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Digital Camera Patent Abstract
A microscope-use digital camera equipped with a sleep function includes
an image pickup unit for picking up an image and a control unit
for controlling so as to shift to a sleep state, or not shift thereto,
based on an image picked up by the image pickup unit.
Digital Camera Patent Claims
1. A microscope-use digital camera equipped with a sleep function,
comprising: an image pickup unit for picking up an image; and a
control unit for controlling so as to shift to a sleep state, or
not shift thereto, based on an image picked up by the image pickup
unit.
2. The microscope-use digital camera according to claim 1, further
comprising a judgment unit for judging an existence or nonexistence
of a change between a first image picked up by the image pickup
unit at a first clock time and a second image picked up by the image
pickup unit at a second clock time which is after the first clock
time, wherein the control unit controls so as to shift to a sleep
state, or not shift thereto, based on a judgment result of the judgment
unit.
3. The microscope-use digital camera according to claim 2, wherein
the judgment unit carries out the judgment based on a brightness
value or contrast value of an image.
4. The microscope-use digital camera according to claim 1, further
comprising a judgment unit for judging an existence or nonexistence
of a change between first exposure control information obtained
from an image picked up by the image pickup unit at a first clock
time and second exposure control information obtained from an image
picked up by the image pickup unit at a second clock time which
is after the first clock time, wherein the control unit controls
so as to shift to a sleep state, or not shift thereto, based on
a judgment result of the judgment unit.
5. The microscope-use digital camera according to claim 1, further
comprising an image storage unit for storing an image, and a judgment
unit for judging an existence or nonexistence of a change between
an image stored in the image storage unit and an image picked up
by the image pickup unit, wherein the control unit controls so as
to shift to a sleep state, or not shift thereto, based on a judgment
result of the judgment unit.
6. The microscope-use digital camera according to claim 2, further
comprising a timer unit for measuring a time of an absence of an
operation input, wherein the control unit controls so as not to
shift to a sleep state if the judgment unit judges as an existence
of a change when a time measured by the timer unit is equal to or
greater than a preset time until shifting to the sleep state.
7. The microscope-use digital camera according to claim 6, wherein
the control unit controls so as not to operate the sleep function
if a time measured by the timer unit is equal to or greater than
a preset time until shifting to the sleep state and if the judgment
unit judges an existence of a change.
8. The microscope-use digital camera according to claim 6, further
comprising a selection unit for selecting either a shift to a sleep
state, no shift to a sleep state or an extension of time to shifting
to the sleep state according to an input instruction if a time measured
by the timer unit is equal to or greater than a preset time until
shifting to a sleep state and if the judgment unit judges as a nonexistence
of a change in an image, wherein the control unit controls so as
to shift to a sleep state, not shift to a sleep state or extend
a time until shifting to the sleep state according to a selection
by the selection unit.
9. The microscope-use digital camera according to claim 2, wherein
the control unit controls so as to recover from a sleep state if
the judgment unit judges as an existence of a change after shifting
to the sleep state.
10. The microscope-use digital camera according to claim 6, wherein
the control unit controls so as to shift to a sleep state if a time
measured by the timer unit is equal to or greater than a preset
time until shifting to the sleep state in the case that a replay
mode, which enables a replay of a photographed image, is set.
11. The microscope-use digital camera according to claim 1, wherein
the control unit controls so as to shift to a sleep state after
a passage of a predefined time following an image pickup by the
image pickup unit, and a part or the entirety of a part having shifted
to the sleep state recovers from the sleep state at a predetermined
time prior to an image pickup event by the image pickup unit during
an execution of a time lapse photographing which picks up image
by the image pickup unit at a constant time interval.
12. The microscope-use digital camera according to claim 2, wherein
the control unit controls so as to shift to a sleep state immediately
or after a passage of predetermined time if the judgment unit judges
as nonexistence of a change.
13. A control method for a microscope-use digital camera equipped
with a sleep function, controlling so as to shift to a sleep state,
or not shift thereto, based on a picked up image.
14. A computer readable recording medium recording a program for
controlling a microscope-use digital camera equipped with a sleep
function, wherein the program makes a computer of a microscope-use
digital camera accomplish the function of controlling so as to shift
to a sleep state, or not shift thereto, based on a picked up image.
Digital Camera Patent Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is based upon and claims the benefit of
priority from the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-347864,
filed Dec. 1, 2005, the entire contents of which are incorporated
herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a microscope-use digital
camera equipped with a sleep function.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Some among microscope-use digital cameras are equipped with
a sleep function. The sleep function is defined as one for turning
off the main power, the power of a partial circuit for bringing
down to a low power state, a monitor display, or the back light
of an LCD monitor, et cetera, when a switch input, such as a setup
operation and photographing operation by an observer, is not performed
for a preset length of time. A part or the entirety of functions
equipped on the camera is accordingly constrained in a sleep state.
The sleep function contributes to an improvement in duration of
a battery in the case of a battery-operated camera. A cost reduction
and an environmental load reduction are enabled by way of saving
the power for a power source in the case of using an external power
supply through an AC adaptor, et cetera.
[0006] Relating to a digital camera and a computer equipped with
such a sleep function, techniques have been disclosed as follows:
[0007] For example, a patent document 1 (i.e., Laid-Open Japanese
Patent Application Publication No. 09-197546) has disclosed a digital
camera equipped with a sleep function. This camera is equipped with
an interval photographing function (which is also called a time
lapse photographing function) and a function of stopping an unnecessary
power supply to a circuit if a photographing is not performed for
a predetermined length of time or more, in which a normal state
is recovered prior to a photographing operation, and the unnecessary
power supply to the circuit is stopped again if a specified length
of time elapses after the photographing operation, during an interval
photographing.
