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

Abstract

A split-image, multi-power microscopic image display system and method wherein the image of an object positioned on a slide is split into two optical paths, and is magnified to a varying degree in each optical path, the resulting respective magnifications being displayed on respective monitor devices. The initial optical path includes an objective and a splitter; the path of lower magnification includes a converging lens, diverging lens, reduction lens, bending prism, TV camera and TV monitor; the path of higher magnification includes a trinocular microscope head, TV camera, and TV monitor. Further features of the invention includes the following: provision of a microcomputer with data entry means, and respective mixers disposed between the TV cameras and their monitors for insertion of identifying information into the video signal and subsequent display on the monitors of the identifying information and the image of the object being microscopically viewed; provision of a photographic printer for producing a hardcopy record of the image viewed; and provision of a lens switching arrangement for selection of various objectives without the necessity of refocusing after a lens is switched into position.

I claim: 
     
       1. A method for displaying magnified images of an object having different respective magnifications, comprising: providing an objective, characterized by a given magnification, 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;   providing said first optical output to a first camera in said first optical path, said first camera producing a first video output;   .[.bending.]. .Iadd.providing .Iaddend.said second optical output to .[.direct it toward.]. a second camera in said second optical path, said second camera producing a second video output; and   processing said first and second video outputs to display first and second images, respectively, of the object;   wherein the method comprises the further step of adjusting the magnification of at least one of the first optical output in said first optical path and the second optical output in said second optical path so that the magnification of the object in the first .Iadd.optical .Iaddend.path differs from the magnification of the object in the second optical path;   whereby to display the first and second images of the object magnified in accordance with the different respective magnifications.   
     
     
       2. The method of claim 1, wherein .Iadd.one of .Iaddend.the .[.bending step comprises passing.]. .Iadd.first optical output and the second optical output comprises an inverted image of the object, said method comprising the step of further inverting said one of the first optical output and .Iaddend.the second optical output .[.through a prism.].. 
     
     
       3. The method of claim 1, wherein the processing step comprises mixing at least one of said first and second video outputs with analog representations of operator-entered information so as to display the operator-entered information with corresponding at least one of the first and second images of the object. 
     
     
       4. The method of claim 1, comprising the additional step of producing a hardcopy record of at least one of the first and second images of the object. 
     
     
       5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing an objective comprises selecting one of a plurality of objectives, and wherein each objective comprises a negative-diopter lens with a superimposed positive-diopter lens. 
     
     
       6. The method of claim 1, wherein said objective is a lithography lens. 
     
     
       7. The method of claim 1, wherein .[.said.]. .Iadd.the .Iaddend.adjusting step comprises reducing the magnification of the second optical output in said second optical path to produce a third optical output characterized by a magnification different from said given magnification. 
     
     
       8. The method of claim .[.7.]. .Iadd.1.Iaddend., wherein the .[.reducing.]. .Iadd.adjusting .Iaddend.step comprises converging the second optical output to produce a converged optical output, diverging the converged optical output to produce a diverged optical output, and passing the diverged optical output through a reducing lens. 
     
     
       9. A system for displaying magnified images of an object having different respective magnifications, comprising: objective lens means for magnifying an image of the object passing therethrough to produce an objective optical output having a 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;   a first camera disposed in said first optical path for producing a first video output;   a second camera disposed in said second optical path.[.; bending means.]. for .[.bending the second optical output to direct it toward said second camera, said second camera.]. producing a second video output; and   display means responsive to said first and second video outputs for displaying first and second images, respectively, of the object;   said system further comprising adjusting means for adjusting the magnification of at least one of the first optical output in said first optical path and the second optical output in said second optical path so that the magnification of the object in the first optical path differs from the magnification of the object in the second optical path;   whereby to display the first and second images of the object magnified in accordance with the different respective magnifications.   
     
     
       10. The system of claim 9, wherein .Iadd.one of .Iaddend.the .[.bending means comprises a prism disposed at an end of.]. .Iadd.first optical output and the second optical output comprises an inverted image of the object, said system comprising inverting means for further inverting said one of the first optical output and .Iaddend.the second optical .[.path and adjacent to said second camera.]. .Iadd.output.Iaddend.. 
     
     
       11. The system of claim 9, wherein said objective lens .Iadd.means .Iaddend.comprises a lithography lens. 
     
     
       12. The system of claim 9, comprising photographic printer means operatively associated with said display means for producing a hardcopy record of at least one of the first and second images of the object. 
     
     
       13. The system .[.f.]. .Iadd.of .Iaddend.claim 9, comprising photographic printer means operatively associated with at least one of said first and second cameras for receiving a direct optical output therefrom, and for producing a hardcopy record of at least one of the first and second images of the object. 
     
