Patent · US Expired

Breakaway touchscreen pointing device

US5870083A · kind A · utility

84Cited by
9References
15Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateOct 4, 1996
Grant dateFeb 9, 1999
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 4, 2016

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG06F2203/04808
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An apparatus, method, and memory direct a computer system, having at least a touchscreen, to breakaway at least a portion of a virtual pointing device. The method includes displaying a virtual pointing device on the touchscreen, wherein a first cursor is associated with the virtual pointing device. The method also includes, in response to detecting at least one finger or stylus placed on at least a first portion of the virtual pointing device, breaking away only the first portion of the virtual pointing device in accordance with movement of the finger or stylus along the touchscreen. At least a first function is associated with the first portion.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.