Vehicle number plate detection and text extraction using image processing and OCR

Vehicle number plate detection and text extraction using image processing and Optical Character Recognition (OCR) is a crucial application in automated vehicle identification systems. The process typically begins with capturing an image of a vehicle, often from surveillance cameras. Image processing techniques are then applied to enhance the image quality, including techniques such as grayscale conversion, noise reduction, and edge detection, which help in isolating the number plate from the background.

Once the number plate is detected, segmentation is performed to isolate the characters on the plate. This involves identifying individual letters and numbers, often using morphological operations and contour detection. After segmentation, OCR is employed to convert the segmented characters into machine-readable text. Advanced OCR algorithms utilize deep learning models trained on a variety of fonts and styles, enabling accurate recognition even in challenging conditions, such as low lighting or varying angles.