Abstract: Actions between a customer and a merchant are guided by decision engine scores using a shared history from multiple merchants. In an example, an action request is received at a service provider. A prime merchant identifier is applied to a merchant database to obtain a policy stack. A customer identifier is applied to a transactions database to obtain a transaction history for the customer and different merchants. Rules of the policy stack are applied in sequence to action parameters and values of the customer transaction history at a decision engine of the service provider, the decision engine generating a first action score. A customer score from the prime merchant is applied to generate a final action score and the prime merchant is notified to conditionally execute the requested action based on the final action score.

Abstract: A method for formatting both recognized and unrecognized handwritten words in the same paragraphs of a document prepared on a pen-based computer system is provided. A recognizer analyzes handwritten material input into the computer system and identifies some parts of that material as recognized text words and other parts as unrecognized ink words. The recognized ink words are converted to a standard text format and are usually displayed in a standard font. The ink words remain displayed as handwriting. Both types of words are surrounded by "bounding boxes" which are then included in paragraphs. Paragraphs are formatted by a step of aligning the words of a paragraph between margins and in straight lines separated from one another by defined line separation distances. The words' bounding boxes in each line are separated from one another by defined word separation distances. Handwritten words written over displayed paragraphs are inserted within the paragraphs near words they were written over.

Abstract: A method for the angle-independent recognition of handwritten objects including: a) receiving a handwritten stroke; b) normalizing the stroke; c) matching the normalized stroke against a stroke database to obtain at least one character part interpretation; and d) recognizing a handwritten object using one or more of the character part interpretations. Preferably, the step of normalizing the stroke includes the step of normalizing an angle of the stroke by first determining a stroke angle and then rotating the stroke by the stroke angle until the stroke is at a normalized position.

Abstract: A string inserter for a computer system having a graphical user interface and a pointer capable of interacting with a graphical user interface includes an insertion marker, an insertion initiater, and an insertion implementer. The insertion marker is displayed on a screen of the computer system at an insertion point in displayed text corresponding to a string of text information. The insertion initiater is operative to detect a selection of the insertion marker with a the pointer mechanism of the computer system and to provide an insertion menu on the screen that includes a number of insertion labels. The insertion implementer is responsive to a selection of an insertion label with the pointer and is operative to insert an insertion string corresponding to the selection into the string of text information.

Abstract: A method for correcting textual material recognized on a pen-based computer in accordance with the present invention includes the step of receiving an input on a screen of the computer system. The input is then recognized, and a bounding box defining the bounds of the input is defined. A determination of the intention and placement of the recognized input is then made according to the relationship between the bounding box of the recognized input and the bounding boxes of the already existing textual objects. When a substantial overlap is found of the recognized input with an existing textual object and the number of characters of the recognized input is less than a predetermined number, the recognized input is considered as an overwrite of the existing text. If the conditions are not met, the recognized input is considered as an insertion of a new textual object, i.e., a new word.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a variety of correction methods and systems are disclosed. A first method aspect of the present invention teaches a computer implemented correction method for correcting words and characters entered into a pointer based computer system. The correction method includes the step of receiving a selected word including at least one character, displaying the selected word within a boxed input corrector implemented on the pointer based computer system; receiving a correction input and performing an action indicated by the correction input. The action is determined by a type of the correction input, the types of correction inputs including character editing input, gesture input, navigation input, and external input generated by events external to the boxed input corrector.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for training a recognizer includes displaying a practice word on a display screen of a pen-based computer system and entering a handwritten word that is similar to the practice word on the display screen. A recognized candidate list that includes candidate words and an associated confidence level for each candidate word is derived from the handwritten word by a recognizer. The confidence level indicates how confidently the handwritten word has been matched to the associated candidate word. The candidate list is displayed and a training database is updated with training data derived from the handwritten word. The training data is used by the recognizer to recognize other handwritten words with greater accuracy.

