1. An optical character recognition reader system, comprising: means for optically capturing contrast data representing a character pattern on a document operated in a time sequence corresponding to a scan of the document; means for generating at least two sets of data for each pattern of a character, which sets are distinguishable by the contrast level represented; means for enhancing the contrast of a character pattern represented by said captured data, by analyzing the data representing adjacent elements and changing the data on the basis of data representing adjacent elements; means for analyzing groupings of data in a window to establish the presence of a character pattern within the window; and means for comparing the data within the window with data representing templates of character patterns to establish a substantial match.