1. A computer-based method for converting a gray-scale multiple pixel image to a binary image, said method comprising the steps of: a) loading a gray-scale image to be converted to a binary image into an operating memory of a computer, said gray-scale image being formed of a plurality of pixels, each pixel having a value that defines a relative brightness level of said pixel; b) enhancing said gray-scale image by executing an application with said computer that adjusts the brightness level of pixels in said image, said application carrying out the steps of: 1) determining a difference value by which a value of a selected pixel in said image differs in brightness from an average brightness value of a plurality of pixels surrounding said selected pixel; 2) employing said difference value as input to a plurality of overlapping triangular fuzzy set type membership input functions to determine a corresponding plurality of membership values for said selected pixel; 3) applying said plurality of membership values as inputs to a corresponding plurality of single valued singleton type fuzzy membership output functions, each of which generates a single valued output; 4) generating a crisp output value from said single valued outputs from said membership output functions that identifies a relative amount by which said selected pixel's brightness should be adjusted 5) adjusting the brightness of said selected pixel by adding said crisp output value to said selected pixel value to obtain an adjusted pixel value for said selected pixel; 6) repeating steps (1)-(5) for additional pixels in said image, thereby generating an enhanced gray-scale image; and c) converting said enhanced gray-scale image to a binary image.