Patent Publication Number: US-2013242382-A1

Title: Microscope system, driving method of the same, and computer-readable recording medium

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priorities from Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-058620, filed on Mar. 15, 2012 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-044747, filed on Mar. 6, 2013, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The disclosure relates to a microscope system which images a sample to acquire a sample image, a driving method of the microscope system, and a computer-readable recording medium. 
     2. Related Art 
     Recently, in many microscope systems, observation and imaging have been performed on a sample specimen while switching different wavelengths at a high speed. As a microscope system having such functions, for example, a microscope system is disclosed where a sample specimen is observed by sequentially driving a plurality of electrically-operated apparatuses such as a filter wheel which can switch filters for transmitting light having different wavelengths at a high speed and a shutter which can switch an exposed state of an illumination apparatus for emitting an illumination light or a stimulation light while controlling the electrically-operated apparatuses based on a predetermined operation schedule and time according to the operation schedule by using a host system (refer to Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2007-25074). 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with some embodiments, a microscope system which images a sample to acquire a sample image, a driving method of the microscope system, and a computer-readable recording medium are presented. 
     In some embodiments, a microscope system includes: a plurality of actuators configured to cause components of a microscope to operate; a plurality of power drivers configured to drive the plurality of actuators, respectively; an actuator controller configured to control the plurality of actuators through the plurality of power drivers; and a control management unit configured to control the actuator controller to designate any one of the plurality of power drivers to output a start signal for allowing the designated power driver to start operation to the designated power driver, and to control the actuator controller to stop outputting of the start signal to the designated power driver and the other power drivers other than the designated power driver until passage of a settling time in which driving of one of the plurality of actuators in response to the operation of the designated power driver is completed and then enabled again. 
     in some embodiments, a method of driving a microscope system is presented. The microscope system includes a plurality of actuators configured to cause components of a microscope to operate; a plurality of power drivers configured to drive the plurality of actuators, respectively; and an actuator controller configured to control the plurality of actuators through the plurality of power drivers. The method includes: controlling the actuator controller to designate any one of the plurality of power drivers to output a start signal for allowing the designated power driver to start operation to the designated power driver; and controlling the actuator controller to stop outputting of the start signal to the designated power driver and the other power drivers other than the designated power driver until passage of a settling time in which driving of one of the plurality of actuators in response to the operation of the designated power driver is completed and then enabled again. 
     In some embodiments, a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium with an executable program stored thereon is presented. The program instructs a processor provided in a microscope system that includes a plurality of actuators configured to cause components of a microscope to operate; a plurality of power drivers configured to drive the plurality of actuators, respectively; and an actuator controller configured to control the plurality of actuators through the plurality of power drivers, to execute: controlling the actuator controller to designate any one of the plurality of power drivers to output a start signal for allowing the designated power driver to start operation to the designated power driver; and controlling the actuator controller to stop outputting of the start signal to the designated power driver and the other power drivers other than the designated power driver until passage of a settling time in which driving of one of the plurality of actuators in response to the operation of the designated power driver is completed and then enabled again. 
     The above and other features, advantages and technical and industrial significance of this invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention, when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram illustrating a whole configuration of a microscope system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a shutter/filter-wheel controller illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a flowchart illustrating an overview of processes performed by the microscope system according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating an overview of a time-lapse process illustrated in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a timing chart illustrating operations of components under the control of the shutter/filter-wheel controller of the microscope system according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6A  is a timing chart illustrating operations of components under the control of a shutter/filter-wheel controller of a microscope system according to Modified Example 4 of the embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6B  is a timing chart illustrating operations of components under the control of the shutter/filter-wheel controller of the microscope system according to Modified Example 4 of the embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a timing chart illustrating operations of components under the control of a shutter/filter-wheel controller of a microscope system according to Modified Example 5 of the embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a timing chart illustrating operations of components under the control of a shutter/filter-wheel controller of a microscope system according to Modified Example 6 of the embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a timing chart illustrating operations of components under the control of a shutter/filter-wheel controller of a microscope system according to Modified Example 7 of the embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 10  is a timing chart illustrating operations of components under the control of a shutter/filter-wheel controller of a microscope system according to Modified Example 8 of the embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Exemplary embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar parts. 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram illustrating a whole configuration of a microscope system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 1 , the plane on which a microscope system  1  is mounted is defined as an XY plane, and the direction perpendicular to the XY plane is defined as a Z direction. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the microscope system  1  is configured to include a microscope apparatus  2  which observes a sample specimen S, a microscope controller  3  which controls driving of the microscope apparatus  2 , video camera  4  which images the sample specimen S through the microscope apparatus  2  to generate image data of the sample specimen S, a camera controller  5  which controls driving of the video camera  4 , a video board  6  which performs a specified image process on the image data generated by the video camera  4 , a shutter/filter-wheel controller  7  which controls a shutter and a filter wheel of the microscope apparatus  2 , a recording unit  8  where various programs executed in the microscope system  1 , control parameters, and the image data imaged by the video camera  4  are recorded, a display unit  9  which displays images corresponding to the image data, an input unit  10  which receives various kinds of manipulation information of the microscope system  1  as input, a drive start signal generation apparatus  11  which generates a drive start signal of allowing driving of each of components of the microscope system  1  to be started, and a host system  12  which controls the components of the microscope system  1 . The microscope apparatus  2 , the microscope controller  3 , the video camera  4 , the camera controller  5 , the video board  6 , the shutter/filter-wheel controller  7 , the recording unit  8 , the display unit  9 , the input unit  10 , the drive start signal generation apparatus  11 , and the host system  12  are connected to each other in a wired or wireless manner so as to communicate data with each other. 
