Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media process and distinguish user input device gestures, such as gestures input via a pen in a pen-based computing system, e.g., to quickly and reliably distinguish between electronic ink entry, single taps, double taps, press-and-hold actions, dragging operations, and the like. Systems, methods, and computer-readable media also are provided for dynamically calibrating a computer system, e.g., calibrating a displayed input panel view based on input data recognized and received by a digitizer. Such systems and methods may operate without entering a dedicated or special calibration application, program, or routine.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media process and distinguish user input device gestures, such as gestures input via a pen in a pen-based computing system, e.g., to quickly and reliably distinguish between electronic ink entry, single taps, double taps, press-and-hold actions, dragging operations, and the like. Systems, methods, and computer-readable media also are provided for dynamically calibrating a computer system, e.g., calibrating a displayed input panel view based on input data recognized and received by a digitizer. Such systems and methods may operate without entering a dedicated or special calibration application, program, or routine.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for automatically calibrating a pointing device, such as a stylus, with a writing surface, such as a touch screen. In one example, an automated method is implemented to calibrate the writing surface based user inputs attempting to use the computer for functions other than calibration of the writing surface. The user inputs may be, for example, a user selecting a button within a non-calibration software application. The automated method may generate a miscalibration vector based upon where the user input was received and where the user input was expected. In yet another example, a bias field may be generated for the writing surface from the collected user inputs. In yet other examples, a computing device may comprise computer-executable instructions for performing one or methods of calibrating the writing surface.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention reduce the number of false positive touch inputs made by a non-stylus object such as the user's finger or hand. When the stylus is located proximate to the touch-sensitive surface, the sensitivity of the surface to non-stylus input is disabled, reduced, or otherwise modified. For example, non-stylus inputs may be ignored while the stylus is within a proximity zone defined near the touch-sensitive surface. Further aspects of the present invention are directed to adjusting the threshold requirements of a non-stylus input depending upon where on the touch-sensitive surface the input is made. Still further aspects of the present invention are directed to calibrating various sensitivity thresholds for non-stylus input, as well as the size and/or shape of the proximity zone.

Abstract: This document describes tools associated with soft keyboard control functions. In some implementations, the tools recognize a keyboard launch gesture on a touch sensitive screen and present a preview of a keyboard on the touch sensitive screen responsive to the launch gesture. The tools can also display the keyboard on the touch sensitive screen responsive to cessation of the launch gesture.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media process and distinguish user input device gestures, such as gestures input via a pen in a pen-based computing system, e.g., to quickly and reliably distinguish between electronic ink entry, single taps, double taps, press-and-hold actions, dragging operations, and the like. Systems, methods, and computer-readable media also are provided for dynamically calibrating a computer system, e.g., calibrating a displayed input panel view based on input data recognized and received by a digitizer. Such systems and methods may operate without entering a dedicated or special calibration application, program, or routine.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media process and distinguish user input device gestures, such as gestures input via a pen in a pen-based computing system, e.g., to quickly and reliably distinguish between electronic ink entry, single taps, double taps, press-and-hold actions, dragging operations, and the like. Systems, methods, and computer-readable media also are provided for dynamically calibrating a computer system, e.g., calibrating a displayed input panel view based on input data recognized and received by a digitizer. Such systems and methods may operate without entering a dedicated or special calibration application, program, or routine.

Abstract: A user interface is provided allowing a user to simulate mouse hovering with the user's finger on a touch-sensitive display. When a finger or other stylus touches the touch-sensitive display adjacent to a display cursor, a control appears that enables the user to drag the cursor about the display by dragging the control. Manipulation of the control instead of the cursor allows the user to see the cursor while it moves, making it easier to accurately target small objects that were previously difficult to target directly. In addition, a tap or other user touch input is funneled from the control to the location of the cursor itself. For example, if the user taps on the control, the tap causes an event such as a left mouse button down event to be generated at the location of the cursor as opposed to the location of the tap, thereby improving accuracy.

Abstract: A tablet PC having an interactive display, which is touchscreen enabled, may be enhanced to provide a user with superior usability and efficiency. A touchscreen device may be configured to receive multiple concurrent touchscreen contacts. The attributes of the multiple concurrent touchscreen contracts may be mapped to operations performed on the computing device. As a result, a user can trigger the execution of the toggle accessibility aid operation and the screen rotation operation with greater convenience. Moreover, the tablet PC may be configured to map an operation to a hand gesture or input.

