a method is provided that affords user selectable functionality through a touch screen . the method includes defining active areas on the touch screen , each active area being associated with at least one functional set . according to the method , input actions are detected at the touch screen with each input action being defined by at least one of a touch event and a release event occurring at the touch screen . the method determines when a series of at least three input actions occurs within a common active area and produces an operation command based on the number of input actions in the series and upon the active area in which the series of input actions occur . in accordance with an alternative embodiment , a touch screen system is provided having user selectable functionality . the touch screen system includes a display screen that presents information indicative of an active area . the active area is associated with at least one functional set . the touch screen system further includes a sensor unit located proximate to the touch screen for sensing at least one of a touch event and a release event . the touch screen further includes a processor that determines when a series of at least three input actions occurs within a common active area . the processor produces an operation command based on a number of the input actions in the series and based upon the common active area .