Abstract:
A microscope includes a switching mechanism which has a plurality of lens units, and which inserts a selected lens unit of the plurality of lens units into an observation light path and disposes the non-selected other lens units outside the observation light path. A control unit controls a movement speed of a stage, onto which a sample is placed, in an optical axis direction according to an observation power of the selected lens unit inserted into the observation light path. The plurality of lens units include: (i) a plurality of fixed-power lens units which are lens units including a combination of imaging lenses and objective lenses, and whose observation powers when observing the sample mutually differ, and (ii) a zoom lens unit which has a continuously changeable observation power.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims benefit of Japanese Applications No. 2005-112828, filed Apr. 8, 2005, and NO. 2006-37566, filed Feb. 15, 2006, the contents of which are incorporated by this reference. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a technology suitable for implementation in a microscope which comprises a low-powered lens unit, composed of a combination of a plurality of imaging lenses and objective lenses, and a continuously variable zoom unit, which realizes low magnification to high magnification, and performs electrical control of the switching of the lens unit and the movement speed of an observation subject. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Due to improvement in the power of microscopes and sharp imaging technology, it is becoming possible to perform observation of sites as desired by the observer. However, it is becoming important not only to view the sites, but to also observe the interaction between cells, with focus on cell-level to tissue-level observation. Therefore, a microscope is required which can freely perform the observation of cells, observed at an extremely high magnification, to the observation of tissue, observed at a lower magnification, can further freely perform observation of the overall image of an organism, observed at an extremely low power, and can observe inter-cell information transmission which cannot be known through observation of a single cell. Thus, there is a need for a microscope which can freely perform low-powered observation to high-powered observation. 
   Current microscopes are electrically controlled and are very convenient. By the implementation of electrical control, the operator can smoothly adjust observation power, focus, and aperture, and furthermore, perform automatic control by setting observation conditions. Therefore, not only experienced operators, but also first-time operators, can be assured superior operation. 
   Consequently, electric focusing devices which electrically control low magnification to high magnification have been recently developed. 
   For example, in the Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. (Heisei) 8-86965, a microscope having a revolving-type objective lens conversion mechanism, which automatically changes the speed at which a focusing mechanism is driven according to the currently observed objective lens power, is proposed. According to this proposal, the driving speed of the focusing mechanism is configured to be low when the objective lens power is high, and in addition, the driving speed of the focusing mechanism is configured to be high when the objective lens power is low. In this way, a microscope examiner can consistently perform focusing and operations in the same way, even when the magnifying power of the observation optical system is changed. 
   In addition, in the Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2004-226882, a microscope which determines observation power by the combination of a continuously variable zoom mechanism and objective lens and to which the abovementioned focusing mechanism speed control is applied is proposed. 
   In the proposed microscopes described above, the speed of the focusing mechanism is uniquely determined to be a value set in advance by the power of the observation optical system. In addition, the calculation of magnifying power from observation imaging is particularly effective when the observation subject is small. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A microscope, which is one embodiment of the present invention, comprises the following: a plurality of fixed-power lens units which are lens units composed of a combination of imaging lenses and objective lenses, of which the observation power when observing a sample mutually differs; a zoom lens unit which is a lens unit which can continuously change observation power; a switching mechanism for switching a lens unit inserted into an observation light path and inserting any one of the other lens units into the observation light path; and a control unit for controlling the movement speed of a stage, onto which the sample is placed, in an optical axis direction according to the observation power of the lens unit inserted into the observation light path. 
   In addition, a microscope, which is another embodiment of the present invention, comprises the following: a plurality of fixed-power lens units which are lens units composed of a combination of imaging lenses and objective lenses, of which the observation power when observing a sample mutually differs; a zoom lens unit which is a lens unit which can continuously change observation power; a switching mechanism for switching a lens unit inserted into an observation light path and inserting any one of the other lens units into the observation light path; a display unit for displaying an observation image of the sample; a partial area acquisition unit for acquiring the setting results of a partial area configured for the observation image displayed in the display unit; and a selection unit for selecting a lens unit according to the setting result of the partial area, wherein the switching mechanism inserts the lens unit selected by the selection unit into the observation light path. 
   In addition, a microscope, which is still another embodiment of the present invention, comprises the following: a housing chamber in which a sample, which is an observation subject, is housed, with a stage onto which the sample is placed, and hermetically sealed; a detection unit for detecting the opening of the housing chamber; and a movement control unit for moving the position of the stage when the opening of the housing chamber is detected. 
   In addition, a controlling method of a microscope, which is still another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the microscope comprises a plurality of fixed-power lens units which are lens units composed of a combination of imaging lenses and objective lenses, of which the observation power when observing a sample mutually differs, and a zoom lens unit which is a lens unit which can continuously change observation power, performs the following: acquires information on the observation power of a lens unit inserted into the observation light path; and controls the movement speed of a stage, onto which a sample is placed, in the optical axis direction according to the observation power of the lens unit inserted into the observation light path. 
   In addition, a controlling method of a microscope, which is still another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the microscope comprises a plurality of fixed-power lens units which are lens units composed of a combination of imaging lenses and objective lenses, of which the observation power when observing a sample mutually differs, and a zoom lens unit which is a lens unit which can continuously change observation power, performs the following: acquires the setting results of a partial area configured for an observation image of the sample; selects a lens unit according to the setting result of the partial area; and inserts the selected lens unit into the observation light path. 
   In addition, a controlling method of a microscope, which is still another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the microscope comprises a housing chamber in which a sample, which is an observation subject, is housed, with a stage onto which the sample is placed, and hermetically sealed, performs the following: detects the opening of the housing chamber; and moves the position of the stage when the opening of the housing chamber is detected. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description when the accompanying drawings are referenced. 
