Microscope system and image data transfer method therefor

A microscope system, comprising:

• a microscope apparatus including a stage on which a sample is placed and an objective lens that collects laser light to the sample on the stage;
• a microscope controller configured to control a stage drive unit of the microscope apparatus;
• a light source unit including a light source that emits the laser light;
• a scanning mechanism configured to guide the laser light from the light source unit and change a direction of the guided laser light to scan the sample on the stage;
• a photodetector configured to:
• guide returned light from the objective lens of the microscope apparatus and convert the guided light into an electrical signal, and
• provide the electrical signal to a scanner controller;
• the scanner controller configured to:
• control at least the scanning mechanism and generate image data from the electrical signal received from the photodetector, and
• communicate a feedback control signal to the light source unit in response to the electrical signal received from the photodetector;
• and
• a computer connected to:
• the microscope controller through a first interface, wherein the computer is configured to communicate a first control signal to the microscope controller via the first interface, and
• the scanner controller through a second interface separate from the first interface, wherein the second interface comprises a bidirectional bus interface and the computer is configured to communicate a second control signal to the scanner controller via the second interface and process the image data transferred from the scanner controller to the computer via the second interface, and wherein the second control signal is configured to control an image obtaining rate of the microscope system based on the processing of the image data at the computer.