This paper presents a novel algorithm for license plate detection in complex environments.The algorithm generates connective components by hierarchical distances between edge points based on vehicle edge map and then gets the relevant minimum enclosing rectangular by searching the whole map.Afterwards

it picks up candidate regions of plates according totopological characteristics and color features.In this paper

least constraints are imposed on the working environment.In the experiment for locating license plates

526 images taken from various scenes and under different conditions were processed with an accuracy of 98.3%.At the same time

the average locating time is less than 40ms.