Ink Processing Pipeline Interception for Gesture Recognition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electronic ink processing systems isolate applications from ink processing, preventing them from implementing features like gesture recognition, customized ink selection, and other ink-aware functionalities.

Innovation Solution

A software and/or hardware facility that allows applications to intercept and process ink input at various points in the operating system's ink processing pipeline, enabling them to register event handlers for raw device input, ink strokes, and non-stroke events, and execute these handlers at different priority levels to affect ink processing and rendering.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the operating system isolates applications from ink processing, then system stability and simplicity are improved, but application versatility and ink-aware functionality deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem stabilityVSAvoidapplication versatility

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism that allows applications to observe and intervene in ink processing without breaking the isolation barrier. Applications can register event handlers to receive notifications about ink events and modify ink data structures, enabling versatile ink-aware functionality while preserving system stability through controlled access points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If applications are given access to ink processing pipeline, then ink-aware features are improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveink-aware featuresVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the ink processing pipeline into distinct observable points where applications can intervene. By providing specific access points in the pipeline rather than full access, the system enables ink-aware features while limiting complexity to only where necessary.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different applications can register handlers at different points in the pipeline with different levels of access. Each application receives only the specific information and control it needs for its particular function, rather than all applications having full access to all ink processing stages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Speed

If the operating system processes all ink events automatically, then processing speed is improved, but application control deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing speedVSAvoidapplication control

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Applications register their event handlers in advance with the operating system. When ink events occur, the OS automatically invokes the appropriate handlers, maintaining fast processing while giving applications predetermined control over specific event types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system establishes a feedback loop where applications can observe ink events and send modifications back to the pipeline. This allows applications to control ink processing behavior while the OS maintains the overall processing flow and speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS9950542B2Processing digital ink input subject to monitoring and intervention by an application program

Publication Date: 2018.04.24 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

A facility for processing ink input is described. In one example facility, the facility receives ink input from an input device. The facility generates and renders ink stroke data structures in response to received ink input in accordance with an ink input processing pipeline. The facility provides to an executing application access to information traversing the ink input processing pipeline at a selected point in the ink input processing pipeline.