Interface accelerator

• US 20040104944A1
• Filed: 12/03/2002
• Published: 06/03/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tahoe Research Limited (f/k/a Learndale Limited) (Vector Capital Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Thum, Siew Beng, Koay, Choon Wee
• Granted Patent: US 7,243,309 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/827
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0489 using dedicated keyboard keys or combinations thereof

Abstract

To facilitate interface navigation, accelerator keys are assigned to links within the interface. If the interface is a web browser, for example, accelerator keys may be associated with link elements, e.g., URLs, images, objects, scripts, etc., linking to a resource. Link indicators may be displayed to visually indicate the accelerator keys. If there are more links elements than accelerator keys, the accelerator keys may be shifted to other links, such as through activation of a shifting key.

Claims

1. In a browser, a method comprising:

inspecting a web page for a first link element linking to a first resource;

associating an accelerator key with the first link element; and

displaying the web page with a first link indicator identifying the accelerator key.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the browser is an Internet browser, the method further comprising:

directing the browser to navigate to the first resource.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining the accelerator key has been activated; and

directing the browser to navigate to the first resource responsive to determining the accelerator key has been activated.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the browser implements an event model, and wherein a press of the accelerator key results in a key press event indicating activation of the accelerator key.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a key press event corresponding to the accelerator key; and

simulating a selection of the first link element with a mouse responsive to a key press event.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

toggling display of accelerator keys within the web page.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

modifying an original code for the web page to include new code for directing the browser to display the first link indicator.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

receiving a request to stop displaying link indicators within the web page; and

responsive to the request, directing the browser to display the original code.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

assigning accelerator keys based at least in part on the layout of the web page.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying link indicator placeholders in the web page if there are more link elements in the web page than are available accelerator keys to assign thereto.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a request to shift accelerator keys;

disassociating the accelerator key from the first link element; and

associating the accelerator key with a second link element of the web page.

12. An article comprising a machine-accessible media having associated data, wherein the data, when accessed, results in a browser performing:

inspecting a web page for a first link element linking to a first resource;

associating an accelerator key with the first link element; and

displaying the web page with a first link indicator identifying the accelerator key.

13. The article of claim 12 wherein the machine-accessible media further includes data, when accessed, results in the machine performing:

determining the accelerator key has been activated; and

directing the browser to navigate to the first resource responsive to determining the accelerator key has been activated.

14. The article of claim 12 wherein the machine-accessible media further includes data, when accessed, results in the machine performing:

modifying an original code for the web page to include new code for directing the browser to display the first link indicator.

15. The article of claim 12 wherein the machine-accessible media further includes data, when accessed, results in the machine performing:

assigning accelerator keys based at least in part on the layout of the web page.

16. The article of claim 12 wherein the machine-accessible media further includes data, when accessed, results in the machine performing:

displaying link indicator placeholders in the web page if there are more link elements in the web page than are available accelerator keys to assign thereto.

17. The article of claim 12 wherein the machine-accessible media further includes data, when accessed, results in the machine performing:

receiving a request to shift accelerator keys;

disassociating the accelerator key from the first link element; and

associating the accelerator key with a second link element of the web page.

18. A system for simulating an action of a mouse, comprising:

a keyboard;

a memory storing instructions for operating a browser, the browser configured to perform

inspecting a web page for a first link element linking to a first resource, associating an accelerator key with the first link element,

displaying the web page with a first link indicator identifying the accelerator key,

monitoring for a key press event of the keyboard, and

simulating, responsive to the key press event, a selection of the first link element with the mouse.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the system is disposed within a portable device.

20. The system of claim 18, further comprising a display for displaying the web page.