# US 5,920,303 A · Dynamic keyboard and method for dynamically redefining keys on a keyboard > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,920,303 A - Document ID: US5920303A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/990,740 - Filed: 1997-12-15 - Granted: 1999-07-06 - Earliest claimed: 1995-06-07 - Assignees: Semantic Compaction Systems - Inventors: Bruce R. Baker; Brian Yoder; David Hershberger; Barry Romich; Eric H. Nyberg, III; Robert V. Conti - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5920303A ## CPC - G06F 3/04886: by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus - G06F 3/0237: {using prediction or retrieval techniques} - G06F 3/0238: {Programmable keyboards (key guide holders G06F3/0224)} - G09B 19/04: Speaking (with audible presentation of the material to be studied G09B5/04) - 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) - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - G09B: EDUCATIONAL OR DEMONSTRATION APPLIANCES; APPLIANCES FOR TEACHING, OR COMMUNICATING WITH, THE BLIND, DEAF OR MUTE; MODELS; PLANETARIA; GLOBES; MAPS; DIAGRAMS (devices for psychotechnics or for testing reaction times A61B5/16; games, sports, amusements A63; projectors, projector screens G03B) ## Abstract pe1 A dynamic keyboard includes a plurality of keys, each with an associated symbol, which are dynamically redefinable to provide access to higher level keyboards. Based on sequenced symbols of keys sequentially activated, certain dynamic categories and subcategories can be accessed and keys corresponding thereto dynamically redefined. Dynamically redefined keys can include embellished symbols and/or newly displayed symbols. These dynamically redefined keys can then provide the user with the ability to easily access both core and fringe vocabulary words in a speech synthesis system. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus, comprising: integrated input and display device for displaying a plurality of keys of a displayed keyboard, each of the plurality of keys including a displayed polysemous symbol defined to correspond thereto, and for inputting a corresponding polysemous symbol upon selection of a key; memory for storing a plurality of symbol sequences including the corresponding polysemoous symbol of each selected key, in sequential order of selection; and control means for comparing the temporarily stored symbol sequence, in response to each key selection, to a plurality of prestored symbol sequences, each including at least one symbol in a predetemined sequence, and for dynamically redefining symbols of less than all of the plurality of displayed keys of the integrated input and display device in response to the temporarily stored symbol sequence matching at least one of the plurality of prestored symbol sequences. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the dynamic redefining of the control means includes embellishing display of a corresponding displayed symbol of at least one of the plurality of keys of the displayed keyboard. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein each embellished at least one corresponding displayed symbol relates to a common theme. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the control means accesses a prestored message associated with an embellished symbol subsequent to a corresponding key being selected. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising: output means for outputting the accessed message. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the output means includes a voice synthesizer. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the control means controls the integrated input and display device to display a previously embellished symbol as a non-embellished symbol in response to a corresponding key being selected. ### Claim 8 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the memory temporarily stores a new symbol sequence including the previously stored symbols and the embellished symbol, in sequential order of selection, and the control means compares the temporarily stored symbol sequence including the embellished symbol, to the first set of prestored symbol sequences and accesses the prestored message in response to the new symbol sequence including the embellished symbol matching one of the first set of prestored symbol sequences. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the integrated input and display device is a touch-panel screen. ### Claim 10 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein at least one embellished corresponding displayed symbol is polysemous. ### Claim 11 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the embellishing includes adding a word displayed with a corresponding displayed symbol. ### Claim 12 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the embellishing includes modifying a displayed symbol. ### Claim 13 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the embellishing includes varying color of a displayed symbol. ### Claim 14 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein each of the at least one embellished corresponding displayed symbols is displayed on the integrated input and display device so as to render each of the at least one embellished corresponding displayed symbols distinct from non-embellished displayed symbols. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, wherein each embellished symbol is varied in brightness with respect to non-embellished symbols. