Multi-modal method for application swapping

1. A method comprising:

in response to a key stroke comprising an ALT+TAB key combination, displaying a plurality of graphical icons corresponding to running applications;

detecting coordinates of a mouse pointer in a display screen displaying the plurality of graphical icons;

associating the coordinates with one of the plurality of graphical icons;

calculating a number of TAB key presses required to move from a currently highlighted icon to the icon associated with the coordinates;

highlighting the icon associated with the coordinates;

receiving a mouse click event to select the highlighted icon; and

displaying the running application corresponding to the selected icon.

2. A method comprising:

determining whether an ALT+TAB keystroke has been received;

if so, displaying a plurality of graphical icons representing currently running applications;

highlighting a currently selected application of the currently running applications;

determining whether a TAB keystroke has been received;

if so, highlighting a next icon;

determining whether an input from a pointing device has been received;

if so, associating coordinates of the pointing device with one of the plurality of graphical icons, calculating a number of TAB key presses required to move from a currently highlighted icon to the icon associated with the coordinates and highlighting the icon associated with the coordinates;

determining whether the ALT key has been released; and

if so, switching to the currently running application represented by the selected icon.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the pointing device is one of a mouse, a stylus, a laser pen, a trackball, a touch pad, and a touch screen.

4. The method of claim 2 , further comprising:

if a predetermined time period has not expired or an ESC key stroke has been received, stopping the method.

5. A machine readable medium containing program instructions for execution on a processor, which when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform a method according to claim 1 .

6. A machine readable medium containing program instructions for execution on a processor, which when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform a method according to claim 2 .

7. A method comprising:

determining whether an ALT+TAB keystroke has been received;

if so, displaying graphical icons representing currently running applications in response and continuing to display the graphical icons after the ALT+TAB keys are released;

highlighting the graphical icon representing the currently selected running application;

starting a timer to measure a predetermined time period, and before the timer expires or an ESC keystroke is received,

in response to a TAB key stroke, highlighting the graphical icon immediately adjacent to the highlighted icon; or

in response to a first mouse input, associating coordinates of the mouse with one of the plurality of graphical icons, calculating a number of TAB key presses required to move from a currently highlighted icon to the icon associated with the coordinates and highlighting the icon associated with the coordinates;

in response to a second mouse input, switching to the application represented by the icon highlighted in response to the first mouse input.