       FIG. 1  is a diagram showing a first example of the schematic configuration of a microscope implementing the present invention; 
       FIG. 2A  is a diagram of the schematic configuration of the turret in  FIG. 1 , viewed from above; 
       FIG. 2B  is a diagram of the schematic configuration of the turret in  FIG. 1 , viewed from the side; 
       FIG. 3  is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of the electrical-control controller in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a flowchart showing a control operation in a first embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a flowchart showing the details of the control operation in the first embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  is a diagram showing an example of the magnifying power of a lens unit set in the attachment hole of the turret; 
       FIG. 7  is a diagram showing a setting example of the focusing speeds corresponding to each lens unit; 
       FIG. 8A  is a diagram of the schematic configuration of a first modified example of a lens switching mechanism, viewed from above; 
       FIG. 8B  is a diagram of the schematic configuration of the first modified example of the lens switching mechanism, viewed from the side; 
       FIG. 9  is a diagram showing a first modified example of the first example of the schematic configuration of the microscope implementing the present invention; 
       FIG. 10A  is a diagram of the schematic configuration of a light path switching mechanism, viewed from above; 
       FIG. 10B  is a diagram of the schematic configuration of the light path switching mechanism, viewed from the side; 
       FIG. 11  is a diagram showing a second modified example of the first example of the schematic configuration of the microscope implementing the present invention; 
       FIG. 12  is a diagram of the schematic configuration of a second modified example of the lens unit switching mechanism, viewed from the side; 
       FIG. 13  is a diagram showing a second example of the schematic configuration of the microscope implementing the present invention; 
       FIG. 14  is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of an XY controller and an XY operation input unit; 
       FIG. 15  is a flowchart showing a control operation in a second embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 16  is a flowchart showing the details of the control operation in the second embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 17  is a diagram showing a setting example of the focus speeds and XY stage speeds corresponding to each lens unit; 
       FIG. 18  is a flowchart showing a control operation in a third embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 19  is a diagram showing a display screen example of a sample image; 
       FIG. 20A  is a diagram (1) showing an example of a table used to decide the lens unit to be implemented in an image observation in a selected observation range; 
       FIG. 20B  is a diagram (2) showing an example of the table used to decide the lens unit to be implemented in the image observation in the selected observation range; 
       FIG. 20C  is a diagram (3) showing an example of the table used to decide the lens unit to be implemented in the image observation in the selected observation range; 
       FIG. 20D  is a diagram (4) showing an example of the table used to decide the lens unit to be implemented in the image observation in the selected observation range; 
       FIG. 20E  is a diagram (5) showing an example of the table used to decide the lens unit to be implemented in the image observation in the selected observation range; 
       FIG. 21  is a flowchart showing the details of a control operation in a third embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 22  is a diagram (6) showing an example of the table used to decide the lens unit to be implemented in the image observation in the selected observation range; 
       FIG. 23  is a diagram showing an example of a method for selecting an observation area on a live image display unit; 
       FIG. 24  is a diagram showing the configuration of a sample housing chamber; and 
       FIG. 25  is a flowchart showing a control operation in a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention are described, with reference to the drawings. 
   First Embodiment 
     FIG. 1  shows the schematic configuration of a microscope device according to the present embodiment. 
   In  FIG. 1 , a continuously variable zoom unit  26  is inserted into an observation light path. 
   A fluorescent light source device  1  has a fluorescent lamp  1   c  therewithin and also comprises an excitation shutter  1   b  and an excitation filter  1   a . The fluorescent light source device  1  irradiates excitation light onto the main body of the microscope via a fiber  2 . The light transmitted by the fiber  2  enters from a cube  17  within a turret  28  only when a continuously variable zoom unit  26  is inserted into an observation light path. A plurality of low-powered lens units  27   a, b, c , and  d , wherein imaging lenses and objective lenses are combined, and the continuously variable zoom unit  26  are mounted on the turret  28 . These lens units and the zoom unit are controlled by a motor within a turret electrical unit  11  (not shown) and can be inserted into the observation light path selectively. 
     FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B  show the schematic configuration of the turret  28 .  FIG. 2A  is a diagram of the schematic configuration of the turret  28  viewed from above, and  FIG. 2B  is a diagram of the schematic configuration of the turret  28  viewed from the side. 
   The low-powered lens units  27   a, b, c , and  d , of which the observation power is a fixed-power, are set in attachment holes  200 ,  201 ,  201 , and  203 , respectively. The continuously variable zoom unit  26  is set in an attachment hole  204  (refer to  FIG. 2A ). Here, it is assumed the continuously variable zoom unit  26  is inserted into an observation light path  206 . When a motor within the turret electrical unit  11  (refer to  FIG. 2B ) rotates, the torque of the motor is transmitted to a turret axis  205 . When the turret  28  rotates with this turret axis  205  as the center, one certain lens unit is inserted into the observation light path  206 . A position sensor  207  is set in the attachment hole of each lens unit within the turret  28  and is configured to know immediately which lens unit is inserted into the observation light path  206  by a position sensor reading device  208 . The position sensor  207  is composed of a magnet and the position sensor reading device  208  is composed of a magnetic sensor, such as a Hall IC. When the selected lens unit is inserted into the observation light path  206 , the magnet is in close proximity to the magnetic sensor. The lens unit inserted into the observation light path  206  can be identified by the magnetic sensor reading the magnetism at this time. 
   The description of  FIG. 1  is continued. 
   The turret electrical unit  11  is controlled by an electrical-control controller  5  which is connected via a cable  12 . The cube  17  comprises a dichroic mirror switching mechanism, and with this mechanism, the dichroic mirror can be inserted into the observation light path through selection by a special-purpose software in a PC 3 . 
   The cube  17  is controlled by the electric-control controller  5  which is connected via a cable  18 . A zoom mechanism motor (not shown) is installed within the continuously variable zoom mechanism  14 , and low-powered to high-powered observations can be actualized by this continuously variable mechanism  14 . This zoom mechanism motor is controlled by the electrical-control controller  5  which is connected via a cable  13 . 
