Patent ID: 8451236

Claim:
A method for operating a computing device, the method being performed by one or more processors and comprising: determining an input mode for operating the computing device; in response to the computing device being operated in an absolute input mode: receiving a user input on a touch-sensitive display screen of the computing device; determining an absolute location of the user input; and performing a first operation that includes at least one of (i) moving a cursor or a displayed object on the touch-sensitive display screen to the absolute location, or (ii) selecting an interface feature that is provided at the absolute location; and in response to the computing device being operated in a relative input mode: establishing a reference location on the touch-sensitive display screen; receiving a user input at a second location on the touch-sensitive display screen; comparing the second location with the reference location to determine a direction and a magnitude of a vector having a start point at the reference location and an end point at the second location; and performing a second operation that includes causing the cursor or the displayed object to move on the touch-sensitive display screen by an amount corresponding to the direction and the magnitude of the vector.