초록 ▼

Analysis of images or specimens which exhibit visually distinguishable component areas of a plurality of different types, to determine the relative abundances, average sizes or other characteristics of such areas, is facilitated by a semi-automatic scanning system which includes an on-line data proc

Analysis of images or specimens which exhibit visually distinguishable component areas of a plurality of different types, to determine the relative abundances, average sizes or other characteristics of such areas, is facilitated by a semi-automatic scanning system which includes an on-line data processor. The apparatus combines the superior area recognition ability of the human operator with the speed and ease of operation of fully automatic systems. A keyboard control unit has a plurality of manually operable keys any one of which may be actuated to drive the stage motor of a microscope through which the operator views the specimen and each of which generates a distinctive signal identifying a different specific type of area in the specimen. The data processor receives stage translation signals and the area classification signals and computes the desired data which may be visually displayed following a period of scanning. The system may be used in the mineralogical analysis of ore samples on an individual mineral grain basis and also for other purposes.

대표청구항 ▼

In optical scanning apparatus for scanning specimens which exhibit areas of a plurality of visually distinguishable types, the apparatus having a visible indicia which is superimposed on the specimen as viewed by an operator, motor driven translation means for producing relative movement of said ind

In optical scanning apparatus for scanning specimens which exhibit areas of a plurality of visually distinguishable types, the apparatus having a visible indicia which is superimposed on the specimen as viewed by an operator, motor driven translation means for producing relative movement of said indicia and said specimen along a scan path therein, and translation signal generating means for producing translation signals each of which is indicative of a successive increment of said movement, the improvement comprising; manually actuated control means for generating any selected one of a plurality of area classification signals, each of said area classification signals being distinctive from the others thereof, said control means having a plurality of area classification signal initiating elements each of which may be manually actuated to cause generation of a different one of said area classification signals, motor control means for actuating said motor driven translation means in response to manual actuation of any of said plurality of signal initiating elements of said control means, and a data processor coupled to said translation signal means and said manually actualted control means, said data processor including means for registering a value indicative of the number of said translation signals that are produced during each actuation of any of said area classification signal initiating elements.