Computer device, method and article of manufacture for utilizing sequenced symbols to enable programmed application and commands

• US 7,076,738 B2
• Filed: 03/02/2001
• Issued: 07/11/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Semantic Compaction Systems Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Semantic Compaction Systems Incorporated
• Inventors: McGrath, Thomas J., Codol, Michael, Baker, Bruce R., Cross, Russell T., Hershberger, Dave H., Conti, Robert V.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hailu, Tadesse
• Application Number:
  US09/797,179
• Publication Number:
  US 20020163544A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,957 Days
• Field of Search: 345/864, 345/841, 345/822, 345/824, 345/854, 345/853, 345/810, 345/835, 345/840, 345/773, 345/173, 345/168, 345/172, 345/169, 715/864, 715/700, 715/781, 715761-765, 715/866, 715/763, 715/835, 715/884, 751764-765, 751761-762, 751/781, 751/866
• US Class Current: 715/763
• 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 access an application program or command, based upon selection of corresponding sequences of symbols. 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 programs and/or commands of the computer device, with only a relatively small number of symbols displayed. In devices such as PDAs and mobile phone where display space is a premium, such access to commands and programs can be invaluable.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

providing a plurality of polysemous symbols for selection;

storing a plurality of sequences of the selectable polysemous symbols, each stored in association with an application program; and

enabling one of the application programs in response to receiving selection of an associated polysemous symbol sequence,

wherein each stored sequence includes at least three symbols and wherein the first symbol in each sequence corresponds to an application program category, the second symbol corresponds to a sub-category within the application program category of the first symbol, and the third symbol corresponds to an application program within the sub-category of the second symbol.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein each stored sequence includes at least three symbols.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying the plurality of polysemous symbols within an enabled application program;

storing a plurality of sequences of the displayed polysemous symbols, each stored in association with a command; and

executing one of the commands in response to receiving selection of an associated polysemous symbol sequence.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the commands include navigation commands.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the commands include intra-application commands for navigating within the enabled application program.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein the commands include inter-application commands for navigating between the enabled application program and another application program.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein, upon receiving selection of a symbol, differentiating the display of valid polysemous symbols which occur as a next symbol in a stored sequence including selected symbol, from invalid polysemous symbols.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein valid symbols are highlighted.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein invalid symbols are darkened.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the display of valid polysemous symbols, which occur as a first symbol in a stored sequence upon no symbols being selected and as a next symbol in a stored sequence upon selection of a previous symbol, is differentiated from invalid polysemous symbols.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein valid symbols are highlighted.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein invalid symbols are darkened.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying each of a plurality of selected polysemous symbols, in sequence of selection.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of polysemous symbols are provided in association with keys of a keypad.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the storing step includes storing a polysemous symbol sequence in association with a macro, wherein the macro is enabled in response to receiving selection of the stored associated polysemous symbol sequence.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of polysemous symbols are displayed in response to entering a symbol sequence mode.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the method is used to enable application programs of a mobile telephone.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein selectable polysemous symbols are displayed prior to selection.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein an application program is displayed prior to selection of a selectable polysemous symbol that will complete an associated polysemous symbol sequence.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein selectable polysemous symbols are highlighted prior to selection.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

displaying each of a plurality of selected polysemous symbols, in sequence of selection.

22. The method of claim 17, wherein selectable polysemous symbols are highlighted prior to selection.

23. The method of claim 1, wherein, the method is used to enable application programs of a personal digital assistant.

24. The method of claim 1, wherein the method is used to enable application programs of a personal computer.

25. The method of claim 1, wherein the symbols are selectable using voice recognition.

26. The method of claim 1, wherein the symbols are selectable using voice recognition.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the display of valid polysemous symbols, which occur as a first symbol in a stored sequence upon no symbols being selected and as a next symbol in a stored sequence upon selection of a previous symbol, is differentiated from invalid polysemous symbols.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein valid symbols are highlighted.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein invalid symbols are darkened.

30. The method of claim 1, wherein the application programs include a macros, with a polysemous symbol sequence being stored in association with the macro and with the macro being enabled in response to receiving selection of an associated polysemous symbol sequence.

31. The method of claim 1, wherein the application program is an existing previously stored program.

32. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of polysemous symbols are displayed as a virtual keyboard.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the virtual keyboard occupies no more than ⅓

of a display screen.

34. The method of claim 32, wherein the virtual keyboard includes no more than two rows of polysemous symbols.

35. The method of claim 32, wherein the virtual keyboard includes no more than eighteen polysemous symbols.

36. A method comprising:

providing a plurality of polysemous symbols for selection as a virtual keyboard on a display screen;

storing a plurality of sequences of the selectable polysemous symbols, each stored in association with a command for execution; and

executing one of the commands in response to selection of an associated polysemous symbol sequence, wherein each stored sequence includes at least three symbols and wherein the first symbol in each sequence corresponds to a command category, the second symbol corresponds to a sub-category within the command category of the first symbol, and the third symbol corresponds to a command within the sub-category of the second symbol.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the commands include intra-application commands.

