Microscopy laboratory system

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.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The instant application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 109,376, filed Mar. 28, 2002, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 09 / 821,578, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,900,776, filed Mar. 29, 2001.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to instructional settings wherein participants view specimens through respective microscopes, and more particularly to a microscopy laboratory system wherein an instructor and students can view an overall instructional image that selectively includes images from the field of view of one, some, or all of the microscopes in the laboratory. [0003] Microscopy laboratories at universities, teaching hospitals, etc. are known to include a television monitor or projection unit that receives an image signal from a camera mounted on the instructor's microscope, such as by a C-mount, trinocular viewing body, video module, or the like. In this way, each stud...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is an improved microscopy laboratory system that allows an instructor and students to simultaneously see images from the field of view of one, some, or all of the student microscopes as desired. The system also allows the instructor to annotate images from the field of view of the instructor's microscope and any student's microscope for instructional purposes. The system comprises multiplexed control means connected by video cables or wireless technology to the cameras, and a display means for presenting an instruction image to the students. The system can also include an instructor microscope equipped with a camera and a dedicated instructor monitor for presenting the instruction image. The system also includes a display image marker connected to the multiplexed control means for enabling the instructor to annotate the instruction image seen by the students, and a computer linked to the multiplexed control means for storage, retrieval, and enhancement of images.

Problems solved by technology

A drawback of this system is that the instructor cannot see what the students are viewing through their own microscopes.

Clearly, this type of system is inefficient because the instructor must spend time checking the student microscopes rather than instructing the students.

Another drawback is that the instructor has no means to annotate an image from a student's microscope to better provide constructive criticism or positive reinforcement.

Images