Abstract: A method for formatting paragraphs on a screen of a computer system including the steps of: a) entering a word on a screen of a computer system using a pointing mechanism; b) finding an associated paragraph, if any, that the word is to be associated with; c) adding the word to the associated paragraph, if one exists; and d) starting a new paragraph with the word if there is not a closely related exiting paragraph. A newly-entered word can be added to an associated paragraph in basically four ways. The word can be added in a new line at the top of the paragraph, in a new line at the bottom of the paragraph, at the end of an existing line, or between words of an existing line. After a word has been entered, the text within the paragraph is repositioned as desired by the user, either implicitly or through an explicit command. For example, the words within a paragraph can be caused to "reflow" so that they are aligned between the left and right margins of the paragraph.

Abstract: A computer system and method capable of handwriting recognition and user identification are presented. The computer system includes a CPU, a dual-function display assembly and a stylus. The dual-function display assembly senses the relative position of the stylus with respect to the dual-function display. When an appropriate prompt is displayed, a user responds by application of the stylus to the dual-function display to enter user identity, handwriting, handwriting style, handwriting preferences, and other input to the computer system. Using user-specific handwriting preferences and data, improved handwriting recognition for the user is enabled.

Abstract: A method for the angle-independent recognition of handwritten objects including: a) receiving a handwritten stroke; b) normalizing the stroke; c) matching the normalized stroke against a stroke database to obtain at least one character part interpretation; and d) recognizing a handwritten object using one or more of the character part interpretations. Preferably, the step of normalizing the stroke includes the step of normalizing an angle of the stroke by first determining a stroke angle and then rotating the stroke by the stroke angle until the stroke is at a normalized position.

Abstract: A gesture sensitive button for graphical user interfaces characterized by a digital computer, a screen coupled to the digital computer, a pointer mechanism used for pointing locations on the screen, a "button" image displayed on the screen, and a gesture recognizer for detecting gestures made on the screen by the pointing mechanism. The button is responsive to at least two different button gestures made on the screen on or near the button. A process implementing the gesture sensitive button of the present invention includes: providing a button image on a computer screen; detecting a gesture made on the screen by a pointer such as a stylus, mouse, or trackball; determining whether the gesture is associated with the button image; and initiating one of at least two processes if the gesture is associated with the button image. The gesture sensitive button conserves real estate on the computer screen by permitting a single button to control multiple functions and processes.

Abstract: A method for deleting objects displayed on the screen of a display assembly of a pointer based computer system is described. The method includes the steps of detecting a pointer created stroke and processing the stroke for gesture recognition. Thereafter, the processed stroke is checked to determine whether it meets the path definition requirements of a scrub gesture. In another step, a determination is made as to whether an object displayed on the screen has been selected. If an object is selected and the processed stroke meets the requirements of a scrub gesture, the selected object is deleted. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the selected object determining step includes the substep of determining whether any objects were preselected at the time the scrub gesture was made. When no suitable objects are preselected, a determination is made as to whether the scrub gesture substantially overlaps a displayed object. If a displayed object is substantially overlapped, it is selected for deletion.

Abstract: A method for correcting recognized words in a computer system including the steps of: (a) entering an ink object into a computer system with a pointing device; (b) recognizing the ink object as a word object; (c) displaying the word object on a display of the computer system; (d) detecting a correction request made by a user pertaining to the displayed word object; and (e) displaying a list of alternative words for the word object on the display. Preferably, the list of alternative words includes a shifted-case version of the word object, a number of alternative words provided by a word recognizer, and the original ink object that was entered into the computer system. A user can select one of these alternative words to replace the misrecognized word object. Alternatively, a user may enter a word into the computer system by means of a keyboard image to replace the original word object with the newly entered word.

Abstract: A recognition system for a pen-based computer system characterized by: a tablet for inputting strokes from a stylus; a low-level recognizer responsive to the strokes and operative to perform low-level recognition on the strokes; a high-level recognizer responsive to at least some of the strokes and operative to perform high-level recognition on those strokes; and a recognition interface permitting communication between the recognizers and an application program. The high-level recognizer includes a controller capable of receiving units to be recognized; a number of recognition domains coupled to the controller, where each of the recognition domains can receive one or more units from the controller and is capable of providing an interpretation of the meaning of the one or more units to the controller; and an arbiter coupled to the controller which is capable of resolving conflicts between multiple interpretations developed by the recognition domains.