38. The method of claim 36, wherein the commands include navigation commands.

39. The method of claim 36, wherein each of the plurality of sequences include a sequence of at least two symbols.

40. The method of claim 36, wherein at least one sequence includes one symbol repeated a plurality of times.

41. The method of claim 36, wherein the display of valid polysemous symbols, occurring as a first symbol in a sequence upon no symbols being selected and a next symbol in a sequence upon selection of a previous symbol, is differentiated from invalid polysemous symbols.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein valid symbols are highlighted.

43. The method of claim 41, wherein invalid symbols are darkened.

44. The method of claim 36, wherein the storing step includes storing a polysemous symbol sequence in association with a macro, wherein the macro is enabled in response to receiving selection of an associated polysemous symbol sequence.

45. The method of claim 36, wherein the virtual keyboard is displayed upon an application program being enabled.

46. The method of claim 45, wherein the display of valid polysemous symbols, occurring as a first symbol in a sequence upon no symbols being selected and a next symbol in a sequence upon selection of a previous symbol, is differentiated from invalid polysemous symbols.

47. The method of claim 46, wherein valid symbols are highlighted.

48. The method of claim 46, wherein invalid symbols are darkened.

49. The method of claim 44, wherein the commands include inter-application commands for operating between two application programs.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein the inter-application commands transfer information from one application program to another.

51. The method of claim 36, wherein the virtual keyboard is displayed in response to entering a symbol sequence mode.

52. The method of claim 36, wherein the method is used to execute commands on a mobile telephone.

53. The method of claim 52, wherein selectable polysemous symbols are displayed prior to selection.

54. The method of claim 53, wherein a command is displayed prior to selection of a selectable polysemous symbol that will complete an associated polysemous symbol sequence.

55. The method of claim 53, wherein the selected polysemous symbols are highlighted prior to selection.

56. The method of claim 52, wherein the selected polysemous symbols are highlighted prior to selection.

57. The method of claim 36, wherein the method is used to execute commands on a personal digital assistant.

58. The method of claim 36, wherein the method is used to execute commands on a personal computer.

59. The method of claim 36, wherein the symbols are selectable using voice recognition.

60. The method of claim 59, further comprising:

displaying each of a plurality of selected polysemous symbols, in sequence of selection.

61. The method of claim 36, wherein the symbols are selectable using voice recognition.

62. The method of claim 61, wherein the display of valid polysemous symbols, which occur as a first symbol in a stored sequence upon no symbols being selected and as a next symbol in a stored sequence upon selection of a previous symbol, is differentiated from invalid polysemous symbols.

63. The method of claim 62, wherein valid symbols are highlighted.

64. The method of claim 62, wherein invalid symbols are darkened.

65. The method of claim 36, wherein the commands include a macro, with a polysemous symbol sequence being stored in association with the macro and with the macro being enabled in response to receiving selection of an associated polysemous symbol sequence.

66. The method of claim 36, wherein the command is an existing previously stored command.

67. The method of claim 36, wherein the virtual keyboard occupies no more than ⅓

of a display screen.

68. The method of claim 36, wherein the virtual keyboard includes no more than two rows of polysemous symbols.

69. The method of claim 36, wherein the virtual keyboard includes no more than eighteen polysemous symbols.

70. An article of manufacture, comprising:

a first code segment for causing a computer device to display a virtual keyboard including a plurality of polysemous symbols;

a second code segment for causing the computer device to store a plurality of sequences of the displayed polysemous symbols, each stored in association with a command; and

a third code segment for causing the computer device to execute a command in response to selection of an associated polysemous symbol sequence, wherein each stored sequence includes at least three symbols and wherein the first symbol in each sequence corresponds to a command category, the second symbol corresponds to a sub-category within the command category of the first symbol, and the third symbol corresponds to a command within the sub-category of the second symbol.

71. The article of manufacture of claim 70, further comprising a computer usable medium containing each of the first, second and third code segments.

72. The article of manufacture of claim 70, wherein the article of manufacture is a computer usable medium.

73. The article of manufacture of claim 70, wherein the commands include intra-application commands for navigating within an application program.

74. The article of manufacture of claim 73, wherein the first code segment causes the computer device to display the virtual keyboard upon an application program being enabled.

75. The article of manufacture of claim 73, wherein the intra-application commands include navigation commands.

76. The article of manufacture of claim 70, wherein the commands include inter-application commands for navigating between two application programs.

77. The article of manufacture of claim 76, wherein the first code segment causes the computer device to display the virtual keyboard upon an application program being enabled.

78. The article of manufacture of claim 76, wherein each of the plurality of sequences include a sequence of at least two symbols.

79. The article of manufacture of claim 76, wherein the commands include a macro, with the second code segment causing the computer device to store a polysemous symbol sequence in association with the macro and with the third code segment causing the computer device to execute the macro in response to selection of an associated symbol sequence.

80. The article of manufacture of claim 76, wherein the command is an existing prestored command.

81. The article of manufacture of claim 70, wherein each of the plurality of sequences include a sequence of at least two symbols.

82. The article of manufacture of claim 70, wherein at least one sequence includes one symbol repeated a plurality of times.

83. The article of manufacture of claim 70, wherein the first code segment causes the computer device to display valid polysemous symbols, occurring as a first symbol in a sequence upon no symbol being selected and as a next symbol in a sequence upon selection of a previous symbol, differentiated from invalid polysemous symbols.

84. The article of manufacture of claim 83, wherein valid symbols are highlighted.

85. The article of manufacture of claim 83, wherein invalid symbols are darkened.

86. The article of manufacture of claim 70, wherein the computer device is a mobile telephone.

87. The article of manufacture of claim 70, wherein the computer device is a personal digital assistant.

88. The article of manufacture of claim 70, wherein the computer device is a personal computer.

89. The article of manufacture of claim 70, wherein selection of an associated polysemous symbol sequence occurs through voice recognition.

90. An article of manufacture, comprising:

a first code segment for causing a computer device to display a virtual keyboard including a plurality of polysemous symbols;

a second code segment for causing the computer device to store a plurality of sequences of the displayed polysemous symbols, each stored in association with an application program; and

a third code segment for causing the computer to enable one of the application programs in response to selection of an associated polysemous symbol sequence,

wherein each stored sequence includes at least three symbols and wherein the first symbol in each sequence corresponds to an application program category, the second symbol corresponds to a sub-category within the application program category of the first symbol, and the third symbol corresponds to an application program within the sub-category of the second symbol.

91. The article of manufacture of claim 90, further comprising a computer usable medium containing each of the first, second and third code segments.

92. The article of claim 91, wherein the commands include inter-application commands for navigating between the enabled application program and another application program.

93. The article of manufacture of claim 90, wherein the article of manufacture is a computer usable medium.

94. The article of manufacture of claim 90, wherein each of the plurality of sequences include a sequence of at least two symbols.

95. The article of manufacture of claim 90, wherein at least one sequence includes one symbol repeated a plurality of times.

96. The article of manufacture of claim 90, wherein the first code segment causes the computer device to display the virtual keyboard on less than ⅓

of the display screen.

97. The article of manufacture of claim 90, wherein the first code segment causes the computer device to display valid polysemous symbols, occurring as a first symbol in a sequence upon no symbol being selected and as a next symbol in a sequence upon selection of a previous symbol, differentiated from invalid polysemous symbols.

98. The article of manufacture of claim 90, further comprising:

a fourth code segment for causing the computer device to display the plurality of polysemous symbols within an accessed application program;

a fifth code segment for causing the computer device to store a plurality of sequences of the displayed polysemous symbols, each stored in association with a command; and

a sixth code segment for causing the computer to execute one of the commands in response to receiving selection of an associated polysemous symbol sequence.

99. The article of manufacture of claim 98, wherein the commands include navigation commands.

100. The article of manufacture of claim 98, wherein the commands include intra-application commands for navigating within the enabled application program.

101. The article of manufacture of claim 90, wherein the computer device is a mobile telephone.

102. The article of manufacture of claim 90, wherein the computer device is a personal digital assistant.

103. The article of manufacture of claim 90, wherein the computer device is a personal computer.

104. The article of manufacture of claim 90, wherein selection of an associated polysemous symbol sequence occurs through voice recognition.

105. The article of manufacture of claim 90, wherein the application programs include a macro, with the second code segment causing the computer device to store a polysemous symbol sequence in association with the macro and with the third code segment causing the computer device to execute the macro in response to selection of an associated symbol sequence.

106. The article of manufacture of claim 90, wherein the application program is an existing prestored application program.

107. The article of manufacture of claim 90, wherein the first code segment causes the computer device to display a virtual keyboard including no more than two rows of polysemous symbols.

108. The article of manufacture of claim 90, wherein the first code segment causes the computer device to display a virtual keyboard including no more than eighteen polysemous symbols.

109. The article of manufacture of claim 90, wherein the first code segment causes the computer device to display a virtual keyboard including no more than two rows of polysemous symbols.

110. The article of manufacture of claim 90, wherein the first code segment causes the computer device to display a virtual keyboard including no more than eighteen polysemous symbols.

111. An interface comprising:

a plurality of polysemous symbols for selection, a plurality of sequences of the polysemous symbols being stored in association with at least one of a command and an application program, wherein an associated one of a command or application program is enabled in response to selection of symbols of a stored polysemous symbol sequence,

wherein the plurality of polysemous symbols are displayed as a virtual keyboard, and

wherein, prior to selection of a last symbol in a sequence, at least one of a name and a symbol corresponding to at least one of a command and an application program, is displayed in association with the last symbol in a sequence, to thereby facilitate learning of the correspondence between the symbol sequence and the command or application program.

112. The interface of claim 111, wherein the at least one of a name and symbol replaces display of the last symbol in a sequence.

