1. A method of reading unknown document characters with respect to ideal characters having ideal waveforms, the method comprising: predetermining acceptable tolerance ranges of amplitude to average level ratios at each interval along the ideal waveform for each ideal character; sensing the unknown character with a primary read means at one orientation as the document passes thereby; producing a primary waveform from the unknown character sensed; measuring the amplitudes of the primary waveform along intervals thereof; calculating the primary average level of the amplitudes of the primary waveform; using factors of the primary average level as primary range limit comparison references; comparing each measured amplitude with the primary comparison references; collecting "less than" and "greater than" comparison outputs predetermined to identify the primary waveform within an acceptable tolerance range at each interval along the primary waveform for each ideal waveform; and signaling recognition of the unknown character if the primary waveform is within acceptable tolerance ranges of an ideal character waveform or signaling non-recognition if the primary waveform is not within acceptable tolerance ranges of any ideal character waveform.