Apparatus and method for a multi-resolution electro-optical imaging, display and storage/retrieval system

Abstract

An electro-optical scanning, display, and storage/retrieval system and method are described for examination of a specimen under a plurality of magnifications. A low resolution image can be provided by moving a specimen past one or more sets of radiation sensitive arrays. Three methods can be employed for providing this low resolution image; (1) by using red, green and blue sensing arrays, (2) by means of RGB filters, and (3) by sequentially illuminating a single array with red, blue and green light. Output signals involving each color component are properly coordinated so as to reconstruct the image of the specimen. Subsequently, the specimen is optically imaged at a multiplicity of higher magnifications generating images which are spatially correlated with the low resolution image. Three methods are described for providig this plurality of magnifications. These include a zoom lens system, a system employing a plurality of optical paths with different magnification for each color component, and use of high resolution image detection system wherein the low resolution image is produced by digitally converting image data from stored high resolution information. The multi-resolution images can be transformed into digital signals that can provide for convenient archival and retrieval of the images.

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