Method of facilitating the selection of features at edges of computer touch screens

• US 6,727,892 B1
• Filed: 05/20/1999
• Issued: 04/27/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Round Rock Research LLC
• Original Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
• Inventors: Murphy, Stephen C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hjerpe, Richard
• Assistant Examiner(s): Abdulselam, Abbas I
• Application Number:
  US09/316,075
• Time in Patent Office: 1,804 Days
• Field of Search: 345/173, 345/179, 345/157, 345/180, 345/901, 345/856, 178/18.01, 178/19.04, 178/19.01
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 345/901 Electronic book with display

Abstract

In one embodiment of the invention, a hot spot is normally centered in an area of contact between a user'"'"'s finger and a touch screen to position the hot spot on an icon or other feature thereby selecting a program or function corresponding to the icon or feature. When the contact area is near an edge, the hot spot is offset toward the edge so that it coincides more closely to the center of the users finger, thus allowing an icon or other feature adjacent the edge of the screen to be more easily selected. In another embodiment, a cursor is displayed on a touch screen at a location that is offset from the contact area between a finger and the screen. The cursor, which is used as the hot spot of the computer, is normally offset above the contact area except when the contact area is close to the bottom of the screen. The cursor is then offset to the left or right of the contact area depending on whether the contact are is to the left or right of the screen, respectively, so that icons or features adjacent the left or right edges of the screen can be selected. Similarly, when the contact area is very close to the bottom of the screen, the cursor is offset downwardly and to the right or left so that icons or features adjacent the bottom edge of the screen can be selected. Alternatively, a touch sensitive area incapable of displaying an image may be provided beneath a display area of the touch screen to allow icons or features adjacent the bottom edge of the display area to be selected.

Claims

1. A method of facilitating the use of touch screens in which a user contacts the screen over a contact area, comprising:

determining a position of an initial contact area on the touch screen;

if the initial contact area is at a first location on the touch screen, registering a user input at a first position relative to the initial contact area;

if the initial contact area is at a second location on the touch screen that is different from the first location, registering a user input at a second position relative to the initial contact area, the first position being offset relative to the second position;

determining whether the user is contacting the screen with an object other than a finger; and

if the user is contacting the screen with an object other than a finger and the position of the initial contact area is determined to be at the first location on the touch screen, registering the user input at a third position relative to the initial contact area.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the first location is within a predetermined distance of an edge of the touch screen.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the act of registering a user input at a first position relative to the contact area comprises selecting a position for the first position that is closer to the edge than the second position.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein touch screen has a top edge, a bottom edge, a left edge, and a right edge, and wherein the first location comprises within a predetermined distance of either the top edge, the bottom edge, the left edge, or the right edge of the touch screen.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the act of registering a user input at a first position relative to the contact area comprises selecting a position for the first position that is closer than the second position to the edge to which the contact area is located within the predetermined distance.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the first location is within a predetermined distance of any edge of the touch screen, the second location comprises all locations on the touch screen not constituting the first location, the first and second positions are within the contact area, and the first position is offset from the second position toward the edge that the contact area is located within the predetermined distance.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the first location is within a predetermined distance of an edge of the touch screen, the first position is offset from the contact area in a first direction, and the second position is offset from the contact area toward the edge that the contact area is located within the predetermined distance.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the first direction is above the contact area.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising the act of displaying a cursor at the first position if the contact area is at the first location on the touch screen, and displaying a cursor at the second position if the contact area is at the second location on the touch screen.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the second location is within a predetermined distance of a side or bottom edge of the touch screen, and wherein the first location comprises all locations of the touch screen other than the first location.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the touch screen comprises a touch sensitive display area and a display incapable touch sensitive area, and wherein the act of registering a user input at the first position relative to the contact area comprises registering the first position on the display area adjacent the touch sensitive area by positioning the contact area on the touch sensitive area adjacent the display area.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the act of registering a user input at a first position relative to the contact area comprises registering a user input at a position relative to the contact area that is to the left of the contact area if the contact area is on the left side of the touch screen, and registering a user input at a position relative to the contact area that is to the right of the contact area if the contact area is on the right side of the touch screen.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the act of registering a user input at a first position relative to the contact area comprises registering a user input at a position relative to the contact area that is downwardly to the left of the contact area if the contact area is within a predetermined distance of a bottom edge of the touch screen on the left side of the touch screen, and registering a user input at a position relative to the contact area that is to the right of the contact area if the contact area is within a predetermined distance of a bottom edge of the touch screen on the right side of the touch screen.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein the act of registering a user input at a second position relative to the contact area comprises registering a user input at a position relative to the contact area that is above the contact area.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein the act of registering a user input at a first position relative to the contact area comprises registering a user input at a position relative to the contact area that is to the left of the contact area if the contact area is on the left side of the touch screen and the contact area is not moving to the right past a location where the registered user input is on the right side of the touch screen, and registering a user input at a position relative to the contact area that is to the right of the contact area if the contact area is on the right side of the touch screen and the contact area is not moving to the left past a location where the registered user input is on the left side of the touch screen.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein the act of determining whether the user is contacting the screen with an object other than a finger comprises:

