Multiple handwriting recognition engine selection

• US 20040189721A1
• Filed: 03/31/2003
• Published: 09/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Vong, William H., Pettiross, Jeffrey W., Mak, William, Clow, Joshua
• Granted Patent: US 7,187,801 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/863
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text

Abstract

A system and method for switching between handwriting recognizers is described. A user may select between various recognizers to associate received handwritten ink with the recognizers. Accordingly, a user is able to write in a first language, switch and write in a second language, then switch again and write in the first language using aspects of the present invention.

Claims

1. A user interface for a computer comprising:

a handwriting input area in which a user writes to create electronic ink;

a first user interface region relating to a first handwriting recognizer;

at least a second user interface region relating to at least a second hand writing recognizer,

wherein selection of said first user interface region associates electronic ink with said first hand writing recognizer and wherein selection of at least said second user interface region associates electronic ink with said at least said second hand writing recognizer.

2. The user interface according to claim 1, wherein at least said second user interface region is a button.

3. The user interface according to claim 1, wherein at least said second user interface region is a tab of a third user interface region and closing said first user interface region.

4. The user interface according to claim 1, wherein said first user interface region includes a baseline guide.

5. The user interface according to claim 1, wherein said first user interface region includes regions for character input.

6. The user interface according to claim 1, further comprising:

a third region that, upon selection, displays a keyboard.

7. A process for recognizing electronic ink comprising the steps of:

receiving electronic ink;

determining which of at least two recognizers is to be associated with said electronic ink;

sending said ink to a selected recognizer of said at least two recognizers;

receiving recognized text from said recognizer;

sending said recognized text to an application.

8. The process according to claim 7, further comprising the step of sending said electronic ink to said application.

9. The process according to claim 8, further comprising the step of maintaining at least one of said electronic ink and said recognized text.

10. The process according to claim 8, further comprising the step of performing an alternative recognition of said electronic ink using a different recognizer then said at least two recognizers.

11. A process of changing between at least two recognizers of electronic ink comprising the steps of:

receiving a change in recognizer;

switching to a new recognizer;

determining if a new handwriting input area is associated with said new recognizer; and

,

displaying said new handwriting input area.

12. A computer-readable medium having instructions thereon, said instructions for recognizing electronic ink, said instructions comprising the steps of:

receiving electronic ink;

determining which of at least two recognizers is to be associated with said electronic ink;

sending said ink to a selected recognizer of said at least two recognizers;

receiving recognized text from said recognizer;

sending said recognized text to an application.

13. The computer-readable medium according to claim 12, further comprising the step of sending said electronic ink to said application.

14. The computer-readable medium according to claim 13, further comprising the step of maintaining at least one of said electronic ink and said recognized text.

15. The computer-readable medium according to claim 13, further comprising the step of performing an alternative recognition of said electronic ink using a different recognizer then said at least two recognizers.

16. A computer system for recognizing electronic ink comprising:

means for receiving electronic ink;

means for determining which of at least two recognizers is to be associated with said electronic ink;

means for sending said ink to a selected recognizer of said at least two recognizers;

means for receiving recognized text from said recognizer;

means for sending said recognized text to an application.

17. The computer according to claim 16, further comprising means for sending said electronic ink to said application.

18. The computer according to claim 17, further comprising means for maintaining at least one of said electronic ink and said recognized text.

19. The computer according to claim 17, further comprising means for performing an alternative recognition of said electronic ink using a different recognizer then said at least two recognizers.