Control of a Remote Microscope Over the Internet

Abstract

Globally connected research sites frequently find the need to share information on a timely basis. The sharing of data obtained from microscopy has historically required that the researcher take micrographs of the desired image and send the film to the other site or, more recently, scan the micrographs into a computer and send the micrographs through e-mail. The authors identified the need to control and view, in as close to real time as possible, images being viewed on a remote microscope. The goal was to develop a system that would be versatile, easy to learn and readily adapted from existing materials and that would allow several users to simultaneously view and control the microscope. The use of commercially available materials along with a simple, custom-designed slide holder allowed researchers at remote sites to view one of 15 slides and move the slide as needed. The penalty for use of the Internet vs. dedicated phone lines such as Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) is that only 1 frame/7 s can be viewed at video resolution. The advantages of cost and multiple, simultaneous use over a ubiquitous system outweigh the disadvantage for most users.