System and method for implementing a natural language user interface

An interface system for a hand-held device, comprising:

• a plurality of software applications;
• a plurality of keys;
• and
• a natural language search engine configured to identify a key stroke combination from the plurality of keys while any of the software applications are executing, match the key stroke combination with a desired application command, and launch another one of the software applications by executing the desired application command.

An interface system for a hand-held device, comprising:

• a plurality of software applications;
• a home screen;
• means for entering text that can be accessed by a user either from the home screen or while any of the software applications are executing;
• a natural language database that stores a data set of abbreviated textual commands and associated application commands;
• and
• a natural language search engine configured to receive an abbreviated textual command from the text entering means, to match the abbreviated textual command with a desired application command using the natural language database, and to launch one of the software applications by executing the desired application command.

A method for launching a software application, comprising the steps of:

• entering an abbreviated textual command into a hand-held device;
• receiving the abbreviated textual command in a natural language search engine;
• matching the abbreviated textual command with a desired application command;
• and
• executing the desired application command.

A method of launching a software application, comprising the steps of:

• entering an abbreviated textual command into a hand-held device;
• receiving the abbreviated textual command in a natural language search engine;
• searching a natural language database that contains a historical log of previously entered abbreviated textual commands and their associated application commands;
• analyzing the historical log to determine if the abbreviated textual command has previously been associated with a probable application command more than a set percentage of the time, and if so, setting the probable application command as a desired application command;
• and
• executing the desired application command.

A method for executing software commands in a hand-held device, comprising the steps of:

• entering an abbreviated textual command;
• searching a natural language database that stores a data set of abbreviated textual commands and associated application commands to determine if the abbreviated textual command has an exact match in the data set;
• if the abbreviated textual command has an exact match in the data set, then setting the exact match as a user command;
• if the abbreviated textual command does not have an exact match in the data set, then analyzing a user's historical preferences to determine if the abbreviated textual command has a probable match in the data set;
• if the abbreviated textual command has a probable match in the data set, then setting the probable match as the user command;
• if the abbreviated textual command does not have a probable match in the data set, then presenting a list of possible commands to the user, receiving a command choice from the user, and setting the command choice as the user command;
• and
• executing the user command.

A method for launching a software application in a hand-held device, comprising the steps of:

• displaying a home screen that includes an icon ribbon having a plurality of icons;
• providing a user with the option of selecting one of the icons or entering an abbreviated textual command;
• if the user selects one of the icons, then executing an application command associated with the icon;
• and
• if the user enters an abbreviated textual command, the receiving the abbreviated textual command in a natural language search engine, matching the abbreviated textual command with a desired application command, and executing the desired application command.