Abstract: A method and system for data entry of handwritten text into a computer program that is not designed to accept handwritten text is provided. In preferred embodiments, the computer program is designed to operate in a windowing environment. A data entry program receives handwritten data, recognizes the data, and sends the recognized data to the computer program. The computer program processes the recognized data as if it had been entered from the keyboard. According to the present invention, the data entry program overlaps the window of the computer program with an invisible window. To the user, it looks as if the computer program is accepting handwritten data directly.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided that allows an application program to write, as a single file, a large block of data comprising multiple portions that could otherwise be written as several smaller files, then to access, as individual files, each of the portions within the large block of data, and to be able to create individual files efficiently out of each of these subfiles. The mechanism may be partially embodied in a file system that includes an information store defining each file on a volume. The application program writes, via the file system, a single file to the volume as (preferably) a contiguous block of data. The single file includes two or more separable streams of data capable of being stored as individual files (subfiles). Once the single file is written to the volume, multiple entries are made to the information store. Each entry defines and points to a subfile within the single file.

Abstract: A centralized manager for managing the data synchronization operations for multiple applications according to user preferences. Applications register respective COM handlers with the synchronization manager via COM methods. On a synchronize event the synchronization manager queues the registered application handlers, and calls the handlers to perform the synchronization of items therein. Progress and results are communicated to a user-viewable dialog via callbacks from the handlers to the synchronization manager. The synchronization manager provides consistent user interfaces for obtaining user preferences related to synchronization and for presenting information to the user, thus resulting in a consistent user experience.

Abstract: Two new cache control headers in the cache control header, “post-check” and “pre-check”, enable the display of content from the cache, with a later synchronization of the content performed in the background via a conditional request such as an IMS request. These headers enable the server to define a non-validate time period relative to the cached content's age in which the user will receive content from the cache, a background synchronization period in which the user will receive content from the cache and automatically queue a request for background synchronization thereof, and a validate period in which the cached content may or may not be used, depending on a response to a validation request sent to the server. The content is quickly rendered for the user in the non-validate and background synchronization periods, and the hit count is correct in the background synchronization and validate periods.

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 and system for providing remote access and control of devices such as disks, tape drives and modems across a network. A client driver intercepts I/O requests that are destined for a device which an application essentially considers a local device, such as for purposes of disk mirroring. The client driver queues and dequeues the I/O request, marshals it with header information and data, and sends it as a message to the server over one of possibly multiple connections to the server. A server driver unmarshalls the message, places it in a preallocated buffer as designated by the client, and generates an I/O request therefrom directed to the server device. The server responds with a completion status. The client side manages the server buffers, and the client classifies and partitions large requests into one or more segments that fit the server buffers. Sequential processing also may be ensured.

Abstract: The system described herein automatically defines a set of radicals to be used in a Kanji character handwriting recognition system and automatically creates a dictionary of the Kanji characters that are recognized by the system. In performing its functionality, the system described herein first obtains representative handwriting samples for each Kanji character that is to be recognized by the system. The system described herein then evaluates the samples to identify a set of subparts (“radicals”) that are common to at least two of the Kanji characters. These radicals represent component roots from which the characters are formed. Each Kanji character is formed by one or more of these radicals. The radicals that are identified by the system described herein are not constrained to any preset definition (e.g., the traditional set of radicals used to organize Japanese dictionaries).

Abstract: A method and system for recovering from a system failure wherein the failed system is restored to a new system that has different hardware. Hardware state is preserved during a backup process, and following a failure, a restore is performed to the extent possible using that hardware state but on a system having a different hardware configuration. Rules are provided for handling the differences through selective merging, arranging, and replacement of data, with the logic and work performed transparently to the user. Hardware state includes hard disk configuration information, the location (partition) of the operating system, devices installed on the system and any additional drivers to load. When restored, for hardware that is identical, the hardware state is restored as specified in the file. If the hardware state is not identical, then a set of rules are used to restore the hardware state.

Abstract: A method and system for dynamically updating the error messages corresponding to a shipped software product. The exiting generic error messages shipped with a software product are replaced or appended as errors are resolved or better understood, whereby a user who receives an error message will see the latest known information for that error message. A file of updated error messages is automatically downloaded when the user is connected to the Internet. Any time an error message is to be displayed, an error handling mechanism compares identifier information of the error message to the file of updated error messages, and if a match is found, overwrites or extends the existing error message that was shipped with the code for display to the user. If no match is found, the existing message is displayed.

Abstract: A method and system for installing software implementations such as applications and COM classes as they are needed from an external source, such as a centralized network store. When a software implementation is needed, the system and method first look to the local system (e.g., registry) for that software implementation, and if found, returns the information such as a local path needed to use the software implementation. If the implementation is not found locally, the present invention dynamically looks to a centralized class store of a network, to locate the needed implementation. When located, the implementation is downloaded and locally installed in a manner that is essentially transparent to the user. Software implementations such as application products may be divided into features and components to improve on-demand installation thereof.

Abstract: A method and system for backing up and restoring single instance store (SIS) files comprising links to common store files. A dynamic link library (DLL) including an interface enables a backup/restore application to properly backup and restore SIS-enabled volumes including SIS links and their corresponding store files. For each link to be backed up, the DLL tracks whether its corresponding common store file has already been identified for backing up to the backup application, such that it is identified only once, whereby only one copy of a common store file is backed up per volume, regardless of the number of additional links pointing thereto. For each link to be restored, the DLL tracks whether its corresponding common store file has already been identified for restoring to the restore application, or is already present on the volume, whereby a common store file for a link file is only restored to a volume only once and if not already present on that volume.

