Patent Publication Number: US-9846536-B2

Title: Composition of handwritten messages on mobile computing devices

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Mobile computing devices in general, and mobile telephones in particular, have evolved from being special-purpose computing devices (such as communications devices and electronic readers) to multi-purpose computing devices that are fast becoming ubiquitous. In an example, a user of a mobile telephone can receive an e-mail by way of an e-mail application installed thereon, download an attachment (e.g., a word processing document) from the e-mail server, open the attachment in a word processing application, modify the word processing document, save the word processing document to persistent storage of the mobile telephone, upload the word processing document to a web-based storage system, and share said document with other individuals chosen by the user by way of a social networking application installed on the mobile telephone. Currently, there are several hundred thousand computer-executable applications that can be retrieved from network-accessible application stores and installed on a mobile computing device. Such applications can relate to gaming that may be undertaken by way of the mobile computing device, content creation and editing, communications applications, social networking applications, applications that deliver news to a user of the mobile computing device, etc. 
     While applications for content creation and editing have been designed for mobile computing devices in general, and in particular for mobile telephones, limitations that are inherent in these mobile computing devices can render content creation thereon somewhat difficult. In an example, if a user desires to generate a text message for transmittal to a contact of such user, typically a software keyboard is presented on a touch-sensitive display of the mobile computing device, and the user selects particular characters that are desirably included in the message from the software keyboard by touching the touch-sensitive display at certain locations with a finger. Due to the relatively small size of touch-sensitive displays on mobile computing devices, size of buttons that are representative of characters on the soft keyboard can be relatively small, resulting in errors caused by inadvertently selecting incorrect characters. Additionally, multitasking is difficult when generating content, as the user must pay particular attention to ensure that appropriate keys on the software keyboard are selected. Thus, for example, it is difficult to walk and generate a text message at the same time. Still further, text messages may feel somewhat impersonal to a recipient thereof, as each text message received from each contact of the user will typically have identical fonts, sizes, and the like. 
     SUMMARY 
     The following is a brief summary of subject matter that is described in greater detail herein. This summary is not intended to be limiting as to the scope of the claims. 
     Described herein are various technologies pertaining to generation, display, and/or transmittal of handwritten messages through utilization of a mobile computing device, such as a mobile telephone. The mobile computing device comprises a touch-sensitive display screen, which may be relatively limited in size. The user of the mobile computing device can, through utilization of the touch-sensitive display screen, set forth strokes that are at least portions of respective characters, one on top of the other. The strokes can be segmented to ascertain which stroke(s) belong to respective characters, and resultant characters can be displayed on the touch-sensitive display as a sequence of characters (e.g., a word). The sequence of characters is displayed to represent the handwriting of the user of the mobile computing device as set forth in the strokes of the user when interacting with the touch-sensitive display. A stroke, as the term is used herein, is the uninterrupted movement of an input mechanism (e.g., a finger) of the user over the touch sensitive display screen, where the user does not lift the input mechanism from the touch-sensitive display screen. 
     It can therefore be ascertained that, depending on the writer, some characters can be generated by a single stroke, some characters can be generated by two strokes, some characters can be generated by three strokes, etc. For instance, typically a user will employ two strokes to write a lowercase “i”, while using a single stroke to write a lowercase “o”. As the user is setting forth strokes to generate characters on the touch-sensitive display screen of the mobile computing device, such characters can be displayed on the touch-sensitive display screen, wherein the characters are displayed as handwritten characters reflecting the handwriting of the user. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the user can set forth a first stroke on the touch-sensitive display screen in a particular region, wherein the first stroke is intended by the user to be at least a portion of a first handwritten character. Subsequently, the user can set forth a second stroke on the touch-sensitive display screen in the particular region, such that the first stroke and the second stroke at least partially overlap, where in the second stroke is intended by the user to be at least a portion of a second handwritten character that is desirably displayed immediately adjacent to the first handwritten character (to form a sequence of handwritten characters). Based at least in part upon the first stroke and the second stroke, the first handwritten character and the second handwritten character can be displayed adjacent to one another on the touch-sensitive display screen of the mobile computing device. Further, the user need not set forth some intermediate gesture to inform the mobile computing device that the first stroke belongs to the first character and that the second stroke belongs to the second character. In other words, the user need not set forth an intermediate gesture to inform the mobile computing device of when individual characters are completed. Rather, stroke segmentation (the process of determining that the first stroke belongs to the first character and the second stroke belongs to the second character) can be undertaken automatically, thus allowing the user to set forth characters on the touch-sensitive display screen in an intuitive manner. 
