Predictive scanning input system for rapid selection of auditory and visual indicators

• US 5,297,041 A
• Filed: 03/16/1992
• Issued: 03/22/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Semantic Compaction Systems Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Semantic Compaction Systems Incorporated
• Inventors: Kushler, Clifford, Gasser, Edward, Baker, Bruce R., Hershberger, David, Romich, Barry
• Primary Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hazard, Jennifer L.
• Application Number:
  US07/851,899
• Time in Patent Office: 736 Days
• Field of Search: 364/419, 364/709.12, 364/709.15, 364/709.16, 434/112, 434/116, 381/51-53, 340/706, 340/711, 340/825.19, 341/21, 341/22, 341/26, 341/27, 341/28
• US Class Current: 715/202
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0237 using prediction or retrieval techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 21/00 Teaching, or communicating with, the blind, deaf or mute audible presentation of material to be studied G09B5/04; devices or methods for replacing direct visual or auditory perception by another kind of perception A61F9/08, A61F11/04; audible indication of meter readings or of colour G01D7/12; watches for blind persons G04B25/02; speech analysis, speech recognition G10L; sound-recording or reproducing, per se G11B

Abstract

A predictive scanning input system provides predictive selection of individual indicators corresponding to keys on the keyboard to input a previously stored plural word message to a processor and subsequently to an output device. The predictive scanning input system of the present invention allows the user to select only a limited number of keys which can produce a previously stored message involving an initially detected symbol corresponding to a first key which has been operated. The system operates in conjunction with a keyboard containing a plurality of icons or polysemic (many-meaning) symbols to allow a user to access plural word messages or sentences previously stored in the memory thereof, for selective retrieval by the keyboard. The predictive scanning input system, in conjunction with the symbols containing these polysemic symbols or icons, can be adjusted to a user'"'"'s needs to aid a user in communication through previously stored plural word messages, by actuation of only a limited number of keys further limited by activation of visual indicators of the predictive scanning input system corresponding to each of a plurality of symbol sequences containing an initially detected symbol. This thereby defines to a user a limited number of keys which can produce a stored message involving an initially detected symbol.

Claims

1. A predictive scanning input system for predictive selection of indicators corresponding to keys on a keyboard, each key corresponding to one of a plurality of symbols, comprising:

detecting means for detecting activation of a first of a plurality of keys on said keyboard and for detecting a first symbol corresponding to said activated key;

memory means for storing a plurality of symbol sequences, each including a plurality of symbols, each symbol corresponding to one of a plurality of keys on the keyboard, said memory means further storing a message, one message corresponding to each of said plurality of symbol sequences;

comparison means, operatively connected to said detecting means and said memory means, for comparing the detected first symbol to said plurality of symbol sequences stored in said memory means, determining which of said plurality of symbol sequences begin with said detected first symbol, determining second symbols as being symbols of those symbol sequences beginning with the detected first symbol which immediately follow the detected first symbol, and determining which of said plurality of keys correspond to each second symbol; and

indicator activation means, operatively connected to said comparison means, for activating an indicator for each of said plurality of keys determined to correspond to each of said second symbols to thereby define a limited number of second symbol keys for subsequent activation in producing a stored message of a symbol sequence beginning with the detected first symbol.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said system is used as an input system for a voice synthesization system.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said plurality of symbols on said keys include icons.

4. The predictive scanning input system of claim 1, wherein the detection means further detects subsequent activation of one of the defined limited number of second symbol keys and detects the second symbol corresponding to the subsequently activated key,

the comparison means compares the detected second symbol to the plurality of symbol sequences sequentially containing the previously detected first symbol, determines which of the plurality of symbol sequences contain the detected second symbol as a next sequential symbol, determines third symbols as being symbols of those symbol sequences containing the detected second symbol as a next sequential symbol which immediately follow the detected second symbol, and determines which of the plurality keys correspond to each third symbol, and

the indicator activator means activates an indicator for each of the plurality of keys determined to correspond to each of the third symbols to thereby define a limited number of third symbol keys for subsequent activation.

5. The predictive scanning input system of claim 1, wherein the comparison means, compares each detected symbol to the plurality of symbol sequences sequentially containing each of the previously detected symbols, and upon determining that a detected symbol ends a symbol sequence, the comparison means accesses the memory means for the corresponding prestored message.

6. The predictive scanning input system of claim 5 further comprising:

output means, operatively connected to the comparison means and the memory means, for outputting the corresponding prestored message.

7. The system of claim 3, wherein said icons are polysemic pictorial illustrations related and corresponding to messages to be retrieved from memory.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the output means is a voice synthesizer and upon accessing a prestored message, said message is processed and output as a voice message from said voice synthesizer.

9. The system of claim 3, wherein said plurality of symbols on said keys include symbols corresponding to parts of speech.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein said indicator activation means includes:

means for sequentially and alternatingly accessing each of a plurality of keys, arranged in parallel rows in a first direction and in parallel columns in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, on said keyboard, to which said indicators correspond, and thereby sequentially activating each of said indicators for said plurality of keys determined to correspond to each of said second symbols.

