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Contents
WELCOMEUCS DESCRIPTION
THE UCS PREMISE
ENGLISH COMPATIBILITY
SURPASSING PAPER WRITING
WRITING PRACTICALITY
WRITING COHERENCY
THE COMPLETION EFFECT
UCS STROKES
RECOGNITION / STROKE INTEGRATION
THE FUTURE OF ELECTRONIC WRITING
Welcome
___ The new text input and symbol recognition system, Universal Computer Script (UCS), (patent pending) is not currently restricted to any particular operating system. UCS is designed to increase "recognition" writing speed to its maximum potential while reducing the likelyhood of producing errors to its lowest potential. Its description is provided below.
___ UCS comprises a limited set of specialized stroke patterns which aid recognition and increase input speed. It was developed over a number of years. These patterns were eventually arranged through a process of trial and error for English. Each pattern was extensively tested and strategically positioned so that it and all of the remaining stroke patterns were in a 100% cursive/print compatible position. The strokes, when written at high speed, feel similar to that of cursive and the writing flow from one stroke to the other is smooth and English-coherent. The significant differences between UCS and cursive are UCS's simplicity, which translates into greater writing speed, and its stationary characteristic which allows UCS to be physically written within an extremely small area on the computer screen.
This web page will explain:
___The primary purpose of UCS is to provide a new, English-compatible system of writing which is more appropriate, more efficient and more logical for use with handheld computers than Graffiti, small keyboards or the writing systems used in the past for paper. The UCS system of stroke patterns is translated into standard letters, numbers, punctuation and gestures using a specialized stroke recognition program. (patent pending)
UCS is designed to be written "in place" (stationary writing) and to outperform:
1) graphic writing on screen or paper
2) input using a small keyboard
3) input on a virtual keyboard
4) natural writing (standard) symbol recognition
5) graffiti type symbol recognition
(Contents)
| UCS DESCRIPTION: |
___The UCS system is based on a very limited number of simple, smooth, flowing, stroke patterns which follow several distinct geometrical progressions. The concept is similar to notes on the musical scale. Some of the patterns can, if written in certain configurations, coincidently match English letters and a few Graffiti-like symbols, but most do not exactly match either. Years were required to test and understand how this new system could be made compatible with English. The term English compatibity means that the ingrained writing patterns of those who have been brought up using cursive and print are not violated. The hand will willingly write each UCS stroke and the brain will accept what is written as the appropriate English letter. UCS has advantages over longhand. It is more simple, faster to write, easier, neater, requires less precision and uses much less space. It is the smoothness of the universal stroke patterns, their geometry of progression and their ultimate organization which provides low error, precise recognition and ease of writing. UCS, however, can only be comprehended by physically writing it. No written explanation is sufficient.
___ Although Universal Computer Script was created to directly compete with graphic note-taking and the small keyboard, that goal has not been technically feasible given the devices on the market prior to 2009. Slower-than-blazing CPU speed and borderline digitizer quality limits the input speed and response time of "recognition" writing which disrupts ones natural timing. However, with the mid-2009 introduction of the Snapdragon, 1.3 Ghz chipset, processing speed will finally be within the correct range to provide hesitation-free, writing and note-taking. (To date, the Palm OS, Sony Clie` TH55 has been the handheld that comes closest to note-taking quality recognition results for UCS.) With the advent of the new generation of processors, UCS will soon become a powerful, convenient and pleasant-to-learn text input tool. When it is experimented with for only a short time, Universal Computer Script's English compatibility and unique potential to give handhelds the capability to outperform ink-on-paper writing and the mini keyboard will be understood. (Contents)
| THE UCS PREMISE: |
___The symbol systems used today and in the past were created to be pressed, chiseled or written and then viewed on the mediums of mud tablets, stone or paper. It was naturally, by visual means that the shapes of all symbols were determined. The symbol one writes, is the symbol one sees and all characters were necessarily different looking. It will be shown, however, that this is not, nor should it be the case for the new medium of the digitized computer screen or tablet.