     The microscope apparatus  2  is configured to include an electrically-driven stage  21  on which the sample specimen S is mounted, a microscope body unit  24  which is substantially C-shaped to support the electrically-driven stage  21  and to hold an objective lens  23  through a revolver  22 , an incident-light source  25  which is installed at the upper rear side of the microscope body unit  24  (right side in  FIG. 1 ), a transmitted-light source  26  which is installed at the lower rear side of the microscope body unit  24  (right side in  FIG. 1 ), a lens barrel  27  which is mounted on the upper side of the microscope body unit  24 , and a binocular unit  28  which is detachably attached to the lens barrel  27 . The incident-light source  25  is connected to the microscope body unit  24  through an incident-light source shutter  29 , an ND filter wheel  30 , and an excitation light source filter wheel  31 . In addition, the transmitted-light source  26  is connected to the microscope body unit  24  through a transmitted-light source shutter  32 . In addition, the video camera  4  which images a specimen image of the sample specimen S is detachably attached to the lens barrel  27  through an observation absorption filter wheel  33 . 
     The electrically-driven stage  21  is configured to be movable in XYZ directions. More specifically, the electrically-driven stage  21  is configured to be movable in the XY plane by a motor  211  and a stage XY drive controller  212  which controls driving of the motor  211 . In the stage XY drive controller  212 , under the control of the microscope controller  3 , a specified origin position of the electrically-driven stage  21  on the XY plane is detected by an XY-position origin sensor (not illustrated), and an observation position on the sample specimen S is moved by controlling a driving amount of the motor  211  by using the origin position as a starting point. The stage XY drive controller  212  outputs the X position and Y position of the electrically-driven stage  21  during the observation to the microscope controller  3  in unit of a specified time interval in addition, the electrically-driven stage  21  is configured to be movable in the Z direction by a motor  213  and a stage Z drive controller  214  which controls driving of the motor  213 . In the stage Z drive controller  214 , under the control of the microscope controller  3 , a specified origin position of the electrically-driven stage  21  in the Z direction is detected by a Z-position origin sensor (not illustrated), and the sample specimen S is moved so as to adjust the focus to an arbitrary Z position in a specified height range by controlling a driving amount of the motor  213  by using the origin position as a starting point. The stage Z drive controller  214  outputs the Z position of the electrically-driven stage  21  during the observation to the microscope controller  3  in unit of a specified time interval. 
     The revolver  22  is rotatably retained with respect to the microscope body unit  24  and allows the objective lens  23  to be disposed above the sample specimen S. The revolver  22  includes a nose piece, a swing revolver, or the like. The revolver  22  holds a plurality of the objective tenses  23  having different magnifications (observation magnifications). The revolver  22  is inserted into an optical path of an observation light beam to selectively switch the objective lens  23  which is used for the observation of the sample specimen S. 
     The objective lenses  23  of at least one of objective lenses  231  (hereinafter, referred to as “low-magnification objective lenses  231 ”) having relatively low magnifications of, for example, ×10, ×20, and ×40 and at least one of objective lenses  232  (hereinafter, referred to as “high-magnification objective lens  232 ”) having higher magnification than the magnifications ×10, ×20, and ×40 of the low-magnification objective lenses  231  are attached to the revolver  22 . The magnification of the low-magnification objective lens  231  and the magnification of the high-magnification objective lens  232  are exemplary ones. It is sufficient that the magnification of the high-magnification objective lens  232  be higher than that of the low-magnification objective lens  231 . 
     In the upper portion of the microscope body unit  24 , an incident-light illumination optical system L 1  for performing incident-light illumination on the sample specimen S is installed therein. The incident-light illumination optical system L 1  is configured by arranging a collector lens  241  which condenses an illumination light beam emitted from an incident-light source  25 , an illumination-system filter unit  242 , a field stop  243 , an aperture diaphragm  214 , an mirror unit  245  which changes an optical path of the illumination light beam according to an optical axis of the objective lens  23 , and the like at appropriate positions along the optical path of the illumination light beam. The incident-light source  25  is connected to the microscope body unit  24  through the incident-light source shutter  29 , the ND filter wheel  30 , and the excitation light source filter wheel  31 . The illumination light beam emitted from the incident-light source  25  is illuminated on the sample specimen S through the incident-light source shutter  29 , the ND filter wheel  30 , the excitation light source filter wheel  31 , the incident-light illumination optical system L 1 , and the objective lens  23 . A reflected light beam (hereinafter, referred to as an “observation light beam”) reflected by the sample specimen S is incident on the video camera  4  and the binocular unit  28  through the objective lens  23 , the mirror unit  245 , and the lens barrel  27 . 
     In addition, in the lower portion of the microscope body unit  24 , a transmitted-light illumination optical system  12  for performing transmitted-light illumination on the sample specimen S is installed therein. The transmitted-light illumination optical system L 2  is configured by arranging a collector lens  246  which condenses an illumination light beam emitted from a transmitted-light source  26 , an illumination-system filter unit  247 , a field stop  248 , an aperture diaphragm  249 , a curved mirror  250  which changes an optical path of the illumination light beam according to the optical axis of the objective lens  23 , a condenser optical element unit  251 , a top lens unit  252 , and the like at appropriate positions along the optical path of the illumination light beam. The transmitted-light source  26  is connected to the microscope body unit  24  through a transmitted-light source shutter  32 . The illumination light beam emitted from the transmitted-light source  26  is illuminated on the sample specimen S by the transmitted-light illumination optical system  12  and is incident as the observation light beam through the objective lens  23 , the mirror unit  245 , and the lens barrel  27  on the video camera  4  and the binocular unit  28 . 
     The incident-light source  25  and the transmitted-light source  26  include, for example, a halogen lamp, a xenon lamp, a white LED, or the like. 