11. The system of claim 10, further comprising:

input means for activating one of said accessed keys corresponding to one of an activated indicator, to thereby allow further predictive scanning.

12. The predictive scanning input system of claim 11, wherein the detection means further detects subsequent activation of one of the defined limited number of second symbol keys and detects the symbol corresponding to the subsequently activated key,

the comparison means compares the detected second symbol to the plurality of symbol sequences sequentially containing the previously detected first symbol, determines which of the plurality of symbol sequences contain the detected second symbol as a next sequential symbol, determines third symbols as being symbols of those symbol sequences containing the detected second symbol as a next sequential symbol which immediately follow the detected second symbol, and determines which of the plurality of keys correspond to each third symbol, and

the indicator activator means activates an indicator for each of the plurality of keys determined to correspond to each of the third symbols in a row-column sequential manner to thereby define a limited number of third symbol keys for subsequent activation.

13. The predictive scanning input system of claim 12, wherein the comparison means, compares a detected third symbol to the plurality of symbol sequences sequentially containing previously detected first and second symbols, and upon determining that the detected third symbol ends symbol sequence, the comparison means accesses the memory means for the corresponding prestored message.

14. The predictive scanning input system of claim 13 further comprising:

output means, operatively connected to the comparison means and the memory means, for outputting the corresponding prestored message.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein each said indicator includes an audible indicator.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein said plurality of symbols on said keys include icons which are polysemic pictorial illustrations.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein each said indicator includes at least one of a visual indicator and an audible indicator.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein each said indicator includes at least one of a visual indicator and an audible indicator.

16. The system of claim wherein each said indicator includes an audible indicator.

20. A predictive scanning input system for predictive selection of indicators corresponding to keys on a keyboard, each key corresponding to one of a plurality of symbols, comprising:

detecting means for detecting activation of the system;

memory means for storing a plurality of symbol sequences, each including a plurality of symbols, each symbol corresponding to one of a plurality of keys on a keyboard, said memory means further storing a message, one message corresponding to each of said plurality of symbol sequences;

determination means, operatively connected to said detecting means and said memory means, for determining which symbols are first symbols which begin at least one of said plurality of symbol sequences stored in said memory means, upon detecting activation of the system, and for determining which of the plurality of keys correspond to each of the first symbols which begin at least one of the plurality of symbol sequences; and

indicator activation means, operatively connected to said determination means, for activating an indicator for each of said plurality of keys determined to correspond to each of said first symbols which begin at least one of said symbol sequences to thereby define a limited number of first symbol keys for subsequent activation.

21. The predictive scanning input system of claim 20, wherein the detecting means further detects activation of one of the defined limited number of first symbol keys and detects the symbol corresponding to the activated key,

the determination means compares the detected first symbol to the plurality of symbol sequences stored in said memory means, determines which of the plurality of symbol sequences begin with the detected first symbol, determines second symbols as being symbols immediately following the detected first symbol in symbol sequences beginning with the detected first symbol, and determines which of said plurality of keys correspond to each second symbol,

the indicator activation means activates an indicator for each of the plurality of keys determined to correspond to each of said second symbols to thereby define a limited number of second symbol keys for subsequent activation.

22. The predictive scanning input system of claim 21, wherein the detection means further detects subsequent activation of one of the defined limited number of second symbol keys and detects the second symbol corresponding to the subsequently activated key,

the determination means compares the detected second symbol to the plurality of symbol sequences sequentially containing the previously detected first symbol, determines which of the plurality of symbol sequences contain the detected second symbol as a next sequential symbol, determines third symbols as being symbols of those symbol sequences containing the detected second symbol as a next sequential symbol which immediately follow the detected second symbol, and determines which of the plurality of keys correspond to each third symbol, and

the indicator activation means activates an indicator for each of the plurality of keys determined to correspond to each of the third symbols to thereby define a limited number of third symbol keys for subsequent activation.

23. The predictive scanning input system of claim 22, wherein the determination means compares each detected symbol to the plurality of symbol sequences sequentially containing each of the previously detected symbols, and upon determining that a detected symbol ends a symbol sequence, the determination means accesses the memory means for the corresponding prestored message.

24. The predictive scanning input system of claim 23 further comprising:

output means, operatively connected to the determination means and the memory means, for outputting the corresponding prestored message.

25. The system of claim 20, wherein said system is used as input system for a voice synthesization system.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein said plurality of symbols on said keys include icons.

27. The system of claim 20, wherein said indicator activation means includes:

means for sequentially and alternatingly accessing each of a plurality of keys, arranged in parallel rows in a first direction and in parallel columns in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction on said keyboard, to which said indicators correspond, and thereby sequentially activating each of said indicators for said plurality of keys determined to correspond to each of said first symbols.

28. The system of claim 27, further comprising:

input means for activating one of said accessed keys corresponding to one of an activated indicator, to thereby allow further predictive scanning.

