Patent ID: 7661074
Filing Date: 2010-02-09
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method for providing a keyboard accelerator for selecting software application functionality, comprising: providing a plurality of functionalities available from a first software application; receiving at least one third-party keyboard accelerator key tip associated with at least one additional functionality provided by a third party add-in software application to the first software application; displaying in a user interface a selectable control for each of the plurality of functionalities and the at least one additional functionality, wherein the selectable control is localized according to a display language; if the at least one third-party keyboard accelerator key tip has the same label as one or more keyboard accelerator key tips associated with the first software application, adding an additional text character to the third-party keyboard accelerator tip; displaying both keyboard accelerator key tips associated with the first software application and the at least one third-party keyboard accelerator key tip over corresponding selectable controls, each keyboard accelerator key tip including at least two text characters for identifying each underlying selectable control, wherein the at least two text characters are independent of the display language; receiving a selection of a first character of a given keyboard accelerator key tip; if the first text character of the given keyboard accelerator key tip is identical to a first character of another keyboard accelerator key tip corresponding to another selectable control, dismissing from display any displayed keyboard accelerator key tips except the given keyboard accelerator key tip and the another keyboard accelerator key tip; upon receiving a selection of a second text character disposed on one of the still displayed keyboard accelerator key tips, automatically executing a functionality associated with a selectable control laying under the selected keyboard accelerator key tip.