Abstract: A digitized image is treated by an electronic system where pairs of pixels within a convolution window are compared, and for those differences which are greater than a preselected, or automatically calculated, threshold, a black or white vector is counted, respectively, depending on whether the more centrally located pixel is darker or lighter than the outer pixel. The central pixel is replaced with an enhanced value, if it is surrounded by a majority of significantly lighter or darker pixels, as indicated by the black and white vector counts. Weighting factors allows for custom tailoring the enhancement algorithm to suit the need of the particular image.

Abstract: A process and device for analyzing image data and performing automatic optimization of a black and white image created by a scanner. The process and device performs dynamic thresholding by approximating the information level and the background level at every pixel in the image, the threshold being calculated as a function of the background and information levels at that point, and a characterization process step comparing the pixel intensity at that point with the threshold, so that if the pixel is darker, it is considered to be black, or if it is lighter, it is considered to be white.