Methods for Operation of a Touch Input Device

The invention provides a method for operation of a touch input device comprising a touch input area. The method comprises the steps of (i) detecting a touch or near-touch of an object on or near said touch input area; (ii) determining a parameter indicative of the size and/or shape of said object; (iii) comparing said parameter with at least one predetermined value; and (iv) enabling an operational state of said touch input device in response to said comparison. The parameter may be compared with one or more threshold values which delimit the operational state of the input device. Such operational states include a sleep mode or active mode, the use of a full QWERTY or reduced keyboard, translation or rotation of graphical elements, etc. The method is particularly suitable for differentiating between a touch by a stylus or touch by a finger.