[0008] For another example, a patent document 2 (i.e., Laid-Open
Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 06-337739) has disclosed
a computer equipped with a sleep function. This computer has a sensor
detecting a presence or absence of an operator close by, and controls
an auto-power off time according to the result, that is, turns the
power off automatically if the operator is not present in the vicinity
at a passage of a predetermined time, while extends the predetermined
time if the operator is present.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, a microscope-use
digital camera equipped with a sleep function comprises an image
pickup unit for picking up an image, and comprises a control unit
for controlling so as to shift to a sleep state, or not shift thereto,
based on an image picked up by the image pickup unit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline comprisal of a microscope
system including a microscope-use digital camera according to an
embodiment 1;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an outline comprisal of a camera
head;
[0012] FIG. 3 is an upper external view diagram of an operation
unit according to the embodiment 1;
[0013] FIG. 4 is an illustration diagram showing an internal comprisal
of the operation unit according to the embodiment 1;
[0014] FIG. 5 is an illustration diagram showing an internal comprisal
of a monitor observation in-progress judgment unit according to
the embodiment 1;
[0015] FIG. 6 is an illustration diagram showing an internal comprisal
of a display unit;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing a process relating to a sleep
function according to the embodiment 1;
[0017] FIG. 8 is an illustration diagram of an internal comprisal
of an operation unit according to a modified example 4 of the embodiment
1;
[0018] FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing a process relating to a sleep
function according to a modified example 5 of the embodiment 1;
[0019] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a menu displayed in a display
unit according to a modified example 6 of the embodiment 1;
[0020] FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing a process relating to a
sleep function according to a modified example 6 of the embodiment
1;
[0021] FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing a process relating to a
sleep function according to an embodiment 3;
[0022] FIG. 13 is an upper external view diagram of an operation
unit according to an embodiment 5;
[0023] FIG. 14 is an illustration diagram showing an internal comprisal
of the operation unit according to the embodiment 5;
[0024] FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing a process relating to a
sleep function according to the embodiment 5;
[0025] FIG. 16 is an upper external view diagram of an operation
unit according to an embodiment 6;
[0026] FIG. 17 is an illustration diagram showing an internal comprisal
of a monitor observation in-progress judgment unit according to
the embodiment 6; and
[0027] FIG. 18 is a flow chart showing a process relating to a
sleep function according to the embodiment 6.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0028] The following is a description of the preferred embodiment
of the present invention by referring to the accompanying drawings.
Embodiment 1
[0029] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline comprisal of a microscope
system including a microscope-use digital camera according to the
embodiment 1.
[0030] As shown by FIG. 1, the present system includes a microscope
main body 1 and a microscope-use digital camera 2.
[0031] The microscope main body 1, comprising a stage 4 placing
a sample 3 thereon, an object lens 5, an eye piece lens 6, an imaging
lens 7, et cetera, is configured to enable a visual observation
of an image of the sample 3 placed on the stage 4 by way of the
object lens 5 and eye piece lens 6 and also a monitor observation
by way of the object lens 5 and imaging lens 7.
[0032] Meanwhile, the microscope-use digital camera 2 comprises
a camera head 8, an operation display unit 9 and a cable 10 interconnecting
them. This enables a data exchange between the camera head 8 and
operation display unit 9. This also enables a photographing operation
by the camera head 8 even if the operation display unit 9 is placed
apart therefrom within an allowable range of the cable 10.
[0033] The camera head 8 is arranged on the optical path of light
emitting from the microscope main body 1.
[0034] The operation display unit 9 integrally comprises an operation
unit 11 for operating the camera head 8 and a display unit 12 for
displaying an image of a sample (a "sample image" hereinafter)
leading to the camera head 8. The display unit 12 displays not only
a sample image but also a series of photographing setups, et cetera,
which are set up at the operation unit 11. The operation unit 11
and display unit 12 are fixed by maintaining certain respective
angles for enabling an observer to easily operate the operation
unit 11 in approximately parallel with a desk top, while the display
unit 12 in the range of 0 to 90 degrees, e.g., approximately 90
degrees, when the aforementioned operation display unit 9 is placed
on the desk top. Here, the zero ("0") degree means that
the operation unit 11 and display unit 12 are placed horizontally,
that is, a series of switches such as a later described mode switch
of the operation unit 11 and a later described image display panel
of the display unit 12 are placed on the same plane.
[0035] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an outline comprisal of the
camera head 8.
[0036] As shown in FIG. 2, the camera head 8 comprises a photoelectric
conversion element 16 for photoelectrially converting a sample image
obtained with the microscope main body 1, a sampling circuit 17
for sampling an electric signal supplied from the photoelectric
conversion element 16 at a constant time interval, an A/D converter
18 for converting an obtained analog signal to a digital signal,
an image process unit 19 for applying a process to a converted digital
signal for reproducing the sample image as an image, a shutter 20
for shutting off an optical image projected to the photoelectric
conversion element 16 at a desired time. Note that the shutter 20
may be a mechanical shutter for shutting off light mechanically,
or an electronic shutter for shutting off light in response to an
electric signal. Meanwhile, a photoelectric conversion element 16
adopts an element such as a charge-coupled device (CCD).
[0037] A continuous image reproduction of a sample image by using
such configured camera head 8 makes it possible to display the sample
image in a later described image display panel of the display unit
12 in real time.
[0038] FIG. 3 is an upper external view diagram of the operation
unit 11.
[0039] As shown in FIG. 3, equipped on the upper surface of the
operation unit 11 are a power switch 26, a mode switch (i.e., a
mode SW) 27 allowing a selection of at least either a REC mode (i.e.,
a photographing mode) for carrying out a photographing operation
or a PLAY mode (i.e., a replay mode) for replaying a photographed
image, an exposure correction switch 28 for setting an exposure
correction value, a sleep switch (i.e., a sleep SW) 29 for setting
a time for shifting to a sleep state if there in no input of a switch
such as the mode switch 28 and exposure correction switch 28, a
shutter switch (i.e., an EXP SW) 30 for instructing a photographing,
and a left selection switch 31 and a right selection switch 32 which
are control switches for the camera head 8 and display unit 12.
This configuration makes it possible to have the camera head 8 and
display unit 12 carry out prescribed operations by the observer
operating the applicable switches.
[0040] And equipped in the inside of the operation unit 12 is a
memory apparatus 33 for storing a photographed image. The memory
apparatus 33 comprises a removable media 34 allowing a detachable
attachment, such as a floppy disk widely used for a personal computer
(PC), et cetera, and comprises a memory read/write unit 35 for reading/writing
a photographed image from/to the removable media 34.
[0041] FIG. 4 is an illustration diagram showing an internal comprisal
of the operation unit 11.
[0042] As shown in FIG. 4, the operation unit 11 comprises a control
unit 36 comprising a central processing unit (CPU), read only memory
(ROM) storing a program for having the CPU execute a later described
series of control process, random access memory (RAM) which is a
work memory area for the CPU executing the program, and et cetera.
Various operations performed on the operation unit 11 by the observer
are analyzed and processed by the control unit 36. The control unit
36 also writes display-use data to a display-use RAM 37 in the case
of displaying in the display unit 12. It also carries out a photographing
related control for the camera head 8, such as an exposure time,
by way of a camera head connector 38 in the case of performing a
control relating to photographing. It also carries out the process
of outputting image data to the memory read/write unit 35 by making
it in a prescribed file format in the case of recording the aforementioned
image data from the image process unit 19 of the camera head 8 in
the removable media 34. Note that the present embodiment is also
configured to manage a data file within a removable media 34 by
using a well known File Allocation Table (FAT) file system of the
MS-DOS (registered trade mark).
[0043] A monitor observation in-progress judgment unit 39 and an
operation judgment unit 40 are also connected to the control unit
36.
