Patent attributes
An electronic device includes a touch-sensitive surface, for example a touch pad or touch screen. The user interacts with the touch-sensitive surface, producing touch interactions. Some of these touch interactions may be detected as indicative of a grasp for manipulating a physical tool (e.g., the grasp for holding a pen). When these touch interactions are encountered, a corresponding virtual tool is instantiated. The virtual tool controls an action on the electronic device that is similar to an action that can be performed by the physical tool. For example, the virtual pen can be used to draw on the display, whereas the physical pen draws on paper. A representation of the virtual tool is also displayed on a display for the electronic device, possibly providing additional affordances, at a location that corresponds to a location of the detected touch interaction.
