1. A method for determining a background color at a pixel of interest in a digital image, said method comprising: a. determining a pixel of interest in a digital image, wherein said pixel of interest is part of a first scan line with an associated first scan direction in said digital image; b. receiving a color value for said pixel of interest; c. receiving a control signal associated with said pixel of interest; d. receiving a first background color estimate, wherein said first background color estimate is associated with said first scan line; e. receiving a previous background color estimate, wherein said previous background color estimate is associated with a previous scan line in said digital image; f. calculating a first color difference between said color value for said pixel of interest and said first background color estimate; g. calculating a second color difference between said color value for said pixel of interest and said previous background color estimate; and h. determining a first-scan background color estimate for said pixel of interest based on said control signal, said first color difference and said second color difference.