[0044] FIG. 5 is an illustration diagram showing an internal comprisal
of the monitor observation in-progress judgment unit 39.
[0045] As shown in FIG. 5, the monitor observation in-progress
judgment unit 39 comprises an N frame-use RAM 41, an N+1 frame-use
RAM 42 and a change judgment unit 43.
[0046] The N frame-use RAM 41 and N+1 frame-use RAM 42 store (i.e.,
memorize) copied live images alternately one after another, the
process of which is described in detail later. The change judgment
unit 43 compares images stored in the two RAM 41 and 42 to judge
an existence or nonexistence of a change in the two images. If a
result of the judgment is that there is no change, it notifies the
control unit 35 of the information indicating a "monitor observation
complete", while if the judgment result that there is a change,
it notifies the control unit 36 of the information indicating a
"monitor observation in progress".
[0047] Meanwhile, the operation judgment unit 40 monitors a presence
or absence of a switch input such as the mode switch 27, exposure
correction switch 28, et cetera, and has a timer (not shown herein)
comprised by the aforementioned operation judgment unit 40 measure
a time period in which no switch input occurs. This configuration
enables the control unit 36 to compare a time period measured by
the operation judgment unit 40, in which no switch input (i.e.,
no switch operation) has occurred, with a time period until shifting
to a sleep state set by the sleep switch 29, and judge for a shifting
to the sleep state or no shifting thereto.
[0048] FIG. 6 is an illustration diagram showing an internal comprisal
of the display unit 12.
[0049] As shown in FIG. 6, the display unit 12 comprises an image
display panel 44 for displaying a photographed image and a replay
image of an image stored in the memory apparatus 33, an information
display panel 45 for displaying photography information such as
an exposure time and exposure correction at the time of photographing
and replay information such as an image file at the time of a replay,
and a D/A converter 46 for converting from a digital image data
signal to an analog signal, which becomes necessary when displaying
digital image data from a display-use RAM 37 of the operation unit
11.
[0050] In the microscope system including the microscope main body
1 and microscope-use digital camera 2 configured as described above,
a sample image is imaged on the photoelectric conversion element
16 by way of the imaging lens 7. By this, the sample image is converted
into an electric signal by the photoelectric conversion element
16 as described above. Then, the aforementioned electric signal
expressing an image is sampled spatially and temporally by the sampling
circuit 17 and is converted into a digital signal by the A/D converter
18, followed by the image process unit 19 applying a prescribed
imaging process based on the sampling component, thereby generating
a replayable digital image data signal of the sample 3. The digital
image data signal is once stored in the display-use RAM 37 by way
of the cable 10 and the control unit 36. Then, the stored digital
image data signal is transmitted to the display 12, converted into
an analog signal by the D/A converter 46 and output to the image
display panel 44 to be displayed therein. A continuous operation
of this to keep updating the display of an image (N.B.: one piece
image is called as one frame) at the rate of 10 to 30 frames a second
for example makes it possible to form a moving image. Therefore,
it is possible to display a moving image in real time, and each
piece of image in this event is accordingly called as a live image.
Note that the live image is not recorded in the removable media
34 unless an instruction from the observer is provided (i.e., by
pressing the shutter switch 30).
[0051] Meanwhile, the present system is configured to enable a
setup of at least either a REC mode or PLAY mode by the observer
operating the mode switch 27 for selection in the case of displaying
an image in the image display panel 44.
[0052] In the case of setting the REC mode, the system is configured
to allow a setup of the camera head 8 for at least either a live
image state mode or photographing in-progress state mode. For example,
if the live image state mode is set in the case of the REC mode
having been set, it is possible to pick up a dynamic image of the
sample 3 in real time by the camera head 8 and display the image
in the image display panel 44 in real time. Alternatively, if the
photographing in-progress state mode is set in the case of the REC
mode having been set, it is possible to photograph an image of the
sample 3 in a stop state as a still image by the shutter 20 opening
and shutting according to a right exposure time following the observer
pressing the shutter switch 30. The photographed image in this event
is displayed in the image display panel 44 and the information such
as a photographing condition is displayed in the information display
panel 45. Also enabled is to record the image data relating to the
photographed image in the removable media 34 as an image file by
the memory apparatus 33.
[0053] Comparably, in the case of setting the PLAY mode, the image
data of an image file recorded in the removable media 34 is read
out by the memory apparatus 33 by way of the memory read/write unit
35 and displayed in the image display panel 44, while the replay
image information such as the replay file name is displayed in the
information display panel 45. If the observer presses the left selection
switch 31 or right selection switch 32 in this event, the image
data of the image file, which is displayable as image among the
image files recorded in the removable media 34, is displayed in
the image display panel 44 one after another.
[0054] The next is a detailed description of a process relating
to a sleep function equipped in the microscope-use digital camera
2 included in the present system. Note that the present process
is carried out by the control unit 36, that is, more specifically,
the process is carried out by the CPU reading and executing the
program stored in the ROM.
[0055] FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing a process relating to the
sleep function. Note that the present process assumes the above
described REC mode and live image state mode are set.
[0056] As shown in FIG. 7, as the control unit 36 detects a pressing
of the power switch 26 in the operation unit 11 (S1), then it detects
a state of the sleep switch 29 (S2). The present embodiment is configured
to enable a selection of either "Off", "1 minute"
or "10 minutes" as the state of the sleep switch 29 as
shown in FIG. 3, meaning that, if "1 minute" is selected,
the time until shifting to the sleep state is one minute.
[0057] As a result of the detection in the S2, it then judges whether
or not a sleep is set (S3). If the judgment result is "No"
(i.e., in the case of a state of the sleep switch 29 being set to
"Off") in this event, the process returns to the step
S2.
[0058] Contrarily, if the judgment result of the S3 is "yes"
(i.e., in the case of a state of the sleep switch 29 being set to
"1 minute" or "10 minutes"), then the control
unit 36 compares between a time (which is defined as T1) of an absence
of an switch operation measured by the operation judgment unit 40
and a time (which is defined as T2) until entering a sleep state
which is set by the sleep switch 29 and judges whether or not the
result becomes T1.gtoreq.T2 (S4). If the judgment result is "no"
(i.e., the case of T1<T2) in this event, it repeats the present
judgment.
[0059] Contrarily, if the judgment result of the S4 is "yes"
(i.e., T1.gtoreq.T2), it then obtains information notified from
the monitor observation in-progress judgment unit 39 and judges
whether or not the information is one indicating a "monitor
observation in progress" (S5). If the judgment result is "yes"
(i.e., if the information indicates a "monitor observation
in progress") in this event, it regards as a monitor observation
in progress and clears the T1 (i.e., clears it to T1=0), followed
by returning to the S4.
