1. An input recognition system comprising: a keypad comprising a set of keys that includes a predefined hotkey; a hotkey detection component that identifies a single actuation of the predefined hotkey as indicating the start of a first sequence of key activations corresponding to a first pattern that is being input into the keypad for recognizing a first character, and two actuations of the predefined hotkey as indicating an end of the first sequence of key activations; a timer configured to cooperate with the hotkey detection component for detecting a pattern boundary that distinguishes the first sequence of key activations corresponding to the first pattern from a second sequence of key activations corresponding to a second pattern when a user fails to indicate a completion of the first sequence of key activations; an input component that acquires input data corresponding to said first sequence of key activations; and an analysis component that receives the input data from the input component and recognizes the first character based on interpreting said first pattern as corresponding to a visual representation of the first character superimposed over the set of keys.