System and method for counting ridges in a captured print image

A method for counting print ridges in a captured print image frame, comprising the steps of:

• (1) traversing a pixel path through the captured print image frame;
• (2) counting a number of crossings of a first pixel intensity threshold and a second pixel intensity threshold while traversing the pixel path;
• and
• (3) determining a number of print ridges in the captured print image frame based on the counted number of crossing of the first pixel intensity threshold and the second pixel intensity threshold.

A print scanner system, comprising:

• an optical system enabled to direct light to an imaging surface of a platen of the optical system;
• a camera enabled to capture a print image frame from light reflected by the print surface and directed to the camera by the optical system;
• a memory coupled to the camera and enabled to store the captured print image frame;
• and
• a ridge counter coupled to the memory and enabled to traverse a pixel path through the captured print image frame, count a number of crossings of a first pixel intensity threshold and a second pixel intensity threshold while traversing the pixel path, and determine a number of print ridges in the captured print image frame based on the counted number of crossings.

A ridge counter embodied in software and including control logic for counting print ridges in a captured print image frame, comprising:

• first control logic means for enabling a processor to traverse a pixel path through the captured print image frame;
• second control logic means for enabling a processor to count a number of crossings of a first pixel intensity threshold and a second pixel intensity threshold while traversing the pixel path;
• and
• third control logic means for enabling a processor to determine a number of print ridges in the captured print image frame based on the counted number of first pixel intensity threshold crossings and second pixel intensity threshold crossings.