[0060] Contrarily, if the judgment result of the S5 is "no"
(i.e., if the information indicates a "monitor observation
complete"), the control unit 36 regards it as the monitor observation
complete, followed by shifting to a sleep state (S6).
[0061] Note that the present embodiment defines a "shifting
to a sleep state" as turning off the display of the image display
panel 44 and information display panel 45.
[0062] And it defines that a judgment process by the monitor observation
in-progress judgment unit 39 determines whether information notified
therefrom in the above described step S5 is the information indicating
a "monitor observation in progress" or the one indicating
a "monitor observation complete". At this point, a description
is of the judgment process in detail by referring to FIG. 5.
[0063] Referring to FIG. 5, the live images being transmitted via
the control unit 36 are copied to the N frame-use RAM 41 and N+1
frame-use RAM 42 frame by frame. For instance, as the live image
of one frame is copied to the N frame-use RAM 41, that of the next
frame is copied to the N+1 frame-use RAM 42. Then the live image
of the further next frame is copied to the N frame-use RAM 41, and
so on, hence the consecutive live images are copied to the N frame-use
RAM 41 and N+1 frame-use RAM 42 alternately by one frame after the
next. Each of the RAM 41 and 42 may only be equipped with an approximate
capacity of one frame, and the previously stored live image is overwritten
and accordingly erased when a live image of one frame is copied
to the RAM 41 or 42.
[0064] The change judgment unit 43 judges whether or not the live
images temporarily stored in the N frame-use RAM 41 and N+1 frame-use
RAM 42 are the same (i.e., no change in images or otherwise). As
the judgment method, the present embodiment is configured to judge
by averaging the brightness values of the entirety of the respective
images and whether or not the average values are identical. For
instance, the judgment is made by a value d in the following expression,
where the N.sub.ave is the average value of a brightness value of
the image stored in the N frame-use RAM 41 and the N+1.sub.ave is
the average value of a brightness value of the image stored in the
N+1 frame-use RAM 42: |N.sub.ave-N+1.sub.ave|=d
[0065] If d=0, the average brightness values of the live images
stored in the N frame-use RAM 41 and N+1 frame-use RAM 42 are identical,
hence being judged as no change in the images. However, since a
little error is generally caused by a noise component, a judgment
of no change in images if d<s (where the s is a constant) in
the case of d.noteq.0 makes it possible to improve accuracy of a
judgment. Incidentally, the s is approximately 10 if the dynamic
range of an image brightness value is 255.
[0066] If the average brightness values of the images are identical
(including the case of d<s), the two live images can be judged
as the same (i.e., no change in the images), making it possible
to judge that the observer has not carried out an observation operation
or microscope operation such as a movement of the sample 3 or a
focus adjustment. The reason is that an observation of the sample
3 by the observer conceivably accompanies a microscope operation
such as a movement of the sample, focus adjustment, change of magnifications
of object lenses equipped on the microscope main body 1, change
of neutral density filters not shown in the figure, etcetera, and
therefore a change in the live images occurs when these operations
are performed, resulting in a nonidentity of the average brightness
values of the two live images stored in the N frame-use RAM 41 and
N+1 frame-use RAM 42, respectively.
[0067] From the consideration as described above, the judgment
process by the monitor observation in-progress judgment unit 39
notifies the control unit 36 of:
[0068] the information indicating a "monitor observation complete"
if |N.sub.ave-N+1.sub.ave|=d<s; while
[0069] the information indicating a "monitor observation in
progress" if |N.sub.ave-N+1.sub.ave|=d.gtoreq.s
[0070] Therefore, if the observer is observing the sample 3 by
accompanying the observation operation or microscope operation as
described above, the sleep function does not operate, that is, a
shift to a sleep state does not occur even if there is no operation
of a switch such as the mode switch 27 and exposure correction switch
28 regardless of the setup state of the sleep switch 29. This configuration
prevents from shifting to a sleep state in the absence of an intention
of the observer during the time of continuing an observation without
operating a switch in the operation unit 11. Comparably, if the
observer does not observe the sample 3 accompanying the above described
observation operation or microscope operation, and if he does not
operate a switch in the operation unit 11, a shift to a sleep state
can be carried out according to a set time by the sleep switch 29.
[0071] As described above, the microscope-use digital camera according
to the present embodiment is configured to not shift to a sleep
state even if there is no operation of switch in the operation unit
11 during an observation, such as framing, of a microscope sample
in the state of a presence of a sleep setup, thereby making it possible
to improve an observation operability performance such as a framing.
It is also configured to shift to a sleep state according to a preset
time as a result of no switch operation for the operation unit 11
when an observation operation is not carried out, thereby enabling
the reduction of a consumption power.
[0072] Note that various modified examples can be considered relating
to the microscope-use digital camera according to the present embodiment
as in the following.
MODIFIED EXAMPLE 1
[0073] For example, the monitor observation in-progress judgment
unit 39 according to the present embodiment is configured to judge
whether or not images are identical (i.e., whether or not there
is no change in images) by comparing the entirety of the images;
an alternative configuration, however, may be to judge by comparing
a part of the images. For example, in the case of comparing images
only in about 30% of the area size at the center of the images,
the time required for copying images to the N frame-use RAM 41 and
N+1 frame-use RAM 42 can be shortened because the live images to
be copied to the N frame-use RAM 41 and N+1 frame-use RAM 42 are
not the entirety of the images but a part thereof (i.e., 30% in
this case). Besides, the capacities of the N frame-use RAM 41 and
N+1 frame-use RAM 42 may merely be the ones each for accommodating
a part of the image, thereby making it possible to minimize a RAM
capacity and accordingly contribute to a cost reduction and a minimization
of a RAM component equipment space. Also, because the number of
pixels for calculating the N.sub.ave and N+1.sub.ave values, which
are used when calculating a value d, is reduced, hence enabling
a shortening of time and a reduction of a load on the control unit
36.
MODIFIED EXAMPLE 2
[0074] And, the monitor observation in-progress judgment unit 39
according to the present embodiment is configured to judge whether
or not images are identical (i.e., whether or not there is no change
in images) based on the averages of the brightness value of the
images; an alternative configuration, however, may be in a manner
to judge based on contrast values of the images. In such a case,
the change judgment unit 43 calculates the contrast value of each
of the live images copied to the N frame-use RAM 41 and N+1 frame-use
RAM 42, calculates the difference of the two contrast values and,
if the difference is identical (including the case of the difference
being within a predefined range), notifies the control unit 36 of
the information indicating a "monitor observation complete",
while if the difference is non-identical (excluding the case of
the difference being within a predefined range), notifies the control
unit 36 of the information indicating a "monitor observation
in progress".