     Features pertaining to editing a sequence of handwritten characters set forth by the user are also described herein. In an example, an error may occur during stroke segmentation, such that displayed handwritten characters are not reflective of the intent of the user. When the user recognizes the error, the user can set forth a gesture to inform the mobile computing device of such error. In an example, the gesture may be a tap of the finger on a character or characters that have been impacted by the stroke segmentation error. Responsive to receiving such gesture, the mobile computing device can identify a most probable correction and automatically correct the stroke segmentation error. In another exemplary embodiment, responsive to the mobile computing device receiving such gesture, a set of most probable selectable corrections can be set forth and the user can select a desired correction. 
     In another example, the user may wish to delete a most recent stroke, a most recently entered character, or a most recently entered word (e.g., the user may change her mind with respect to portions of a handwritten sentence or phrase). The user can set forth a gesture to indicate that a most recent stroke, character, or word is desirably deleted, and responsive to detecting such gesture, the requested correction can be automatically undertaken. For instance, such gesture may be the transition (swipe) of a finger in a certain direction or directions, a spoken(voice) command, or the like. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, the user may desirably include a freeform drawing as a portion of handwritten content. The user may set forth a gesture to indicate that subsequently received strokes are not portions of characters, and thus inform the mobile computing device that stroke segmentation is not to occur for immediately subsequently entered strokes. Subsequent to setting forth such gesture, the user can create a freeform drawing by interacting with the touch-sensitive display screen of the mobile computing device. The user can set forth a subsequent gesture, or press a selectable button, to indicate that the freeform drawing has been completed. 
     The technologies described above can be employed in a variety of applications. For instance, a computer-executable messaging application can be configured to identify and transmit handwritten messages created in the manner described above. In another exemplary embodiment, a computer-executable application that allows for documents or images to be annotated can be configured with the aforementioned technologies, thereby allowing a reviewer of a document or image to annotate portions thereof, with handwritten annotations. 
     Other aspects will be appreciated upon reading and understanding the attached figures and description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary mobile computing device that is configured to compose sequences of handwritten characters. 
         FIG. 2  is a functional block diagram of an exemplary system that facilitates composing, editing, and/or transmitting sequences of handwritten characters. 
         FIG. 3  is a state diagram illustrating an exemplary technique for performing stroke segmentation in connection with displaying handwritten characters on a display screen of a mobile computing device. 
         FIG. 4  is a functional block diagram of an exemplary system that facilitates training a computer-executable component to perform stroke segmentation in connection with displaying handwritten content on a display screen of a mobile computing device. 
         FIGS. 5-13  illustrate exemplary techniques for editing a sequence of handwritten characters that are composed using a mobile computing device. 
         FIG. 14  is a flow diagram that illustrates an exemplary methodology for displaying a sequence of handwritten characters generated by a user via interaction with a touch-sensitive display of a mobile computing device. 
         FIG. 15  is a flow diagram that illustrates an exemplary methodology for editing at least one handwritten character in a sequence of handwritten characters composed by way of a touch-sensitive display screen of a mobile computing device. 
         FIG. 16  is a flow diagram that illustrates an exemplary methodology for including a freeform drawing as a portion of a handwritten message or annotation, wherein the message or annotation is generated through user interaction with a touch-sensitive display screen of a mobile computing device. 
         FIG. 17  is an exemplary computing system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Various technologies pertaining to composition, display, and/or transmittal of handwritten content through utilization of a touch-sensitive display screen of a mobile computing device will now be described with reference to the drawings, where like reference numerals represent like elements throughout. In addition, several functional block diagrams of exemplary systems are illustrated and described herein for purposes of explanation; however, it is to be understood that functionality that is described as being carried out by certain system components may be performed by multiple components. Similarly, for instance, a component may be configured to perform functionality that is described as being carried out by multiple components. Additionally, as used herein, the term “exemplary” is intended to mean serving as an illustration or example of something, and is not intended to indicate a preference. 
