A robust algorithm for text detection in images

Text detection in images or videos is an important step to achieve multimedia content retrieval. In this paper, an efficient algorithm which can automatically detect, localize and extract horizontally aligned text in images (and digital videos) with complex backgrounds is presented. The proposed approach is based on the application of a color reduction technique, a method for edge detection, and the localization of text regions using projection profile analyses and geometrical properties. The output of the algorithm are text boxes with a simplified background, ready to be fed into an OCR engine for subsequent character recognition. Our proposal is robust with respect to different font sizes, font colors, languages and background complexities. The performance of the approach is demonstrated by presenting promising experimental results for a set of images taken from different types of video sequences.