Abstract: Protective device for preventing moisture from entering the parts of an inverted microscope located below the specimen stage, wherein a preferably flexible cover is provided for the objective turret, which cover is adapted to the shape of the turret and has recesses for the objectives and an at least partially circumferential gutter below the cover for collecting liquid.

Abstract: An exposure control system for the photographic recording of a microscope image comprises a two dimensional photographic receiver arrangement for detecting the image brightness of the microscope image. The receiver arrangement is a component part of a camera system which is attachable to a standard camera part of a microscope. The receiver arrangement has an interface for transmitting image information of a microscopic object detected by the receiver arrangement to a viewing unit. A first input device is included to which the viewing unit is coupled for manual selection of at least one optical image region on the receiver arrangement. The intensity value of the image region forming a control signal for the exposure time of the photographic recording.

Abstract: The invention relates to a one-hand control unit for controlling movements in optical instruments. The control unit corresponds in its configuration essentially to a computer mouse and has a mouse roller ball 2 on its lower side, an additional rotational transducer 3 at the thumb position and two or three keys (5, 6, 7) on the side of the mouse lying opposite to the rotational transducer 3. The keys (5, 6, 7) are for actuation by the middle finger, index finger and little finger, respectively. The mouse roller ball 2 and the rotational transducer 3 preferably function to drive continuously movable elements such as the illuminating field diaphragm 13, the aperture diaphragm 12, the motorized focus 20 or a motorized object stage 21. The keys (4, 5, 6, 7) are provided for driving discretely adjustable elements such as the objective-lens turret 14 or the incident-light reflector turret 15 or for switching over between coarse drive and fine drive for a motor-driven focus drive.

Abstract: A photomicroscope includes a port for a still camera (11) and an additional video camera (14). The video image of the video camera (14) serves both for the operation of a passive autofocusing system (23, 24) and for the determination of the exposure time for the still camera (11). The image areas that are used for exposure metering can be selected via a control panel (27). The integration time of the video camera (14) can be varied up to the range of minutes. The selected image areas are superimposed on the object image.

Abstract: Fast and versatile autofocusing for microscopes is achieved by the interaction of two known systems: a first, active autofocusing system (12) which projects at least one light dot on the object and develops a focusing signal dependent upon the character of a reflection of the dot; and a second, passive autofocusing system which creates a video signal representative of an image of the object and then uses the image contrast of that video signal as a focusing criterion. Provided for both systems is a joint control unit (45) to which the signals (g), (f) of both focusing systems are transmitted and which, successively, activates first the active and then the passive autofocusing system. The process can be used to focus on both covered and uncovered objects illuminated by transmitted as well as reflected light.

Abstract: A photometer tube for microscopes is provided with a device by means of which the measurement field diaphragm of the photometer is superimposed on the intermediate image of the object in the binocular tube. For the reflecting-back of the measurement field diaphragm, which is illuminated from the rear, into the binocular tube, the residual reflection of an uncoated glass-air interface in the ray path between the objective and the beam divider of the microscope is utilized. This surface may be one of the surfaces of the tube lens systems of the microscope.

Abstract: A photometer tube for a microscope contains several switchable reflectors (5, 11). By the appropriate use of these, the ray path (c) for the back-illuminated measuring field stop (7) is reflected out of the photometry ray path (b) and is conducted to a second image inlet (32) of a beam splitter prism or prism slide. Various switchable elements (mirrors 5 and 11; stop 4; prism 2/22) in the tube are electrically driven and are centrally actuated from a control unit.

Abstract: An automatic focusing microscope switchable between light-field and dark-field positions, so designed that the automatic focusing is operative in the dark-field condition or mode as well as in the light-field condition. In a first embodiment, auxiliary illumination of special wavelength (infrared or ultraviolet) used for the automatic focusing is reflected into the illumination-light ray path or beam, and in the dark-field mode the central portion of this beam is intercepted by a filter member which is opaque in the visible spectral region but transmits in the spectral region of the auxiliary illumination used for the automatic focusing function.

Abstract: The operating means for manual focusing of a microscope having a motorized-focus drive is embodied in a separate control console that is flexibly connected to and positionable alongside the microscope; the operating means includes a finger wheel or knob which is coupled with an electrical bit-signal generator (encoder). Digital output signals of the encoder are fed to control electronics for the focus-drive motor, and the electronic control system may either be contained within the control console, or it may be packaged, along with further electronic control means for additional functions, in a separate housing provided for the purpose.