29. The predictive scanning input system of claim 27, wherein

the detection means further detects subsequent activation of one of the defined limited number of first symbol keys and detects the symbol corresponding to the subsequently activated key,

the determination means compares the detected first symbol to the plurality of symbol sequences sequentially containing the previously detected first symbol, determines which of the plurality of symbol sequences contain the detected first symbol as a beginning symbol, determines second symbols as being symbols of those symbol sequences containing the detected first symbol as a beginning symbol which immediately follow the detected first symbol, and determines which of the plurality of keys correspond to each second symbol, and

the indicator activation means activates an indicator for each of the plurality of keys determined to correspond to each of the second symbols in a row-column sequential manner to thereby define a limited number of second symbol keys for subsequent activation.

30. The predictive scanning input system of claim 29, wherein the determination means, compares each detected second symbol to the plurality of symbol sequences sequentially containing the previously detected first symbol, and upon determining that the detected second symbol ends a symbol sequence, the determination means accesses the memory means for the corresponding prestored message.

31. The predictive scanning input system of claim 30 further comprising:

output means, operatively connected to the determination means and the memory means, for outputting the corresponding prestored message.

32. The system of claim 20, wherein each said indicator includes at least one of an audible indicator and a visual indicator.

33. The system of claim 31, wherein each said indicator includes at least one of an audible indicator and a visual indicator.

74. The predictive scanning input system of claim 23, wherein the determination means, upon accessing the corresponding prestored message, determines which symbols are first symbols which begin at least one of a plurality of prestored symbol sequences corresponding to the accessed prestored message, and determines which of the plurality of keys correspond to each of the first symbols which begin at least one of the plurality of prestored symbol sequences corresponding to the accessed prestored message, and

the indicator activation means activates an indicator for each of the plurality of keys determined to correspond to each of the first symbols which begin at least one of the symbol sequences corresponding to the accessed prestored message to thereby define a limited number of first symbol keys for subsequent activation.

75. The predictive scanning input system of claim 74, wherein

the detecting means further detects activation of one of the defined limited number of first symbol keys and detects the first symbol corresponding to the activated key,

the determination means compares the detected first symbol to the plurality of symbol sequences stored in said memory means which correspond to the accessed prestored message, determines which of the plurality of symbol sequences begin with the detected first symbol, determines second symbols as being symbols immediately following the detected first symbol in symbol sequences beginning with the detected first symbol, and determines which of said plurality of keys correspond to the second symbol, and

the indicator activation means activates an indicator for each of the plurality of keys determined to correspond to each of said second symbols to thereby define a limited number of second symbol keys for subsequent activation.

76. The predictive scanning input system of claim 75, wherein the detection means further detects subsequent activation of one of the defined limited number of second symbol keys and detects the second symbol corresponding to the subsequently activated key,

the determination means compares the detected second symbol to the plurality of symbol sequences which correspond to the accessed prestored message and sequentially contain the previously detected first symbol, determines which of the plurality of symbol sequences contain the detected second symbol as a next sequential symbol, determines third symbols as being symbols of those symbol sequences containing the detected second symbol as a next sequential symbol which immediately follow the detected second symbol, and determines which of the plurality of keys correspond to each third symbol, and

the indicator activator means activate an indicator for each of the plurality of keys determined to correspond to each of the third symbols to thereby define a limited number of third symbol keys for subsequent activation.

77. The predictive scanning input system of claim 76, wherein the determination means compares each detected symbol to the plurality of symbol sequences which correspond to the accessed prestored message and sequentially contain each of the previously detected symbols, and, upon determining that a detected symbol ends a symbol sequence, the determination means accesses the memory means for a subsequent corrersponding prestored message, which is inserted into the previously accessed prestored message and forms a combined message.

78. The predictive scanning input system of claim 77, further comprising:

output means, operatively connected to the determination means and the memory means, for outputting the combined message.

79. The system of claim 74, wherein said indicator activation means includes:

means for sequentially and alternatingly accessing each of a plurality of keys, arranged in parallel rows in a first direction and in parallel columns in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, on said keyboard, to which said indicators correspond, and thereby sequentially activating each of said indicators for said plurality of keys determined to correspond to each of said first symbols of the accessed prestored message.

80. The system of claim 79, further comprising:

input means for activating one of said accessed keys corresponding to one of an activated indicator, to thereby allow further predictive scanning.

81. The predictive scanning input system of claim 79, wherein

the detection means further detects subsequent activation of one of the defined limited number of first symbol keys and detects the first symbol corresponding to the subsequently activated key,

the determination means compares the detected first symbol to the plurality of symbol sequences which correspond to the accessed prestored message, determines which of the plurality of symbol sequences begin with the detected first symbol, determines second symbols as being symbols of those symbol sequences beginning with the detected first symbol as a next symbol immediately following the detected first symbol, and determines which of the plurality of keys correspond to each second symbol, and

the indicator activator means activates an indicator for each of the plurality of keys determined to correspond to each of the second symbols in a row-column sequential manner to thereby define a limited number of second symbol keys for subsequent activation.

