Tablet PC: An Overview
`White Paper
`
`Published: June 2002
`For the latest information, please see http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/tabletpc/
`
`LiTL Exhibit 2016
`HP Inc. v. LiTL
`IPR2024-00404
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`

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`Contents
`
`Introduction...............................................................................................................................................1
`
`Driving a New Generation of PC..................................................................................................................2
`
`Tablet PC: The Next-Generation Mobile PC..................................................................................................3
`Built on Windows XP Professional...........................................................................................................3
`Digital Ink and Pen-Based Input ..............................................................................................................4
`A Powerful Platform ...............................................................................................................................5
`Windows Journal...................................................................................................................................5
`Speech Recognition...............................................................................................................................7
`Sticky Notes .........................................................................................................................................7
`Screen Rotation ....................................................................................................................................8
`Support for Multiple Languages ...............................................................................................................8
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`Tablet PC and the Enterprise......................................................................................................................9
`
`Conclusion.............................................................................................................................................. 10
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`Introduction
`The Tablet PC is a next-generation PC—the evolution of the notebook PC. Running the Microsoft® Windows® XP
`Tablet PC Edition operating system, which is a superset of Windows XP Professional, the Tablet PC provides all
`the performance and features of today’s notebook PCs , and then some. Advanced handwriting and speech
`recognition capabilities, a natural interface for entering data using a digital pen in addition to your keyboard, an
`ultra-light form factor, the ability to run full versions of standard Windows applications--these and other features of
`the Tablet PC open exciting new options for mobile computing.
`
`This paper provides an overview of Windows XP Tablet PC Edition features, the multiple Tablet PC form factors
`available from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and considerations for deploying the Tablet PC in the
`enterprise.
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`Driving a New Generation of PC
`Notebook PCs have been among the fastest growing category of computing devices, and for good reason.
`Increasingly, more and more users spend time away from their desks, whether they are “road warriors,” such as
`sales managers or senior executives who travel frequently, or “corridor warriors,” who spend hours a day in the
`office but are away from their desks attending meetings.
`
`In spite of the productivity benefits of today’s notebook PCs, typical mobile workers often spend a significant
`amount of time gathering and distributing information on paper. Microsoft research indicates that the typical
`manager or knowledge worker attends 40 meetings a month or more and jots down literally hundreds of notes on
`paper. Whether it’s a phone number, a tentative date for the next meeting, or notes on a presentation, knowledge
`workers spend many hours manually transcribing and merging handwritten information with computer-based
`applications.
`
`A major reason knowledge workers spend time transcribing paper-based notes is the simple fact that they do not
`have PCs with them in key situations throughout the business day. Desktops are immobile and even notebook
`PCs are routinely not used in business meetings. One reason for this is the negative social aspect associated
`with laptop use in meetings. The clicking of keyboards can be distracting and the presence of an open laptop
`screen often creates a literal and figurative barrier between the user and others in the room, which impedes
`communication.
`
`The Tablet PC’s light weight and innovative form factor overcome such barriers. The mobility and versatility of the
`Tablet PC enables users take their PCs with them and use them in new places and in new ways.
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`Tablet PC: The Next-Generation Mobile PC
`In response to the evolving needs of computer users, Microsoft and its hardware partners have developed the
`Tablet PC, a next-generation mobile business PC that will be available from leading computer makers in the
`second half of 2002. Tablet PCs are full-featured laptops running the Windows XP Tablet PC Edition operating
`system. The Tablet PC has all the capabilities of current business-class laptops, including attached or detachable
`keyboards, docking stations that enable the use of common peripheral devices such as CD ROM drives, printers,
`and external monitors, and the ability to run all Windows-based applications, including Microsoft Office XP suite.
