System and method for data management in a linear-array-based microscope slide scanner

A system for managing imagery data produced by a line scan camera, comprising:

• a first buffer memory configured to receive a first stripe of imagery data from a line scan camera, the first stripe having a length and a width, the length being greater than the width, the first stripe having a first edge along the length and a second edge along the length;
• a second buffer memory configured to receive a second stripe of imagery data from a line scan camera, the second stripe having a length and a width, the length being greater than the width, the second stripe having a first edge along the length and a second edge along the length, wherein the first edge of the second stripe overlaps the second edge of the first stripe to define a first overlap area;
• a processor configured to copy a first plurality of image portions from the first stripe, each of said first plurality of image portions having an edge substantially near the first edge of the first stripe, and store each of the first plurality of image portions as an image tile in a virtual slide image file, said processor further configured to align the second stripe with the first stripe, copy a second plurality of image portions from the first stripe, each of said second plurality of image portions comprising a portion of imagery data from the first overlap area, and to store each of the second plurality of image portions as an portion image tile in a virtual slide image file;
• and
• a storage unit for storing the virtual slide image file.

A computer implemented method for managing imagery data produced by a microscope slide scanner including plurality of time delay integration (TDI) arrays that each comprise a plurality of light responsive elements arranged in a linear array and where each TDI array is positioned to receive an optical signal for one of a plurality of color channels, the method comprising:

• receiving a first stripe of imagery data from the plurality of TDI arrays and storing the first stripe in a buffer memory;
• copying a first plurality of image portions from the first stripe;
• storing each of the first plurality of image portions as an image tile in a virtual slide image file;
• receiving a second stripe of imagery data from the plurality of IDI arrays and storing the second stripe in a buffer memory, wherein an edge of the second stripe overlaps an edge of the first stripe to define a first overlap area;
• aligning the second stripe with the first stripe;
• copying a second plurality of image portions from the first stripe, each of said second plurality of image portions comprising a portion of imagery data from the first overlap area;
• and
• storing each of the second plurality of image portions as an image tile in the virtual slide image file.

A system for managing imagery data produced by a microscope slide scanner including a plurality of time delay integration (TDI) arrays that each comprise a plurality of light responsive elements arranged in a linear array and where each TDI array is positioned to receive an optical signal for one of a plurality of color channels, the system comprising:

• a first buffer memory configured to receive a first stripe of imagery data from the plurality of TDI arrays;
• a second buffer memory configured to receive a second stripe of imagery data from the plurality of TDI arrays, wherein an edge of the second stripe overlaps an edge of the first stripe to define a first overlap area;
• a processor configured to copy a first plurality of image portions from the first stripe and store each of the first plurality of image portions as an image tile in a virtual slide image file, said processor further configured to copy a second plurality of image portions from the first stripe and store each of the second plurality of image portions as an image tile in a virtual slide image file, where each of said second plurality of image portions comprises a portion of imagery data from the first overlap area;
• and
• a storage unit for storing the virtual slide image file.