Method and apparatus for dual resolution analysis of a scene
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A dual resolution sample scanning apparatus comprising:
- means for positioning a sample;
a first opto-electrical image scanning means producing an output signal when a sample object is encountered during scanning;
a second opto-electrical image scanning means for producing output signals representative of a scanned image;
optical means for imaging a low resolution sample field on said first opto-electrical image scanning means and a higher resolution sample field on said second opto-electrical image scanning means;
means responsive to the output signal from said first opto-electrical image scanning means for moving the higher resolution sample field relative to the sample to bring the encountered sample object into the higher resolution field for scanning by said second opto-electrical image scanning means while the first opto-electrical image scanning means continues to scan the low resolution field to detect any other objects in the sample, said continuing low resolution field scan being performed without moving the sample relative to at least one of said resolution fields; and
,utilization means responsive to the output signals from said second opto-electrical image scanning means.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for analyzing a scene at a low resolution until an object of interest is detected. Thereafter, the object of interest is analyzed at a higher resolution while continuing to analyze the scene at the low resolution. In the preferred embodiment, the scene compromises a blood sample and the objects of interest are blood cells.
40 Citations
22 Claims
-
1. A dual resolution sample scanning apparatus comprising:
-
means for positioning a sample; a first opto-electrical image scanning means producing an output signal when a sample object is encountered during scanning; a second opto-electrical image scanning means for producing output signals representative of a scanned image; optical means for imaging a low resolution sample field on said first opto-electrical image scanning means and a higher resolution sample field on said second opto-electrical image scanning means; means responsive to the output signal from said first opto-electrical image scanning means for moving the higher resolution sample field relative to the sample to bring the encountered sample object into the higher resolution field for scanning by said second opto-electrical image scanning means while the first opto-electrical image scanning means continues to scan the low resolution field to detect any other objects in the sample, said continuing low resolution field scan being performed without moving the sample relative to at least one of said resolution fields; and
,utilization means responsive to the output signals from said second opto-electrical image scanning means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. A dual resolution scanning apparatus comprising:
-
means for positioning a sample; means for scanning a positioned sample at a low resolution, said low resolution scanning means having a low resolution field of view; means for detecting when a sample object is encountered during the low resolution scan; means for scanning an encountered object at a higher resolution, said higher resolution scanning means having a higher resolution field of view; means responsive to said object detection means for initiating the object scanning by said high resolution scanning means while said low resolution scanning means continues to scan the sample to detect any other objects in the sample without moving the sample relative to at least one of said resolution fields of view. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. A method for dual resolution scanning of a sample comprising the steps of:
-
scanning a low resolution field of the sample until an object is detected; and
thereafter,scanning a higher resolution field containing the detected object while continuing scanning of the low resolution field to detect any other objects in the sample, said continuing low resolution scanning being performed without moving the sample relative to at least one of said resolution fields. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
-
Specification