MODIFIED EXAMPLE 3
[0075] And it is also possible to configure by combining the above
described modified examples 1 and 2. An example configuration comprises
both of the monitor observation in-progress judgment unit (which
is named as 39a) according to the above described modified example
1 and the monitor observation in-progress judgment unit (which is
named as 39b) according to the above described modified example
2, in place of the monitor observation in-progress judgment unit
39 according to the present embodiment. Alternatively comprised
are both of the monitor observation in-progress judgment unit 39
according to the present embodiment and the monitor observation
in-progress judgment unit 39b according to the above described modified
example 2. In this case, the control is in a manner to regard as
monitor observation complete as the judgment result of the S5 shown
in FIG. 7 being "no" only if both of the two monitor observation
in-progress judgment units 39a and 39b (or the units 39 and 39b)
notify the control unit 36 of the information indicating a "monitor
observation complete", while regard as the monitor observation
in progress as the judgment result of the S5 being "yes"
if otherwise, that is, if the judgments of the two monitor observation
in-progress judgment units 39a and 39b (or the units 39 and 39b)
are different from each other or if both of the two monitor observation
in-progress judgment units 39a and 39b (or the units 39 and 39b)
notify the control unit 36 of the information indicating a "monitor
observation in progress". This configuration makes it possible
to further improve the judgment accuracy of the step S5. A focused
point is generally figured out from a contrast value. Accordingly,
it there is a difference in the contrast values of two live images,
it is sometimes the case of searching for a focused point by adjusting
a focus. In such a case, a change of the brightness values of a
live image, frame by frame, is sometimes small if a minute adjustment
of the focus has been performed. However, the contrast values are
different even in this case, making it possible to judge in the
S5 more adequately as compared to the case of a judgment in the
S5 based on solely a change of the brightness values.
MODIFIED EXAMPLE 4
[0076] The present embodiment may also be configured to carry out
the judgment of the S5 shown in FIG. 7 based on a change in a right
exposure time. FIG. 8 is an illustration diagram of an internal
comprisal of an operation unit 11 in this case. As shown in FIG.
8, the difference from the operation unit 11 shown by FIG. 4 lies
where an exposure control unit 47 is added anew and the monitor
observation in-progress judgment unit 39 is replaced by an exposure
change judgment unit 48. Referring to FIG. 8, the exposure control
unit 47 measures a brightness value of digital image data of a sample
image input to the control unit 36 and controls an exposure time
by way of the control unit 36 so that the digital image data becomes
a right brightness value. For instance, in the case of the maximum
value of a brightness value being 255, the exposure time is controlled
to make it about 200. By so doing, the control is in a manner to
extend the exposure time if a sample image is dark, and shorten
the exposure time if the sample image is bright. Therefore, the
digital image data in this case always has a brightness value of
about 200. Meanwhile, the exposure time setup information for controlling
the exposure time is also input to the exposure change judgment
unit 48 constantly. The exposure change judgment unit 48 detects
a change in the exposure time at a constant time interval based
on the input exposure time setup information and, if there is a
change, notifies the control unit 36 of the information indicating
a "monitor observation in progress", while if there is
no change, notifies the control unit 36 of the information indicating
a "monitor observation complete". In the case of detecting
a change in an exposure time at one second interval for example,
the exposure change judgment unit 48 stores an exposure time Te
at a certain clock time, compares the exposure time Te with an exposure
time Te' in one second after the aforementioned clock time and judges
an existence or nonexistence of a change. A judgment interval of
the exposure change judgment unit 48 may be good enough at about
one second as described above because a common exposure time for
a microscope sample image is about the range of 1/15 to 1/20000
seconds; except that some sample image (e.g., a fluorescent sample,
et cetera) requires an exposure time in the range of several seconds
to several minutes. In such a case, the exposure change judgment
unit 48 may be configured in a manner to make a time T to obtain
an exposure time Te' as variable at a time of obtaining an exposure
time Te at a certain clock time. Assuming that the exposure time
Te at a certain clock time is one second or less, an exposure time
Te' to be obtained next is determined as one second (=T) thereafter,
and, if the exposure time Te exceeds one second, e.g., eight seconds
for example, an exposure time Te' is to be obtained at Te+1 seconds
(e.g., 8+1=9 seconds) thereafter. Then the exposure change judgment
unit 48 compares between the exposure times Te and Te' and, if it
judges as there is a change, notifies the control unit 36 of the
information indicating a "monitor observation in progress",
while if it judges as there is no change, notifies the control unit
36 of the information indicating a "monitor observation complete".
[0077] Incidentally, a change in exposure times have been described,
which may be judged by storing an exposure evaluation value, and
the judgment may be made from a change of the evaluation value.
MODIFIED EXAMPLE 5
[0078] The process relating to the sleep function (refer to FIG.
7) according to the present embodiment may also be configured to
set a state of the sleep switch 29 automatically to "Off"
in the case of the information indicating a "monitor observation
in progress" being notified when the time to shift to the sleep
state, which is set by the sleep switch 29, passes. FIG. 9 is a
flow chart showing a process relating to the sleep function in this
case. As shown in FIG. 9, the difference from the process shown
in FIG. 7 lies only where, if the judgment result is "yes",
the process proceeds to the S7 and sets the state of the sleep switch
to "Off", followed by returning to the S2. By this configuration,
the sleep function is turned "Off" if the judgment in
S5 is "yes", that is, regarding as a monitor observation
in progress.
MODIFIED EXAMPLE 6
[0079] The present embodiment may also be configured to enable
an observer to select whether or not to shift to a sleep state before
shifting thereto. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a menu displayed
in the display unit 13 prior to shifting to a sleep state; and FIG.
11 is a flow chart showing a process relating to the sleep function
in this case. The present modified example is configured to enable
the observer to select either "yes", "no" or
"ten-minute extension" relating to whether or not to shift
to the sleep state by way of the menu displayed prior to shifting
thereto, as shown in FIG. 10. Also displayed is "shifting to
sleep if there is no input for one minute". If the observer
selects "yes" according to this menu, the process shifts
to the sleep state, while if he selects "no", the process
does not shift to a sleep state. If he selects "ten-minute
extension", then 10-minute is set as the time to shift to the
sleep state, followed by the menu being displayed in another ten
minutes. Incidentally, also configured is to regard that the "yes"
is selected in the case that neither selection is made within one
minute of displaying the menu as shown in FIG. 10 just as indicated
by the display of "shifting to sleep if there is no input for
one minute".
[0080] The next description is of a process relating to the sleep
function according to the present modified example while referring
to FIG. 11. This process is different from the one shown in FIG.
7 only where the steps S8 and S9 are added between the judgment
result of "no" in the step S5 and the step S6 as shown
in FIG. 11. That is, if the judgment result of S5 is "no",
the process displays the menu shown in FIG. 10 (S8). Then it judges
whether or not the "yes" has been selected from among
the menu, or whether or not one minute has passed with nothing being
selected after displaying the menu (S9) If the judgment result is
"yes", that is, the "yes" is selected from among
the menu or one minute has passed with nothing being selected in
this event, it proceeds to the S6, thus shifting to a sleep state.