`
`Microsoft is partnering with a range of hardware vendors, including ACER, Compaq, Fujitsu, NEC, Toshiba, and
`ViewSonic, among others, to manufacture Tablet PCs running Windows XP Tablet PC Edition. Tablet PCs will be
`offered in a variety of form factors. Some will be “pure tablets” without an integrated keyboard while others will be
`“convertible” tablets with more conventional clamshell laptop designs. Convertibles will be equipped with rotating
`screens that allow them to convert to a tablet. All Tablet PCs will be very light—ranging from two to three
`pounds—and will have all the features needed by mobile users, including long battery life, great displays,
`networking capability, and integrated support for peripherals through USB or FireWire ports. Tablet PCs will also
`support docking stations and a variety of external peripherals.
`
`The following provides a closer look at specific features of the Windows XP Tablet PC Edition operating system.
`
`Built on Windows XP Professional
`Windows XP Tablet PC Edition is a complete superset of Windows XP Professional, delivering the features and
`performance of the latest Microsoft operating system for PCs, while offering additional capabilities that deliver
`enhanced performance to the user. The following chart illustrates the foundation on which the Tablet PC platform
`was designed and the added features it offers, including advanced handwriting and speech recognition, rich inking
`capabilities, and features that enhance mobility.
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`The Tablet PC is an enhanced version of the Windows XP Professional operating system, offering the
`features of Windows XP Professional and more.
`
`Digital Ink and Pen-Based Input
`The ink used in Windows XP Tablet PC Edition is far more advanced than a simple image file, such as a bitmap,
`and is the product of significant research by Microsoft. Ink is stored as a series of complex equations called
`Bezier curves. This allows digital ink to have a very small file size and facilitates efficient storage of ink files. A
`result of years of technical and usability research, the ink used in Windows XP Tablet PC Edition flows smoothly
`and rapidly on the screen. This makes using ink with a Tablet PC a natural experience for the user.
`
`Tablet PC users will be able to operate their computers using a digital pen in addition to traditional input methods,
`such as a keyboard or mouse. The pen can also be used for the same functions as a mouse, including navigating
`user interfaces, selecting tools from menu bars, moving and resizing objects, and activating programs. As with
`physical pens, users can select the color and thickness as well as use emphasis tools, such as bolding and
`highlighting.
`
`The Tablet PC’s writing surface is roughly the size of a standard paper notebook, and users can rest their hand on
`the screen while writing or running software applications. This is a natural way to use a Tablet PC, but requires
`careful design to enable a great user experience. Tablet PCs have therefore been designed to operate with an
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`electromagnetic digitizer instead of a resistive-touch screen such as those typically found in PDAs and other
`devices with small screens . An electromagnetic digitizer accepts input from a special pen containing an
`electromagnetic coil.
`
`The electromagnetic digitizer enhances the inking experience by preventing contact between the user’s hand and
`the screen from inadvertently moving the cursor. It also enhances screen life by enabling the user to move the
`cursor without making direct physical contact with the screen surface. This “hovering” ability also lets the user
`move the cursor quickly and easily.
`
`From a technical perspective, the process of inking and pen-based input occurs in the following three steps:
`Windows XP Tablet PC Edition operating system captures pen motion coordinates on the screen, renders and
`stores the pen motion as “ink,” and then passes these groups of pen strokes to a “recognizer,” which in turn
`interprets them as writing.
`
`Tablet PC also includes support for gestures. By making a gesture on the screen with the pen, the user can
`execute many different commands. Gestures can be used for a variety of common actions or commands and can
`be invoked by making an ink mark with the pen in one or more locations on the Tablet PC screen.
`
`A Powerful Platform
`The Tablet PC is a powerful platform that offers opportunities for developers to add ink, pen, and speech
`capabilities to their existing and new applications. Windows XP Tablet PC Edition is the first version of Windows
`to be built with the Microsoft .NET Framework, which is included with every version of Windows XP Tablet PC
`Edition. This tool for developing ink- and speech-enabled applications as well as the Tablet PC Platform Software
`Development Kit (available on the Microsoft Developer Network) will help developers take advantage of the Tablet
`PC platform by integrating ink and pen support into new or existing Windows applications.
