US Patent 7177483 System and method for enhancement of document images

A method for enhancing electronic images of a document, in which the electronic images contain a background with foreground markings, includes receiving an electronic image containing pixels and assigning an initial provisional foreground/background status to the pixels. The initial foreground/background estimate is revised and a determination is made as to whether the revised foreground/background estimate is to be the final status assignment for the pixels of the image. If a final pixel status assignment has not been achieved, the estimate is again revised until a final foreground/background status is reached for the image pixels prior to creation of an output image.