___Computerized writing, introduced just a few decades ago, has understandably clung to the ancient principle of visually definitive symbols, but the requirement that recognition strokes be identitifable only through sight is a gross misunderstanding of the true purpose and capabilities of this new technolgy. The output on a small computer screen may be more compact and neater today using typical symbol recognition, but the process actually takes more time to perform than just writing standard print or cursive on a piece of paper. We have made a significant technological step forward but have taken an even greater step backward by decreasing efficiency. To counter the regressive nature of Old World writing and allow computerized writing to take its rightful place as a progressive form of text input, a new approach can and must be taken. Harnessing the power of the computer to rapidly translate a simpler, but compatible, intermediary form of writing is the answer. Efficiency can then be boosted past that of ink on paper and a small keyboard.
___The key feature of an intermediary writing system is that it does not require readability, only writability. UCS is a true, intermediary symbol system. It can be difficult to decipher on paper if written longhand, but visual differentiation of symbols by the writer is not important for "recognition" writing. Only the particular path which a stroke takes in real time is relevant, and it is the software's purpose to analyzes that stroke path. Low readability translates into lower precision required to write a specific symbol and still have it identified correctly. To promote imprecision, UCS strokes follow a few simple geometric rules. A specially designed recognition program, then uses those rules to determine stroke identity. This new recognition method establishes tight, mathematically definable boundaries for each symbol. (Contents)
| ENGLISH COMPATIBILITY: |
___A special character set and recognition program may be interesting in theory but are of little value if an average individual cannot quickly pick up and master the system. Language compatability is of critical importance. The underlying relationship between the new, computer-interpreted strokes and Old World letters must be strictly maintained. Only 26, very specific stroke patterns exist which fit within the UCS "primary" system and they must be arranged for lowercase English. To provide the necessary 100% cross-compatability, every conceivable arrangement was tested to determine how to best position each stroke so not one would "feel" uncomfortable or out of place for an English writer. Even though UCS is a "stationary" writing system it can be organized to simulate the "feel" of left-to-right cursive. (More on how this is achieved in the "Completion Effect" section.) UCS is very different "looking" than standard print or cursive, but it is not the appearance that counts in stationary writing. It is the "feel" and that is why UCS works. UCS captures essence. It is an evolutionary step beyond cursive. The faster one writes, the more similar to cursive it feels. (Contents)
Cursive: Standard English sentence written longhand from left-to-right.
UCS: "Stationary" input indicating that all UCS strokes are written one over the other. (Not legible as on paper.)
UCS: Below is the appearance of UCS IF it were written from left to right on paper. (It is difficult to read without the aid of software, but is 100% cursive compatible, faster and easier to write and has a low potential for producing user and software errors. Read about the "Completion Effect" below and how it is possible that this strange looking script is compatible with English.)
