Find the quality text images using Text Image Super-Resolution feature by Huawei ML Kit in Android (Kotlin)

Introduction

In this article, we can learn about Text Image Super-Resolution feature of Huawei ML Kit. It provides better quality and visibility of old and blurred text on an image. When you take a photograph of a document from far or cannot properly adjust the focus, the text may not be clear. In this situation, it can zoom an image that contains the text up to three times and significantly improves the definition of the text.

Use Case

This service is broadly used in daily life. For example: the text on an old paper document may be gradually blurred and difficult to identify. In this case, you can take a picture of the text and use this service to improve the definition of the text in image, so that the text can be recognized and stored.

Precautions

• The maximum resolution of text image is 800 x 800 px and long edge of an input image should contain at least 64 px.
• Before using this service, convert the images into bitmaps in ARGB format.

Requirements

1. Any operating system (MacOS, Linux and Windows).

2. Must have a Huawei phone with HMS 4.0.0.300 or later.

3. Must have a laptop or desktop with Android Studio, Jdk 1.8, SDK platform 26 and Gradle 4.6 and above installed.

4. Minimum API Level 19 is required.

5. Required EMUI 9.0.0 and later version devices.

How to integrate HMS Dependencies

1. First register as Huawei developer and complete identity verification in Huawei developers website, refer to register a Huawei ID.

2. Create a project in android studio, refer Creating an Android Studio Project.

3. Generate a SHA-256 certificate fingerprint.

4. To generate SHA-256 certificate fingerprint. On right-upper corner of android project click Gradle, choose Project Name > Tasks > android, and then click signingReport, as follows.

Note: Project Name depends on the user created name.

5. Create an App in AppGallery Connect.

6. Download the agconnect-services.json file from App information, copy and paste in android Project under app directory, as follows.

7. Enter SHA-256 certificate fingerprint and click Save button, as follows.

Note: Above steps from Step 1 to 7 is common for all Huawei Kits.

8. Click Manage APIs tab and enable ML Kit.

9. Add the below maven URL in build.gradle(Project) file under the repositories of buildscript, dependencies and allprojects, refer Add Configuration.

10. Add the below plugin and dependencies in build.gradle(Module) file.

11. Now Sync the gradle.

12. Add the required permission to the AndroidManifest.xml file.

Let us move to development

I have created a project on Android studio with empty activity let us start coding.

In the MainActivity.kt we can find the business logic.

In the activity_main.xml we can create the UI screen.

Demo

Tips and Tricks

1. Make sure you are already registered as Huawei developer.

2. Set minSDK version to 19 or later, otherwise you will get AndriodManifest merge issue.

3. Make sure you have added the agconnect-services.json file to app folder.

4. Make sure you have added SHA-256 fingerprint without fail.

5. Make sure all the dependencies are added properly.

Conclusion

In this article, we have learnt about Text Image Super-Resolution feature of Huawei ML Kit and its functionality. It provides better quality and visibility of old and blurred text on an image. It can zoom an image that contains the text up to three times and significantly improves the definition of the text.

Reference

ML Kit — Text Image Super-Resolution