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the dynamic redefining of the control means includes replacing at least one corresponding displayed polysemous symbol of at least one key of the displayed keyboard with a newly displayed symbol, different from the previously displayed corresponding polysemous symbol. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The apparatus of claim 16, wherein dynamic redefining of the control means includes replacing each of a plurality of corresponding displayed polysemous symbols of a plurality of keys of the displayed keyboard with a newly displayed symbol, each different from the previously displayed corresponding polysemous symbol. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17, wherein each of the newly displayed symbols relates to a common theme represented by the temporarily stored symbol sequence previously matched. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The apparatus of claim 18, wherein each of the newly displayed symbols are nonpolysemous. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The apparatus of claim 18, wherein at least one of the newly displayed symbols replaces the previously displayed polysemous symbol corresponding to a last sequentially detected key. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The apparatus of claim 20, wherein each of the newly displayed symbols is proximate to at least one other newly displayed symbol. ### Claim 22 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17, wherein each of the replaced symbols is of a common display tone so as to render each replaced symbols distinct from non-replaced displayed symbols. ### Claim 23 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17, wherein each of the replaced symbols is of a common brightness so as to render each replaced symbol distinct from non-replaced displayed symbols. ### Claim 24 (depends on 16) The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the control means compares the temporarily stored symbol sequence to a first set of a plurality of prestored symbol sequences, each including at least one symbol in a predetermined sequence and an associated prestored message, compares the temporarily stored symbol sequence to a second set of a plurality of prestored symbol sequences in response to the temporarily stored symbol sequence failing to match any of the first set of prestored symbol sequences, and replaces at least one corresponding displayed polysemous symbol of at least one key of the displayed keyboard with a newly displayed symbol, in response to the temporarily stored symbol sequence matching one of the second set of prestored symbol sequences. ### Claim 25 (depends on 16) The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the control means accesses a prestored message associated with a prestored symbol sequence in response to the temporarily stored symbol sequence matching one of the first set of prestored symbol sequences. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the control means accesses a prestored message associated with a newly displayed symbol subsequent to a corresponding key being selected. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The apparatus of claim 26, wherein each at least one newly displayed symbol is nonpolysemous. ### Claim 28 (depends on 26) The apparatus of claim 26, further comprising: output means for outputting at least one of the prestored messages accessed by the control means. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the output means includes a voice synthesizer and the message output by the output means is voice synthesized. ### Claim 30 (depends on 25) The apparatus of claim 25, further comprising: output means for outputting the accessed message. ### Claim 31 (depends on 30) The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the output means includes a voice synthesizer and the message output by the output means is voice synthesized. ### Claim 32 (depends on 25) The apparatus of claim 25, wherein a key of the displayed keyboard of the integrated input and display device is selectable through physical contact with a key of the displayed keyboard. ### Claim 33 (depends on 25) The apparatus of claim 25, further comprising: a keyboard, separate from the integrated input and display device, for rendering a key of the displayed keyboard of the integrated input and display device selectable through activation of a key on the separate keyboard, corresponding in relative position to the key of the displayed keyboard. ### Claim 34 (depends on 25) The apparatus of claim 25, wherein a key of the displayed keyboard is selected through optical scanning. ### Claim 35 (depends on 34) The apparatus of claim 34, further comprising: a keyboard, separate from the integrated input and display, for rendering a key of the displayed keyboard, selectable through row-column sequential optical scanning and subsequent activation of a key on the separate keyboard corresponding in position to the key of the displayed keyboard. ### Claim 36 (depends on 16) The apparatus of claim 16, wherein each at least one newly displayed symbol is nonpolysemous. ### Claim 37 (depends on 16) The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the memory temporarily stores a new symbol sequence including the previously stored symbols and the newly displayed symbol, in sequential order of selection, and