Abstract: A mobile electronic device with a virtual input device. The virtual input device includes an optical sensor for detecting movement of a user's fingers over a work surface and an acoustic or vibration sensor, for detecting an impact of the user's fingers on the work surface. A processor, coupled to the optical sensor and to the acoustic sensor, processes the detected signals as input for the electronic device. The user's fingers can be shown on the display overlaid by a virtual mask. The virtual mask may show a keyboard of menu items.

Abstract: Handwriting recognition is performed by sensing a trace signal, where the trace represents a handwritten intended symbol. A digital representation of the trace signal is then stored and compared with a plurality of candidate symbols. Depending on the outcome of the comparison, a best candidate symbol among the candidate symbols is recognized and displayed, or the digital representation of the trace signal is displayed.

Abstract: An apparatus for handwriting recognition has a touch-sensitive display screen providing a handwriting input area capable of detecting a handwritten user input. The apparatus also has a processing device configured to interpret the handwritten user input as a symbol from a plurality of predefined symbols. The handwriting input area includes a writing start area, and the processing device is configured to provide a visual indication of the writing start area on the display screen. The processing device is configured to interpret the user input as a symbol only if the user input starts within the writing start area.

Abstract: Handwriting recognition is performed by sensing a trace signal, where the trace represents a handwritten intended symbol. A digital representation of the trace signal is then stored and compared with a plurality of candidate symbols. Depending on the outcome of the comparison, a best candidate symbol among the candidate symbols is recognised and displayed, or the digital representation of the trace signal is displayed.

Abstract: An apparatus for handwriting recognition has a touch-sensitive display screen providing a handwriting input area capable of detecting a handwritten user input. The apparatus also has a processing device configured to interpret the handwritten user input as a symbol from a plurality of predefined symbols. The handwriting input area includes a writing start area, and the processing device is configured to provide a visual indication of the writing start area on the display screen. The processing device is configured to interpret the user input as a symbol only if the user input starts within the writing start area.