Handwriting recognition in electronic devices

An apparatus for inputting characters into a device, comprising:

• a graphic writing pad, for reading handwriting information;
• a handwriting recognition engine, for recognizing said handwriting information in one active recognition mode and at least one inactive recognition mode;
• a display, for displaying at least one character candidate obtained in said active recognition mode and at least one character candidate obtained in said at least one inactive recognition mode;
• and
• means for inputting into said device a desired character candidate selected by a user among character candidates being displayed.

A handheld device, comprising:

• a graphic writing pad, for reading handwriting information;
• a handwriting recognition engine, for recognizing said handwriting information in one active recognition mode and at least one inactive recognition mode;
• a display, for displaying at least one character candidate obtained in said active recognition mode and at least one character candidate obtained in said at least one inactive recognition mode;
• and
• means for inputting a desired character candidate selected by a user among character candidates being displayed.

A storage medium encoded with machine-readable computer program code for inputting characters into a handheld device, the storage medium including instructions for causing a processor to

• read handwriting information;
• recognize said handwriting information in one active recognition mode and at least one inactive recognition mode;
• display at least one character candidate obtained in said active recognition mode and at least one character candidate obtained in said at least one inactive recognition mode;
• and
• input into said handheld device a desired character candidate selected by a user among character candidates being displayed.