the control means compares the temporarily stored symbol sequence, including the newly displayed symbol, to the first set of prestored symbol sequences and accesses the prestored message in response to the new symbol sequence including the newly displayed symbol matching one of the first set of prestored symbol sequences. ### Claim 38 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the displayed keyboard includes the plurality of keys which each include a displayed polysemous symbol defined to correspond thereto and at least one key which fails to include a corresponding displayed polysemous symbol, wherein keys with or without symbols originally defined to correspond thereto can be dynamically redefined. ### Claim 39 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control means controls the keys of the keyboard with dynamically redefined symbols to be separately displayed. ### Claim 40 (depends on 39) The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the keys separately displayed are relatively increased in size in comparison to a size of originally displayed keys. ### Claim 41 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein relative to other keys of the keyboard, display of dynamically redefined keys of the keyboard is enlarged. ### Claim 42 An apparatus, comprising: integrated input and display device for displaying a plurality of keys of a displayed keyboard, each of the plurality of keys including a displayed rolvsemous symbol defined to correspond thereto, and for inputting a corresponding polysemous symbol upon selection of a key; memory for temporarily storing a symbol sequence including the corresponding polysemous symbol of each selected key, in sequential order of selection; and control means for comparing the temporarily stored symbol sequence, in response to each key selection, to a first set of a plurality of prestored symbol sequences, each including at least one symbol in a predetermined sequence and an associated prestored message, for comparing the temporarily stored symbol sequence to a second set of a plurality of prestored symbol sequences in response to the temporarily stored symbol sequence failing to match any of the first set of prestored symbol sequences, and for dynamically redefining symbols of less than all of the plurality of displayed keys in response to the temporarily stored symbol sequence matching one of the second set of prestored symbol sequences. ### Claim 43 (depends on 42) The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the dynamic redefining of the control means includes embellishing display of a corresponding displayed symbol of at least one of the plurality of keys of the displayed keyboard in response to the temporarily stored symbol sequence matching one of the second set of prestored symbol sequences. ### Claim 44 (depends on 43) The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the control means embellishes display of a corresponding displayed symbol of at least one of the plurality of keys not previously selected. ### Claim 45 (depends on 43) The apparatus of claim 43, wherein each embellished at least one corresponding displayed symbol relates to a common theme represented by the matched symbol sequence of the second set. ### Claim 46 (depends on 45) The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the control means accesses a prestored message associated with an embellished symbol subsequent to a corresponding key being selected. ### Claim 47 (depends on 44) The apparatus of claim 44, further comprising: output means for outputting the accessed message. ### Claim 48 (depends on 47) The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the output means includes a voice synthesizer. ### Claim 49 (depends on 46) The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the control means controls the integrated input and display device to display a previously embellished symbol as a non-embellished symbol in response to a corresponding key being selected. ### Claim 50 (depends on 46) The apparatus of claim 46, wherein a key of the displayed keyboard of the integrated input and display device is selectable through physical contact with a key of the displayed keyboard. ### Claim 51 (depends on 46) The apparatus of claim 46, further comprising: a keyboard, separate from the integrated input and display device, for rendering a key of the displayed keyboard of the integrated input and display device selectable through activation of a key on the separate keyboard, corresponding in relative position to the key of the displayed keyboard. ### Claim 52 (depends on 46) The apparatus of claim 46, wherein a key of the displayed keyboard is selectable through optical scanning. ### Claim 53 (depends on 52) The apparatus of claim 52, further comprising: a keyboard, separate from the integrated input and display device, for rendering a key of the displayed keyboard, selectable through row-column sequential optical scanning and subsequent activation of a key on the separate keyboard corresponding in position to the key of the displayed keyboard. ### Claim 54 (depends on 46) The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the memory temporarily stores a new symbol sequence including the previously stored symbols and the embellished symbol, in sequential order of selection, and the control means compares the temporarily stored symbol sequence including the embellished symbol, to the first