Technical Field

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relates to graphical user interfaces and more specifically, but not limited to, such graphical user interface (s) such as improved virtual keypads that are adaptable to access web content.

Background

The present invention relates an improved graphical user interface (GUI). A typical GUI allows users to interact with electronic devices through graphical icons and visual indicators as opposed to text-based interfaces.

A majority of interactions via a GUI require the user to input alphanumeric characters. In a typical GUI environment such input is facilitated by well-known virtual keypads.

One of the prominent facilities provided by user interfaces is to access web content.

However, if a user is in the middle of making an input via a standard virtual keypad and such a user needs to access a web content e.g. a website, then the user is required to

1) Exit the current application wherein input via the standard virtual keypad is being made and
2) Start another application e.g. a browser. This shall require user to input URL string comprising of domain name of the website to be accessed OR
3) Start an app representing such browser application.

In all of such cases, user needs to EXIT the current application and then initiate either a browser application or corresponding app. This is a cumbersome procedure for being a multistep, time consuming process requiring user to manually switch between applications.

Hence, there is a long felt need for a mechanism that allows a user operating a virtual keypad to seamlessly access a web resource without the requirement of manually exiting the current application.

Summary

For purposes of summarizing, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the disclosure have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught and/or suggested herein.

It is an object of the present disclosure to allow a user to access a web content without requiring such user to manually exit the current application.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved virtual keypad comprising of a specialized navigation key.
It is another object of the present invention to provide initiate a trigger to a cloud based application when said specialized navigation is operated upon.
It is another object of the present invention to automatically display an updatable list of icons corresponding to particular web resources e.g. web site on a GUI window.
It is another object of the present invention wherein said icons are selectable to initiate corresponding web resource e.g. web site.
It is another object of the present invention to provide one or more HOME pages on said GUI window wherein a HOME page provides for addition and deletion of said selectable icons to and/or from said HOME page.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a computing device (mobile device) includes a processor, memory coupled to the processor, and a touch sensitive surface coupled to the processor which is configured with processor-executable instructions.
In line with the embodiments of the present invention there is disclosed a method and apparatus for accessing a web resource via a virtual key pad of a CLIENT DEVICE by providing at least one additional virtual key as part of said virtual keypad; selecting said at least one additional virtual key by a user operating the virtual key pad as a first application; the selection causing without further manual input - selective exiting of the virtual keypad application, displaying at least one link to predefined web resource(s) as selectable icon(s) to the user via a said second application wherein said predefined web resource(s) are made accessible to the user while simultaneously operating the virtual keypad as a first application.
These and other embodiments of the present disclosure will also become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the embodiments having reference to the attached figures, the disclosure not being limited to any particular embodiments disclosed.
Brief Description of the Drawings

For a better understanding of the embodiments of the systems and methods described herein, and to show more clearly how they may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 illustrates an exemplary virtual keypad of the present invention with specialized navigation button (s).

FIGURE 2 illustrates an exemplary virtual keypad (in HINDI) of the present invention with specialized navigation button (s).

FIGURE 3 illustrates an exemplary Home page of the present invention with list of selectable icons.

FIGURE 4 and 4 (a) illustrates an exemplary Home page of the present invention depicting a selectable menu option for adding selectable icons to the Home page.

FIGURE 5 illustrates an exemplary architecture of the present invention depicting a cloud based server servicing requests received from client device(s).

Detailed Description

Exemplary embodiments now will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey its scope to those skilled in the art. The terminology used in the detailed description of the particular exemplary embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings is not intended to be limiting. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements.

The specification may refer to “an”, “one” or “some” embodiment(s) in several locations. This does not necessarily imply that each such reference is to the same embodiment(s), or that the feature only applies to a single embodiment. Single features of different embodiments may also be combined to provide other embodiments.

As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless expressly stated otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “includes”, “comprises”, “including” and/or “comprising” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. Furthermore, “connected” or “coupled” as used herein may include operatively connected or coupled. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations and arrangements of one or more of the associated listed items.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

The illustrative embodiment provides an approach to internet access that is also well suited for fixed or mobile users. First, the users may choose the quantity of access that meets their anticipated needs. Second, the client may access the portable document from multiple login sites and from multiple machines.

The figures depict a simplified structure only showing some elements and functional entities, all being logical units whose implementation may differ from what is shown. The connections shown are logical connections; the actual physical connections may be different. It is apparent to a person skilled in the art that the structure may also comprise other functions and structures. It should be appreciated that the functions, structures, elements and the protocols used in communication are irrelevant to the present disclosure. Therefore, they need not be discussed in more detail here.

Also, all logical units described and depicted in the figures include the software and/or hardware components required for the unit to function. Further, each unit may comprise within itself one or more components which are implicitly understood. These components may be operatively coupled to each other and be configured to communicate with each other to perform the function of the said unit.