     In the lens barrel  27 , an beam splitter  271  which changes the optical path of the observation light beam, which passes through the mirror unit  245 , to guide the observation light beam to the binocular unit  28  or the video camera  4  is installed therein. Due to the beam splitter  271 , the specimen image of the sample specimen S is extracted into the binocular unit  28  to be observed through the ocular lens by observer&#39;s eyes, or the specimen image of the sample specimen S is imaged through the observation absorption filter wheel  33  by the video camera  4 . 
     Under the control of the shutter/filter-wheel controller  7 , the incident-light, source shutter  29  sets the state of the illumination light beam, which is illuminated on the sample specimen S from the incident-light source  25 , to an exposed state or a blocked state. 
     The ND filter wheel  30  is configured to include a plurality of ND filters which sense the illumination light beam emitted from the incident-light source  25 . Under the control of the shutter/filter-wheel controller  7 , the ND filter wheel  30  rotates the ND filters so as to be aligned on the optical path of the illumination light beam emitted from the incident-light source  25 . 
     The excitation light source filter wheel  31  is configured with a rotation-type filter wheel where a plurality of attachment holes for allowing optical filters to be attached thereto are formed, and excitation wavelength filters which transmits light beams having respective wavelengths (light beams having different excitation wavelengths) are attached to the attachment holes. Under the control of the shutter/filter-wheel controller  7 , the excitation light source filter wheel  31  rotates the optical filters so as to be aligned on the optical path of the illumination light beam emitted from the incident-light source  25 . 
     Under the control of the shutter/filter-wheel controller  7 , the transmitted-light source shutter  32  sets the state of the illumination light beam, which is illuminated on the sample specimen S from the transmitted-light source  26 , to an exposed state or a blocked state. 
     The observation absorption filter wheel  33  is configured with a rotation-type filter wheel where a plurality of attachment holes for allowing optical filters to be attached thereto are formed, and optical filters having different spectral transmittance characteristics are attached to the attachment holes. Under the control of the shutter/filter-wheel controller  7 , the observation absorption filter wheel  33  rotates the optical filters so as to be aligned on the optical, path of the illumination light beam emitted from the incident-light source  25 . 
     The microscope controller  3  includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and semiconductor memory such as flash memory and RAM (Random Access Memory). Under the control of the host system  12 , the microscope controller  3  collectively controls operations of components constituting the microscope apparatus  2 . More specifically, the microscope controller  3  performs a switching process for switching the objective lens  23  arranged on the optical path of the observation light beam by rotating the revolver  22 , a driving process of driving the electrically-driven stage  21  by driving the motor  211  or the motor  213  through the stage XY drive controller  212  or the stage Z drive controller  214 , and an adjusting process of adjusting the components of the microscope apparatus  2  according to the observation of the sample specimen S. In addition, the microscope controller  3  outputs the states of the components of the microscope apparatus, for example, position information (XY position and Z position) of the electrically-driven stage  21  and type information of the objective lens  23  attached to the revolver  22  to the host system  12 . 
     The video camera  4  includes an imaging device such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor). Under the control of the camera controller  5 , the video camera  4  captures an observation image of the sample specimen S incident through the optical filter of the lens barrel  27  and the observation absorption filter wheel  33  and outputs the captured image data of the sample specimen S to the video board  6  through a camera cable. 
     The camera controller  5  includes a CPU and semiconductor memory such as flash memory and RAM (Random Access Memory). The camera controller  5  controls operations of the video camera  4 . More specifically, under the control of the shutter/filter-wheel controller  7  or the host system  12 , the camera controller  5  performs an ON/OFF switching process of automatic gain control of the video camera  4 , a gain setting process, an AE process, and a setting process for the AF process and a frame rate to control the imaging operations of the video camera  4 . When the camera controller  5  receives a random trigger from the shutter/filter-wheel controller  7 , the camera controller  5  allows the video camera  4  to start imaging the sample specimen S. 
     In the video board  6 , an image processing unit installed therein performs a specified image process on the image data (image signals) output from the video camera  4  and outputs the resulting data to the host system  12 . More specifically, the video board  6  performs image processes including an optical black subtraction process, a white balance adjustment process, a synchronization process, a color matrix calculation process, a γ correction process, a color reproduction process, an edge highlighting process, and the like on the image data. 
     The shutter/filter-wheel controller  7  controls actuators of the incident-light source shutter  29 , the ND filter wheel  30 , the excitation light source filter wheel  31 , the transmitted-light source shutter  32 , the observation absorption filter wheel  33 , the camera controller and the like. The detailed configuration of the shutter/filter-wheel controller  7  will be described below. 
     The recording unit  8  includes a semiconductor memory such as ROM or RAM and a hard disk record. The recording unit  8  records the programs executed by the microscope system  1 , various kinds of parameters, the image data output through the host system  12  from the video board  6 , and the states of the components of the microscope apparatus  2  output from the microscope controller  3 . In addition, the recording unit  8  may include a memory card or the like which is attached from an external side. 
     The display unit  9  includes a display panel such as a liquid crystal display panel or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display panel. The display unit  9  displays images corresponding to the image data output through the host system  12  from the video board  6 . The display unit  9  displays various kinds of manipulation information of the microscope system  1 . 
     The input unit  10  includes a manipulation input device such as a keyboard and a mouse to receive various kinds of manipulations of the microscope system  1  as input. 
     The drive start signal generation apparatus  11  includes a timing generator and the like to output a drive start signal (drive pulse) for driving each component of the microscope system  1  to the shutter/filter-wheel controller  7  and the host system  12  in unit of a specified time interval. 