113. The interface of claim 112, wherein the replacement is temporary.

114. A method comprising:

providing a plurality of polysemous symbols for selection;

storing a plurality of sequences of the selectable polysemous symbols, each stored in association with at least one of a command and an application program; and

displaying, prior to selection of a last symbol in a sequence, at least one of a name and a symbol corresponding to at least one of a command and an application program, in association with the last symbol in a sequence, to thereby facilitate learning of the symbol sequence corresponding to the command or application program.

115. The method of claim 114, wherein the display of at least one of a name and symbol replaces display of the last symbol in a sequence.

116. The method of claim 115, wherein the replacement is temporary.

117. The method of claim 115, wherein the replacement is gradual.

118. The method of claim 114, wherein at least one of a name and a symbol are displayed in association with each of a plurality of selectable last symbols in sequences.

119. The method of claim 118, wherein the display of at least one of a name and a symbol replaces the display of each of a plurality of selectable last symbols in a sequence.

120. The method of claim 119, wherein the replacement is temporary.

121. The method of claim 119, wherein the replacement is gradual.

122. The method of claim 114, further comprising:

at least one of enabling one of the application programs and executing one of the commands in response to receiving selection of an associated polysemous symbol sequence.

123. The method of claim 122, wherein the method is used to enable application programs or execute commands of a mobile telephone.

124. The method of claim 122, wherein, the method is used to enable application programs or execute commands of a personal digital assistant.

125. The method of claim 122, wherein the method is used to enable application programs or execute commands of a personal computer.

126. The method of claim 114, wherein the plurality of polysemous symbols are displayed as a virtual keyboard.

127. The method of claim 126, wherein the display of valid polysemous symbols, which occur as a first symbol in a stored sequence upon no symbols being selected and as a next symbol in a stored sequence upon selection of a previous symbol, is differentiated from invalid polysemous symbols.

128. The method of claim 127, wherein valid symbols are highlighted.

129. The method of claim 127, wherein invalid symbols are darkened.

130. The method of claim 114, wherein the method is used to at least one of enable application programs and execute commands of a mobile telephone, in response to receiving selection of an associated polysemous symbol sequence.

131. The method of claim 114, wherein, the method is used to at least one of enable application programs and execute commands of a personal digital assistant, in response to receiving selection of an associated polysemous symbol sequence.

132. The method of claim 114, wherein the method is used to at least one of enable application programs and execute commands of a personal computer, in response to receiving selection of an associated polysemous symbol sequence.

133. The method of claim 114, wherein the plurality of polysemous symbols are displayed as a virtual keyboard.

134. The method of claim 133, wherein the virtual keyboard occupies no more than ⅓

of a display screen.

135. The method of claim 133, wherein the virtual keyboard includes no more than two rows of polysemous symbols.

136. The method of claim 133, wherein the virtual keyboard includes no more than eighteen polysemous symbols.

137. A method comprising:

providing a first set of polysemous symbols for selection on a portable handheld device;

storing a plurality of sequences in the portable handheld device, including the selectable symbols and additional symbols, each stored in association with a command;

displaying a second set of symbols for selection on the portable handheld device in response to selection of a symbol of the first set; and

executing a command on the portable handheld device, in response to receiving selection of a second symbol completing an associated stored symbol sequence, wherein the plurality of polysemous symbols are displayed as a virtual keyboard on the portable handheld device.

138. The method of claim 137, wherein the portable handheld device is a personal digital assistant.

139. The method of claim 137, wherein the portable handheld device is a mobile phone.

140. The method of claim 137, wherein the virtual keyboard occupies no more than ⅓

of a display screen.

141. The method of claim 137, wherein the virtual keyboard includes no more than two rows of polysemous symbols.

142. The method of claim 137, wherein the virtual keyboard includes no more than eighteen polysemous symbols.

143. The method of claim 137, wherein the commands include navigation commands.

144. The method of claim 137, wherein the commands include computer commands.

145. The method of claim 137, wherein the commands include computer network commands.

146. The method of claim 137, wherein the method is used to execute commands of a mobile telephone.

147. The method of claim 137, wherein the method is used to execute commands of a personal digital assistant.

148. A method, comprising:

providing a first set of polysemous symbols for selection on a portable handheld device;

storing a plurality of sequences in the portable handheld device, including the selectable symbols and additional symbols, each stored in association with at least one of a program and a command;

displaying a second set of symbols for selection on the portable handheld device in response to selection of a symbol of the first set; and

executing at least one of a program and a command on the portable handheld device, in response to receiving selection of a second symbol completing an associated stored symbol sequence, wherein the plurality of polysemous symbols are displayed as a virtual keyboard on the portable handheld device.

149. The method of claim 148, wherein the virtual keyboard occupies no more than ⅓

of a display screen.

