A method and system for extracting data signals from a scanned image resulting
from optical, radiometric, or other types of analysis of a molecular array. The
positions of corner features are first located. Then, an initial feature coordinate
grid is determined from the positions of the corner features. A refined feature
coordinate grid is then calculated based on the positions of strong features, and
is used to identify the positions of weak features and the positions of the local
background regions surrounding all features. Finally, signal intensity values are
extracted from the features and their respective local background regions in the
scanned image, and background-subtracted signal intensity values, background-subtracted
and normalized signal intensity ratios, and variability information and confidence
intervals are determined based on the extracted values.