Contrarily, if the judgment result of S9 is "no", that
is, if the "no" or "ten-minute extension" is
selected, the process returns to the S4 without shifting to a sleep
state. Incidentally, if the "ten-minute extension" has
been selected in this event, the setup of a state of the sleep switch
29 is changed to "ten-minute". Such a configuration makes
it possible to not shift to a sleep state if the "no"
is selected from among the menu shown in FIG. 10 in the case of
being in observation although there is no change in the sample image,
such as the case of the observer being in a monitor observation
of a stationary sample, such as a slide sample, in a state of no
movement of the state or no change of an object lens magnification,
et cetera, for example, thereby enabling a further improvement of
an observation performance.
MODIFIED EXAMPLE 7
[0081] The monitor observation in-progress judgment unit 39 according
to the present embodiment is configured to adopt, as images for
comparison, a live image of the nth frame and that of the immediate
next n+1-th frame, such comparison of images, however, may be performed
between live images which are apart from each other by a predetermined
number of frames for example, such as a live image of the nth frame
and that of the n+10-th frame. In this case, since a time interval
between images for comparison is extended, it is accordingly possible
to firmly judge an observation in progress or not even for an observation
operation that is slightly changing. Also in this case, the number
of frames to skip over may be discretionarily set.
MODIFIED EXAMPLE 8
[0082] The process relating to the sleep function (refer to FIG.
7) according to the present embodiment is configured to make the
two judgments in the steps S4 and S5, followed by regarding as monitor
observation in progress or monitor observation complete, alternatively
possible, however, is to regard it by a single judgment. That is,
if the judgment result of S3 is "yes", the process judges
whether it is T1.gtoreq.T2 and also the information notified from
the monitor observation in-progress judgment unit 39 is one indicating
a "monitor observation in progress", or it is T1.gtoreq.T2
and also the information notified from the monitor observation in-progress
judgment unit 39 is one indicating a "monitor observation complete",
and regards as a monitor observation in progress if the judgment
result is the former, while regards as a monitor observation complete
if the judgment result is the latter.
Embodiment 2
[0083] A microscope-use digital camera according to an embodiment
2 of the present invention is configured to recover from a sleep
state and turn on a display of the display unit 12 if a monitor
observation is started when a display of the display unit 12 is
turned off after shifting to a sleep state. Otherwise the configuration
is the same as that of the embodiment 1.
[0084] More specifically, the microscope-use digital camera according
to the present embodiment is configured in a manner that the control
unit 36 controls so as to recover from a sleep state if the information
indicating a "monitor observation in progress" is notified
from the monitor observation in-progress judgment unit 39 to the
control unit 36.
[0085] As such, the microscope-use digital camera according to
the present embodiment is configured to turn on a display of the
display unit 12 just by starting a microscope operation including
an object lens magnification change, framing, focusing, et cetera,
in a sleep state, thereby enabling a simplification of a camera
operation and an improvement of operability.
Embodiment 3
[0086] A microscope-use digital camera according to an embodiment
3 of the present invention is configured to make the monitor observation
in-progress judgment unit 39 not function in the PLAY mode. Otherwise
the configuration is the same as that of the embodiment 1.
[0087] FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing a process relating to a
sleep function according to the present embodiment.
[0088] As shown in FIG. 12, having detected a pressing of the power
switch 26 in the operation unit 11 (S1), the control unit 36 subsequently
judges whether or not it is the PLAY mode, that is, whether or not
the state of the mode switch 27 is set to the PLAY mode (S11). If
the judgment result is "no" (i.e., in the case of the
REC mode) in this event, the process proceeds to the S2 shown in
FIG. 7 for carrying out the process described for the embodiment
1.
[0089] Contrarily, if the judgment result of S11 is "yes"
(i.e., in the case of the PLAY mode), it detects a state of the
sleep switch 29 (S12), then the result of the detection of S11 is
followed by judging whether or not a sleep is set (S13). If the
judgment result is "no" (i.e., in the case of "Off"
being selected as the state of the sleep switch 29) in this event,
the process returns to the S12.
[0090] Contrarily, if the judgment result of S13 is "yes"
(i.e., in the case of "1 minute" or "10 minutes"
being selected as the state of the sleep switch 29), the control
unit 36 compares between the time T1, in which a switch is not operated,
measured by the operation judgment unit 40 and the time T2 until
shifting to a sleep state, which is set by the sleep switch 29,
and judges whether or not T1.gtoreq.T2 (S14). If the judgment result
is "no" (i.e., T1<T2) in this event, the present judgment
is repeated.
[0091] Meanwhile, if the judgment result of S14 is "yes"
(i.e., T1.gtoreq.T2), the process shifts to a sleep state (S15).
Note that the present embodiment defines "a shift to a sleep
state" as turning off the displays of the image display panel
44 and information display panel 45.
[0092] The above described process makes a shift to a sleep state
according to a setup by the sleep switch 29 even if there is a change
in a live image (i.e., a sample image) which is not noticed by an
observer in the PLAY mode, enabling the observer to make a shift
to a sleep state at his intended timing.
[0093] As described above, the microscope-use digital camera according
to the present embodiment is configured to firmly shift to a sleep
state when the time until shifting thereto, which is set by the
sleep switch 29, has passed while there is no operation of a switch
although there is an operation for observing a microscope sample
in the PLAY mode, thereby enabling a power save operation.
Embodiment 4
[0094] A microscope-use digital camera according to an embodiment
4 of the present invention is configured to comprise a time lapse
photographing function (i.e., an interval photographing function)
which is a function capable of photographing and recording images
at a preset time interval and shift to a sleep state except in the
states of a photographing in progress, a pre- and post-photographing
during the execution of the time lapse photographing. Otherwise
the configuration is the same as that of the embodiment 1.
[0095] The microscope-use digital camera according to the present
embodiment is configured to enable a display of a menu for a time
lapse photographing in the display unit 12 by a prescribed operation
and a setup relating to the time lapse photographing by a switch
operation in the operation unit 11. An example configuration is
to enable a setup of a photographing time interval and of the number
of photographs between one second and one day, and between one piece
and 1000 pieces, respectively, allowing photographing the set number
of pieces of photographs at the set time interval. In the case of
setting 100 pieces of photography at one hour interval, the camera
photographs the first piece in one hour after starting a time lapse
photographing, followed by photographing the second piece in one
hour thereafter, and so on, and thus the camera spends 100 hours
for photographing 100 pieces. Needless to say, this configuration
enables the observer to leave the microscope-use digital camera
2 in operation after setting it up relating to the time lapse photographing.