     As used herein, the terms “component” and “system” are intended to encompass computer-readable data storage that is configured with computer-executable instructions that cause certain functionality to be performed when executed by a processor. The computer-executable instructions may include a routine, a function, or the like. It is also to be understood that a component or system may be localized on a single device or distributed across several devices. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary mobile computing device  100  that is configured to compose handwritten content (e.g., messages or annotations) is illustrated. While the mobile computing device  100  is shown as being a mobile telephone, it is to be understood that the mobile computing device  100  may be some other suitable mobile computing device, such as a tablet computing device (sometimes referred to as a slate computing device), an ultrabook, a portable media player, or the like. The mobile computing device  100  includes a housing  102  that houses circuitry/components that facilitate various functionalities that can be undertaken by way of the mobile computing device  100 . Such circuitry can include a wireless chipset, at least one processor, a memory, a system on a chip configuration, a cluster on a chip configuration, an amplifier, a microphone, amongst other circuitry. A touch-sensitive display screen  104  resides in an aperture of the housing  102 , wherein a user of the mobile computing device  100  can interact with the mobile computing device  100  by way of the touch-sensitive display screen  104 . The housing  102  may also have a plurality of user-selectable buttons  106 - 110  thereon, wherein the user can further interact with the mobile computing device  100  through employment of the plurality of buttons  106 - 110 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the touch sensitive display screen  104  can be relatively small in size. For instance, size of the touch-sensitive display screen  104  may be on the order of 3½ inches in width by 5 inches in height. Due to the relatively small size of such screen, it is difficult to compose handwritten content (messages or annotations) by way of gestures set forth by a user via an input mechanism  112  on the touch sensitive display screen  104 . The input mechanism  112  typically is a finger of the user, but it is to be understood that the input mechanism  112  may be a stylus or other suitable input mechanism. 
     Technologies described herein allow the user of the mobile computing device  100  to employ a relatively large portion of the touch-sensitive display screen  104  when composing each character of a sequence of handwritten characters that is desirably displayed and/or transmitted. Each handwritten character is made up of a stroke or sequence of strokes. A stroke, as the term is used herein, is an uninterrupted movement of the input mechanism  112  over the touch-sensitive display screen while maintaining contact with the touch-sensitive display screen  104 . Thus, a stroke begins when the input mechanism  112  comes into contact with the touch-sensitive display screen  104  and ends when contact between the input mechanism  112  and the touch-sensitive display screen  104  ceases. 
     In the example shown in  FIG. 1 , the touch-sensitive display screen  104  comprises an input region  114 , wherein the user can set forth strokes corresponding to handwritten characters inside the input region  114 . As shown, the user, by interacting with the touch-sensitive display screen  104 , has entered a sequence of strokes that are set forth by the user to compose the sequence of handwritten characters “note”. Thus, at a first point in time, the user uses the input mechanism  112  to set forth a first stroke in the input region  114 , wherein the first stroke forms an entirety of the letter “n”. Immediately thereafter, and without indicating to the mobile computing device  100  that the handwritten character “n” has been completed, the user generates a second stroke in the input region  114  corresponding to the handwritten character “o”. As shown, the first stroke corresponding to the handwritten character “n” and the second stroke corresponding to the handwritten character “o” at least partially overlap in the input region  114 . The touch-sensitive display screen  104  may also comprise a display region  116 . As the user, through interaction of the input mechanism  112  with the input region  114  of the touch-sensitive display screen  104 , composes handwritten characters by performing strokes, the display region  116  can display a sequence of handwritten characters. Accordingly, in an example, as the user is setting forth strokes in the input region  114 , the display region  116  can display the sequence of handwritten characters being composed by the user. 
     Continuing with this example, the user can set forth a third stroke, which corresponds to the substantially vertical portion of the letter “t”. Immediately thereafter, the user can set forth a fourth stroke to complete the letter “t”, wherein the fourth stroke is a substantially horizontal stroke that crosses the third stroke. Again, the third and fourth strokes that correspond to the letter “t” can at least partially overlap strokes corresponding to the letters “n” and “o” in the input region  114 . Finally, the user can set forth a fifth stroke corresponding to the handwritten character “e”, wherein such stroke at least partially overlaps at least one stroke corresponding to at least one of the previously composed handwritten characters. As will be described in greater detail below, the mobile computing device  100  can be configured to identify character boundaries in connection with untangling strokes and rendering the handwritten message in the display region  116 . This can be undertaken through stroke segmentation, which is distinguishable from handwriting recognition. That is, the mobile computing device  100  need not recognize that certain strokes belong to particular handwritten characters; rather, the mobile computing device  100  can be configured to detect boundaries of characters and untangle such characters to be rendered in the display region  116  of the touch sensitive display screen  104 . Thus, the mobile computing device  100  can be configured to determine that a first subset of strokes corresponds to a first handwritten character and that a second subset of strokes corresponds to a second handwritten character, without having to identify the respective characters. Further, since the mobile computing device  100  need not be configured to perform handwriting recognition, a dictionary is not necessary. For example, the out-of dictionary words (e.g., “whooah”) will not be mistaken for misspellings and replaced with in-dictionary words (e.g., “whose”), thereby making expressive spelling less cumbersome. An exemplary technique for performing stroke segmentation to detect boundaries is set forth below. 
