Method and system for handwriting recognition with scrolling input history and in-place editing

Abstract

A computer implemented method for a touch screen user interface for a computer system. A first touchscreen area is provided for accepting text input strokes. A second touchscreen area is provided for displaying recognized text from the text input strokes. The text input strokes are displayed in the first touchscreen area. The text input strokes are recognized and the resulting recognized text is displayed in the second touchscreen area. A portion of the recognized text is displayed in the first touchscreen area, wherein the portion of the recognized text is shown as the text input strokes are recognized. The portion of the recognized text displayed scrolls as the new text input strokes are recognized. The portion of the recognized text in the first touchscreen area can be displayed in a different format with respect to the recognized text in the second touchscreen area. The text input strokes in a first part of the first touchscreen area are graphically shown as they are being recognized by the computer system. The touchscreen user interface method can be implemented on a PID (personal information device) and can be implemented on a palmtop computer system.

1 . A touch screen-equipped electronic system for accepting and recognizing input from a user, comprising;
 an electronic system having a processing capability;   a touch panel display coupled to the electronic system wherein the processing capability is adapted to execute instructions for:
 designating first and second areas on the touch panel display, the first and second area configured to register events and interpret the events as user input; 
 displaying a result of a previously interpreted event and an insertion point in the first area; 
 displaying a result of an interpreted event as it is input by the user in the second area; 
 changing a location of the insertion point in the first area by user input; 
 modifying a focus within the second area corresponding to the change in location of the insertion point in the first area; and 
 editing the result of the interpreted event in the second area at the focus. 
   
   
   
       2 . The electronic system of  claim 1 , wherein the event is a text input stroke. 
   
   
       3 . The electronic system of  claim 1 , wherein the event is an icon manipulation input stroke. 
   
   
       4 . The electronic system of  claim 1 , wherein the touch panel display is configured to accept input via a finger. 
   
   
       5 . The electronic system of  claim 1 , wherein the modifying a focus within the second area comprises changing characters displayed in the first area. 
   
   
       6 . The electronic system of  claim 1 , wherein the editing the result of the interpreted event includes displaying the result of another interpreted event over the result of a previously interpreted event. 
   
   
       7 . The electronic system of  claim 1 , wherein positions of the first area and second areas on the touch panel display are fixed. 
   
   
       8 . The electronic system of  claim 1 , wherein a position of the first area and a position of the second area on the touch panel display overlap. 
   
   
       9 . The electronic system of  claim 1 , further comprising an audio input/output interface coupled to the processing capability configured to transmit user input. 
   
   
       10 . The electronic system of  claim 9 , wherein transmitting an audio signal through the audio input/output interface upon acceptance or recognition of an event. 
   
   
       11 . The electronic system of  claim 1 , further comprising a video input/output interface coupled to the processing capability configured to transmit user input. 
   
   
       12 . A method of accepting and recognizing events entered into a user interface of an electronic device having a touch panel display, the method comprising:
 designating first and second areas on the touch panel display, the first and second area configured to register events and interpret the events as user input   displaying a result of a previously interpreted event and an insertion point in the first area;   displaying a result of the previously interpreted event as it is input by the user in the second area;   changing a location of the insertion point in the first area by user input;   modifying a focus within the second area corresponding to the change in location of the insertion point in the first area; and   editing the result of the interpreted event in the second area at the focus.   
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising interpreting an event as a text input stroke. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising interpreting an event as an icon manipulation stroke. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the modifying a focus within the second area comprises changing characters displayed in the first area. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the editing the result of the interpreted event includes displaying the result of another interpreted event over the result of a previously interpreted event. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising designating a fixed position of the first area and a fixed position of the second area on the touch panel display. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising overlapping a position of the first display area with a position of the second display area as the editing occurs. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising sending an audio signal through an audio input/output interface upon acceptance or recognition of an event. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising sending a video signal through an audio input/output interface upon acceptance or recognition of an event.