Abstract: | The design and operation of a simple, semi-automatic video system for the analysis of geometric parameters of microscopic specimens is described. The system consists of standard video equipment and a custom built Electronic Integrator. The video signal from a camera attached to a microscope is mixed with the video signal from a second camera focused on a drawing board. A contour outline of the specimen to be analysed is drawn with the aid of a video monitor display of the combined images. The contour image is passed into the Electronic Integrator and analysed automatically. Logic circuitry in the Electronic Integrator permits analysis of complex contours independent of their orientation in the video raster. The area or volume of complex, overlapping specimens with restricted grey scale range can be rapidly analysed. The Electronic Integrator also is suitable for densitometric and specimen motion analyses. |