     The touch-sensitive display screen  104  may further comprise a button  118 , which can be selected by the user by causing the input mechanism  112  to contact the touch-sensitive display screen  104  at the location of the button  118 . In an exemplary embodiment, the displayed sequence of handwritten characters in the display region  116  can be shown for the purposes of message transmittal, and depression of the button  118  can cause the sequence of handwritten characters to be transmitted to a contact of the user of the mobile computing device  100 . In another exemplary embodiment, the user of the mobile computing device  100  may desirably annotate an image or document with the sequence of handwritten characters shown in the display region  116 . In such an embodiment, the user can select a particular portion of the image or document that is desirably annotated, which can cause the graphical user interface shown in  FIG. 1  to be presented. Subsequent to the user of the mobile computing device  100  completing the annotation, the user can select the button  118 , which can cause the annotation to be applied to the document or image at the location therein selected by the user. 
     While the example shown in  FIG. 1  depicts each character in the sequence of handwritten characters shown in the display region  116  as being generated on top of one another, it is to be understood that the technologies described herein are not so limited. For example, if the input region  114  is of sufficient size, the user can set forth strokes corresponding to different handwritten characters in non-overlapping regions. Thus, for example, user can set forth a stroke corresponding to the letter “n” on a left portion of the input region  114 , and the user can set forth a stroke corresponding to the letter “o” on a right portion of the region  114 , such that the first stroke and the second stroke are non-overlapping. Additionally, the sequence of handwritten characters shown in the display region  116  is not limited to a single word. The user of the mobile computing device  100 , in an exemplary embodiment, can set forth a gesture that indicates that a subsequently received stroke corresponds to a next word in a message or annotation. Alternatively, the user can set forth a spoken command to indicate that an immediately subsequent stroke corresponds to another word in a message or annotation shown in the display region  116 . Furthermore, size of the display region  116  can alter as the message or annotation grows. Additionally or alternatively, size of handwritten characters shown in the display region  116  can shrink to allow a message or annotation to grow in size and still be displayed in the display region  116 . Moreover, while the mobile computing device  100  is shown as being employed when the touch-sensitive display screen  104  is oriented in a portrait mode relative to the user, it is to be understood that techniques described herein can be employed in landscape mode. Further, the user can select color and/or thickness of lines of characters in a sequence of handwritten characters shown in the display region  116 . 
     Now referring to  FIG. 2 , an exemplary system  200  that facilitates composing, displaying, and/or transmitting handwritten content through utilization of a mobile computing device is illustrated. For example, the mobile computing device  100  can comprise the system  200 . The system  200  comprises a receiver component  202  that receives a first stroke detected as being set forth by a user of the mobile computing device  100  on the touch-sensitive display screen  104 . The first stroke corresponds to a first handwritten character that is desirably composed by the user of the mobile computing device  100 . Further, as described above, the first stroke can be detected as occurring in the input region  114  of the touch-sensitive display screen  104 . The receiver component  202  additionally receives a second stroke detected as being set forth on the touch-sensitive display screen  104  by the user of the mobile computing device  100 . The second stroke corresponds to a second handwritten character desirably composed by the user, wherein the second handwritten character is desirably displayed immediately adjacent to the first handwritten character. Further, the second stroke can be detected as occurring in the input region  114  of the touch-sensitive display screen  104 , such that at least a portion of the first stroke and a portion of the second stroke overlap. 
     A stroke segmenter component  204  is in communication with the receiver component  202  and performs stroke segmentation over the first stroke and the second stroke to detect a boundary between the first handwritten character and the second handwritten character. That is, the stroke segmenter component  204  determines that the first stroke corresponds to the first handwritten character and the second stroke corresponds to the second handwritten character (without needing to explicitly identify the first handwritten character or the second handwritten character). With more particularity, the stroke segmenter component  204  detects character boundaries that are used to untangle and render a handwritten sequence of characters (message or annotation). The stroke segmenter component  204  can segment strokes within a sequence of characters (e.g., a word) utilizing an exemplary technique described below. 
