How to control microscope through computer login?

[Bjorn Tyrberg]

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We have an interest in tracking use of our microscopes for billing. To do this we
have tracking software that links to our billing system. The problem is that if the
user does not log in to the computer, they do not get tracked. Does anybody
know of a solution where the power to the microscope can be controlled by log
in to a computer, essentially making scopes unusable unless logged in to
computer?

Tx
Bjorn Tyrberg

[Jean-Yves Tinevez-3]

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On 15 mars 2012, at 15:24, Bjorn Tyrberg wrote:

> *****
> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> *****
>
> We have an interest in tracking use of our microscopes for billing. To do this we
> have tracking software that links to our billing system. The problem is that if the
> user does not log in to the computer, they do not get tracked. Does anybody
> know of a solution where the power to the microscope can be controlled by log
> in to a computer, essentially making scopes unusable unless logged in to
> computer?

Hi Björn,

We use a feature in the Stratocore PPMS software to do that. It basically locks the screen controlling the microscope unless you identify yourself.

Anyone can log in and unlock the screen, but then the usage is tracked and reported to the minute

Best
jy



--
Jean-Yves Tinevez
PFID - Imagopole
Institut Pasteur
25-28, rue du Docteur Roux
75724 Paris cedex 15
France
tel: [phone]

[Bushnell, Timothy]

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Bjorn:

We use the PC based computer rental program from leithauserresearch.com on our flow cytometers.  This program requires a login password (unique for each individual), and generates a csv of login and logoff time.  It runs in the background and throws up a gray screen when noone is logged in.  As far as we can tell, it does not interfere with processes that are started and running.

However, I have been told it might not work on computers driving microscopes.  However, we've not seen any issues on our instruments here, including our ImagestreamX imaging flow cytometer.

It is, as I recall, about $30/license.

Regards
Tim

--
Tim Bushnell, Ph.D.
Director, URMC Flow Cytometry Facility
Medical Center 3-4157
Office: 585-273-5535
Lab: 585-273-1361
Cell: 585-690-5157
FAX: [phone]
http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/flow-core/
http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/wnyfug/

"It is better to realize what the problem really is, and solve that problem as well as we can, instead of inventing a substitute problem that can be solved exactly, but is irrelevant."  Francis J Anscombe




On 3/15/12 10:24 AM, "Bjorn Tyrberg" <[hidden email]> wrote:

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We have an interest in tracking use of our microscopes for billing. To do this we
have tracking software that links to our billing system. The problem is that if the
user does not log in to the computer, they do not get tracked. Does anybody
know of a solution where the power to the microscope can be controlled by log
in to a computer, essentially making scopes unusable unless logged in to
computer?

Tx
Bjorn Tyrberg

[Boswell, Carl A - (cboswell)]

Hi Bjorn,
It's not clear what you require.  If there is no interface between the microscope and the computer then you have one problem.  If the microscope is controlled by the computer, then the problem has multiple solutions.  There are a number of commercial, and a few open-source, programs that track user time on a system, generate reports and even provide billing statements.  Search the listserv archives to see what has been discussed in this regard.
Cheers,
C


Carl A. Boswell
520-742-6131

-----Original Message-----
From: Confocal Microscopy List [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Bjorn Tyrberg
Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2012 7:25 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: How to control microscope through computer login?

*****
To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
*****

We have an interest in tracking use of our microscopes for billing. To do this we have tracking software that links to our billing system. The problem is that if the user does not log in to the computer, they do not get tracked. Does anybody know of a solution where the power to the microscope can be controlled by log in to a computer, essentially making scopes unusable unless logged in to computer?

Tx
Bjorn Tyrberg

[leoncio vergara]

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For microscope that don't require a computer for control, would it be possible to have them plugged to some power management system like a smart UPS or something and somehow have that under computer control? ...note the use of the highly technical terms "something and somehow"

-----Original Message-----
From: Confocal Microscopy List [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Boswell, Carl A - (cboswell)
Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2012 11:44 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: How to control microscope through computer login?

Hi Bjorn,
It's not clear what you require.  If there is no interface between the microscope and the computer then you have one problem.  If the microscope is controlled by the computer, then the problem has multiple solutions.  There are a number of commercial, and a few open-source, programs that track user time on a system, generate reports and even provide billing statements.  Search the listserv archives to see what has been discussed in this regard.
Cheers,
C


Carl A. Boswell
520-742-6131

-----Original Message-----
From: Confocal Microscopy List [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Bjorn Tyrberg
Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2012 7:25 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: How to control microscope through computer login?

*****
To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
*****

We have an interest in tracking use of our microscopes for billing. To do this we have tracking software that links to our billing system. The problem is that if the user does not log in to the computer, they do not get tracked. Does anybody know of a solution where the power to the microscope can be controlled by log in to a computer, essentially making scopes unusable unless logged in to computer?