determining the size of the contact area;

if the size of the initial contact area is determined to be smaller than a predetermined area, determining that the user is contacting the screen with an object other than a finger; and

if the size of the initial contact area is determined to be not smaller than a predetermined area, determining that the user is contacting the screen with a finger.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein the act of registering the user input at the third position relative to the initial contact area comprises registering the user input at the second position relative to the initial contact area regardless of the position of the initial contact area on the touch screen.

18. The method of claim 1 wherein the act of registering the user input at the third position relative to the initial contact area comprises:

determining the size of the initial contact area; and

registering the user input at a position relative to the initial contact area that is offset from the second position toward the first position by a distance that is proportional to the size of the initial contact area.

19. A method of facilitating the use of touch screens in which a user contacts the screen over a contact area, comprising:

determining a position of an initial contact area on the touch screen;

if the initial contact area is spaced apart from edges of the touch screen by more than a predetermined distance, registering a user input at a first position within the area of contact;

if the initial contact area is within the predetermined distance of an edge of the touch screen, registering a user input at a position that is offset from the first position toward an edge that is closest to the initial area of contact;

determining whether the user is contacting the screen with a stylus;

if the user is contacting the screen with the stylus and the position of the initial contact area is determined to be spaced apart from edges of the touch screen by more than a predetermined distance, registering a user input at a first position within the area of contact; and

if the user is contacting the screen with the stylus and the position of the initial contact area is determined to be within the predetermined distance of an edge of the touch screen, registering the user input at a second position relative to the initial contact area.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the first position is the center of the area of contact.

21. The method of claim 19 wherein the act of determining whether the user is contacting the screen with a stylus comprises:

determining the size of the contact area;

if the size of the initial contact area is determined to be smaller than a predetermined area, determining that the user is contacting the screen with the stylus; and

if the size of the initial contact area is determined to be not smaller than a predetermined area, determining that the user is contacting the screen with an object other than the stylus.

22. The method of claim 19 wherein the act of registering the user input at the second position relative to the initial contact area comprises registering the user input at the first position regardless of the position of the initial contact area on the touch screen.

23. The method of claim 19 wherein the act of registering the user input at the second position relative to the initial contact area comprises:

determining the size of the initial contact area; and

registering the user input at a position that is offset from the first position toward an edge that is closest to the area of contact by a distance that is proportional to the size of the initial contact area.

24. A method of facilitating the use of touch screens in which a user contacts the screen over a contact area, comprising:

determining a position of an initial contact area on the touch screen;

determining the size of the contact area;

if the initial contact area is at a first location on the touch screen, registering a user input at a first position relative to the initial contact area;

if the initial contact area is at a second location on the touch screen that is different from the first location, registering a user input at a second position relative to the initial contact area, the first position being offset relative to the second position;

determining whether the user is contacting the screen with an object other than a finger;

if the size of the initial contact area is determined to be smaller than a predetermined area, determining that the user is contacting the screen with an object other than a finger;

if the size of the initial contact area is determined to be not smaller than a predetermined area, determining that the user is contacting the screen with a finger; and

if the user is contacting the screen with an object other than a finger and the position of the initial contact area is determined to be at the first location on the touch screen, registering the user input at a third position relative to the initial contact area.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein the first location is within a predetermined distance of an edge of the touch screen.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein the act of registering a user input at a first position relative to the initial contact area comprises selecting a position for the first position that is closer to the edge than the second position.

27. The method of claim 24 wherein touch screen has a top edge, a bottom edge, a left edge, and a right edge, and wherein the first location comprises within a predetermined distance of either the top edge, the bottom edge, the left edge, or the right edge of the touch screen.