     The system  200  can further comprise a display component  206  that is in communication with the stroke segmenter component  204 , wherein the display component displays the first handwritten character and the second handwritten character immediately adjacent to one another in the display region  116  of the touch-sensitive display screen  104  as a portion of a handwritten message or annotation. It is to be understood that the handwritten content reflects the actual handwriting of the user of the mobile computing device  100  as detected in the input region  114  of the touch-sensitive display screen  104 . 
     The system  200  may optionally comprise a drawer component  208  that is in communication with the receiver component  202 . The receiver component  202  can receive an indication from the user of the mobile computing device  100  that the user desires to include a freeform drawing in the handwritten content. Thus, the user indicates that an immediately subsequently proffered stroke is not a portion of a handwritten character, and thus indicates that the stroke segmenter component  204  is not to perform stroke segmentation on subsequently proffered strokes. The display component  206  displays the subsequently received strokes in the display region  116  as they are set forth in the input region  114  by the user. Thus, the display component  206  receives such output from the drawer component  208  and causes the freeform drawing proffered by the user to be displayed in the display region  116 , potentially together with other handwritten content. The indication received by the receiver component  202  that the user of the mobile computing device  100  desires to include a freeform drawing in the handwritten note may be a spoken command, a gesture, a touch of a button on the touch-sensitive display screen  104 , a selection of one of the buttons  106 - 110  on the housing  102  of the mobile computing device  100 , or the like. 
     The system  200  may further optionally comprise an editor component  210  that is in communication with the receiver component  202  and the stroke segmenter component  204 . In an exemplary embodiment, the stroke segmenter component  204  may have improperly segmented strokes received by the user, such that at least one character in the sequence of handwritten characters displayed in the display region  116  is incorrect. This may occur, for example, when the touch-sensitive display screen  104  misidentifies a stroke set forth by the input mechanism  112  of the user, when the user inadvertently includes or fails to include a stroke of a handwritten character, or for some other reason. Pursuant to an example, the user can set forth a gesture to indicate that at least one handwritten character displayed in the display region  116  is incorrect, and the editor component  210  can receive such gesture. Pursuant to an example, and as will be shown below, the gesture may be a single tap on the incorrect character or characters shown in the display region  116 . The editor component  210  can be in communication with the stroke segmenter component  204 , which can output a most probable correction for the incorrect handwritten character or characters. Such correction can be provided to the display component  206 , which can highlight the character or characters in the display region  116  that have been corrected. 
     With more particularity, when the editor component  210  is informed that a segmentation error has occurred at a particular location in the display region  116 , the stroke segmenter component  204  can locate a most likely segmentation that differs at the particular location (e.g., the location of the user tap), while leaving other portions of the message or annotation displayed in the display region  116  unchanged. 
     In other embodiments, the user may wish to delete a most recently provided stroke, character, or word. For example, the user can set forth a command, which can be a gesture, or spoken word, to indicate to the editor component  210  that a most recently displayed stroke, character, or word is desirably removed from the message or annotation displayed in the display region  116 . The display component  206  may then delete such stroke, character, or word in accordance with the command set forth by the user. 
     As noted above, the system  200  may optionally be employed in connection with a messaging application. Accordingly, the system  200  may optionally include a transmitter component  212  that can transmit a message displayed in the display region  116  of the touch sensitive display screen  104  to a contact of the user of the mobile computing device  100 . Thus, for instance, the recipient of the message will receive the handwritten message as displayed in the display region  116 . Likewise, the system  200  may comprise a message receiver component  214  that can receive a handwritten message transmitted to the user from a contact of the user. The message receiver component  214  is in communication with the display component  206 , which can display the handwritten message on the touch-sensitive display screen  104  of the mobile computing device  100 . 
