Brightness Correction via Overlapping Image Tiles

The patent applies partial action by capturing image tiles with an overlap region that exceeds the minimum required size. Specifically, the overlap region is set to be larger than necessary for basic stitching, providing additional pixels that can be used to calculate more accurate mean brightness values. This excessive overlap captures more data from the same field of view, improving correction quality without requiring additional illumination time or moving the illumination device.

The patent segments the overall image into multiple overlapping image tiles, where each tile contains redundant overlap regions. This segmentation allows the brightness correction to be calculated independently for each tile using only its overlap pixels, simplifying the overall process. The segmentation creates natural boundaries that make it easier to manage and process individual tiles without handling the entire large-scale image at once.

The patent performs preliminary action by capturing all necessary image data during the normal sample imaging process. The overlap regions in the captured image tiles contain the information needed for brightness correction, eliminating the need for separate reference image capture. This preliminary capture of correction data during routine imaging prevents additional illumination exposure that would otherwise be required.

The patent applies local quality by calculating brightness correction values locally within each overlap region of individual image tiles. Instead of processing the entire image globally, the correction is computed tile-by-tile using only the local overlap pixels. This local approach reduces data processing complexity while maintaining high correction quality, as each calculation involves only a small subset of pixels rather than the whole image dataset.