28. The method of claim 27 wherein the act of registering a user input at a first position relative to the initial contact area comprises selecting a position for the first position that is closer than the second position to the edge to which the initial contact area is located within the predetermined distance.

29. The method of claim 24 wherein the first location is within a predetermined distance of any edge of the touch screen, the second location comprises all locations on the touch screen not constituting the first location, the first and second positions are within the initial contact area, and the first position is offset from the second position toward the edge that the initial contact area is located within the predetermined distance.

30. The method of claim 24 wherein the first location is within a predetermined distance of an edge of the touch screen, the first position is offset from the initial contact area in a first direction, and the second position is offset from the initial contact area toward the edge that the initial contact area is located within the predetermined distance.

31. The method of claim 30 wherein the first direction is above the initial contact area.

32. The method of claim 24 further comprising the act of displaying a cursor at the first position if the initial contact area is at the first location on the touch screen, and displaying a cursor at the second position if the initial contact area is at the second location on the touch screen.

33. The method of claim 24 wherein the second location is within a predetermined distance of a side or bottom edge of the touch screen, and wherein the first location comprises all locations of the touch screen other than the first location.

34. The method of claim 24 wherein the touch screen comprises a touch sensitive display area and a display incapable touch sensitive area, and wherein the act of registering a user input at the first position relative to the initial contact area comprises registering the first position on the display area adjacent the touch sensitive area by positioning the initial contact area on the touch sensitive area adjacent the display area.

35. The method of claim 24 wherein the act of registering a user input at a first position relative to the initial contact area comprises registering a user input at a position relative to the initial contact area that is to the left of the initial contact area if the initial contact area is on the left side of the touch screen, and registering a user input at a position relative to the initial contact area that is to the right of the initial contact area if the initial contact area is on the right side of the touch screen.

36. The method of claim 24 wherein the act of registering a user input at a first position relative to the initial contact area comprises registering a user input at a position relative to the initial contact area that is downwardly to the left of the initial contact area if the initial contact area is within a predetermined distance of a bottom edge of the touch screen on the left side of the touch screen, and registering a user input at a position relative to the initial contact area that is to the right of the initial contact area if the initial contact area is within a predetermined distance of a bottom edge of the touch screen on the right side of the touch screen.

37. The method of claim 24 wherein the act of registering a user input at a second position relative to the initial contact area comprises registering a user input at a position relative to the initial contact area that is above the initial contact area.

38. The method of claim 24 wherein the act of registering a user input at a first position relative to the initial contact area comprises registering a user input at a position relative to the initial contact area that is to the left of the initial contact area if the initial contact area is on the left side of the touch screen and the initial contact area is not moving to the right past a location where the registered user input is on the right side of the touch screen, and registering a user input at a position relative to the initial contact area that is to the right of the initial contact area if the initial contact area is on the right side of the touch screen and the initial contact area is not moving to the left past a location where the registered user input is on the left side of the touch screen.

39. The method of claim 24 wherein the act of registering the user input at the third position relative to the initial contact area comprises registering the user input at the second position relative to the initial contact area regardless of the position of the initial contact area on the touch screen.

40. The method of claim 24 wherein the act of registering the user input at the third position relative to the initial contact area comprises:

determining the size of the initial contact area; and

registering the user input at a position relative to the initial contact area that is offset from the second position toward the first position by a distance that is proportional to the size of the initial contact area.

41. A method of facilitating the use of touch screens in which a user contacts the screen over a contact area, comprising:

determining a position of an initial contact area on the touch screen;

if the initial contact area is at a first location on the touch screen, registering a user input at a first position relative to the initial contact area;

if the initial contact area is at a second location on the touch screen that is different from the first location, registering a user input at a second position relative to the initial contact area, the first position being offset relative to the second position;

determining whether the user is contacting the screen with an object other than a finger;

if the user is contacting the screen with an object other than a finger and the position of the initial contact area is determined to be at the first location on the touch screen, registering the user input at a third position relative to the initial contact area by registering the user input at the third position relative to the initial contact area; and

registering the user input at the second position relative to the initial contact area regardless of the position of the initial contact area on the touch screen.

42. The method of claim 41 wherein the first location is within a predetermined distance of an edge of the touch screen.

43. The method of claim 42 wherein the act of registering a user input at a first position relative to the initial contact area comprises selecting a position for the first position that is closer to the edge than the second position.