150. The method of claim 148, wherein the virtual keyboard includes no more than two rows of polysemous symbols.

151. The method of claim 148, wherein the virtual keyboard includes no more than eighteen polysemous symbols.

152. The method of claim 148, wherein the commands include navigation commands.

153. The method of claim 148, wherein the commands include computer commands.

154. The method of claim 148, wherein the commands include computer network commands.

155. The method of claim 148, wherein the programs include application programs.

156. The method of claim 148, wherein the programs include macros.

157. The method of claim 148, wherein the method is used to enable application programs of a mobile telephone.

158. The method of claim 148, wherein the method is used to execute commands of a mobile telephone.

159. The method of claim 148, wherein the method is used to enable application programs of a personal digital assistant.

160. The method of claim 148, wherein the method is used to execute commands of a personal digital assistant.

161. An article of manufacture, comprising:

a first code segment for causing a computer device to provide a first set of symbols for selection;

a second code segment for causing the computer device to store a plurality of sequences, including the selectable polysemous symbols and additional symbols, each stored in association with a command;

a third code segment for causing the computer device to display a second set of polysemous symbols for selection in response to selection of a symbol of the first set; and

a fourth code segment for causing the computer device to execute a command, in response to receiving selection of a second polysemous symbol completing an associated stored polysemous symbol sequence.

162. The article of manufacture of claim 161, further comprising a computer usable medium containing each of the first, second and third code segments.

163. The article of manufacture of claim 161, wherein the article of manufacture is a computer usable medium.

164. The article of manufacture of claim 161, wherein the first code segment causes the computer device to display the virtual keyboard on less than ⅓

of the display screen.

165. The article of manufacture of claim 161, wherein the commands include navigation commands.

166. The article of manufacture of claim 161, wherein the commands include intra-application commands for navigating within the enabled application program.

167. The article of claim 161, wherein the commands include inter-application commands for navigating between the enabled application program and another application program.

168. The article of manufacture of claim 161, wherein the computer device is a mobile telephone.

169. The article of manufacture of claim 161, wherein the computer device is a personal digital assistant.

170. The article of manufacture of claim 161, wherein the computer device is a personal computer.

171. A method comprising:

providing a plurality of polysemous symbols on a portable handheld device for selection;

storing a plurality of sequences of the selectable polysemous symbols in the portable handheld device, each stored in association with at least one of a command and an application program; and

displaying on the portable handheld device, prior to selection of a last symbol in a sequence, at least one of a name and a symbol corresponding to at least one of a command and an application program, in association with the last symbol in a sequence, to thereby facilitate learning of the symbol sequence corresponding to the command or application program, wherein the plurality of polysemous symbols are displayed as a virtual keyboard on the portable handheld device and wherein the virtual keyboard occupies no more than ⅓

of a display screen of the portable handheld device.

172. The method of claim 171, wherein the portable handheld device is a personal digital assistant.

173. The method of claim 171, wherein the portable handheld device is a mobile phone.

174. A method comprising:

providing a plurality of polysemous symbols on a portable handheld device for selection;

storing a plurality of sequences of the selectable polysemous symbols in the portable handheld device, each stored in association with at least one of a command and an application program; and

displaying on the portable handheld device, prior to selection of a last symbol in a sequence, at least one of a name and a symbol corresponding to at least one of a command and an application program, in association with the last symbol in a sequence, to thereby facilitate learning of the symbol sequence corresponding to the command or application program, wherein the plurality of polysemous symbols are displayed as a virtual keyboard on the portable handheld device and wherein the virtual keyboard includes no more than two rows of polysemous symbols.

175. A method comprising:

providing a plurality of polysemous symbols on a portable handheld device for selection;

storing a plurality of sequences of the selectable polysemous symbols in the portable handheld device, each stored in association with at least one of a command and an application program; and

displaying on the portable handheld device, prior to selection of a last symbol in a sequence, at least one of a name and a symbol corresponding to at least one of a command and an application program, in association with the last symbol in a sequence, to thereby facilitate learning of the symbol sequence corresponding to the command or application program, wherein the plurality of polysemous symbols are displayed as a virtual keyboard on the portable handheld device and wherein the virtual keyboard includes no more than eighteen polysemous symbols.

176. A portable handheld device comprising:

a display, including a virtual keyboard, the virtual keyboard including virtual keys associated with a first set of polysemous symbols for selection, adapted to provide symbol selection to the portable handheld device;

a memory, adapted to store a plurality of sequences including the selectable symbols and additional polysemous symbols in the portable handheld device, each stored in association with a command; and

a controller, adapted to control display of a second set of symbols for selection on the portable handheld device in response to selection of a polysemous symbol of the first set, and adapted to execute a command of the portable handheld device in response to receiving selection of a second symbol completing an associated stored symbol sequence.

177. The portable handheld device of claim 176, wherein the portable handheld device is a personal digital assistant.

178. The portable handheld device of claim 176, wherein the portable handheld device is a mobile phone.

179. The method of claim 176, wherein the virtual keyboard occupies no more than ⅓

of a display screen.

180. A portable handheld device comprising:

a display, including a virtual keyboard, the virtual keyboard including virtual keys associated with a first set of symbols for selection, adapted to provide symbol selection to the portable handheld device;

a memory, adapted to store a plurality of sequences including the selectable symbols and additional symbols in the portable handheld device, each stored in association with a command; and

a controller, adapted to control display of a second set of symbols for selection on the portable handheld device in response to selection of a symbol of the first set, and adapted to execute a command of the portable handheld device in response to receiving selection of a second symbol completing an associated stored symbol sequence, wherein the virtual keyboard includes no more than two rows of polysemous symbols.

