U.S. patent application number 11/527071 was filed with the patent office on 2007-06-28 for method and system for on screen text correction via pen interface.
This patent application is currently assigned to PalmSource, Inc.. Invention is credited to Russell Y. Webb.
Application Number | 20070146340 11/527071 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 30771488 |
Filed Date | 2007-06-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070146340 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Webb; Russell Y. |
June 28, 2007 |
Method and system for on screen text correction via pen
interface
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 simplification
in application is therefore offered.
Inventors: |
Webb; Russell Y.; (San Jose,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BERRY & ASSOCIATES P.C.
9255 SUNSET BOULEVARD
SUITE 810
LOS ANGELES
CA
90069
US
|
Assignee: |
PalmSource, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
30771488 |
Appl. No.: |
11/527071 |
Filed: |
September 26, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10770648 |
Feb 2, 2004 |
7113178 |
|
|
11527071 |
Sep 26, 2006 |
|
|
|
09873006 |
May 31, 2001 |
6690364 |
|
|
10770648 |
Feb 2, 2004 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
345/173 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 40/171 20200101;
G06F 40/166 20200101; G06F 3/04883 20130101; G06F 40/232
20200101 |
Class at
Publication: |
345/173 |
International
Class: |
G09G 5/00 20060101
G09G005/00 |
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 repr c) using the
display location of said handwritten strokes to associate them with
said first text portion; 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.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation application of
application Ser. No. 10/770,648, entitled "METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ON
SCREEN TEXT CORRECTION VIA PEN INTERFACE," filed Feb. 2, 2004, to
be issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,113,178, which is a continuation
application of application Ser. No. 09/873,006, entitled "METHOD
AND SYSTEM FOR ON SCREEN TEXT CORRECTION VIA PEN INTERFACE," filed
May 31, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,690,364, of and assigned to the
assignee of the present application. The subject matter in the
above-identified co-pending and commonly owned applications are
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to the field of portable
devices such as personal digital assistants or palmtop computer
systems. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention
relate to the recognition and correction of displayed text.
[0004] 2. Related Art
[0005] As the components required to build a computer system have
reduced in size, new categories of electronic devices and computer
systems have emerged. One of the new categories of computer systems
is the "palmtop" computer system. A palmtop computer system is a
computer that is small enough to be held in the hand of a user and
can therefore be "palm-sized." Most palmtop computer systems are
used to implement various Personal Information Management (PIM)
applications such as an address book, a daily organizer (calendar,
date book, etc.) and electronic notepads, to name a few. Palmtop
computers with PIM software have been known as Personal Digital
Assistants (PDAs). Many PDAs have a small and flat display screen
associated therewith.
[0006] User convenience and device value are very important factors
for portable electronic devices. Typically, portable electronic
devices are employed while the user is on the run, e.g., in
business meetings, on business travel, personal travel, in a
vehicle, on foot, etc. Because the user may be occupied or busy
while using the portable electronic device, the number of user
steps or user tasks required in order to access information from an
electronic device (or to store information into the electronic
device) is crucial for producing a commercially successful and
useful product. That is, the more difficult it is to access data
from an electronic device, the less likely the user will perform
those tasks to obtain the information. Likewise, the easier
information is to obtain, the more likely the portable electronic
device will be used to obtain that information and the more likely
the portable electronic device will become a part of the user's
everyday activities.
[0007] Similarly, the more difficult it is to enter data into an
electronic device, the less likely the user will perform those
tasks required to communicate information. The easier it is to
input information, the more likely the portable electronic device
will be used to communicate that information and the more likely
the portable electronic device will become a part of the user's
everyday activities. A stylus is frequently utilized in an
on-screen handwriting system to enter data into a PDA. An important
aspect of this operation is the ease with which the user can alter
or correct such written information. The current state of the art
is to move a visual selection tool or cursor around the screen and
edit via the same mechanism that was used to enter the original
text or data, however, extra strokes or entry actions are required
to perform character deletions, etc.
[0008] The ability to modify information displayed on a
touch-sensitive display screen, such as spelling errors or perhaps
inaccurate numerical data, is an important function. Since the
characters used to display information on the screen are relatively
small, the spacing between characters is also quite small. This
adds to the difficulty of locating, Identifying and correcting a
single character or groups of characters displayed on a display
screen. One conventional method for allowing a user to correct
mistakes requires that entire words be corrected at once. In
effect, the user is required to identify a larger segment of
information (for example a complete word) that is then displayed in
magnified form for correction on the screen. However, there are
many instances were only one character may be mistaken in a large
word. It is very inconvenient to require a user to re-enter an
entire word if just one character is mistaken.
[0009] Other correction techniques require that the user position a
visual correction tool, e.g., a cursor, near the character to be
corrected. The difficulty with the conventional correction methods
involves the amount of time and effort required. For instance, to
correct one mistake may require three to four separate actions,
often in three disparate areas of the screen or device. For
example, the user needs to position the cursor, perform a delete,
reenter the new character, and then reposition at a last location.
Therefore, existing systems and methods for accomplishing text
correction are generally multiple step operations, and they
generally are limited to altering only one character at a time.
What is needed is a mechanism and method for allowing a user to
easily make corrections with respect to displayed text without
requiring the number of steps required of the cursor approach
described above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] Accordingly, what is needed is a more generally applicable
method or system that provides for more user friendly on-screen
alterations or corrections of displayed information. What is also
needed is a method or system that will allow operation on one or
more characters, as well as replacement of portions of displayed
information, in terms of the location of the information on the
display screen. In addition, what is needed is a method or system
that will function properly in response to handwritten strokes made
on a touch screen by a user. What is also needed is a method or
system that simplifies the alteration or correction process by
reducing the number of steps required in existing methods and
systems.
[0011] Just as one would make a voice correction by back tracking
and repeating some of the correct information to provide context
for where to place a correction, embodiments of the present
invention use location and repetition of context to allow in-place
correction of text on-screen without changing the input state of
the device by persistently moving the cursor or creating selections
of text (both of which are error prone due to the accuracy of pen
placements required).
[0012] This correction recognizer is capable of using any
handwriting system the user employs. The user simply rewrites the
text to be corrected at the approximate on-screen location where
the correction should take place. A user may have to repeat one or
more correct characters to make the correction unique. The system
then compares the new handwriting against the existing text to
locate a match between them for at least one or more
characters.
[0013] Audible feedback may be incorporated so the user will know
when this match is found. A heuristic of placing the new text at
the location where the best match is found is used. For instance,
if you write "your right" and you need to correct it to "you're
right" then writing (u're) may not be enough since there are two
r's near each other. Writing ('re) (with a space) would be enough,
or (u're) would work. This allows the user to naturally correct
just as they are used to when spelling words or numbers out
vocally. A cursor or other correction tool is not required to make
the correction.
[0014] A system and method for changing data displayed on a
touch-sensitive display screen are described. The ability to modify
information displayed on a touch-sensitive display screen, such as
spelling errors or perhaps inaccurate numerical data, is an
important function. Existing systems and methods for accomplishing
this function are generally multiple step operations, and they
generally are limited to altering only one character at a time. 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. The present
system and method is equally applicable with a display system in
which a cursor is used to write handwritten strokes.
[0015] In one mode of operation, associating the location of the
handwritten strokes on the display screen with one or more of the
displayed characters will result in replacement of those characters
by the handwritten (correction) 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.
[0016] In one embodiment of the present invention, a portion of
text to be modified is displayed on a touch-sensitive display
screen. The input cursor is located at the end of the field of
text. A stylus is used to handwrite a substitute character on the
touch-sensitive display screen as the replacement for an existing
character in the displayed text. Locating a portion of the
handwritten stroke near an existing character on the display screen
causes the system to examine this existing text nearby to identify
the character to be replaced. Once a match is found between the
correction text and the existing text, the substitute character is
then automatically inserted in place of the existing character. It
is possible to input more than one handwritten stroke at a time,
thus allowing for simultaneous replacement of multiple
characters.
[0017] In a second embodiment of the present invention, a portion
of text to be modified is displayed on a touch-sensitive display
screen. The input cursor is located at the end of the field of
text. A stylus is used to handwrite one or more substitute
characters on the touch-sensitive display screen as the replacement
for a portion of the displayed text. It is appreciated that the
replacement characters may be written in electronic ink over the
text that is to be corrected. Locating one handwritten character in
the vicinity of a similar existing character on the display screen
identifies the position at which the replacement characters are to
be inserted. Upon finding a match between a replacement character
and an existing character, the substitute characters are
automatically inserted in place of the existing characters with the
matching characters occupying a similar location. The present
system thus allows for replacement of portions of text composed of
multiple characters.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1A is a block diagram of an exemplary network
environment including a portable computer system.
[0019] FIGS. 1B is a block diagram showing another embodiment for
coupling a portable computer system to other computer systems and
to the Internet.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a topside perspective view of an exemplary
portable computer system.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a bottom side perspective view of the exemplary
portable computer system of FIG. 2.
[0022] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the exemplary
portable computer system.
[0023] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the cradle device for
connecting the exemplary portable computers system to other systems
via a communication interface in accordance with one embodiment of
the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 6A illustrates errors in text displayed on a
touch-sensitive display screen according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0025] FIG. 6B illustrates text as displayed on a touch-sensitive
display screen in FIG. 6A in which errors have been corrected
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 7 illustrates the placement of letters formed by
handwritten strokes to be inserted in place of incorrect letters in
existing text displayed on a touch-sensitive display screen
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 8 illustrates the placement of letters formed by
handwritten strokes to be inserted in place of incorrect letters in
existing text displayed on a touch-sensitive display screen
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing steps in a process for
modifying data displayed on a touch-sensitive display screen
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0029] In the following detailed description of the present
invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to
provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However,
it will be recognized by one skilled in the art that the present
invention may be practiced without these specific details or with
equivalents thereof. In other instances, well known methods,
procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in
detail as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present
invention.
Notation and Nomenclature
[0030] Some portions of the detailed descriptions, which follow,
are presented in terms of procedures, steps, logic blocks,
processing, and other symbolic representations of operations on
data bits that can be performed on computer memory. These
descriptions and representations are the means used by those
skilled in the data processing arts to most effectively convey the
substance of their work to others skilled in the art. A procedure,
computer executed step, logic block, process, etc., is here, and
generally, conceived to be a self-consistent sequence of steps or
instructions leading to a desired result. The steps are those
requiring physical manipulations of physical quantities. Usually,
though not necessarily, these quantities take the form of
electrical or magnetic signals capable of being stored,
transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated in a
computer system. It has proven convenient at times, principally for
reasons of common usage, to refer to these signals as bits, values,
elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, or the like.
[0031] It should be borne in mind, however, that all of these and
similar terms are to be associated with the appropriate physical
quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to these
quantities. Unless specifically stated otherwise as apparent from
the following discussions, it is appreciated that throughout the
present invention, discussions utilizing terms such as
"determining" or "indicating" or "indexing" or "receiving" or
"performing" or "initiating" or "sending" or "implementing" or
"disabling" or "enabling" or "displaying" or the like, refer to the
action and processes of a computer system or similar electronic
computing device, that manipulates and transforms data represented
as physical (electronic) quantities within the computer system's
registers and memories into other data similarly represented as
physical quantities within the computer system memories or
registers or other such information storage, transmission or
display devices.
[0032] The present invention is discussed primarily in the context
of a computer system, such as a palmtop or personal digital
assistant, with the capability to access via the Internet a World
Wide Web ("Web") site residing on a server computer system.
However, it is appreciated that the present invention can be used
with other types of devices that have a display screen and allow
handwriting recognition as an input mechanism, including but not
limited to laptop computer systems, cell phones, pagers, etc.