44. The method of claim 41 wherein touch screen has a top edge, a bottom edge, a left edge, and a right edge, and wherein the first location comprises within a predetermined distance of either the top edge, the bottom edge, the left edge, or the right edge of the touch screen.

45. The method of claim 44 wherein the act of registering a user input at a first position relative to the initial contact area comprises selecting a position for the first position that is closer than the second position to the edge to which the initial contact area is located within the predetermined distance.

46. The method of claim 41 wherein the first location is within a predetermined distance of any edge of the touch screen, the second location comprises all locations on the touch screen not constituting the first location, the first and second positions are within the initial contact area, and the first position is offset from the second position toward the edge that the initial contact area is located within the predetermined distance.

47. The method of claim 41 wherein the first location is within a predetermined distance of an edge of the touch screen, the first position is offset from the initial contact area in a first direction, and the second position is offset from the initial contact area toward the edge that the initial contact area is located within the predetermined distance.

48. The method of claim 47 wherein the first direction is above the initial contact area.

49. The method of claim 41 further comprising the act of displaying a cursor at the first position if the initial contact area is at the first location on the touch screen, and displaying a cursor at the second position if the initial contact area is at the second location on the touch screen.

50. The method of claim 41 wherein the second location is within a predetermined distance of a side or bottom edge of the touch screen, and wherein the first location comprises all locations of the touch screen other than the first location.

51. The method of claim 41 wherein the touch screen comprises a touch sensitive display area and a display incapable touch sensitive area, and wherein the act of registering a user input at the first position relative to the initial contact area comprises registering the first position on the display area adjacent the touch sensitive area by positioning the initial contact area on the touch sensitive area adjacent the display area.

52. The method of claim 41 wherein the act of registering a user input at a first position relative to the initial contact area comprises registering a user input at a position relative to the initial contact area that is to the left of the initial contact area if the initial contact area is on the left side of the touch screen, and registering a user input at a position relative to the initial contact area that is to the right of the initial contact area if the initial contact area is on the right side of the touch screen.

53. The method of claim 41 wherein the act of registering a user input at a first position relative to the initial contact area comprises registering a user input at a position relative to the initial contact area that is downwardly to the left of the initial contact area if the initial contact area is within a predetermined distance of a bottom edge of the touch screen on the left side of the touch screen, and registering a user input at a position relative to the initial contact area that is to the right of the initial contact area if the initial contact area is within a predetermined distance of a bottom edge of the touch screen on the right side of the touch screen.

54. The method of claim 41 wherein the act of registering a user input at a second position relative to the initial contact area comprises registering a user input at a position relative to the initial contact area that is above the initial contact area.

55. The method of claim 41 wherein the act of registering a user input at a first position relative to the initial contact area comprises registering a user input at a position relative to the initial contact area that is to the left of the initial contact area if the initial contact area is on the left side of the touch screen and the initial contact area is not moving to the right past a location where the registered user input is on the right side of the touch screen, and registering a user input at a position relative to the initial contact area that is to the right of the initial contact area if the initial contact area is on the right side of the touch screen and the initial contact area is not moving to the left past a location where the registered user input is on the left side of the touch screen.

56. The method of claim 41 wherein the act of determining whether the user is contacting the screen with an object other than a finger comprises:

determining the size of the contact area;

if the size of the initial contact area is determined to be smaller than a predetermined area, determining that the user is contacting the screen with an object other than a finger; and

if the size of the initial contact area is determined to be not smaller than a predetermined area, determining that the user is contacting the screen with a finger.

57. The method of claim 41 wherein the act of registering the user input at the third position relative to the initial contact area comprises:

determining the size of the initial contact area; and

registering the user input at a position relative to the initial contact area that is offset from the second position toward the first position by a distance that is proportional to the size of the initial contact area.

58. A method of facilitating the use of touch screens in which a user contacts the screen over a contact area, comprising:

determining a position of an initial contact area on the touch screen;

if the initial contact area is at a first location on the touch screen, registering a user input at a first position relative to the initial contact area;

if the initial contact area is at a second location on the touch screen that is different from the first location, registering a user input at a second position relative to the initial contact area, the first position being offset relative to the second position;

determining whether the user is contacting the screen with an object other than a finger; and

if the user is contacting the screen with an object other than a finger and the position of the initial contact area is determined to be at the first location on the touch screen, registering the user input at a third position relative to the initial contact area by determining the size of the initial contact area and registering the user input at a position relative to the initial contact area that is offset from the second position toward the first position by a distance that is proportional to the size of the initial contact area.

