Method, system, apparatus and computer-readable media for directing input associated with keyboard-type device

A system for processing input key events associated with user input received from a keyboard-type device, the keyboard-type device selected from at least one of a keyboard and a keypad, the system comprising:

• (a) means for receiving input key events associated with a first process active within an operating system;
• (b) means for monitoring the input key events for a first predefined input key event associated with user selection of a first key of the keyboard-type device for at least a predetermined time period;
• (c) means for redirecting the input key events from the first process to a second process in response to identifying the first predefined input key event wherein said means for redirecting the input key events from the first process to the second process comprises means for providing representations of further keyboard events to the second process, but not to the first process, for processing;
• (d) means for monitoring the input key events for a second predefined input key event associated with further redirection of the input key events;
• and
• (e) means for redirecting the input key events to another process in response to identifying the second predefined input key event.

A keyboard-type device comprising:

• (a) a plurality of user input signal generators for producing first input signals in response to user actuation thereof;
• (b) a display device;
• and
• (c) a processor circuit in communication with said display device and said user input signal generators, said processor circuit configured to:
• (i) monitor input key events represented by said first input signals for a first predefined input key event, and direct a flow of representations of the input key events to a personal computing device remote from the keyboard-type device;
• (ii) if the first predefined input key event is identified in the input key events, stop the flow of representations of the input key events to the personal computing device, generate a plurality of predictive text completion candidates in response to said first input signals and display said plurality of predictive text completion candidates on said display device;
• and
• (iii) communicate at least one of said predictive text completion candidates to the personal computing device remote from the keyboard-type device in response to user selection of the at least one of said predictive text completion candidates.

A computer-implemented method of processing input key events associated with user input received from a keyboard-type device, the keyboard-type device selected from at least one of a keyboard and a keypad, the method comprising:

• (a) receiving a stream of input key events associated with a first application active within an operating system;
• (b) monitoring the stream of input key events for a first predefined input key event associated with a first user redirection request to redirect the stream of input key events from the first application to a second application, wherein the first predefined input key event is associated with user selection of a first key of the keyboard-type device for at least a predetermined time period;
• (c) in response to identifying the first predefined input key event in the stream of input key events, causing at least some input key events received following the first predefined input key event to be directed to the second application and not to the first application;
• (d) monitoring the stream of input key events for a second predefined input key event associated with a second user redirection request to redirect the stream of input key events from the second application to another application;
• and
• (e) in response to identifying the second predefined input key event in the stream of input key events, causing at least some input key events received following the second predefined input key event to be directed to another application.

A computer-implemented method of processing input key events associated with user input received from a keyboard-type device, the method comprising:

• (a) receiving a stream of input key events associated with a first application active within an operating system;
• (b) monitoring the stream of input key events for a first predefined input key event;
• (c) in response to identifying the first predefined input key event in the stream of input key events, causing at least some input key events received following the first predefined input key event to be directed to a second application and not to the first application;
• (d) monitoring the stream of input key events for a second predefined input key event;
• and
• (e) in response to identifying the second predefined input key event in the stream of input key events, causing at least some input key events received following the second predefined input key event to be directed to another application.

A keyboard-type device comprising:

• (a) keyboard input key means for generating a stream of input key events in response to user input;
• (b) display means for displaying information to the user;
• and
• (c) a processor circuit in communication with said keyboard input key means and said display means, said processor circuit configured to:
• (i) direct at least some input key events to a remote computing device;
• (ii) monitor the stream of input key events for a first predefined input key event;
• (iii) in response to identifying the first predefined input key event in the stream of input key events, cause at least some input key events following the first predefined input key event to be directed to a predictive text entry system and not to the remote computing device, wherein the predictive text entry system is operable to generate a set of predictive text completion candidates for completing a partial text entry generated in response to the user input;
• and
• (iv) communicate a particular predictive text completion candidate from said set of predictive text completion candidates to the remote computing device in response to user selection of the particular predictive text completion candidate.