Device and method for previewing themes and categories of sequenced symbols

• US 20030210280A1
• Filed: 05/01/2003
• Published: 11/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Semantic Compaction Systems Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Semantic Compaction Systems Incorporated
• Inventors: Mcgrath, Thomas J. III, Baker, Bruce R., Hershberger, Dave H., Dillon, Rob, Conti, Robert V.
• Granted Patent: US 7,506,256 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/835
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72469 for operating the device by selecting functions from two or more displayed items, e.g. menus or icons

Abstract

A computer device, such as a mobile phone or PDA for example, is able to output a message based upon selection of a corresponding sequence of symbol. Such symbols can be polysemous in nature and thus be associated with a plurality of different meanings depending upon other symbols sequenced therewith. By utilizing polysemous symbols, a relatively large number of sequences can be developed and associated with stored messages in the computer device. To aid a user in accessing a desired sequence or to aid in training the learning of stored sequences, for example, a category relating to at least two symbol sequences is fed back to the user upon pre-selecting a symbol; a theme relating to at least two symbol sequences is fed back to the user upon selecting a symbol and pre-selecting a next symbol; and/or a message associated with a sequence is fed back to the user upon selecting and/or pre-selecting at least one symbol completing a symbol sequence.

Claims

1. In a system for providing a message in response to the selection of an associated symbol sequence, a method comprising:

selecting a symbol;

pre-selecting a symbol corresponding to a next symbol in at least two symbol sequences including the selected symbol; and

providing feedback corresponding to a theme related to the at least two symbol sequences.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the symbols are polysemous.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the feedback includes visual feedback.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the feedback includes audible feedback.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the feedback includes display of the theme, stored in association with the at least two symbol sequences.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the feedback includes display of the theme, relating at least two messages respectively stored in association with the at least two symbol sequences.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the feedback includes display of the theme, the selected symbol and the pre-selected symbol.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the pre-selecting includes highlighting the symbol.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein valid symbols for selection and pre-selection are differentiated from invalid symbols.

10. The method of claim 5, wherein the theme is displayed in a designated display area.

11. The method of claim 6, wherein the theme is displayed in a designated display area.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein the theme, the selected symbol and the pre-selected symbol are displayed in a designated display area.

13. The method of claim 5, wherein the theme is displayed proximate to the pre-selected symbol.

14. The method of claim 6, wherein the theme is displayed proximate to the pre-selected symbol.

15. The method of claim 7, wherein the theme is displayed proximate to the pre-selected symbol.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the method is for a system for providing at least one of a message, command, and computer program in response to the selection of an associated symbol sequence.

17. The method of claim 9, wherein, upon selecting an invalid symbol, the feedback is negated.

18. In a system for providing a message in response to the selection of an associated symbol sequence, a method comprising:

pre-selecting a first symbol of at least two symbol sequences; and

providing feedback corresponding to a category related to the at least two symbol sequences.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the symbols are polysemous.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the feedback includes visual feedback.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein the feedback includes audible feedback.

22. The method of claim 18, wherein the feedback includes display of the category, stored in association with the at least two symbol sequences.

23. The method of claim 18, wherein the feedback includes display of the category, relating at least two messages respectively stored in association with the at least two symbol sequences.

24. The method of claim 18, wherein the feedback includes display of the category, the selected symbol and the pre-selected symbol.

25. The method of claim 18, wherein the pre-selecting includes highlighting the symbol.

26. The method of claim 18, wherein valid symbols for selection and pre-selection are differentiated from invalid symbols.

27. The method of claim 22, wherein the category is displayed in a designated display area.

28. The method of claim 23, wherein the category is displayed in a designated display area.

29. The method of claim 24, wherein the category, the selected symbol and the pre-selected symbol are displayed in a designated display area.

30. The method of claim 22, wherein the category is displayed proximate to the pre-selected symbol.

31. The method of claim 23, wherein the category is displayed proximate to the pre-selected symbol.

32. The method of claim 24, wherein the category is displayed proximate to the pre-selected symbol.

33. The method of claim 18, wherein the method is for a system for providing at least one of a message, command, and computer program in response to the selection of an associated symbol sequence.

34. The method of claim 26, wherein, upon selecting an invalid symbol, the feedback is negated.

35. In a system for providing a message in response to the selection of an associated symbol sequence, a method comprising:

pre-selecting a last symbol of a symbol sequence sequentially including zero or more selected symbols and the pre-selected symbol; and

providing feedback corresponding to a message stored in association with the symbol sequence sequentially including the zero or more selected symbol and the pre-selected last symbol.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the symbols are polysemous.