     With reference now to  FIG. 3 , an exemplary stroke segmentation graph  300  that is set forth in connection with description of segmentation of strokes undertaken by the stroke segmenter component  204  is illustrated. The stroke segmentation graph  300  comprises a plurality of nodes  302 - 310 . The stroke segmentation graph  300  can be employed to represent handwritten characters that are composed through 1-4 strokes. Any path from node 4 (node  310 ) to node 0 (node  302 ) represents a stroke segmentation, wherein the score of such segmentation is the sum of traversed edge weights, s ik , and visited nodes mark character ends. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, it may be desirable to segment a word consisting of N strokes. For every stroke i=1, . . . , N, four scores s ik , k=1, . . . , 4 can be computed, wherein each score describes how likely stroke i is the last stroke in a k-stroke character.  FIG. 3  depicts a segmentation graph where N=4, and includes N+1 nodes; one node for each stroke i=1, . . . , N plus one extra start node  302  labeled 0, wherein the graph  300  includes directed edges pointing from each node back to its (up to) four predecessors. An edge from node i to node i−k corresponds to grouping strokes (i−k+1), . . . , i into one character and is weighted by the corresponding score s ik . A path from node N to node 0 represents a segmentation of the N strokes into characters. Predicting the most likely segmentation amounts to locating the path with the maximum sum of edge weights. This is a standard shortest path problem that can be solved efficiently using dynamic programming in O(N) time and space. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the stroke segmenter component  204  can compute end of character scores as s ik =f k  (v i ), where v i  is a vector of features describing stroke i and f k  is a statistical model of how likely a stroke is the last one in a k-stroke character. 
     Pursuant to an example, the feature vector v i  can include numerous values, including bounding box position for the stroke, dimensions, area, aspect ratio, stroke length, a multi-bin slope histogram, slopes at the beginning and end of the stroke, amongst others. The feature vector can also hold similar values for strokes neighboring in time in both directions. For example, the feature vector can hold similar values for two strokes neighboring in time in both directions (i−2), . . . , (i+2), provided that such strokes exist (missing entries in v i  can be set to some value, such as −1). Furthermore, bounding box features can be employed to ascertain the union and intersection of neighboring bounding boxes. Other features are also contemplated. 
     Boosted decision stumps can be employed for end of character models: f k (v i )=Σ j=1   n h jk (v i ), e.g. sums of n step functions h jk , on the individual dimensions of v i . It is to be understood that other approaches for stroke segmentation are also contemplated. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 4 , an exemplary system  400  that facilitates training the stroke segmenter component  204  is illustrated. The system  400  comprises a first data set  402  and a second data set  403 . The first data set  402  includes a collection of one-stroke characters  404 , a collection of two-stroke characters  406 , a collection of three-stroke characters  408 , and a collection of four-stroke characters  410 . It is to be understood that, for instance, a character may fall into more than one of the sets  404 - 410  (depending on a number of strokes a writer used to generate the character). For example, a first user may compose a lowercase “t” with two strokes, while another user may compose a lowercase “t” with one stroke. The second data set  403  includes a plurality of words  412 . For instance, such words  412  can be extracted as most popular or frequently used words from some sample data set (e.g., from a social networking application). A trainer component  414  can utilize the first data set  402  and the second data set  403  to build four statistical models corresponding to single stroke characters, two-stroke characters, three-stroke characters, and four-stroke characters, respectively, which are employed by the stroke segmenter component  204  when performing stroke segmentation. The trainer component  414  can simulate characters being placed on top of one another by extracting a random word from the words  412  and generating a stream of strokes corresponding to such word (one on top of the other), where every stroke is represented by a feature vector. Accordingly, a sequence of feature vectors is acquired. Position and size of simulated strokes can be randomly perturbed such that the mean and variance match data from the first set  402 . By randomizing position and selecting words from the words  412 , training data can be generated relatively cheaply. 
     Returning briefly to  FIG. 3 , correction of a segmentation error is described in greater detail. When the user of the mobile computing device  100  performs a gesture with respect to a character or characters that are displayed incorrectly in the display region  116  (a segmentation error), a closest sequence of characters (word) to the tap location can be located, and strokes for such word can be divided into three categories: 1) strokes for which the segmentation should change (within 5 mm of tap location); 2) strokes for which the segmentation may change (adjacent to should change strokes); and 3) everything else (where strokes should not change). Some threshold number (e.g., 32) of most likely segmentations can then be computed e.g., while leaving the strokes in category 3) unchanged. This can be achieved by removing edges from the segmentation graph ( FIG. 3 ) that would lead to alternate segmentations for strokes in category 3) and finding the threshold number of best remaining paths. A best alternate segmentation can be defined as the feasible path that 1) changes at least one of the strokes that fall in category 1); and 2) has the smallest impact on strokes that fall into category 2). This rule favors corrections that are localized, but also allows larger areas to change if the local change requires change in the larger area. 
