Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes a signal output section configured to output a first signal according to first operation and output a second signal according to a second operation, a first image pickup section configured to continue to receive the first signal and continuously perform image pickup of a plurality of images until receiving the second signal, a second image pickup section configured to receive the second signal and perform image pickup, an image selecting section configured to select, out of the plurality of images picked up by the first image pickup section, a desired image different from an image immediately after the reception of the second signal among images picked up by the second image pickup section, and a measuring section configured to measure a time period or a number of images from the image immediately the second signal to the desired image.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an imaging element, an image signal transmitter, an image signal receiver, a signal processor and a control unit. The imaging element includes pixels arranged in two-dimensional array. The pixels output an imaging signal in synchronization with a first synchronizing signal. The image signal transmitter superimposes a second synchronizing signal on the imaging signal and transmits an image signal. The second synchronizing signal indicates a start position in vertical and horizontal directions in the two-dimensional array and is different from the first synchronizing signal. The image signal receiver receives the image signal from the image signal transmitter, and separates the received image signal into the imaging signal and second synchronizing signal. The signal processor processes the separated imaging signal based on the separated second synchronizing signal.

Abstract: A fluorescence observation or fluorescence metering-system includes a low-fluorescence specimen holding member used therein. The low-fluorescence specimen holding member satisfies a condition, BSG?/BSG?0.6, where BSG? is an average intensity value of auto-fluorescence from the low-fluorescence specimen holding member and BSG is an average intensity value of auto-fluorescence from a conventional specimen holding member generally used.

Abstract: A first amplification unit amplifies at a predetermined amplification rate an output signal from a photodetection unit for detecting an optical signal from a specimen and detecting it. An offset unit assigns offset to an output signal from the photodetection unit. A second amplification unit amplifies at an amplification rate smaller than the amplification rate of the first amplification unit an output signal from the photodetection unit assigned the offset by the offset unit. A rectification unit rectifies an output signal from the second amplification unit. An addition unit adds an output signal from the first amplification unit to an output signal from the rectification unit.

Abstract: A three-dimensional model search method includes a step of producing a plurality of two-dimensional images obtained by observing a three-dimensional model as an object of search from points of view different from one another. In a first value extraction step, the respective feature values of the two-dimensional images are extracted from the plurality of two-dimensional images. In a search key input step, a two-dimensional image as a search key is inputted. In a second extraction step, the feature value is extracted from the two-dimensional image as the search key. In a similarity search step, the feature values extracted in the first and second extraction steps are used to carry out similarity search, and a three-dimensional model which is similar to the search key is outputted.