Abstract:
Embodiments relate to keyboard navigation of a user interface using a custom list. An aspect includes displaying, on a computer display device of a computer system, a user interface to a user, wherein the user interface is associated with a default list comprising all of the selectable elements in the user interface. Another aspect includes, based on determining that a custom list for the user interface exists, wherein the custom list comprises a subset of the selectable elements in the default list, performing keyboard navigation of the user interface according to the custom list. Yet another aspect includes, based on determining that no custom list for the user interface exists, performing keyboard navigation of the user interface according to the default list.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to user interfaces in a computer system, and more specifically, to custom lists for keyboard navigation of a user interface. 
         [0002]    As legislation such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) becomes widely applied to web pages and other computer user interfaces, accessibility to these user interfaces by persons having a different set of abilities becomes mandated by law. Online service providers and electronic businesses (e-businesses) need help in meeting these requirements and ensuring that they serve all their customers. As Web pages begin to differentiate themselves based on service, online businesses that offer service tailored to the customer&#39;s needs are more likely to be favored by customers with disabilities, or customers with a different set of abilities, than those Web pages that do not offer such tailored service. There are various assistive technologies, such as screen readers, that help people with disabilities navigate the elements of a user interface on a computer display. A disabled user may interact with a user interface using keyboard scrolling, e.g., use of the TAB or SHIFT-TAB keys on the computer keyboard, to step through the various selectable elements of a user interface. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    Embodiments include a method, system, and computer program product for keyboard navigation of a user interface using a custom list. An aspect includes displaying, on a computer display device of a computer system, a user interface to a user, wherein the user interface is associated with a default list comprising all of the selectable elements in the user interface. Another aspect includes, based on determining that a custom list for the user interface exists, wherein the custom list comprises a subset of the selectable elements in the default list, performing keyboard navigation of the user interface according to the custom list. Yet another aspect includes, based on determining that no custom list for the user interface exists, performing keyboard navigation of the user interface according to the default list. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]    The subject matter which is regarded as embodiments is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The forgoing and other features, and advantages of the embodiments are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0005]      FIG. 1  depicts a flowchart of a method for creating or editing a custom lists for keyboard navigation of a user interface in accordance with an embodiment; 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  depicts a flowchart of a method for using a custom lists for keyboard navigation of a user interface in accordance with an embodiment; 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  depicts an example of a user interface for navigation using a custom list in accordance with an embodiment; and 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  depicts a computer for use in conjunction with custom lists for keyboard navigation of a user interface in accordance with an embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0009]    Embodiments of custom lists for keyboard navigation of a user interface are provided, with exemplary embodiments being discussed below in detail. A user with disabilities that is unable to use the mouse, may rely on keyboard navigation (for example, using the TAB or SHIFT-TAB keys) to move across selectable elements (for example, buttons or fillable text fields) on a computer user interface. A user interface may have a relatively large number of selectable elements, which may cause keyboard navigation using the default list of selectable elements of a user interface to be time consuming and annoying. Creation of a custom list comprising a subset of the selectable elements in a user interface may make keyboard navigation easier and faster for a user interface having a relatively large number of selectable elements. A custom list may also allow the user to navigate the elements in the custom list in a desired order. Custom list creation and navigation may be built into accessibility software that is part of the operating system of the computer. A user may create and save a plurality of custom lists for a plurality of user interfaces, and may further create a plurality of custom lists for a single user interface, e.g. application or web page. Each saved custom list is associated with a profile of the user. The user interface may be any appropriate user interface that is displayed on a computer display, and the elements in the custom list may be any appropriate selectable element. Creation of a custom list allows the user to avoid scrolling through elements in a user interface that are never or rarely used by the user, simplifying the keyboard navigation. 
         [0010]    A custom list, as used herein, refers to an array of user interface elements or objects in a user interface which stores specific properties corresponding to each element. These object properties can be used to identify the element in the user interface, and further includes a custom list index number, indicating an order of the element in the custom list. A profile, as used herein, refers to the set of custom lists that are saved for a particular user. A profile may be created for each user logged into the operating system of a computer system, and each profile may have a list formed by the page/screen within an application and the associated custom list. Multiple custom lists may be defined for a single page or screen. 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment of a method  100  for creating or editing a custom list for keyboard navigation of a user interface. In block  101 , a user opens a user interface on a display associated with a computer system. In block  102 , the user notifies the custom list module of the computer system to start list customization. The user may select a saved custom list for the particular user interface to edit, or may create a new custom list for the user interface in block  102 . In block  103 , the user starts keyboard navigation of the user interface by, for example, pressing the TAB or SHIFT-TAB keys, to navigate to the first of the selectable elements in the default list of the user interface, i.e., the list of all of the selectable elements in the user interface. In block  104 , it is determined whether the user wishes to add the current selectable element to the custom list that is being created or edited, or whether the user wishes to remove the current selectable element from the custom list if the current selectable element is already in the custom list that is being created or edited. The determination may be made based on, for example, a predefined keystroke or shortcut input from the user. Alternate methods for adding or removing elements may be used in various embodiments, i.e. mouse or voice. If it is determined in block  104  that the user wishes to perform an add or remove operation with respect to the current selectable element in the user interface, then, in block  105 , the current selectable element is either added to or removed from the custom list, and then flow proceeds to block  106 . If the user does not choose to add/remove the current selectable element in block  104 , flow also proceeds to block  106 . In block  106 , it is determined whether the customization is completed. This determination may be made based on whether current element is a last element in the default list of the user interface, or may be made based on user input, i.e., the user may also stop customization at any time before proceeding to the last element in the default list, or may proceed through the default list more than once. If it is determined in block  106  that customization is not completed, flow proceeds from block  106  to block  107 , the next element in the default list of the user interface becomes the current element, and blocks  104 / 106  and, in some cases, block  105 , are repeated for the new current element. 
         [0012]    Blocks  104 ,  106 , and  107 , and, in some cases, block  105 , are repeated as described above for each element in the default tab list until it is determined in block  106  that customization is completed, at which point flow proceeds from block  106  to block  108 . In block  108 , an order is set for the elements that are in the custom list. In some embodiments, the elements may be in the order in which they were added to the custom list; in other embodiments, the user may specify a different order. Then, in block  109 , it is determined whether a name is required for the custom list. A name may be required for the custom list in block  109  if a user has recorded multiple custom lists for a single user interface. If it is determined in block  109  that the custom list requires a name, a name is either set by the user in block  110 , or a default name is provided. The default name may comprise an identifier of the user interface (e.g., a URL or application, and date). Flow then proceeds from block  110  to block  111 . If it is determined in block  109  that the custom list does require a name, or that the custom list already has a name (i.e., an existing custom list was selected for editing in block  102 ) flow proceeds to block  111 . In block  111 , the custom list is saved under a user profile of the user, and method  100  ends. 
         [0013]      FIG. 2  illustrates an embodiment of a method  200  for using a saved custom list. In block  201 , the user activates custom keyboard navigation by opening a user interface (for example, an application or web page) and selecting a selectable interface element of the user interface. Then, in block  202 , it is determined whether one or more custom lists are saved under the user&#39;s profile for the particular user interface. If it is determined in block  202  that one or more custom lists exist for the user&#39;s profile for the user interface, then, in block  203 , a saved custom list is selected. If multiple custom lists exist for the user interface, the user may be prompted to select one. If only a single custom list exists for the user interface, the single custom list is selected in block  203 . Then, in block  204 , the user interface is navigated using keyboard navigation according to the custom list. In block  204 , the keyboard navigation proceeds through only the selected elements in the user interface that are in the custom list, in the order that is specified by the custom list. If it was determined in block  202  that no custom list exists for the user interface, then flow proceeds from block  202  to block  205 , and the keyboard navigation of the user interface is performed according to the default list comprising all of the selectable elements of the user interface. 
         [0014]      FIG. 3  illustrates an example of a user interface  300  that may be navigated using a custom list. The user interface  300  is an International Business Machines (IBM) Notes™ application user interface. The user interface  300  includes a plurality of selectable elements  301 - 313 . Each of the selectable elements  301 - 313  are included in the default TAB list of the user interface  300 , i.e., if a user navigates the user interface  300  according to the default TAB list, the user will cycle through all of the selectable elements  301 - 313 . A user may create a custom list of any subset of selectable elements  301 - 313 , in any desired order, for user interface  300  using method  100  of  FIG. 1 . An example custom list for user interface  300  is shown in Table 1 that includes workspace button  303 , new message button  309 , mailbox button  305 , calendar button  306 , and SameTime™ panel  313 . Therefore, a user that uses keyboard navigation to navigate user interface  300  according to the default list would proceed through all of elements  301 - 313 , while a user that uses keyboard navigation in user interface  300  according to the custom list of Table 1 would only proceed through elements  303 ,  309 ,  305 ,  306 , and  313 . 
         [0000]                                  TABLE 1                   Example Custom list            Custom List Index   Object   Properties               1   Mailbox button   Class, class index, name, etc.       2   Calendar button   Class, class index, name, etc.       3   Workspace button   Class, class index, name, etc.       4   New message button   Class, class index, name, etc.       5   Sametime panel   Class, class index, name, etc.                    
The Custom List Index field in the custom list specifies the order of a selectable element in the custom list, and may be set for each element in block  108  of  FIG. 1 . The Object field stores a name of the selectable element. The properties field stores various element properties of the selectable element that are specified in the source code of the user interface, for example a class, class index, and/or name. The object name and properties are used to identify the selectable elements that are in the custom list when navigating the user interface.
 
         [0015]      FIG. 4  illustrates an example of a computer  400  which may implement various embodiments of keyboard navigation of a user interface using custom lists. Various operations discussed above may utilize the capabilities of the computer  400 . One or more of the capabilities of the computer  400  may be incorporated in any element, module, application, and/or component discussed herein. For example, a custom list module  480  that implements embodiments of keyboard navigation using custom lists may be integrated into accessibility software that is part of the operating system  450 , and may be used to navigate any user interface that is displayed to a user corresponding to any application, such as application  430 , that is run by the computer  400 . 
         [0016]    The computer  400  includes, but is not limited to, PCs, workstations, laptops, PDAs, palm devices, servers, storages, and the like. Generally, in terms of hardware architecture, the computer  400  may include one or more processors  410 , memory  420 , and one or more I/O devices  470  that are communicatively coupled via a local interface (not shown). The local interface can be, for example but not limited to, one or more buses or other wired or wireless connections, as is known in the art. The local interface may have additional elements, such as controllers, buffers (caches), drivers, repeaters, and receivers, to enable communications. Further, the local interface may include address, control, and/or data connections to enable appropriate communications among the aforementioned components. 
         [0017]    The processor  410  is a hardware device for executing software that can be stored in the memory  420 . The processor  410  can be virtually any custom made or commercially available processor, a central processing unit (CPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), or an auxiliary processor among several processors associated with the computer  400 , and the processor  410  may be a semiconductor based microprocessor (in the form of a microchip) or a macroprocessor. 
         [0018]    The memory  420  can include any one or combination of volatile memory elements (e.g., random access memory (RAM), such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), etc.) and nonvolatile memory elements (e.g., ROM, erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), electronically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), programmable read only memory (PROM), tape, compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM), disk, diskette, cartridge, cassette or the like, etc.). Moreover, the memory  420  may incorporate electronic, magnetic, optical, and/or other types of storage media. Note that the memory  420  can have a distributed architecture, where various components are situated remote from one another, but can be accessed by the processor  410 . 
         [0019]    The software in the memory  420  may include one or more separate programs, each of which comprises an ordered listing of executable instructions for implementing logical functions. The software in the memory  420  includes a suitable operating system (0/S)  450 , compiler  440 , source code  430 , and one or more applications  460  in accordance with exemplary embodiments. As illustrated, the application  460  comprises numerous functional components for implementing the features and operations of the exemplary embodiments. The application  460  of the computer  400  may represent various applications, computational units, logic, functional units, processes, operations, virtual entities, and/or modules in accordance with exemplary embodiments, but the application  460  is not meant to be a limitation. 
         [0020]    The operating system  450  controls the execution of other computer programs, and provides scheduling, input-output control, file and data management, memory management, and communication control and related services. It is contemplated by the inventors that the application  460  for implementing exemplary embodiments may be applicable on all commercially available operating systems. 
         [0021]    Application  460  may be a source program, executable program (object code), script, or any other entity comprising a set of instructions to be performed. When a source program, then the program is usually translated via a compiler (such as the compiler  440 ), assembler, interpreter, or the like, which may or may not be included within the memory  420 , so as to operate properly in connection with the O/S  450 . Furthermore, the application  460  can be written as an object oriented programming language, which has classes of data and methods, or a procedure programming language, which has routines, subroutines, and/or functions, for example but not limited to, C, C++, C#, Pascal, BASIC, API calls, HTML, XHTML, XML, ASP scripts, FORTRAN, COBOL, Perl, Java, ADA, .NET, and the like. 