Exemplary Palmtop Platform
[0033] FIG. IA is a block diagram of an exemplary network
environment 50 including a portable computer system 100. Portable
computer system 100 is also known as a palmtop or palm-sized
computer system or as a personal digital assistant (PDA). In one
embodiment, portable computer system I00 has the ability to
transmit and receive data and information over a wireless
communication interface (e.g., a radio interface). In one
embodiment, the wireless communication interface is integrated into
portable computer system 100; in another embodiment, the wireless
communication interface is accomplished with a wireless modem
attachment (not shown).
[0034] In the present embodiment, base station 32 is both a
transmitter and receiver base station, which can be implemented by
coupling it into an existing public telephone network 34.
Implemented in this manner, base station 32 enables portable
computer system 100 to communicate with a proxy server computer
system 36, which is coupled by wire to the existing public
telephone network 34. Furthermore, proxy server computer system 36
is coupled to the lnternet 52, thereby enabling portable computer
system 100 to communicate with the lnternet 52. Coupled with
lnternet 52 are multiple servers exemplified by server 30. Residing
on server 30 is a Web site 40. When communicating with a Web site
over lnternet 52, protocols such as CTP (Compact Transport
Protocol) and CML (Compact Markup Language) can be used by portable
computer system 100 in the present embodiment.
[0035] It should be appreciated that within the present embodiment,
one of the functions of proxy server 36 is to perform operations
over the lnternet 52 on behalf of portable computer system 100. For
example, proxy server 36 has a particular Internet address and acts
as a proxy device for portable computer system 100 over the
lnternet 52.
[0036] It should be further appreciated that other embodiments of a
communications network, planned or envisioned, may be utilized in
accordance with the present invention. For example, a wireless
connection may be made from portable computer system 100 directly
to the lnternet 52.
[0037] The data and information that are communicated between base
station 32 and portable computer system 100 is the same type of
information and data that can conventionally be transferred and
received over a public telephone wire network system. However, a
wireless communication interface is utilized to communicate data
and information between portable computer system 100 and base
station 32. It should be appreciated that one embodiment of a
wireless communication system in accordance with the present
invention is the Mobitex wireless communication system.
[0038] FIGS. 1B is a block diagram showing another embodiment of a
system 51 for coupling a portable computer system 100 to other
computer systems and to the Internet 52 in accordance with the
present invention. System 51 is described in the context of wired
connections between its various devices and components; however, it
is appreciated that wireless connections (such as but not limited
to Bluetooth wireless connections) can also be used.
[0039] With reference first to FIG. 16, system 51 comprises a host
computer system 56 which can either be a desktop unit as shown, or,
alternatively, can be a laptop system 58. Optionally, one or more
host computer systems can be used within system 51. Host computer
systems 58 and 56 are shown connected to a communication bus 54
such as an Ethernet Local Area Network (LAN), but which can instead
be any of a number of other types. Bus 54 can provide communication
with the Internet 52 using a number of well-known protocols.
Coupled with Internet 52 are multiple servers exemplified by server
30. Residing on server 30 is a Web site 40.
[0040] Importantly, in the present embodiment, host computer system
56 is also coupled via connector cable 68 to a cradle 60 for
receiving and initiating communication with portable computer
system 100 ("handheld computer") of the present invention.
Connector cable 68 can be a serial bus (e.g., RS232), a parallel
bus, a Universal Serial Bus (USB), or any other type of workable
connection. Cradle 60 provides an electrical and mechanical
communication interface between connector cable 68 and portable
computer system I00 for two-way communications with host computer
system 56. Portable computer system 100 also contains a wireless
infrared communication mechanism 64 for sending and receiving
information from other devices.
[0041] FIG. 2 is a perspective illustration of the top face 100a of
one embodiment of an exemplary palmtop computer system 100. The top
face 100a contains a display screen 105 surrounded by a bezel or
cover. A removable stylus 80 is also shown. The display screen 105
is a touch screen able to register contact between the screen and
the tip of the stylus 80. The stylus 80 can be of any material to
make contact with the screen 105. The top face 100a also contains
one or more dedicated and/or programmable buttons 75 for selecting
information and causing the computer system to implement functions.
