Apple Inc.

Jonathan H Dorfman

Mark A Della Bona

Jay F Hamlin

A computer system includes an input pointer, a tablet having a two-dimensional tablet surface, and a data processor coupled to the tablet and operative to receive coordinate data from the tablet. The coordinate data is preferably in absolute-mode, and the data processor processes the coordinate data such that coordinate data influenced by a first segment of the tablet surface is processed in a relative-mode fashion, and coordinate data influenced by a second segment of the tablet surface is processed in an absolute-mode fashion. In consequence, the tablet is segmented for simultaneous relative-mode and absolute-mode operation. The segments can take on a number of configurations depending upon the configuration of the computer screen, the application program running, and user preferences. A method for processing input tablet data of the present invention includes the steps of receiving coordinate data from a tablet having a two-dimensional tablet surface, processing the coordinate data in a relative-mode if the data is influenced by proximal positioning of an input pointer with a first segment of the tablet surface, and processing the coordinate data in an absolute-mode if the data is influenced by a proximal positioning of the input pointer with a second segment of the tablet surface. The method further detects commands to change the logical segmentation of the tablet surface, and changes the logical segmentation in response to the detected commands.

Input tablet system with user programmable absolute coordinate mode and

A method and an apparatus for contacting a touch-sensitive cursor-controlling input device to generate button values simulating the button state of a mechanical button switch. This method and apparatus enable an operator to utilize the touch-sensitive cursor-controlling input device to change the value of a ButtonState variable (which simulates the ButtonState of a mechanical button switch) by (1) detecting contact intervals when the user contacts the touch-sensitive input device, (2) detecting gap intervals between subsequent contact intervals, and (3) moving the cursor on the display screen and changing the value of the ButtonState variable based on the duration of the contact and gap intervals. In turn, this button generation capability enables an operator to perform with a single touch-sensitive input device numerous control operations, such as cursor manipulation, click, multi-click, drag, click-and-drag, and multi-click-and-drag operations.

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Berkeley, CA, United States of America

Jonathan H Dorfman