82. The predictive scanning input system of claim 81, wherein the determination means compares a detected second symbol to the plurality of symbol sequences which correspond to the accessed prestored message and sequentially contain the previously detected first symbol, and upon determining that the detected second symbol ends a symbol sequence, the determination means accesses the memory means for a subsequent corresponding prestored message, which is inserted into the previously accessed prestored message and forms a combine message.

83. The predictive scanning input system of claim 82, further comprising:

output means, operatively connected to the determination means and the memory means for outputting the complete message.

84. The system of claim 74, wherein each said indicator includes at least one of an audible indicator and a visual indicator.

85. The system of claim 83, wherein each said indicator includes at least one of an audible indicator and a visual indicator.

34. A predictive scanning input system for predictive selection of indicators corresponding to keys on a keyboard, each key corresponding to one of a plurality of symbols, comprising:

detecting means for detecting activation of the system;

memory means for storing a plurality of symbol sequences, each including a plurality of symbols, each symbol corresponding to one of a plurality of keys on keyboard, said memory means further storing a message, one message corresponding to each of said plurality of symbol sequences;

determination means, operatively connected to said detecting means and said memory means, for determining which symbols are last symbols which end at least one of said plurality of symbol sequences stored in said memory means, upon detecting activation of the system, and for determining which of the plurality of keys correspond to each of the last symbols which end at least one of the plurality of symbol sequences; and

indicator activation means, operatively connected to said determination means, for activating an indicator for each of said plurality of keys determined to correspond to each of said last symbols which end at least one of said symbol sequences to thereby define a limited number of last symbol keys for subsequent activation.

35. The predictive scanning input system of claim 34, wherein

the detecting means further detects activation of one of the defined limited number of last symbol keys and detects the symbol corresponding to the activated key,

the determination means compares the detected last symbol to the plurality of symbol sequences stored in said memory means, determines which of the plurality of symbol sequences end with the detected last symbol, determines second to last symbols as being symbols immediately preceding the detected last symbol in symbol sequences ending with the detected last symbol, and determines which of said plurality of keys correspond to each second to last symbol,

the indicator activation means activates an indicator for each of the plurality of keys determined to correspond to each of said second to last symbols to thereby define a limited number of second to last symbol keys for subsequent selection.

36. The predictive scanning input system of claim 35, wherein

the detection means further detects subsequent activation of one of the defined limited number of second to last symbol keys and detects the second to last symbol corresponding to the subsequently activated key,

the determination means compares the detected second to last symbol to the plurality of symbol sequences sequentially containing the previously detected last symbol, determines which of the last plurality of symbol sequences contain the detected second to last symbol as a next preceding symbol, determines third to last symbols as being symbols of those symbol sequences containing the detected second to last symbol as a next preceding symbol which immediately precedes the detected second to last symbol, and determines which of the plurality of keys correspond to each third to last symbol, and

the indicator activation means activates an indicator for each of the plurality of keys determined to correspond to each of the third to last symbols to thereby define a limited number of third to last symbol keys for subsequent activation.

37. The predictive scanning input system of claim 36, wherein the determination means, compares a detected symbol to the plurality of symbol sequences sequentially containing each of the previously detected symbols, and upon determining that a detected symbol begins a symbol sequence, the determination means accesses the memory means for the corresponding prestored message.

38. The predictive scanning input system of claim 37, further comprising:

output means, operatively connected to the determination means and the memory means, for outputting the corresponding prestored message.

39. The system of claim 34, wherein said system is used as input system for a voice synthesization system.

40. The system of claim 39, wherein said plurality of symbols on said keys include icons.

41. The system of claim 34, wherein said indicator activation means includes:

means for sequentially and alternatingly accessing each of a plurality of keys, arranged in parallel rows in a first direction and in parallel columns in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction on said keyboard, to which said indicators correspond, and thereby sequentially activating each of said indicators for said plurality of keys determined to correspond to each of said last symbols.

42. The system of claim 41, further comprising:

input means for activating one of said accessed keys corresponding to one of an activated indicator, to thereby allow further predictive scanning.

43. The predictive scanning input system of claim 41, wherein

the detection means further detects subsequent activation of one of the defined limited number of last symbol keys and detects the symbol corresponding to the subsequently activated key,

the determination means compares the detected last symbol to the plurality of symbol sequences sequentially containing the previously detected last symbol, determines which of the plurality of symbol sequences contain the detected last symbol as an ending symbol, determines second to last as being symbols of those symbols sequences containing the detected last symbol as an ending symbol which immediately precedes the detected last symbol, and determines which of the plurality of keys correspond to each second to last symbol, and

the indicator activator means activates an indicator for each of the plurality of keys determined to correspond to each of the second to last symbols to thereby define a limited number of second to last symbol keys for subsequent activation.

