System for entering data into an active application currently running in the foreground by selecting an input icon in a palette representing input utility

A method for inputting data to an active application running on a computer system, said active application being a foreground application currently in use by a user, the method comprising:

• creating an input image on a screen of a computer system, said input image dedicating a portion of said screen for data input to an active application program running on said computer system, said creation including substeps of:
• (a) displaying on said screen an organizational image comprising a palette and a plurality of icons that represent input utilities;
• and
• (b) selecting one of said icons to create said input images on said screen by:
• (i) engaging the selected icon with said pointer means;
• (ii) moving said pointer means to a desired location on said screen;
• and
• (iii) displaying said input image at about said desired location;
• linking said input image with said active application program;
• detecting the engagement of said input image by a pointer means;
• analyzing said engagement to determine input data;
• and
• sending said input data to said active application program.

A method for inputting data to an active application program running on a computer system, said active application being a foreground application currently in use by a user, the method comprising:

• initializing a computer implemented process for intercepting input request calls made by an active application program running on a computer system;
• creating an input image on said screen, said input image dedicating a portion of said screen for data input to said application program, said creation including substeps of:
• (a) displaying on said screen an organizational image comprising a palette having a plurality of icons that represent input utilities;
• and
• (b) selecting one of said icons to create said input image on said screen;
• linking said input image with said active application program;
• detecting an engagement of a pointer means with said input image;
• analyzing said engagement to determine appropriate input data;
• sending said appropriate input dam to said active application program;
• and
• sending alternative input data to said active application program in response to said input request if no engagement has been made with said input image and if said alternative input data is available for said application from another source.

A pen computer system comprising:

• a central processing unit (CPU);
• screen means coupled to said CPU;
• tablet means coupled to said CPU;
• stylus means adapted to engage said tablet means to input strokes to said CPU;
• means for creating an input image on said screen means, said input image dedicating a portion of said screen for data input into an active application program running on said computer system, said active application being a foreground application currently in use by a user, said means for creating an input image having:
• (a) means for displaying an organizational image on said screen including palette means having a plurality of icons that represent input utilities;
• and
• (b) means for selecting one of said icons with said stylus means such that said input image is created on said screen means, said means for selecting the selected icon responsive to an engagement of said icon with said stylus means, operable to track a movement of said pointer means to a desired location on said screen means, and operable to display said input image at about said desired location;
• means for linking said input image with said active application program;
• means for detecting at least one stroke made by said stylus means on said tablet means such that said stroke engages said input image;
• means for analyzing said at least one stroke to determine appropriate input data;
• and
• means for passing said appropriate input data to an active application program.