Handwriting recognition method and apparatus having multiple selectable dictionaries

• US 6,633,672 B1
• Filed: 03/13/2000
• Issued: 10/14/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Nag, Ronjon, Huff, Alan P., Guzik, Kenneth J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Johns, Andrew W.
• Application Number:
  US09/524,064
• Publication Number:
  US 20030194130A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,310 Days
• Field of Search: 382/101, 382/187, 382/189, 382/137, 382/217, 382/218, 382/229
• US Class Current: 382/189
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 30/242 Division of the character sequences into groups prior to recognition; Selection of dictionaries

Abstract

Multiple selectable dictionaries are used by a handwriting recognition system to provide accurate and prompt recognition processing. Sets of the multiple dictionaries are selectable by the user or automatically by the recognition program in response to the user handwriting in predetermined fields on a user interface.

Claims

1. A method for handwriting recognition, comprising the steps of:

displaying a graphical image having at least one handwriting entry area to receive handwritten input;

processing information representing the handwritten input with a selected set comprising a plurality of dictionaries having stored recognition data to identify candidate recognition information, the selected set of the plurality of dictionaries being selected automatically in response to receiving the handwritten input in a particular handwriting entry area; and

displaying the candidate recognition information.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the processing step further comprises processing the information representing the handwritten input with a user selected set of the plurality of dictionaries.

3. The method of claim 1, which includes the step of expanding the candidate recognition information into expanded recognition information.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the processing step further comprises processing information representing the handwritten input from a first handwriting entry area upon detection of handwritten input in another handwriting entry area.

5. The method of claim 1, which includes the step of transmitting the candidate recognition information.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the selected set of the plurality of dictionaries associated with the particular handwriting entry area shares at least one common dictionary with another set of the plurality of dictionaries associated with another handwriting entry area.

7. An apparatus for handwriting recognition, comprising:

a touch-sensitive display for displaying handwriting entry areas to receive handwritten input and for displaying recognized words or characters, and for providing information representing the handwritten input;

a memory having a plurality of dictionaries each having recognition data stored therein to provide stored recognition data; and

digital processing circuitry programmed to select a set comprising at least two of the plurality of dictionaries to provided selected recognition data, the set of the plurality of dictionaries being selected automatically based upon which handwriting entry area receives the handwritten input, and to compare the information representing the handwritten input with the selected recognition data to provide the recognized words or characters to the display.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the digital processing circuitry is programmed to accept user instructions or commands to select the set of dictionaries.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the digital processing circuitry is programmed to compare the information representing the handwritten input with the selected recognition data responsive to handwritten input being received in another handwriting entry area.

10. The apparatus of claim 7 which includes a timer and the digital processing circuitry is programmed to compare the information representing the handwritten input with the selected recognition data responsive to the timer.

11. The apparatus of claim 7, which includes a wireless transmitter for transmitting the recognized words or characters.

12. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the set of the plurality of dictionaries associated with the handwriting entry area that receives the handwritten input shares at least one common dictionary with another set of the plurality of dictionaries associated with another handwriting entry area.

13. An apparatus for handwriting recognition, comprising:

a display for displaying a plurality of handwriting entry areas, to display information representing handwritten input, and for displaying recognized words or characters;

a digitizing input device for receiving the handwritten input and for providing the information representing the handwritten input;

a memory having a plurality of dictionaries each having recognition data stored therein to provide stored recognition data; and

digital processing circuitry programmed to select a set comprising at least two of the plurality of dictionaries associated with the plurality of handwriting entry areas to provided selected recognition data, the set of the plurality of dictionaries being selected automatically based upon which handwriting entry area receives the handwritten input, and to compare the information representing the handwritten input with the selected recognition data upon receiving handwritten input in another of the plurality of handwriting entry areas to provide the recognized words or characters to the display.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, which includes a wireless transmitter for transmitting the recognized words or characters.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the set of the plurality of dictionaries associated with the handwriting entry area that receives the handwritten input shares at least one common dictionary with another set of the plurality of dictionaries associated with another handwriting entry area.