   A stage  25  is a platform for placing an observation subject. The stage  25  can be moved at the focusing speed by a Z stage electrical unit  9 . The fluorescent light emitted from a specimen to which the excitation light is irradiated passes through a zoom mechanism objective lens  15 , the continuously variable zoom mechanism  14 , and the cube  17 , and reaches a zoom mechanism imaging lens  19 . Then, the fluorescent light passes through an absorption filter unit  21  and reaches a camera  23 . The absorption filter unit  21  comprises an absorption filter switching mechanism, and the switching thereof is controlled by the electrical-control controller  5  which is connected via a cable  22 . The camera  23  photographs an observation image of the sample and transmits the image data expressing the photographed image to the PC 3  via a cable  24 . 
   When low-powered lens units  27   a, b, c , and  d  are inserted into the observation light path by operating the turret electrical unit  11 , the excitation light which enters from the fiber  2  is irradiated onto the specimen by a commonly known deviated light, without passing the cube  17 . The fluorescent returning light emitted from the specimen at this time is photographed by the camera  23  after passing through the absorption filter unit  21 . 
   The electrical-control controller  5  is controlled by the PC  3  which is connected via a cable  6 . The fluorescent light source device  1  is controlled by the PC  3  via a cable  4 . The PC  3  controls the electrical-control controller  5  and the fluorescent light source device  1  by running a special-purpose software. 
     FIG. 3  shows the overall configuration of the electrical-control controller  5 . 
   The electrical-control controller  5  has a microcomputer  300 . The microcomputer  300  governs the electrical control of the microscope device. A ROM  301  which is a recording medium to which a control program is stored in advance, a RAM  302  which holds the variable data of the control program, and external interface connectors  304   f  and  304   g  are connected to the microcomputer  300 . 
   In addition, a motor driver  303   a , a motor driver  303   b , a motor driver  303   c , a motor driver  303   d , and a motor driver  303   e  are connected to the microcomputer  300 . An external interface connector  304   a , an external interface connector  304   b , an external interface connector  304   c , an external interface connector  304   d , and an external interface connector  304   e  are connected to the motor driver  303   a , the motor driver  303   b , the motor driver  303   c , the motor driver  303   d , and the motor driver  303   e , respectively. 
   The external interface connector  304   a , the external interface connector  304   b , the external interface connector  304   c , the external interface connector  304   d , and the external interface connector  304   e  are connected electrically to a cable  13 , a cable  10 , a cable  22 , a cable  18 , and a cable  12 , respectively. Therefore, the microcomputer  300  drives the motors held respectively by the continuously variable zoom mechanism  14 , the Z stage electrical unit  9 , the absorption filter unit  21 , the cube  17 , and the turret electrical unit  11 , via the motor driver  303   a , the motor driver  303   b , the motor driver  303   c , the motor driver  303   d , and the motor driver  303   e , and therefore, to perform electrical control thereof. 
   In addition to being connected to the motor within the turret electrical unit  11 , the cable  12  is connected to the position sensors  207  set in the attachment holes  200 ,  201 ,  202 ,  203 , and  204  and the position sensor reading device  208 , via the turret electrical unit  11 . The positional information of the position sensor  207  is read by the position sensor reading device  208  and processed by the microcomputer  300 , via the turret electrical unit  11  and the cable  12 . 
   The microcomputer  300  monitors the current position of the continuously variable zoom mechanism  14  and the Z stage electrical unit  9  by storing the addresses indicating the respective motor rotation angles acquired from the motor driver  303   a  and the motor driver  303   b.    
   The external interface connector  304   f  is connected to a bright-field light source  7  via a cable  8 , and the microcomputer  300  can electrically control the bright-field light source  7 . 
   The external interface connector  304   g  is connected to the PC 3  via the cable  6 . The respective electrical-control orders given by the PC 3  are processed by the microcomputer  300 . 
   Next, an operation of an embodiment configured as such is described in line with the flowchart in  FIG. 4 . Unless otherwise noted, the processing shown in  FIG. 4  is performed by the microcomputer  300  which runs the control program stored in the ROM  301 . 
   When the power is turned on in Step  400 , in Step  401 , a processing for having the position sensors  207  set in the attachment holes  200 ,  201 ,  202 ,  203 , and  204  of each lens unit within the turret  28  detect which lens unit within the turret  28  is inserted into the observation light path  206  in an initial state and read the detection result is performed. When the processing for reading information of the lens unit inserted into the observation light path  206  is completed, a process for setting the focusing speed of the lens unit currently inserted into the observation light path  206  is performed in Step  402   a . The setting of the focusing speed is performed by a special-purpose software in the PC 3 , via the microcomputer  300 . 
   Next, in Step  403 , a processing for acquiring an instruction to change the lens unit to be implemented for observation is performed. In this change instruction, an instruction which is the result of selection by the special-purpose program in the PC 3  is given. At this time, the change instruction is not given when the designated lens unit is already inserted into the observation light path  206 . Subsequently, in Step  404 , a process for driving the motor within the turret electrical unit  11 , rotating the turret  28  via the turret axis  205 , and inserting the designated lens unit into the observation light path  206  is performed. 
   Next, in Step  405 , a processing for reading the lens information of the lens unit designated in Step  403  is performed. Then, in Step  402   b , a processing for setting the focusing speed corresponding to the designated lens unit is performed. 
   When the processes in Step  402   b  to Step  405 , above, are completed, the process returns to Step  403  and enters a state awaiting the next lens unit change instruction. 
   In  FIG. 5 , the details of the focusing speed setting processing in Step  402   a  and Step  402   b  in  FIG. 4  are shown by a flowchart. 
   First, in Step  500 , the microcomputer  300  performs a processing for determining whether or not the lens unit inserted into the observation light path  206  is a continuously variable zoom unit  26 . 
   The lens information of the lens unit inserted into the attachment hole within the turret  28  in the present embodiment is shown in  FIG. 6 . In this diagram, because the continuously variable zoom unit  26  is inserted into the attachment hole  204 , the judgment result of Step  500  is YES. 
   If the judgment result of Step  500  is YES, a processing for reading the current zoom position address is performed in Step  501 . The zoom position address is an address indicating the rotation angle of the motor within the continuously variable zoom mechanism  14 , and the current position of the continuously variable zoom mechanism  14  can be known through this address. 