     The host system  12  includes a CPU, semiconductor memory such as flash memory or RAM, and the like. The host system  12  performs transmission or the like of instructions or data corresponding to each component constituting the microscope system  1  according to an instruction signal from the input unit  10  to collectively control the operations of the microscope system  1 . When the power is turned on, the host system  12  reads various programs and various parameters used for execution of the programs from the flash memory installed therein and executes the programs. The host system  12  outputs a control command through the microscope controller  3  to the shutter/filter-wheel controller  7  based on the instruction signal from the input unit  10 . Here, the control command includes drive parameters and drive timings which the shutter/filter-wheel controller  7  uses to control the driving of the incident-light source shutter  29 , the ND filter wheel  30 , the excitation light source filter wheel  31 , the transmitted-light source shutter  32 , the observation absorption filter wheel  33 , and the video camera  4 . In addition, the drive parameter is a driving order of actuators. In addition, the drive timing includes a shutter standby time, a shutter settling time, and a filter wheel settling time. 
     Now, the configuration of the shutter/filter-wheel controller  7  illustrated in  FIG. 1  will be described in detail.  FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the shutter/filter-wheel controller  7 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the shutter/filter-wheel controller  7  is configured to include a main control unit  71 , a control management unit  72 , an actuator controller  73 , a RAM  74 , a ROM  75 , an external communication I/F unit  76 , an external signal output unit  77 , an external signal input unit  78 , and power driver  79  which drives a plurality of actuators. 
     The main control unit  71  includes a CPU and the like and connected to the control management unit  72 , the actuator controller  73 , the RAM  74 , the ROM  75 , and the external communication I/F unit  76  via a bus so as to communicate data in a bi-directional mariner. The main control unit  71  performs transmission and the like of instructions or data corresponding to each component constituting the shutter/filter-wheel controller  7 . More specifically, when the power of the microscope system  1  is turned on, the main control unit  71  reads a program out from the ROM  75  and develops necessary data on the RAM  74 . In addition, the main control unit  71  transmits the drive parameters of the actuators and the setting values of stepping motor drivers  79   a  to  79   e  of the power driver  79  recorded in the ROM  75  to the control management unit  72  and the actuator controller  73  based on control commands input from the host system  12  through the external communication I/F unit  76 . 
     in addition, when the main control unit  71  receives the drive start signals output from the drive start signal generation apparatus  11  through the control management unit  72  and the external signal input unit  78 , the main control unit  71  sequentially drives the actuators in the order set in the control management unit  72  and the actuator controller  73  according to the control commands input from the host system  12  and the drive parameters of the actuators and the setting values of the stepping motor drivers  79   a  to  79   e  of the power driver  79  recorded in the ROM  75 . 
     The control management unit  72  includes a programmable logic device and the like. Under the control of the main control unit  71 , the control management unit  72  controls the actuator controller  73  to output a start signal for allowing any one of the stepping motor drivers  79   a  to  79   e  to start operations thereof to one power driver  79 , and controls the actuator controller  73  to stop outputting of start signals to the designated power driver  79  and the other power drivers  79  until a settling time elapses. During the settling time, the driving of the actuator in response to the operation of the power driver  79  is ended and then the driving thereof is enabled again. More specifically, the control management unit  72  controls the actuator controller  73  to output a start signal for allowing a designated power driver (for example, the stepping motor driver  79   a ) to start operations thereof to the stepping motor driver  79   a , and controls the actuator controller  73  to stop outputting of start signals to the designated stepping motor driver  79   a  and the other stepping motor drivers  79   b  to  79   e  until passage of the settling time during which the driving of the incident-light source shutter  29  in response to the operation of the stepping motor driver  79   a  is ended and then the driving thereof is enabled again. 
     in addition, when a standby time until the driving of a specified actuator is started and a settling time in which the driving of the other actuators is entirely completed elapse, the control management unit  72  starts driving of the specific actuator, and outputs the apparatus signal to the external apparatus at the time that the driving of the specified actuator is completed. More specifically, when a shutter standby time included in the control command output through the microscope controller  3  from the host system  12  elapses and a driving completion time during which the driving of each of the incident-light source shutter  29 , the ND filter wheel  30 , the excitation light source filter wheel  31 , the transmitted-light source shutter  32 , and the observation absorption filter wheel  33  based on the drive parameters is entirely completed elapses, the control management unit  72  outputs the random trigger as an apparatus signal to the camera controller  5  through the external signal output unit  77 . 
     In addition, when the control management unit  72  receives an external apparatus trigger which is an electrical signal output through the external signal input unit  78  from the drive start signal generation apparatus  11 , the control management unit  72  starts counting of the shutter standby time and outputs the start signal to the actuator controller  73 . More specifically, when the control management unit  72  receives the external apparatus trigger, the control management unit  72  performs the contents which are set to the corresponding actuator and starts counting of the shutter standby time. When the control management unit  72  receives a driving completion signal of the actuator from the actuator controller  73 , the control management unit  72  performs the driving step for the next actuator. 
     Under the control of the control management unit  72 , the actuator controller  73  outputs the start signal to the power driver  79  based on the drive parameter and the drive timing set by the main control unit  71 . More specifically, the actuator controller  73  sequentially outputs the start signals to the stepping motor drivers  79   a  to  79   e  based on the drive parameter and the drive timing set by the main control unit  71 . 
     Under the control of the host system  12 , the microscope system  1  having the above-described configuration displays the image data of the sample specimen S captured by the video camera  4  on the display unit  9 , so that the image of the sample specimen S can be provided to the observer. In addition, when the microscope system  1  performs time-lapse fluorescence observation on the sample specimen under the control of the shutter/filter-wheel controller  7 , the microscope system  1  controls driving of the actuators so as to switch the operation processes at a high speed. For example, when the microscope system  1  performs time-lapse observation on a sample specimen S of a multiple-stained cell, the microscope system  1  performs imaging the stained sample specimen S for each color at a specified time interval. More specifically, when the microscope system  1  performs imaging of three-color fluorescence observation three times in unit of one hour, the microscope system  1  performs the two-times operations of imaging while sequentially switching filters and shutters for three colors and standing by for one hour and performs the operation of imaging while sequentially switching filters and shutters for three colors, so that the time-lapse observation is ended. 
