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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.