   In Step  502 , a processing for calculating the current magnifying power of the continuously variable zoom unit  26 , based on the acquired zoom position address, is performed. In the present embodiment, the magnifying power of the continuously variable zoom unit  26  can be calculated by implementing the Equation (1), below:
 
Zoom power=objective power×10 {(−address+240)/300}   (1)
 
   The zoom position address is managed by the microcomputer  300  using the RAM  302 , and has a value in the range of 0 to 300. The objective power is the magnifying power of the zoom mechanism objective lens  15  which is combined in the continuously variable zoom unit  26  and is 2× herein. 
   In Step  503 , a processing for setting the focusing speed is performed based on the zoom power determined in Step  502 . The setting of the focusing power is performed with reference to a table such as that exemplified in  FIG. 7 . The setting parameters of the focusing speeds corresponding to each lens unit are set in this table. This table data is loaded into the special-purpose software of the PC 3 . The PC 3  performs processing for setting the focusing speed acquired from this table to the motor driver  303   b  via the microcomputer  300 , in accordance to the operator&#39;s instructions. 
   On the other hand, when the result of the judgment processing in Step  500  is NO, any one of the low-powered lens units  27   a, b, c , and  d  is assumed to be inserted into the observation light path  206 . In this case, the processing for setting the focusing speed is performed in Step  504 . This focusing speed setting is also performed with reference to the table exemplified in  FIG. 7 . 
   Herein, the setting of the focusing speed according to the processing shown in  FIG. 5  is described using an actual example. In this actual example, the lens unit inserted into the observation light path  206  is assumed to be the continuously variable zoom unit  26 . 
   In this actual example, first, the result of the judgment processing in Step  500  of  FIG. 5  is YES and the process proceeds to Step  501 . In Step  501 , the reading of the zoom position address is performed. Here, the read address is assumed to be “150”. 
   Next, in Step  502 , a zoom power calculation processing is performed. If the zoom position address is “150”, the value of Equation (1) is 3.99. In other words, the zoom power is determined to be about 4×. 
   Next, in Step  503 , the focusing speed setting processing is performed. Here, from  FIG. 7 ,
     Micromotion: 5000 (=8000/4 2 ) [μm/s]   Flutter: 37500 (=600000/4 2 ) [μm/s]
 
are set as the focusing speed of the continuously variable zoom unit  26 . In this way, the setting of respective focusing speeds, when a micromotion operation is performed and when a flutter operation is performed, is completed.
   

   The microscope device of the present embodiment which is configured and controlled as such comprises a plurality of low-powered lens units and a continuously variable zooming unit, and observation in a wide magnification range from low-magnification to high-magnification can be performed freely. In addition, changes to the observation power and the focusing speed which are electrically controlled are switched by software, rather than by the operator himself. Therefore, this microscope device is superior in operability. 
   The foregoing embodiment is merely an example and can have a configuration such as that below. 
   For example, although an instance wherein five lens units are mounted onto the turret  28  was described in the foregoing embodiment, the microscope device can be configured such that a desired number of low-powered lens units and continuously variable zoom units are mounted onto the turret  28 . 
   In addition, in the foregoing embodiment, the shape of the turret  28  is circular and the switching of the lens unit is actualized by a rotation mechanism. Alternatively, the configuration of the lens unit switching can, for example, implement a belt conveyor method. 
     FIG. 8A  and  FIG. 8B  show the schematic configurations of this lens unit switching mechanism.  FIG. 8A  is a diagram of this schematic configuration viewed from above, and  FIG. 8B  is a diagram of this schematic configuration viewed from the side. In addition, the configuration of a microscope device comprising this switching mechanism is shown in  FIG. 9 . 
   Each lens unit  213  (low-powered lens unit  27   a, b, a , and  d , and continuously variable zoom lens unit  26 ) is connected to a belt conveyor  212 . When a motor within the belt conveyor electrical unit  211  rotates, the torque of the motor is transmitted to a belt conveyor axis  214 . When the belt conveyor axis  214  rotates in the direction of the arrow, the belt conveyor  212  is sent in the direction of the arrow, and each lens unit  213  is inserted into the observation light path  206 , sequentially. The movement direction of the belt conveyor  212  (the rotation direction of the belt conveyor axis  214 ) can be the opposite of the direction of the arrow shown in  FIG. 8A  and  FIG. 8B . 
   In addition, in place of a configuration wherein the lens unit inserted into the observation light path is switched as described above, the microscope device can be configured such that the turret onto which the lens unit is mounted is fixed and the observation light path is switched. 
     FIG. 10A  and  FIG. 10B  show the schematic configuration of an observation light path switching mechanism as such.  FIG. 10A  is a diagram showing this schematic configuration viewed from above, and  FIG. 10B  is a diagram of this schematic configuration viewed from the side. In addition, the configuration of a microscope device comprising this switching mechanism is shown in  FIG. 11 . 
   Each lens unit  223  (low-powered lens unit  27   a. b. c , and  d , and continuously variable zoom unit  26 ) is mounted onto the turret  28 . When the motor within the observation light path electrical unit  221  rotates, the torque of the motor is transmitted to a light path axis  224 . When the light path axis  224  rotates in the direction of the arrow, a light path insertion device  222 , the stage  25 , the absorption filter unit  21 , and the camera  23  move around the turret  28 , the observation light path moves, and each lens unit  213  is inserted into the observation light path sequentially. 
   In addition, in Step  401  in the flowchart shown in  FIG. 4 , the lens unit which is inserted into the observation light path  206  is identified by the position sensors  207  which are set in each attachment hole  200 ,  201 ,  202 ,  203 , and  204  of the turret  28 . Alternatively, the lens unit inserted into the observation light path can be identified based on the rotation amount of the turret  28 , namely the rotation amount of the motor in the turret electrical unit  11 . 
   In addition, the electrical-control controller  5  is connected to the PC 3 , via the cable  6 . However, various standards, such as RS232C, USB, and IEEE1394, can be used as the data transmission standard by this cable, and in addition, the electrical-control controller  5  can be connected by LAN connection using Ethernet. 