     With reference to  FIG. 5 , the mobile computing device  100  is illustrated with at least one handwritten character being displayed improperly in the display region  116 . In an example, the user of the mobile computing device  100  may desire to generate the handwritten word “Gift”. A segmentation error, however, may cause the mobile computing device  100  improperly display the characters “Ct”. To correct the segmentation error, the user can tap the touch-sensitive display screen  104  at the location of the segmentation error with the input mechanism  112 . Other input gestures that may also be employed, include encircling characters subject to the segmentation error, swiping over the characters subject to the segmentation error, or a spoken command. Referring briefly to  FIG. 6 , the segmentation error is corrected utilizing the technique described above. Furthermore, the characters subjected to correction can be highlighted in some fashion to inform the user of the mobile computing device  100  of which characters were altered. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 7 , an exemplary illustration of the mobile computing device  100  when the user desires to delete a most recently displayed character in the display region  116  is shown. In the example depicted, the handwritten character “e” is the character (or stroke) most recently displayed in the display region  116 . The user may set forth a particular gesture, such as transitioning the input mechanism  112  from inside the region  114  leftwardly out of the region  114  (e.g., a swipe). Turning to  FIG. 8 , deletion of the handwritten character “e” is completed responsive to the input mechanism  112  performing the aforementioned gesture on the touch-sensitive display screen  104 . 
     Now referring to  FIG. 9 , an exemplary illustration of the mobile computing device  100  when the user desires to delete a most recently displayed word in the display region  116  is depicted. For instance, the user may wish to delete the entirety of the word “note” from the message/annotation displayed in the display region  116 . In an exemplary embodiment, the user can set forth a particular gesture, such as transitioning the input mechanism from inside the input region  114  vertically upwardly outside of the input region  114 . Referring to  FIG. 10 , deletion of the word “note” is completed responsive to the input mechanism  112  being employed to perform such gesture. 
     Now turning to  FIG. 11 , an exemplary illustration of the mobile computing device  100  when the user informs the mobile computing device  100  that an immediately subsequent stroke begins a new word is shown. Pursuant to an example, the user can employ the input mechanism  112  to transition from inside the input region  114  horizontally rightwardly out of the region  114  to inform the mobile computing device  100  that an immediately subsequently entered stroke corresponds to a next word (e.g., the word “note” is completed, and the next stroke corresponds to a new word). 
     Now referring to  FIG. 12 , a space between the word “note” and a next character “n”, is shown. Size of the space may be any suitable size that visually indicates that the character “n” begins another word. 
     With reference to  FIG. 13 , an exemplary illustration of the mobile computing device  100  when a user thereof desires to include a freeform drawing in a message or annotation displayed in the display region  116  is shown. Pursuant to an example, a graphical user interface on the touch-sensitive display screen  104  can include a button  1302  that indicates that the user of the mobile computing device  100  desires to include a freeform drawing in the display region  116 . In other words, once the button  1302  is depressed, the mobile computing device  100  is informed that an immediately subsequent stroke is a freeform drawing stroke that is to be displayed in the display region  116  in real-time, and is not to be subjected to stroke segmentation. In other embodiments, a different gesture can be employed to initiate the drawing mode (e.g. swiping vertically downwardly from inside of the input region  114  to outside of the input region  114 ). Other gesture/commands are also contemplated. The graphical user interface may also include a send button  1304 , wherein the handwritten message shown in the display region  116  is sent to a contact of the user of the mobile computing device  100 . 
     With reference now collectively to  FIGS. 14-16 , various exemplary methodologies are illustrated and described. While the methodologies are described as being a series of acts that are performed in a sequence, it is to be understood that the methodologies are not limited by the order of the sequence. For instance, some acts may occur in a different order than what is described herein. In addition, an act may occur concurrently with another act. Furthermore, in some instances, not all acts may be required to implement a methodology described herein. 
     Moreover, the acts described herein may be computer-executable instructions that can be implemented by one or more processors and/or stored on a computer-readable medium or media. The computer-executable instructions may include a routine, a sub-routine, programs, a thread of execution, and/or the like. Still further, results of acts of the methodologies may be stored in a computer-readable medium, displayed on a display device, and/or the like. The computer-readable medium may be any suitable computer-readable storage device, such as memory, hard drive, CD, DVD, flash drive, or the like. As used herein, the term “computer-readable medium” is not intended to encompass a propagated signal. 
