Abstract: A method and system for automatically determining when an application should switch from a writing mode to a text entry mode, and vice-versa. When a soft input panel (SIP) or input method (IM) is selected, the application is notified and enters a text entry mode. Inputting via the IM while in this mode causes a character to be sent to the application, while pen events in the application window enable text editing and the selection of text and ink data in the application widow. When the SIP is deselected, the application is notified and enters a pen (writing) mode, whereby the pen events are interpreted as digital ink strokes instead of characters. Sub-modes of the pen mode are also available, via which the pen events are used to manipulate existing ink in the application window. Visual feedback may be provided to remind the user of the current mode and/or sub-mode.

Abstract: A method for automatically and intelligently scrolling handwritten ink entered into a computer device. The method detects when the user is on the last available line for writing, and starts a timer on each pen-up event or resets the timer on a pen-down event. An automatic scroll is performed after the writing on the last line has halted for more than a threshold amount of time. The threshold time may be variable based on criteria, such as the x-coordinate of the last writing, the writing speed of the user, the last character that was written, and the current zoom percentage of the display. The zoom percentage may also be used to determine the number of lines to scroll. New ink written after the automatic scrolling operation may be moved up to the scrolled ink, if the method determines that the user intended to write the new ink directly after the scrolled ink.