Method for user training for a scanning microscope, scanning microscope, and software program for user training for a scanning microscope

• US 20030155494A1
• Filed: 02/18/2003
• Published: 08/21/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Leica Microsystems Gmbh (Danaher Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Leica Microsystems Gmbh (Danaher Corporation)
• Inventors: Olschewski, Frank
• Granted Patent: US 7,218,762 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 250/234
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 21/002 Scanning microscopes scanning near field optical microscopes G01Q60/18

Abstract

A method for user training for a scanning microscope makes possible rapid setting of a scanning microscope with little specimen impact. It is possible to acquire an entire spectrum of a specimen. This specimen can be retrieved from the memory of the computer system for training purposes. The user can then make changes in the setting capabilities displayed to him on the user interface and assess the result thereof, also on the user interface. This can be done without time pressure until the user is satisfied with the result displayed on the user interface.

Claims

1. A method for user training for a scanning microscope, comprising the steps of:

a) retrieving a complete spectral scan from a memory of the computer systems

b) simulating a spectral selection, wherein the user defines several channels from the complete spectral scan;

c) adjusting a spectral selection means on a real microscope system and the computer system simulates an optical separation of the several channels;

d) generating and displaying an image for each channel defined by the user; and

e) repeating the above steps c) through e) until the generated images correspond to an information content determined or desired by the user.

2. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the steps:

a) acquiring a complete spectral scan of a specimen; and

b) storing the complete spectral scan in a memory of the computer system.

3. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the simulation is performed on the basis of an SP module, there being displayed to the user, on a display associated with the computer system and an user interface having the standard components of the operating software for the SP module.

4. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein upon acquisition of a complete scan, a high-quality spectral intensity vector {right arrow over (I)} is acquired for each pixel, the equation

5. The method as defined in claim 3, wherein an interactive selection means depicted in the user interface are embodied as mirror sliders with which a band can be optically separated and displayed.

6. The method as defined in claim 5, wherein an optical separation is simulated by the computer system by generating for each desired channel a (vector {right arrow over (I)}_Kanal having the dimensionality of the high-quality spectral intensity vector {right arrow over (I)}, the components I_i of the spectral intensity vector {right arrow over (I)}_Kanal that lie in the separated band being set equal to one.

7. The method as defined in claim 6, wherein for each desired channel, the computer system calculates an image, pixel by pixel, using the linear combination:

8. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein multiple display modes are incorporated for display purposes.

9. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein during interactive user training, the simulated settings are transferred into a microscope control system as a configuration data set.

10. A scanning microscope comprising

means for acquisition of a complete spectral scan of a specimen,

spectral selection means cooperating with the means for acquisition,

a computer system having a memory for storing the complete spectral scan in the memory of the computer system,

a simulator module with which the specific channels of the complete spectral scan, and

a display associated with the computer system presents a spectral selection to a user.

11. The scanning microscope as defined in claim 10, wherein a simulator module is provided which encompasses a simulation software program that, together with the user, generates from the various spectral selections depicted on the display an optimum setting of the selection means.

12. The scanning microscope as defined in claim 10, wherein the-means for acquisition of a complete scan is embodied as an SP module;

and the spectral selection means are embodied as mirror sliders with which a band can be optically separated.

13. The scanning microscope as defined in claim 10, wherein for each desired channel the computer system calculates an image, pixel by pixel, using the linear combination:

14. The scanning microscope as defined in claim 13, wherein multiple display modes are accessible for display purposes.

15. The scanning microscope as defined in claim 10, wherein the simulator module encompasses a user interface, the user interface presenting the image of the acquired specimen to the user in a variety of display modes and schematically reproducing settable means of the scanning microscope system, the settable means being adjustable by way of input means of the computer system.

16. A software program on a data medium,

wherein the software program executes, on a commercially available computer system, a user training system for a scanning microscope.

17. The software program as defined in claim 16, wherein at least one complete spectral scan is present in a memory of the computer system (23), and the software carries out the following steps:

a) simulating a spectral selection, wherein the user defines several channels from the complete spectral scan;

b) adjusting a spectral selection means on a real microscope system and the computer system simulates an optical separation of the several channels;

c) generating and displaying an image for each channel defined by the user; and

d) repeating the above steps a) through c) until the generated images correspond to an information content interpreted as acceptable by the user.

18. The software program as defined in claim 16, wherein the computer system is expressed as a commercially available PC, commercially available personal digital assistant, commercially available telephone, or commercially available home multimedia system (hi-fi, video) or a commercially available Gameboy.