Devices and methods of controlling manipulation of virtual objects on a multi-contact tactile screen

A device to control a computerized apparatus comprising:

• memory to store first and second graphical objects and first and second specific processing rules that are associated to the first and the second graphical objects, respectively;
• a multi-contact touch screen to detect first and second touch points on the multi-contact touch screen and defining a first and a second touch position for the first and the second touch points, respectively;
• a graphic display unit to display the first and second graphical objects at a first and a second object position, respectively;
• and
• a processor configured to apply the first specific processing rule associated to the first graphical object as a function of a relative position between the first touch position and the first object position, configured to apply the second specific processing rule associated to the second graphical object as a function of a relative position between the second touch position and the second object position, configured to modify at least one of the first graphical object or the first object position based on a result of said processing said first specific processing rule, and configured to modify at least one of the second graphical object or the second object position based on a result of said processing said second specific processing rule.

A method for controlling a computerized device by a multi-contact touch screen, the method comprising:

• displaying first and second graphical objects on the multi-contact touch screen at first and second object positions, respectively;
• associating first and second specific processing rules to the first and second graphical objects, respectively;
• detecting a touch zone including first and second touch points on the multi-contact touch screen and defining a zone position for the touch zone based on a location of both the first and second touch points;
• detecting a third touch point on the multi-contact touch screen and defining a touch position for the third touch point;
• applying the first specific processing rule of the first graphical object as a function of a relative position between the zone position and the first object position;
• applying the second specific processing rule of the second graphical object as a function of a relative position between the touch position and the second object position;
• modifying at least one of the first graphical object or the first object position based on a result of said applying the first specific processing rule;
• and
• modifying at least one of the second graphical object or the second object position based on a result of said applying the second specific processing rule.