Abstract: A recognition system for a pen-based computer system characterized by: a tablet for inputting strokes from a stylus; a low-level recognizer responsive to the strokes and operative to perform low-level recognition on the strokes; a high-level recognizer responsive to at least some of the strokes and operative to perform high-level recognition on those strokes; and a recognition interface permitting communication between the recognizers and an application program. The high-level recognizer includes a controller capable of receiving units to be recognized; a number of recognition domains coupled to the controller, where each of the recognition domains can receive one or more units from the controller and is capable of providing an interpretation of the meaning of the one or more units to the controller; and an arbiter coupled to the controller which is capable of resolving conflicts between multiple interpretations developed by the recognition domains.

Abstract: A method for manipulating notes on a screen of a computer display is provided. Each note area may include graphical, text, and data objects. An initial note area is provided with a header bar which includes the date of creation, the note number, and/or other indicia. When a user desires to make a new note, a division gesture is made on the computer display by moving a stylus horizontally across the screen. Once a division gesture is detected, the height of the preceding note is determined, and the height of the new note is considered to be indefinite or infinite. Each new division gesture creates a new header bar for the new note indicating the date of creation, the note number, and/or other pertinent information.

Abstract: A status bar characterized by a template generated independently of an application program and displayed on a computer screen in contact with an application window. The template carries at least one active area that can include an icon for controlling the application program or an area which displays information generated by the application program. Alternatively, or additionally, the active area can include "global functions" of the computer system. A method for providing a status bar is characterized by the steps of creating a status bar template having at least one area to be activated, activating at least one area to create a status bar, and displaying the status bar on a computer screen in contact with an associated application window displayed on the computer screen. The step of creating a status bar template can include the steps of creating a plurality of status bar templates, one of which is chosen to be attached to a particular application window.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a unified data approach to performing computational services, particularly in pen-based computer systems. The approach employs object oriented functions and establishes common data structures employable in the standardized form in particular defined functional domains of the computer system. The functional domains in which the common data structures are employable without adaptation include the view system, the scripting system, and the object store functional domains of the computational system, which preferably is a pen-based computer system. The apparatus according to the invention further includes an object system for creating, eliminating and managing the predetermined data objects and structures. The object store functional domain provides external storage with respect to the externally located operating system with which it cooperates through a minimal, i.e., narrow interface.

Abstract: A method for resetting a real-time clock of a pen-based computer system characterized by the steps of: displaying an image of an analog clock face with an hour hand and a minute hand on the screen of a pen-based computer system; determining whether a clock-setting stroke has been made with a stylus upon the image of the analog clock face; resetting the real-time clock to correspond to the clock-setting stroke; and moving at least one of the hour hand and the minute hand in response to the clock-setting stroke.

Abstract: A method for deleting objects displayed on the screen of a display assembly of a pointer based computer system is described. The method includes the steps of detecting a pointer created stroke and processing the stroke for gesture recognition. Thereafter, the processed stroke is checked to determine whether it meets the path definition requirements of a scrub gesture. In another step, a determination is made as to whether an object displayed on the screen has been selected. If an object is selected and the processed stroke meets the requirements of a scrub gesture, the selected object is deleted. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the selected object determining step includes the substep of determining whether any objects were preselected at the time the scrub gesture was made. When no suitable objects are preselected, a determination is made as to whether the scrub gesture substantially overlaps a displayed object. If a displayed object is substantially overlapped, it is selected for deletion.

Abstract: A computer system for manipulating notes on a screen of a computer display is provided. Each note area may include graphical, text, and data objects. An initial note area is provided with a header bar which includes the date of creation, the note number, and/or other indicia. When a user desires to make a new note, a division gesture is made on the computer display by moving a stylus horizontally across the screen. Once a division gesture is detected, the height of the preceding note is determined, and the height of the new note is considered to be indefinite or infinite. Each new division gesture creates a new header bar for the new note indicating the date of creation, the note number, and/or other pertinent information.

Abstract: A method for automated preparation of a formal communication, in a format such as a facsimile transmission, a letter or a memorandum, from an text object, a graphics object or a general object received by a computer system. The computer system examines the object information and determines (1) the desired format for the communication and (2) the information to be included in the body or substance of the communication. A given format, such as a facsimile transmission, has a corresponding template and a set of associated information queries to be answered to "fill in" the template information items. The computer system determines as many answers as possible for the information queries by examining the object. Any unanswered queries may be answered by the writer or supplier of the object. The computer system then prepares the body of the communication, including identification of people, geographical locations, events, times and dates referred to in the object.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for setting the case of text in a pen-aware computer system is described. In general, the case of one or more letters of a designated text object can be changed with a convenient and simple input gesture. The case resetting gesture takes the form of a substantially vertically extending line that overlies a textual object that includes a character or characters that are intended to have their case reset. The direction and position of the case setting gesture are used to determine which characters are to be affected and whether the designated case is upper or lower case.

Abstract: A method for managing a computerized database characterized by the steps of: a) providing a collection of view styles including a card view and a list view; b) selecting an initial view from the collection of view styles; c) determining an initial record index; d) deriving information from at least one record of a computerized database indicated by the record index; e) displaying the information in the selected view style; f) detecting a user input indicating a view style, an index selection, or both; and g) repeating steps d, e, and f in response to the detected user input. The method also includes displaying a card area on a screen of a pen-based computer system which depicts structured information concerning an entity, and displaying a free-form area on the screen depicting unstructured information concerning the entity.

