A digital representation of an image produced on an electronic image plane
by light scattered from one or more substantially spherical
microparticles at each of a predetermined number (Q) of illuminating
wavelengths is created. For each of the N pixels in each image an
associated Image Intensity Data Array containing Q values is created. In
one embodiment the resulting data structure is an inclusive collection of
Pixel Records from each pixel in the image. In a second embodiment a
select set of S number of Image Intensity Data Arrays is chosen. Each
Image Intensity Data Array in the select set has at least one intensity
value that exceeds a predetermined analog threshold. A Pointer Array
containing N values is also created. The Pointer Array correlates the
position on the electronic image plane of the pixel associated with each
Image Intensity Data Array in the select set with the order of selection
of that data array into the select set.