     Next, the processes performed by the microscope system  1  will be described.  FIG. 3  is a flowchart illustrating the overview of the processes performed by the microscope system  1 . Steps S 4  to S 10  of  FIG. 3  correspond to the time-lapse processes described below. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the host system  12  records an operation schedule of the time-lapse of each execution set through the input unit  10  by the user in the microscope controller  3  and the shutter/filter-wheel controller  7  (Step S 1 ). At this time, the host system  12  may record the operation schedule of the time-lapse of each execution set by the user in the recording unit  8 . 
     Subsequently, the shutter/filter-wheel controller  7  is set in the standby state for an operation signal from the drive start signal generation apparatus  11  and an operation instruction command of the host system  12  (Step S 2 ). 
     Next, the host system  12  determines whether or not the specified number of executions of the time-lapse set by the user is completed (Step S 3 ). When the host system  12  determines that the specified number of executions of the time-lapse is completed (Yes in Step S 3 ), the microscope system  1  ends the processes. On the contrary, when the host system  12  determines that the specified number of executions of the time-lapse is not completed (No in Step S 3 ), the microscope system  1  proceeds to Step S 4 . 
     In Step S 4 , the shutter/filter-wheel controller  7  receives the operation signal from the drive start signal generation apparatus  11  and the operation instruction command through the microscope controller  3  from the host system  12 . 
     Subsequently, the shutter/filter-wheel controller  7  starts a schedule operation (Step S 5 ) and acquires a recorded schedule from the PAM  74  and the ROM  75  (Step S 6 ). 
     Next, the shutter/filter-wheel controller  7  performs operations of each axis according to the schedule, counting of the standby time and the settling time, and outputting of the random trigger signal through the external signal output unit  77  with respect to the video camera  4 , each filter wheel, and each shutter (Step S 7 ). 
     Next, the shutter/filter-wheel controller  7  detects an operation completion signal of each axis, completion of the counting of the standby time, and completion of the counting of the settling time, and completion of the outputting of the random trigger signal from the external signal output unit  77  (Step S 8 ). 
     Subsequently, the shutter/filter-wheel control determines whether or not all the operation schedules are completed (Step S 9 ). When the shutter/filter-wheel controller  7  determines that all the operation schedules are completed (Yes in Step S 9 ), the microscope system  1  proceeds to Step S 10 . On the contrary, when the shutter/filter-wheel controller  7  determines that all the operation schedules are not completed (No in Step S 9 ), the microscope system  1  returns to Step S 6 . 
     Next, the shutter/filter-wheel controller  7  notifies the completion of the schedule operation per execution of the time lapse through the microscope controller  3  to the host system  12  (Step S 10 ). After Step S 10 , the microscope system  1  returns to Step S 2 . 
     Next, the time-lapse processes corresponding to Steps S 4  to S 10  of  FIG. 3  will be described in detail.  FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating an overview of the time-lapse processes corresponding to Steps S 4  to S 10  of  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 5  is a timing chart illustrating operations of the actuators under the control of the shutter/filter-wheel controller  7 . A waveform (a) of  FIG. 5  indicates input. Liming of inputting external apparatus triggers from the drive start signal generation apparatus  11  to the external signal input unit  78 . A waveform (b) of  FIG. 5  indicates input timing of inputting control commands through the microscope controller  3  from the host system  12 . A waveform (c) of  FIG. 5  indicates drive timing of the ND filter wheel  30 . A waveform (d) of  FIG. 5  indicates drive timing of the excitation light source filter wheel  31 . A waveform (e) of  FIG. 5  indicates drive timing of the observation absorption filter wheel  33 . A waveform (f) of  FIG. 5  indicates drive timing of the incident-light source shutter  29 . A waveform (q) of  FIG. 5  indicates drive timing of the transmitted-light source shutter  32 . A waveform (h) of  FIG. 5  indicates timing of outputting random triggers through the external signal output unit  77 . Next, an example of one step performed by the microscope system  1  will be described hereinafter. Herein, one step performed by the microscope system  1  denotes a sequence of operations where driving of the filter wheel, opening of the shutter, outputting of random triggers (outputting of imaging triggers), and closing of the shutter are sequentially performed. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the main control unit  71  determines whether or not the drive parameters and the drive timing (hereinafter, referred to “drive information”) of the incident-light source shutter  29 , the transmitted-light source shutter  32 , the ND filter wheel  30 , the excitation light source filter wheel  31 , and the observation absorption filter wheel  33 , which are transmitted through the microscope controller  3  from the host system  12 , and a random trigger output time are received (Step S 101 ). When the drive information is received (Yes in Step S 101 ), the main control unit  71  proceeds to Step S 102 . On the other hand, if the drive information is not received (No in Step  101 ), the main control unit  71  maintains the standby state until the drive information is received. 
     Subsequently, the main control unit  71  records the received drive information and random trigger output time in the RAM  74  and the ROM  75  (Step S 102 ). 
     Next, the control management unit  72  determines whether or not the external, apparatus trigger (drive start signal) is received (asserted) through the external signal input unit  78  from the drive start signal generation apparatus  11  (Step S 103 ). When the control management unit  72  determines that the external apparatus trigger is not received from the drive start signal generation apparatus  11  (No in Step S 103 ), the shutter/filter-wheel controller  7  stands by until the external apparatus trigger is received. On the contrary, when the control management unit  72  determines that the external apparatus trigger is received from the drive start signal generation apparatus  11  (Yes in Step S 103 ), the control management unit  72  starts counting the shutter standby time T 2  (Step S 104 ). More specifically, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , when the control management unit  72  receives the external apparatus trigger through the external signal input unit  78  from the drive start signal generation apparatus  11 , the control management unit  72  starts counting the shutter standby time T 2 . 