   In addition, although the setting of the speed during micromotion and speed during flutter are performed as focusing speed setting, the focusing speed setting can be either one of these settings. In addition, the speed during ultra-micromotion which is lower than the speed during micromotion, the speed during mid-flutter which is higher than the speed during micromotion and lower than the speed during flutter, and the speed during ultra-flutter which is lower than the speed during flutter can be set. 
   In addition, although the turret electrical unit  11  in the diagram is set in the lower part of the turret  28  in the schematic configuration of the turret  28  shown in  FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B , alternatively, the turret electrical unit  11  can be set on the side, as shown in  FIG. 12 . In the configuration shown in  FIG. 12 , the turret  28  is rotated when the turret axis  205  rotates, due to the meshing of the gears. 
   In addition, although the electrical-control controller  5  is wired with a separate cable for each driving unit, they can be wired collectively with one cable. 
   In addition, although the position sensor  207  and the position sensor reading device  208  are composed of a magnet and a Hall IC or the like, alternatively, lens unit detection can be performed using barcode. 
   Second Embodiment 
   Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to the drawings. 
   A characteristic of the present embodiment is that the movement speed in the horizontal direction of the stage corresponds to the observation power of each lens unit. Therefore, the operator can perform stage operation at a constant speed without influence from the observation power. 
   Constituent elements in the second embodiment which are the same as those in the first embodiment are shown with the same reference number, and details descriptions thereof are omitted. 
     FIG. 13  shows an overall configuration of the microscope device according to the present embodiment. In this configuration, an XY stage electrical unit  34  which can move within a plane vertical to the optical axis (referred to as an XY plane) is provided in the stage part of the first embodiment, to serve as an additional stage speed control. By implementing this XY stage electrical unit  34  and the Z stage electrical unit  9 , the stage  25  can be electrically controlled arbitrarily within a three-dimensional space. The XY stage electrical unit  34  is controlled by an XY controller  29  which is connected via a cable  33 . A joystick for manipulating XY and an XY operation input unit  31  to which a switch or the like which can perform a plurality of operations, such as input of an XY operation by a button or the switching between micromotion and flutter, is distributed are connected to the XY controller  29  via a cable  32 . The XY controller  29  is connected to the PC 3  via a cable  30 . 
   The schematic configuration of the XY controller  29  is shown in  FIG. 14 . 
   The XY controller  29  has a microcomputer  1400 . The microcomputer  1400  governs the electrical control of XY. A ROM  1401  which is a recording medium to which a control program is stored in advance, a RAM  1402  which holds the variable data of the control program, and external interface connectors  1404   b  and  1404   c  are connected to the microcomputer  1400 . 
   The external interface connector  1404   b  is connected to an external interface connector  1405  of the XY operation input unit  31  via a cable  32 . The XY operation input unit  31  comprises a decoder  1406 , a joystick  1407 , an XY drive input button  1408 , a micromotion input button  1409 , and a flutter input button  1410 . The microcomputer  1400  can detect joystick  1407  operation instructions and button operation instructions. 
   In addition, the microcomputer  1400  is connected to a motor driver  1403   a  and a motor driver  1403   b . The motor driver  1403   a  and the motor driver  1403   b  are connected to an external interface connector  1404   a . The external interface connector  1404   a  is electrically connected to a cable  33 . Therefore, the microcomputer  1400  can control the XY movement of the stage  25  by driving the motor within the XY stage electrical unit  34  via the motor driver  1403   a  and the motor driver  1403   b.    
   The microcomputer  1400  can monitor the current position (XY position) of the Stage  25 , by storing the addresses indicating the respective motor rotation angles acquired from the motor driver  1403   a  and the motor driver  1403   b  in the RAM  1402 . 
   The external interface connector  1404   c  is connected to the PC 3  via the cable  30 . The respective electrical control orders from the PC 3  are processed by the microcomputer  1400 . 
   Next, the operation of an embodiment configured as such is described in line with the flowchart in  FIG. 15 . Unless otherwise noted, the processing shown in  FIG. 15  is performed by the microcomputer  300  or  1400  which runs the control program stored in the ROM  301  or  1401 . 
   When the power is turned on in Step  1500 , in Step  1501 , a processing for having the sensors set in the attachment holes detect which lens unit within the turret  28  is inserted into the observation light path and read the detection result is performed. When the reading of the information on the lens unit inserted into the observation light path is completed, a process for setting the stage speed and the XY stage speed of the lens unit currently inserted into the observation light path is performed in Step  1502   a.    
   Next, in Step  1503 , a processing for acquiring an instruction to change the lens unit to be used for observation is performed. In this change instruction, the result selected by the special-purpose software in the PC 3  is designated. Here, when an instruction to change the lens unit to be used for observation is received, a processing for rotating the motor within the turret electrical unit  11 , rotating the turret  28  via the turret axis  205 , and inserting the designated lens unit into the observation light path is performed in Step  1504 . 
   Next, in Step  1505 , a processing for reading the lens information of the lens unit according to the instruction acquired in Step  1503  is performed. Then, in Step  1502   b , a processing for setting the focusing speed and the XY stage speed corresponding to the designated lens unit is performed. When the processing in Step  1502   b  is completed, the process returns to Step  1503  and enters a state awaiting the next lens unit change instruction. 
   In  FIG. 16 , the details of the setting processing for the focusing speed and the XY stage speed in Step  1502   a  and Step  1502   b  are shown by a flowchart. 
   The lens information of the instructed lens is already read by the processing in Step  1501  or Step  1505  in  FIG. 15 . In Step  1600 , a processing for determined whether or not the read lens unit is the continuously variable zoom unit  26  is performed. 
   The lens information of the lens units inserted into the attachment holes within the turret  28  in this embodiment are the same as that shown in the aforementioned  FIG. 6 . Therefore, if the attachment hole  204  is detected, this means the continuously variable zoom unit  26  is inserted into the observation light path, and the judgment result of Step  1600  is YES. 