     With reference now solely to  FIG. 14 , an exemplary methodology  1400  that facilitates displaying a sequence of handwritten characters on a touch-sensitive display screen of a mobile computing device is illustrated. The methodology  1400  starts at  1402 , and at  1404  a plurality of strokes set forth by user on a touch-sensitive display screen of a mobile computing device are detected. The plurality of strokes correspond to a sequence of handwritten characters that is desirably displayed on the touch-sensitive display screen of the mobile computing device, wherein a first stroke corresponds to a first character in the sequence of handwritten characters and a second stroke corresponds to a second character in the sequence of handwritten characters. As noted above, the first stroke and the second stroke are set forth by the user in a region of the touch-sensitive display screen such that at least a portion of the two strokes overlap. Furthermore, pursuant to an example, multiple strokes can be received to represent at least one of the first character or the second character. 
     At  1406 , responsive to detecting the plurality of strokes set forth by the user on the touch sensitive display screen of the mobile computing device, stroke segmentation is performed to identify boundaries between strokes representing different characters. At  1408 , the sequence of handwritten characters is displayed on the touch-sensitive display screen of the mobile computing device based at least in part upon the segmentation described above. The methodology  1400  completes  1410 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 15 , an exemplary methodology  1500  that facilitates editing at least one character in a sequence of handwritten characters is illustrated. The methodology  1500  starts at  1502 , and at  1504  a sequence of handwritten characters generated by a user through utilization of a touch-sensitive display screen is displayed on the touch-sensitive display screen of the mobile computing device. At  1506 , an editing gesture is detected as being set forth by the user with respect to at least one character in the sequence of handwritten characters. At  1508 , at least one character in the sequence of handwritten characters is edited based at least in part upon the editing gesture. For example, a character displayed improperly due to a segmentation error can be corrected. The methodology  1500  completes at  1510 . 
     With reference now to  FIG. 16 , an exemplary methodology  1600  that facilitates including a freeform drawing in a handwritten message or annotation generated by way of a touch-sensitive display screen of a mobile computing device is illustrated. The methodology starts  1602 , and at  1604  a sequence of handwritten characters is displayed on a touch-sensitive display screen of a mobile computing device. At  1606 , an indication is received from the user that a subsequent stroke is a portion of a freeform drawing that is desirably to be included in a message or annotation that includes the sequence of handwritten characters. 
     At  1608 , the subsequent stroke is received immediately subsequent to receiving the indication. At  1610 , the subsequent stroke is displayed as the portion of the freeform drawing on the touch-sensitive display screen. The methodology  1600  completed  1612 . 
     Now referring to  FIG. 17 , a high-level illustration of an exemplary computing device  1700  that can be used in accordance with the systems and methodologies disclosed herein is illustrated. For instance, the computing device  1700  may be used in a system that supports composing handwritten messages by way of a touch-sensitive display screen of a mobile computing device. In another example, at least a portion of the computing device  1700  may be used in a system that supports composing a handwritten annotation that is to be applied to a document or image by way of a touch-sensitive display screen of a mobile computing device. The computing device  1700  includes at least one processor  1702  that executes instructions that are stored in a memory  1704 . The memory  1704  may be or include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, Flash memory, or other suitable memory. The instructions may be, for instance, instructions for implementing functionality described as being carried out by one or more components discussed above or instructions for implementing one or more of the methods described above. The processor  1702  may access the memory  1704  by way of a system bus  1706 . In addition to storing executable instructions, the memory  1704  may also store models utilized in connection with segmentation, training data, etc. 
     The computing device  1700  additionally includes a data store  1708  that is accessible by the processor  1702  by way of the system bus  1706 . The data store  1708  may be or include any suitable computer-readable storage, including a hard disk, memory, etc. The data store  1708  may include executable instructions, saved handwritten annotations, etc. The computing device  1700  also includes an input interface  1710  that allows external devices to communicate with the computing device  1700 . For instance, the input interface  1710  may be used to receive instructions from an external computer device, from a user, etc. The computing device  1700  also includes an output interface  1712  that interfaces the computing device  1700  with one or more external devices. For example, the computing device  1700  may display text, images, etc. by way of the output interface  1712 . 
     Additionally, while illustrated as a single system, it is to be understood that the computing device  1700  may be a distributed system. Thus, for instance, several devices may be in communication by way of a network connection and may collectively perform tasks described as being performed by the computing device  1700 . 
     It is noted that several examples have been provided for purposes of explanation. These examples are not to be construed as limiting the hereto-appended claims. Additionally, it may be recognized that the examples provided herein may be permutated while still falling under the scope of the claims.