1. A method of segmenting character images in an optical system where the character images have a predetermined pitch and the optical image system generates character information comprising a series of scan lines of data, the method comprising: generating from the scan lines of data profile segments of the character images being scanned, each profile segment being parallel to the direction of reading and representing the size of a scanned character image in the direction of reading; selecting a generated profile segment that meets certain predetermined size criteria; locating the center of the selected profile segment; and establishing segmentation points between character imaged by generating a linear function dependent upon the predetermined character image pitch and the located center of the selected profile segment, whereby the segmentation points for the character images are integer multiples of the pitch.