Handwriting manipulation for conducting a search over multiple databases
First Claim
1. A computer implemented method for a handwriting-initiated search wherein the computer implemented method is executed on a multifunctional device, the computer implemented method comprising:
- receiving a user input on a touch sensitive input unit of the multifunctional device;
determining whether the received user input is a handwriting input on the touch sensitive input unit,wherein the handwriting input is differentiated from a selection of a Graphic User Interface (GUI) object,wherein the user input is received in an area of the touch sensitive input unit that does not exclusively receive handwriting inputs; and
wherein the user input is determined to be a handwriting input when more than one GUI objects that are unrelated to an input of handwriting are contacted as a result of the user input;
upon determination of the handwriting input;
processing the handwriting input to determine one or more matching characters;
conducting a search over two or more databases based on the one or more matching characters,wherein the two or more databases include at least two different types of data;
obtaining search results from the conducted search; and
presenting the search results,wherein the presented search results are selectable by the user for performing an action associated with a search result.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system is provided for allowing a user of a multifunctional device to search information without going through several menu/button manipulations. More specifically, a multifunctional device comprises a user screen area including a touch sensitive layer to receive user input in order to initiate a search over several local and/or remote databases. The user is allowed to input a free-style handwriting query on a screen of a device to look up information, such as contact information, available applications, wallpapers, ringtones, photos, call logs, etc. After conducting a search, the device presents the search results to the user in such a way that the user can start an intended operation by selecting a search result, such as making a call, starting an application, etc.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A computer implemented method for a handwriting-initiated search wherein the computer implemented method is executed on a multifunctional device, the computer implemented method comprising:
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receiving a user input on a touch sensitive input unit of the multifunctional device; determining whether the received user input is a handwriting input on the touch sensitive input unit, wherein the handwriting input is differentiated from a selection of a Graphic User Interface (GUI) object, wherein the user input is received in an area of the touch sensitive input unit that does not exclusively receive handwriting inputs; and wherein the user input is determined to be a handwriting input when more than one GUI objects that are unrelated to an input of handwriting are contacted as a result of the user input; upon determination of the handwriting input; processing the handwriting input to determine one or more matching characters; conducting a search over two or more databases based on the one or more matching characters, wherein the two or more databases include at least two different types of data; obtaining search results from the conducted search; and presenting the search results, wherein the presented search results are selectable by the user for performing an action associated with a search result. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A computing device for performing a handwriting-initiated search, the computing device comprising:
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a touch sensitive input unit for receiving a user input, wherein the user input is received in an area of the touch sensitive input that does not exclusively receive handwriting inputs; at least one memory unit for storing a plurality of databases; a processor operable to; determine whether the received user input is a handwriting input on the touch sensitive input unit, wherein the handwriting input is differentiated from a selection of the GUI object, and wherein the user input is determined to be a handwriting input when the user input contacts more than one GUI objects that are unrelated to an input of handwriting; in response to the handwriting input, process the handwriting input to identify one or more matching characters; conduct a search over two or more databases based on the one or more matching characters, wherein the two or more databases include at least two different types of data; obtain search results; and formulate a graphical user interface displaying the search results; and a display unit for displaying the formulated graphical user interface, wherein each displayed search result is selectable by the user for performing an action associated with the search result. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having instructions encoded thereon to conduct a search based on a handwritten search query, wherein the instructions, when executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to:
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receive a user input through a first window displayed on a touch sensitive screen of the computing device, wherein a selectable menu object is selectable within the first window; determine whether the received user input is a handwritten search query or selection of the selectable menu object, wherein the user input is determined to be a handwritten search query when the user input contacts more than one Graphical User Interface (GUI) objects displayed on the first window that are unrelated to the input of handwriting; in response to receipt of the handwritten search query; conduct a search over two or more databases based on the handwritten search query, wherein the two or more databases include at least two different types of data; and present a second window displaying search results obtained from the search over the first window, wherein the displayed search results are selectable by the user for performing an action associated with a search result. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification