System and method for controlling a user interface

A method of navigating a graphical user interface associated with a third-party application, the method comprising:

• executing a third-party application having a graphical user interface on a computing device;
• and
• executing a navigation application on the computing device such that the navigation application operates independently of the third-party application, the navigation application being configured to:
• receive user input signals from a hands-free user input device;
• overlay a grid on the graphical user interface of the third-party application to partition the graphical user interface into a plurality of hierarchical levels, each hierarchical level including one or more selectable objects;
• set a focus to one of the selectable objects within the scope of a first level;
• automatically select the object having the focus after a predetermined period of time in which no user input signals are received from the hands-free user input device;
• and
• transition from the first level to a second level.

An electronic device comprising:

• a display to display a graphical user interface of a third-party application;
• a hands-free user input device to generate user input signals;
• and
• a controller communicatively connected to the display and to the hands-free user input device, and configured to execute the third-party application to display the graphical user interface, and to execute an independent navigation application to:
• receive the user input signals generated by the hands-free user input device;
• overlay a grid on the graphical user interface of the third-party application to partition the graphical user interface into a plurality of objects;
• set a focus to one of the objects;
• change the focus between the objects responsive to user input signals received from the hands-free user input device;
• and
• automatically select the object having the focus after a predetermined period of time in which no user input signals are received from the hands-free user input device.

A system comprising:

• a hands-free user input device to generate user input signals;
• an electronic device to receive the user input signals;
• a display associated with the electronic device to display a graphical user interface of a third-party application;
• and
• a controller in the electronic device configured to execute the third-party application to display the graphical user interface, and to execute an independent navigation application to:
• receive the user input signals generated by the hands-free user input device;
• overlay a grid on the graphical user interface of the third-party application to partition the graphical user interface into a plurality of objects;
• set a focus to one of the objects;
• change the focus between the objects responsive to receiving the user input signals from the hands-free user input device;
• and
• automatically select the object having the focus after a predetermined period of time in which no user input signals are received from the hands-free user input device.