The on/off button 95 is also shown.
[0042] FIG. 2 also illustrates a handwriting recognition pad or
"digitizer" containing two regions 106a and 106b. Region 106a is
for the drawing of alphabetic characters therein (and not for
numeric characters) for automatic recognition, and region 106b is
for the drawing of numeric characters therein (and not for
alphabetic characters) for automatic recognition. The stylus 80 is
used for stroking a character within one of the regions 106a and
106b. The stroke information is then fed to an internal processor
for automatic character recognition. Once characters are
recognized, they are typically displayed on the screen 105 for
verification and/or modification.
[0043] FIG. 3 illustrates the bottom side 100b of one embodiment of
the palmtop computer system that can be used in accordance with
various embodiments of the present invention. An extendible antenna
85 is shown, and also a battery storage compartment door 90 is
shown. A communication interface 180 is also shown. In one
embodiment of the present invention, the communication interface
180 is a serial communication port, but could also alternatively be
of any of a number of well-known communication standards and
protocols, e.g., parallel, SCSI (small computer system interface),
Firewire (IEEE 1394), Ethernet, etc.
[0044] FIG. 4 illustrates circuitry of computer system 100.
Computer system 100 includes an address/data bus 110 for
communicating information, a central processor 101 coupled with the
bus for processing information and instructions, a volatile memory
102 (e.g., random access memory, RAM) coupled with the bus 110 for
storing information and instructions for the central processor 101
and a non-volatile memory 103 (e.g., read only memory, ROM) coupled
with the bus 110 for storing static information and instructions
for the processor 101. Computer system 100 also includes an
optional data storage device 104 (e.g., memory stick) coupled with
the bus 110 for storing information and instructions. Device 104
can be removable. As described above, computer system 100 also
contains a display device 105 coupled to the bus 110 for displaying
information to the computer user. PC board 225 can contain the
processor 101, the bus 110, the ROM 103 and the RAM 102.
[0045] With reference still to FIG. 4, computer system 100 also
includes a signal transmitter/receiver device 108, which is coupled
to bus 110 for providing a physical communication link between
computer system 100, and a network environment (e.g., network
environments 50 and 51 of FIGS. 1A through IB). As such, signal
transmitter/receiver device 108 enables central processor unit 101
to communicate wirelessly with other electronic systems coupled to
the network. It should be appreciated that within the present
embodiment, signal transmitter/receiver device 108 is coupled to
antenna 85 (FIG. 4) and provides the functionality to transmit and
receive information over a wireless communication interface. It
should be further appreciated that the present embodiment of signal
transmitter/receiver device 108 is well suited to be implemented in
a wide variety of ways. For example, signal transmitter/receiver
device 108 could be implemented as a modem.
[0046] In one embodiment, computer system 100 includes a
communication circuit 109 coupled to bus 110. Communication circuit
109 includes an optional digital signal processor (DSP) 120 for
processing data to be transmitted or data that are received via
signal transmitter/receiver device 108. Alternatively, processor
101 can perform some or all of the functions performed by DSP
120.
[0047] Also included in computer system 100 of FIG. 4 is an
optional alphanumeric input device 106 that in one implementation
is a handwriting recognition pad ("digitizer") having regions 106a
and 106b (FIG. 2), for instance. Alphanumeric input device 106 can
communicate information and command selections to processor 101.
Computer system 100 also includes an optional cursor control or
directing device (on-screen cursor control 107) coupled to bus 110
for communicating user input information and command selections to
processor 101. In one implementation, onscreen cursor control
device 107 is a touch screen device incorporated with display
device 105. On-screen cursor control device 107 is capable of
registering a position on display device 105 where the stylus makes
contact. The display device 105 utilized with computer system 100
may be a liquid crystal display device, a cathode ray tube (CRT), a
field emission display device (also called a flat panel CRT) or
other display device suitable for generating graphic images and
alphanumeric characters recognizable to the user. In the preferred
embodiment, display device 105 is a flat panel display.