37. The method of claim 35, wherein the feedback includes visual feedback.

38. The method of claim 35, wherein the feedback includes audible feedback.

39. The method of claim 35, wherein the feedback includes display of the message, stored in association with the symbol sequence.

40. The method of claim 35, wherein the feedback includes display of the display of the message, stored in association with the symbol sequence.

41. The method of claim 35, wherein the feedback includes display of the message, stored in association with the symbol sequence

42. The method of claim 35, wherein the pre-selecting includes highlighting the symbol.

43. The method of claim 35, wherein valid symbols for selection and pre-selection are differentiated from invalid symbols.

44. The method of claim 39, wherein the message is displayed in a designated display area.

45. The method of claim 40, wherein the message is displayed in a designated display area.

46. The method of claim 41, wherein the message, the selected symbols and the pre-selected symbol are displayed in a designated display area.

47. The method of claim 39, wherein the message is displayed proximate to the pre-selected symbol.

48. The method of claim 40, wherein the message is displayed proximate to the pre-selected symbol.

49. The method of claim 41, wherein the message is displayed proximate to the pre-selected symbol.

50. The method of claim 35, wherein the method is for a system for providing at least one of a message, command, and computer program in response to the selection of an associated symbol sequence.

51. The method of claim 43, wherein, upon selecting an invalid symbol, the feedback is negated.

52. A device for providing a message in response to the selection of an associated symbol sequence, comprising:

an input device, adapted to select a symbol and adapted to pre-select a symbol corresponding to a next symbol in at least two symbol sequences including the selected symbol; and

a feedback device adapted to provide feedback corresponding to a theme related to the at least two symbol sequences.

53. The device of claim 52, wherein the symbols are polysemous.

54. The device of claim 52, wherein the feedback device is includes a display.

55. The device of claim 52, wherein the feedback device is includes a device for providing audible feedback.

56. The device of claim 54, wherein the feedback includes display of the theme, relating at least two messages respectively stored in association with the at least two symbol sequences.

57. The device of claim 54, wherein the feedback includes display of the theme, the selected symbol and the pre-selected symbol.

58. The device of claim 54, wherein the input device and feedback device include an integrated input and display.

59. The device of claim 54, wherein the input device includes a touch panel display.

60. The device of claim 54, wherein the input device includes a mouse.

61. The device of claim 54, wherein the pre-selecting includes highlighting the symbol.

62. The device of claim 54, wherein valid symbols for selection and pre-selection are differentiated from invalid symbols on the input device.

63. The device of claim 54, wherein the theme is displayed in a designated display area.

64. The device of claim 56, wherein the theme is displayed in a designated display area.

65. The device of claim 57, wherein the theme, the selected symbol and the pre-selected symbol are displayed in a designated display area.

66. The device of claim 54, wherein the theme is displayed proximate to the pre-selected symbol.

67. The device of claim 56, wherein the theme is displayed proximate to the pre-selected symbol.

68. The device of claim 57, wherein the theme is displayed proximate to the pre-selected symbol.

69. The device of claim 54, wherein the device is for providing at least one of a message, command, and computer program in response to the selection of an associated symbol sequence.

70. The device of claim 54, wherein the device is a personal digital assistant.

71. The device of claim 54, wherein the device is a mobile phone.

72. The device of claim 54, wherein the device is a remote control device.

73. The device of claim 54, wherein the device is a remote control device for remotely controlling an electronic device.

74. The device of claim 54, wherein the device is a remote control device for controlling, at least in part, a television.

75. The device of claim 54, wherein the input device is further adapted to select a second symbol and pre-select a third symbol of a symbol sequence sequentially including the first, second and third symbol and wherein the feedback device is further adapted to provide feedback corresponding to a message stored in association with the symbol sequence sequentially including the first, second and third symbol.

76. The device of claim 54, wherein the feedback device is further adapted to, in response to pre-selecting a first symbol of at least two symbol sequences via the input device, provide feedback corresponding to a category related to the at least two symbol sequences.

77. The device of claim 75, wherein the device is a personal digital assistant.

78. The device of claim 75, wherein the device is a mobile phone.

79. The device of claim 75, wherein the device is a remote control device.

80. The device of claim 75, wherein the device is a remote control device for remotely controlling an electronic device.

81. The device of claim 75, wherein the device is a remote control device for controlling, at least in part, a television.

