Breakaway and re-grow touchscreen pointing device
US5872559A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 4, 1996 |
| Grant date | Feb 16, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 4, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F3/0488
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus, method, and memory direct a computer system, having at least a touchscreen, to breakaway and re-grow one or more portions of a virtual pointing device. The method includes displaying a virtual pointing device on the touchscreen. 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, wherein at least a first function is associated with the first portion. The method finally includes re-growing a new portion to the virtual pointing device in place of the first portion.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.