Abstract: A method characterized by the steps of: a) determining an action to be taken on an object on a computer screen which changes the status of the object; b) modifying the visual appearance of the object through animation to reflect the change in status; and c) automatically moving the modified object on the screen to indicate the disposition of the object. With a delete or "trashing" action, an object is crumpled on screen to indicate that the object has become trash, and the crumpled object is moved across the screen and into a trash can icon to indicate its final disposition. One embodiment of the present invention is a pen based computer system including a central processing unit, a display assembly showing at least one object, and a pointer for inputting information to the computer system. Additionally, the system can receive a change in status command for the object, modify the visual appearance of the object, automatically move the object, and execute the change in status command.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in accordance with the present invention comprises the process and means for receiving input strokes made with a stylus on a screen of a pen-based computer and determining if the strokes comprise a text object. When the strokes do form a text object, a rating for each existing displayed paragraph is assigned to identify a probability level that an insert location is within the paragraph. Determining a rating involves comparing the bounds of the text object to extended bounds of the existing paragraph, and the input strokes of the text object to the input strokes of the preceding text object. When the rating is completed for each paragraph, an insert location within the highest rated or most probable existing paragraph is then identified, and the text object is inserted at this insert location. A new paragraph is formed with the text object at a location based on the input strokes when a most probable paragraph is not identified.

Abstract: A method for selecting objects displayed on a screen of a pen-based computer system characterized by the steps of: (a) determining that a selection gesture has been made on the screen of the pen-based computer by a stylus; (b) detecting a path made by the stylus across at least a portion of an object depicted on the screen; (c) displaying a line image on the screen along the path; (d) determining a selection of at least a portion of the object as indicated by the path; and (e) displaying selection indicia on the screen representing the selection. The step of displaying the selection indicia can occur concurrently with or after the complete path is made by the stylus on the object. Preferably, the line image is removed after the step of displaying the selection indicia.

Abstract: A graphical editor user interface that is particularly well suited for use in pointer based computer systems. The graphical editor is arranged to permit the user to easily edit various selected graphic objects. The selected objects are highlighted and preferably editing handles are provided at designated positions relative to the selected portions of the object. Additionally, a bounding box is drawn about the selected portions of the object. In various aspects of the invention, the user is then permitted to edit the object by executing specific actions. The editing actions include resizing, duplicating, distorting and moving either the entire object or only the selected portions. After any of the editing maneuvers is performed, the display is updated to reflect any changes made during the editing step.

Abstract: A method for resetting a real-time clock of a pen-based computer system characterized by the steps of: displaying an image of an analog clock face with an hour hand and a minute hand on the screen of a pen-based computer system; determining whether a clock-setting stroke has been made with a stylus upon the image of the analog clock face; resetting the real-time clock to correspond to the clock-setting stroke; and moving at least one of the hour hand and the minute hand in response to the clock-setting stroke.

Abstract: A method for formatting paragraphs on a screen of a computer system including the steps of: a) entering a word on a screen of a computer system using a pointing mechanism; b) finding an associated paragraph, if any, that the word is to be associated with; c) adding the word to the associated paragraph, if one exists; and d) starting a new paragraph with the word if there is not a closely related exiting paragraph. A newly-entered word can be added to an associated paragraph in basically four ways. The word can be added in a new line at the top of the paragraph, in a new line at the bottom of the paragraph, at the end of an existing line, or between words of an existing line. After a word has been entered, the text within the paragraph is repositioned as desired by the user, either implicitly or through an explicit command. For example, the words within a paragraph can be caused to "reflow" so that they are aligned between the left and right margins of the paragraph.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing computer-assisted implicit and explicit assistance. If no implicit assist actions are desired or indicated, a logical process is initiated to determine whether explicit assistance should be undertaken. If implicit assistance is indicated, a list of action alternatives is displayed for the user. If explicit assistance is desired by the user, particular object(s) from which the assistance may be inferred are entered into an assistance operation. An attempt is made to recognize possible intents expressed by the objects entered into the assistance process. If no user intent is, in fact, recognized, the assist operation is usually terminated. If a possible intent is recognized, the actual intent is hypothesized. A check is further undertaken, to determine whether a hypothesis is in fact available. If no hypothesis is found, the process permits the user to supply a proposed action. If no hypothesis is found and no user action is proposed, assistance efforts terminate.

Abstract: A method for manipulating an inked object with a pointing device on a pen based computer system includes receiving an ink stroke made with a pointing device, displaying the ink stroke on a screen of the computer system and creating a representative stroke within the computer system from the ink stroke. Upon the receipt of a user-initiated command, the representative stroke is first manipulated and then the ink stroke is manipulated in accordance with the representative stroke. Only the ink stroke is displayed on the screen. Examples of manipulation of the inked object include sizing, distorting, and deleting segments of the inked object. The method of the present invention is preferably practiced as a computer implemented process on a pen-based computer system.

Abstract: A method for managing a computerized database characterized by the steps of: a) providing a collection of view styles including a card view and a list view; b) selecting an initial view from the collection of view styles; c) determining an initial record index; d) deriving information from at least one record of a computerized database indicated by the record index; e) displaying the information in the selected view style; f) detecting a user input indicating a view style, an index selection, or both; and g) repeating steps d, e, and f in response to the detected user input. The method also includes displaying a card area on a screen of a pen-based computer system which depicts structured information concerning an entity, and displaying a free-form area on the screen depicting unstructured information concerning the entity.

Abstract: A means and method for directly manipulating text on a computer display screen. A selected block of text is first identified for manipulation. After being identified, the selected block of text is highlighted on the display screen using contrasting colors or a reverse video. A text manipulation handle associated with the selected text block is displayed. The user may then directly manipulate the selected text block by positioning a cursor within the text manipulation handle and activating a signal generation device. When this occurs, the selected text block may be moved around the display screen while remaining visible using the cursor control device as long as the signal generation device remains active. A shadow image and insertion marker associated with the selected text block is displayed while the selected text block is moveable. A cutting or copying operation may be selected when the signal generation device is activated.