Apparatus and methods for automated observation of objects

An apparatus for the automatic image analysis of objects comprising:

• (a) a support;
• (b) a detector of electromagnetic radiation emanating from a portion of an object supported by the support and including an output on which signals representing the detected radiation are placed;
• (c) an electronic storage device having an addressing and reproduction unit that can selectively address and reproduce a plurality of stored command control signals;
• (d) a controller coupled to said storage device and including an input for command control signals reproduced from said storage device and a circuit that applies said reproduced command control signals to cause said detector to detect radiation emanating from a plurality of different portions of an object supported by said support;
• (e) a signal analyzer coupled to the detector and including circuitry capable of processing said radiation signals produced by said detector and an output for resulting image signals representing select portions of an object supported by said support;
• (f) an electronic image-signal storage device coupled the output of the signal analyzer;
• and
• (g) a computer coupled to the storage device and configured to analyze stored image signals and to generate electrical code signals representing physical characteristics of an object supported by said support.

An apparatus for automated observation comprising:

• (a) a support defining an observation station;
• (b) a detector including a sensor of electromagnetic energy signals emanating from at least a portion of an object supported by said support and electronic circuitry configured to detect variations in the signals defining at least one image characteristic of an object supported by said support;
• (c) an electro-mechanical assembly controllable to cause said support and said detector to move relative to each other;
• (d) a generator of image signals representing a characteristic defined by the detected energy signals, which is coupled to the detector;
• (e) a storage device coupled to the generator capable of storing the image signals along with (i) associated codes that identify the storage locations of the storage device, and (ii) a plurality of command control signals;
• (f) a computer coupled to the storage device to cause the storage device to selectively reproduce and use selected command control signals to automatically control the electro-mechanical assembly to effect controlled relative movement of the support and the detector;
• and
• (g) an electronic processor coupled to the storage device to control the location therein and reproduction therefrom of selected image signals, and including circuitry for analyzing the selected image signals to generate electrical code signals defining an image characteristic of said object.

A method for automatically generating, interpreting, and using image information related to an object comprising:

• (a) aligning an object at a predetermined position by conducting a preliminary imaging operation;
• (b) examining the aligned object by detecting radiant energy illuminating the object, which energy is modulated by physical characteristics of the object;
• (c) generating characteristic electrical signals by varying a signal in accordance with the modulated radiant energy that is detected;
• (d) storing the generated characteristic electrical signals by locating said signals in an addressable electronic storage;
• (e) storing command control and reference data signals applicable to effect computer analysis and interpretation of stored characteristic electrical signals by locating said signals in an addressable electronic storage;
• (f) deriving image information about the object by retrieving stored characteristic electical signals and command control and data signals from the addressable electronic storage and computer-analyzing the retrieved characteristic electrical signals;
• (g) saving the derived image information by producing and storing in an addressable electronic storage coded electrical signals defining the derived image information;
• and
• (h) outputting further control signals applicable to control electrical equipment by reproducing and using the coded electrical signals.