Methods, systems and computer software for detecting pixel stutter

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention provide methods, computer software products and systems for detecting pixel stutter of a scanner. In one embodiment, a numeric count of stuttered pixels in both the x (row) and y (column) directions and a graphic display of the stuttered pixels overlaid on the image data are provided by the invention. The y-direction stutter count provides the estimate of pixel stutter from pure statistical data variations.

1 . A computer implemented method for detecting pixel stutter, wherein the pixel stutter is when tow or more adjacent pixels with the same instensity value, of a scanner comprising: 
 obtaining data representing a plurality of pixels using said scanner;    obtaining a measurement of pixel stutter in said image;    obtaining a statistical distribution of pixel stutter; and    determining whether said measurement is above what is expected from said statistical distribution.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said measurement of pixel stutter is time correlated.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said image has a plurality of rows and columns of pixels, wherein said scanner obtains said image row by row and wherein said measurement of pixel stutter is row stuttered pixel count.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein said statistical distribution of pixel stutter is a measurement of non-time correlated pixel stutter in said image.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein said statistical distribution is measured by column stuttered pixel count.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein said determining comprises comparing row stuttered pixel count and column stuttered pixel count.  
   
   
       7 . (canceled)  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 6  wherein said comparing comprises determining whether there is a statistical difference between said row and said column stuttered pixel counts.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising displaying stuttered pixels overlaid on said image.  
   
   
       10 . A computer software product for detecting pixel stutter, wherein the pixel stutter is when two or more adjacent pixels with the same intensity value of a scanner comprising: 
 computer program code for obtaining data representing a plurality of pixels using said scanner;    computer program code for obtaining a measurement of pixel stutter in said image;    computer program code for obtaining a statistical distribution of pixel stutter;    computer program code for determining whether said measurement is above what is expected from said statistical distribution; and    a computer readable media for storing said codes.    
   
   
       11 . The computer software product of  claim 10  wherein said measurement of pixel stutter is time correlated.  
   
   
       12 . The computer software product of  claim 11  wherein said image has a plurality of rows and columns of pixels, wherein said scanner obtains said image row by row and wherein said measurement of pixel stutter is row stuttered pixel count.  
   
   
       13 . The computer software product of  claim 12  wherein said statistical distribution of pixel stutter is a measurement of non-time correlated pixel stutter in said image.  
   
   
       14 . The computer software product of  claim 13  wherein said statistical distribution is measured by column stuttered pixel count.  
   
   
       15 . The computer software product of  claim 14  wherein said determining comprises comparing row stuttered pixel count and column stuttered pixel count.  
   
   
       16 . (canceled)  
   
   
       17 . The computer software product of  claim 15  wherein said comparing comprises computer program code for determining whether there is a statistical difference between said row and said column stuttered pixel counts.  
   
   
       18 . The computer software product of  claim 17  further comprising computer program code for displaying stuttered pixels overlaid on said image.  
   
   
       19 . A system for detecting pixel stutter, wherein the pixel stutter is when two or more adjacent pixels with the same intensity value of a scanner comprising: 
 a processor; and    a memory coupled to the processor, the memory capable of storing a plurality machine instructions that cause the processor to perform a plurality of logical steps when implemented by the processor, said logical steps including: 
 obtaining data representing a plurality of pixels using said scanner;  
 obtaining a measurement of pixel stutter in said image;  
 obtaining a statistical distribution of pixel stutter; and  
 determining whether said measurement is above what is expected from said statistical distribution.  
   
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 19  wherein said measurement of pixel stutter is time correlated.  
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 20  wherein said image has a plurality of rows and columns of pixels, wherein said scanner obtains said image row by row and wherein said measurement of pixel stutter is row stuttered pixel count.  
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 21  wherein said statistical distribution of pixel stutter is a measurement of non-time correlated pixel stutter in said image.  
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 22  wherein said statistical distribution is measured by column stuttered pixel count.  
   
   
       24 . The system of  claim 23  wherein said determining comprises comparing row stuttered pixel count and column stuttered pixel count.  
   
   
       25 . (canceled)  
   
   
       26 . (canceled)  
   
   
       27 . (canceled)