SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR USING A SWITCH TO CONTROL A COMPUTER

• US 20080016463A1
• Filed: 07/13/2007
• Published: 01/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Cleankeys, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Madentec Incorporated
• Inventors: Marsden, Randal
• Application Number:
  US11/777,785
• Publication Number:
  US 20080016463A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/814
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/011 Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality blind teaching G09B21/00

Abstract

Software and graphical user interfaces for controlling a personal computer system using one or more switches, or alternative pointing devices. When a highlight or a cursor is over a desired display item, a fill indicator is displayed. The fill indicator provides a visual indication of how long the highlight or cursor are colocated with the item. A selection of the item is made by either the user activating a switch(es) or a fill indicator reaching a limit.

Claims

1. A computer program product residing on a computer-readable medium for selecting items on a display, the computer program product comprising:

a first component configured to record time at least one of a displayed cursor or highlight is located in or at a region associated with a selectable item;

a second component configured to generate an indicator based on the recorded amount of time; and

a third component configured to output the generated indicator on the display within the region associated with the selectable item.

2. The computer program product of claim 1, further comprising a fourth component configured to receive control signals from at least one of a pointing device or one or more switches.

3. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the second component maintains the indicator in a current state if the first component stops recording the time the at least one of a displayed cursor or highlight is located in or at a region associated with the selectable item.

4. The computer program product of claim 3, wherein the second component alters the indicator if a threshold time period has elapsed since the first component stopped recording the time.

5. The computer program product of claim 2, wherein the control signals include a highlight advance command based on activation of the one or more switches.

6. The computer program product of claim 1, further comprising a fourth component configured to select the selectable item when the generated indicator reaches a threshold.

7. The computer program product of claim 1, further comprising a fourth component configured to select the selectable item when an activation signal generated by a user interface device is received.

8. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the generated indicator comprises an audible cue, and the third component is configured to output the audible cue via a speaker.

9. A graphical user interface executed by a computer system having a display for selecting items on the display, the graphical user interface comprising:

a first component configured to record time at least one of a displayed cursor or highlight is located in or at a region associated with a selectable item;

a second component configured to generate an indicator based on the recorded amount of time; and

a third component configured to output the generated indicator on the display within the region associated with the selectable item.

10. The graphical user interface of claim 9, further comprising a fourth component configured to receive control signals from at least one of a pointing device or one or more switches.

11. The graphical user interface of claim 9, wherein the second component maintains the indicator in a current state if the first component stops recording the time the at least one of a displayed cursor or highlight is located in or at a region associated with the selectable item.

12. The graphical user interface of claim 11, wherein the second component alters the indicator if a threshold time period has elapsed since the first component stopped recording the time.

13. The graphical user interface of claim 10, wherein the control signals include a highlight advance command based on activation of the one or more switches.

14. The graphical user interface of claim 9, further comprising a fourth component configured to select the selectable item when the generated indicator reaches a threshold.

15. The graphical user interface of claim 9, further comprising a fourth component configured to select the selectable item when an activation signal generated by a user interface device is received.