   If the judgment result is YES in this judgment processing in Step  1600 , a processing for reading the zoom position address is performed in Step  1601 . The zoom position address is an address indicating the rotation angle of the motor within the continuously variable zoom mechanism  14 , and through this, the current position of the current continuously variable zoom mechanism  14  can be known. 
   In Step  1602 , a processing for calculating the current magnifying power of the continuously variable zoom unit  26  is performed based on the acquired zoom position address. Specifically, the current magnifying power of the continuously variable zoom unit can be calculated by implementing the abovementioned Equation (1). 
   In Step  1603 , a processing for calculating the focusing speed and the XY stage speed based on the magnifying power calculated by the processing in Step  1602  is performed. The focusing speed and the XY speed are acquired with reference to a table such as that exemplified in  FIG. 17 . The setting parameters of the focusing speeds and XY stage speeds corresponding to each lens unit are set in this table. This table data loaded into the special-purpose software in the PC 3 . In Step  1604 , the PC 3  performs processing for setting the focusing speed and the XY stage speed acquired from this table to the motor drivers  1403   a  and  1403   b  via the microcomputer  1400 , in accordance to the operator&#39;s instructions. 
   On the other hand, if the lens unit inserted into the observation light path is the low-powered lens unit  27   a, b, c , or  d , Step  1600  is NO and the processing proceeds to Step  1605 . In Step  1605 , the focusing speed and the XY stage speed corresponding to the magnifying power of each lens unit are referenced and acquired from the table exemplified in  FIG. 17 . Subsequently, in Step  1606 , the PC 3  performs a processing for setting the focusing speed and XY stage speed acquired from this table to the motor driver  1403   a  and  1403   b  via the microcomputer  1400 . 
   When the foregoing processing in Step  1604  or Step  1606  is completed, the processing returns to Step  1502   a  or Step  1502   b  in  FIG. 15 . 
   Here, the setting of the focusing speed and the XY stage speed according to the processing shown in  FIG. 15  is described using an actual example. In this actual example, the lens unit inserted into the observation light path is assumed to be the continuously variable zoom unit  26 . 
   In this actual example, first, the judgment result of Step  1600  in  FIG. 16  is YES, and the processing proceeds to Step  1601 . In Step  1601 , the zoom position address is read. Here, the read address is assumed to be “150”. 
   Next, in Step  1602 , a processing for calculating zoom power is performed. When the position address is “150”, the value of Equation (1) is 3.99. In other words, the zoom power is determined to be about 4×. 
   Next, in Step  1603 , the focusing speed and the XY stage speed are set. Here, from  FIG. 17 ,
     Focusing speed micromotion: 5000(=8000/4 2 ) [μm/s]   Focusing speed flutter: 37500(=600000/4 2 ) [μm/s]   XY stage speed micromotion: 198(=−19×4+274) [μm/s]   XY stage speed flutter: 5435(=−569×4+7711)
 
are set as the focusing speed and the XY stage speed of the continuously variable zoom unit  26 . In this way, the setting of the respective focusing speeds and the XY stage speeds, when performing micromotion and when performing flutter, is completed.
   

   The microscope device of the present embodiment which is configured and controlled as such comprises a plurality of low-powered lens units and a continuously variable zooming unit, and observation in a wide magnification range from low-magnification to high-magnification can be performed freely. In addition, because the focusing speed and the XY stage speed are calculated and set based on the observation power, there is little difference in a feeling of the stage operation speed due to observation power, and thus, the microscope device is all the more superior in operability. 
   The foregoing embodiment is merely an example and can have a configuration such as that below. 
   Although three devices, the fluorescent light source device  1 , the electrical-control controller  5 , and the XY controller  29 , are provided as controllers in the present embodiment, they can be configured collectively as one large electrical-control controller. 
   In addition, although the XY controller  29  and the XY operation input unit  31  are configured separately, they can be configured collectively as one large XY controller. 
   In addition, the actual example is one example of the setting of the focusing speed and the XY stage speed corresponding to each lens unit, and the microscope device can be configured such that the setting of the focusing speed and the XY stage speed are changed manually via a software in the PC 3 . 
   In addition, although both motor driver  1403   a  and motor driver  1403   b  and the external interface connector  1404   a  are connected in the XY controller  29 , the XY controller  29  can be configured such that the configuration for control in the X direction and the configuration for control in the Y direction are independent, two external interface connectors are provided, and the two motor drivers are connected to the two external interface connectors, respectively. 
   Third Embodiment 
   Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to the drawings. 
   A characteristic of the present embodiment is that, when a partial area is selected for an observation image, a control for selecting and switching to a lens unit with a magnifying power appropriate for the observation of the image (partial image) included within this partial area is performed. 
   Constituent elements in the third embodiment which are the same as those in the first embodiment or the second embodiment are shown with the same reference number, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted. 
   The overall configuration of the microscope device according to the present embodiment being used is the same as that in the first embodiment in  FIG. 1 . 
   Next, an operation of the microscope device according to the present embodiment is explained in line with the flowchart in  FIG. 18 . Unless otherwise noted, the processing shown in  FIG. 18  is performed by the microcomputer  300  which runs the control program stored in the ROM  301 . 
   In Step  2000 , a processing for having the sensors set in the attachment holes detect which lens unit within the turret  28  is inserted into the observation light path and reading the detection result is performed. When the reading of the information on this lens unit is completed, a processing for calculating the range selectable as the observation area from within the sample images taken using the lens unit currently inserted into the observation light path is performed in Step  2001 . 
   A display screen example of a display device of the PC 3  is shown in  FIG. 19 . In this diagram, the sample image (video) is displayed in a live image display unit  2100 . Here, when the user depresses an imaging set button  2101  by operating an input device, such as a mouse or a keyboard provided to the PC 3 , the image data expressing the still image of the sample at this time is stored to a memory device of the PC 3 . 