Abstract: A method for deleting objects displayed on the screen of a display assembly of a pointer based computer system is described. The method includes the steps of detecting a pointer created stroke and processing the stroke for gesture recognition. Thereafter, the processed stroke is checked to determine whether it meets the path definition requirements of a scrub gesture. In another step, a determination is made as to whether an object displayed on the screen has been selected. If an object is selected and the processed stroke meets the requirements of a scrub gesture, the selected object is deleted. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the selected object determining step includes the substep of determining whether any objects were preselected at the time the scrub gesture was made. When no suitable objects are preselected, a determination is made as to whether the scrub gesture substantially overlaps a displayed object. If a displayed object is substantially overlapped, it is selected for deletion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for setting the case of text in a pen-aware computer system is described. In general, the case of one or more letters of a designated text object can be changed with a convenient and simple input gesture. The case resetting gesture takes the form of a substantially vertically extending line that overlies a textual object that includes a character or characters that are intended to have their case reset. The direction and position of the case setting gesture are used to determine which characters are to be affected and whether the designated case is upper or lower case.

Abstract: A method for formatting paragraphs on a screen of a computer system including the steps of: a) entering a word on a screen of a computer system using a pointing mechanism; b) finding an associated paragraph, if any, that the word is to be associated with; c) adding the word to the associated paragraph, if one exists; and d) starting a new paragraph with the word if there is not a closely related exiting paragraph. A newly-entered word can be added to an associated paragraph in basically four ways. The word can be added in a new line at the top of the paragraph, in a new line at the bottom of the paragraph, at the end of an existing line, or between words of an existing line. After a word has been entered, the text within the paragraph is repositioned as desired by the user, either implicitly or through an explicit command. For example, the words within a paragraph can be caused to "reflow" so that they are aligned between the left and right margins of the paragraph.

Abstract: A method for manipulating an inked object with a pointing device on a pen based computer system includes receiving an ink stroke made with a pointing device, displaying the ink stroke on a screen of the computer system and creating a representative stroke within the computer system from the ink stroke. Upon the receipt of a user-initiated command, the representative stroke is first manipulated and then the ink stroke is manipulated in accordance with the representative stroke. Only the ink stroke is displayed on the screen. Examples of manipulation of the inked object include sizing, distorting, and deleting segments of the inked object. The method of the present invention is preferably practiced as a computer implemented process on a pen-based computer system.

Abstract: A technique for analyzing and interpreting user inputs to a computer, such as strokes, key depressions, or voice signals to a hand-held, pen-based computer system. Inputs to the system are received at a user interface, such as a dual function display/input screen from users in the form of pen strokes or gestures. A database stores the input data strokes and hypotheses regarding possible interpretations of the strokes. Recognition of the input strokes and recognition of higher level combinations of strokes (forming characters and words, etc.) is performed using recognizers, or recognition domains, each of which performs a particular recognition task. A controller is provided for controlling the hypotheses database and for scheduling the recognition tasks in the recognition domains. Arbitration resolves conflicts among competing hypotheses associated with each interpretation. The recognition domains, or recognizers generate two or more competing interpretations for the same input.

Abstract: In one method for setting character style preferences according to the present invention, a character style preference area is initially activated. Then, a plurality of variant character styles are displayed for a selected character with each character style representing a distinct way of writing the selected character that is recognized by the system recognizer. Inputs are then received, which indicate and set the probability that an input character style will be in a form similar to the selected character style. Other inputs include the selection of a different character for display, selection of a variant character style from the displayed area, selection of a reset command, and selection of a probability weight for a selected variant. The method further includes the slow redrawing of a selected variant within a selected variant group to demonstrate to the user the input strokes forming the selected variant.