Abstract: Restricted execution contexts are provided for untrusted content, such as computer code or other data downloaded from websites, electronic mail messages and any attachments thereto, and scripts or client processes run on a server. A restricted process is set up for the untrusted content, and any actions attempted by the content are subject to the restrictions of the process, which may be based on various criteria. Whenever a process attempt to access a resource, a token associated with that process is compared against security information of that resource to determine if the type of access is allowed. The security information of each resource thus determines the extent to which the restricted process, and thus the untrusted content, has access. In general, the criteria used for setting up restrictions for each untrusted content's process is information indicative of how trusted or untrusted the content is likely to be.

Abstract: A pen-based processor needs to be usable to input and edit script like a text-based computer but retain a resemblance to the user of a pad and pencil. The disclosed system and method implement input, editing and other manipulation of glyphs including handwritten script, ASCII test, bit-mapped images and drawings in a common document, using a compatible internal representation of the data and a simple, consistent set of user control functions. These functions are invoked using an intuitive and interactive set of user gestures which do not distract the user from the task of inputting or editing the document. A two-step gesture method avoids confusion between strokes and command gestures and allows use of similar gestures for different functions within the same and different contexts. The system infers from customary user writing conventions that certain relationships of data are to be preserved and maintains the relationships, subject to user override, during editing.

Abstract: A pen-based processor needs to be usable to input and edit script like a text-based computer but retain a resemblance to the user of a pad and pencil. The disclosed system and method implement input, editing and other manipulation of glyphs including handwritten script, ASCII test, bit-mapped images and drawings in a common document, using a compatible internal representation of the data and a simple, consistent set of user control functions. These functions are invoked using an intuitive and interactive set of user gestures which do not distract the user from the task of inputting or editing the document. A two-step gesture method avoids confusion between strokes and command gestures and allows use of similar gestures for different functions within the same and different contexts.

Abstract: A method and system that simplify the management of enterprise network devices and information through the use of scripts and a scripting object model. An API is provided that transforms scripts passed from a scripting engine into the existing “low-level” COM syntax required for accessing system management object information. A scripting engine interprets a script and works with the API to translate script instructions into the COM method calls needed to directly access properties and methods of CIMOM objects from a script. Other aspects related to scripting are handled, including collections, events, monikers and security. Collections enable a set of objects to be serviced iteratively, for example, to manipulate or retrieve properties for a set of resources in simple loop. Events enable queries to be made asynchronously, such that calls return immediately and complete via event notifications.

Abstract: A pen-based processor needs to be usable to input and edit script like a text-based computer but retain a resemblance to the user of a pad and pencil. The disclosed system and method implement input, editing and other manipulation of glyphs including handwritten script, ASCII test, bit-mapped images and drawings in a common document, using a compatible internal representation of the data and a simple, consistent set of user control functions. These functions are invoked using an intuitive and interactive set of user gestures which do not distract the user from the task of inputting or editing the document. A two-step gesture method avoids confusion between strokes and command gestures and allows use of similar gestures for different functions within the same and different contexts. The system infers from customary user writing conventions that certain relationships of data are to be preserved and maintains the relationships, subject to user override, during editing.

Abstract: A pen-based processor needs to be usable to input and edit script like a text-based computer but retain a resemblance to the user of a pad and pencil. The disclosed system and method implement input, editing and other manipulation of glyphs including handwritten script, ASCII test, bit-mapped images and drawings in a common document, using a compatible internal representation of the data and a simple, consistent set of user control functions. These functions are invoked using an intuitive and interactive set of user gestures which do not distract the user from the task of inputting or editing the document. A two-step gesture method avoids confusion between strokes and command gestures and allows use of similar gestures for different functions within the same and different contexts. The system infers from customary user writing conventions that certain relationships of data are to be preserved and maintains the relationships, subject to user override, during editing.

Abstract: A system and method for providing applications with the ability to access an increased amount of memory. An application maps a specified address range in its (small) virtual memory space to a corresponding number of pages allocated thereto in (relatively large) physical memory. When the application accesses an address in that range in virtual memory, e.g., via a thirty-two-bit address, the mapping information is used to access the corresponding page currently pointed to in the physical memory, allowing access to significantly greater amounts of memory. Fine granularity of access (e.g., one page) is provided, along with fast remapping, cross-process security and coherency across multiple processors in a multiprocessor system. To this end, a memory manager maintains information related to the mapping of virtual addresses to physical pages, in order to verify remap requests and invalidate existing mappings from a virtual address to a previously mapped physical page.

Abstract: A method and system for storing the data of files having duplicate content, by maintaining a single instance of the data, and providing logically separate links to the single instance. Files of duplicate content have their data stored in a common store file by a single instance store (SIS) facility, which also converts the original file or files to links to that common store file and creates additional links thereto as needed. The SIS facility may reside above a file system as a filter driver. File system requests directed to the link file (e.g., open, write, read, close and delete) reach the SIS filter, which then transparently handles each request as if the link file was a normal file. To preserve logical separation, writes to a SIS link file are to the link file, and the written portion recorded as dirty. The SIS filter intercepts SIS read requests, and reads clean portions from the common store file and any dirty portions from the link file.

Abstract: A system and method for creating a snapshot with a differential file maintained on the base volume that can grow as needed. When a snapshot is captured, free space is allocated on the base volume to receive the differential file. Writes to the base volume are allowed except to the free space allocated to the differential file. Then the snapshot is captured. After the snapshot process is complete, data that was originally present at the time the snapshot was captured may be copied to the differential file before it is modified. To grow the differential file out of its allocated space, new free space is selected from the free space currently on the base volume in conjunction with the free space at the time the snapshot was captured. The free space bitmap file of the snapshot volume may be used to identify the free space at the time the snapshot was captured.