Abstract: A method for keyboard navigation in a graphical user interface, including defining a key event dispatcher for focus ordering of at least one non-focusable component, configured to recognize a special mode entry character and a special mode exit character, upon entry of the special mode entry character by a user, entering a special mode wherein subsequent key events are manipulated by the key event dispatcher to navigate the focus ordering of the at least one non-focusable component while a current focus owner is maintained, and exiting the special mode upon entry of the special mode exit character by the user, wherein the special mode is at least one of the group consisting of an input method mode, an accessible navigation mode and a window navigation mode.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and computer program products that disclose an entity chooser (similar to a file chooser) that uniformly presents heterogeneous entities accessed through different access methods. The invention allows a computer user to select, using a single interface, an entity from a collection of entities representing accessible information. For example, the invention can simultaneously and uniformly present entities located on a filesystem along with entities found on a network to the user for selection.