INTERACTIVE MICROSCOPIC IMAGE DISPLAY SYSTEM AND METHOD

A system and method for interactively displaying magnified images of an object having different respective magnifications is disclosed. The system comprises a microscope stage for holding the object, an optical arrangement for magnifying an image of the object in accordance with different respective magnifications so as to produce first and second optical outputs in corresponding first and second optical paths with different respective magnifications in each path, first and second cameras disposed in the first and second paths, and display units for displaying the first and second images of the object magnified in accordance with the different respective magnifications. The system further includes a computer for processing operator inputs commanding movement of the first and second images, and movement control circuitry (including an interface circuit, a motor driver, and a position detector) for moving the images as commanded by the operator, and for keeping track of the position of the microscope stage, further movement being halted when predetermined position limits of the microscope stage are reached.