44. The predictive scanning input system of claim 43, wherein the determination means, compares each detected second to last symbol to the plurality of symbol sequences sequentially containing the previously detected last symbol, and upon determining that the detected second to last symbol beings a symbol sequence, the determination means accesses the memory means for the corresponding prestored message.

45. The predictive scanning input system of claim 44 further comprising:

output means, operatively connected to the determination means and the memory means, for outputting the corresponding prestored message.

46. The system of claim 34, wherein each said indicator includes at least one of an audible indicator and a visual indicator.

47. The system of claim 45, wherein each said indicator includes at least one of an audible indicator and a visual indicator.

48. A method of predictive input scanning for predictive selection of indicators corresponding to keys on a keyboard, each key corresponding to one of a plurality of symbols, comprising:

(a) detecting activation of the system;

(b) storing a plurality of symbol sequences, each including a plurality of symbols, each symbol corresponding to one of a plurality of keys on the keyboard, and further storing a message, one message corresponding to each of said plurality of symbol sequences;

(c) determining which symbols are first symbols which being at least one of the plurality of stored symbol sequences, upon detecting activation of the system, and determining which of the plurality of keys correspond to each of the first symbols which begin at least one of the plurality of symbol sequences; and

(d) activating an indicator for each of the plurality of keys determined to correspond to each of the first symbols which begin at least one of the plurality of symbol sequences to thereby define a limited number of first symbol keys for subsequent activation.

49. The method of claim 48, further comprising the steps of:

(e) detecting activation of one of the defined limited number of first symbol keys and detecting the symbol corresponding to the activated key;

(f) comparing the detected first symbol to the plurality of stored symbol sequences to determine which of the plurality of symbol sequences begin with the detected first symbol, determining second symbols as being symbols immediately following the detected first symbol in symbol sequences beginning with the detected first symbol, and determining which of the plurality of keys correspond to each second symbol; and

(g) activating an indicator for each of the plurality of keys determined to correspond to each of the second symbols to thereby define a limited number of second symbol keys for subsequent activation.

50. The method of claim 49, further comprising the steps of:

(h) detecting subsequent activation of one of the defined limited number of second symbol keys and detecting the second symbol corresponding to the subsequently activated key;

(i) comparing the detected second symbol to the plurality of symbol sequences sequentially containing the previously detected first symbol, determining which of the plurality of symbol sequences contain the detected second symbol as a next sequential symbol, determining third symbols as being symbols of those symbol sequences containing the detected second symbol as a next sequential symbol which immediately follow the detected second symbol, and determining which of the plurality of keys correspond to each third symbol; and

p1 (j) activating an indicator for each of the plurality of keys determined to correspond to each of the third symbols to thereby define a limited number of third symbol keys for subsequent activation.

51. The method of claim 50, further comprising the steps of:

(k) repeating steps (h)-(j), until a next sequential symbol cannot be determined in step (i) for any stored symbol sequence, thereby determining that the most recently detected symbol ends a symbol sequence; and

(l) outputting a stored message corresponding to the stored symbol sequence which contains the most recently detected symbol as an end symbol in a symbol sequence.

52. The method of claim 48, wherein at least one of an audible and a visual indicator is activated in step (d).

53. The method of claim 51, wherein at least one of an audible and a visual indicator is activated in each of steps (g), (j) and (k).

54. The method of claim 51, wherein the stored message is output as a voice synthesized message in step (l).

55. The method of claim 48, wherein step (d) occurs by sequential and alternate accessing each of a plurality of keys, arranged in parallel rows in a first direction and in parallel columns in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, of the keyboard, to which said indicators correspond, and thereby sequentially row-column activating each of the indicators for each of the plurality of keys corresponding to the first symbols determined to begin at least one of the plurality of symbol sequences.

56. The method of claim 49, wherein step (g) occurs by sequential and alternate accessing of a plurality of keys, arranged in parallel rows in a first direction and in parallel columns in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, of the keyboard, to which said indicators correspond, and thereby sequentially row-column activating each of the indicators for each of the plurality of keys corresponding to each of the second symbols.

57. The method of claim 51, wherein step (j) occurs by sequential and alternate accessing of a plurality of keys, arranged in parallel rows in a first direction and in parallel columns in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, of the keyboard, to which said indicators correspond, and thereby sequentially row-column activating each of the indicators for each of the plurality of keys corresponding to each of the third symbols.

58. The method of claim 55, wherein at least one of an audible and a visual indicator is activated in step (d).

59. The method of claim 56, wherein at least one of an audible and a visual indicator is activated in step (g).

60. The method of claim 57, wherein at least one of an audible and a visual indicator is activated in step (j).

86. The method of claim 51, wherein step (k) further comprises the substeps of:

(i) accessing a corresponding prestored message upon determining that the most recently detected symbol ends a symbol sequence;

(ii) determining which symbols are first symbols which begin at least one of a plurality of prestored symbol sequences corresponding to the accessed prestored message;

(iii) determining which of the plurality of keys correspond to each of the first symbols which begin at least one of the plurality of prestored symbol sequences corresponding to the accessed prestored message; and

(iv) activating an indicator for each of the plurality of keys determined to correspond to the first symbols which begin at least one of the symbol sequences corresponding to the accessed prestored message to thereby define a limited number of first symbol keys for subsequent activation.