     
       14. The system of claim 9, .[.furthr.]. .Iadd.further .Iaddend.comprising mixing means connected to at least one of said first and second cameras for mixing at least one of said first and second video outputs with analog representations of operator-entered information so as to display the operator-entered information with corresponding at least one of the first and second images of the object. 
     
     
       15. The system of claim 14, further comprising operator input means for inputting the operator-entered information, and processing means for processing the operator-entered information so as to provide the operator-entered information to said mixing means. 
     
     
       16. The system of claim 9, wherein said objective lens means comprises a plurality of objective lenses of varying magnifications, said system further comprising selecting means for selecting one of said plurality of objective lenses through which the image of the object passes. 
     
     
       17. The system of claim 16, wherein each of said plurality of objective lenses comprises a negative-diopter lens and a superimposed positive-diopter lens. 
     
     
       18. The system of claim 9, wherein said adjusting means comprises a reducing arrangement disposed in said second optical path for reducing the magnification of the second optical output so as to produce a third optical output characterized by a magnification different from the given magnification. 
     
     
       19. The system of claim .[.18.]. .Iadd.9.Iaddend., wherein .[.the reducing arrangement.]. .Iadd.said adjusting means .Iaddend.comprises a converging lens for converging the second optical output to produce a converged optical output, a diverging lens for diverging the converged optical output to produce a diverged optical output, and a reducing lens for reducing the diverged optical output. .Iadd.20. The method of claim 2, wherein said further inverting step comprises bending said one of the first optical output and the second optical output to direct it toward a corresponding one of said first and second cameras. .Iaddend. .Iadd.21. The system of claim 10, wherein said inverting means comprises bending means for bending said one of the first optical output and the second optical output to direct it toward a corresponding one of said first and second cameras. .Iaddend. .Iadd.22. The system of claim 21, wherein said bending means comprises a prism disposed at the end of a corresponding one of the first and second optical paths. .Iaddend. .Iadd.23. A method for interactively viewing in detail a selected portion of an object, comprising the steps of: (a) providing an optical image input corresponding to the object to be viewed;   (b) splitting the optical image input into a first optical input and a second optical input;   (c) providing the first optical input to a first optical path, at an output end of which a first camera is disposed for receiving a first optical output, corresponding to a first image of the object, from the first optical path;   (d) providing the second optical input to a second optical path, at an output end of which a second camera is disposed for receiving a second optical output, corresponding to a second image of the object, from the second output path;   (e) operating the first camera to provide a first video output, corresponding to the first optical output, to a first display screen; and   (f) operating the second camera to provide a second video output, corresponding to the second optical output, to a second display screen;   wherein the method further comprises the step of providing at least one optical element in at least one of the first optical path and the second optical path for adjusting the magnification of at least one of the first image of the object in the first optical path and the second image of the object in the second optical path so that the second optical output from the second optical path represents an image of the object which appears magnified relative to the first image of the object. .Iaddend. .Iadd.24. The method of claim 23, wherein one of the first optical output and the second optical output comprises an inverted image of the object, said method comprises the step of further inverting said one of the first   
     
     
        optical output and the second optical output. .Iaddend. .Iadd.25.  The method of claim 24, wherein said further inverting step comprises bending said one of the first optical output and the second optical output to direct it toward a corresponding one of said first and second cameras. .Iaddend. .Iadd.26. A system for interactively viewing in detail a selected portion of an object, comprising: splitter means for splitting an optical image input into first and second optical inputs, and for providing the first optical input to a first optical path and the second optical input to a second optical path;   first camera means disposed at an output end of the first optical path for receiving a first optical output corresponding to a first image of the object in the first optical path, and for providing a first video output corresponding thereto;   second camera means disposed at an output end of the second optical path for receiving a second optical output corresponding to a second image of the object in the second optical path, and for providing a second video output corresponding thereto; and   displaying means connected to said first camera means for receiving said first video output and responsive thereto for displaying the first image of the object, and connected to said second camera means for receiving said second video output and responsive thereto for displaying the second image of the object;   wherein said system further comprises optical means disposed in at least one of the first optical path and the second optical path for adjusting the magnification of at least one of the first image of the object in the first optical path and the second image of the object in the second optical path so that the second optical output from the second optical path represents an image of the object which appears magnified relative to   
     
     
        the first image of the object. .Iaddend. .Iadd.27.  The system of claim 26, wherein one of the outputs of the first optical path and the second optical path comprises an inverted image of the object, said system comprising inverting means for further inverting said one of the outputs of the first optical path and the second optical path. .Iaddend. .Iadd.28. The system of claim 27, wherein said inverting means comprises bending means for bending said one of the outputs of the first optical path and the second optical path to direct it toward a corresponding one of said first and second cameras. .Iaddend. .Iadd.29. The system of claim 28, wherein said bending means comprises a prism disposed at the end of a corresponding one of the first and second optical paths. .Iaddend.