Re: [PATCH] input: Add a detailed multi-touch finger data report protocol

J.R. Mauro
2008-11-07T14:37:14Z

On Fri, Nov 7, 2008 at 9:26 AM, Henrik Rydberg <rydberg@euromail.se> wrote:
> J.R. Mauro wrote:
>> On Fri, Nov 7, 2008 at 6:15 AM, Henrik Rydberg <rydberg@euromail.se> wrote:
>>> In order to utilize the full power of the new multi-touch devices, a
>>> way to report detailed finger data to user space is needed. This patch
>>> adds a multi-touch (MT) protocol which allows drivers to report details
>>> for an arbitrary number of fingers.
>>
>> This is a great idea, Henrik. How will things like X11 go about
>> leveraging this functionality?
>
> What I have in mind is this:
>
> 1. Add support for the MT interface in the trackpad drivers, to the extent
> they support the information. First out is bcm5974, for which the interface
> is designed. A patch is prepared, but I will keep it on hold for a little
> while longer.
>
> 2. Add support for the MT protocol in Xorg synaptics and/or a new Xorg
> multitouch driver. As you might have guessed, I have an experimental
> driver, utilizing the MT protocol. It uses proper matching techniques
> to obtain smooth multi-finger actions. My plan is to launch this in user
> space as soon as there is kernel support.
>
> Henrik
>

Have you worked with MPX? Or was a vanilla-X11 driver simple enough?
How does this all get presented to userspace applications? Multiple
mouse inputs or special stuff that applications would need a rewrite
to leverage?