1. Method for locating characters in digital images, using an image layering process characterized by the steps of: transforming the digital data of said digital image into normalized digital color image data and into digital grayscale image data; discarding redundant components of said normalized digital color image data and/or said digital grayscale image data; generating binary image layers from said un-discarded grayscale and normalized color image data according to a layering process using a recognition algorithm on said binary image layers to recognize connected components that can represent characters or part of characters contained in said digital image.