Patent ID: 8396269

Claim:
An image processing method, comprising: acquiring a first digital image encompassing a limited area of a subject being imaged; acquiring at least one second digital image encompassing an area of the subject adjacent to the limited area, wherein the first and second digital images overlap along margins thereof, the first and second digital images providing pixel data sets wherein pixel data subsets corresponding to the margins encompass a same area of the subject; applying a numeric image analysis algorithm to the first and second digital images at the pixel data subsets corresponding to the margins, thereby producing two characterizations for said same area of the subject as represented by the first and second digital images, wherein the numeric image analysis includes generating at least one summary value characterizing accuracy of focus for each of the overlapping margins and comparing relative accuracy of focus for the first and second digital images in the margins; and, at least one of normalizing, encoding, storing and indicating a measurement associated with the first and second digital images, based on comparison of the two characterizations for said same area.