The Text Services Framework (TSF) is a

COM Com or COM may refer to: Computing * COM (hardware interface), a serial port interface on IBM PC-compatible computers * COM file, or .com file, short for "command", a file extension for an executable file in MS-DOS * .com, an Internet top-level d ...

framework A framework is a generic term commonly referring to an essential supporting structure which other things are built on top of. Framework may refer to: Computing * Application framework, used to implement the structure of an application for an op ...

and API in Windows XP and later Windows

operating systems An operating system (OS) is system software that manages computer hardware, software resources, and provides common services for computer programs. Time-sharing operating systems schedule tasks for efficient use of the system and may also inc ...

that supports advanced text input and text processing. The Language Bar is the core user interface for Text Services Framework.

Overview

The Text Services Framework is designed to offer advanced language and word processing features to applications. It supports features such as multilingual support, keyboard drivers, handwriting recognition, speech recognition, as well as spell checking and other text and

natural language processing Natural language processing (NLP) is an interdisciplinary subfield of linguistics, computer science, and artificial intelligence concerned with the interactions between computers and human language, in particular how to program computers to pro ...

functions. It is also downloadable for older Windows operating systems. The Language Bar enables text services to add UI elements to the toolbar and enables these elements when an application has focus. From the Language Bar, users can select the input language, and control keyboard input, handwriting recognition and speech recognition. The language bar also provides a direct means to switch between installed languages, even when a non-TSF-enabled application has focus. Starting with

Windows XP Tablet PC Edition Windows XP, which is the next version of Windows NT after Windows 2000 and the successor to the consumer-oriented Windows Me, has been released in several editions since its original release in 2001. Windows XP is available in many languages. In ...

2005 and Windows Vista, the

RichEdit The Text Object Model (TOM) is a Microsoft Windows API that provides developers with object-based rich text manipulation interfaces. It is implemented through COM, and can be accessed through Microsoft Word or additionally through the RichEdit cont ...

control supports the Text Services Framework. Windows Speech Recognition in Windows Vista is also implemented using the Text Services Framework.

Features

*TSF is extensible.

Independent software vendors An independent software vendor (ISV), also known as a software publisher, is an organization specializing in making and selling software, as opposed to computer hardware, designed for mass or niche markets. This is in contrast to in-house software, ...

can write their own text processing feature for TSF. *TSF-enabled applications can receive text input from any text service that supports TSF without having to be aware of any details of the text source. Services built using TSF are globally available to any application. *TSF enables a text service to store

metadata Metadata is "data that provides information about other data", but not the content of the data, such as the text of a message or the image itself. There are many distinct types of metadata, including: * Descriptive metadata – the descriptive ...

with a document, a piece of text, or an object within the document. For example, a speech input text service can store sound information associated with a block of text. *TSF enables text services to provide accurate and complete text conversion, with continuous access to the document buffer. Text services using TSF can avoid separating their functionality into modes for input and modes for editing. This input architecture enables the buffered and accumulating text stream to change dynamically, thereby enabling more efficient keyboard input and text editing. *TSF is device-independent and enables text services for multiple input devices including

keyboard Keyboard may refer to: Text input * Keyboard, part of a typewriter * Computer keyboard ** Keyboard layout, the software control of computer keyboards and their mapping ** Keyboard technology, computer keyboard hardware and firmware Music * Musi ...

electronic pen Digital paper, also known as interactive paper, is patterned paper used in conjunction with a digital pen to create handwritten digital documents. The printed dot pattern uniquely identifies the position coordinates on the paper. The digital pen ...

or stylus, and microphone.

ctfmon and CTF

ctfmon (ctfmon.exe) is a process used to activate the Alternative User Input Text Input Processor (TIP) and also the Microsoft Language Bar. Ctfmon is also a component of

, Windows Vista and Windows 7 which enables advanced user input services in applications (pen and ink, speech etc.). CTF is an undocumented, insecure protocol involved in TSF which security researchers have observed to be present in Windows versions back to Windows XP.

References

External links

Text Services Framework documentation on MSDNText Services Framework blogHow to use the language bar in Windows XPThe Language Bar in Windows XPLanguage Bar Overview: Windows Vista Help
{{Microsoft APIs Windows components Natural language and computing