Patent ID: 8643605

Claim:
A method for editing characters on a device having a touch screen, embodied on a non-transitory computer readable medium, which when executed, comprises: receiving a first input in the form of a first path formed on the touch screen, the first path having a starting point and an ending point; detecting when the first path is a valid selection stroke by (1) verifying that the first path at least partially encloses multiple characters within the bounds of an area defined by the first path by comparing the distance between the starting point and ending point to a predetermined distance, and (2) verifying that when multiple characters are at least partially enclosed within the bounds of the area defined by the first path that the multiple characters are in a continuous relationship to each other and form a word, sentence, or paragraph; selecting and highlighting the multiple characters when a valid selection stroke is detected; and wherein when the first path is detected by (1) verifying the first path at least partially encloses multiple characters within the bounds of an area defined by the first path by comparing the distance between the starting point and ending point to a predetermined distance, and (2) verifying that when multiple characters are at least partially enclosed within the bounds of the area defined by the first path that the multiple characters are not in a continuous relationship to each other and form a word, sentence, or paragraph, a text recognition function is activated, wherein the text recognition function displays on the touch screen a shape resembling the first path.