181. The portable handheld device of claim 180, wherein the portable handheld device is a personal digital assistant.

182. The portable handheld device of claim 180, wherein the portable handheld device is a mobile phone.

183. A portable handheld device comprising:

a display, including a virtual keyboard, the virtual keyboard including virtual keys associated with a first set of symbols for selection, adapted to provide symbol selection to the portable handheld device;

a memory, adapted to store a plurality of sequences including the selectable symbols and additional symbols in the portable handheld device, each stored in association with a command; and

a controller, adapted to control display of a second set of symbols for selection on the portable handheld device in response to selection of a symbol of the first set, and adapted to execute a command of the portable handheld device in response to receiving selection of a second symbol completing an associated stored symbol sequence, wherein the virtual keyboard includes no more than eighteen polysemous symbols.

184. The portable handheld device of claim 183, wherein the portable handheld device is a personal digital assistant.

185. The portable handheld device of claim 183, wherein the portable handheld device is a mobile phone.

186. A portable handheld device, comprising:

a memory, adapted to store a plurality of polysemous symbols for selection via voice input in the portable handheld device, each symbol being stored in association with a name, and adapted to store a plurality of sequences of the selectable polysemous symbols in the portable handheld device, each sequence stored in association with at least one of a program and a command;

a controller, adapted to execute at least one of a program and command of the portable handheld device, in response to receiving voice input selection of names of symbols of an associated polysemous symbol sequence; and

a display, wherein the plurality of polysemous symbols are displayed as a virtual keyboard on the portable handheld device and wherein the virtual keyboard occupies no more than ⅓

of the display of the portable handheld device.

187. The portable handheld device of claim 186, wherein the portable handheld device is a personal digital assistant.

188. The portable handheld device of claim 186, wherein the portable handheld device is a mobile phone.

189. A method comprising:

providing a plurality of polysemous symbols for selection;

storing a plurality of sequences of the selectable polysemous symbols, each stored in association with at least one of a program and a command; and

at least one of enabling one of the programs and executing one of the commands in response to receiving selection of an associated polysemous symbol sequence,

wherein each stored sequence includes at least three symbols and wherein the first symbol in each sequence corresponds to at least one of a program and command category, the second symbol corresponds to a sub-category within the category of the first symbol, and the third symbol corresponds to at least one of a program and command within the sub-category of the second symbol.

190. The method of claim 189, wherein the plurality of polysemous symbols are displayed as a virtual keyboard.

191. The method of claim 190, wherein the virtual keyboard occupies no more than ⅓

of a display screen.

192. The method of claim 190, wherein the virtual keyboard includes no more than two rows of polysemous symbols.

193. The method of claim 190, wherein the virtual keyboard includes no more than eighteen polysemous symbols.

194. The method of claim 189, wherein the commands include navigation commands.

195. The method of claim 189, wherein the commands include computer commands.

196. The method of claim 189, wherein the commands include computer network commands.

197. The method of claim 189, wherein the programs include application programs.

198. The method of claim 189, wherein the programs include macros.

199. The method of claim 189, wherein the method is used to enable application programs of a mobile telephone.

200. The method of claim 189, wherein the method is used to execute commands of a mobile telephone.

201. The method of claim 189, wherein the method is used to enable application programs of a personal digital assistant.

202. A computer device, comprising:

an input device, adapted to provide a plurality of polysemous symbols for selection;

a memory, adapted to store a plurality of sequences of the selectable polysemous symbols, each sequence including at least three symbols and being stored in association with at least one of a program and a command, the first symbol in each sequence corresponding to at least one of a command and program category, the second symbol corresponding to a sub-category within the category, and the third symbol corresponding to at least one of a command and program within the sub-category; and

a controller, adapted to at least one of enable one of the programs and execute one of the commands in response to receiving selection of an associated polysemous symbol sequence.

203. The computer device of claim 202, wherein the input device is an integrated input and display device, adapted to provide input and display, wherein a keyboard is displayed as a virtual keyboard on the integrated input and display device, the keyboard including keys, associated with a plurality of polysemous symbols, adapted to provide symbol input upon selection.

204. The computer device of claim 202, wherein the computer device is a mobile phone.

205. The computer device of claim 202, wherein the polysemous symbols are displayed prior to selection.

206. The computer device of claim 202, wherein a program or command is displayed prior to selection of a selectable polysemous symbol that will complete an associated polysemous symbol

207. The computer device of claim 202, wherein selectable polysemous symbols are highlighted prior to selection.

208. The computer device of claim 202 wherein the computer device is a hand-held computer.

209. The computer device of claim 208, wherein the hand-held computer is a personal digital assistant (PDA).

210. The computer device of claim 202, wherein each stored sequence includes at least two symbols.

211. The computer device of claim 202, wherein the commands include navigation commands.

212. The computer device of claim 202, wherein the commands include intra-application commands for navigating within an application program.

