Abstract: Methods and systems are described for sensing force information at a plurality of points on a continuous surface, and detecting contextual information about an object on the surface based on the distribution of force on the surface. For example, a plurality of sensors may be included below different points on such a substantially continuous surface, where the sensors are operable to sense force information. Then, a processor connected to the sensors may determine a location of the object relative to the surface, based on the force information from the sensors.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for sensing force information at a plurality of points on a continuous surface, and detecting contextual information about an object on the surface based on the distribution of force on the surface. For example, a plurality of sensors may be included below different points on such a substantially continuous surface, where the sensors are operable to sense force information. Then, a processor connected to the sensors may determine a location of the object relative to the surface, based on the force information from the sensors.

Abstract: Methods and systems for using a load sensing surface as a pointing device for a computer are described. For example, a plurality of sensors may be used to sense force distribution information at points on a substantially continuous surface, and a pointer manager may be used to map the force distribution information to pointing information for display on a computer screen. In this way, a pointing device for a computer may be integrated with common elements, such as a table.