set of prestored symbol sequences and accesses the prestored message in response to the new symbol sequence including the embellished symbol matching one of the first set of prestored symbol sequences. ### Claim 55 (depends on 43) The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the control means accesses a prestored message associated with a prestored symbol sequence in response to the temporarily stored symbol sequence matching one of the first set of prestored symbol sequences. ### Claim 56 (depends on 55) The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the control means accesses a prestored message associated with an embellished symbol in response to a corresponding key being selected. ### Claim 57 (depends on 56) The apparatus of claim 56, wherein the memory temporarily stores a new symbol sequence including the previously stored symbols and the embellished symbol, in sequential order of selection, and the control means compares the temporarily stored symbol sequence, including the embellished symbol, to the first set of prestored symbol sequences and accesses the prestored message in response to the new symbol sequence including the embellished symbol matching one of the first set of prestored symbol sequences. ### Claim 58 (depends on 43) The apparatus of claim 43, wherein at least one embellished corresponding displayed symbol is polysemous. ### Claim 59 (depends on 43) The apparatus of claim 43, wherein, the memory temporarily stores a symbol sequence including a corresponding symbol of each selected key, in sequential order of selection, including a corresponding embellished symbol, upon selection of a key including a corresponding embellished symbol, the control means compares the temporarily stored symbol sequence including a corresponding symbol of each selected key and the corresponding embellished symbol, in sequential order of selection, to a third set of a plurality of prestored symbol sequences, each including at least one symbol and one embellished symbol in a predetermined sequence, and the control means dynamically redefines at least a portion of the displayed keyboard in response to the sequenced at least one corresponding symbol and corresponding embellished symbol matching one of the third set of a plurality of prestored symbol sequences. ### Claim 60 (depends on 59) The apparatus of claim 59, wherein the dynamic redefining of the control means includes displaying a data table on the integrated input and display device. ### Claim 61 (depends on 59) The apparatus of claim 59, wherein the dynamic redefining of the control means includes displaying a window containing subsequently selectable information on the integrated input and display device. ### Claim 62 (depends on 59) The apparatus of claim 59, wherein the dynamic redefining of the control means includes replacing at least one corresponding displayed polysemous symbol of at least one key of the displayed keyboard with a newly displayed symbol, different from the previously displayed corresponding polysemous symbol. ### Claim 63 (depends on 62) The apparatus of claim 62, wherein the dynamic redefining of the control means includes replacing each of a plurality of corresponding displayed polysemous symbols of a plurality of keys of the displayed keyboard with a newly displayed symbol, each different from the previously displayed corresponding polysemous symbol. ### Claim 64 (depends on 63) The apparatus of claim 63, wherein embellishing of each at least one displayed polysemous symbol relates to a common theme represented by the matched symbol sequence of the second set. ### Claim 65 (depends on 64) The apparatus of claim 64, wherein each of the newly displayed symbols relate to a common sub-theme of the common theme, the common sub-theme represented by the temporarily stored symbol sequence matching one of the plurality of prestored symbol sequences of the third set. ### Claim 66 (depends on 65) The apparatus of claim 65, wherein each of the newly displayed symbols are nonpolysemous. ### Claim 67 (depends on 65) The apparatus of claim 65, wherein at least one of the newly displayed symbols replaces the embellished symbol corresponding to the selected key. ### Claim 68 (depends on 67) The apparatus of claim 67, wherein each of the newly displayed symbols is proximate to at least one other newly displayed symbol. ### Claim 69 (depends on 65) The apparatus of claim 65, wherein the control means accesses a prestored message associated with a newly displayed symbol subsequent to a corresponding key being selected. ### Claim 70 (depends on 69) The apparatus of claim 69, further comprising: output means for outputting a voice synthesization of the accessed message. ### Claim 71 (depends on 69) The apparatus of claim 69, wherein the control means controls the integrated input and display device to display each of the newly displayed symbols as a previously displayed symbol in response to one of the keys including a corresponding newly displayed symbol being selected. ### Claim 72 (depends on 69) The apparatus of claim 69, wherein the memory temporarily stores a new symbol sequence including the previously stored symbols and the newly displayed symbol, in sequential order of selection, and the control means compares the temporarily stored symbol sequence, including the newly displayed symbol, to the first set of prestored symbol sequences and accesses the prestored message in response