213. The computer device of claim 202, wherein the commands include inter-application commands for navigating between one application program and another application program.

214. The computer device of claim 202, wherein the keyboard is displayed on the display upon executing an application program.

215. The computer device of claim 202, wherein the memory is adapted to store a polysemous symbol sequence in association with a macro, and wherein the controller is adapted to execute the macro in response to receiving selection of an associated polysemous symbol sequence.

216. An article of manufacture, comprising:

a first code segment for causing a computer device to display a virtual keyboard including a plurality of polysemous symbols;

a second code segment for causing the computer device to store a plurality of sequences of the displayed polysemous symbols, each sequence including at least three symbols and being stored in association with at least one of a program and a command, the first symbol in each sequence corresponding to at least one of a command and program category, the second symbol corresponding to a sub-category within the category, and the third symbol corresponding to at least one of a command and program within the sub-category; and

a third code segment for causing the computer to at least one of enable one of the programs and execute one of the commands in response to selection of an associated polysemous symbol sequence.

217. The article of manufacture of claim 216, further comprising a computer usable medium containing each of the first, second and third code segments.

218. The article of manufacture of claim 216, wherein the article of manufacture is a computer usable medium.

219. The article of manufacture of claim 216, wherein the first code segment causes the computer device to display the virtual keyboard on less than ⅓

of the display screen.

220. The article of manufacture of claim 216, wherein the commands include navigation commands.

221. The article of manufacture of claim 216, wherein the commands include intra-application commands for navigating within the enabled application program.

222. The article of claim 216, wherein the commands include inter-application commands for navigating between the enabled application program and another application program.

223. The article of manufacture of claim 216, wherein the computer device is a mobile telephone.

224. The article of manufacture of claim 216, wherein the computer device is a personal digital assistant.

225. The article of manufacture of claim 216, wherein the computer device is a personal computer.

226. A portable handheld device, comprising:

an integrated input and display device, including a virtual keyboard, the virtual keyboard including virtual keys associated with a plurality of polysemous symbols, adapted to provide symbol input to the portable handheld device;

a memory, adapted to store a plurality of sequences of the polysemous symbols in the portable handheld device, each sequence stored in association with at least one of a program and a command, the first symbol in each sequence corresponding to at least one of a command and program category, the second symbol corresponding to a sub-category within the category, and the third symbol corresponding to at least one of a command and program within the sub-category; and

a controller, adapted to at least one of enable one of the programs and execute one of the commands of the portable handheld device in response to receiving selection of an associated polysemous symbol sequence.

227. The portable handheld device of claim 226, wherein the portable handheld device is a mobile phone.

228. The portable handheld device of claim 226, wherein a program or command is displayed prior to selection of a selectable polysemous symbol that will complete an associated polysemous symbol sequence.

229. The portable handheld device of claim 226, wherein the portable handheld device is a hand-held computer.

230. The portable handheld device of claim 229, wherein the hand-held computer is a personal digital assistant (PDA).

231. The portable handheld device of claim 226, wherein the commands include navigation commands.

232. The portable handheld device of claim 226, wherein the commands include intra-application commands for navigating within an application program.

233. The portable handheld device of claim 226, wherein the commands include inter-application commands for navigating between one application program and another application program.

234. The portable handheld device of claim 226, wherein the memory is adapted to store a polysemous symbol sequence in association with a macro, and wherein the controller is adapted to execute the macro in response to receiving selection of an associated polysemous symbol sequence.

235. An interface comprising:

a plurality of polysemous symbols for selection, a plurality of sequences of the polysemous symbols being stored in association with at least one of a command and a program, the first symbol in each sequence corresponding to at least one of a command and program category, the second symbol corresponding to a sub-category within the category, and the third symbol corresponding to at least one of a command and program within the sub-category,

wherein at least one of one of the associated programs is enabled or at least one of the associated commands is executed in response to selection of symbols of a stored polysemous symbol sequence, and

wherein the plurality of polysemous symbols are displayed as a virtual keyboard.

236. A computer device, comprising:

an input device, adapted to provide a plurality of polysemous symbols for selection;

a memory, adapted to store a plurality of sequences of the selectable polysemous symbols, each stored in association with at least one of a command and an application program; and

a display, adapted to display, prior to selection of a last symbol in a sequence, at least one of a name and a symbol corresponding to at least one of a command and an application program, in association with the last symbol in a sequence, to thereby facilitate learning of the symbol sequence corresponding to the command or application program.

237. The computer device of claim 236, wherein the input device and the display are integrated.

238. The computer device of claim 236, wherein the computer device is a mobile phone.

239. The computer device of claim 236, wherein the polysemous symbols are displayed prior to selection.

240. The computer device of claim 236, wherein a program or command is displayed prior to selection of a selectable polysemous symbol that will complete an associated polysemous symbol sequence.