59. The method of claim 58 wherein the first location is within a predetermined distance of an edge of the touch screen.

60. The method of claim 59 wherein the act of registering a user input at a first position relative to the initial contact area comprises selecting a position for the first position that is closer to the edge than the second position.

61. The method of claim 58 wherein touch screen has a top edge, a bottom edge, a left edge, and a right edge, and wherein the first location comprises within a predetermined distance of either the top edge, the bottom edge, the left edge, or the right edge of the touch screen.

62. The method of claim 61 wherein the act of registering a user input at a first position relative to the initial contact area comprises selecting a position for the first position that is closer than the second position to the edge to which the initial contact area is located within the predetermined distance.

63. The method of claim 58 wherein the first location is within a predetermined distance of any edge of the touch screen, the second location comprises all locations on the touch screen not constituting the first location, the first and second positions are within the initial contact area, and the first position is offset from the second position toward the edge that the initial contact area is located within the predetermined distance.

64. The method of claim 58 wherein the first location is within a predetermined distance of an edge of the touch screen, the first position is offset from the initial contact area in a first direction, and the second position is offset from the initial contact area toward the edge that the initial contact area is located within the predetermined distance.

65. The method of claim 64 wherein the first direction is above the initial contact area.

66. The method of claim 58 further comprising the act of displaying a cursor at the first position if the initial contact area is at the first location on the touch screen, and displaying a cursor at the second position if the initial contact area is at the second location on the touch screen.

67. The method of claim 58 wherein the second location is within a predetermined distance of a side or bottom edge of the touch screen, and wherein the first location comprises all locations of the touch screen other than the first location.

68. The method of claim 58 wherein the touch screen comprises a touch sensitive display area and a display incapable touch sensitive area, and wherein the act of registering a user input at the first position relative to the initial contact area comprises registering the first position on the display area adjacent the touch sensitive area by positioning the initial contact area on the touch sensitive area adjacent the display area.

69. The method of claim 58 wherein the act of registering a user input at a first position relative to the initial contact area comprises registering a user input at a position relative to the initial contact area that is to the left of the initial contact area if the initial contact area is on the left side of the touch screen, and registering a user input at a position relative to the initial contact area that is to the right of the initial contact area if the initial contact area is on the right side of the touch screen.

70. The method of claim 58 wherein the act of registering a user input at a first position relative to the initial contact area comprises registering a user input at a position relative to the initial contact area that is downwardly to the left of the initial contact area if the initial contact area is within a predetermined distance of a bottom edge of the touch screen on the left side of the touch screen, and registering a user input at a position relative to the initial contact area that is to the right of the initial contact area if the initial contact area is within a predetermined distance of a bottom edge of the touch screen on the right side of the touch screen.

71. The method of claim 58 wherein the act of registering a user input at a second position relative to the initial contact area comprises registering a user input at a position relative to the initial contact area that is above the initial contact area.

72. The method of claim 58 wherein the act of registering a user input at a first position relative to the initial contact area comprises registering a user input at a position relative to the initial contact area that is to the left of the initial contact area if the initial contact area is on the left side of the touch screen and the initial contact area is not moving to the right past a location where the registered user input is on the right side of the touch screen, and registering a user input at a position relative to the initial contact area that is to the right of the initial contact area if the initial contact area is on the right side of the touch screen and the initial contact area is not moving to the left past a location where the registered user input is on the left side of the touch screen.

73. The method of claim 58 wherein the act of determining whether the user is contacting the screen with an object other than a finger comprises:

determining the size of the contact area;

if the size of the initial contact area is determined to be smaller than a predetermined area, determining that the user is contacting the screen with an object other than a finger; and

if the size of the initial contact area is determined to be not smaller than a predetermined area, determining that the user is contacting the screen with a finger.

74. The method of claim 58 wherein the act of registering the user input at the third position relative to the initial contact area comprises registering the user input at the second position relative to the initial contact area regardless of the position of the initial contact area on the touch screen.

