Method, system, apparatus and computer-readable media for directing input associated with keyboard-type device

• US 20060152496A1
• Filed: 01/13/2005
• Published: 07/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 602531 British Columbia Limited (WordLogic Corporation)
• Original Assignee: 602531 British Columbia Limited (WordLogic Corporation)
• Inventors: Knaven, Peter
• Granted Patent: US 8,552,984 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/172
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/023 Arrangements for converting discrete items of information into a coded form, e.g. arrangements for interpreting keyboard generated codes as alphanumeric codes, operand codes or instruction codes

Abstract

In one aspect of the present invention a computer-implemented method is provided of processing input key events associated with user input received from a keyboard-type device, wherein the keyboard-type device selected from at least one of a keyboard and a keypad. In this aspect, input key events associated with a first process active within an operating system are received and monitored for a first predefined input key event associated with user selection of a first key of the keyboard-type device for at least a predetermined time period. In response to identifying the first predefined input key event, the input key events are redirected from the first process to a second process. The input key events are monitored for a second predefined input key event associated with further redirection of the input key events. In response to identifying the second predefined input key event, the input key events are redirected to the first process.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method of processing input key events associated with user input received from a keyboard-type device, the keyboard-type device selected from at least one of a keyboard and a keypad, the method comprising:

(a) receiving input key events associated with a first process active within an operating system;

(b) monitoring the input key events for a first predefined input key event associated with user selection of a first key of the keyboard-type device for at least a predetermined time period;

(c) in response to identifying the first predefined input key event, redirecting the input key events from the first process to a second process;

(d) monitoring the input key events for a second predefined input key event associated with further redirection of the input key events; and

(e) in response to identifying the second predefined input key event, redirecting the input key events to another process.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the another process is the first process.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the second predefined input key event is identified in association with user deselection of the first key.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the second predefined input key event is identified in association with user selection of a second key.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first predefined input key event is identified by detecting a selection signal for at least the predetermined time period, the selection signal indicating user selection of the first key.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first predefined input key event is identified by receiving an indication that the first key was selected for at least the predetermined time period.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first predefined keyboard event is identified by detecting generation of one or more auto-repeated characters by auto-repeat functionality associated with the first key.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein detecting generation of one or more auto-repeated characters comprises detecting receipt of at least one message associated with the first key and having a repetition indication.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the first key represents an alpha-numeric character.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the keyboard is displayed as a virtual keyboard represented in a graphical user interface (GUI).

11. The method of claim 1, wherein identification of the first predefined keyboard event further comprises providing a copy of the input key events to the second process for monitoring by the second process.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein redirecting the input key events to the second process comprises providing representations of further keyboard events to the second process, but not to the first process, for processing.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising processing the input key events in the second process while it is redirected to the second process.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein redirecting the input key events to the second process is contingent upon the first predefined keyboard event meeting a process switching criterion, wherein different process switching criteria may be associated with different processes being executed as the first process.

15. A computer-readable medium having stored instructions for use in execution of the method of claim 1.

16. A system for processing input key events associated with user input received from a keyboard-type device, the keyboard-type device selected from at least one of a keyboard and a keypad, the system comprising:

(a) means for receiving input key events associated with a first process active within an operating system;

(b) means for monitoring the input key events for a first predefined input key event associated with user selection of a first key of the keyboard-type device for at least a predetermined time period;

(c) means for redirecting the input key events from the first process to a second process in response to identifying the first predefined input key event;

(d) means for monitoring the input key events for a second predefined input key event associated with further redirection of the input key events; and

(e) means for redirecting the input key events to another process in response to identifying the second predefined input key event.

17. A keyboard-type device comprising:

(a) a plurality of user input signal generators for producing first input signals in response to user actuation thereof;

(b) a display device;

(c) a processor circuit in communication with said display device and said user input signal generators, said processor circuit configured to;

(i) generate a plurality of predictive text completion candidates in response to said first input signals and display said plurality of predictive text completion candidates on said display device; and

(ii) communicate at least one of said predictive text completion candidates to a personal computing device remote from the keyboard-type device in response to user selection of the at least one of said pred1ictive text completion candidates.

18. The keyboard-type device of claim 17, wherein the plurality of user input signal generators comprises a plurality of keys.

19. The keyboard-type device of claim 18, wherein the plurality of keys comprises a plurality of physical keys.

20. The keyboard-type device of claim 18, wherein the plurality of keys comprises a plurality of virtual keys.

21. The keyboard-type device of claim 20, wherein the display device comprises a touch-screen display, and wherein the plurality of virtual keys comprises a plurality of respective portions of a touch-sensitive surface of said touch-screen display.

22. The keyboard-type device of claim 17, wherein the processor circuit is configured to receive display information from the remote personal computing device and to display such display information on a touch-sensitive portion of the display device.