Split-image, multi-power microscopic image display system and method

A system for displaying magnified images of an object having respective first and second magnifications, comprising:

• an objective lens, characterized by the first magnification, through which the image of the object passes to produce an objective optical output having the first magnification;
• splitting means for splitting the objective optical output into first and second optical outputs for passage through respective first and second optical paths;
• magnifying means disposed in said first optical path for increasing the magnification of the first optical output so as to produce a third optical output characterized by the second magnification;
• a first camera disposed in said first optical path and responsive to said third optical output for producing a first video output characterized by the second magnification;
• a second camera[;
• bending means for bending] disposed in said second optical path and responsive to the second optical output [to direct it toward said second camera, said second camera] for producing a second video output characterized by the first magnification;
• and
• display means responsive to said first and second video outputs for displaying first and second images, respectively, of the object magnified in accordance with the second and first magnifications, respectively.

A method for displaying magnified images of an object having respective first and second magnifications, comprising:

• providing an objective, characterized by the first magnification, through which the image of the object passes to produce an objective optical output having the first magnification;
• splitting the objective optical output into first and second optical outputs for passage through respective first and second optical paths;
• providing the first optical output via said first optical path to a first camera;
• operating the first camera in a reduced-scanning mode so that said first camera effectively further magnifies the first optical output to produce a first video output characterized by the second magnification;
• [bending] providing the second optical output to [direct it toward] a second camera which produces a second video output characterized by the first magnification;
• and
• processing said first and second video outputs to display first and second images, respectively, of the object magnified in accordance with the second and first magnifications, respectively.

A system for displaying magnified images of an object having respective first and second magnifications, comprising:

• an objective lens, characterized by the first magnification, through which the image of the object passes to produce an objective optical output having the first magnification;
• splitting means for splitting the objective optical output into first and second optical outputs for passage through respective first and second optical paths;
• a first camera disposed in said first optical path, said first camera being operated in a reduced-scanning mode so as to [effectively further] modify the first optical output and to produce a first video output characterized by the second magnification;
• a second camera[;
• bending means] disposed in said second optical path for [bending the second optical output to direct it toward said second camera, said second camera] producing a second video output characterized by the first magnification;
• and
• display means responsive to said first and second video outputs for displaying first and second images, respectively, of the object magnified in accordance with the second and first magnifications, respectively.

A method for displaying magnified images of an object having respective first and second magnifications, comprising:

• providing an objective, characterized by a given magnification less than said first and second magnifications, through which the image of the object passes to produce an objective optical output having the given magnification;
• splitting the objective optical output into first and second optical outputs for passage through respective first and second optical paths;
• increasing the magnification of the first optical output in said first optical path to produce a third optical output characterized by the first magnification;
• increasing the magnification of the second optical output in said second optical path to produce a fourth optical output characterized by the second magnification;
• providing the third optical output to a first camera which produces a first video output characterized by the first magnification;
• [bending] providing the fourth optical output to [direct it toward] a second camera which produces a second video output characterized by the second magnification;
• and
• processing said first and second video outputs to display first and second images, respectively, of the object magnified in accordance with the first and second magnifications, respectively.

A system for displaying magnified images of an object having respective first and second magnifications, comprising:

• an objective lens, characterized by a given magnification less than the first and second magnifications, through which objective lens the image of the object passes to produce an objective optical output having the given magnification;
• splitting means for splitting the objective optical output into first and second optical outputs for passage through respective first and second optical paths;
• first magnifying means disposed in said first optical path for magnifying the first optical output to provide a third optical output characterized by the first magnification;
• second magnifying means disposed in said second optical path for magnifying the second optical output to provide a fourth optical output characterized by the second magnification;
• a first camera disposed in said first optical path and responsive to said third optical output for producing a first video output characterized by the second magnification;
• a second camera[;
• bending means] disposed in said second optical path and responsive to said fourth optical output for [bending the fourth optical output to direct it toward said second camera, said second camera] producing a second video output characterized by the second magnification;
• and
• display means responsive to said first and second video outputs for displaying first and second images, respectively, of the object magnified in accordance with the first and second magnifications, respectively.