Method and apparatus for acquiring images from a multiple axis imaging system
First Claim
1. An apparatus for acquiring an image of one or more objects, comprising:
- an imaging array having a plurality of imaging elements for producing a corresponding array of image data representing the one or more objects, the spacing of the imaging elements being greater than the fields of view thereof in at least one direction;
a data processor for receiving said image data from said array microscope and reorganizing the received image data; and
a memory coupled to said data processor for storing at least a portion of the image data.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for acquiring images from a multiple axis imaging system. A data processing device is provided for receiving image data as it is read out of an imaging array, reorganizing the data, and otherwise processing it, for storage or in memory or transmission for display. The imaging system scans an object with an array of imaging elements having corresponding detectors for capturing the images. The data processing device reorganizes the data so that the data order corresponds to spatial locations of the respective object regions. The data may be transmitted in correct order for display of an image of the entire object, or may be mapped to a memory for rapid access and display of the image. Image processing may also take place prior to transmission or storage of the data. Data processing may be divided among a number of different processors. The data processor may be compressed for transmission.
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Citations
98 Claims
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1. An apparatus for acquiring an image of one or more objects, comprising:
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an imaging array having a plurality of imaging elements for producing a corresponding array of image data representing the one or more objects, the spacing of the imaging elements being greater than the fields of view thereof in at least one direction;
a data processor for receiving said image data from said array microscope and reorganizing the received image data; and
a memory coupled to said data processor for storing at least a portion of the image data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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17. An apparatus for acquiring an image of one or more objects, comprising:
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a two-dimensional imaging array comprising a plurality of imaging elements for producing a corresponding array of image data representing the one or more objects;
a carriage for moving the one or more objects relative to said imaging elements so that consecutive rows of said imaging array image laterally adjacent portions of the one or more objects during scanning of the one or more objects; and
a data processor for receiving said image data produced by said imaging array and reorganizing the received image data. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. An apparatus for acquiring an image of one or more objects, comprising:
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an imaging array comprising a plurality of imaging elements for producing a corresponding array of images on a detector;
a detector having a plurality of light detecting elements arranged in a single detector array, distinct portions of said light detecting elements corresponding to respective imaging elements, so as to produce a corresponding array of image data representing the one or more objects;
a carriage for moving the one or more objects relative to said imaging elements; and
a data processor for receiving said image data produced by said detector as the one or more objects are moved relative to said imaging elements and reorganizing the received image data. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. An apparatus for acquiring an image of one or more objects, comprising:
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a two-dimensional imaging array comprising a plurality of imaging elements for producing a corresponding array of image data representing the one or more objects;
a carriage for moving the one or more objects relative to said imaging elements so that consecutive rows of said imaging array image laterally-adjacent portions of the one or more objects during scanning of the one or more objects; and
a data compressor for compressing the data output from said signal processor, for transmission to a host computer. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43)
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44. An apparatus for acquiring image data, comprising:
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a plurality of imaging elements having a known, ordered spatial relationship;
a plurality of detectors corresponding respectively to said imaging elements, said imaging elements being disposed so as to produce simultaneously at respective said detectors in image space thereof respective images of regions in object space thereof;
a read out mechanism for acquiring data from said detectors in a known order different from the order of said imaging elements; and
a mapping mechanism for reordering the data acquired by said read out mechanism so as to bear a desired relationship with one or more regions in object space of the imaging elements. - View Dependent Claims (45, 66)
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- 46. The apparatus of claim 4558, wherein said mapping mechanism reorders said sets of data so that contiguous sets of data correspond to contiguous object space regions.
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67. A method for acquiring an image of an object, comprising the steps of:
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imaging the object to produce an ordered array of image data wherein each element of the array represents a different portion of the object;
reorganizing the received image data; and
storing the image data. - View Dependent Claims (68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75)
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- 76. The method of claim 76, wherein said step of storing stores said tiles in compressed form.
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78. A method for acquiring an image of one or more objects, comprising:
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providing a two-dimensional imaging array comprising a plurality of imaging elements for producing a corresponding array of image data representing the one or more objects;
moving the one or more objects relative to said imaging elements so that consecutive rows of said imaging array image laterally adjacent portions of the one or more objects during scanning of the one or more objects;
receiving said image data from said imaging array; and
reorganizing the received image data. - View Dependent Claims (79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88)
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89. A method for acquiring an image of one or more objects, comprising:
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providing a two-dimensional imaging array comprising a plurality of imaging elements for producing a corresponding array of image data representing the one or more objects;
moving the one or more objects relative to said imaging elements so that consecutive rows of said imaging array image laterally adjacent portions of the one or more objects during scanning of the one or more objects;
compressing the image data; and
transmitting the compressed image data to a host computer. - View Dependent Claims (90, 91, 92)
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93. A method for acquiring image data, comprising:
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providing a plurality of imaging elements having a known, ordered spatial relationship;
providing a plurality of detectors corresponding respectively to imaging elements being disposed so as to produce simultaneously at respective images of regions in object space thereof;
acquiring data from said detectors in a known order different from the order of the imaging elements; and
reordering the data acquired by the read out mechanism so as to bear a desired relationship with one or more regions in object space of the imaging elements. - View Dependent Claims (94, 95, 96, 97, 98)
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Specification