UCS: The output on a handheld's screen. (Note: Any font may be output, including a personalized cursive font! (Contents)
| SURPASSING PAPER WRITING: |
___New efficiency possibilities open up when sight is no longer the driving force behind character input. Inline software senses pen/screen intersection points and stroke direction. This non-visual type of analysis allows the use of more simple symbols. If the derivative form of a standard symbol falls within the correct geometry it can then be classified as a definitve UCS character and used to improve writing efficieny. Inline analysis also allows opposites, that would appear indistinguishable on paper. This promotes simplicity and again, helps improve efficieny. Additionally, each inline stroke may be written in the same spot (stationary writing) which adds another degree of efficiency. And finally, one last step can be taken toward maximizing efficiency by introducing a simplicity heirarchy. Wherever it was possible to do so, symbols used more often in English are more simple in Universal Computer Script. As in speech where the spoken vowels are the shortest and the most clipped sounds, the written UCS vowels are the easiest and quickest symbols to write. As each efficiency feature is added, overall efficiency increases and UCS writing efficiency surpasses that of paper writing. (Contents)
| WRITING PRACTICALITY: |
___Electronic writing practicality requires that the relative number of user mistakes at normal writing speed be minimized and the writing of the new system feels so similar to its standard counterpart that the transition to it is painless. Reducing error requires a symbol system that does not create software confusion between similar symbols and one which allows for poor penmanship. A painless learning transition requires that 100% of the new strokes either match or create the same "feel" as the familiar standard letter. Without complete language compatibility there can be little utility. UCS successfully accomplishes both the problem of practicality and error reduction. The probability of making mistakes is reduced to a minimum and the 100% English compataility issue is resolved. UCS has been thoroughly tested and is targeted directly at the Western European (Latin), phonetic, lowercase alphabet and accompaning numbers and punctuation. (Contents)
| WRITING COHERENCY: |
___A practical phonetic written language must also be coherent. Coherency is similar to the concept of fonts where each symbol fits within a matching style. Examples of non-coherency, would be the mixing of cursive symbols with print, caps with lower case or left slanting symbols with right slanting symbols. Any system of writng may, in some sense, be learned but its fluid writability is the factor that establishes it as a coherent language. UCS is coherent and 100% English compatible. It takes into consideration the absolute necessity of (1) matching in feel every USC stroke pattern with an English (Latin) counterpart; (2) creating a smooth, flowing transition between symbols and (3) maintaining a consistant symbol slant. The UCS lowercase set excludes all stroke patterns with odd angles, high complexity or reverse curves and reverse loops. (Contents)
| THE COMPLETION EFFECT: |
___It can be proved experimentally that when a stroke pattern falls within an appropriate stroke path for a particular symbol, ones brain and hand will both quickly and willingly accept it as the targeted standard symbol even though it, visually, may appear incomplete or unfamiliar. If the stroke is shorter, ones brain will automatitically fill in the missing pieces and it will still feel as though the entire familiar letter has been written. This phenomenon is called "completion". When advantage is taken of the "completion" effect, and the UCS symbols are English aligned, the UCS writing system becomes 100% English coherent. Within a few weeks of practice, an individual who has been brought up within the Western European writing system, will be writing UCS fluently, accurately and with comfort.
Below are the 26 primary stroke patterns of Universal Computer Script and their relationship to each lowercase, cursive counterpart. (This primary set of patterns, like musical notes, is not open for debate. Although, each pattern can be written with a wide degree of variability, each fits within a progression of strokes found along a specific geometrical continuum.)Suggestion: Write each UCS stoke and "think" of its cursive "parent" while writing it. You will discover that both your hand and the writing part of your brain will concur that the familiar letter has been written. Learning UCS is just a matter of knowing where to start and stop each stroke. (back to compatibility section) (Contents)
| UCS STROKES: |
___Universal Computer Script is made up of three stroke types: Primary, secondary and tertiary. The 26 primaries are the only group of simple stroke patterns existing where each stroke flows within a common stationary writing style. The secondaries are single stroked symbols but do not have a common style. The tertiaries are double stroked characters produced by adding a single modifier stroke after writing a primary or a secondary stroke. The primary UCS strokes represent the latin lowercase alphabet and numbers. The secondary strokes and the tertiaries represent gestures, controls, punctuation symbols and a few common non-English, Western symbols. (Contents)
| RECOGNITION / STROKE INTEGRATION: |
___The special configuration of UCS stroke patterns combined with its integrated, boundary based recognition program create an electronic writing system which allows high writing speed with the highest possible recognition potential. The key to superior recognition at higher writing speeds is in the coordination of the strokes with the recognition program. The UCS stroke formula allows absolute identification of the borderlines which separate neighboring symbols. The boundaries, fit tightly along side one another like pieces in a puzzle. There are no gaps in recognition or overlaps between symbols. The effect is to maximize the range of recognition and eliminate software confusion when attempting to differentiate between two similar symbols. (Contents)
| THE FUTURE OF ELECTRONIC WRITING: |
___The future possibiliy of ubiquitous electronic writing will be dependent upon several factors including... 1) digitizer quality, 2) costs of the new "hybrids" and, 3) the public's willingness to embrace the necessary evolutionary step in writing which will meet the needs of a mobile, "paperless" society. The time has finally arrived (mid-2009) when the necessary calculations for symbol identification is so rapid that a writer cannot write faster than the computer can process and output. "Recognition" writing will directly compete with pen and ink writing. Smooth, quick writing with minimal errors is possible. The goal of the "do it all" handheld is here. "Doing it all" not only includes telephone capabilities but the capability for the user to input neat text (write), when under stress, at a rate faster that one can write with pen on paper. "Stationary" Universal Computer Script is the only text input system that has the potential to acomplish this task. (Note that free-style UCS can be written without looking. This feat cannot be performed on paper, on a handheld using Graffiti or natural writing, or on a small or virtual keyboard.) (Contents)
The handheld processor
is finally up to speed
for smooth, symbol
recognition writing.
