Semantic user interface

Abstract

A system and method that allows a user to use their everyday language or user defined words to operate a computer in a highly efficient way. In short, every word, letter, control character and symbol is potentially actionable. A computer user's productivity is dramatically increased by making available those functions that enable a user to produce most of his work through simple, language-based commands. The present invention provides an intuitive interface, referred to as a semantic user interface (SUI), that enhances the operation of the current standard window-based interface in a manner that is simple, richer and natural. By leveraging all of the richness and power inherent in a user's language, the present invention provides an important tool that allows the personal computer to operate in a manner that is much closer to our natural way of interacting. A user is allowed to enter “commands” in his everyday natural language in order to control the operations of the computer. All commands are language-based and user-defined. These commands can be entered from any context of the user's computer (e.g., any application or operating system workspace). The commands allows a user to launch applications and navigate within applications by using language rather than clicks from a pointing device such as a mouse. It also allows the replacement of keystrokes with stored words or keystrokes. The system also keeps a complete archive record of all the text content the user provides as input, regardless of which application program or operating system window the user is operating in at the time. The combined set of all user defined commands and the memory of all the input text that is stored in the archive constitutes the personality profile and is transportable from one computer to another.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A system for permitting a user to implement functionality. on a computer, the functionality being provided across a plurality of application programs or within an environment created by an operating system, the computer including a data entry device, comprising: 
 means for monitoring all data entered or selected by a user within any one of the plurality of application programs or within the environment created by the operating system, said data including one or more alphabetic letters, symbols and/or words, wherein certain combinations of data represent action words;    a wordbase having stored therein a plurality of item records, each item record having an action word and one of a plurality of associated functions, wherein one of said item records includes a default action word;    means for searching said wordbase for a match with an action word entered by said user; and    means for performing said function associated with said action word.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said data is entered via a microphone, selection device, or keyboard.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising means for recognizing voice signals input via said microphone to produce recognizable data, wherein said recognizable data is used by said means for searching.  
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said data entered by said user may be selected with a selection device by said user.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a word entered by said user is a dual word, wherein said user disambiguates said dual word to indicate to said means for monitoring that said dual word is an action word.  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said function can be activated via a plurality of action words.  
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said means for monitoring monitors for a delineator, wherein an action word is always followed by an delineator.  
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein said delineator a punctuation mark, a special character, entry of a space bar, or a click of a selection device.  
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein said delineator is a predefined key on a keyboard.  
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising means for displaying a charm box, said charm box having displayed therein information relating to said data entered by said user.  
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said function includes launching an application program, a file or a folder.  
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said function includes text substitution, wherein said text is substituted at the position of a displayed curser.  
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said means for monitoring can be toggled between on and off.  
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising means for selecting a block of data that is displayed via a graphical user interface or one of the plurality of application programs, wherein said data can be entered by selecting said block of data.  
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said associated function may include calling an agent.  
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said wordbase is located on a server connected to a network.  
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a single action word can activate two or more functions, the system further comprising means for selecting between said two or more functions when said single action word is entered by said user.  
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said action word is formed by at least two natural language words.  
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said action words include code words and dual words, the system further comprising means for allowing said user to turn said code words and said dual words on and off within said wordbase.