to the new symbol sequence including the newly displayed symbol matching one of the first set of prestored symbol sequences. ### Claim 73 (depends on 63) The apparatus of claim 63, wherein each of the replaced symbols is of a common display tone so as to render each replaced symbols distinct from non-replaced displayed symbols. ### Claim 74 (depends on 63) The apparatus of claim 63, wherein each of the replaced symbols is of a common brightness so as to render each replaced symbol distinct from non-replaced displayed symbols. ### Claim 75 (depends on 63) The apparatus of claim 63, wherein the control means accesses a prestored message associated with a newly displayed symbol subsequent to a corresponding key being selected. ### Claim 76 (depends on 75) The apparatus of claim 75, further comprising: output means for outputting a voice synthesization of the accessed message. ### Claim 77 (depends on 75) The apparatus of claim 75, wherein the control means controls the integrated input and display device to display each of the at least one newly displayed symbol as a previously displayed symbol in response to detecting selection of a corresponding key being selected. ### Claim 78 (depends on 75) The apparatus of claim 75, wherein a key of the displayed keyboard of the integrated input and display device is selectable through physical contact with a key of the displayed keyboard. ### Claim 79 (depends on 75) The apparatus of claim 75, further comprising: a keyboard, separate from the integrated input and display device, for rendering a key of the displayed keyboard of the integrated input and display device selectable through activation of a key on the separate keyboard, corresponding in relative position to the key of the displayed keyboard. ### Claim 80 (depends on 75) The apparatus of claim 75, wherein: a key of the displayed keyboard is selected through optical scanning. ### Claim 81 (depends on 80) The apparatus of claim 80, further comprising: a keyboard, separate from the integrated input and display device, for rendering a key of the displayed keyboard, selectable through row-column sequential optical scanning and subsequent activation of a key on the separate keyboard corresponding in position to the key of the displayed keyboard. ### Claim 82 (depends on 75) The apparatus of claim 75, wherein the memory temporarily stores a new symbol sequence including the previously stored symbols and the newly displayed symbol, in sequential order of selection, and the control means compares the temporarily stored symbol sequence, including the newly displayed symbol, to the first set of prestored symbol sequences and accesses the prestored message in response to the new symbol, sequence including the newly displayed symbol matching one of the first set of prestored symbol sequences. ### Claim 83 (depends on 43) The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the embellishing includes adding a word displayed with a corresponding displayed symbol. ### Claim 84 (depends on 43) The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the embellishing includes modifying a displayed symbol. ### Claim 85 (depends on 43) The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the embellishing includes varying color of a displayed symbol. ### Claim 86 (depends on 43) The apparatus of claim 43, wherein each of the at least one embellished corresponding displayed symbols is displayed on the integrated input and display device so as to render each of the at least one embellished corresponding displayed symbols distinct from non-embellished displayed symbols. ### Claim 87 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, wherein each embellished symbol is varied in brightness with respect to non-embellished symbols. ### Claim 88 (depends on 42) The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the displayed keyboard includes the plurality of keys which each include a displayed polysemous symbol defined to correspond thereto and at least one key which fails to include a corresponding displayed polysemous symbol, wherein keys with or without symbols originally defined to correspond thereto can be dynamically redefined. ### Claim 89 (depends on 42) The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the control means controls the keys of the keyboard with dynamically redefined symbols to be separately displayed. separately displayed are relatively increased in size in comparison to a size of originally displayed keys. ### Claim 90 An apparatus, comprising: integrated input and display device for displaying a plurality of keys of a displayed keyboard, each of the plurality of keys including a displayed polysemous symbol defined to correspond thereto, and for inputting a corresponding polysemous symbol upon selection of a key; memory for temporarily storing a symbol sequence including the corresponding polysemous symbol of each selected key, in sequential order of selection; and control means for comparing the temporarily stored symbol sequence, in response to each key selection, to a plurality of prestored symbol sequences, each including at least one symbol in a predetermined sequence, and for dynamically redefining symbols of less than all of the plurality of displayed keys of the integrated input and display device in response to the temporarily stored symbol sequence matching at least one of the plurality of prestored symbol sequences. ### Claim 91 (depends on 