The DN100 digital camera system is a platform independent microscope imaging device that features a 1.3 megapixel color CCD camera capable of capturing images at a rate of 15 frames per second. The most notable component of the DN100 camera system, however, is the versatile accompanying camera control unit (CCU). The DN100's camera control unit allows a user to process, save, and manipulate digital images on a stand-alone basis as well as over a network.

The front panel of the DN100 camera control unit is illustrated in Figure 1, and features an elegant complement of control buttons enabling convenient access to a large number of the control unit's functions. In addition to the logical array of buttons, the unit is equipped with indicator lights that provide the operator with important information on the unit's operating status. The list of features presented below includes an overview of the function of each button and indicator.

• POWER switch - Press the power button to turn the camera control unit power on and off.
• POWER indicator - This indicator lights when the the unit is receiving electrical power and is turned on.
• MENU button - Pressing the menu button will initialize the submenu, which then appears on the display monitor. Press this button repeatedly to cycle through the four submenus in sequence.
• BRIGHTNESS buttons - This pair of buttons can be used to adjust the screen brightness, enabling the operator to compensate for the camera's auto exposure function. Brightness compensation works over a range of -2 to +2 EV in steps of 0.3 EV. When a menu is displayed, the brightness buttons serve the dual function of translating the cursor up and down. Compensation is discussed in relation to camera exposure settings in the Exposure Control and Camera Sensitivity section.
• E ZOOM buttons - The E Zoom buttons can be employed to enlarge or reduce the image with a reference point at the center of the display. Clicking on the enlarge button increases the image size by a predetermined ratio with the image center set at the origin. Clicking the enlarge button with the mouse increases the image size in sequential steps of 100, 140, 200, 280, 400, 560, 800, 1000, and 1600 percent without any provision for display of intermediate sizes (for example, 600 percent). The Timer Setup menu can be used to enable or disable each of the enlargement steps. The Image Display Features section contains additional information on the DN100's electronic zoom capabilities.
• FREEZE/ENTER button - Depressing this button freezes the currently displayed image. During the period the image is frozen, the display will no longer be refreshed from the camera mounted on the microscope or from the external video signal input line. Pressing this button again will unfreeze the image.
• CAPTURE button - Pressing the capture button will initiate image capture and subsequent writing of the data to the PC card or the FTP server. The specification of the server, file name, save type and size, as well as other properties can be made with the Timer Setting panel of the Setup menu, as described in the Timer Setting Panel Features section.
• NETWORK Tx indicator - This indicator lights when data is transferred over the network.
• PC card slot - The PC card slot is provided on the front of the unit for convenient insertion of a PC card. An eject button is located on the right-hand side of the slot. Before ejecting the PC card, make sure that the PC card indicator light is NOT on to avoid disrupting writing or reading of data stored on the card.
• PC card indicator - This indicator lights when data is written to or read from the PC card.

The rear panel of the camera control unit is equipped with a number of input and output connectors for the camera control unit, as illustrated in Figure 2. These connectors are described briefly below.

• NETWORK Rx Indicator - This indicator lights when data is being received from the network.
• 10BASE-T Connector (Ethernet) - Using this connector, the camera control unit can be connected through Ethernet to an external PC or an Ethernet hub.
• Ventilation Holes - These holes are provided as a source of air that the circulation fan utilizes to cool the interior of the camera control unit.
• CAMERA IN Connector - The camera head connects to this port using the proprietary cable provided.
• USB Connector - A USB mouse or USB keyboard can be connected the the unit's USB port connector.
• AC-IN Power Inlet - The power cord is connected to a standard inlet.
• RGB Connector - This connector is used to connect a computer monitor with the D-sub 15-pin connecting cable provided.
• EXTERNAL OUT Connector - External equipment may be connected to the unit using this port.
• EXTERNAL IN Connector - This connector is used for connecting external equipment such as the remote unit.

The DN100's 1/2.72-inch 1.3 megapixel color CCD camera can be mounted to a tripod or to a microscope using a C mount connector. The DN100's camera unit is illustrated in Figure 3, and its connectors are described briefly below.

• C Mount - When performing photomicrography, attach the C mount adapter to the lower flange, and then position it on the camera port of the microscope. When photographing an image that is not obtained from a microscope, use the C mount adapter to attach a camera lens system.
• C Mount Cap - This cap protects the C mount flange from dust. This cap is attached to the flange when the unit is shipped from the factory.
• Camera OUT Connector - Using the cable provided, connect with the CAMERA IN connector on the rear panel of the camera control unit.

The DN100 digital camera system is equipped with a remote unit that allows the user to easily capture a digital image to the PC card or FTP server. The remote unit is illustrated in Figure 4, and its buttons and connectors are described below.

• FREEZE Button - This button freezes the current image as a still image. To release the frozen status, press the button again.
• CAPTURE Button - Pressing this button causes the camera control unit to store an image file in the PC card or in a specified FTP server over a network. The specification of the server, the file name, the save type and size can be made on the File Setting panel of the Setup menu, as described in the Saving Digital Images section. Specify whether to save the image in a PC card or an FTP server on the Timer Setting panel of the Setup menu.
• TO EXT.IN Connector - Using the cable provided, connect with the EXTERNAL IN connector on the rear panel of the camera control unit.