82. The device of claim 75, wherein the pre-selecting includes highlighting the symbol.

83. The device of claim 76, wherein the device is a personal digital assistant.

84. The device of claim 76, wherein the device is a mobile phone.

85. The device of claim 76, wherein the pre-selecting includes highlighting the symbol.

86. The device of claim 75, wherein the symbols are polysemous.

87. The device of claim 76, wherein the symbols are polysemous.

88. The device of claim 62, wherein, upon selection an invalid symbol, the feedback is negated.

89. A device for providing a message in response to the selection of an associated symbol sequence, comprising:

means for selecting a symbol and for pre-selecting a symbol corresponding to a next symbol in at least two symbol sequences including the selected symbol; and

means for providing feedback corresponding to a theme related to the at least two symbol sequences.

90. The device of claim 89, wherein the symbols are polysemous.

91. The device of claim 89, wherein the pre-selecting includes highlighting the symbol.

92. The device of claim 89, wherein the device is a personal digital assistant.

93. The device of claim 89, wherein the device is a mobile phone.

94. The device of claim 89, wherein the device is a remote control device.

95. The device of claim 89, wherein the device is a remote control device for remotely controlling an electronic device.

96. The device of claim 89, wherein the device is a remote control device for controlling, at least in part, a television.

97. The device of claim 89, wherein the means for selecting a symbol is further for selecting a second symbol and for pre-selecting a third symbol of a symbol sequence sequentially including the first, second and third symbol and wherein the means for providing feedback is further for providing feedback corresponding to a message stored in association with the symbol sequence sequentially including the first, second and third symbol.

98. The device of claim 89, wherein the means for providing feedback is further for, in response to pre-selecting a first symbol of at least two symbol sequences via the means for selecting a symbol, providing feedback corresponding to a category related to the at least two symbol sequences.

99. The device of claim 97, wherein the device is a personal digital assistant.

100. The device of claim 97, wherein the device is a mobile phone.

101. The device of claim 97, wherein the device is a remote control device.

102. The device of claim 97, wherein the device is a remote control device for remotely controlling an electronic device.

103. The device of claim 97, wherein the device is a remote control device for controlling, at least in part, a television.

104. The device of claim 98, wherein the device is a personal digital assistant.

105. The device of claim 98, wherein the device is a mobile phone.

106. The device of claim 98, wherein the device is a remote control device.

107. The device of claim 98 wherein the device is a remote control device for remotely controlling an electronic device.

108. The device of claim 98, wherein the device is a remote control device for controlling, at least in part, a television.

109. The device of claim 97, wherein the symbols are polysemous.

110. The device of claim 98, wherein the symbols are polysemous.

111. The device of claim 97, wherein the pre-selecting includes highlighting the symbol.

112. The device of claim 98, wherein the pre-selecting includes highlighting the symbol.

113. The device of claim 89, wherein invalid symbols are differentiated from valid symbols and wherein, upon selection an invalid symbol, the feedback is negated.

114. A device for providing a message in response to the selection of an associated symbol sequence, comprising:

an input device, adapted to pre-select a symbol corresponding to a last symbol in a symbol sequence sequentially including zero or more selected symbols and the pre-selected symbol; and

a feedback device adapted to provide feedback corresponding to a message stored in association with the symbol sequence sequentially including the zero or more selected symbols and the pre-selected last symbol.

115. The device of claim 114, wherein the symbols are polysemous.

116. The device of claim 114, wherein the pre-selecting includes highlighting the symbol.

117. The device of claim 114, wherein the device is a personal digital assistant.

118. The device of claim 114, wherein the device is a mobile phone.

119. The device of claim 114, wherein the device is a remote control device.

120. The device of claim 114, wherein the device is a remote control device for remotely controlling an electronic device.

121. The device of claim 114, wherein the device is a remote control device for controlling, at least in part, a television.

123. The device of claim 114, wherein the input device is further adapted to select the zero or more symbols.

124. The device of claim 114, wherein invalid symbols are differentiated from valid symbols and wherein, upon selection an invalid symbol, the feedback is negated.

122.

125. A device for providing a message in response to the selection of an associated symbol sequence, comprising:

means for pre-selecting a symbol corresponding to a last symbol in a symbol sequence sequentially including zero or more selected symbols and the pre-selected symbol; and

means for providing feedback corresponding to a message stored in association with the symbol sequence sequentially including the zero or more selected symbols and the pre-selected last symbol.

