Abstract: The disclosed System enables word-level text entry on a small displayed keyboard by tracing an input path that begins on or near the key of the first letter, passes through or near the key of each letter in sequence, and terminates in the vicinity of the key of the last letter. The input path is processed by scoring it against words in a database that includes an indication of relative frequency. A correctly spelled word is output even when the input path corresponds to an incorrect spelling of a word. Words are ranked according to a score calculated from the weighted distances from each associated key to determined input path points, further weighted by the frequency of use and by other characteristics of the input path. Alternate word choices are presented to the user in a manner to minimize distraction. Efficient editing mechanisms and other enhancements are included.

Abstract: An efficient and simple approach to encoding ideographic characters as sequences of input strokes or stroke categories is disclosed, wherein: each character is represented by one or more sequences of one or more components; each component corresponds to a plurality of alternative stroke sequences, each of which is associated with a probability that it will be the sequence which the user enters to specify the given component or character; and the probability associated with the user's preferred stroke sequence is automatically increased by the system when the character is selected, thus automatically adapting to a user's preferences.

Abstract: A facility for navigating an electronic document is described. The facility receives user input selecting a portion of the content of a rendered document that constitutes a sentence fragment. In response to receiving the user input, the facility identifies an electronic document contained in a corpus of electronic documents, the identified electronic document containing the selected document portion. In response to receiving the user input, the facility further identifies a position within the identified electronic document at which the selected document portion occurs.

Abstract: A facility for initiating a purchase is described. The facility receives a text sequence captured by a user from a rendered document using a handheld text capture device. The facility identifies in the received text sequence a reference to a distinguished product. In response to identifying the reference, the facility presents to the user an opportunity to place an order for the established product. If the user accepts the presented opportunity to order the distinct product, the facility orders the distinct product on behalf of the user.

Abstract: A device identifier is scanned with a portable scanner and communicated to a service provider. The service provider associates the device with the portable scanner. Information is scanned from a printed source and communicated to the service provider and subsequent information is received in response at a device identified by the device identifier. In some embodiments, a communication session identifier is scanned with a portable scanner and communicated to the service provider rather than (or in cooperation with) the device identifier.

Abstract: A method and system of inputting alphabetic text having a virtual keyboard on a touch sensitive screen. The virtual keyboard includes a set of keys where an each letter of alphabet is associated with at least one key. The present invention allows someone to use the virtual keyboard with continuous contact of the touch sensitive screen. The user traces an input pattern for word by starting at or near the first letter in a decided word and then tracing through or near each letter in sequence. The present invention then generates a list of possible words associated with the entered part and presents it to user for selection.

Abstract: Information is scanned to a scanner memory. A user of the scanner is signaled when sufficient information has been obtained to determine at least one action associated with the scanned information.

Abstract: Techniques for determining the content of a document fragment based at least in part on its digest are described herein.

Abstract: Information corresponding to a sentence or less of text is scanned from a rendered document and converted to text. The text is communicated to a search engine. Electronic content corresponding to the rendered document from which the text was scanned is identified from the search engine results.

Abstract: A system for interactive paper is described. Data fragments are captured at locations in a rendered document. A digital version of the document is optionally located. Markup data applied to the capture creates a rich set of interactions for the user. New models for publishing documents and new document-related services are described.

Abstract: A facility for securing text captured from a rendered document is described. The facility receives data including an encryption of text captured from a rendered document. The facility decrypts the captured text included in the received data.

Abstract: A device for capturing rendered text is described. The device incorporates one or more visual sensors that receive visual information as a part of capturing rendered text. The visual sensors are collectively capable of capturing both text that is permanently printed on a page, and text that is displayed transitorily on a dynamic device. The device further incorporates a visual information disposition subsystem for disposing of visual information received by the visual sensors. The device further incorporates a package that bears the visual sensors and the visual information disposition subsystem, and is suitable to be held in a human hand.

Abstract: A system for easily determining viewership of articles or ads in printed publications and using the determined viewership to determine author compensation, ad rates, or other historical or demographic related information is described. The system receives scan information of portions of a number of paper documents that is generated by scanners operated by a number of users. The system searches digital content using the received scan information, and determines a readership value for components of the paper document based upon the search.

Abstract: A handheld optical scanner for capturing images of text from a rendered document is described. The scanner includes a package suitable to be held in a user's hand. The package contains an optical sensor that captures images of text from a rendered document. The package also contains a proximity sensor that determines when the optical sensor is within a predetermined distance and orientation of a rendered document. The package further contains a triggering mechanism that causes the optical sensor to capture an image of text from a rendered document when the proximity sensor determines that the optical sensor is within a predetermined distance and orientation of a rendered document.

Abstract: Character recognition is described. In one embodiment, it may use matched sequences rather than character shape to determine a computer-legible result.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for filling forms, including using a graphical capture device, are described herein.

Abstract: A facility for exposing an index of private documents is described. In a private network, the facility (1) identifies electronic versions of documents that are available inside the private network, including a distinguished document; (2) constructs an index covering the identified electronic versions of documents; and (3) exports the constructed index from the private network to an index publication server. At the index publication server, the facility (1) receives the exported index; (2) receives a query via a public network; and (3) uses an index, based upon the received index, to generate a query result for the received query that contains the distinguished document.

Abstract: An action plan data structure for one or more selected rendered documents is described. The data structure contains information specifying an action to perform automatically in response to a text capture from any of the selected rendered documents.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus and methods for implementing transaction applications using a handheld document data capture device are described herein. The handheld device captures information from a rendered document. The captured information is processed to identify an electronic document corresponding to the rendered document. Information captured from the rendered document by the handheld capture device is used to perform a transaction. In one embodiment, a portable scanner is used to select items from a catalog. Information scanned from the catalog is used to identify the catalog, the items to be purchased, and complete an order via the Internet.

Abstract: A system for identifying an electronic counterpart for a rendered document is described. The system receives an indication of a text capture operation performed from a rendered document. The indication identifies a text sequence captured as part of the text capture operation, the identified text sequence comprising fewer than nine words. In response to receiving the indication, the system uniquely identifies an electronic document from which the rendered document was rendered.