Tx
Bjorn Tyrberg

[Peter Humphreys]

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I've always liked the idea of token operated microscopes, like a fair.
Put in your token, it switches the power on. Not great for Hg bulbs though.
One of the few ways i can think of to charge for basic non-pc controlled
scopes.

Peter

>   *****
> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> *****
>
> For microscope that don't require a computer for control, would it be possible to have them plugged to some power management system like a smart UPS or something and somehow have that under computer control? ...note the use of the highly technical terms "something and somehow"
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Confocal Microscopy List [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Boswell, Carl A - (cboswell)
> Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2012 11:44 AM
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: Re: How to control microscope through computer login?
>
> Hi Bjorn,
> It's not clear what you require.  If there is no interface between the microscope and the computer then you have one problem.  If the microscope is controlled by the computer, then the problem has multiple solutions.  There are a number of commercial, and a few open-source, programs that track user time on a system, generate reports and even provide billing statements.  Search the listserv archives to see what has been discussed in this regard.
> Cheers,
> C
>
>
> Carl A. Boswell
> 520-742-6131
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Confocal Microscopy List [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Bjorn Tyrberg
> Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2012 7:25 AM
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: How to control microscope through computer login?
>
> *****
> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> *****
>
> We have an interest in tracking use of our microscopes for billing. To do this we have tracking software that links to our billing system. The problem is that if the user does not log in to the computer, they do not get tracked. Does anybody know of a solution where the power to the microscope can be controlled by log in to a computer, essentially making scopes unusable unless logged in to computer?
>
> Tx
> Bjorn Tyrberg

[leoncio vergara]

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...maybe the alternative is an "honor jar" ... or a hat....

-----Original Message-----
From: Confocal Microscopy List [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Peter
Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2012 1:39 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: How to control microscope through computer login?

*****
To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
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*****

I've always liked the idea of token operated microscopes, like a fair.
Put in your token, it switches the power on. Not great for Hg bulbs though.
One of the few ways i can think of to charge for basic non-pc controlled scopes.

Peter

>   *****
> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> *****
>
> For microscope that don't require a computer for control, would it be possible to have them plugged to some power management system like a smart UPS or something and somehow have that under computer control? ...note the use of the highly technical terms "something and somehow"
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Confocal Microscopy List
> [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Boswell, Carl A
> - (cboswell)
> Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2012 11:44 AM
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: Re: How to control microscope through computer login?
>
> Hi Bjorn,
> It's not clear what you require.  If there is no interface between the microscope and the computer then you have one problem.  If the microscope is controlled by the computer, then the problem has multiple solutions.  There are a number of commercial, and a few open-source, programs that track user time on a system, generate reports and even provide billing statements.  Search the listserv archives to see what has been discussed in this regard.
> Cheers,
> C
>
>
> Carl A. Boswell
> 520-742-6131
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Confocal Microscopy List
> [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Bjorn Tyrberg
> Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2012 7:25 AM
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: How to control microscope through computer login?
>
> *****
> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> *****
>
> We have an interest in tracking use of our microscopes for billing. To do this we have tracking software that links to our billing system. The problem is that if the user does not log in to the computer, they do not get tracked. Does anybody know of a solution where the power to the microscope can be controlled by log in to a computer, essentially making scopes unusable unless logged in to computer?
>
> Tx
> Bjorn Tyrberg

[Nuno Moreno]

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Hi,

agendo uses an interesting approach (my idea...that is why I think its interesting :)   ). There is no need to have extra programs and it works in any equipment with a computer and a browser (we have it on linux, macos and windows). Basically, it uses a java applet with which you can only confirm the entry in a certain computer (mac address) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MAC_address.

For now, the only control is that you need to confirm in situ a pre-scheduled entry. However, in the next couples of weeks, we will extend the technology in a way that the applet is able during confirmation to check when login was made and when last user login ended.
http://www.cirklo.org/agendo_features.php

We also have it integrated with ekrano, a type of home automation wireless device that send alarms whenever there is a equipament usage without reservation. Things really started to work much better....specially on mondays...if you know what I mean. We use it to monitor FACS pressure, -80 (without the reservation stuff...), confocals and other expensive equipment.
http://www.cirklo.org/ekrano.php


Agendo is open source and its available at https://github.com/cirklo . If you are a computer geek you can set it up yourself. However, experience says that it is rather better to use it as SaaS http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_as_a_service. Therefore, we offer hosting.

