Recently, due to the increase of the use of scanned images, the text segmentation techniques, which play critical role to optimize the quality of the scanned images, are required to be updated and advanced. In this study, an algorithm has been developed based on the modification of Gaussian mixture model (GMM) by integrating the calculation of Gaussian detection gradient and the estimation of the number clusters. The experimental results show an efficient method for text segmentation in natural scenes such as storefronts, street signs, scanned journals and newspapers at different size, shape or color of texts in condition of lighting changes and complex background. These indicate that our model algorithm and research approach can address various issues, which are still limitations of other senior algorithms and methods.