Auto scanning input method and apparatus

Abstract

Some embodiments provide a novel auto-scanning method for navigating elements within a user interface (UI) of a computing device. This method associates the UI elements into several overlapping groups, with each group having more than one element and having at least one element in common with at least one other group. The method successively identifies a different group of elements as a selectable group for a different duration of time. While a group is selectable, a user can select the group through an input device or mechanism. If a user does not select a first group of elements that is selectable during a first time period, the method identifies a second group of elements as being selectable during a second time period. While identifying the second group as selectable during the second time period, the method identifies the first as not being selectable during this time period. When a user selects a group of elements while the group is identified as being selectable, the method successively identifies as selectable different elements within the selected group. Upon receiving selection of a particular element within the selected group, the method performs an action associated with the particular element.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.