   In Step  2001 , the range obtained by multiplying the magnifying power of the lens unit currently inserted into the observation light path with the observation view range when the magnifying power is 1× is calculated as the selectable range. However, in the present embodiment, the size of the live image display unit  2100  is 4080×3072 pixels. Therefore, this selectable range is a range which does not exceed this live image display unit  2100 . 
   In Step  2002 , a processing for acquiring an observation region selection result is performed. 
   When the user operates the input device of the PC 3  and depresses an observation range selection set button  2102  over a rectangle drawn on the live image display unit  2100 , the range of this rectangle is acquired as the selection result of the observation range. However, if the selected observation range is out of the observable range acquired by the processing in Step  2002 , the observation range selection result is not acquired. 
   In Step  2003 , a processing for determining whether the lens unit used for the observation of the image in the selected observation range is a fixed-power lens units  27   a, b, c , or  d , or the continuously variable zoom unit  26  is performed. 
   Each diagram from  FIG. 20A  to  FIG. 20E  is described. The tables shown in these drawings are examples of a table used to decide the lens unit to be used in the observation of an image in the selected observation range. Here,  FIG. 20A  is a table used when the lens unit currently inserted into the observation light path has a fixed-power of 1×;  FIG. 20B  is a table used when the lens unit currently inserted into the observation light path has a fixed-power of 2×;  FIG. 20C  is a table used when the lens unit currently inserted into the observation light path has a fixed-power of 3×; and  FIG. 20D  is a table used when the lens unit currently inserted into the observation light path has a fixed-power of 4×. In addition,  FIG. 20E  is a table used when the lens unit currently inserted into the observation light path is the continuously variable zoom unit  26   
   These table data are loaded into the special-purpose software in the PC 3 . 
   The lens unit to be used when observing the image in the selected observation range is decided according to the processing shown in the flowchart in  FIG. 21 . 
   In  FIG. 21 , first, a processing for acquiring the size of the selected observation area (size of the rectangle) is performed in Step  2110 . Then, by the processing in the subsequent Step  2111  to Step  2114 , a processing for deciding the lens unit to be used to acquire a sample image of the selected observation range, based on the tables respectively shown in  FIG. 20A to 20E  and from the lens unit currently inserted into the observation light path and the size of the selected observation range, is performed. 
   For example, if the lens unit currently inserted into the observation light path has a fixed power of 1×, the table in  FIG. 20A  is referenced. Here, if the selected observation range is X=1180 pixels and Y=896 pixels, this observation range falls under the range shown in the third row of the table in  FIG. 20A . In this case, it is determined that the lens unit having a fixed power of 3×, shown in the first column of this row, is the most appropriate for subsequent observations. In other words, the judgment result of Step  2113 , among the processing in Step  2111  to Step  2114 , is YES and the process proceeds to Step  2006 . 
   The description of  FIG. 18  is continued. 
   When it is determined that the continuously variable zoom unit  26  is the lens unit deemed to be most appropriate as a result of the judgment processing in Step  2003 , the processing proceeds to Step  2004  and a processing for rotating the motor within the turret electrical unit  11 , rotating the turret  28  via the turret axis  205 , and inserting this lens unit into the observation light path is performed. Then, in the subsequent Step  2005 , the zoom power is changed by controlling the continuously variable mechanism  14  and becomes the magnifying power at which the partial image within the selected observation range is displayed the largest in the live image display unit  2100 . 
   On the other hand, if it is determined that the low-powered lens units  27   a, b, c , or  d , which have fixed power, is the lens unit deemed to be most appropriate as a result of the judgment processing in Step  2003 , the process proceeds to Step  2006 , and a processing for rotating the motor within the turret electrical unit  11 , rotating the turret  28  via the turret axis  205 , and inserting this lens unit into the observation light path is performed. 
   The microscope device of the present embodiment which is configured and controlled as such comprise a plurality of low-powered lens units and a continuously variable zoom unit, and control for selecting and switching to a lens unit with magnifying power appropriate for the observation of the image (partial image) included in the partial area, when a partial area is selected for the observation image, is performed automatically. 
   The foregoing description is merely an example and can have a configuration such as that below. 
   In the present embodiment, the segmentation of the range of corresponding magnifying power (magnifying power at which the image within the selected observation area is displayed the largest on the live image display unit  2100 ), which serves as the basis for lens unit setting, is the same as the magnifying power of each lens unit, in the tables shown in  FIG. 20A  to  FIG. 20E . Alternatively, for example, segmentation can be made such that the magnifying power of each lens unit is the center value of the corresponding magnifying power range, as exemplified in  FIG. 22 . In addition, this segmentation of the corresponding magnifying power range can be set as desired by the operator. 
   In addition, when setting the corresponding magnifying power range to overlap between each lens unit and performing image display at this overlapping magnifying power, the operator can select the lens unit to be used, as desired. 
   In addition, with regards to the observation range selection result acquisition processing on the live image display unit  2100 , a selection made by the user from the observation range for each lens unit can be acquired as the selection result, as shown in  FIG. 23 . 
   In the live image display unit  2100  shown in  FIG. 23 , 1× lens unit observation range  2201 , 2× lens unit observation range  2202 , 3× lens unit observation range  2203 , 4× lens unit observation range  2204 , and 5× lens unit observation range  2205  are displayed, and furthermore, an arrow  2206  of which the length changes according to the manipulation of the input device by the operator is displayed. The lines indicating the borders of these observation areas do not have to be displayed. 
   When the operator operates the input device, the tip of the arrow  2206 , which extends and contracts on the diagonal line of these observation ranges, discretely moves among the respective apexes of the 1× lens unit observation range  2201 , the 2× lens unit observation range  2202 , the 3× lens unit observation range  2203 , the 4× lens unit observation range  2204 , and the 5× lens unit observation range  2205 . However, the tip moves continuously within the continuously variable zoom unit observation range  2205 . When the operator operates the input device and depresses the observation range selection set button  2102  when the tip of the arrow  2206  is positioned on the apex of the desired observation range, this rectangular range is acquired as the observation range selection result. The microscope device can be configured to acquire the observation range selection results in this method. 