[0048] FIG. 5 is a perspective illustration of one embodiment of
the cradle 60 for receiving the palmtop computer system 100. Cradle
60 contains a mechanical and electrical interface 260 for
interfacing with communication interface 108 (FIG. 3) of computer
system 100 when system 100 is slid into the cradle 60 in an upright
position. Once inserted, button 270 can be pressed to initiate
two-way communication (e.g., a communication session) between
computer system 100 and other computer systems coupled to serial
communication 265.
On-Screen Text Correction of the Present Invention
[0049] FIG. 6A illustrates an on-screen display (e.g., of a PDA or
other portable computing device) including errors in a field of
text 605 displayed on a touch-sensitive display screen 600
according to the present invention. The input cursor 606 is located
at the end of the field. The first error noted 610 is the letter
"I" in the misspelled word "quicl," which of course should be the
letter "k." The second error 620 is the letter "u" in the
misspelled word "broun", which of course should be the letter
"w."
[0050] FIG. 6B illustrates text as displayed on a touch-sensitive
display screen in FIG. 6A 605 in which errors have been corrected
according to the present invention. The input cursor 606 is located
at the end of the field. The letter "k" 630 has been inserted to
correct the spelling of the word "quick." The letter "w" 640 has
been inserted to correct the spelling of the word "brown."
[0051] FIG. 7 illustrates the placement of letters formed by
handwritten strokes 700 to be inserted in place of incorrect
letters in existing text displayed on a touch-sensitive display
screen according to the present invention. The text containing
errors 705 is at the top of the field, and the cursor 706 is
located at the bottom of the field. In this illustration, the
erroneous letter "I", 610 in FIG. 6A, is to be replaced with the
correct letter "k."
[0052] To perform this correction using the invention, the user
uses a stylus to handwrite the letter "c" 710 in proximity to the
letter "c" in the existing word "quicl." Again, using a stylus, the
user handwrites the letter "k" 720 adjacent and to the right side
of the letter "c" 710. In these cases, the user is writing directly
on the touch sensitive screen 105 (FIG. 4). After a brief pause in
writing (or until the system determines an unambiguous match
between the correction characters and the existing text), the
system then recognizes that the user has stopped entering
correction characters ("c and k"). This causes the system to
identify the text that is nearby the correction characters and
identify matches between the correction characters and characters
of the text. Detecting a match between the written letter "c" 710
and the existing letter "c", causes characters in the word "quicl"
beginning with and following the existing letter "c" to be replaced
with the handwritten letters "c" and "k." The misspelled word
"quicl" has thus been corrected to "quick."
[0053] More particularly, the computer system recognizes the match
between the "c" and determined that "ck" (the correction text)
would replace "cl." A correction cursor is not required. Specific
deletion steps are also not required.
[0054] FIG. 8 illustrates the placement of letters formed by
handwritten strokes 800 to be inserted in place of incorrect
letters in existing text displayed on a touch-sensitive display
screen according to the present invention. The text containing
errors 805 is at the top of the field, and the cursor 806 is
located at the bottom of the field. In this illustration, the
erroneous letter "u", 620 in FIG. 6A, is to be replaced with the
correct letter "w." Using a stylus, the user handwrites the letter
"w" 810 in proximity to the letter "u" in the existing word
"broun." Again, using a stylus, the user handwrites the letter "n"
820 adjacent and to the right side of the letter "w" 810.
[0055] In accordance with embodiments of the present invention,
detecting a match between the written letter "n" 820 and the
existing letter "n", causes characters in the word "broun"
beginning with and preceding the existing letter "n" to be replaced
with the handwritten letters "w" and "n." The misspelled word
"broun" has thus been corrected to "brown." A correction cursor is
not required. Specific deletion steps are also not required.
[0056] FIG. 9 is a flowchart 900 showing steps in a process for
modifying data displayed on a touch-sensitive display screen
according to an embodiment of the present invention. The steps of
process 900 may be implemented as memory resident computer code
executed by processor 101.