         [0022]    The I/O devices  470  may include input devices such as, for example but not limited to, a mouse, keyboard, scanner, microphone, camera, etc. Furthermore, the I/O devices  470  may also include output devices, for example but not limited to a printer, display, etc. Finally, the I/O devices  470  may further include devices that communicate both inputs and outputs, for instance but not limited to, a NIC or modulator/demodulator (for accessing remote devices, other files, devices, systems, or a network), a radio frequency (RF) or other transceiver, a telephonic interface, a bridge, a router, etc. The I/O devices  470  also include components for communicating over various networks, such as the Internet or intranet. 
         [0023]    If the computer  400  is a PC, workstation, intelligent device or the like, the software in the memory  420  may further include a basic input output system (BIOS) (omitted for simplicity). The BIOS is a set of essential software routines that initialize and test hardware at startup, start the O/S  450 , and support the transfer of data among the hardware devices. The BIOS is stored in some type of read-only-memory, such as ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM or the like, so that the BIOS can be executed when the computer  400  is activated. 
         [0024]    When the computer  400  is in operation, the processor  410  is configured to execute software stored within the memory  420 , to communicate data to and from the memory  420 , and to generally control operations of the computer  400  pursuant to the software. The application  460  and the O/S  450  are read, in whole or in part, by the processor  410 , perhaps buffered within the processor  410 , and then executed. 
         [0025]    When the application  460  is implemented in software it should be noted that the application  460  can be stored on virtually any computer readable storage medium for use by or in connection with any computer related system or method. In the context of this document, a computer readable storage medium may be an electronic, magnetic, optical, or other physical device or means that can contain or store a computer program for use by or in connection with a computer related system or method. 
         [0026]    The application  460  can be embodied in any computer-readable storage medium for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer-based system, processor-containing system, or other system that can fetch the instructions from the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device and execute the instructions. In the context of this document, a “computer-readable storage medium” can be any means that can store the program for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. The computer readable storage medium can be, for example but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or a device. 
         [0027]    More specific examples (a nonexhaustive list) of the computer-readable storage medium may include the following: an electrical connection (electronic) having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette (magnetic or optical), a random access memory (RAM) (electronic), a read-only memory (ROM) (electronic), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM, EEPROM, or Flash memory) (electronic), an optical fiber (optical), and a portable compact disc memory (CDROM, CD R/W) (optical). Note that the computer-readable storage medium could even be paper or another suitable medium, upon which the program is printed or punched, as the program can be electronically captured, via for instance optical scanning of the paper or other medium, then compiled, interpreted or otherwise processed in a suitable manner if necessary, and then stored in a computer memory. 
         [0028]    In exemplary embodiments, where the application  460  is implemented in hardware, the application  460  can be implemented with any one or a combination of the following technologies, which are well known in the art: a discrete logic circuit(s) having logic gates for implementing logic functions upon data signals, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) having appropriate combinational logic gates, a programmable gate array(s) (PGA), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), etc. 
         [0029]    Technical effects and benefits include increased efficiency of keyboard navigation in a user interface. 
         [0030]    The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computer program product. The computer program product may include a computer readable storage medium (or media) having computer readable program instructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of the present invention. 
         [0031]    The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that can retain and store instructions for use by an instruction execution device. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of the computer readable storage medium includes the following: a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such as punch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructions recorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. A computer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construed as being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freely propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagating through a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulses passing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmitted through a wire. 
         [0032]    Computer readable program instructions described herein can be downloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computer readable storage medium or to an external computer or external storage device via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, a wide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprise copper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/or edge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in each computing/processing device receives computer readable program instructions from the network and forwards the computer readable program instructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium within the respective computing/processing device. 
         [0033]    Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations of the present invention may be assembler instructions, instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages. The computer readable program instructions may execute entirely on the user&#39;s computer, partly on the user&#39;s computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user&#39;s computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user&#39;s computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider). In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example, programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readable program instructions by utilizing state information of the computer readable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry, in order to perform aspects of the present invention 
         [0034]    Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer readable program instructions. 
         [0035]    These computer readable program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can direct a computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the computer readable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises an article of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects of the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. 
         [0036]    The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computer implemented process, such that the instructions which execute on the computer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. 
         [0037]    The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions. 
         [0038]    The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.