Shortcut key manager and method for managing shortcut key assignment
View Patent ↗A shortcut key manager and method is provided for managing shortcut key assignment to non-command user interface items. In response to receipt of an item identification that identifies a non-command user interface item type and a key identification that identifies a shortcut key, the shortcut key is assigned to the non-command user interface item type that defines the non-command item. When the shortcut key is input, an instance of the non-command user interface item is presented to the user in response to the user input of the shortcut key.
1. A shortcut key manager for managing shortcut key assignment, the shortcut key manager comprising:
an item receiver for receiving an item identification that identifies a non-command user interface item type;
a key receiver for receiving a key identification that identifies a shortcut key;
an assignment handler for assigning the shortcut key to the non-command user interface item type; and
a shortcut key handler for presenting an instance of the non-command user interface item to a user when the user uses the shortcut key;
wherein the shortcut key handler has an item window controller for controlling display of a window with an instance of the non-command user interface item.
2. The shortcut key manager as claimed in claim 1 wherein the shortcut key handler has a focus setter for setting a user control focus to the non-command user interface item.
3. The shortcut key manager as claimed in claim 2 wherein the focus setter sets a keyboard focus to the non-command user interface item.
4. The shortcut key manager as claimed in claim 1 wherein the item window controller has a window display unit for displaying the window at a current cursor location.
5. The shortcut key manager as claimed in claim 1 wherein the item window controller has a window closing unit for closing the window in response to a user input.
6. The shortcut key manager as claimed in claim 1 wherein the shortcut key comprises one or more key strokes.
7. The shortcut key manager as claimed in claim 1 wherein the non-command item is not visual when it is not selected.
8. A method for managing shortcut key assignment, the method comprising steps of:
receiving an item identification that identifies a non-command user interface item type;
receiving a key identification that identifies a shortcut key;
assigning the shortcut key to the non-command user interface item type;
receiving user input of the shortcut key; and
presenting an instance of the non-command user interface item to the user in response to the user input of the shortcut key;
wherein the presenting step comprises a step of controlling display of a window with an instance of the non-command user interface item.
9. The method as claimed in claim 8 further comprising a step of setting a user control focus to the non-command user interface item.
10. The method as claimed in claim 9 wherein the focus setting step sets a keyboard focus to the non-command user interface item.
11. The method as claimed in claim 8 wherein the display controlling step displays the window at a current cursor location.
12. The method as claimed in claim 8 wherein the display controlling step closes the window in response to a user input.
13. The method as claimed in claim 8 wherein the user input receiving step receives one or more key strokes as the shortcut key.
14. The method as claimed in claim 8 wherein the presenting step comprises a step of controlling display of a small pop-up window to display the instance of the non-command user interface item at a current mouse cursor location when the user uses the shortcut key assigned to the non-command user interface item, and the focus setting step sets a keyboard focus to the non-command user interface item displayed in the pop-up window.
15. The method as claimed in claim 14 wherein the display controlling step displays the pop-up window which is free of command user interface items or non-command items other than the instance of the non-command user interface item to which the shortcut key is assigned.
16. A computer readable memory for storing the instructions and/or statements for use in the execution in a computer of a method for managing shortcut key assignment, the method comprising steps of:
receiving an item identification that identifies a non-command user interface item type;
receiving a key identification that identifies a shortcut key;
assigning the shortcut key to the non-command user interface item type;
receiving user input of the shortcut key; and
presenting an instance of the non-command user interface item to the user in response to the user input of the shortcut key;
wherein the presenting step comprises a step of controlling display of a window with an instance of the non-command user interface item.
17. A shortcut key manager for managing shortcut key assignment, the shortcut key manager comprising:
an item receiver for receiving an item identification that identifies a non-command user interface item type;
a key receiver for receiving a key identification that identifies a shortcut key;
an assignment handler for assigning the shortcut key to the non-command user interface item type; and
a shortcut key handler for presenting an instance of the non-command user interface item to a user when the user uses the shortcut key;
wherein the shortcut key handler has an item window controller for controlling display of a small pop-up window to display the instance of the non-command user interface item at a current mouse cursor location when the user uses the shortcut key assigned to the non-command user interface item, and the focus setter sets a keyboard focus to the non-command user interface item displayed in the pop-up window.
18. The shortcut key manager as claimed in claim 17 wherein the item window controller displays the pop-up window which is free of command user interface items or non-command items other than the instance of the non-command user interface item to which the shortcut key is assigned.