87. The method of claim 86, wherein step (k) further comprises the substeps of:

(v) detecting activation of one of the limited number of first symbol keys and detecting the first symbol corresponding to the activated key;

(vi) comparing the detected first symbol to the plurality of stored symbol sequences which correspond to the accessed prestored message, determining which of the plurality of symbol sequences begin with the detected first symbol, determining second symbols as being symbols immediately following the detected symbol in symbol sequences beginning with the detected first symbol, and determining which of the plurality of keys correspond to each second symbol; and

(vii) activating an indicator for each of the plurality of keys determined to correspond to each of the second symbols to thereby define a limited number of second symbol keys for subsequent activation.

88. The method of claim 87, wherein step (k) further comprises the substeps of:

(viii) detecting subsequent activation of one of the defined limited number of second symbol keys and detecting the second symbol corresponding to the subsequently activated keys;

(ix) comparing the detected second symbol to the plurality of symbol sequences which correspond to the accessed prestored message and sequentially contain the previously detected first symbol, determining which of the plurality of symbol sequences contain the detected second symbol as a next sequential symbol, determining the third symbols as being symbols of those symbol sequences containing the detected second symbol as a next sequential symbol which immediately follow the detected second symbol, and determining which of the plurality of keys correspond to each third symbol; and

(x) activating an indicator for each of the plurality of keys determined to correspond to each of the third symbols to thereby define a limited number of third symbol keys for subsequent activation.

89. The method of claim 88, wherein step (k) further comprises the substeps of:

(xi) repeating steps (viii)-(x) until a next sequential symbol cannot be determined in step (ix) for any stored symbol sequence, thereby determining that the most recently detected symbol ends a symbol sequence corresponding to the accessed prestored message;

(xii) accessing a prestored submessage corresponding to the symbol sequence containing the detected symbol as an end symbol in a symbol sequence; and

(xiii) combining the accessed prestored submessage with the previously accessed message to form a combined message.

90. The method of claim 89, wherein, in step (l), the combined message is output.

91. The method of claim 86, wherein step (iv) occurs by sequential and alternate accessing of a plurality of keys, arranged in parallel rows in a first direction and a in parallel columns in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, of the keyboard to which said indicators correspond, and thereby sequentially row-column activating each of the indicators for each of the plurality of keys corresponding to the first symbols determined to begin at least one of the plurality of symbol sequences of the accessed prestored message.

92. The method of claim 87, wherein step (vii) by sequential and alternate accessing of a plurality of keys, arranged in parallel rows in a first direction and in parallel columns in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, of the keyboard, to which said indicators correspond, and thereby sequentially row-column activating each of the indicators for each of the plurality of keys corresponding to each of the second symbols.

93. The method of claim 89, wherein step (xi) occurs by sequential and alternate accessing of a plurality of keys, arranged in parallel rows in a first direction and in parallel columns in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, of the keyboard, to which said indicators correspond, and thereby sequentially row-column activating each of the indicators for each of the plurality of keys corresponding to each of the third symbols.

94. The method of claim 86, wherein at least one of an audible and a visual indicator is activated in step (iv).

95. The method of claim 89, wherein at least one of an audible and a visual indicator is activated in each of steps (vii), (x), and (xi).

96. The method of claim 91, wherein at least one of an audible and a visual indicator is activated in step (iv).

97. The method of claim 92, wherein at least one of an audible and a visual indicator is activated in step (vii).

98. The method of claim 93, wherein at least one of an audible and a visual indicator is activated in step (xi).

61. A method of predictive input scanning for predictive selection of indicators corresponding to keys on a keyboard, each key corresponding to one of a plurality of symbols, comprising:

(a) detecting activation of the system;

(b) storing a plurality of symbol sequences, each including a plurality of symbols, each symbol corresponding to one of a plurality of keys on the keyboard, and further storing a message, one message corresponding to each of said plurality of symbol sequences;

(c) determining which symbols are last symbols which end at least one of the plurality of stored symbol sequences, upon detecting activation of the system, and for determining which of the plurality of keys correspond to each of the last symbols which end at least one of the plurality of symbol sequences; and

(d) activating an indicator for each of the plurality of keys determined to correspond to each of said last symbols which end at least one of the plurality of symbol sequences to thereby define a limited number of last symbol keys for subsequent activation.

62. The method of claim 61, further comprising the steps of:

(e) detecting activation of one of the defined limited number of last symbol keys and detecting the symbol corresponding to the activated key;

(f) comparing the detected last symbol to the plurality of stored symbol sequences to determine which of the plurality of symbol sequences end with the detected last symbol, determining second to last symbols as being symbols immediately preceding the detected last symbol in symbol sequences ending with the detected last symbol, and determining which of the plurality of keys correspond to each second to last symbol; and

(g) activating an indicator for each of the plurality of keys determined to correspond to each of the second to last symbols to thereby define a limited number of second to last symbol keys for subsequent activation.

