Multi-mode touchscreen user interface for a multi-state touchscreen device

Abstract

A simple exemplary embodiment can leverage the ability of the touchscreen or touchpad device to distinguish between a fingernail and a palm-side fingertip press as binary distinctions. This can be done via long nails or alternatively, by rotating a hand to invert the finger. The binary distinction can be used to perform different functions. For example, a fingertip press could be the functional equivalent of a left-click on a mouse, and a fingernail press could be the equivalent of a right-click. Another example using a simply binary distinction could be that a fingertip press while typing will result in lower case, and fingernail press while typing will result in upper case. Another example, using a binary distinction, would interpret a light touch for right-clicks or upper case characters and a heavy touch for left-clicks or lower case characters.