Microscope system and microscopy method using digital markers

A microscope system comprising:

• a microscope for generating a microscopic image of an area of observation to be studied;
• a camera for recording image-based information on the area of observation to be studied and for generating a digital image of the area of observation to be studied;
• a storage and evaluation unit connected to the microscope and the camera for detecting parameter settings of the microscope associated with image information,
• a display for rendering visible the digital image of the area of observation to be studied, and
• an input device connected to the storage and evaluation unit and to the display, the input device configured to embed digital markers for marking observed objects in the digital image when the digital image is displayed on the display,
• wherein the storage and evaluation unit is designed to select and store information on each digital marker to associate the digital marker with a position of the observed object in the area of observation and in the digital image of the area of observation at a later point in time, the digital marker is embedded at a location in the digital image characterized by the image information, and
• wherein the storage and evaluation unit is configured to evaluate the area of observation periodically by image processing algorithms and synchronize the position of the digital markers to the position of the observed object in an event of changes in the observed object in the area of observation or in an event of movement of the microscope,
• wherein the storage and evaluation unit is configured to analyze the image information contained in the digital image in the vicinity of a respective marker describe the image information with respect to characteristic features, associate the characteristic features with the respective marker and store the association such that it is retrievable;
• wherein the storage and evaluation unit is configured to perform at least one of the following:
• detect at least one of:
• parameter settings of zoom and a focus of the microscope;
• associate, again at a later point in time, the position of the digital marker in the area of observation with at least one of the position of the originally marked observed object in the area of observation and the position of the marker and hence of the marked observed object in the area of observation can be followed over time;
• and
• analyze image information in the vicinity of the respective digital marker with the aid of feature descriptors and describe it on the basis of characteristic features.