Discoverability and navigation of hyperlinks

Abstract

A user may discover and navigate among hyperlinks through the use of a keyboard. For example, a user may press a tab key to discover and navigate to a first hyperlink that is part of a hypertext document. The first hyperlink is, in response, given focus and a focus shape is drawn around the text or graphics for the hot region of the hyperlink. If the user again presses the tab key, the next hyperlink is given focus and a focus shape (i.e., an outline that surrounds the next hyperlink) is drawn around the next hyperlink. A user may also tab to a placeholder for an image in order to make a decision whether the image should be downloaded or not.

1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A system comprising at least one processor operatively coupled to a device storing instructions that, when executed, are capable of performing a method, the method comprising:
 displaying, by a computer output device, a hypertext document including a first hyperlink and a second hyperlink, wherein the first hyper link includes a text anchor and a first URL, and wherein the second hyperlink includes an image anchor and a second URL;   after displaying the hypertext document, receiving a first non-alphanumeric input via a computer input device;   in response to receiving the first non-alphanumeric input, highlighting a first hot region associated with the first hyperlink;   after highlighting the first hot region, receiving a second non-alphanumeric input; and   in response to receiving the second non-alphanumeric input, removing the highlighting from the first hot region and displaying a focus shape that includes at least a portion of a second hot region associated with the second hyperlink.   
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 after displaying the focus shape, receiving a third non-alphanumeric input; and   in response to the receiving the third non-alphanumeric input, activating the second hyperlink.   
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the first non-alphanumeric input is a first tab, the second non-alphanumeric input is second tab, and the third non-alphanumeric input is a return. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the first non-alphanumeric input is received from a computer keyboard operatively connected to the system. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the focus shape is a square. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the hypertext document includes a plurality of other hyperlinks. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the first URL directs to a web page. 
     
     
         28 . A computer implemented method comprising:
 displaying a hypertext document including a first hyperlink and a second hyperlink, wherein the first hyper link includes a text anchor and a first URL, and wherein the second hyperlink includes an image anchor and a second URL;   after displaying the hypertext document, receiving a first non-alphanumeric input;   in response to receiving the first non-alphanumeric input, highlighting a first hot region associated with the first hyperlink;   after highlighting the first hot region, receiving a second non-alphanumeric input; and   in response to receiving the second non-alphanumeric input, removing the highlighting from the first hot region and displaying a focus shape that includes at least a portion of a second hot region associated with the second hyperlink.   
     
     
         29 . The computer implemented method of  claim 28 , further comprising:
 after displaying the focus shape, receiving a third non-alphanumeric input; and   in response to the receiving the third non-alphanumeric input, activating the second hyperlink.   
     
     
         30 . The computer implemented method of  claim 29 , wherein the first non-alphanumeric input is a first tab, the second non-alphanumeric input is second tab, and the third non-alphanumeric input is a return. 
     
     
         31 . The computer implemented method of  claim 28 , wherein the first non-alphanumeric input is received from a computer keyboard. 
     
     
         32 . The computer implemented method of  claim 28 , wherein the focus shape is a square. 
     
     
         33 . The computer implemented method of  claim 28 , wherein the hypertext document includes a plurality of other hyperlinks. 
     
     
         34 . The computer implemented method of  claim 28 , wherein the first URL directs to a web page. 
     
     
         35 . A device storing computer instructions that when executed perform the method of:
 displaying a hypertext document including a first hyperlink and a second hyperlink, wherein the first hyper link includes a text anchor and a first URL, and wherein the second hyperlink includes an image anchor and a second URL;   after displaying the hypertext document, receiving a first non-alphanumeric input;   in response to receiving the first non-alphanumeric input, highlighting a first hot region associated with the first hyperlink;   after highlighting the first hot region, receiving a second non-alphanumeric input; and   in response to receiving the second non-alphanumeric input, removing the highlighting from the first hot region and displaying a focus shape that includes at least a portion of a second hot region associated with the second hyperlink.   
     
     
         36 . The device of  claim 35 , further comprising:
 after displaying the focus shape, receiving a third non-alphanumeric input; and   in response to the receiving the third non-alphanumeric input, activating the second hyperlink.   
     
     
         37 . The device of  claim 36 , wherein the first non-alphanumeric input is a first tab, the second non-alphanumeric input is second tab, and the third non-alphanumeric input is a return. 
     
     
         38 . The device of  claim 35 , wherein the first non-alphanumeric input is received from a computer keyboard. 
     
     
         39 . The device of  claim 35 , wherein the focus shape is a square. 
     
     
         40 . The device of  claim 36 , wherein the hypertext document includes a plurality of other hyperlinks.