[0096] The microscope-use digital camera according to the present
embodiment is configured likewise the microscope-use digital camera
according to the embodiment 1 in terms of the operation relating
to a sleep function in the event of not operating in the time lapse
photographing, whereas the former is configured to shift to a sleep
state except in the states of a photographing in progress, a pre-
and post-photographing regardless of the state of a setup by the
sleep switch 29 once the time lapse photographing is started. For
example, in the case of setting 100 pieces of photography at one
hour interval as described above, a start of a time lapse photographing
is immediately followed by shifting to a sleep state and turning
off a display of the display unit 12. Then, the configuration is
such as to recover from the sleep state, and turn on a display of
the display unit 12 at a predetermined time (e.g., a few seconds)
prior to the time of one hour passing from the start of the time
lapse photographing, photographs the first image at the time of
one hour passing from the start of the time lapse photographing,
shift to a sleep state and turn off a display of the display unit
12, and soon, thus repeating the aforementioned operations until
the 100-th image has been photographed.
[0097] As described above, the microscope-use digital camera according
to the present embodiment is configured to shift to a sleep state
except in the states of a photographing in progress, a pre- and
post-photographing even during the execution of the time lapse photographing
in which an observer is not present in the vicinity in many cases,
thereby enabling a power save operation.
[0098] Also, even in the case of turning off the power to the camera
head 8 in addition to turning off the display unit 12 during a sleep
state, there is no risk of failing a time lapse photographing because
of a recovery from the sleep state during a photographing in progress,
a pre- and post-photographing while executing a time lapse photographing.
[0099] Note that a modified example can be considered for the microscope-use
digital camera according to the present embodiment, as follows:
[0100] For instance, the present embodiment may be configured to
limit a part recovering from a sleep state to the ones relating
to a photographing when executing a time lapse photographing. An
example configuration is, if the power supply to the camera head
8 and a display of the display unit 11 are turned off simultaneously
during a sleep state, the power supply to the camera head 8 and
display of the display unit 11 are turned off simultaneously at
the time of shifting to the sleep state, and then the power supply
to the camera head 8 only is restarted, while a display of the display
unit 12 is left turned off, at the time of recovering from the sleep
state during the execution of a time lapse photographing. This configuration
makes it possible to carry out a time lapse photographing with a
display of the display unit remaining turned off during the execution
of the time lapse photographing in which an observer is not present
in the vicinity of a microscope-use digital camera in many cases.
This in turn enables a power save operation for the time lapse photographing.
Furthermore, another example configuration may be to turn on a display
of the display unit 12 when an observer presses the EXP SW 30 during
a time lapse photographing, thereby making a progressing condition
thereof apparent.
Embodiment 5
[0101] A microscope-use digital camera according to an embodiment
5 of the present invention is configured to eliminate the sleep
SW 29 (refer to FIG. 3) and operation judgment unit 40 (refer to
FIG. 4) from the microscope-use digital camera according to the
embodiment 1, and not to monitor an existence or nonexistence of
a switch operation (i.e., a switch input).
[0102] FIG. 13 is an upper external view diagram of an operation
unit 11 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 13,
it is the same as the operation unit 11 according to the embodiment
1 except where the sleep SW 29 is eliminated.
[0103] FIG. 14 is an illustration diagram showing an internal comprisal
of the operation unit 11 according to the present embodiment. As
shown in FIG. 14, it is the same as the operation unit 11 according
to the embodiment 1 except where the operation judgment unit 40
is eliminated.
[0104] FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing a process relating to a
sleep function according to the present embodiment. As shown in
FIG. 15, the process relating to the present embodiment is the same
as one relating to the embodiment 1 shown in FIG. 7 except where
the processes of the steps S2 through S4 are eliminated. That is,
having detected a pressing of the power switch 26 in the operation
unit 11 (S1), the control unit 36 then obtains the information notified
from the monitor observation in-progress judgment unit 39 and judges
whether or not it is the information indicating a "monitor
observation in progress" (S5). If the judgment result is "yes"
(i.e., the case of the information being one indicating a "monitor
observation in progress") in this event, it regards as monitor
observation in progress, and repeats the present judgment process.
Contrarily, if the judgment result of S5 is "no" (i.e.,
the case of the information being one indicating a "monitor
observation complete"), it regards as monitor observation complete
and then shifts to a sleep state (S6).
[0105] As such, the process according to the present embodiment
differs from that of the embodiment 1 where a shift to a sleep state
is not associated with an existence or nonexistence of a switch
input.
[0106] Note that an alternative configuration may be such that
a shift to a sleep state is in a predetermined time, such as one
minute, after the judgment result being "no" in S5, in
lieu of an immediate shift to the sleep state.
[0107] As described above, the microscope-use digital camera according
to the present embodiment is configured to shift to a sleep state
if regarding a monitor observation complete (i.e., if the judgment
result of S5 of FIG. 15 is "no"), even in the case of
eliminating the function of shifting to the sleep state by an existence
or nonexistence of a switch operation (i.e., an switch input), thereby
eliminating the necessity of a monitoring of a switch operation.
It accordingly enables a microscope-use digital camera to be further
compact and low cost. It also makes it possible to shift to a sleep
state approximately simultaneously with the time of regarding a
monitor observation complete, thereby enabling the sleep function
to work just as the observer intends to and an improvement of operability.
Embodiment 6
[0108] A microscope-use digital camera according to an embodiment
6 of the present invention is configured to shift to a sleep state
when matching with a desired image by an observer, which is registered
in advance.
[0109] FIG. 16 is an upper external view diagram of an operation
unit 11 according to the present embodiment. It is the same as the
operation unit 11 (refer to FIG. 3) according to the embodiment
1 except where an image storage switch (SW) 51 is added as shown
in FIG. 16. The configuration is such that the image storage switch
51 is pressed, an image picked up by the camera head 8 at the time
is stored in a later described image storage-use RAM.
[0110] FIG. 17 is an illustration diagram showing an internal comprisal
of a monitor observation in-progress judgment unit 39 according
to the present embodiment. Being the same as the monitor observation
in-progress judgment unit 39 (refer to FIG. 5) according to the
embodiment 1 where two pieces of RAM and a change judgment unit
43 are comprised, the present embodiment, however, is configured
to use the two pieces of RAM as an image storage-use RAM and live
frame-use RAM, as shown in FIG. 17. The image storage-use RAM 52
stores an image obtained according to an observer pressing the above
noted image storage switch 51. The live frame-use RAM 53 stores
a live image being copied frame by frame. In the embodiment 1, a
live image is stored in the two pieces of RAM 41 and 42 alternately
by being copied frame by frame, whereas the present embodiment has
only one piece of RAM 53 store by a live image being copied frame
by frame. Incidentally, the capacity of the live frame-use RAM 53
may merely be for about one frame as in the case of the embodiment
1. In this case, the previously stored live image is overwritten
and accordingly erased at every time a live image of one frame is
stored in the live frame-use RAM 53.
