Patent ID: 7917349
Filing Date: 2011-03-29
Classification: G09B,H01J

Abstract:
1. An analytical instrument simulator comprising: a functional first instrument of a first analytical instrument type capable of producing images of a specimen physically loaded into the first instrument, the images being displayed for viewing by an operator a simulated instrument including hardware simulating an analytical instrument of a second analytical instrument type into which the specimen can also be physically loaded, the simulated instrument including user controls which correspond to those of a functional instrument of the second instrument type which is being simulated, and the simulated instrument being less than fully function and not capable of analyzing a specimen to produce the data output that would be produced by a functional instrument of the second analytical instrument type; and a computer operably connected to both the first instrument and the simulated instrument and programmed to: display images of the specimen generated by the first instrument, display simulated data output corresponding to output from a functional instrument of the second instrument type for a sample of the same type as the specimen imaged by the first instrument, and manipulate the simulated data output in accordance with input from the user controls for the simulated instrument in substantially the same manner that data output produced by a fully functional instrument of the second instrument type would be manipulated by corresponding input from the user controls for the functional instrument of the second instrument type.