     Subsequently, the main control unit  71  transmits the drive parameter for controlling the shutter from the RAM  74  and the ROM  75  to the actuator controller  73  to set the drive parameters (Step S 105 ). 
     Next, the control management unit  72  allows the actuator controller  73  to output the start signal so as to drive the shutter (Step S 106 ). More specifically, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , after a drive processing time T 1  elapses, the actuator controller  73  outputs a start signal for starting operations to the stepping motor driver  79   a  and drives the incident-light source shutter  29  in the light blocking direction based on the drive parameter for controlling the shutter set by the main control unit  71  (for example, FSHU OPEN→FSHU CLOSE). 
     Subsequently, the control management unit  72  determines whether or not the driving of the shutter is completed (Step S 107 ). More specifically, the control management unit  72  determines whether or not the driving completion signal of the incident-light source shutter  29  transmitted from the actuator controller  73  is received. When the control management unit  72  determines that the driving of the shutter is not completed (No in Step S 107 ), the shutter/filter-wheel controller  7  stands by until the driving completion signal is received. On the contrary, when the control management unit  72  determines that the driving of the shutter is completed. (Yes in Step S 107 ), the shutter/filter-wheel controller  7  proceeds to Step S 108 . 
     Next, the main control unit  71  transmits the drive parameters for controlling the filter wheel and the shutter from the RAM  74  and the ROM  75  to the actuator controller  73  to set the drive parameter (Step S 108 ). 
     Subsequently, the control management unit  72  allows the actuator controller  73  to output the start signal so as to drive each filter wheel (Step S 109 ). More specifically, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , after a shutter settling time T 3  elapses, the actuator controller  73  outputs driving instruction signals for the stepping motor drivers  79   b ,  79   c , and  79   e  so as to drive the ND filter wheel  30 , the excitation light source filter wheel  31 , and the observation absorption filter wheel  33  based on the drive parameters of the filter wheel set by the main control unit  71 . In this case, deviation may occur until each filter wheel starts driving (for example, refer to a time T 4 ). 
     Next, the control management unit  72  determines whether or not the driving of each filter wheel is completed (Step S 110 ). More specifically, the control management unit  72  determines whether or not the driving completion signal of each filter wheel transmitted from the actuator controller  73  is received. When the control management unit  72  determines that the driving of each filter wheel is not completed (No in Step S 110 ), the shutter/filter-wheel controller  7  stands by until the driving completion signal is received from each filter wheel. On the contrary, when the control management unit  72  determines that the driving completion signal is received from each filter wheel (Yes in Step S 110 ), the shutter/filter-wheel controller  7  proceeds to Step S 111 . 
     Subsequently, the control management unit  72  determines whether or not the counting of the shutter standby time is ended (Step S 111 ). More specifically, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the control management unit  72  determines whether or not the counting of the shutter standby time T 2  is ended. When the control management unit  72  determines that the counting of the shutter standby time T 2  is not ended (No in Step S 111 ), the shutter/filter-wheel controller  7  stands by until the counting of the shutter standby time T 2  is ended. On the contrary, when the control management unit  72  determines that the counting of the shutter standby time T 2  is ended (Yes in Step S 111 ), the shutter/filter-wheel controller  7  proceeds to Step S 112 . 
     Next, the control management unit  72  allows the actuator controller  73  to output the start signal so as to drive the shutter (Step S 112 ). More specifically, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , under the control of the control management unit  72 , the actuator controller  73  outputs the start signal for starting operations to the stepping motor driver  79   a  to drive the incident-light source shutter  29  in the opening (exposing) direction (for example, FSHU CLOSE→FSHU OPEN). 
     Subsequently, the control management unit  72  determines whether or not the driving of the shutter is completed (Step S 113 ). When the control management unit  72  determines that the driving of the shutter is not completed (No in Step S 113 ), the shutter/filter-wheel controller  7  stands by until the driving completion signal is received. On the contrary, when the control management unit  72  determines that the driving of the shutter is completed (Yes in Step S 113 ), the shutter/filter-wheel controller proceeds to Step S 114 . 
     Next, the control management unit  72  starts counting the shutter settling time T 3  (Step S 114 ) and outputs the random trigger through the external signal output unit  77  to the camera controller  5  (Step S 115 ). More specifically, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the control management unit  72  starts counting the shutter settling time T 3  of the incident-light source shutter  29  and switches the random trigger from “trigger negate” to “trigger assert” to output the random trigger to the camera controller  5 . Accordingly, the video camera  4  can continuously image the sample specimen S at a specified time interval. 
     Subsequently, the control management unit  72  determines whether or not the counting of the shutter settling time T 3  is ended (Step S 116 ). When the control management unit  72  determines that the counting of the shutter settling time T 3  is not ended (No in Step S 116 ), the shutter/filter-wheel controller  7  stands by until the counting of the shutter settling time T 3  is ended. On the contrary, when the control management unit  72  determines that the counting of the shutter settling time T 3  is ended (Yes in Step S 116 ), the shutter/filter-wheel controller  7  proceeds to Step S 117 . 
     Next, the control management unit  72  determines whether or not the counting of the random trigger output time T 5  is ended (Step S 117 ). When the control management unit  72  determines that the counting of the random trigger output time T 5  is not ended (No in Step S 117 ), the shutter/filter-wheel controller  7  stands by until the counting of the random trigger output time T 5  is ended. On the contrary, when the control management unit  72  determines that the counting of the random trigger output time  15  is ended (Yes in Step S 117 ), the shutter/filter-wheel controller  7  proceeds to Step S 118 . 
