Virtual pointing device for touchscreens

Claim 3

The method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of: if a substantial match does not exist, building the virtual pointing device on the touchscreen in accordance with generic characteristics.

Claim 4

The method according to claim 1 wherein the measuring step comprises the steps of: measuring a distance between a thumbprint area of the touchscreen under the thumb of the hand and a palmprint area of the touchscreen under the hand; and measuring a area of the touchscreen under the palmprint.

Claim 5

The method according to claim 1 wherein the measuring step comprises the step of: measuring a distance between one or more fingerprint areas of the touchscreen under a finger and a palmprint area of the touchscreen under the palm.

Claim 6

The method according to claim 1 wherein the measuring step comprises the step of: measuring an area of one or more fingerprint areas under one or more fingers.

Claim 7

The method according to claim 1 wherein the determining step comprising the step of: determining if the measurements of the first portion match any existing measurements stored in a database within a percentage tolerance.

Claim 8

The method according to claim 1 wherein the step of reading the memory for pre-defined characteristics comprises the step of: searching the memory for size, functionality and pointer sensitivity data.

Claim 9

The method according to claim 1 wherein the building step comprises the following step: activating at least one area on the touchscreen having a size and functionality in accordance with the pre-defined characteristics.

Claim 10

The method according to claim 8 further comprising the step of: activating the area on the touchscreen under at least a second portion of the hand, such that the activated area moves in accordance with movement of the second portion of the hand along the touchscreen.

Claim 11

A computer system, having at least a processor, memory, and touchscreen for displaying object icons and text, for creating a virtual pointing device, comprising: means for measuring at least a first portion of a hand placed on the touchscreen; means for determining if at least one measurement of the first portion substantially matches any existing measurements stored in the memory; if a substantial match exists, means for reading the memory for pre-defined characteristics; and means for building a movable virtual pointing device on the touchscreen in accordance with the pre-defined characteristics such that said displayed object icons and text may be selected utilizing said movable virtual pointing device.

Claim 12

A computer system, having at least a processor, memory, and touchscreen for displaying object icons and text, for creating a virtual pointing device, comprising: means for measuring at least a first portion of a hand placed on the touchscreen; means for determining if at least one measurement of the first portion substantially matches any existing measurements stored in the memory; if a substantial match exists, means for reading the memory for pre-defined characteristics; and means for building a movable virtual pointing device on the touchscreen in accordance with the pre-defined characteristics such that said displayed object icons and text may be selected utilizing said movable virtual pointing device.

Claim 13

The computer system according to claim 10 further comprising: if a substantial match does not exist, means for building the virtual pointing device on the touchscreen in accordance with generic characteristics.

Claim 14

The computer system according to claim 10 wherein the measuring means comprises: means for measuring a distance between a thumbprint area of the touchscreen under the thumb of the hand and a palmprint area of the touchscreen under the hand; and means for measuring a area of the touchscreen under the palmprint.

Claim 15

The computer system according to claim 10 wherein the measuring means comprises: means for measuring a distance between one or more fingerprint areas of the touchscreen under a finger and a palmprint area of the touchscreen under the palm.

Claim 16

The computer system according to claim 10 wherein the measuring means comprises: means for measuring an area of one or more fingerprint areas under one or more fingers.

Claim 17

The computer system according to claim 10 wherein the determining means comprises: means for determining if the measurements of the first portion match any existing measurements stored in a database within a percentage tolerance.

Claim 18

The computer system according to claim 10 wherein the means for reading the memory for pre-defined characteristics comprises: means for searching the memory for size, functionality and pointer sensitivity data.

Claim 19

The computer system according to claim 10 wherein the building means comprises: means for activating at least one area on the touchscreen having a size and functionality in accordance with the pre-defined characteristics.

Claim 20

The computer system according to claim 10 further comprising: means for activating the area on the touchscreen under at least a second portion of the hand, such that the activated area moves in accordance with movement of the second portion of the hand along the touchscreen.

Claim 21

An article of manufacture comprising: computer readable program code means for causing a computer system, having at least a processor, memory, and touchscreen for displaying object icons and text, to create a virtual pointing device, the computer readable program code means in the article of manufacture comprising: computer readable program code means for causing the computer system to measure at least a first portion of a hand placed on the touchscreen; computer readable program code means for causing the computer system to determine if at least one measurement of the first portion substantially matches any existing measurements stored in the memory; if a substantial match exists, computer readable program code means for causing the computer system to read the memory for pre-defined characteristics; and computer readable program code means for causing the computer system to build a movable virtual pointing device on the touchscreen in accordance with the pre-defined characteristics such that said displayed object icons and text may be selected utilizing said movable virtual pointing device.

Claim 22

An article of manufacture comprising: computer readable program code means for causing a computer system, having at least a processor, memory, and touchscreen for displaying object icons and text, to create a virtual pointing device, the computer readable program code means in the article of manufacture comprising: computer readable program code means for causing the computer system to measure at least a first portion of a hand placed on the touchscreen; computer readable program code means for causing the computer system to determine if at least one measurement of the first portion substantially matches any existing measurements stored in the memory; if a substantial match exists, computer readable program code means for causing the computer system to read the memory for pre-defined characteristics; and computer readable program code means for causing the computer system to build a movable virtual pointing device on the touchscreen in accordance with the pre-defined characteristics such that said displayed object icons and text may be selected utilizing said movable virtual pointing device.