OCR.Space extension

Marco_Perrone · August 17, 2022, 6:09am

Hello everybody,
for my project I needed to convert images to text. I read the forum tutorials, but at the end I decided to write an extension.
For this purpose I used the API of ocr.space.
First step You have to register to have your free api key.

fromfile
To get the text from a file in your phone
objectLocation: the file path in your phone
apiKey: your Api Key provided by OCRSpace
language: Language used for OCR (on ocr.space website you find the possible values)
fileType: supported image file formats (on ocr.space website you find the possible values)
scale: true or false, this can improve the OCR result
ocrEngine: 1,2 or 3 see specifications on Free OCR API

fromurl
To get the text from a URL
url: the file position in the web
apiKey: your Api Key provided by OCRSpace
language: Language used for OCR (on ocr.space website you find the possible values)

ocrresponse
If the responseCode is Ok you will find the OCR result on parsedText

here is an example of how to perform OCR with URL and File

Source Code:
OCRSpace.txt (12.2 KB)
Extension:
OCRSpace.aix (17.8 KB)
Sample Project:
OCR.aia (22.6 KB)

The updated version you can find in post #23 here OCR.Space extension - #23 by Marco_Perrone

How works the sample project:
Select Language (for FILE and URL), File Type and OCR Engine (only for FILE)
If You want an OCR from URL write the URL in the Text Box and then click on "Get URL OCR"
If You want an OCR from File take a pic with some text and then click on "Get FILE OCR"
Try scale On or OFF or different OCR Engine to see the difference

I hope You find useful

Best Regards

Marco Perrone

ChrisWard · August 17, 2022, 11:33am

Very nice Marco!

25,000 free scans per month is generous from OCRSpace and the file size limit of 1MB is fairly good too.

S11 · January 10, 2023, 8:51pm

Any comments from anyone that has been using this extension ?

Gordon_Lu · January 11, 2023, 6:53am

You can sign up for the API and give the extension a try.

Marco_Perrone · January 11, 2023, 9:41am

Ciao,
as @Gordon_Lu says, the better way is to try, but here a video with a test

Best Regards
Marco

S11 · January 11, 2023, 7:36pm

I had tried it but didnt seem to be working thats why I asked if anyone had any comments.

Marco_Perrone · January 11, 2023, 9:57pm

Hi @S11,
I don't know what You did,
Did You register on ocr.space to have your apikey?
Did You try my sample adding your apikey?
As You can see in my video I can use the extension without problem.
Best Regards
Marco

S11 · January 11, 2023, 10:32pm

S11 · January 11, 2023, 10:34pm

with the OCR call in it the app crashes, if i remove the ocr call it doesnt it just displays teh path to the file with was 72kb

S11 · January 11, 2023, 10:46pm

Yes I registered and received the apiKey

Marco_Perrone · January 12, 2023, 7:22am

The exstension create a log file if there is an exception, search for FileStackLog.txt.
So I can understand what happens (I hope).

S11 · January 12, 2023, 7:43pm

FileStackLog.txt (18.0 KB)

Marco_Perrone · January 12, 2023, 9:12pm

The log says:
java.lang.NullPointerException: Attempt to invoke interface method 'void com.android.okhttp.internal.http.HttpStream.writeRequestHeaders(com.android.okhttp.Request)' on a null object reference
at com.android.okhttp.internal.http.HttpEngine.readResponse(HttpEngine.java:606)
at com.android.okhttp.internal.huc.HttpURLConnectionImpl.execute(HttpURLConnectionImpl.java:475)
at com.android.okhttp.internal.huc.HttpURLConnectionImpl.getResponse(HttpURLConnectionImpl.java:411)
at com.android.okhttp.internal.huc.HttpURLConnectionImpl.getErrorStream(HttpURLConnectionImpl.java:154)
at com.android.okhttp.internal.huc.DelegatingHttpsURLConnection.getErrorStream(DelegatingHttpsURLConnection.java:98)
at com.android.okhttp.internal.huc.HttpsURLConnectionImpl.getErrorStream(HttpsURLConnectionImpl.java:30)
at OCRSpace.OCRSpace.PerformOCR(OCRSpace.java:278)
at OCRSpace.OCRSpace.OCRFromFile_Exec(OCRSpace.java:131)
at OCRSpace.OCRSpace$1.run(OCRSpace.java:99)
at java.lang.Thread.run(Thread.java:919)

I suppose this is related to path that could be wrong or permission denied.
Could I see the path value?
On my sample I save the image on the Pictures folder.
With my sample are You able to perform OCR?

Any suggestion from the path and permission experts, am I on the right way?

Ciao
Marco

TIMAI2 · January 12, 2023, 9:59pm

This worked for me on Android 10 and 13 with companion app

filePath:
/storage/emulated/0/Android/data/edu.mit.appinventor.aicompanion3/files/ctiImage.jpg

Note: slash at beginning of saveAs filename, full path given for objectLocation, and fileType = JPG not jpg

S11 · January 13, 2023, 6:33am

I had already tried both JPG and jpg.
Looks like the path may be the issue, ill try later and update on results.

gopal_gopal · September 3, 2023, 10:38am

Is these extension support marathi language?

Gordon_Lu · September 3, 2023, 10:39am

Check if the language is listed here.

Marco_Perrone · September 3, 2023, 6:57pm

Hi @gopal_gopal
I searched on Free OCR API and on language I did not find reference to marathi language.
But if You use ocrEngine 3 with OCRFromFile You can use:
Hindi = hin
Kannada = kan
Telugu = tel
Tamil = tam
I hope this can be useful this for You?
Best Regards
Marco

gopal_gopal · September 3, 2023, 7:39pm

I already read ocr space docs, but Thank you for spending time to reply me .

Alexandre_Gorine · October 8, 2023, 1:23pm

Hi Marco,
I'm trying to use your extension for receipt recognition and it works!
But unfortunately you didn't include in the OCRFromFile call two important parameters that are present in the OCR API and could drastically improve the OCR quality: IsTable and DetectOrientation.
Is it possible to add these parameters?
Thank you
Alex