63. The method of claim 62, further comprising the steps of:

(h) detecting subsequent activation of one of the defined limited number of second to last symbol keys and detecting the second to last symbol corresponding to the subsequently activated key;

(i) comparing the detected second to last symbol to the plurality of symbol sequences sequentially containing the previously detected last symbol, determining which of the plurality of symbol sequences contain the detected second to last symbol as a next preceding symbol, determining third to last symbols as being symbols of those symbol sequences containing the detected second to last symbol as a next preceding symbol which immediately proceeds the detected second to last symbol, and determining which of the plurality of keys correspond to each third to last symbol; and

(j) activating an indicator for each of the plurality of keys determined to correspond to each of the third to last symbols to thereby define a limited number of third to last symbol keys for subsequent activation.

64. The method of claim 63, further comprising the steps of:

(k) repeating steps (h)-(j), until a next immediately preceding symbol cannot be determined instep (i) for any stored symbol sequence, thereby determining that the most recently detected symbol begins a symbol sequence; and

(l) outputting a stored message corresponding to the stored symbol sequence which contains the most recently detected symbol as a beginning symbol in a symbol sequence.

65. The method of claim 61, wherein at least one of an audible and a visual indicator is activated in step (d).

66. The method of claim 64, wherein at least one of an audible and a visual indicator is activated in each of steps (g), (j) and (k).

67. The method of claim 64, wherein the stored message is output as a voice synthesized message in step (l).

68. The method of claim 61, wherein step (d) occurs by sequential and alternate accessing of each of a plurality of keys, arranged in parallel rows in a first direction and in parallel columns in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, of the keyboard, to which said indicators correspond, and thereby sequentially row-column activating each of the indicators for each of the plurality of keys corresponding to the last symbols determined to end at least one of the plurality of symbol sequences.

69. The method of claim 62, wherein step (g) occurs by sequential and alternate accessing of a plurality of keys, arranged in parallel rows in a first direction and in parallel columns in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, of the keyboard, to which said indicators correspond, and thereby sequentially row-column activating each of the indicators for each of the plurality of keys corresponding to each of the second to last symbols.

70. The method of claim 64, wherein step (j) occurs by sequential and alternate accessing of a plurality of keys, arranged in parallel rows in a first direction and in parallel columns in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, of the keyboard, to which said indicators correspond, and thereby sequentially row-column activating each of the indicators for each of the plurality of keys corresponding to each of the third to last symbols.

71. The method of claim 68, wherein at least one of an audible and visual indicator is activate din step (d).

72. The method of claim 69, wherein at least one of an audible and a visual indicator is activated in step (g).

73. The method of claim 70, wherein at least one of an audible and a visual indicator is activated in step (j).

99. A predictive scanning input system for predictive selection of keys on a keyboard, comprising:

input means for selecting a key and for simulating activation of the key upon maintaining selection for a first predetermined period of time;

detecting means for detecting simulated activation of the key and for detecting a first element corresponding to said simulated activated key;

memory means for storing a plurality of sequences, each including a plurality of elements, each element corresponding to one of a plurality of keys on the keyboard;

comparison means, operatively connected to said detecting means and said memory means, for comparing the detected first element to said plurality of sequences stored in said memory means, determining which of said plurality of sequences begin with said detected first element, determining second elements as being elements of those sequences beginning with the detected first element which immediately follow the detected first element, and determining which of said plurality of keys correspond to each second element; and

indicator activation means, operatively connected to said comparison means, for activating an indicator for each of said plurality of keys determined to correspond to each of said second elements to thereby define a limited number of second element keys for subsequent simulated activation.

100. The system of claim 99, wherein:

the input means subsequently selects one of the defined limited number of second element keys,

the detecting means detects a selected key upon the input means maintaining selection of a key for the first predetermined period of time,

the determining means determines if the selected key is one of the defined limited number of second element keys;

the detecting means detects simulated activation of one of the defined limited number of second element keys and detects the second element corresponding to the simulated activated key upon the selected key being determined to be one of the defined limited number of second element keys;

the determining means determines a keyboard location of the selected key upon the selected key failing to be determined to be one of the defined limited number of second element keys;

the determining means determines which of the defined limited number of second element keys is in closest proximity to the determined keyboard location, and

the detecting means detects simulated activation of the determined closest proximate second element key and detects the second element corresponding to the simulated activated key.

101. The system of claim 100, wherein the elements are symbols.

102. The system of claim 101, wherein the plurality of symbols on the keys include polymeric icons.

103. The predictive scanning input system of claim 100, wherein

the comparison means compares the detected second element to the plurality of sequences sequentially containing the previously detected first element, determines which of the plurality of sequences contain the detected second element as a next sequential element, determines third elements as being elements of those sequences containing the detected second element as a next sequential element which immediately follow the detected second element, and determines which of the plurality of keys correspond to each third element, and

the indicator activator means activates an indicator for each of the plurality of keys determined to correspond to each of the third elements to thereby define a limited number of third element keys for subsequent activation.

