Abstract: Different levels or categories of text or images or both can be selected on a display device with simple commands. A selection region including one of selected text and selected images can be increased or decreased depending upon an executed command. A first command can increase a selection region while a second and different second command can decrease a selection region. Once a maximum amount is selected by using the first command and if the first command is selected again, the selection region can return to the minimum amount of text and images that can be selected. And vice-versa.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for tapping to create document structure, such as writing. A tapping gesture received from the user is interpreted by a writing application to indicate that the user is about to write in a certain location on the page. While in pen mode, the user taps the pen, the gesture recognizer tells the writing application that a “tap” has occurred, and the writing application creates a new paragraph with an active writing guide attached to it at that location. A tap below text creates a new paragraph. The new paragraph may be located at any available indent level depending on the location of the tap. The tapping gesture may also be used for clearing or moving selections.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for performing actions on content in a region within a free form two-dimensional workspace. In a computer software application, a region is defined within the workspace, an action is associated with the region, content is received within the region, and an action is performed on the content in the region. The region may be defined by generating an outline object to define a region within the workspace. An action may be associated with the region by selecting an action from a list of actions to associate with the region. The actions performed may be handwriting recognition, adding data to a contacts list, adding data to a task list, and identifying a recognizer for the content. The actions may also include editing data entered in a region.

Abstract: A system and method for categorizing data objects with designation tools. A designation tool is provided for categorizing data in an electronic document. A user may select a designation tool corresponding to a data category with which to categorize data to be inputted into an electronic document. The data category is displayed in association with the data entered with the designation tool. The designation tool may also be used to categorize existing data content in an electronic document. Data that is selected with a designation tool is categorized into the data category associated with that designation tool.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system for erasing and editing an electronic document. A goal for computing devices that support the use of a stylus that can record handwriting strokes and present them in an electronic document is to present electronic ink that behaves similar to real ink from a pen. The nature of the electronic document and the electronic ink makes it difficult to edit the ink as one would with traditional pen and paper. However, an editing module accompanying the computing device can provide a user with functionality that facilitates the editing of electronic ink. Specifically, the editing module cna provide a feedback mechanisms, such as highlighting or shading, that indicates to the user which portions of handwriting strokes are selected for editing. Additionally, the editing module can recognize certain gestures and determine which handwriting strokes to apply the editing gesture to.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer readable medium for creating asides within an electronic document are provided. The keystroke combination is defined for creating an aside with an electronic document. If the keystroke combination is received, a location is identified within the electronic document for an aside object. Once the location for the aside has been determined, an outline object is created at the location. The outline object holds text or other contents for the aside. An insertion point is then placed within the object. The user may then enter keystrokes or other data into the second object. If the keystroke combination is again entered, the insertion point is returned to its location immediately prior to moving the insertion point to the aside object. The keystroke combination for creating an aside and the keystroke combination for returning from the aside may be identical. Asides may also be created in various portions of an electronic document, such as a title portion, in a similar manner.

Abstract: Collisions between document objects on a document page are resolved. A collision is identified and a two-dimension resolution of the collision is provided by moving the object the shortest distance from a pre-collision location that would avoid the collision. The process calculates the shortest distance to move the object. The invention also may establish logic that designates some objects as “not able to collide” and the process will not move those objects to resolve a collision.

Abstract: A tool is provided for managing the available space in an electronic document. The tool can be used to move document objects and/or expand the boundaries or margins of a page to enable the addition or expansion of one or more document objects. The tool also can be used to move document objects and/or contract the boundaries of a page to reduce the available space on the page. A simple but user interface enables a user to easily move one or more document objects to create more space between document objects on the page or to eliminate space between document objects on the page. The user interface also enables a user to easily create more space within a particular document object. The user interface utilizes a wiper bar that spans the page or the document object and selects the objects that may be affected by creating or eliminating space on the page. A side wiper also may be provided to move document boundaries away from the objects on the page.

Abstract: A user can enter handwritten electronic ink into a writing guide on an electronic page of an electronic tablet. An ink processing module can display the handwritten electronic ink as it is rendered on the electronic page by the user. Upon the occurrence of a predefined event, the writing guide module can automatically recognize and convert the electronic ink to text without the user's manual intervention. The writing guide module can replace the electronic ink in the writing guide with the converted text.

Abstract: A user interface can display electronic ink in one section of a display device and corresponding recognized or converted text in another section of the display device that was generated from a electronic ink recognition system. Each page of electronic ink and each corresponding page of converted or recognized text are linked to one another. In other words, each page of electronic ink can be displayed only with its corresponding page of converted or recognized text until a command or message is received that editing of the converted or recognized text has been completed. Once the command or message is received that editing of the converted or recognized text has been completed, then the link between an electronic ink page and its corresponding converted text page is broken. This means that the converted text page can now be saved independently of its corresponding electronic ink page.

Abstract: Displaying a writing guide for a free-form document editor by detecting electronic ink, classifying the detected ink as corresponding to handwriting or a drawing, and displaying a handwriting guide or a drawing guide in response to classifying the detected ink as handwriting or a drawing, respectively. The writing guides can provide feedback regarding the classification of the detected ink and can be resized as additional ink is detected. The handwriting guide can comprise a writing area, writing guide portion, bullet guide, indent marker, character notches, gesture guide, or sacrificial guide to create meaningful structure within an outline object of an electronic document.

Abstract: Displaying a writing guide for a free-form document editor by detecting electronic ink, classifying the detected ink as corresponding to handwriting or a drawing, and displaying a handwriting guide or a drawing guide in response to classifying the detected ink as handwriting or a drawing, respectively. The writing guides can provide feedback regarding the classification of the detected ink and can be resized as additional ink is detected. The handwriting guide can comprise a writing area, writing guide portion, bullet guide, indent marker, character notches, gesture guide, or sacrificial guide to create meaningful structure within an outline object of an electronic document.

Abstract: Collisions between document objects on a document page are resolved. A collision is identified and a two-dimension resolution of the collision is provided by moving the object the shortest distance from a pre-collision location that would avoid the collision. The process calculates the shortest distance to move the object. The invention also may establish logic that designates some objects as “not able to collide” and the process will not move those objects to resolve a collision.

Abstract: A user interface can display electronic ink in one section of a display device and corresponding recognized or converted text in another section of the display device that was generated from a electronic ink recognition system. Each page of electronic ink and each corresponding page of converted or recognized text are linked to one another. In other words, each page of electronic ink can be displayed only with its corresponding page of converted or recognized text until a command or message is received that editing of the converted or recognized text has been completed. Once the command or message is received that editing of the converted or recognized text has been completed, then the link between an electronic ink page and its corresponding converted text page is broken. This means that the converted text page can now be saved independently of its corresponding electronic ink page.