[0057] At step 910, a first text portion is entered, e.g., by a
user. The cursor may be used to enter this first text portion,
e.g., by directing entry of the characters into a specific
on-screen window or data entry field. In this first text portion
there is assumed to be a mistake that needs to be corrected. A
portion of data to be modified is identified as a group of adjacent
characters separated on each side from other characters by one or
more anchor characters, e.g., spaces (a single word for example).
In step 910, the user may leave the cursor at the end of the field
in which the data to be modified is located.
[0058] At step 920, a user enters the modification mode of
operation by positioning the cursor over the first text portion and
then stroking the stylus to enter a correction character. The user
stroking a stylus on the surface of the touch-sensitive screen in
step 920 forms a replacement or correction character in the
vicinity of an existing character to be modified or in the vicinity
of a word containing an error therein. The correction characters
may be written (e.g., graphically displayed) over the first text
portion (e.g., using electronic ink). At step 930, if no pause is
encountered after the correction character is entered, or, if no
unambiguous match is found between the correction character and the
first text portion, then step 935 and step 920 are entered to allow
the user to enter another correction character. It is appreciated
that as the correction characters are being written, automatic
handwriting recognition processes are being applied to recognize
them.
[0059] After a recognized pause, the system will compare the
correction characters against the first text portion to locate an
unambiguous match and then step 940 is entered. The computer system
examines the correction characters that were just entered against
the text (e.g., first text portion) that is nearby the correction
characters in order to locate a unique match between the correction
characters and the existing text. This may cause an audible tone to
be generated. If a match is located, then the computer system (at
step 940) replaces a portion of the existing text with the
correction text. For instance, with respect to the work "quicl,"
the matching character was "c" and the text "cl" was replaced by
the correction text "ck."
[0060] Alternatively, at step 930, even if there is no pause, the
system may locate an unambiguous match (at step 930) between the
correction characters and the first text portion thereby causing
step 940 to be entered.
[0061] At step 940, the correction characters are automatically
inserted into the first text portion in place of existing
characters using the matching characters for proper location and
character alignment. This generates a second text portion. At step
945, the second text portion is displayed on the screen and an
audible tone may occur. If more corrections are required, step 920
can be entered again. Step 950 allows the opportunity to perform
additional modifications in a selected portion of data, in which
case, the system remains in the modification mode by returning to
step 920. If no additional modifications are requested, the system
exits the modification mode.
[0062] Within process 900, the processor examines the nearby text
for anchor points that match the correction text. In one
embodiment, the processor will replace all text from an anchor
point to the end of a word, e.g., as determined by a space, period
or comma, etc. In the following example, the existing text is
"your" and the correction text is "rs" which yields "yours" on
correction. The anchor is "r" and the correction continues until
the end of the word is reached. In another embodiment, the
processor will replace all text located between two recognized
anchor points. In the following example, the existing text is
"elephint." The correction text is "han" yielding "elephant" on
correction. The anchor characters are "h" and "n" thereby causing
all characters in between to be replaced. In another embodiment,
the processor will replace all text that precedes an anchor point.
In the following example, the existing text is "nungry" and the
correction text is "hu" which yields "hungry" on correction. The
anchor is "u" and the correction continues backwards the start of
the word is reached.
[0063] Also, a handwritten character stroke that directly overlies
an existing character may replace that single character. A
handwritten character that is identified as similar to an existing
character replaces that existing character, and any handwritten
characters to the right of the similar handwritten character
replace existing characters in corresponding positions to the right
of the similar existing character. A handwritten character that is
identified as similar to an existing character replaces that
existing character, and any handwritten characters to the left of
the similar handwritten character replace existing characters in
corresponding positions to the left of the similar existing
character.
[0064] After the replacement text is displayed, an optional audible
tone may be generated.
[0065] The preferred embodiment of the present invention, method,
and process for on screen text correction via pen interface, is
thus described. While the present invention has been described in
particular embodiments, it should be appreciated that the present
invention should not be construed as limited by such embodiments,
but rather construed according to the below claims.
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