   In addition, the first embodiment and the second embodiment can be combined with the present embodiment, the movement speed of the stage  25  in the Z direction or the XY direction can be controlled based on the observation power, and the difference in operation derived from the difference in observation power can be absorbed, after the lens unit is switched. 
   Fourth Embodiment 
   Hereinafter, a fourth embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to the drawings. 
   Characteristics of the present embodiment are that the stage is lowered to the lowest position and moved in a horizontal direction in order to facilitate operations, such as sample exchange, when the sample housing chamber is opened during observation, and subsequently, when the sample housing chamber is closed, an automatic focusing operation control is performed using the lowest-powered lens unit to enable the subsequent observation to be started quickly. 
   Constituent elements in the fourth embodiment which are the same as those in the first embodiment, the second embodiment, or the third embodiment are shown with the same reference numbers, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted. 
   The overall configuration of the microscope device according to the present embodiment being used is the same as that in the second embodiment in  FIG. 13 . However, a sample housing chamber  3000 , such as that shown in  FIG. 24 , is provided in the stage  25  part in the present embodiment. 
   As shown in  FIG. 24 , the sample housing chamber is provided with a door  3001 . When this door  3001  is closed, the interior of the sample housing chamber  3000  is blocked from external light and remains air-tight. 
   A door detection mechanism  3002  is a sensor for detecting the opened-state and the closed-state of the sample housing chamber  3000  by the open/close state of the door  3001 . The output of this door detection mechanism  3002  is sent to the electrical-control controller  5  via a cable (not shown) and read by the microcomputer  300 . 
   As described earlier, the stage  25  moves in the Z direction (direction of arrow  3003 ), when the motor of the Z stage electrical unit  9  is driven. In addition, the stage  25  moves within the XY plane when the motor within the XY stage electrical unit  34  is driven. Therefore, when the door  3001  is in an opened state, the stage  25  can be taken outside of the sample housing chamber  3000  (direction of the door  3001  opening). 
   Next, an operation of the microscope device according to the present embodiment is described in line with the flowchart in  FIG. 25 . Unless otherwise noted, the processing shown in  FIG. 25  is performed by the microcomputer  300  or  1400  which runs the control program stored in the ROM  301  or  1401 . 
   First, a processing for detecting the opening of the door  3001  by the door detection mechanism  3002  is performed in Step  3100 . 
   When the opening of the door  3001  is detected, in Step  3101 , a processing for reading the information of the lens unit inserted into the observation light path is performed, and a processing for determining whether this lens unit is the lowest-powered, fixed-power lens unit among the lens units mounted onto the turret  28  is performed. Here, if the judgment result is NO, a process for rotating the turret  28  by rotating the motor within the turret electrical unit  11  and inserting the lowest-powered, fixed-power lens unit into the observation light path is performed in Step  3102 . 
   In Step  3103 , a processing for acquiring the current positional information of the stage  25  from the XY stage electrical unit  34  and the Z stage electrical unit  9 , and writing and holding this stage position information in the RAM  302  and  1402  is performed. 
   In Step  3104 , a processing for determining whether the PC 3  is configured in advance to lower the stage  25  in the Z direction (optical axis direction) when the door  3001  is opened is performed. Here, if the judgment result is YES, a processing for driving the motor within the Z stage electrical unit  9  and moving the stage  25  in the predetermined position (for example, a lowest position) is performed in Step  3105 . 
   In Step  3106 , a processing for determining whether the PC 3  is configured in advance to take the stage  25  outside of the sample housing chamber  3000  (direction of the door  3001  opening) when the door  3001  is opened is performed. Here, if the judgment result is YES, a processing for driving the motor within the XY stage electrical unit  34  and moving the stage  25  in the direction of the door  3001  opening is performed in Step  3107 . 
   Then, in Step  3108 , a processing for detecting the closing of the door  3001  by the door detection mechanism  3002  is performed. Here, if the closing of the door  3001  is detected, the result of the judgment processing in Step  3108  becomes YES and the process proceeds to Step  3109 . 
   In Step  3109 , a processing for reading the stage position information held in the RAM  302  and  1402  is performed. In the subsequent Step  3110 , a processing for driving the respective motors within the XY stage electrical unit  34  and within the Z stage electrical unit  9  and moving the stage  25  to a position indicated by the stage position information is performed. 
   In Step  3111 , the PC 3  executes an auto-focus control processing for moving the stage  25  such that the image of the sample acquired by the camera  23  is in focus, in the current state wherein the lowest-powered, fixed-power lens unit is inserted into the observation light path. 
   The microscope device of the present embodiment which is configured and controlled as such comprises a plurality of low-powered lens units and a continuously variable zoom unit. When the sample housing chamber is opened, the stage is lowered and moved in a horizontal direction according to the setting, and when the housing chamber is subsequently closed, an automatic focusing operation control implementing the lowest-powered lens unit is performed. Therefore, in this microscope device, the exchange of samples and the like are facilitated, and in addition, operability is superior because subsequent observation can be started quickly. 
   The first embodiment and the second embodiment can be combined with the present embodiment, the movement speed of the stage  25  in the Z direction or the XY direction can be controlled based on the observation power, and the difference in operation derived from the difference in observation power can be absorbed, after the lens unit is switched. In addition, the third embodiment can be combined with the present embodiment, and when a partial area is selected for an observation image, a control for selecting and switching to a lens unit with a magnifying power appropriate for the observation of the image included within this partial area can be performed. 
   As described above, even operators inexperienced with microscopes are capable of superior observation in an observation performed using a plurality of low-powered lens units and low-powered to high-powered, continuously variable zoom unit, in any of the foregoing embodiments. 
   Each embodiment of the present invention has been described above, with reference to the drawings. The microscope to which the present invention applies is not limited to each of the foregoing embodiments and the like, if the functions thereof are performed. In addition, the microscope to which the present invention applies can be a single device or a system or an integrated device comprises a plurality of devices. In other words, the present invention is not limited to each of the embodiments described above and various configurations and structures can be implemented without departing from the scope of the invention.