     Subsequently, the control management unit  72  outputs the start signal to the actuator controller  73  so as to drive the shutter (Step S 118 ). More specifically, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the actuator controller  73  outputs the start signal to the stepping motor driver  79   a  so as to drive the incident-light source shutter  29  in the light blocking direction (for example, FSHU OPEN→FSHU CLOSE). 
     Steps S 119 , S 120 , and S 121  correspond to above-described Steps S 113 , S 114 , and S 116 , respectively. After Step S 121 , the shutter/filter-wheel controller  7  ends the processes. 
     According to the embodiment of the present invention described above, the control management unit  72  controls the actuator controller  73  to output the start signal for allowing the power driver  79  to start operations to the power driver  79  and controls the actuator controller  73  to stop outputting the start signal to the designated power driver  79  and the other power drivers  79  until passage of the settling time during which the driving of the actuator in response to the operation of the power driver  79  is ended and then the driving thereof is enabled again. Therefore, it is possible to drive a plurality of the actuators at appropriate Liming without deterioration in high-speed performance of the actuators. As a result, it is possible to illuminate the sample specimen S with an illumination light beam in a user&#39;s desired order. 
     In addition, according to the embodiment of the present invention, when a shutter standby time for allowing the video camera  4  to start imaging which is included in the control command output through the microscope controller  3  from the host system  12  and a driving completion time in which the driving of all the actuators is completed elapse, the control management unit  72  outputs the random trigger through the external signal output unit  77  to the camera controller  5 . Therefore, without deterioration in high-speed performance of each actuator, it possible to perform imaging (time-lapse) of the sample specimen S at a user&#39;s desired time interval. As a result, in the case of combining the images of the sample specimen S imaged by using the filters (for example, red, blue, and green filters), it is possible to reproduce the image of the sample specimen S with good accuracy. 
     In addition, according to the embodiment of the present invention, when fluorescence observation is performed by a biomicroscope apparatus, it is possible to prevent unnecessary exposure such as damage to a sample specimen S (cell) due to discoloration or phototoxicity of fluorescence dye. 
     Furthermore, according to the embodiment of the present invention, since a user does not need to take into consideration a control pattern by estimating a software process and communication time between the host system  12  and each actuator, it is possible to simply and easily produce the operation sequence. 
     Modified Example 1 
     In the embodiment described above, when the shutter/filter-wheel controller  7  receives the external apparatus trigger, only one step of the sequence operation is performed. However, plural steps may be performed. In this case, the main control unit  71  may record the plural steps for the drive parameters and the drive timing of the shutter and the filter wheel in the RAM  74  and the ROM  75  based on the control command input through the external communication I/F unit  76  and the microscope controller  3  from the host system  12 . Therefore, when the control management unit  72  receives the external apparatus trigger, the shutters and the filter wheels for different steps may be performed with different driving. 
     Modified Example 2 
     In addition, in the embodiment described above, when the control management unit  72  receives the external apparatus trigger input through the external signal input unit  78  from the drive start signal generation apparatus  11 , one step of the sequence operations of the shutter and the filter wheel is performed. However, for example, when the control management unit  72  receives the external apparatus trigger once, plural steps of the sequence operations of the shutter and the filter wheel may be performed. 
     Modified Example 3 
     In addition, in the embodiment described above, attention is drawn to the shutter in order to explain the settling time in which the driving of the actuator is ended and then the driving thereof is enabled again. However, the settling time may be applied to the filter wheel. 
     Modified Example 4 
     In addition, in the embodiment described above, the discoloration preventing operations (Steps S 105 , S 106 , and S 101  in  FIG. 4 ) of allowing the control management unit  72  to switch the incident-light source shutter  29  from the opened state to the blocked state are described. However, the present invention can be adapted in the state where the incident-light source shutter  29  is always opened.  FIG. 6A  is a timing chart illustrating operations of components under the control of the shutter/filter-wheel controller  7  of the microscope system  1  according to Modified Example 4 of an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 6B  is a timing chart illustrating operations of components under the control of the shutter/filter-wheel controller  7  of the microscope system  1  according to Modified Example 4 of an embodiment of the present invention. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 6A , when the control management unit  72  receives the external apparatus trigger in the state where the incident-light source shutter  29  is opened, when the shutter standby time T 2  of the shutter precedes the driving completion timing of the observation absorption filter wheel  33 , the control management unit  72  outputs the random trigger through the external signal output unit  77  to the camera controller  5  in accordance with the driving completion timing of the observation absorption filter wheel  33 . Next, after the shutter settling time  13  of the shutter elapses, the control management unit  72  ends the processes irrespective of the state of the incident-light source shutter  29 . Next, the control management unit  72  determines whether or not the counting of the random trigger output time T 5  is ended. When the control management unit  72  determines that the counting of the random trigger output time T 5  is not ended, the shutter/filter-wheel controller  7  stands by until the counting of the random trigger output time T 5  is ended. On the contrary, when the control management unit  72  determines that the counting of the random trigger output time T 5  is ended, the processes are terminated. 
     On the other hand, as illustrated in  FIG. 6B , when the shutter standby time T 2  of the shutter lags behind the driving completion timing of the observation absorption filter wheel  33 , the control management unit  72  outputs the random trigger through the external signal output unit  77  to the camera controller  5  in accordance with shutter standby time  12  of the shutter. Next, the control management unit  72  determines whether or not the counting of the random trigger output time T 5  is ended. When the control management unit  72  determines that the counting of the random trigger output time T 5  is not ended, the shutter/filter-wheel controller  7  stands by until the counting of the random trigger output time T 5  is ended. On the contrary, when the control management unit  72  determines that the counting of the random trigger output time T 5  is ended, the processes are terminated. 
