Abstract: A control unit for a microscope, a stereomicroscope, or an industrial image processing machine is described, to which at least three lighting units, e.g. for incident light-bright field illumination, incident light-dark field illumination, and for transmitted light illumination, are connected. Respective lighting units are simultaneously controlled according to user commands, e.g. for interval control to simulate a moving light source. The user commands can be input by function keys and/or a foot switch and/or stored in a memory provided in the control unit. Alternatively or in addition, the control unit can receive command statements from an external computer connected via an interface or control signals from an external camera. The control unit detects temperatures of the lighting units and shuts off a lighting unit or generates a warning signal when its temperature becomes excessive.

Abstract: The subject matter of the invention is a transmitted light bright field illuminating device, in particular for stereomicroscopy, having bright field luminous means which are arranged on a luminous surface and whose directions of emission lie substantially in the direction of the object to be transilluminated, which comprises measures for producing a segmented light field and which includes no beam-focusing and/or beam-deflecting measures.