For the most part, the operations described herein are operations performed by a handset, computer or a machine in conjunction with a human operator or user that interacts with the computer or the machine. The programs, modules, processes, methods, and the like, described herein are but an exemplary implementation and are not related, or limited, to any particular computer, apparatus, or computer language. Rather, various types of general purpose computing machines or devices may be used with programs constructed in accordance with the teachings described herein.

The virtual keypads are configurable to transform the depression of a key into an electrical signal to be interpreted by the underlying hardware e.g. mobile device and its application software.

The pressing of a key on a typical keypad changes a capacitance or resistance that results in an electrical signal that can be processed by a hardware driver of e.g. underlying mobile device. The hardware driver may be circuitry, software or a mixture of hardware and software depending upon the particular electronic device.

The hardware driver converts the electrical signal received from the keypad into a format that can be interpreted by a software application running on the mobile device. This signal may be in the form of an interrupt which is accessible by application software. Such an interrupt is received by a runtime environment software layer. The purpose of the runtime environment software layer is to provide a common interface between application software and the mobile device. Thus, key press event signals are passed on to the application layer in the form of a key press event message.

The application software interprets the meaning of the Key Press Event and is able to interface both with underlying hardware driver and keypad.

However accessing of web content while operating a virtual keypad is a cumbersome as it requires a user to stop the ongoing operation , manually switch to a browser application and type the URL string OR in case of an App again exit current application and manually switch to app GUI.

FIGURE 1 illustrates an exemplary virtual keypad of the present invention with specialized navigation button (s).

Here, a user (not shown) is operating a graphical user interface (GUI) (100) of a mobile device (not shown). For example, user is performing a search operation. The user is employing a customized virtual keypad (101) of the present invention.

The customized virtual keypad (101) of the present invention is signified by at least one additional virtual button (102) on the virtual keypad. The additional virtual button(s) (102) can be positioned anywhere on the virtual keypad (101).

The additional virtual buttons (102) are operable to be selected by user i.e. to receive an INPUT event and perform designated function.

Thus, selection of any of additional virtual button(s) (102) shall result in (without further manual input from user).

- exiting of current application e.g. search operation
- Starting of new application with a dedicated HOME page displaying a list of selectable icons corresponding to a plurality of web resources (e.g. web sites).

The user is allowed to select available icons to access the corresponding website without the need to type URL string.

FIGURE 2 illustrates an exemplary virtual keypad (in HINDI) of the present invention with specialized navigation button (s).

The specialized navigation button(s) (202) of the virtual keypad (200) (in HINDI) can be accessed in a similar manner as illustrated with respect to FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 illustrates an exemplary Home page of the present invention with list of selectable icons.

The Home Page (301) of the present invention is displayed in response to selection of specialized navigation button(s) e.g. of FIGURE 1 and/or FIGURE 2.

The Home Page (301) displays a list of selectable icons (302) corresponding to websites that can be launched by way of selection from the user.

FIGURE 4 and 4 (a) illustrates an exemplary Home page of the present invention depicting a selectable menu option for adding selectable icons to the Home page.

The Home Page (400) GUI of the present invention allows a user to

- To ADD another Home Page (401)
- To ADD new website (for selection) (402)
- To SET new Home Page (403)

For example, selection of ADD new website (402) menu option allows the user to ADD a link to a new website to the Home Page for selection by user.

Similarly, already added websites can also be deleted from the HOME Page in like manner.
FIGURE 5 illustrates an exemplary architecture of the present invention depicting a cloud based server servicing requests received from client device(s).

Herein, a user (not shown) operating the virtual keypad [501] of client device [not shown] of the present invention has additional access to specialized navigation keys [502] positioned on the virtual keypad [501].

Pressing any of the specialized navigation key(s) [502] results in triggering a request from CLIENT DEVICE to a CLOUD SERVER [503]. The CLOUD SERVER [503] is operatively coupled with at least one user DATABASE REPOSITORY [506] and at least one WEBSITE DATABASE REPOSITORY [505].

The CLOUD SERVER [503] is configured to

- receive said REQUEST from CLIENT DEVICE ,
- read parameters from said REQUEST based on which CLOUD SERVER [503]
a) reads USER DATABASE [506] to access USER PREFERENCES and determine at least a skeleton of the HOME page [504] to be returned to CLIENT DEVICE and/or
b) reads WEBSITE DATABASE [505] , if user, via said message , requests to ADD/DELTE /MODIFY WEBISTE icons from HOME Page [504] and LINKS to web sites [507].

The CLOUD SERVER [503] based on information retrieved from USER DATABASE [506] and WEBSITE DATABASE [505] sends a RESPONSE message towards requesting CLIENT DEVICE rendering a customized graphical user interface on the CLIENT DEVICE operated by user.