241. The computer device of claim 236, wherein selectable polysemous symbols are highlighted prior to selection.

242. The computer device of claim 236, wherein the computer device is a hand-held computer.

243. The computer device of claim 242, wherein the hand-held computer is a personal digital assistant (PDA).

244. The computer device of claim 236, wherein each stored sequence includes at least two symbols.

245. The computer device of claim 236, wherein the commands include navigation commands.

246. The computer device of claim 236, wherein the commands include intra-application commands for navigating within an application program.

247. The computer device of claim 236, wherein the commands include inter-application commands for navigating between one application program and another application program.

248. The computer device of claim 236, wherein the keyboard is displayed on the display upon executing an application program.

249. The computer device of claim 236, wherein the memory is adapted to store a polysemous symbol sequence in association with a macro, and wherein the controller is adapted to execute the macro in response to receiving selection of an associated polysemous symbol sequence.

250. A portable handheld device, comprising:

an integrated input and display device, including a virtual keyboard, the virtual keyboard including virtual keys associated with a plurality of selectable polysemous symbols;

a memory, adapted to store a plurality of sequences of the selectable polysemous symbols, each stored in association with at least one of a command and an application program; and

a controller, adapted to enable, prior to selection of a last symbol in a sequence, display of at least one of a name and a symbol, corresponding to at least one of a command and an application program, in association with the last symbol input symbol in a sequence, to thereby facilitate learning of the symbol sequence corresponding to the command or application program.

251. The portable handheld device of claim 250, wherein the portable handheld device is a mobile phone.

252. The portable handheld device of claim 250, wherein a program or command is displayed prior to selection of a selectable polysemous symbol that will complete an associated polysemous symbol sequence.

253. The portable handheld device of claim 250, wherein the portable handheld device is a hand-held computer.

254. The portable handheld device of claim 253, wherein the hand-held computer is a personal digital assistant (PDA).

255. The portable handheld device of claim 250, wherein the commands include navigation commands.

256. The portable handheld device of claim 250, wherein the commands include intra-application commands for navigating within an application program.

257. The portable handheld device of claim 250, wherein the commands include inter-application commands for navigating between one application program and another application program.

258. The portable handheld device of claim 250, wherein the memory is adapted to store a polysemous symbol sequence in association with a macro, and wherein the controller is adapted to execute the macro in response to receiving selection of an associated polysemous symbol sequence.

259. An article of manufacture, comprising:

a first code segment for causing a computer device to display a virtual keyboard including a plurality of polysemous symbols;

a second code segment for causing the computer device to store a plurality of sequences of the displayed polysemous symbols; and

a third code segment for causing the computer to enable, prior to selection of a last symbol in a sequence, display of at least one of a name and a symbol, corresponding to at least one of a command and an application program, in association with the last symbol input symbol in a sequence, to thereby facilitate learning of the symbol sequence corresponding to the command or application program.

260. The article of manufacture of claim 259, further comprising a computer usable medium containing each of the first, second and third code segments.

261. The article of manufacture of claim 259, wherein the article of manufacture is a computer usable medium.

262. The article of manufacture of claim 259, wherein the first code segment causes the computer device to display the virtual keyboard on less than ⅓

of the display screen.

263. The article of manufacture of claim 259, wherein the commands include navigation commands.

264. The article of manufacture of claim 259, wherein the commands include intra-application commands for navigating within the enabled application program.

265. The article of claim 259, wherein the commands include inter-application commands for navigating between the enabled application program and another application program.

266. The article of manufacture of claim 259, wherein the computer device is a mobile telephone.

267. The article of manufacture of claim 259, wherein the computer device is a personal digital assistant.

268. The article of manufacture of claim 259, wherein the computer device is a personal computer.

270. The portable handheld device of claim 268, wherein the portable handheld device is a mobile phone.

271. The portable handheld device of claim 268, wherein a program or command is displayed prior to selection of a selectable polysemous symbol that will complete an associated polysemous symbol sequence.

272. The portable handheld device of claim 268, wherein the portable handheld device is a hand-held computer.

273. The portable handheld device of claim 272, wherein the hand-held computer is a personal digital assistant (PDA).

274. The portable handheld device of claim 268, wherein the commands include navigation commands.

275. The portable handheld device of claim 268, wherein the commands include intra-application commands for navigating within an application program.

276. The portable handheld device of claim 268, wherein the commands include inter-application commands for navigating between one application program and another application program.

277. The portable handheld device of claim 268, wherein the memory is adapted to store a polysemous symbol sequence in association with a macro, and wherein the controller is adapted to execute the macro in response to receiving selection of an associated polysemous symbol sequence.

269. A portable handheld device, comprising:

an integrated input and display device, adapted to display a first set of polysemous symbols for selection;

a memory, adapted to store a plurality of sequences, including selectable polysemous symbols and additional symbols, each stored in association with at least one of a program and a command, the integrated input and display device being adapted to display a second set of symbols for selection in response to selection of a polysemous symbol of the first set; and

a controller, adapted to at least one of enable a program and execute a command on the portable handheld device, in response to selection of a second symbol completing an associated stored symbol sequence.