FAQ: Does SmartCapture support the Olympus BX Microscope?

Question

Can I use SmartCapture 2 to control an Olympus BX microscope?

Answer

Yes. Using the Serial Filter Wheel SmartCapture 2 can be configured to control the filter wheels, shutter and objectives for an Olympus BX 61 microscope.

The quickest way to setup a configuration for the Olympus BX is to down load the preference file and scripts and modify them as appropriate to your needs.

Installation Notes

  1. Download and unpack the preference file and scripts.
  2. Move the preference file "Olympus BX" into the "SmartCapture Prefs" folder within the "Preferences" folder within the "System Folder".
  3. Move the script files "OlympusBX Filter 1" to "OlympusBX Filter 6" and "OlympusBX Shutter" into the "Scripts" folder within the SmartCapture application folder.
  4. Assign the scripts "OlympusBX Filter 1" to "OlympusBX Filter 6" to keypad keys 1 to 6, and assign the script "OlympusBX Shutter" to keypad key 0. Read the FAQ on Scriptable Button Palette for help with this.
  5. Start SmartCapture 2 and make any necessary changes to the device configurations. Most notably make sure that for each of the three filter wheels, you have the correct serial port selected.

Serial Cable

The serial cable for use with the Olympus BX should be a standard NULL MODEM cable. Providing the Olympus BX has not been changed from its factory configuration, the serial port settings should be 19,200 baud, 8 bit data, Even parity, 2 stop bits.

Extra Information

The preference file has been set up with three serial filter wheels. The first has two filters and is used to log in and log out of the microscope control system. The second filter wheel has two filters, for opening and closing the fluorescence shutter. The third filter wheel has six filters to select the six filter cubes in the BX filter cube turret. Note the computer must log in to the BX before selecting a filter or opening or closing the shutter. The scripts, which should be assigned to keypad keys will do this log in and log out for you. Note also that whilst the computer is logged into the BX microscope, the microscope will not respond to button presses on the Olympus BX keypad.

Command Codes

This table lists the commands and delays that can be used to control a BX microscope.

Olympus BX Commands
Description Command Delay
Log in 1LOG IN\r\n 0.2
Log out 1LOG OUT\r\n 0.2
Open shutter 1SHUTTER OUT\r\n 0.2
Close shutter 1SHUTTER IN\r\n 0.2
Select filter cube 1 1CUBE 1 \r\n 2
Select filter cube 2 (you can guess the rest) 1CUBE 2\r\n 2
Select objective 1 1OB 1\r\n 2
Select objective 2 (you can guess the rest) 1OB 2\r\n 2

 

 

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