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

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.

1 . A method comprising: 
 providing a plurality of polysemous symbols for selection as a virtual primary keyboard on a display screen, wherein the virtual primary keyboard occupies no more than one-third of the display screen;    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    executing at least one of a command and an application program in response to receiving selection of an associated polysemous symbol sequence.    
   
   
       2 . (canceled)  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , 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.  
   
   
       4 .- 9 . (canceled)  
   
   
       10 . 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.  
   
   
       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 , 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.  
   
   
       14 .- 19 . (canceled)  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method is used to execute at least one of an application program and a command of a mobile telephone.  
   
   
       21 .- 24 . (canceled)  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein, the method is used to execute at least one of an application program and a command of a personal digital assistant.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method is used to execute at least one of an application program and a command of a personal computer.  
   
   
       27 .- 109 . (canceled)  
   
   
       110 . A computer device, comprising: 
 a display, wherein a primary keyboard is displayed on less than ⅓ of the display, the primary keyboard including keys, associated with a plurality of polysemous symbols, adapted to provide symbol input;    a memory, adapted to store a plurality of sequences of the polysemous symbols, each sequence stored in association with at least one of a program and a command; and    a controller, adapted to execute at least one of a program and command in response to receiving input of an associated polysemous symbol sequence.    
   
   
       111 . The computer device of  claim 110 , wherein the keyboard is a virtual keyboard.  
   
   
       112 .- 123 . (canceled)  
   
   
       124 . The computer device of  claim 110 , wherein the computer device is a mobile phone.  
   
   
       125 . The computer device of  claim 124 , wherein the selectable polysemous symbols are displayed prior to selection.  
   
   
       126 . The computer device of  claim 125 , wherein a program or command is displayed prior to selection of a selectable polysemous symbol that will complete an associated polysemous symbol sequence.  
   
   
       127 . (canceled)  
   
   
       128 . The computer device of  claim 124 , wherein selectable polysemous symbols are highlighted prior to selection.  
   
   
       129 . The computer device of  claim 110 , wherein the computer device is a hand-held computer.  
   
   
       130 . The computer device of  claim 129 , wherein the hand-held computer is a personal digital assistant (PDA).  
   
   
       131 . The computer device of  claim 110 , wherein the computer device is a personal computer.  
   
   
       132 . (canceled)  
   
   
       133 . The computer device of  claim 110 , wherein the commands include navigation commands.  
   
   
       134 . The computer device of  claim 110 , wherein the commands include intra-application commands for navigating within an application program.  
   
   
       135 . The computer device of  claim 110 , wherein the commands include inter-application commands for navigating between one application program and another application program.  
   
   
       136 . The computer device of  claim 110 , wherein the controller is adapted to differentiate display of valid polysemous symbols, which occur as a first symbol in a stored sequence upon no symbols being input and as a next symbol in a sequence upon input of a previous symbol, from invalid polysemous symbols.  
   
   
       137 .- 146 . (canceled)  
   
   
       147 . The computer device of  claim 110 , 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.  
   
   
       148 .- 297 . (canceled)