104. The predictive scanning input system of claim 103, wherein the comparison means, compares each detected element to the plurality of sequences sequentially containing each of the previously detected elements, and upon determining that a detected element ends a sequence, the comparison means accesses the sequence.

105. The predictive scanning input system of claim 104 further comprising:

output means, operatively connected to the comparison means and the memory means, for outputting a prestored message corresponding to the accessed sequence.

112. The system of claim 100, wherein the input means, upon selecting a key which is a non-defined key and maintaining selection of the key for at least a second predetermined period of time, greater than the first predetermined period of time, simulates activation of the non-defined key, and the detecting means detects simulated activation of the non-defined key and detects an element corresponding to the simulated activated key.

113. The system of claim 100, wherein the detecting means, upon the selected key failing to be determined to be one of the defined limited number of second element keys, detects if the selection of the key has been maintained for at least a second predetermined period of time greater than the first predetermined period of time, and upon detecting that the selection of the key has been maintained for at least the second predetermined period of time, the detecting means detects simulated activation of the non-defined key and detects an element corresponding to the simulated activated key.

114. The system of claim 100, wherein subsequent simulated activation of one of the defined limited number of second element keys is easier than subsequent simulated activation of a non-defined key.

106. A method of predictive input scanning for predictive selection of keys on a keyboard, comprising the steps of:

(a) selecting a key and simulating activation of the key upon maintaining selection for a first predetermined period of time;

(b) detecting simulated activation of the key and detecting a first element corresponding to the simulated activated key;

(c) storing a plurality of sequences, each including a plurality of elements, each element corresponding to one of a plurality of keys on the keyboard;

(d) determining which of the plurality of stored sequences begin with the detected first element, determining second elements as being elements of at least one of the plurality of stored sequences beginning with the detected first element which immediately follow the detected first element, and determining which of the plurality of keys correspond to each second element; and

(e) activating an indicator for each of the plurality of keys determined to correspond to each of the second elements to thereby define a limited number of second element keys for subsequent simulated activation.

107. The method of claim 106, further comprising the steps of:

(f) selecting a key and eventually simulating activation of one of the defined limited number of second element keys with an input device;

(g) detecting a selected key upon the input device maintaining selection of a key for the first predetermined period of time;

(h) determining if the selected key is one of the defined limited number of second element keys;

(i) detecting simulated activation of one of the defined limited number of second element keys and detecting the second element corresponding to the simulated activated key upon the selected key being determined to be one of the defined limited number of second element keys;

(j) determining a keyboard location of the selected key upon the selected key failing to be determined to be one of the defined limited number of second element keys;

(k) determining which of the defined limited number of second element keys is in closest proximity to the determined keyboard location; and

(l) detecting simulated activation of the determined closest proximate second element key and detecting the second element corresponding to the simulated activated key.

108. The method of claim 107, further comprising the steps of:

(m) comparing the detected second element to the plurality of sequences sequentially containing the previously detected first element, determining which of the plurality of sequences contain the detected second element as a next sequential element, determining third elements as being elements of those sequences containing the detected second element as a next sequential element which immediately follow the detected second element, and determining which of the plurality of keys correspond to each third element; and

(n) activating an indicator for each of the plurality of keys determined to correspond to each of the third elements to thereby define a limited number of third element keys for subsequent simulated activation.

109. The method of claim 108, further comprising the steps of:

(o) repeating steps (f)-(n), until a next immediately following element cannot be determined in step (m) for any stored sequence, thereby determining that the most recently detected element ends a sequence; and

(p) outputting a prestored message corresponding to the stored sequence which contains the most recently detected element as an end element in a stored sequence.

110. The method of claim 106, wherein at least one of an audible and a visual indicator is activated in step (e).

111. The method of claim 109, wherein at least one of an audible and a visual indicator is activated in each of steps (n) and (o).

115. The method of claim 107, wherein

upon selecting a key which is a non-defined key in step (f) and maintaining selection of the key for at least a second predetermined period of time, greater than the first predetermined period of time, simulating activation of the non-defined key, and

detecting the simulated activation of the non-defined key and detecting an element corresponding to the simulated activated key in step (f).

116. The method of claim 107, wherein, upon the selected key failing to be determined to be one of the defined limited number of second element keys in step (i), detecting if the selection of the key has been maintained for at least a second predetermined period of time, greater than the first predetermined period of time, and upon detecting that the selection of the key has been maintained for at least the second predetermined period of time, detecting simulated activation of the non-defined key and detecting an element corresponding to the simulated activated key.

117. The method of claim 107, wherein activation of one of the defined limited number of second element keys is easier than subsequent simulated activation of a non-defined key.