42) The apparatus of claim 42, wherein relative to other keys of the keyboard, display of dynamically redefined keys of the keyboard is enlarged. ### Claim 92 An apparatus, comprising: integrated input and display device for displaying a plurality of keys of a displayed keyboard, each of the plurality of keys including a displayed polysemous symbol defined to correspond thereto, and for inputting a corresponding polysemous symbol upon selection of a key; memory for storing a plurality of symbol sequences, each associated with a prestored dynamic category; control means for detecting, in sequence, selection of a plurality of keys of the displayed keyboard, for accessing a prestored dynamic category based upon the sequence of polysemous symbols of detected keys selected, and for embellishing a plurality of displayed key symbols of the integrated input and display device based upon the accessed prestored dynamic category, to dynamically redefine symbols of keys of the displayed keyboard. ### Claim 93 (depends on 92) The apparatus of claim 92, wherein the keys corresponding to embellished symbols form a keyboard corresponding to the accessed prestored dynamic category. ### Claim 94 (depends on 92) The apparatus of claim 92, wherein the control means further renders the embellished symbols distinct from non-embellished symbols. ### Claim 95 (depends on 94) The apparatus of claim 94, wherein the control means further detects selection of a key corresponding to an embellished symbol and further accesses a prestored message, stored in the memory in association with the embellished symbol, in response to the detected selection of a corresponding key. ### Claim 96 (depends on 95) The apparatus of claim 95, further comprising: output means for outputting the accessed message. ### Claim 97 (depends on 92) The apparatus of claim 92, therein the control means further detects selection of a key corresponding to an embellished symbol and further accesses a prestored dynamic subcategory, stored in memory in association with the embellished symbol, in response to the detected selection of a corresponding key. ### Claim 98 (depends on 97) The apparatus of claim 97, wherein the control means further displays a plurality of new symbols on the integrated input and display device in place of previously displayed polysemous key symbols based upon the accessed prestored dynamic subcategory, to further dynamically redefine symbols of keys of the displayed keyboard. ### Claim 99 (depends on 98) The apparatus of claim 98, wherein the control means further detects selection of a key corresponding to a newly displayed symbol and further accesses a prestored message, stored in the memory in association with the embellished symbol, in response to the detected selection of a corresponding key. ### Claim 100 (depends on 92) The apparatus of claim 92, wherein the displayed keyboard includes the plurality of keys which each include a displayed polysemous symbol defined to correspond thereto and at least one key which fails to include a corresponding displayed polysemous symbol, wherein keys with or without symbols originally defined to correspond thereto can be dynamically redefined. ### Claim 101 (depends on 92) The apparatus of claim 92, wherein the control means controls the keys of the keyboard with dynamically redefined symbols to be separately displayed. ### Claim 102 (depends on 101) The apparatus of claim 101, wherein the keys separately displayed are relatively increased in size in comparison to a size of originally displayed keys. ### Claim 103 (depends on 92) The apparatus of claim 92, wherein relative to other keys of the keyboard, display of dynamically redefined keys of the keyboard is enlarged. ### Claim 104 An apparatus, comprising: integrated input and display device for displaying a plurality of keys of a displayed keyboard, each of the Plurality of keys including a corresponding displayed polysemous symbol, and for inputting a corresponding polvsemous symbol upon selection of a key; memory for storing a plurality of symbol sequences, each associated with a prestored dynamic category; control means for detecting, in sequence, selection of a plurality of keys of the displayed keyboard, for accessing a prestored dynamic category based upon the sequence of polysemous symbols of detected keys selected, and for displaying keys with a plurality of new symbols in place of or simultaneous with a plurality of keys with previously displayed polysemous key symbols of the integrated input and display device based upon the accessed prestored dynamic category, to dynamically redefine the displayed keyboard to include keys with new symbols. ### Claim 105 (depends on 104) The apparatus of claim 104, wherein the keys corresponding to newly displayed symbols form a keyboard corresponding to the accessed prestored dynamic category. ### Claim 106 (depends on 104) The apparatus of claim 104, wherein the control means further renders the newly displayed symbols distinct from previously displayed polysemous symbols. ### Claim 107 (depends on 106) The apparatus of claim 106, wherein the control means further detects selection of a key corresponding to a newly displayed symbol and further accesses a prestored message, stored in the memory in association with the newly displayed symbol, in response to the detected selection of a corresponding key. ### Claim 108 (depends on 107) The apparatus of claim 107, further