Techniques for interactive input to portable electronic devices

Abstract

Techniques for providing touch input to interactive and multitasking applications are disclosed. An input surface area receives input for multiple applications including interactive applications. The input received is directed to the appropriate application based on one or more locations of the input area effectively identified when input is received. In addition, the manner in which input is received can be used to determine which application should receive the input. Input can be provided in a simple and more intuitive manner by effectively allowing the user to interact with the input area in a way that mimics or approximates a desired action. Examples of such interaction include positional, directional (e.g., rotational), press or pressure input (or movement) which can easily be provided by a thumb or a finger, for example, on a touch screen.

1 . An input device for receiving input associated with multiple applications, wherein said input device effectively provides an input surface (or area) for entering input when said input device is operatively connected to a computing system, and wherein when said input device is operatively connected to a computing system:
 at least one point, position, portion, and/or region of said input surface can be designated to receive input for a first application when said input is provided in a first manner, and   said at least one point, portion, and/or region of said input surface can be designated to receive input for a second application when said input is provided in a second manner that is different and/or distinguishable from said first manner.