System and method of pen-based data input into a computing device

Abstract

An improved system and method for pen-based handwritten and keystroke data input into a computer system is disclosed. The system and method receives pen-based data entry from multiple related input boxes within a handwriting area on a digitizer pad. Thread-based processing allows each input box or group of input boxes to be separately evaluated, providing for continuous character recognition. Character strokes entered into each input box or group of input boxes are saved and interpreted together to allow more complete recognition of naturally written characters. Improvements on keyboard layouts are also disclosed.

1 . An alphanumeric keyboard layout for a pen-based computer system having a digitizer pad and a data entry pen, the keyboard layout comprising an alphabetically sequential organization alphabetic characters along a plurality of rows and a grid of numerals displayed within a subset of the digitizer pad.  
   
   
       2 . The alphanumeric keyboard layout of  claim 1 , wherein each row of the alphabetically sequential organization of rows of alphabetic characters includes at least five sequential letters and the numeral grid includes numbers “0” through “9”.  
   
   
       3 . The alphanumeric keyboard layout of  claim 1  wherein the alphabetically sequential organization of rows of alphabetic characters comprises characters “a” to “g” on the first row, characters “h” to “n” on the second row, characters “o” to “u” on the third row, and characters “v” to “z” on the fourth row.  
   
   
       4 . The alphanumeric keyboard layout of  claim 1 , wherein the grid of numerals is oriented on the right side of the keyboard layout and comprises numbers “1” to “3” on the first row, numbers “4” to “6” on the second row and numbers “7” to “9” on the third row.