The RESPONSE message so sent (towards requesting CLIENT device) includes the parameters defining at least the

- format of HOME page [504] to be rendered on CLIENT device as a Graphical User Interface (GUI) said format incorporating at least an arrangement of selectable icons comprising links to corresponding to websites preferred by the user.

Thus, the user can select icons on customized HOME Page [504] to access corresponding websites [507].

It will be apparent to a person ordinarily skilled in the art that the system can be implemented in the form of hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof.
It will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in this art that various modifications and variations may be made to the embodiments disclosed herein, consistent with the present disclosure, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

All product names, logos, and brands as mentioned herein are property of their respective owners. All company, product and service names used in this specification are for illustration purposes only. Use of these names, logos, and brands does not imply endorsement.
Other embodiments consistent with the present disclosure will become apparent from consideration of the specification and the practice of the description disclosed herein.

We Claim

1. A method for accessing a web resource via a virtual key pad of a CLIENT DEVICE, comprising:

- providing at least one additional virtual key as part of said virtual keypad;
- selecting said at least one additional virtual key by a user operating the virtual key pad as a first application; the selection causing without further manual input

- selective exiting of the virtual keypad application,
- displaying at least one link to predefined web resource(s) as selectable icon(s) to the user via a said second application

wherein said predefined web resource(s) are made accessible to the user while simultaneously operating the virtual keypad as a first application.

2. A method for accessing a web resource as claimed in claim 1 wherein the additional virtual buttons (102) are operable to be selected by USER for receiving an INPUT EVENT and perform designated function without further manual input from USER.

3. A method for accessing a web resource as claimed in claim 1 wherein the selection of at least one additional virtual key by a user comprises:

- triggering a request from a client device to a CLOUD SERVER [503] operatively coupled with at least one user database repository [506] and at least one WEBSITE DATABASE REPOSITORY [505].

4. A method for accessing a web resource as claimed in claim 1 and claim 2 , wherein the CLOUD SERVER [503] is configured to
- receive said REQUEST from CLIENT DEVICE ,
- read parameters from said REQUEST based on which CLOUD SERVER [503]
c) reads USER DATABASE [506] to access USER PREFERENCES and determine at least a skeleton of the HOME PAGE [504] to be returned to CLIENT DEVICE and/or
d) reads WEBSITE DATABASE [505] , if user, via said message , requests to ADD/DELTE /MODIFY WEBISTE icons from HOME PAGE [504] and LINKS to WEB SITES [507].

5. The method for accessing a web resource as claimed in CLAIM 4 wherein the CLOUD SERVER [503] based on information retrieved from USER DATABASE [506] and WEBSITE DATABASE [505] sends a RESPONSE MESSAGE towards requesting CLIENT DEVICE and rendering a customized graphical user interface on the CLIENT DEVICE.

6. An apparatus for accessing a web resource via a virtual key pad of a CLIENT DEVICE, comprising :

- a CLIENT DEVICE running a first application to

(i) provide at least one additional virtual key as part of said virtual keypad;
(ii) select said at least one additional virtual key by a user operating the virtual key pad

- a CLOUD SERVER [503] configured to receive a REQUEST from CLIENT DEVICE ;
- a USER DATABASE REPOSITORY [506] operatively coupled with the CLOUD SERVER [503] and with at least one WEBSITE DATABASE REPOSITORY [505]

and wherein the selection causes without further manual input

- a selective exit of the virtual keypad application,
- display at least one link to predefined web resource(s) as selectable icon(s) to the user via a said second application

and wherein said predefined web resource(s) are made accessible to the user while simultaneously operating the virtual keypad as a first application.

7. An apparatus for accessing a web resource via a virtual key pad of a CLIENT DEVICE as claimed in CLAIM 6 wherein the CLOUD SERVER [503] is configured to
- receive said REQUEST from CLIENT DEVICE ,
- read parameters from said REQUEST based on which CLOUD SERVER [503]
e) reads USER DATABASE [506] to access USER PREFERENCES and determine at least a skeleton of the HOME PAGE [504] to be returned to CLIENT DEVICE and/or
f) reads WEBSITE DATABASE [505] , if user, via said message , requests to ADD/DELTE /MODIFY WEBISTE icons from HOME PAGE [504] and LINKS to WEB SITES [507].

8. An apparatus for accessing a web resource via a virtual key pad of a CLIENT DEVICE as claimed in CLAIM 7 wherein the CLOUD SERVER [503] based on information retrieved from USER DATABASE [506] and WEBSITE DATABASE [505] sends a RESPONSE MESSAGE towards requesting CLIENT DEVICE and rendering a customized graphical user interface on the CLIENT DEVICE.

9. An apparatus for accessing a web resource via a virtual key pad of a CLIENT DEVICE and configured to perform the steps as claimed in claims 1 to 5.

Dated this 30th day of May 2016

Of Anand and Anand Advocates
Agent for the Applicant