Application quick launch extension

Abstract

A system (and/or a method) are disclosed to launch an application directly from a menu on a screen of a handheld computing device. In one embodiment, the handheld computing device is configured to receive an event signal corresponding to executing an application assigned to the switch when actuated for a first time period. When the switch is maintained actuated for a second predetermined period of time, the system is configured to transmit an identifier corresponding to the switch to a preferences manager. The system retrieves a plurality of application identifiers from a database of the preferences manager, where each application identifier linking an executable for a corresponding application. The system displays the menu on the screen of the mobile computing device. The menu includes a plurality of application identifiers that are being selectable for execution of a different application.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A method performed by a handheld computing device, the handheld computing device having a screen and a plurality of switches, the method comprising:
 detecting an activation time period of a switch of the plurality of switches, wherein a function and a menu are associated with the switch;   performing the function associated with the switch when the detected activation time period is less than a predetermined time period; and   rendering the menu associated with the switch on the screen when the detected activation time period is greater than the predetermined time period.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 detecting a second activation time period of a second switch of the plurality of switches, wherein a second function and a second menu are associated with the second switch;   performing the second function associated with the second switch when the detected second activation time period is less than the predetermined time period; and   rendering the second menu associated with the second switch on the screen when the detected second activation time period is greater than the predetermined time period.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the menu includes a set of selectable application identifiers, an application identifier of the set of selectable application identifiers corresponds to an executable program. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 receiving a selection for the application identifier; and   launching the executable program corresponding to the selected application identifier.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the selection is received from a navigation mechanism configured to receive user input representing one of at least three directions. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the navigation mechanism comprises a five-way navigation ring. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the set of selectable application identifiers are displayed in the menu within a bounded area on the screen. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the set of selectable application identifiers are placed in relative orientations corresponding to relative orientations of at least three directions that can be navigated by a navigation mechanism. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the set of selectable application identifiers are displayed as a set of icons placed within the menu. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the set of selectable application identifiers are displayed in the menu shaped as a pie. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the menu is displayed with one of the set of selectable application identifiers pre-selected. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the set of selectable application identifiers are stored in a database on the handheld computing device. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the handheld computing device comprises a smartphone device or a personal digital assistant device. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the switch of the plurality of switches comprises a switch selected from an application switch, a navigation switch, a slider switch, a rocker switch, a push button switch, a touch sensitive switch, a photo switch, a mechanical switch, a solid state switch, or a key in a keyboard. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the switch of the plurality of switches comprises an alphanumeric key. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the activation of the switch of the plurality of switches is caused by a mechanism triggering the switch from one state to another through actuation, induction, photo or optical sensing, or pressure sensing. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the switch of the plurality of switches comprises a switch of a circular shape, an oblong shape, an oval shape, a square shape, or a rectangular shape. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the screen is an enhanced touch sensitive screen, and the menu is rendered on the screen to provide a response to a user. 
     
     
         20 . A handheld computing device comprising:
 a plurality of switches, wherein at least a first switch of the plurality of switches has a respective function and menu associated therewith; and   a menu serving system configured to detect an activation time period of the first switch and to perform the respective function associated with the first switch when the detected activation time period is less than a predetermined time period or to render the respective menu associated with the first switch on a screen when the detected activation time period is greater than the predetermined time period.   
     
     
         21 . The handheld computing device of  claim 20 , wherein a second switch of the plurality of switches has a respective second function and second menu associated therewith, and wherein the menu serving system is configured to detect a second activation time period of the second switch and to perform the respective second function associated with the second switch when the detected second activation time period is less than the predetermined time period or to render the respective second menu associated with the second switch on the screen when the detected second activation time period is greater than the predetermined time period. 
     
     
         22 . The handheld computing device of  claim 20 , wherein the menu includes a set of selectable application identifiers, an application identifier of the set of selectable application identifiers corresponds to an executable program. 
     
     
         23 . The handheld computing device of  claim 22 , wherein the menu serving system is further configured to:
 receive a selection for the application identifier; and   launch the executable program corresponding to the selected application identifier.   
     
     
         24 . The handheld computing device of  claim 23 , further comprising a navigation mechanism configured to receive user input to make the selection for the application identifier. 
     
     
         25 . The handheld computing device of  claim 24 , wherein the navigation mechanism comprises a five-way navigation ring. 
     
     
         26 . The handheld computing device of  claim 22 , wherein the set of selectable application identifiers are displayed in the menu within a bounded area on the screen. 
     
     
         27 . The handheld computing device of  claim 26 , wherein the set of selectable application identifiers are placed in relative orientations corresponding to relative orientations of at least three directions that can be navigated by a navigation mechanism. 
     
     
         28 . The handheld computing device of  claim 22 , wherein the set of selectable application identifiers are displayed as a set of icons placed within the menu. 
     
     
         29 . The handheld computing device of  claim 22 , wherein the set of selectable application identifiers are displayed in the menu shaped as a pie. 
     
     
         30 . The handheld computing device of  claim 22 , wherein the menu is displayed with one of the set of selectable application identifiers pre-selected. 
     
     
         31 . The handheld computing device of  claim 22 , further comprising a database storing the set of selectable application identifiers. 
     
     
         32 . The handheld computing device of  claim 20 , wherein the handheld computing device comprises a smartphone device or a personal digital assistant device. 
     
     
         33 . The handheld computing device of  claim 20 , wherein the first switch comprises a switch selected from an application switch, a navigation switch, a slider switch, a rocker switch, a push button switch, a touch sensitive switch, a photo switch, a mechanical switch, a solid state switch, or a key in a keyboard. 
     
     
         34 . The handheld computing device of  claim 20 , wherein the first switch is an alphanumeric key. 
     
     
         35 . The handheld computing device of  claim 20 , wherein the activation of the first switch is caused by a mechanism triggering the first switch from one state to another through actuation, induction, photo or optical sensing, or pressure sensing. 
     
     
         36 . The handheld computing device of  claim 20 , wherein the first switch comprises a switch of a circular shape, an oblong shape, an oval shape, a square shape, or a rectangular shape. 
     
     
         37 . The handheld computing device of  claim 20 , wherein the screen is an enhanced touch sensitive screen, and the menu is rendered on the screen to provide a response to a user.