comprising: output means for outputting the accessed message. ### Claim 109 (depends on 104) The apparatus of claim 104, wherein the displayed keyboard includes the plurality of keys which each include a corresponding displayed polysemous symbol and at least one key which fails to include a corresponding displayed polysemous symbol, wherein keys with or without originally corresponding symbols can be dynamically redefined. ### Claim 110 (depends on 104) The apparatus of claim 104, wherein the control means controls only the keys of the keyboard with new symbols to be separately displayed. ### Claim 111 (depends on 110) The apparatus of claim 110, wherein keys separately displayed are relatively increased in size in comparison to a size of originally displayed keys. ### Claim 112 (depends on 104) The apparatus of claim 104, wherein relative to other keys of the keyboard, display of keys of the keyboard with new symbols is enlarged. ### Claim 113 An apparatus comprising: keyboard, including a plurality of keys with polysemous symbols defined to correspond thereto, for inputting a corresponding polysemous symbol upon selection of a key; memory for temporarily storing a symbol sequence including the corresponding polysemous symbol of each selected key in sequential order of selection; control means for comparing the temporarily stored symbol sequence, in response to each key selection, to a plurality of prestored symbol sequences, each including at least one symbol in a predetermined sequence; display for displaying a plurality of embellished symbols, embellished from the polysemous symbols corresponding to the plurality of keys, in response to the temporarily stored symbol sequence matching at least one of the plurality of prestored symbol sequences, the control means dynamically redefining symbols of keys on the keyboard to correspond, respectively, to the displayed embellished symbols. ### Claim 114 (depends on 113) The apparatus of claim 113, wherein the display displays polysemous symbols positionally corresponding to at least some of the polysemous symbols of keys on the keyboard, and embellishes previously displayed polysemous symbols in response to the temporarily stored symbol sequence matching at least one of the plurality of prestored symbol sequences. ### Claim 115 (depends on 112) The apparatus of claim 112, wherein a plurality of keys of the keyboard include corresponding indicators, the indicators of dynamically redefined keys being activated for association of dynamically redefined keys and relative positionally corresponding embellished displayed symbols. ### Claim 116 (depends on 113) The apparatus of claim 113, said control means comparing the temporarily stored symbol sequence, in response to each key selection, to a first set of a plurality of prestored symbol sequences, each including at least one symbol in a predetermined sequence and an associated prestored message, comparing the temporarily stored symbol sequence to a second set of a plurality of prestored symbol sequences in response to the temporarily stored symbol sequence failing to match any of the first set of prestored symbol sequences, and dynamically redefining symbols of keys in response to the temporarily stored symbol sequence matching one of the second set of prestored symbol sequences. ### Claim 117 (depends on 116) The apparatus of claim 116, further comprising: output means for outputting a message accessed by the control means in response to the temporarily stored symbol sequence matching a corresponding one of the first set of prestored symbol sequences. ### Claim 118 (depends on 117) The apparatus of claim 117, wherein the control means further detects selection of a key corresponding to a displayed embellished symbol and further accesses a prestored message, stored in the memory in association with the displayed embellished symbol, in response to the detected selection of a corresponding key. ### Claim 119 (depends on 113) The apparatus of claim 113, wherein displayed embellished symbols are of a common theme. ### Claim 120 (depends on 113) The apparatus of claim 113, wherein the control means accesses one of a plurality of prestored dynamic categories, each prestored in the memory in association with a prestored symbol sequence, in response to the temporarily stored symbol sequence matching one of the plurality of prestored symbol sequences, the control means controlling the display to display the plurality of embellished symbols, each associated with a common theme of the accessed dynamic category. ### Claim 121 (depends on 113) The apparatus of claim 113, wherein the displayed keyboard includes the plurality of keys which each include a displayed polysemous symbol defined to correspond thereto and at least one key which fails to include a corresponding displayed polysemous symbol, wherein keys with or without symbols originally defined to correspond thereto can be dynamically redefined. ### Claim 122 (depends on 113) The apparatus of claim 113, wherein the display separately displays keys of the keyboard with new symbols. ### Claim 123 (depends on 122) The apparatus of claim 122, wherein the keys separately displayed are relatively increased in size in comparison to a size of originally displayed keys. ### Claim 124 (depends on 113) The apparatus of claim 113, wherein relative to other keys of the keyboard, display of keys of the keyboard with new symbols is enlarged.