A system and method for automatically locking user interface input
elements to avoid negative impact of inadvertently pressing a user input
element. The method receives an internally generated locking signal; sets
a locked flag to indicate the user input elements are locked. Input
signals occurring while the input elements are locked are ignored. In
accordance with other aspects, the method further relates to determining
whether input signals relate to an unlock signal. The internally
generated locking signal is generated following a predetermined time
interval that is managed by an internal timer and may be related to an
automatic shutoff/sleep mode time interval. Alternatively, a
calendar-type application program may initiate the internally generated
locking signal in response to a predetermined event.