`
`Microsoft is partnering with specific industry leading software companies, including Adobe Systems, Inc.,
`Autodesk, Inc., Corel Corporation, and LexisNexis, to offer Tablet PC-compatible software, with full pen and ink
`capabilities, in their future releases.
`
`Microsoft will offer users the Office XP Pack for Tablet PC. This free download available to Tablet PC customers
`extends pen and ink functionality to the core Office XP applications (Microsoft Outlook®, Word, PowerPoint®,
`and Excel).
`
`Windows Journal
`Windows Journal is a new note-taking utility that is only available in Windows XP Tablet PC Edition. Designed
`from inception to take advantage of the unique capabilities and power of the Tablet PC platform, Windows Journal
`lets users write notes in their own handwriting in the same way that people write notes with pen and paper.
`However, because the ink is an actual data object and not just a picture or image file, users can convert their
`handwriting to text and can enter text into notes. Users can also draw and include graphical files in notes.
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`Furthermore, because Windows Journal performs background handwriting recognition on ink, the user can quickly
`and easily search through the handwritten ink files stored on a Tablet PC hard drive. In this way, Windows Journal
`is not just an electronic reproduction of pen and paper. Instead, Windows Journal uses the power of the PC to
`complete useful tasks that are difficult or impossible with paper alone.
`
`Features of Windows Journal include erasing, highlighting, formatting text, inserting space, dragging and dropping
`ink, recognizing and converting shapes, and formatting lists. In many organizations, notes are taken in forms.
`Windows Journal supports a variety of background images and stationery. Some types of stationery are purely
`decorative, such as college-lined paper versus wide-ruled or grid paper. Other stationery can be made to resemble
`traditional forms to facilitate the electronic completion of forms. With the optional Office XP Pack for Tablet PC,
`users will be able to use Windows Journal to complete the common task of inserting key meeting information,
`such as subject, date, and attendees into meeting notes. For meetings that are present on a Microsoft Outlook
`calendar, a user can select the relevant meeting and add its information as text directly into the active Windows
`Journal note with a few strokes of the pen.
`
`The top of the first page of each Windows Journal note file is a space to write in a title. The file is saved
`as a Windows file, and its default Windows file system name is the recognized text of what is written in
`the title area.
`
`Windows Journal users can take notes on multiple pages just as they would in Microsoft Word and then save
`those pages as a note file. The notes can be printed, copied, and deleted just like any file in Windows.
`
`As a user takes notes, Windows Journal also performs handwriting recognition in the background enabling the
`user to search across all her not e files in real time. Because the recognized text is stored in the background,
`users can accurately search for specific text in their handwritten notes—either within a note, across all notes
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`within a folder, or across all notes stored on their Tablet PC hard drive. The search engine in Tablet PC searches
`the recognized text with accurate results.
`
`Speech Recognition
`Speech recognition is an integral component of every Tablet PC, allowing users to dictate content or control
`applications with their voice. An external microphone is required in most cases. The Tablet PC Platform Software
`Development Kit (SDK) includes the Microsoft Speech API (SAPI), which can be used to extend speech
`capabilities to third-party applications.
`
`Sticky Notes
`Windows XP Tablet PC Edition also includes the Sticky Notes utility. This allows users to jot down short notes
`and place them on the desktop in a simple and easily accessible manner.
`
`A Sticky Note attached to your desktop works great for quick reminders. You don’t have to open an
`application—you see important messages right on your desktop.
`
`Sticky Notes can be dragged into applications that use Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) technology, such
`as Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. When dragged into another application, an image of the note is
`pasted into that application.
