Abstract: User interfaces for editing text in pen-based computing systems include: (a) a display portion that displays text; and (b) a correction interface that displays an editable text portion corresponding to at least a portion of the text. The correction interface accepts input via a stylus to enable changes to the editable text portion on a character-by-character basis (e.g., to add, delete, or change individual characters). The correction interface further may include or associate with a “suggestion list” portion that includes alternative(s) to substitute into the editable text portion and/or a “task list” portion that displays potential actions available through the interface. The invention also relates to systems, methods, and computer-readable media to activate, provide, and operate such interfaces.

Abstract: User interfaces for editing text in pen-based computing systems include: (a) a display portion that displays text; and (b) a correction interface that displays an editable text portion corresponding to at least a portion of the text. The correction interface accepts input via a stylus to enable changes to the editable text portion on a character-by-character basis (e.g., to add, delete, or change individual characters). The correction interface further may include or associate with a “suggestion list” portion that includes alternative(s) to substitute into the editable text portion and/or a “task list” portion that displays potential actions available through the interface. The invention also relates to systems, methods, and computer-readable media to activate, provide, and operate such interfaces.

Abstract: An improved system for managing user inputs and z-order in a graphic user interface (GUI) environment is disclosed. A GUI element may include a plurality of keys corresponding to keys on a typical keyboard, and may serve as a replacement for the keyboard. The system permits an application having an input focus to retain the input focus while inputs are received in the GUI element, and even transient user interface elements (e.g., menus) will remain displayed in those applications after the user inputs are entered. Input pen and mouse events may first be forwarded to the input area application, which may remove the events from the normal circulation, preventing other applications from learning of the events, and then post those events to the input panel application separately.

Abstract: An improved system for managing user inputs and z-order in a graphic user interface (GUI) environment is disclosed. A GUI element may include a plurality of keys corresponding to keys on a typical keyboard, and may serve as a replacement for the keyboard. The system permits an application having an input focus to retain the input focus while inputs are received in the GUI element, and even transient user interface elements (e.g., menus) will remain displayed in those applications after the user inputs are entered. Input pen and mouse events may first be forwarded to the input area application, which may remove the events from the normal circulation, preventing other applications from learning of the events, and then post those events to the input panel application separately.

Abstract: An improved system for managing user inputs and z-order in a graphic user interface (GUI) environment is disclosed. A GUI element may include a plurality of keys corresponding to keys on a typical keyboard, and may serve as a replacement for the keyboard. The system permits an application having an input focus to retain the input focus while inputs are received in the GUI element, and even transient user interface elements (e.g., menus) will remain displayed in those applications after the user inputs are entered. Input pen and mouse events may first be forwarded to the input area application, which may remove the events from the normal circulation, preventing other applications from learning of the events, and then post those events to the input panel application separately.

Abstract: A user input panel dynamically expands to accommodate user input, such as handwritten or keyboard input. Expansion may occur in one or two out of four possible directions, depending upon the language to be written or typed. For example, when writing English words, the input panel may expand to the right as the user writes and then downward when the input panel has fully expanded rightward.

Abstract: User interfaces for editing text in pen-based computing systems include: (a) a display portion that displays text; and (b) a correction interface that displays an editable text portion corresponding to at least a portion of the text. The correction interface accepts input via a stylus to enable changes to the editable text portion on a character-by-character basis (e.g., to add, delete, or change individual characters). The correction interface further may include or associate with a “suggestion list” portion that includes alternative(s) to substitute into the editable text portion and/or a “task list” portion that displays potential actions available through the interface. The invention also relates to systems, methods, and computer-readable media to activate, provide, and operate such interfaces.

Abstract: Methods for communicating between an application and an ink divider object (which stores ink strokes to be divided into groups) may include: (a) issuing a divide request to the ink divider object, optionally by the application; (b) in response to the divide request, calling a divide method, which groups the stored ink strokes into one or more groupings of strokes having a first predetermined granularity (e.g., words, lines, paragraphs, sentences, drawings, etc.); and (c) making information regarding the one or more groupings of strokes available to the application. This “information” made available to the application may include, for example, the actual groupings of the strokes, the number of stroke groupings having the first predetermined granularity, machine generated text corresponding to the stroke groupings, or the like. The results of the divide method may be stored in an ink division result object.

Abstract: A user interface that accepts input data through both speech and the use of a pen or stylus. With the interface, a user can employ voice recognition to enter a large volume of data, and subsequently employ a stylus input to modify the input data. A user can also employ stylus input, such as data from a handwriting or character recognition operation, to control how subsequently spoken words are recognized by a voice recognition operation. Further, a user may input data using a stylus, and then modify the input data using a voice recognition operation. A user may also employ a voice recognition operation to control how handwriting or character data input through a stylus is recognized by a handwriting recognition operation or a character recognition operation. In addition to a user interface, a technique is disclosed for inputting data into a computer where information is shared between a speech input operation and a handwriting input operation.

Abstract: Overlaying electronic ink over a document. A typical scenario may be where one it would be useful to mark up a document with electronic ink, such as by making handwritten comments, drawings, and the like over the underlying document. In some embodiments, a developer may easily define an inking surface, such as a transparent or opaque window, over a document. The inking surface may act as an input interface such that a user may write onto the inking surface such that is appears that the document itself is being marked up.

Abstract: A control and its associated programming interface for allowing entry of electronic ink, editing and other manipulation of the ink, and/or recognition of the ink. Ink may be stored in a data structure such as an ink object that permits later retrieval by applications. As is the case with text that may be bolded, underlined, italicized, and the like, the describe control and its programming interface may permit ink information to be manipulated as easily as text, while providing the richness of handwritten ink.

Abstract: An improved system for managing user inputs and z-order in a graphic user interface (GUI) environment is disclosed. A GUI element may include a plurality of keys corresponding to keys on a typical keyboard, and may serve as a replacement for the keyboard. The system permits an application having an input focus to retain the input focus while inputs are received in the GUI element, and even transient user interface elements (e.g., menus) will remain displayed in those applications after the user inputs are entered. Input pen and mouse events may first be forwarded to the input area application, which may remove the events from the normal circulation, preventing other applications from learning of the events, and then post those events to the input panel application separately.