Abstract: Various technologies and techniques are disclosed that improve cursive handwriting recognition. Cursive handwriting input is received from a user. The system performs a hierarchical prototype search as part of a recognition operation. A same space search is performed against a mixed database that has both print and cursive samples. A same space search is also performed against a cursive database that has only cursive samples. The results of these two same space searches are merged into a combined alternate list. The combined alternate list is then used as a constraint for the dynamic time warp searches that are performed against the mixed and cursive databases, respectively. The results of the dynamic time warp searches are also merged into a final combined alternate list, and the combined alternate list is used to make a recognition decision regarding the user's handwritten input.

Abstract: A file having a data structure is provided which includes copied information, a first hash value, and a second hash value. The file can be generated by copying original information from an information source, performing a first hash operation on the copied information to generate the first hash value, and performing a second hash operation on the copied information and the first hash value to generate the second hash value. The first hash value proves integrity of the copied information with respect to the original information, and the second hash value proves integrity of the first hash value. Because the second hash value is based on a cryptographic hash of the first hash value and the copied information, the second hash value simultaneously allows authenticity of copied information and the first hash value to be confirmed. If either the copied information or the first hash value is changed, the second hash value will no longer match the first hash value.

Abstract: Techniques and technologies are provided which can provide other information to a browser that is relevant to particular information within a web page comprising content. These techniques and technologies can be implemented as part of a system which comprises a browser running on a computer, a first information source and possibly other information sources. The first information source transmits content to the browser responsive to a request from the browser. The browser or the first information source can determine, responsive to a trigger, relevant information associated with the particular information as a user reviews different portions of the information within the content. The relevant information changes dynamically as the user reviews the different portions of the information.

Abstract: An ergonomic mouse is described. A computer mouse may include a position tracking engine and a housing to encapsulate the position tracking engine. The housing may have a bottom portion with a substantially flat surface and an aperture for the position tracking engine. The housing may also have a top portion having a convex portion with a convex curved surface and a first concave portion with a first concave curved surface to receive a human thumb. The first concave portion may have an orientation relative to the bottom portion to cause a substantially neutral wrist deviation when a user grips the top portion.

Abstract: Various technologies and techniques are disclosed for providing suggestion lists for phonetic input. The system receives user input in a source language from an input device. The input is a partial phonetic representation in the source language of a character desired by a user in a destination language. Based on the user's input, a suggestion list is generated that includes a set of key/character combinations that can be pressed/entered on an input device in the source language to achieve at least one resulting character in the destination language. The suggestion list is dynamically generated based upon a prior usage history of the user. The suggestion list is displayed to the user on a display. The user can customize various suggestion list display settings. Upon generating the suggestion list, the display settings are retrieved, and the suggestion list is formatted according to the display settings.

Abstract: A system and method for providing artifact lifespan and relationship representation is disclosed. A timeline portion of a lifespan of at least two artifacts is provided. In addition, a relationship representation portion between the at least two artifacts is also provided. The timeline portion of the lifespan of the at least two artifacts and the relationship representation portion between the at least two artifacts is then combined at a ligature. A browser is then provided for displaying the ligature, wherein the browser is capable of adding, removing or editing the timeline portion and the representation portion of the ligature.

Abstract: One or more dual-contact assemblies and a battery receptacle including such assemblies. A dual-contact assembly includes a positive contact, a negative contact, and an insulating connector disposed between and connecting each of the positive contact and the negative contact in an electrically insulating disposition relative to each other. A dual-contact assembly hereof can be resilient such that at least one of the positive contact, the negative contact and the insulating connector of the resilient dual-contact assembly are resiliently movable, the insulating connector maintaining the positive and negative contacts of the resilient dual-contact assembly in an electrically insulated disposition relative to each other. In a battery receptacle, at least two dual-contact assemblies are connected to a substrate in a battery receiving disposition.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for determining a physical presence setting. First information is received indicating whether a physical token of a user is detected with respect to a device associated with the user. The physical presence setting for the user with respect to the device is determined in accordance with the first information.

Abstract: Methods of experience-based exception grouping are described. A number of exceptions are read. The exceptions are intelligently associated with one of a number of exception groups. Each exception group corresponds to a common user experience.

Abstract: Various technologies and techniques are disclosed that automatically layout components/shapes on a design surface. The system receives input from a user to add components to the design surface. At an appropriate time, the system initiates an auto-layout process. The auto-layout process maps each shape in a particular set to a two-dimensional grid and uses the two-dimensional grid to assign an X and Y value to each shape. For any shape having a new X and Y value, the position of the shape is adjusted on the design surface. The system provides a visual indicator on the design surface to indicate that component positions are being adjusted. The system provides an undo feature to allow the user to undo the auto-layout process when desired.

Abstract: Backup and restore technology comprising a backup engine, one or more client backup modules coupled to the backup engine via a backup protocol, and a backup database coupled to the backup engine, the backup database including a set of clusters, the set of clusters forming one or more backups, wherein each cluster of the set of clusters is unique such that single-instance storage across clients is achieved.

Abstract: An operating system's desktop window manager uses a presentation framework that enables many different visual effects and standardized mechanisms for graphic presentation, including data binding. The presentation framework may be available through a markup language for the desktop window manager as well as applications on the computer desktop. The presentation framework may enable animations, themes, styles, 3D functionality, or other complex graphical features to be applied to the application windows by the desktop window manager as well as for the client areas controlled by the applications. By using a presentation framework with functionality adapted for general computer applications, many advanced functions may be applied to desktop windows without low level programming.

Abstract: Various technologies and techniques are disclosed that improve the process of working with 3D rotations. Rotations are treated as a separate abstract entity from general transforms. By having rotations separate from general transforms, the user can perform the various operations on any “rotation” regardless of its encoding. An abstract 3D transform class is provided that represents a transform that can be applied to 3D a mesh or scene node, and an abstract 3D rotation class is provided which is exposed separately from other general transforms. A concrete implementation of the 3D transform class uses a 3D rotation class to apply a rotation to a 3D mesh or scene node. One or more concrete implementations of the 3D rotation class are provided which represent a separate rotation encoding.