6 (IJCNS) International Journal of Computer and Network Security,
Vol. 2, No. 2, February 2010
2- Dimension Automatic Microscope Moving Stage
Ovasit P.1 Adsavakulchai S.1,* Srinonghang W1., and Ueatrongchit, P. 1
1
School of Engineering, University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce
126/1 Vibhavadi Rangsit Rd., Bangkok 10400
*Corresponding author, e-mail: suwannee_ads@utcc.ac.th
Abstract: Currently, microscope stage has controllable by
manual. In medical laboratory, the specimen slide examination
system processes one at a time for microscopic examination.
The main objective of this study is to develop a two-dimension
automatic microscope moving stage. This equipment is designed
by microcontroller PIC 16F874 using stepping motor as
horizontal feed mechanism. There are three function modes, the
first one is manual, the second is automatic scan specimen
which transfers the specimen slide onto a microscope stage
which has controllable X and Y axis positioning to move the
specimen slide into the optical viewing field of the microscope
and examination over the desired area of the specimen and the
last one is to examine specimen slides may be automatically
returned to the microscope stage for reexamination. The result
of this study can be concluded that the accuracy of this
equipment for reexamination the specimen slide is 86.03 %
accuracy.
Keywords: Microscope Automatic Moving Stage, microcontroller
PIC16F874, stepping motor
1. Introduction
The microscope is a conventional laboratory microscope
with attached to actuate the stage and control is affected
through manual [1] as shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1. Microscope moving stage
The basic principal for diagnostic in red blood cell is using
microscope manually. In such cases, electronic systems may
be used to automatically examine and analyze the optical
images of the microscope [2]. Where electronics systems are
used for rapid analysis of microscope specimen images it
becomes desirable to automatically regularly and rapidly
feed the specimens to the microscope optics. After analysis a
specimen would be removed to make room for the next
specimen and would be collected for either further
examination, reference, record keeping or disposal.
An automated slide system is disclosed which organizes
microscope slides in cassettes, automatically and positioned
each slide under the microscope as provided by the protocol,
and after examination returns the slide to its proper cassette
[3]. A slot configured for holding slides in spaced parallel
configuration using the mechanism for removing and
replacing a slide housed. A feed arm containing a
longitudinal to draw-out spring wire surrounding an
imaginary longitudinal axis having at the first end and a
second end, the first and second end being bent orthogonal
to one another and to the imaginary longitudinal axis of said
draw-out spring wire, said longitudinal draw-out spring wire
being positioned in said longitudinal channel in said feed
arm such that bent ends protrude from the channel and
wherein said longitudinal draw-out spring wire is
operatively positioned in said longitudinal channel such that
the draw-out spring wire is rotatable therein, allowing for
each bent end to change orientation in respect to the feed
arm. [1].
The main objective of this study is to develop an
automatically returned to the microscope stage for
reexamination. These technologies dramatically increased
the accuracy of measurement results and contributed greatly
to the modernization of testing and medical care (medical
testing).
2. Materials and Methods
Sample preparation:
2.1 To prepare the blood smear sample and set up the
microscope working area at 1000x with 0.2 mm.
dimension [2] as shown in Figure 2. In order to the area
of the specimen slide is viewed during examination of
the specimen without sliding it.
Figure 2. Microscope working area
2.2 To set up the scope of microscope moving stage
scanning area with 40 x 26 mm. as shown in Figure 3.
About the specimen stage this opening in the specimen
 (IJCNS) International Journal of Computer and Network Security, 7
Vol. 2, No. 2, February 2010

stage is made as large as possible and exposes the full

width of the specimen slide.

Figure 3. Scanning area

Figure 5. Digital Electronics design
2.3 The automatic sequential examination of a group of
microscope specimen slides comprising:
Figure 5 is to illustrate the overall digital electronics
using two microcontrollers with serial communication and
synchronous Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI).
2.3.1 Moving stage design:
2.3.3 Microcontroller in Slave Board:
Apparatus comprised a substage directing serves to move
stage in a horizontal plane and there is provided further
2.3.3.1 Encoder: using sequential logic to control
positioning means supporting said translation means and
moving stage. The characteristic of encoder 2 signal using
operable for moving said stage with a specimen slide
microcontroller PIC 16F873 via RA0-RA3 port as shown in
supported therein vertically as shown in Figure 4.
Figure 6. The signals moving stage is to set up into 3
statuses 1. No movement 2. Increase the distance and 3.
Reduce distance as shown in Figure 7.

