Script character processing method for determining word boundaries and interactively editing ink strokes using editing gestures

• US 6,502,114 B1
• Filed: 10/19/1998
• Issued: 12/31/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Forcier, Mitchell D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hong, Stephen S.
• Application Number:
  US09/175,059
• Time in Patent Office: 1,534 Days
• Field of Search: 707/541, 707/530, 707/531, 707/520
• US Class Current: 715/273
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/10 Text processing natural language analysis G06F40/20; semantic analysis G06F40/30; processing or translation of natural language G06F40/40
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/166 Editing, e.g. inserting or deleting

Abstract

A pen-based processor needs to be usable to input and edit script like a text-based computer but retain a resemblance to the user of a pad and pencil. The disclosed system and method implement input, editing and other manipulation of glyphs including handwritten script, ASCII test, bit-mapped images and drawings in a common document, using a compatible internal representation of the data and a simple, consistent set of user control functions. These functions are invoked using an intuitive and interactive set of user gestures which do not distract the user from the task of inputting or editing the document. A two-step gesture method avoids confusion between strokes and command gestures and allows use of similar gestures for different functions within the same and different contexts. The system infers from customary user writing conventions that certain relationships of data are to be preserved and maintains the relationships, subject to user override, during editing. The display document is formatted to contain lined or unlined areas of glyphs that can be edited, including insertion of a moving space into pre-existing document text and word wrapping. Adjoining drawing areas are unaffected by editing of text data.

Claims

1. A computerized method for determining word boundaries from ink strokes entered with a graphical input device on a dynamic document display, the method comprising:

entering ink strokes onto the document display;

grouping the ink strokes as a script line;

ordering the ink strokes in the script line according to the leftmost point of each stroke so that the strokes are ordered from left to right;

grouping adjacent sets of ink strokes separated along the script line by a pre-determined amount of space as words.

2. A method according to claim 1 in which the script line to which an ink stroke belongs is determined by the starting point of the stroke.

3. A method according to claim 1 in which the script line to which an ink stroke belongs is determined by its proximity to a current input area.

4. A method according to claim 1 in which an ink stroke is reassigned to an adjacent script line and associated with the ink strokes in said adjacent script line.

5. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the method of claim 1.

6. A pen-based computer method for a user interactively to edit glyphs on a document display to insert handwritten script using a pen-type input device, the method comprising:

forming a series of lines, each having a beginning point and an end point, to define line spaces for writing script;

writing N consecutive strokes in one or more of the line spaces;

determining a common input line space;

establishing the common input line space as the current input line space if;

(a) the N strokes are within a user-definable horizontal distance,

(b) the N strokes are within a predetermined vertical proximity of the common input line space, and

(c) the N strokes are contained within three adjacent line spaces including the common input line space, a preceding line space, and a subsequent line space;

associating with the current input line space those of the N consecutive strokes that are not currently residing in the current input line.

7. A method according to claim 6 wherein the step of determining the common input line space comprises:

determining a center of gravity for each of the N strokes;

determining for each stroke a resident line wherein the center of gravity of said stroke resides; and

establishing the common input line as the line having a user-definable percentage of the N center of gravities.

8. A method according to claim 6 wherein the step of determining the common input line space comprises:

determining a center of gravity for each of the N strokes;

determining an average center of gravity from the N center of gravities;

establishing the common input line as the line wherein the average center of gravity resides.

9. A method according to claim 6 including writing M strokes following the N strokes and storing each of the M strokes in the current input line if a portion of each M stroke contacts the current horizontal input area.

10. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the method of claim 6.

11. A pen-based computer method for a user interactively to edit glyphs on a document display to insert handwritten script using a pen-type input device, the method comprising:

forming a series of lines, each having a beginning point and an end point, to define line spaces for writing script;

determining a current input line space;

determining a current horizontal input area within the current input line;

determining vertical and horizontal extents of a stroke;

storing the stroke in the current input line if a portion of the stroke contacts the current input line and a portion of the stroke contacts the current horizontal input area.

12. A method according to claim 11 wherein the horizontal input area moves along the current input line as the user writes, the method comprising:

identifying the word containing the latest stroke that was entered into the current input line;

repositioning the horizontal input area along the current input line relative to said word.

13. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the method of claim 11.