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`Screen Rotation
`Tablet PC supports instant display rotation between portrait and landscape modes without requiring a reboot, so a
`user can work in either mode according to his preference. For example, when annotating PowerPoint slides, it
`may be preferable to work in landscape mode—the same orientation as most PowerPoint slides. However, when
`taking notes in Windows Journal, it is more natural to do so in portrait mode—just like taking notes in a paper
`notebook. Tablet PC screen displays rotate almost instantly, so the user can go back and forth as often as
`desired or needed for a specific task.
`
`Support for Multiple Languages
`Windows XP Tablet PC Edition will offer handwriting recognition support for multiple languages including English,
`German, French, Japanese, Chinese (Traditional and Simplified), and Korean. Handwriting support for additional
`languages is under development . Windows XP Tablet PC Edition also supports the Windows XP Multilingual User
`Interface (MUI), which lets users change dialog boxes, menus, help files, dictionaries, and proofing tools for each
`user’s language.
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`Tablet PC and the Enterprise
`Tablet PC is ideally suited for mobile users who currently use notebook PCs and who can benefit from the
`enhanced mobility and versatility. Because it is built on Windows XP Professional, the Tablet PC provides the
`same performance and support components provided by Windows XP Professional.
`
`Highlights of interest to enterprise customers include:
`
`Deployment—Tablet PCs are deployed just like any other Windows XP-based PC, including
`distribution in heterogeneous computing environments.
`
`Full PC—Tablet PCs run all Windows applications, including standard applications such as the
`Microsoft Office XP suite as well as custom line-of-business Windows applications.
`
`Docking—All Tablet PC hardware packages will include docking stations that enable the use of
`standard peripherals. The Tablet PC platform is designed to enable fast docking and undocking without
`rebooting or requiring additional undocking actions.
`
`Learning tools—All Tablet PCs will include online tutorials so users can quickly familiarize themselves
`with using the new features of the platform.
`
`For more detailed enterprise-related information, please refer to the Tablet PC and the Enterprise white paper.
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`Conclusion
`The Tablet PC is the most powerful, mobile, and versatile PC yet. Its operating system—Windows XP Tablet PC
`Edition—is built on the strong foundation of Windows XP Professional and offers significant new features that let
`people use their PC in new places and in new ways. Combining the versatility and flexibility of pen and paper with
`the power of the PC, Tablet PCs will create a broad new category of notebook PCs for highly mobile users. Using
`the Tablet PC, users can operate Windows software applications using a pen, annotate documents with digital
`ink, create handwritten documents using digital ink for later reference, share these documents with co-workers,
`and convert handwritten notes to text. Tablet PCs will support the scenarios of today’s notebook PCs, including
`the use of docking stations, external monitors, mice and external keyboards. In addition, Tablet PCs offer light
`weight, long battery life, high-resolution displays, and seamless support for wireless connectivity.
`
`The Tablet PCs power, mobility, and versatility will enable knowledge workers to employ the power of their mobile
`computers in more places and in new ways throughout the day, helping to make them more efficient than ever
`before.
`
`For more information about the Tablet PC, see http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/tabletpc.
`
`This is a preliminary document and may be changed substantially prior to final commercial releas e of the software described herein.
`The information contained in this document represents the current view of Microsoft Corporation on the issues discussed as of the date of publication.
`Because Microsoft must respond to changing market conditions, it should not be interpreted to be a commitment on the part of Microsoft, and Microsoft
`cannot guarantee the accuracy of any information presented after the date of publication.
`This white paper is for informational purposes only. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN THIS
`DOCUMENT.
`Complying with all applicable copyright laws is the responsibility of the user. Without limiting the rights under copyright, no part of this document may be
`reproduced, stored in, or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or
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`Microsoft may have patents, patent applications, trademarks, copyrights, or other intellectual property rights covering subject matter in this document.
`Except as expressly provided in any written license agreement from Microsoft, the furnishing of this document does not give you any license to these
`patents, tradem arks, copyrights, or other intellectual property.
`© 2002 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
`Microsoft, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other
`countries.
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`Tablet PC: An Overview
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