     According to Modified Example 4 of the embodiment of the present invention described above, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the embodiment described above. 
     In addition, according to Modified Example 4 of the embodiment of the present invention, since the drivers can be operated and image signal of the video camera  4  can be transmitted without a change in electric wire configuration, inconvenience of turning off the power of the apparatus according to the use purpose of the functions can be removed. 
     Modified Example 5 
       FIG. 7  is a timing chart illustrating operations of components under the control of the shutter/tilter-wheel controller  7  of the microscope system  1  according to Modified Example 5 of the embodiment of the present invention. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , when the control management unit  72  receives the external apparatus trigger in the state where the incident-light source shutter  29  is opened, when each filter wheel is not driven, after the counting of the shutter standby time T 2  of the shutter is ended, the control management unit  72  performs opening/closing operations of the incident-light source shutter  29 . 
     According to Modified Example 5 of the embodiment of the present invention described above, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the embodiment described above. 
     In addition, according to Modified Example 5 of the embodiment of the present invention, even in the case of a low-price microscope system and an inexpensive camera, imaging with high accuracy of time can be performed without preparation of special apparatuses. 
     Modified Example 6 
       FIG. 8  is a timing chart illustrating operations of components under the control of the shutter/filter-wheel controller  7  of the microscope system  1  according to Modified Example 6 of the embodiment of the present invention. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the control management unit allows the components of the microscope system  1  to start driving based on the control command of starting the sequence operations, which is input through the external communication I/F unit  76  and the microscope controller  3  from the host system  12 , without reception of an external apparatus trigger transmitted through the external signal input unit  78  from the drive start signal generation apparatus  11 . 
     According to Modified Example 6 of the embodiment of the present invention described above, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the embodiment described above. 
     In addition, according to Modified Example 6 of the embodiment of the present invention, since the plural actuators are enabled to perform sequence operations by one command from the host system, in comparison with the case where each actuator is allowed to perform sequence operations by plural commands, it is possible to exclude a process speed of the host system  12  (PC) or an indefinite time of communication or the like between the host system  12  and the apparatus. 
     Modified Example 7 
       FIG. 9  is a timing chart illustrating operations of components under the control of the shutter/filter-wheel controller  7  of the microscope system  1  according to Modified Example 7 of the embodiment of the present invention. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , when the control management unit  72  receives the external apparatus trigger, the control management unit  72  allows the components of the microscope system  1  to start driving based on the control command input through the external communication I/F unit  76  and the microscope controller  3  from the host system  12 . In this case, the control management unit  72  drives the incident-light source shutter  29  and the transmitted-light source shutter  32  according to the external apparatus trigger. More specifically, when the external apparatus trigger is asserted, the control management unit  72  opens the incident-light source shutter  29 ; and when the external apparatus trigger is negated, the control management unit  72  blocks the incident-light source shutter  29 . 
     According to Modified Example 7 of the embodiment of the present invention described above, even in the case of a low-price microscope system and an inexpensive camera, imaging with high accuracy of time can be performed without preparation of special apparatuses. 
     Modified Example 8 
       FIG. 10  is a timing chart illustrating operations of components under the control of the shutter/filter-wheel controller of the microscope system  1  according to Modified Example 8 of the embodiment of the present invention. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , when the control management unit  72  receives the external apparatus trigger, the control management unit  72  allows the components of the microscope system  1  to start driving based on the control command of starting the sequence operations input through the external communication I/F unit  76  and the microscope controller  3  from the host system  12  in this case, when the external apparatus trigger is asserted, the control management unit  72  opens the incident-light source shutter  29 . After that, even when the external apparatus trigger is negated, the control management unit  72  drives the incident-light source shutter  29  after the shutter settling time T 3  elapses. 
     According to Modified Example 8 of the embodiment of the present invention described above, even in the case of a low-price microscope system and an inexpensive camera, imaging with high accuracy of time can be performed without preparation of special apparatuses. 
     In addition, in the embodiment described above, the stepping motor drivers  79   a  to  79   e  are used as the power driver  79 . However, for example, various kinds of drivers, actuators, and the like used for the microscope system  1  such as a linear motor driver and a piezoelectric element driver may be employed. 
     In addition, in the embodiment described above, the number of stepping motor drivers is five. However, the number of stepping motor drivers may be appropriately changed according to a configuration of the microscope system  1 . 
     In addition, in the embodiment described above, the number of shutter/filter-wheel controllers  7  is one. However, two or more shutter/filter-wheel controllers  7  may be installed according to a configuration of the microscope system  1 . 
     In addition, in the embodiment described above, an example of the microscope system configured to include the microscope apparatus, the video camera, the display unit, and the host system is described. However, the present invention may be adapted to, for example, an imaging apparatus such as a video microscope, which is configured to include an objective lens that magnifies the sample specimen, an imaging function of imaging the sample specimen through the objective lens, and a display function of displaying the image. 
     In addition, in the embodiment described above, an upright microscope apparatus is exemplified as the microscope apparatus. However, the present invention may be adapted to an inverted microscope apparatus in addition, the present invention may be adapted to various kinds of systems called line apparatuses with which the microscope apparatus is combined. 
     In addition, in the embodiment described above, the electrically-driven stage is configured to be movable in the Z direction by the motor. However, the objective lens or the whole observation optical system including the objective lens may be configured to be movable in the direction. 
     In addition, in the embodiment described above, the case where the operation completion of the observation absorption filter wheel  33  is latest is described. However, the present invention may be adapted to, for example, an example where the operation completion of the excitation Light source filter wheel  31  is latest. 
     Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described herein. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.