Abstract: A touchpad (50) having multiple regions that may be linked to various commands or functions within a graphical user interface (GUI). Preferably, a cursor control region (54), a scroll control region (56), and a pan control region (58) are defined on the touchpad. Movement of a contact point in the cursor control region causes movement of a cursor in the GUI. Movement of a contact point in the scroll control region or the pan control region causes scrolling or panning, respectively, of the workspace in the GUI. The multiple regions may be mapped onto a single touchpad member (80) or each region identified with a separate touchpad member.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 3, 1996
Date of Patent:
May 5, 1998
Assignee:
Stratos Product Development Group
Inventors:
Allan H. Stephan, Brent N. LaPorte, Stephen B. Powers, Mark McNeely