126. The device of claim 125, wherein the symbols are polysemous.

127. The device of claim 125, wherein the pre-selecting includes highlighting the symbol.

128. The device of claim 125, wherein the device is a personal digital assistant.

129. The device of claim 125, wherein the device is a mobile phone.

130. The device of claim 125, wherein the device is a remote control device.

131. The device of claim 125, wherein the device is a remote control device for remotely controlling an electronic device.

132. The device of claim 125, wherein the device is a remote control device for controlling, at least in part, a television.

133. The device of claim 125, wherein the means for pre-selecting a symbol is further for selecting the zero or more symbols.

134. The device of claim 125, wherein invalid symbols are differentiated from valid symbols and wherein, upon selection an invalid symbol, the feedback is negated.

135. A device for providing a message in response to the selection of an associated symbol sequence, comprising:

means for automatically pre-selecting a last symbol in a symbol sequence sequentially including at least one selected symbol and the automatically pre-selected symbol upon selecting at least one symbol, setting a default selection mode and a time expiring; and

means for providing feedback corresponding to a message stored in association with the symbol sequence sequentially including the at least one selected symbol and the pre-selected last symbol.

136. The device of claim 135, wherein the time for expiration is settable.

137. The device of claim 135, wherein the time for expiration is predetermined.

138. The device of claim 135, wherein the time for expiration is a default time.

139. The device of claim 135, wherein at least two symbols are selected and wherein the pre-selected symbol is identical to the last selected symbol.

140. The device of claim 139, wherein the at least two selected symbols correspond to an associated theme.

141. The device of claim 135, wherein the symbols are polysemous.

142. The device of claim 135, wherein the pre-selecting includes highlighting the symbol.

143. The device of claim 135, wherein the device is a personal digital assistant.

144. The device of claim 135, wherein the device is a mobile phone.

145. The device of claim 135, wherein the device is a remote control device.

146. The device of claim 135, wherein the device is a remote control device for remotely controlling an electronic device.

147. The device of claim 135, wherein the device is a remote control device for controlling, at least in part, a television.

148. The device of claim 135, wherein the means for pre-selecting a symbol is further for selecting the at least one symbol.

149. In a system for providing a message in response to the selection of an associated symbol sequence, a method comprising:

setting a default selection mode;

selecting at least one symbol;

automatically pre-selecting a last symbol in a symbol sequence sequentially including at least one selected symbol and the automatically pre-selected symbol, upon a time expiring; and

providing feedback corresponding to a message stored in association with the symbol sequence sequentially including the at least one selected symbol and the pre-selected last symbol.

150. The method of claim 149, wherein the time for expiration is settable.

151. The method of claim 149, wherein the time for expiration is predetermined.

152. The method of claim 149, wherein the time for expiration is a default time.

153. The method of claim 149, wherein at least two symbols are selected and wherein the pre-selected symbol is identical to the last selected symbol.

154. The method of claim 153, wherein the at least two selected symbols correspond to an associated theme.

155. The method of claim 149, wherein the symbols are polysemous.

156. The method of claim 149, wherein the pre-selecting includes highlighting the symbol.

157. The method of claim 149, wherein the device is a personal digital assistant.

158. The method of claim 149, wherein the device is a mobile phone.

159. The method of claim 149, wherein the device is a remote control device.

160. The method of claim 149, wherein the device is a remote control device for remotely controlling an electronic device.

161. The method of claim 149, wherein the device is a remote control device for controlling, at least in part, a television.

162. The method of claim 149, wherein the feedback includes visual feedback.

163. The method of claim 149, wherein the feedback includes audible feedback.

164. The method of claim 159, wherein the feedback includes display of the message, stored in association with the symbol sequence.

165. The method of claim 149, wherein valid symbols for selection and pre-selection are differentiated from invalid symbols.

166. The method of claim 161, wherein the message is displayed in a designated display area.

167. The method of claim 161, wherein the message, the selected symbols and the pre-selected symbol are displayed in a designated display area.

168. The method of claim 161, wherein the message is displayed proximate to the pre-selected symbol.

169. The method of claim 149, wherein the method is for a system for providing at least one of a message, command, and computer program in response to the selection of an associated symbol sequence.

170. The method of claim 149, wherein, upon selecting an invalid symbol, the feedback is negated.