[0111] Note that the change judgment unit 43 compares the two images
stored in the two pieces of RAM 52 and 53, respectively, judges
whether or not the two images are identical (i.e., no change in
images or otherwise) and, if they are identical (i.e., no change
in images) (including the case of being approximately identical),
notifies the control unit 36 of the information indicating a "monitor
observation in progress", while if they are not identical (i.e.,
there is a change in images) (including not being approximately
identical), notifies the control unit 36 of the information indicating
a "monitor observation complete", as in the case of the
embodiment 1.
[0112] Otherwise the configuration is the same as that of the embodiment
1.
[0113] FIG. 18 is a flow chart showing a process relating to the
sleep function according to the present embodiment.
[0114] In the present embodiment, having detected a pressing of
the power switch 26 in the operation unit 11 (S1), the control unit
then judges whether or not an image is stored in the image storage-use
RAM 52 (S21) as shown in FIG. 18.
[0115] Note that an image stored in the image storage-use RAM 52
is one having photographed a state which is desired to shift to
a sleep state after an observer completes a monitor observation
such as a state of removing the sample 3 from the microscope main
body 1, et cetera. This image is obtained by the observer pressing
the above noted image storage switch 51 following his presetting
such a state, and is recorded in the image storage-use RAM 52.
[0116] If the judgment result of S21 is "no" (i.e., an
image is not stored in the image storage-use RAM 52), the present
judgment is repeated until an image is stored in the image storage-use
RAM 52 by the above noted image storage switch 51. Incidentally,
an alternative configuration may be to prompt the observer to store
an image if the judgment result of the S21 is "no".
[0117] Contrarily, if the judgment result of the S21 is "yes"
(i.e., if an image is stored in the image storage-use RAM 52), the
control unit 36 then carries out the processes in the steps S2 through
S6 as in the case of the embodiment 1.
[0118] In the step S5 according to the present embodiment, however,
the change judgment unit 43 comprised by the monitor observation
in-progress judgment unit 39 (refer to FIG. 17) according to the
present embodiment judges an existence or nonexistence of a change
between the image stored in the image storage-use RAM 52 and the
live image stored in the live frame-use RAM 53 and, if there is
a change, notifies the control unit 36 of the information indicating
a "monitor observation in progress", while if there is
no change, notifies the control unit 36 of the information indicating
a "monitor observation complete" as described above, followed
by the control unit 36 judges whether or not the information notified
by the monitor observation in-progress judgment unit 39 is one indicating
a "monitor observation in progress".
[0119] As described above, the process according to the present
embodiment uses an image registered by the observer and a live image
for judging whether or not to shift to a sleep state. Because of
this, if an image (i.e., a white image) photographing a state of
a sample 3 not being existence is pre-stored in the image storage-use
RAM 52 in the case of the observer removing the sample 3 from the
microscope main body 1 to finish the observation, it is also possible
to shift to the sleep state at the time of his removing the sample
3 from the microscope main body 1. Alternatively, it is also possible
to shift to a sleep state in the case of turning off the power of
the microscope main body 1 or setting the beam 100% for the eye
piece lens and 0% for the microscope-use digital camera by switching
over a light path switchover unit (not shown herein), if a black
image is stored in the image storage-use RAM 52.
[0120] As described above, the microscope-use digital camera according
to the present embodiment makes it possible to register a state
of an image when shifting to a sleep state according to the desire
of the observer, and therefore an observation performance can be
improved.
[0121] As such, a detailed description has been provided for the
present invention which, however, may apparently be improved and
changed in various manners possible within the scope of the present
invention, in lieu of being limited by the above described embodiments.
[0122] For example, each of the above described embodiments is
configured to turn off the display of the display unit 12 when shifting
to a sleep state. However, a part or the entirety of the functions
comprised by the present camera may be put into a rest, such as
turning off the power of a part of the electrical circuit, or turning
off the power of the present camera.
[0123] Also, each of the above described embodiments is configured
not to shift to a sleep state if regarding as a monitor observation
in progress, an alternative configuration maybe to shift partially
to a sleep state, in lieu of not shifting thereto. That is, to have
a part unrelated to a monitor observation shift to a sleep state
because of having been regarded as a monitor observation in progress,
thereby enabling only the monitor observation. For example, the
power supply to the memory read/write unit 35 may be stopped. Then,
a restart of the power supply may be enabled by pressing the shutter
switch (i.e., EXP SW) 30.
[0124] Another configuration may be a combination of a comprisal
or operation of a microscope-use digital camera according to each
of the above described embodiments (including modified examples)
and a comprisal or operation of a microscope-use digital camera
according to another embodiment (including a modified example).
[0125] In summary, the present invention is contrived to not shift
to a sleep state even if there is no operation (i.e., a switch operation)
on the present microscope-use digital camera during an observation
operation of a microscope sample, such as a framing, in the case
of a time to shift to the sleep state being set, thereby making
it possible to improve an observation operation performance such
as a framing. Meanwhile, if there is no operation thereon when an
observation operation is not in progress, a shift to a sleep state
is performed according to a preset time, and therefore a power save
operation is also enabled.
[0126] It is also contrived to enable a recovery from the sleep
state only by starting a microscope operation such as an object
lens magnification change, framing, focusing, et cetera, in the
sleep state, thereby making it possible to simplify a camera operation
and improve the operability.
[0127] It is also contrived to firmly shift to the sleep state
if a state of no operation continues for a preset time to shift
to the sleep state regardless of an observation operation of a microscope
sample in a replay mode, thereby enabling a power save operation.
[0128] It is also contrived to shift to the sleep state except
in the states of a photographing in progress, a pre- and post-photographing
during the execution of a time lapse photographing in which an observer
is not present in the vicinity of the present microscope-use digital
camera in many cases, thereby enabling a power save operation. It
is further contrived to recover from the sleep state in the states
of a photographing in progress, a pre- and post-photographing, if
shifted thereto, and hence there is no risk of failing the time
lapse photographing.
[0129] It is also contrived to shift to the sleep state if it is
possible to regard as a monitor observation complete even in the
case of eliminating a sleep function based on an existence or nonexistence
of an operation (i.e., a switch operation), thereby enabling a necessity
of monitoring operations. This in turn enables the present microscope-use
digital camera to become compact and low cost. In addition, this
case makes it possible to shift to the sleep state simultaneously
with regarding as a monitor observation complete, thereby enabling
a shift thereto just as the observer wishes and an improvement of
operability.
[0130] It is also contrived to enable a registration of the state
of an image at the time of a shift to the sleep state exactly as
the observer wishes, thereby making it possible to improve an observation
performance. |