Abstract: Described herein are various technologies pertaining to shapewriting. A touch-sensitive input panel comprises a plurality of keys, where each key in the plurality of keys is representative of a respective plurality of characters. A user can generate a trace over the touch-sensitive input panel, wherein the trace passes over keys desirably selected by the user. A sequence of characters, such as a word, is decoded based upon the trace, and is output to a display or a speaker.

Abstract: Embodiments provide context-aware inclusion of emoticon item sets in applications and/or services. The emoticon item sets include a plurality of emoticon images or other emoticons. A computing device creates custom emoticon item sets for each of the applications. Based on a determined execution context, the computing device selects the emoticon item set and presents the selected emoticon item set for use within the execution context by a user of the computing device.

Abstract: A user interface suited for use on mobile devices for entering characters which may require one or more modifiers is disclosed. The interface may be implemented utilizing a touch screen interface on which a user engages the interface, is provided feedback, and removes the user's touch to enter a character. The interface presents a series of main, supplemental and modifier keys. Touching an interface button or main key presents a series of “petals” or supplemental keys emanating from the main key. Each petal or supplemental key may in turn present one or more sub petals or modifier keys emanating from the supplemental key. Each petal or sub-petal may represent another character or a modifier action. The characters and/or actions on the supplemental keys and modifier keys provide options for characters or modifiers which are dependent or related to the main input key.

Abstract: A method, medium, device, and user interface are provided for receiving a handwriting input and for presenting prediction candidates based on the handwriting input. A pen down event is detected in a writing panel of a user interface. The writing panel is expanded to overlie function keys and a candidate window of the user interface such that those features are made inaccessible for inadvertent selections thereof. Upon detection of a pen up event the writing panel is decreased in size to again reveal the features. Recognition candidates are identified based on the handwriting input. Prediction candidates are also identified based on a highest ranking recognition candidate and are presented in combination with the highest ranking recognition candidate. Prediction candidates are thereby identifiable with the recognition candidate with which they are associated and selection of a prediction candidate and recognition candidate may be performed in single selection input.

Abstract: A method, medium, device, and user interface are provided for receiving a handwriting input and for presenting prediction candidates based on the handwriting input. A pen down event is detected in a writing panel of a user interface. The writing panel is expanded to overlie function keys and a candidate window of the user interface such that those features are made inaccessible for inadvertent selections thereof. Upon detection of a pen up event the writing panel is decreased in size to again reveal the features. Recognition candidates are identified based on the handwriting input. Prediction candidates are also identified based on a highest ranking recognition candidate and are presented in combination with the highest ranking recognition candidate. Prediction candidates are thereby identifiable with the recognition candidate with which they are associated and selection of a prediction candidate and recognition candidate may be performed in single selection input.

Abstract: An adaptive clicker technique is described that provides a standardized polling control and a registration system to support mixed types of clickers and integrate the polling data. One embodiment of the adaptive clicker technique operates as follows. User inputs from more than one type of clicker device (e.g., personal interactive response system device) are received. The inputs from the more than one type of clicker device are formatted with a clicker adapter for each type of clicker to adapt user inputs to a common polling controller. The adapted inputs are then processed with the common polling controller to interface the adapted inputs with a personal response system software application to allow user polling data to be collected and assessed.

Abstract: Tools and techniques for deploying learning management systems to mobile communications devices are provided. These tools receive requests from client devices operating within a learning management system, with the request relating to executing commands within the learning management system. The tools execute the commands in response to the requests, and evaluate whether the client devices are mobile client devices. A response to the command is formatted, based on whether the client devices are mobile client devices.