Method and system for on screen text correction via pen interface

• US 7,113,178 B1
• Filed: 02/02/2004
• Issued: 09/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Palmsource Incorporated (Access Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: Palmsource Incorporated (Access Company Limited)
• Inventors: Webb, Russell Y.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shalwala, Bipin
• Assistant Examiner(s): Patel, Nitin
• Application Number:
  US10/770,648
• Time in Patent Office: 967 Days
• Field of Search: 345/156, 345/145, 345/146, 345/173, 345174-178, 345/179, 382/189, 382/181, 178/18.1, 178/18, 178/18.01, 178/18.03, 178/19.01, 704/231, 352/87, 352/189, 352/312
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/166 Editing, e.g. inserting or deleting
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/171 by use of digital ink
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/232 Orthographic correction, e.g. spell checking or vowelisation

Abstract

A system and method for changing data displayed on a touch-sensitive display screen. The present system and method recognize handwritten strokes made with a stylus on the touch-sensitive display screen of a PDA or palmtop computer in order to alter or correct displayed data. In one mode of operation, computer controlled association of the location of the handwritten strokes on the display screen with one or more of the displayed characters will result in automatic replacement of those characters by the handwritten strokes. In a second mode of operation, matching at least one of the handwritten strokes with one character of the displayed data will result in replacement of one or more characters of the displayed data with the handwritten characters. With the present system and method, the number of steps required to alter displayed data is reduced to the number of handwritten strokes. A significant reduction in time and effort as well as a simplification in application is therefore offered.

Claims

1. A method for correcting text comprising the steps of:

a) displaying a first text portion on a touch-sensitive display screen;

b) automatically recognizing user input representing handwritten strokes made on said touch-sensitive display screen, said handwritten strokes performed using a cursor;

c) using the display location of said handwritten strokes to associate them with said first text portion, without leaving position of said cursor;

d) using similarities between said recognized handwritten strokes and said first text portion to amend said first text portion to produce a second text portion; and

e) replacing, on said display screen, said first text portion with said second text portion.

2. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said step b) is performed by a user writing said handwritten strokes on said touch-sensitive display screen with a stylus.

3. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said step b) is performed using said cursor to write said handwritten strokes.

4. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said first text portion comprises characters and wherein said step d) comprises the steps of:

d1) finding a match between at least one recognized handwritten stroke and one character of said first text portion;

d2) based on said match, identifying a section of said first text portion; and

d3) replacing said section of said first text portion with said recognized handwritten strokes to produce said second text portion.

5. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said step c) comprises the step of c 1) associating said handwritten strokes with said first text portion based on the proximity of said handwritten strokes to said first text portion on said display screen.

6. In a computer system having a touch-sensitive display screen, a method for correcting text comprising the steps of:

a) displaying a first text portion on said touch-sensitive display screen;

b) automatically recognizing user input representing handwritten strokes made on said touch-sensitive display screen, said handwritten strokes performed using a cursor;

c) using the display location of said handwritten strokes to associate them with said first text portion, without leaving position of said cursor;

d) using similarities between said recognized handwritten strokes and said first text portion to amend said first text portion to produce a second text portion; and

e) replacing, on said display screen, said first text portion with said second text portion.

7. A method as described in claim 6 wherein said step b) is performed by a user writing said handwritten strokes on said touch-sensitive display screen with a stylus.

8. A method as described in claim 6 wherein said step b) is performed using said cursor to write said handwritten strokes.

9. A method as described in claim 6 wherein said first text portion comprises characters and wherein said step d) comprises the steps of:

d1) finding a match between at least one recognized handwritten stroke and one character of said first text portion;

d2) based on said match, identifying a section of said first text portion; and

d3) replacing said section of said first text portion with said recognized handwritten strokes to produce said second text portion.

10. A method as described in claim 6 wherein said step c) comprises the step of c 1) associating said handwritten strokes with said first text portion based on the proximity of said handwritten strokes to said first text portion on said display screen.

11. A method as described in claim 6 wherein said computer system is a PDA.

12. A system for changing displayed data, said system comprising:

a touch-sensitive display screen capable of displaying a first data portion;

a stylus for producing handwritten strokes on said display screen;

a processor for recognizing user input representing handwritten strokes made on said touch-sensitive display screen;

wherein said processor is also for associating the display location of said handwritten strokes with said first data portion;

wherein said processor is also for using similarities between said recognized handwritten strokes and said first data portion to amend said first data portion to produce a second data portion, and

wherein said processor is also for replacing said first data portion with said second data portion.

13. A system as described in claim 12 wherein said system is a palmtop computer system.

14. A system as described in claim 12 wherein said handwritten strokes on said touch-sensitive display screen are made with said stylus.

15. A system as described in claim 12 wherein said user input is performed using a cursor.

16. A system as described in claim 12 wherein said processor associates said display location of said handwritten strokes with said first data portion based on the proximity of said handwritten strokes to said first data portion on said display screen.

17. A system as described in claim 12 wherein said first data portion comprises characters and wherein said processor is capable of finding a match between at least one recognized handwritten stroke and one character of said first data portion and wherein said processor is capable of replacing a section of said first data portion with said handwritten strokes to produce said second data portion.

18. A system as described in claim 12 wherein said processor is also for causing audible tone to be made in conjunction with it replacing said first data portion with said second data portion.

19. A system as described in claim 12 wherein said processor is also for causing audible tone to be made in conjunction with it locating an unambiguous match between at least one recognized handwritten stroke and one character of said first data portion.