Microscopy laboratory system

• US 6,965,356 B2
• Filed: 03/28/2002
• Issued: 11/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Leica Microsystems Gmbh (Danaher Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Leica Microsystems Incorporated (Danaher Corporation)
• Inventors: Vaccarelli, Vincent
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, CHANH DUY
• Application Number:
  US10/109,376
• Publication Number:
  US 20020154105A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,328 Days
• Field of Search: 434/350, 434/351, 434/362, 434/432, 434/433, 359/368, 359/363, 382/128, 348/79, 348/80, 396/432, D16/131, 345/173, 345/1.2, 345/1.3, 345/2.1, 345/2.2
• US Class Current: 345/2.2
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 21/367 providing an output produced by processing a plurality of individual source images, e.g. image tiling, montage, composite images, depth sectioning, image comparison
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/00 Teaching not covered by other main groups of this subclass teaching or practice apparatus for gun-aiming or gun-laying F41G3/26
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 23/22 for optics
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 23/24 for chemistry
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 23/28 for medicine
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/08 providing for individual presentation of information to a plurality of student stations
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/10 all student stations being capable of presenting the same information simultaneously G09B5/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/12 different stations being capable of presenting different information simultaneously G09B5/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/14 with provision for individual teacher-student communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/38 Transmitter circuitry for the transmission of television signals according to analogue transmission standards H04N5/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/74 Projection arrangements for image reproduction, e.g. using eidophor
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/12 Picture reproducers H04N9/11 takes precedence

Abstract

A microscopy laboratory system for efficient instruction is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of student microscopes each equipped with a camera for generating an image signal representing a student view image of at least a portion of the field of view of the student microscope, multiplexed control means connected by video cables or wireless technology to the cameras to provide a composite instruction image signal based on student view images from one or more selected microscopes, and a projection unit or other public display for presenting the instruction image to the students in the laboratory. An instructor microscope can also be coupled into the system, and a display image marker is preferably linked to the multiplexed control means for inserting instructor annotations into the displayed instruction image.

Claims

1. A microscopy laboratory system comprising:

a plurality of student microscopes;

a plurality of cameras associated one with each of said plurality of student microscopes for generating an image signal representing a student view image of at least a portion of the field of view of said student microscope;

multiplexed control means connected to said plurality of cameras for receiving said image signals and enabling an instructor to select a set of said image signals for display, wherein said multiplexed control means generates an instruction image signal generated from said selected set of image signals; and

a touch screen display means connected to said multiplexed control means for receiving said instruction image signal, displaying an instruction image comprising student view images corresponding to said selected set of image signals, and annotating said instruction image in real time.

2. The microscope laboratory system according to claim 1, further comprising an instructor microscope and a camera for generating an image signal representing an instructor view image of at least a portion of the field of view of said instructor microscope, wherein said multiplexed control means is connected to said camera associated with said instructor microscope to receive said image signal generated thereby, whereby said instruction image optionally comprises said instructor view image.

3. The microscopy laboratory system according to claim 2, wherein said multiplexed control means allows said instructor to select all of said image signals from said cameras associated with said plurality of student microscopes as said selected set.

4. The microscopy laboratory system according to claim 2, wherein said multiplexed control means allows said instructor to select said image signal from said camera associated with any one of said plurality of student microscopes as said selected set.

5. The microscopy laboratory system according to claim 2, wherein said multiplexed control means allows said instructor to select said image signals from cameras of a predetermined sub-group of said plurality of student microscopes as said selected set.

6. The microscopy laboratory system according to claim 5, wherein there is a plurality of different predetermined sub-groups of said student microscopes.

7. The microscopy laboratory system according to claim 2, wherein said multiplexed control means allows said instructor to select said image signal from said camera associated with said instructor microscope as said selected set.

8. The microscopy laboratory system according to claim 2, further comprising a computer connected to said multiplexed control means, said computer having a memory, whereby said instruction image, said student view images, and said instructor view image can be stored in, enhanced and retrieved from said memory.

9. The microscopy laboratory system according to claim 2, wherein said multiplexed control means comprises means for selectively superimposing respective identification information on each said student view image in said instruction image.

10. The microscopy laboratory system according to claim 1, wherein said multiplexed control means comprises means for magnifying said instruction image.

11. The microscopy laboratory system according to claim 2, wherein said multiplexed control means comprises means for magnifying said instruction image.

12. The microscopy laboratory system according to claim 1, wherein said multiplexed control means allows said instructor to select all of said image signals from said cameras associated with said plurality of student microscopes as said selected set.

13. The microscopy laboratory system according to claim 1, wherein said multiplexed control means allows said instructor to select said image signal from said camera associated with any one of said plurality of student microscopes as said selected set.

14. The microscopy laboratory system according to claim 1, wherein said multiplexed control means allows said instructor to select said image signals from cameras of a predetermined sub-group of said plurality of student microscopes as said selected set.

15. The microscopy laboratory system according to claim 14, wherein there is a plurality of different predetermined sub-groups of said student microscopes.

16. The microscopy laboratory system according to claim 1, further comprising a computer connected to said multiplexed control means, said computer having a memory, whereby said instruction image and said student view images can be stored in, enhanced and retrieved from said memory.

17. The microscopy laboratory system according to claim 1, wherein said multiplexed control means comprises means for selectively superimposing respective identification information on each said student view image in said instruction image.

18. The microscopy laboratory system according to claim 1, wherein said connection between said multiplexed control means and said plurality of cameras comprises a wireless connection.

19. The microscopy laboratory system according to claim 1, wherein said connection between said touch screen display means and said multiplexed control means comprises a wireless connection.