[PATCH v2] Input: Document the device properties

Henrik Rydberg
2012-01-31T18:54:32Z

Add a section which defines the input device properties and provides
guidelines on how to use them.

Cc: Jussi Pakkanen <jussi.pakkanen@canonical.com>
Cc: Chase Douglas <chase.douglas@canonical.com>
Signed-off-by: Henrik Rydberg <rydberg@euromail.se>
---
Documentation/input/event-codes.txt | 72 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++----
1 files changed, 64 insertions(+), 8 deletions(-)

diff --git a/Documentation/input/event-codes.txt b/Documentation/input/event-codes.txt
index 23fcb05..53305bd 100644
--- a/Documentation/input/event-codes.txt
+++ b/Documentation/input/event-codes.txt
@@ -17,11 +17,11 @@ reports supported by a device are also provided by sysfs in
class/input/event*/device/capabilities/, and the properties of a device are
provided in class/input/event*/device/properties.

-Types:
-==========
-Types are groupings of codes under a logical input construct. Each type has a
-set of applicable codes to be used in generating events. See the Codes section
-for details on valid codes for each type.
+Event types:
+===========
+Event types are groupings of codes under a logical input construct. Each
+type has a set of applicable codes to be used in generating events. See the
+Codes section for details on valid codes for each type.

* EV_SYN:
- Used as markers to separate events. Events may be separated in time or in
@@ -63,9 +63,9 @@ for details on valid codes for each type.
* EV_FF_STATUS:
- Used to receive force feedback device status.

-Codes:
-==========
-Codes define the precise type of event.
+Event codes:
+===========
+Event codes define the precise type of event.

EV_SYN:
----------
@@ -220,6 +220,56 @@ EV_PWR:
EV_PWR events are a special type of event used specifically for power
mangement. Its usage is not well defined. To be addressed later.

+Device properties:
+=================
+Normally, userspace sets up an input device based on the data it emits,
+i.e., the event types. In the case of two devices emitting the same event
+types, additional information can be provided in the form of device
+properties.
+
+INPUT_PROP_DIRECT + INPUT_PROP_POINTER:
+--------------------------------------
+The INPUT_PROP_DIRECT property indicates that device coordinates should be
+directly mapped to screen coordinates (not taking into account trivial
+transformations, such as scaling, flipping and rotating). Non-direct input
+devices require non-trivial transformation, such as absolute to relative
+transformation for touchpads. Typical direct input devices: touchscreens,
+drawing tablets; non-direct devices: touchpads, mice.
+
+The INPUT_PROP_POINTER property indicates that the device is not transposed
+on the screen and thus requires use of an on-screen pointer to trace user's
+movements. Typical pointer devices: touchpads, tablets, mice; non-pointer
+device: touchscreen.
+
+If neither INPUT_PROP_DIRECT or INPUT_PROP_POINTER are set, the property is
+considered undefined and the device type should be deduced in the
+traditional way, using emitted event types.
+
+INPUT_PROP_BUTTONPAD:
+--------------------
+For touchpads where the button is placed beneath the surface, such that
+pressing down on the pad causes a button click, this property should be
+set. Common in clickpad notebooks and macbooks from 2009 and onwards.
+
+Originally, the buttonpad property was coded into the bcm5974 driver
+version field under the name integrated button. For backwards
+compatibility, both methods need to be checked in userspace.
+
+INPUT_PROP_SEMI_MT:
+------------------
+Some touchpads, most common between 2008 and 2011, can detect the presence
+of multiple contacts without resolving the individual positions; only the
+number of contacts and a rectangular shape is known. For such
+touchpads, the semi-mt property should be set.
+
+Depending on the device, the rectangle may enclose all touches, like a
+bounding box, or just some of them, for instance the two most recent
+touches. The diversity makes the rectangle of limited use, but some
+gestures can normally be extracted from it.
+
+If INPUT_PROP_SEMI_MT is not set, the device is assumed to be a true MT
+device.
+
Guidelines:
==========
The guidelines below ensure proper single-touch and multi-finger functionality.
@@ -240,6 +290,8 @@ used to report when a touch is active on the screen.
BTN_{MOUSE,LEFT,MIDDLE,RIGHT} must not be reported as the result of touch
contact. BTN_TOOL_<name> events should be reported where possible.

+For new hardware, INPUT_PROP_DIRECT should be set.
+
Trackpads:
----------
Legacy trackpads that only provide relative position information must report
@@ -250,6 +302,8 @@ location of the touch. BTN_TOUCH should be used to report when a touch is active
on the trackpad. Where multi-finger support is available, BTN_TOOL_<name> should
be used to report the number of touches active on the trackpad.

+For new hardware, INPUT_PROP_POINTER should be set.
+
Tablets:
----------
BTN_TOOL_<name> events must be reported when a stylus or other tool is active on
@@ -260,3 +314,5 @@ button may be used for buttons on the tablet except BTN_{MOUSE,LEFT}.
BTN_{0,1,2,etc} are good generic codes for unlabeled buttons. Do not use
meaningful buttons, like BTN_FORWARD, unless the button is labeled for that
purpose on the device.
+
+For new hardware, both INPUT_PROP_DIRECT and INPUT_PROP_POINTER should be set.
--
1.7.9