2006
Sony Clie's ~200MHz TH55
High quality but slow.
Toshiba’s hybrid 1GHz TG01
(See YouTube video
at bottom of page)
1.3GHz Snapdragon QSD8650A chipset
announced by
Qualcomm.
If you think that Qualcomm’s 1GHz Snapdragon QSD2850 chipset (packed in Toshiba’s TG01) is impressive, wait until you hear about the new 1.3GHz QSD8650A chipset. Announced today by Qualcomm, the 1.3GHz QSD8650A chipset comes to expand the Snapdragon family, bringing not only 30% more speed, but also a 2D graphics accelerator and an improved 3D graphics core. What’s even cooler is that the QSD8650A requires 30% less power than the previous Snapdragon chipsets, and it only consumes 10 milliwats when in stand-by. The new 45nm chipset supports WXGA (1280 x 720 pixels) displays and Adobe Flash, thus being suitable for next-gen smartphones and smartbooks. The chipset also features GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1, mobile TV (DVB-H, MediaFLO, ISDB-T) and high-def video recording/playback. The 1.3GHz Snapdragon QSD2850 chipset from Qualcomm is scheduled for sampling sometime before the end of 2009. Meanwhile, Qualcomm has re-affirmed its plans to power more than 30 Snapdragon-based devices from more than 15 manufacturers.
HTC to launch Qualcomm
Snapdragon-based mobile
devices in 2009
High Tech Computer (HTC) is expected to launch Qualcomm Snapdragon-based mobile devices in the second quarter of 2009, according to market sources in Taiwan. HTC's Snapdragon device will hit the market one quarter later than Toshiba's early-February unveiling of its TG01 smartphone, which also runs on the Snapdragon platform. HTC and Toshiba are among more than a dozen device makers that have signed up with Qualcomm to develop mobile computing devices using Snapdragon solutions. Those device makers also include Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, Acer, Asustek Computer, Quanta Computer, Compal Electronics, Wistron, Inventec and Foxconn International Holdings (FIH). Although HTC has also entered design-in process for the development of Intel Atom-based mobile devices, the company's Snapdragon-based products are set to enter the market first.
UCS English/Western
European language
compatibility:
European language
compatibility:
Universal Computer Script or UCS is a new writing system designed for ultra compact computers that are too small to have an efficient keyboard. Its special design offers serious computerized competition to "no fault" pen on paper writing. The integration of symbol types and the recogntion program produces excellent recognition results. Several years were spent testing every conceivable symbol match for Western cursive in order to provide 100% cross compatability with English and other Western European languages.
Precise UCS symbol
recognition program:
recognition program:
The UCS symbol recognition program is unlike those currently on the market. It is based on symbol boundaries. The above system of triangles represents the lines which separate neighboring symbols. One can observe that each boundary line is clearly established. No gaps or overlaps exist between each triangle and no gaps or overlaps in recognition exist between any UCS symbol. The probability of producing a software based recognition error for this character-specific type of recognition is extremely low.
The continuing evolution
of writing and
its media.
of writing and
its media.
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