numerically a given characteristic of interest at each successive pixel scanned and thus to output a resulting succession of numerical image data streams of image data from imaging components group 5 are fed to components group 10 often called simply 34 the computer 34 here via intervening i o control panel 9 which enables an operator to direct and review computer operations and to select and view image displays a stream of image data is forwarded from the control panel to the computer via linker unlinker 11 adapted to concatenate it and or by a d d a converter 12 adapted to convert to a preferred number base usually binary whatever input image data may be in non preferred form in addition to the last two mentioned components the computer group comprises basic component 19 cpu central processing unit with rom read only memory and storage memory 13 and also random access memory ram 17 ram is a transitory working space whereas rom is a permanent source of control data or directions and the other memory is a semi permanent repository of image related data adjunct components for numerical processing include partitioner 14 tabulator 15 coder decoder 16 and error detector corrector 18 also connected to the computer via i o control panel 9 are video display 21 and printer 29 as examples of display means upon which the operator and others can view resulting images.