Patent ID: 7394453

Claim:
A method for controlling scrolling in a window shown on a graphical display when using a scrolling zone on a touchpad, said method comprising the steps of: providing a touchpad which includes a scrolling zone having a plurality of zones, wherein the touchpad transmits data packets representing a position of a pointing object on the touchpad; making contact in the scrolling zone with the pointing object at an initial point of contact, and wherein a scrolling mode is active; moving the pointing object from zone to zone in the scrolling zone in an initial direction to thereby cause a scrolling action in a window in a graphical display, wherein a rate of scrolling is determined by how far the pointing object is moved from the initial point of contact; establishing a floating center point that moves from zone to zone, wherein the floating center point trails behind the pointing object as it moves in the initial direction, and wherein the floating center point is always a predetermined number of zones behind the pointing object when moving in the initial direction; and causing the floating center point to remain in a current zone if the pointing object stops moving in the initial direction or begins moving in an alternate direction that is opposite the initial direction; stopping the scrolling action when the pointing object stops or moves in the alternate direction until making contact with the current zone that is defined as a current location of the floating center point.