Abstract: Upon detection of user input, a computing device (e.g., tablet PC, PDA, cellular device) may determine whether the input corresponds to a request to enhance elements of the user interface. In response to a positive determination, the computing device may magnify or otherwise modify the appearance of particular graphical elements of the interface to facilitate user interaction. The computing device identifies one or more graphical elements that are within a predefined proximity or area of the input location and displays an enlarged version of those elements to provide the user with a larger interaction area. Additionally, a computing device may clone (i.e., copy) the identified elements and enlarge the cloned elements at a specified region of the user interface. In another aspect, the computing device may magnify the entire area associated with the location of user input, rather than just the interactive elements of that predefined area.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for automatically calibrating a pointing device, such as a stylus, with a writing surface, such as a touch screen. In one example, an automated method is implemented to calibrate the writing surface based user inputs attempting to use the computer for functions other than calibration of the writing surface. The user inputs may be, for example, a user selecting a button within a non-calibration software application. The automated method may generate a miscalibration vector based upon where the user input was received and where the user input was expected. In yet another example, a bias field may be generated for the writing surface from the collected user inputs. In yet other examples, a computing device may comprise computer-executable instructions for performing one or methods of calibrating the writing surface.

Abstract: Methods of controlling the display and use of a UI element are disclosed. In an embodiment, the UI element may configured so that it initially maintains a topmost position but eventually allows other applications to assume the topmost position. In an embodiment, the display of the UI element may be adjusted in response to an input so that the UI element is not visible on the display. In an embodiment, the use of the UI element may allow for seamless dragging of the UI element even if the user inadvertently fails to make consistent contact with the touch-sensitive display while dragging the UI element.

Abstract: A method for rejecting an unintentional palm touch is disclosed. In at least some embodiments, a touch is detected by a touch-sensitive surface associated with a display. Characteristics of the touch may be used to generate a set of parameters related to the touch. In an embodiment, firmware is used to determine a reliability value for the touch. The reliability value and the location of the touch is provided to a software module. The software module uses the reliability value and an activity context to determine a confidence level of the touch. In an embodiment, the confidence level may include an evaluation of changes in the reliability value over time. If the confidence level for the touch is too low, it may be rejected.

Abstract: A system for enabling a tablet input object is described. A tablet input object can take various inputs from touch, a mouse, and a pen and send their information to an application.

Abstract: A system for enabling a tablet input object is described. A tablet input object can take various inputs from touch, a mouse, and a pen and sends their information to an application or operating system. Also, a pen message pathway may also be used to handle touch messages, thereby reusing an existing pen message pathway for messages created by something other than a pen.

Abstract: A system for enabling a tablet input object is described. A tablet input object can take various inputs from touch, a mouse, and a pen and sends their information to an application or operating system. Also, a pen message pathway may also be used to handle touch messages, thereby reusing an existing pen message pathway for messages created by something other than a pen.

Abstract: A system and process for enabling programmatic access to the contents of documents containing electronic ink are described.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media process and distinguish user input device gestures, such as gestures input via a pen in a pen-based computing system, e.g., to quickly and reliably distinguish between electronic ink entry, single taps, double taps, press-and-hold actions, dragging operations, and the like. Systems, methods, and computer-readable media also are provided for dynamically calibrating a computer system, e.g., calibrating a displayed input panel view based on input data recognized and received by a digitizer. Such systems and methods may operate without entering a dedicated or special calibration application, program, or routine.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention provide virtual hover zones. When a user lowers a hovering stylus while remaining within a hover zone, cursor control is modified to be more easily controllable by the user. If the user pauses the stylus in mid-air before lowering the stylus, and if the stylus remains within the hover zone, then upon touchdown the cursor may be moved to the projection of the location where the stylus was paused. Any action that my be taken in response to the touch down may be sent to the projection location as well. Also provided are cursor control zones. A dampening zone may be used to provide dampened cursor movement feedback in response to movement input provided by a pointing device. Also, a dead zone may be used to prohibit cursor movement in response to movement input provided by the pointing device.

Abstract: A user interface is provided allowing a user to simulate mouse hovering with the user's finger on a touch-sensitive display. When a finger or other stylus touches the touch-sensitive display adjacent to a display cursor, a control appears that enables the user to drag the cursor about the display by dragging the control. Manipulation of the control instead of the cursor allows the user to see the cursor while it moves, making it easier to accurately target small objects that were previously difficult to target directly. In addition, a tap or other user touch input is funneled from the control to the location of the cursor itself. For example, if the user taps on the control, the tap causes an event such as a left mouse button down event to be generated at the location of the cursor as opposed to the location of the tap, thereby improving accuracy.