A method analyzes an image to be scanned and analyzes at least part of the image pixel-by-pixel. Elements in the image are characterized according to a perceived characteristic and each image element having a given characteristic that is adjacent a similar or identical image element is identified. In one form, there are preferably at least three different characteristics, such as black, background and edge, by which the image elements can be characterized. In another form, image elements that are close enough to each other in physical location and close enough to each other in image characteristic are grouped together or included in a blob. Sub-blobs can be found to be part of a more predominant blob. In a further form, image elements are identified that represent an edge in the image, along with identifying those edge elements that are adjacent at least one other edge element.