Data processing: artificial intelligence – Knowledge processing system – Knowledge representation and reasoning technique
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-10
2004-11-30
Starks, Jr., Wilbert L. (Department: 2121)
Data processing: artificial intelligence
Knowledge processing system
Knowledge representation and reasoning technique
C345S169000, C345S158000, C345S173000, C709S206000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06826551
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to data processing involving pen-enabled computing systems and, more particularly, to a system, computer software program product, and method for producing a contextual electronic message from an input to a pen-enabled computing system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Pen-enabled computing is a relatively recent development wherein a user interfaces with a computing system by way of a writing stylus instead of a mouse or a keyboard. In some instances, a pen-enabled computing system provides an electronic writing tablet having an overlaid writing surface. Such a writing surface may comprise, for example, a blank sheet of paper or a preprinted form. The writing stylus, in turn, may comprise a device capable of inputting data (a “handwriting input”) into the pen-enabled computing system while providing both a visible, or “written ink,” copy of the data on the writing surface and an “electronic” copy of the data within the pen-enabled computing system. Such a writing stylus may comprise, for example, a conventional pen, a conventional pencil, a radio transmitter, a magnetic or electric field device, an ultrasound transceiver, or combinations thereof.
Once the electronic copy of the data is entered into the pen-enabled computing system, the data may be stored as an “electronic ink” copy, wherein the handwriting input is captured as written, or as a “text” copy, wherein the handwriting input is captured, recognized, and translated into the corresponding text. In some instances, the pen-enabled computing system may be capable of producing both an electronic ink and a text copy of the handwriting input. Since the writing stylus is generally capable of providing a written ink copy of the handwriting input on the writing surface, the user is automatically provided with a hard copy, or visual feed back, of the entered data. It is understood, however, that a written ink copy of the handwriting input may not be provided in some instances, wherein the handwriting input is captured and stored in the pen-enabled computing system as an electronic copy.
Typically, the pen-enabled computing system senses the position and/or movement of the writing stylus with respect to the electronic writing tablet, which is stored in the pen-enabled computing system as the handwriting input. The handwriting input is often then desirably used for other purposes. In order to manipulate the handwriting input, the pen-enabled computing system may communicate with a separate computer or processor to exchange, view, or modify the data. However, for the handwriting input to be subsequently utilized, it must often be translated from the user's handwriting to text form. While text translation schemes may facilitate practical uses for the handwritten data, they are often not able to accurately translate the user's handwriting. In addition, translation routines may require additional processing and storage capacity which could be used for other purposes and may add size and cost to the pen-enabled computing system. Thus, there exists a need for a pen-enabled computing system being selectively capable of utilizing a handwriting input for subsequent purposes without necessarily requiring the handwriting input to first be translated into text form.
The utilization of handwriting input into a pen-enabled computing system for subsequent processing purposes was facilitated by the development of systems capable of determining the context of the handwritten data. However, prior art systems for determining handwriting input context often required the user to positively identify the context of the data that they were entering. An improvement to these context identification systems provided a pen-enabled computing system integrating a preprinted form, wherein the improved system provided the capability of identifying the form and the context of the handwriting input from data input into a plurality of fields associated with the form. In some instances, the system had the capability of identifying the form and the handwriting input context from the user using the form for the form's intended purpose. For example, the improved system was capable of identifying that the form comprised a daily planner from an entry in a certain time period on the form. Once the context of the input was known, associated data could be recalled and displayed for the user or the input could be used for other purposes. The details of such an improved system are found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 60/127,196 to Clary, entitled “System, Computer Program Product, Computing Device, and Associated Methods for Form Identification and Information Manipulation,” filed Mar. 31, 2000, assigned to Advanced Digital Systems, Inc., also the assignee of the present invention, and hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. While the Clary system provided an improvement in the seamless and automated operation of a pen-enabled computing system utilizing a preprinted form, it envisioned the need for new applications which would further expand the capabilities of a pen-enabled computing systems in a continued seamless and automated operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The above and other needs are met by the present invention which, in one embodiment, provides a system for producing a contextual electronic message from an input received by a handwriting capture device. Generally, the system comprises a handwriting capture device, a user interface, a central processing unit, and a communications interface. The handwriting capture device is capable of receiving and capturing an electronic handwriting input. The user interface is adapted to interact with a user and is further capable of receiving a user input to initiate a processing function. The central processing unit is capable of determining the context of the handwriting input and application-specific information associated with the handwriting input context. The central processing unit is also capable of processing the handwriting input in accordance with the context and/or the initiated processing function. A contextual electronic message is thereby produced which may comprise a portion of the application-specific information and/or a portion of the handwriting input. The communications interface is adapted to interact with a message recipient through a communications link and is further capable of transmitting the electronic message thereto.
The system may further comprise a computer software program product executing in at least one of the handwriting capture device and the central processing unit. The computer program product is capable of, for example, capturing the handwriting input, determining the context thereof, determining the application-specific information associated with the handwriting input context, processing the handwriting input according to the context and/or the initiated processing function to produce the corresponding contextual electronic message, and transmitting the message via the communications interface. In some instances, the computer program product is capable of using the application-specific information to determine a status of the message recipient prior to transmitting the electronic message.
According to further embodiments, the handwriting capture device may comprise a writing stylus having an associated sensing device for selectively sensing stylus movements. For example, the sensing device may comprise a pen-enabled computer, an electronic handwriting tablet, or a device that cooperates with the writing stylus to generate data from which the position and movement of the writing stylus can be determined. In addition, the user interface may comprise at least one actuator capable of receiving the user input and initiating the corresponding processing function. The user interface may also comprise at least one indicator adapted to provide data to the user. Further, the central processing unit may comprise, for example, a pen-enabled computer, a personal digital assistant, a smart phone, a desktop persona
Clary Gregory J.
Jolley Edward V.
Advanced Digital Systems, Inc.
Alston & Bird LLP
Booker Kelvin
Starks, Jr. Wilbert L.
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