All the best,
Nuno Moreno, PhD
Head of Equipment Management @ IGC
CEO @ CIRKLO


On Mar 15, 2012, at 2:24 PM, Bjorn Tyrberg wrote:

> *****
> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> *****
>
> We have an interest in tracking use of our microscopes for billing. To do this we
> have tracking software that links to our billing system. The problem is that if the
> user does not log in to the computer, they do not get tracked. Does anybody
> know of a solution where the power to the microscope can be controlled by log
> in to a computer, essentially making scopes unusable unless logged in to
> computer?
>
> Tx
> Bjorn Tyrberg

[Craig Brideau]

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It would be possible to build a power control box, but you'd have to decide
what parts of the microscope were shut off when a user was not logged in.
 As a previous lister mentioned, flicking the Hg lamps on and off is not a
great idea.  If it is camera based with an external supply then that would
make for an easy control point.  If it is eyepiece based and the user is
turning on and off the lamp then things could be difficult.  The exception
might be LED illumination, which shouldn't mind being switched on and off.

Craig



On Thu, Mar 15, 2012 at 4:46 PM, Vergara, Leoncio A. <[hidden email]>wrote:

> *****
> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> *****
>
> ...maybe the alternative is an "honor jar" ... or a hat....
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Confocal Microscopy List [mailto:[hidden email]]
> On Behalf Of Peter
> Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2012 1:39 PM
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: Re: How to control microscope through computer login?
>
> *****
> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> *****
>
> I've always liked the idea of token operated microscopes, like a fair.
> Put in your token, it switches the power on. Not great for Hg bulbs though.
> One of the few ways i can think of to charge for basic non-pc controlled
> scopes.
>
> Peter
>
>
>
> >   *****
> > To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> > http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> > *****
> >
> > For microscope that don't require a computer for control, would it be
> possible to have them plugged to some power management system like a smart
> UPS or something and somehow have that under computer control? ...note the
> use of the highly technical terms "something and somehow"
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Confocal Microscopy List
> > [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Boswell, Carl A
> > - (cboswell)
> > Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2012 11:44 AM
> > To: [hidden email]
> > Subject: Re: How to control microscope through computer login?
> >
> > Hi Bjorn,
> > It's not clear what you require.  If there is no interface between the
> microscope and the computer then you have one problem.  If the microscope
> is controlled by the computer, then the problem has multiple solutions.
>  There are a number of commercial, and a few open-source, programs that
> track user time on a system, generate reports and even provide billing
> statements.  Search the listserv archives to see what has been discussed in
> this regard.
> > Cheers,
> > C
> >
> >
> > Carl A. Boswell
> > 520-742-6131
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Confocal Microscopy List
> > [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Bjorn Tyrberg
> > Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2012 7:25 AM
> > To: [hidden email]
> > Subject: How to control microscope through computer login?
> >
> > *****
> > To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> > http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> > *****
> >
> > We have an interest in tracking use of our microscopes for billing. To
> do this we have tracking software that links to our billing system. The
> problem is that if the user does not log in to the computer, they do not
> get tracked. Does anybody know of a solution where the power to the
> microscope can be controlled by log in to a computer, essentially making
> scopes unusable unless logged in to computer?
> >
> > Tx
> > Bjorn Tyrberg
>

[George McNamara]

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Hi Bjorn,

Power USB may help on the power control side
http://www.pwrusb.com/featuresandbenefits.html

not clear to me if there is a login scheme - maybe it could be made to
work with the Stratocore PPMS http://stratocore.com/ppms/ suggested
previously.

George
p.s. I have not used Power USB myself.

On 3/15/2012 10:24 AM, Bjorn Tyrberg wrote:

> *****
> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> *****
>
> We have an interest in tracking use of our microscopes for billing. To do this we
> have tracking software that links to our billing system. The problem is that if the
> user does not log in to the computer, they do not get tracked. Does anybody
> know of a solution where the power to the microscope can be controlled by log
> in to a computer, essentially making scopes unusable unless logged in to
> computer?
>
> Tx
> Bjorn Tyrberg
>
>    

--


George McNamara, Ph.D.
Image Core Manager
Analytical Imaging Core Facility (AICF)
University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine

http://www.sylvester.org/AICF   (AICF home page)
PubSpectra data (XLSX file inside)
    http://www.sylvester.org/documents/PubSpectra.zip (download 2000+ spectra)
    http://works.bepress.com/gmcnamara/
PubSpectra / UA Graphing Site
     http://www.mcb.arizona.edu/ipc/fret/index.html   (Carl Boswell, now retired)
New UA Spectra Database Site
     http://www.spectra.arizona.edu/                  (Urs Utzinger)
UMiami Scholarly Repository "selected works"
     http://works.bepress.com/gmcnamara
Care to link?
     http://www.linkedin.com/in/georgemcnamara


Ready for imaging in 2012? Check out:


Miami 2012 Winter Symposium: Nanotechnology in Biomedicine
February 26-29, 2012, Miami, FL
Nature Publishing Group / University of Miami / Scripps Florida
http://www.nature.com/natureconferences/miami/mws2012/speakers.html

Association of Biomolecular Resource Facilities (ABRF)
International Symposium
March 17-20, 2012, Orlando, FL
http://conf.abrf.org/index.cfm

Biomedical Optics 2012 (OSA BIOMED) - Optical Society of America
April 29-May 2, 2012, Miami, FL
http://www.osa.org/meetings/topical_meetings/BIOMED/default.aspx



"Old soldiers never die, they just fade away." - Douglas Macarthur.
"Old antibodies die, please throw them away." - GM.

