System and method for locking user input elements for small computer devices
First Claim
1. A method of locking user input elements on a small computer device, the method comprising:
- receiving an internally generated locking signal;
setting a locked flag to indicate the user input elements are locked; and
ignoring input signals when the locked flag is set.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for automatically locking user interface input elements to avoid negative impact of inadvertently pressing a user input element. The method receives an internally generated locking signal; sets a locked flag to indicate the user input elements are locked. Input signals occurring while the input elements are locked are ignored. In accordance with other aspects, the method further relates to determining whether input signals relate to an unlock signal. The internally generated locking signal is generated following a predetermined time interval that is managed by an internal timer and may be related to an automatic shutoff/sleep mode time interval. Alternatively, a calendar-type application program may initiate the internally generated locking signal in response to a predetermined event.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method of locking user input elements on a small computer device, the method comprising:
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receiving an internally generated locking signal;
setting a locked flag to indicate the user input elements are locked; and
ignoring input signals when the locked flag is set. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A computer system comprising:
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user interface input elements;
a processing unit for recognizing user interface input signals; and
a locking application for locking the user interface elements, wherein the processing unit ignores user interface input signals when the user interface elements are locked and wherein the locking application receives an internally generated lock signal.
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11. A computer program product readable by a computer device and encoding instructions for executing a computer process for notifying a user of notification events, the process comprising:
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receiving an internally generated locking signal;
setting a locked flag to indicate the user input elements are locked; and
ignoring input signals when the locked flag is set. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification