapping manner.

In this case, the LED of the LED lighting unit 3
When the light quantity of No. 6 is the Min light quantity, as shown in FIG. 15A, “Light quantity: 00
% ”Is displayed. Further, when the light quantity of the LED 6 is ½ light quantity ((Max-Min) / 2), as shown in FIG.
0% ”is displayed. Then, the light quantity of the LED 6 is Max.
In the case of the light amount, “light amount: 100%” is displayed near the lower left of the display image on the monitor 12 as shown in FIG.
In this case, the display of "light intensity: 100%" has a larger character size than the other displays.

Accordingly, since the light quantity state of the LED 6 can be displayed as character information on the display image on the monitor 12 by doing so, the light control knob 13 is operated to operate the LE.
Even when D light control is performed, the LED light control state can be easily recognized. In addition, the light quantity of the LED 6 is Max.
In the case of the amount of light, since the character information on the monitor 12 is displayed large and a warning is given to shift to the dead zone area, it is possible to enhance the warning property to the observer.

When the light quantity of the LED 6 is the Max light quantity, the display on the display image of the monitor 12 is changed to, for example, "light quantity:
After 100%, the light intensity cannot be increased. Is displayed,
It is possible to promote the recognition to the observer more clearly in the dead zone region.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be variously modified at the stage of carrying out the invention without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Furthermore, the above-described embodiments include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. For example, even if some constituent elements are deleted from all the constituent elements shown in the embodiment, the problem described in the section of the problem to be solved by the invention can be solved, and it is described in the section of the effect of the invention. In the case where the effect described above is obtained, a configuration in which this constituent element is deleted can be extracted as an invention.

[0095]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a microscope system capable of notifying an observer of the light amount state of illumination light associated with dimming control.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a microscope system to which a first embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a dimming control unit used in the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating respective characteristics of a zoom volume control and a dimming control volume used in the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the LED drive pulse generator used in the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a dimming state display level meter used in the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining dimming control of illumination light by the dimming volume control according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a relationship between a zoom magnification and a light amount of illumination light according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display example on a dimming state display level meter according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a dimming state display level meter used in Modification 1 of the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display example on a dimming state display level meter according to a modified example 1 of the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a dimming control unit used in Modification 2 of the first embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the dimmer switch used in the second modification of the first embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a dimming state sounding unit used in a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a dimming control unit used in a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a display example on a monitor used in the fourth embodiment of the invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Microscope body 2 ... Supporting arm 3 ... LED lighting unit 4 ... Stage 5 ... Subject 6 ... LED 7 ... Collector lens 8, 10 ... Imaging lens group 9 ... Zoom mechanism 9a ... Zoom lens group 9b ... Zoom volume 11 ... CCD 12 ... Monitor 13 ... Light control volume 14 ... Dimming control section 15 ... Reference voltage generator 16 ... Main volume gain 17 ... Subtractor 18 ... Zoom gain 19 ... Adder 20 ... A / D converter 21 ... LED drive pulse generator 22 ... Dimming status display unit 23 ... LED control system 24. Dimming status display level meter 24a to 24j ... LED 31 ... Dimming status display level meter 31a, 31b, 31c ... 7SEG type LED 32 ... Dimmer switch 33 ... Dimming state sounding unit 34 ... Voice data storage device 35 ... Speaker control system 36 ... speaker 37 ... OSD generator 38 ... OSD control system 39 ... OSD data storage device

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. Illuminating means for illuminating a subject, image forming means for projecting the object illuminated by the illuminating means onto an image sensor, dimming means for adjusting the light amount of the illuminating means, and the image forming means. By means of zoom means for changing the magnification of the subject projected onto the image sensor, and at least one of the adjustment by the light control means and the change in magnification by the zoom means, in synchronization with the drive pulse of the image sensor. Control means for controlling the light quantity of the illumination light by changing the energization pulse width to the illumination means, and notification means for notifying the state of the light quantity of the illumination light according to the energization pulse width to the illumination means of the control means. A microscope system characterized by being provided. 2. The microscope system according to claim 1, wherein the notifying unit is capable of displaying on the display unit the state of the light amount of the illumination light according to the energizing pulse width to the illuminating unit. 3. The microscope system according to claim 1, wherein the notifying unit converts the state of the light amount of the illumination light according to the energizing pulse width to the illuminating unit into a sound to notify the sound. 4. The notifying means is capable of superimposing and displaying a state of the amount of illumination light according to the energizing pulse width to the illuminating means on a subject image picked up by the image pickup device. Item 1. The microscope system according to Item 1. 5. The notification means is capable of issuing a warning notification of a dimming dead zone state in which the amount of illumination light controlled by the control means does not change. Microscope system.