Figure 6. The characteristic of encoder 2 signal

Figure 4. Moving stage design

2.3.2 Digital Electronics Design:

The digital electronics architecture has two main

functional blocks, Master Board and Slave Board. ICP
(Instrument Control Processor): used a PIC 16F873
processor to perform all instrument control and event
processing functions as shown in Figure 5. The ICP will be
responsible for the following tasks: processing commands;
monitoring source and adjusting the LCD readout mode as
required; calculating centroids and transmitting centroid
positions [4],[5],[6]. Figure 7. Logical control

2.3.3.2 Stepping motor: control moving stage

using microcontroller PIC 16F873 via RB0-RB7 port and
working together with IC ULN2803 to control stepping
motor as shown in Figure 8.
8 (IJCNS) International Journal of Computer and Network Security,
Vol. 2, No. 2, February 2010
Microscope Scan.
Version 1.00

Status 1a 1b 2a 2b
Wait

Home 1:Home 2:Manual

1 4
Please Wait. 3:Scan 4:Config

2 3
#

Start. 1:Posit. #:Exit

Please Wait. 2:Option Config

1
Wait

X 0000 #:Exit
Y 0000 *:Scan
#
Figure 8. Characteristics of stepping motor control * 2
Start 0000x0000y
Final 0000x0000y

X 0000 #:Exit
Y 0000 *:Stop

2.3.3.3 Serial Peripheral Interface: using Master X 0000 #:Exit 1: 0sec #:Exit
Y 0000 *:Jump 2: 0unit Option
Synchronous Serial Port in microcontroller PIC 16F873 * : X :Y
# : 1 or 2 1:T 2:S
using Microcontroller in Slave Board as shown in Figure 9. 1:Start #:Exit X _000 #:Exit T:>_sec #:Exit T: 0sec #:Exit
2:Final < Save Y 0000 < Jump S: 0unit Time. S:>_unit Space

Figure 10. Main menu of control program

Register SSPBUF Register SSPBUF

3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Register SSPSR Register SSPSR
To test the points and the results is shown in table 2.
The microscopic examination of the specimen slide can
Master Slave take place either visually or automatically. Motorized
microscope components and accessories enable the
Figure 9. Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) investigator to automate live-cell image acquisition and
are particularly useful for time-lapse experiments about
20 milliseconds [7],[8]. For this purpose the X and Y
2.3.4 Microcontroller in Mater Board positioning systems can be controlled manually or
2.3.4.1 Input from keyboard using RB1-RB7 in automatically. Thus, the specimen slide carried by the
term of matrix 4 x 3 stage may be moved to any desired location relative to the
2.3.4.2 Display result using RA0-RA5 for Liquid optical axis by actuation of the Y-axis drive 43 and the X-
Crystal Display axis drive 44. For automatic examination the drives 43,
2.3.4.3 Serial Peripheral Interface SCK port 44 would be energized under scan or other program
2.3.4.5 Data communication using SPI as shown control. Finally, the specimen slide reexamination is
in table 1 automatically returned to the microscope stage for
reexamination with very high accuracy.
Table 1 : Data communication using SPI
Table 2: Sample testing results

To design main menu as shown in Figure 10 to control the

microscopic stage.
 (IJCNS) International Journal of Computer and Network Security, 9
4. Conclusion
After the examination of a particular series of specimen
slides has been completed any individual specimen slide
that requires re-examination can by either operator
signals or by predetermined control signals be fed
automatically back into the microscope viewing optics for
further examination [9].
Upon completion of the examination of a slide the
horizontal positioning Y-axis drive returns the specimen
slide on the stage to the position. It can be concluded that
the accuracy of this equipment for reexamination the
specimen slide is 86.03 % accuracy.
Acknowledgements
This project is supported by University of the Thai Chamber
of Commerce grant.
References
[1] C.R.David, Microscopy and related methods from
http://www.ruf.rice.edu/~bioslabs/methods/microscop
y/microscopy.html
[2] Robert H., et.al, Handbook of Hematologic
Pathology, Marcel Dekker, Inc. (2000)
[3] Qin Zhang et al., A Prototype Neural Network
Supervised Control System for Bacillus thuringiensis
Fermentations, Biotechnology and Bioengineering,
vol. 43, pp. 483-489 (1994).
[4] N. Armenise et al., High-speed particle tracking in
nuclear emulsion by last generation automatic
Vol. 2, No. 2, February 2010
microscopes, accepted for publication on Nucl. Instr.
Meth. A(2005).
[5] Powell, Power and Perkins, The Study of Elementary
Particles by the Photo-graphic Method, Pergamon
Press (1959).
[6] W.H. Barkas, Nuclear Research Emulsion, Academic
Press Inc. (London) Ltd. (1963).
[7] John F. Reid et al., A Vision-based System for
Computer Control and Data Acquisition in
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Conference, 1992.
[8] J.M. Shine, Jr., et al., Digital Image Analysis System
for Determining Tissue-Blot Immunoassay Results for
Ratoon Stunting Disease of Sugarcane, Plant Disease,
vol. 77 No. 5, pp. 511-513, 1993.
[9] Jinlian Ren et al., Knowledge-based Supervision and
Control of Bioprocess with a Machine Vision-based
Sensing System, Journal of Biotechnology 36 (1994)
25-34.
Authors Profile
Suwannee Adsavakulchai received the M.S. degrees in Computer
Information Systems from Assumption University in 1994 and
Doctoral of Technical Science from Asian Institute of Technology
in 2000, respectively. She now works as lecturer in the department
of Computer Engineering, School of Engineering, University of the
Thai Chamber of Commerce.