75. A method of facilitating the use of touch screens in which a user contacts the screen over a contact area, comprising:

determining a position of an initial contact area on the touch screen;

determining whether the user is contacting the screen with a stylus by determining the size of the contact area;

if the size of the initial contact area is determined to be smaller than a predetermined area, determining that the user is contacting the screen with the stylus;

if the size of the initial contact area is determined to be not smaller than a predetermined area, determining that the user is contacting the screen with an object other than the stylus;

if the initial contact area is spaced apart from edges of the touch screen by more than a predetermined distance, registering a user input at a first position within the area of contact;

if the user is contacting the screen with the stylus and the position of the initial contact area is determined to be within the predetermined distance of an edge of the touch screen, registering the user input at a second position relative to the initial contact area; and

if the initial contact area is within the predetermined distance of an edge of the touch screen, registering a user input at a position that is offset from the first position toward an edge that is closest to the initial area of contact.

76. The method of claim 75 wherein the first position is the center of the initial area of contact.

77. The method of claim 75 wherein the act of registering the user input at the second position relative to the initial contact area comprises registering the user input at the first position regardless of the position of the initial contact area on the touch screen.

78. The method of claim 75 wherein the act of registering the user input at the second position relative to the initial contact area comprises:

determining the size of the initial contact area; and

registering the user input at a position that is offset from the first position toward an edge that is closest to the area of contact by a distance that is proportional to the size of the initial contact area.

79. A method of facilitating the use of touch screens in which a user contacts the screen over a contact area, comprising:

determining a position of an initial contact area on the touch screen;

if the initial contact area is spaced apart from edges of the touch screen by more than a predetermined distance, registering a user input at a first position within the area of contact by registering the user input at the first position regardless of the position of the initial contact area on the touch screen;

if the initial contact area is within the predetermined distance of an edge of the touch screen, registering a user input at a position that is offset from the first position toward an edge that is closest to the initial area of contact;

determining whether the user is contacting the screen with a stylus;

if the user is contacting the screen with the stylus and the position of the initial contact area is determined to be spaced apart from the edges of touch screen by more than a predetermined distance, registering a user input at a first position within the area of contact by registering the user input at the first position regardless of the position of the initial contact area on the touch screen; and

if the user is contacting the screen with the stylus and the position of the initial contact area is determined to be within the predetermined distance of an edge of the touch screen, registering the user input at a second position relative to the initial contact area.

80. The method of claim 79 wherein the first position is the center of the initial area of contact.

81. The method of claim 79 wherein the act of determining whether the user is contacting the screen with a stylus comprises:

determining the size of the contract area;

if the size of the initial contact area is determined to be smaller than a predetermined area, determining that the user is contacting the screen with the stylus; and

if the size of the initial contact area is determined to be not smaller than a predetermined area, determining that the user is contacting the screen with an object other than the stylus.

82. The method of claim 79 wherein the act of registering the user input at the second position relative to the initial contact area comprises:

determining the size of the initial contact area; and

registering the user input at a position that is offset from the first position toward an edge that is closest to the area of contact by a distance that is proportional to the size of the initial contact area.

83. A method of facilitating the use of touch screens in which a user contacts the screen over a contact area, comprising:

determining a position of an initial contact area on the touch screen;

if the initial contact area is spaced apart from edges of the touch screen by more than a predetermined distance, registering a user input at a first position within the area of contact;

if the initial contact area is within the predetermined distance of an edge of the touch screen, registering a user input at a position that is offset from the first position toward an edge that is closest to the initial contact area;

determining whether the user is contacting the screen with a stylus;

if the user is contacting the screen with the stylus and the position of the initial contact area is determined to be spaced apart from edges of the touch screen by more than a predetermined distance, registering a user input at a position within the area of contact; and

if the user is contacting the screen with the stylus and the position of the initial contact area is determined to be within the predetermined distance of an edge of the touch screen, registering the user input at a second position relative to the initial contact area by determining the size of the initial contact area and registering the user input at apposition that is offset from the first position toward an edge that is closest to the area of contact by a distance that is proportional to the size of the initial contact area.

84. The method of claim 83 wherein the first position is the center of the initial area of contact.

85. The method of claim 83 wherein the act of determining whether the user is contacting the screen with a stylus comprises:

determining the size of the contract area;

if the size of the initial contact area is determined to be smaller than a predetermined area, determining that the user is contacting the screen with the stylus; and

if the size of the initial contact area is determined to be not smaller than a predetermined area, determining that the user is contacting the screen with an object other than the stylus.

86. The method of claim 83 wherein the act of registering the user input at the second position relative to the initial contact area comprises registering the user input at the first position regardless of the position of the initial contact area on the touch screen.