Intelligent auto-tabbing systems and methods

1. A method of reducing errors associated with data entry into fields, the method comprising:

receiving an input character by a first field, said first field having an input focus and including a maximum number of characters that can be entered into said first field according to a maximum length attribute for said first field, wherein said maximum length attribute represents a maximum number of characters that can be inserted into said first field;

determining whether said input character is a manual tab character; and

if said input character is not a manual tab character:

performing an auto-tab function by positioning said input focus from said first field to a second field,

entering said input character into said second field, and

if said input character is a manual tab command, positioning said input focus in said second field by executing said manual tab command.

2. A hybrid tabbing method for moving an input focus between fields of an interface, the method comprising:

receiving an input character;

incrementing a count representative of a number of characters already in a first field without the entry of said input character into said first field;

determining whether said incremented count is greater than a predetermined threshold representative of a maximum number of characters that can be entered into said first field according to a maximum length attribute for said first field, wherein said maximum length attribute represents a maximum number of characters that can be inserted into said first field; and

selectively invoking an auto-tab function based on said determination.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein said auto-tab function is invoked if it is determined that said incremented count is greater than said predetermined threshold.

4. The method of claim 2 , wherein said auto-tab function is omitted if it is determined that said incremented count is not greater than said predetermined threshold.

5. The method of claim 2 , wherein said input character is omitted from said first field if said incremented count is greater than said predetermined threshold.

6. The method of claim 2 , wherein said input character is entered into said first field if said incremented count is not greater than said predetermined threshold.

7. The method of claim 2 , wherein said auto-tab function includes moving an input focus to a second field.

8. A method of selectively moving between fields of an interface to accommodate different user preferences for entering information, comprising:

receiving an input character;

inserting said input character into a current field;

determining whether said current field is full according to a maximum length attribute for said current field, wherein said maximum length attribute represents a maximum number of characters that can be inserted into said current field;

auto-tabbing an input focus from said current field to a next field if said current field is full;

receiving a second input character after said auto-tab;

recognizing a double-tab condition based on said second input character being a manual tab command; and

compensating for said double-tab condition by one of ignoring said manual tab command, reversing said manual tab command, and reversing said auto-tabbing based on said recognition.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein said second input character is received immediately after said auto-tab.

10. A computer-readable medium including instructions for directing a computer to perform the steps of:

receiving an input character by a first field, said first field having an input focus and including a maximum number of characters that can be entered into said first field according to a maximum length attribute for said first field, wherein said maximum length attribute represents a maximum number of characters that can be inserted into said first field;

determining whether said input character is a manual tab character; and

if said input character is not a manual tab character:

performing an auto-tab function by positioning said input focus from said first field to a second field,

entering said input character into said second field, and

if said input character is a manual tab command, positioning said input focus in said second field by executing said manual tab command and omitting invoking an auto-tab function.

11. A system for selectively auto-tabbing between fields of an interface, comprising a computer configured to provide:

an input subsystem configured to receive a plurality of input characters, said plurality of input characters including an input character; and

a tabbing subsystem configured to:

receive said input character by a first field, said first field having an input focus and including a maximum number of characters that can be entered into said first field according to a maximum length attribute for said first field, wherein said maximum length attribute represents a maximum number of characters that can be inserted into said first field;

determine whether said input character is a manual tab character; and

if said input character is not a manual tab character:

perform an auto-tab function by positioning said input focus from said first field to a second field,

enter said input character into said second field, and

if said input character is a manual tab command, positioning said input focus in said second field by executing said manual tab command.