US Patent 7777732 Multi-event input system

Multi-event input systems, methods, and devices for use in connection with touch-sensitive electronic devices are disclosed. In accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure, a third state called “hover” can be achieved on a touch-base user interface device in addition to the states of pointer down and pointer up. In an embodiment involving a capacitive touch-sensing surface, one way to achieve the third state is for the user to contact the touchpad or touch screen with a non-flesh part of a finger, such as a fingernail, rather than the fleshy part of a finger. In other embodiments, the non-flesh part may comprise an electrically insulative layer covering a portion of a finger. The third state enables an adjunct system's user interface to achieve active navigation around the screen in a pointer-up (or left-up) input tool condition. One result is that mouseover pop-ups can be used on touch screen devices. Another result is that tooltips can be used on touch screen devices. Another result is that text can be selected using touch screen devices.