1. A computer-implemented method for determining whether to interrupt processing of an image, comprising: obtaining a raw scan image; utilizing a computer processor that is a functional component of the computer to generate a collection of slope-oriented information based on at least one portion of the raw scan image, wherein generating the collection of slope-oriented information comprises creating a raw collection of slope-oriented information using data from a monochrome image that corresponds to the raw scan image and generating a processed collection of slope-oriented information using data from the raw collection of slope-oriented information, wherein creating the raw collection of slope-oriented information comprises generating an entry corresponding to at least one pixel grid comprised in the monochrome image, the entry comprising a count of the changes in the x coordinate in the pixel grid, and a count of the changes in the y coordinate in the pixel grid; and utilizing the collection of slope-oriented information as a basis for determining an image quality characteristic of said at least one portion of the raw scan image.