“Well of course you can’t understand your data, you have too many controls” - Anna M. Wu, quoted in Andreas Markus Loening, Ph.D. dissertation, UCLA, 2006.
"If you do all the controls, you'll never publish." - GM.
"If you don't do the controls, you shouldn't publish." ... alternative: "If you don't do the controls, don't waste everyone's time in lab meeting." - GM.





 

[chakravarthi]

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Hi Bjron,
At our Centralised Advanced Microscopy and Imaging Facility we had similar issue and we have designed a circuit along with a simple VB program ( windows XP) to solve this problem. The system works as follows:
1. User has to log in with their independent username and password.
2. After logging, a pop window appears to switch ON the Microscope and accessories.
3. Once the user clicks On the ON icon in Pop up window, then only Microscope and other
   accessories will get power.
4. After finishing his work user can click on OFF icon in the POP window and Microscope power will
   be OFF.
5. User has to logout before leaving the microscope.


Hope this is what you are looking for.

N.R.Chakravarthi
Senior Technical Officer
Instrumentation
Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology
Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, INIDA.




 

----- Original Message -----
From: "George McNamara" <[hidden email]>
To: [hidden email]
Sent: Friday, March 16, 2012 10:27:11 AM
Subject: Re: How to control microscope through computer login? ... Power USB may help on the power control side

*****
To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
*****

Hi Bjorn,

Power USB may help on the power control side
http://www.pwrusb.com/featuresandbenefits.html

not clear to me if there is a login scheme - maybe it could be made to
work with the Stratocore PPMS http://stratocore.com/ppms/ suggested
previously.

George
p.s. I have not used Power USB myself.

On 3/15/2012 10:24 AM, Bjorn Tyrberg wrote:

> *****
> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> *****
>
> We have an interest in tracking use of our microscopes for billing. To do this we
> have tracking software that links to our billing system. The problem is that if the
> user does not log in to the computer, they do not get tracked. Does anybody
> know of a solution where the power to the microscope can be controlled by log
> in to a computer, essentially making scopes unusable unless logged in to
> computer?
>
> Tx
> Bjorn Tyrberg
>
>    

--


George McNamara, Ph.D.
Image Core Manager
Analytical Imaging Core Facility (AICF)
University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine

http://www.sylvester.org/AICF   (AICF home page)
PubSpectra data (XLSX file inside)
    http://www.sylvester.org/documents/PubSpectra.zip (download 2000+ spectra)
    http://works.bepress.com/gmcnamara/
PubSpectra / UA Graphing Site
     http://www.mcb.arizona.edu/ipc/fret/index.html   (Carl Boswell, now retired)
New UA Spectra Database Site
     http://www.spectra.arizona.edu/                  (Urs Utzinger)
UMiami Scholarly Repository "selected works"
     http://works.bepress.com/gmcnamara
Care to link?
     http://www.linkedin.com/in/georgemcnamara


Ready for imaging in 2012? Check out:


Miami 2012 Winter Symposium: Nanotechnology in Biomedicine
February 26-29, 2012, Miami, FL
Nature Publishing Group / University of Miami / Scripps Florida
http://www.nature.com/natureconferences/miami/mws2012/speakers.html

Association of Biomolecular Resource Facilities (ABRF)
International Symposium
March 17-20, 2012, Orlando, FL
http://conf.abrf.org/index.cfm

Biomedical Optics 2012 (OSA BIOMED) - Optical Society of America
April 29-May 2, 2012, Miami, FL
http://www.osa.org/meetings/topical_meetings/BIOMED/default.aspx



"Old soldiers never die, they just fade away." - Douglas Macarthur.
"Old antibodies die, please throw them away." - GM.

“Well of course you can’t understand your data, you have too many controls” - Anna M. Wu, quoted in Andreas Markus Loening, Ph.D. dissertation, UCLA, 2006.
"If you do all the controls, you'll never publish." - GM.
"If you don't do the controls, you shouldn't publish." ... alternative: "If you don't do the controls, don't waste everyone's time in lab meeting." - GM.