a new revolutionary approach to image processing is disclosed . the current limitations of video technology in video image analysis and processing are eliminated . a new &# 34 ; large format &# 34 ; data acquisition system is described which permits a user of the system to process analog data with any required degree of resolution . the degree of resolution obtainable is limited only by the application and source data in connection with which the system is being utilized . the preferred embodiment of the invention permits the analog data source , a map , a photograph , an x - ray , or any other two or three dimensional object or data that can be imaged on a video system , to be segmented into a series of video images which , when sequentially processed , produce an accurate mosaic of the original image . in this manner the size , the shape or image of a rock , a tree or a pond in a photograph of a one acre field can be precisely viewed , measured or outlined for whatever purpose the user of the system desires . the basic components of the system are an x - y positioning table , a microcomputer , a video camera for acquiring the segmented images , and an ordinary tv set for use in display and analysis of the segmented images that make up the entire analog record of the original image . the possible applications of the system are virtually unlimited in the fields of agriculture , agronomy , animal husbandry , manufacturing , quality control , weather , medicine , and the like , and the possible forms of analysis are similarly unlimited in that the system can be used for analysis of area , distance measurements , density , heat characteristics or any other subject which can be electromagnetically imaged .