Method, system, and device for controlling a cursor or user interface action as a function of touch and force input

A processing system for controlling a user interface using an indirect input device, comprising:

• a sensor module comprising sensor circuitry coupled to a plurality of sensor electrodes, the sensor module configured to transmit transmitter signals and receive resulting signals with at least a portion of the plurality of sensor electrodes;
• and
• a processing circuitry operatively connected to the plurality of sensor electrodes and configured to:
• determine a first touchdown location of an input object,
• determine a first subsequent location of the input object,
• calculate a first direction and a first distance between the first touchdown location and the first subsequent location,
• move a cursor representation on a display in a second direction and at a first velocity, the second direction defined by the first direction, the first velocity based on the first distance and a first force imparted by the input object on the input surface,
• determine a second subsequent location of the input object;
• calculate a third direction and a second distance between the first subsequent location and the second subsequent location;
• determine that a second force imparted by the input object on the input surface at the second subsequent location is below a force threshold, the second force being less than the first force;
• move the cursor representation on the display in a fourth direction and at a second velocity when the second force is below the force threshold, the fourth direction defined by the third direction, wherein the second velocity is based only on the second distance and while ignoring a magnitude of the second force;
• detect a touchdown event of at least two input objects,
• determine a second touchdown location of the at least two input objects,
• determine a third subsequent location of the at least two input objects,
• calculate a fifth direction and a third distance from the second touchdown location and the third subsequent location, and
• modulate a user interface action in a sixth direction at a magnitude of the user interface action, wherein the sixth direction is based on the fifth direction, and wherein the magnitude of the user interface action is based on the third distance and a third force imparted onto the input surface.

An indirect input device comprising:

• a plurality of sensor electrodes configured to generate sensing signals;
• and
• a processing system connected to the plurality of sensor electrodes and configured to:
• determine a first touchdown location of an input object,
• determine a first subsequent location of the input object,
• calculate a first direction and a first distance between the first touchdown location and the first subsequent location,
• move a cursor representation on a display in a second direction and at a first velocity, the second direction defined by the first direction, the first velocity based on the first distance and a first force imparted by the input object on an input surface,
• determine a second subsequent location of the input object;
• calculate a third direction and a second distance between the first subsequent location and the second subsequent location;
• determine that a second force imparted by the input object on the input surface at the second subsequent location is below a force threshold, the second force being less than the first force;
• move the cursor representation on the display in a fourth direction and at a second velocity when the second force is below the force threshold, the fourth direction defined by the third direction, wherein the second velocity is based only on the second distance and while ignoring a magnitude of the second force;
• detect a touchdown event of at least two input objects,
• determine a second touchdown location of the at least two input objects,
• determine a third subsequent location of the at least two input objects,
• calculate a fifth direction and a third distance from the second touchdown location and the third subsequent location, and
• modulate a user interface action in a sixth direction at a magnitude of the user interface action, wherein the sixth direction is based on the fifth direction, and wherein the magnitude of the user interface action is based on the third distance and a third force imparted onto the input surface.