A touchpad is an input device commonly used in laptop computers. They are used to move the
cursor, using motions of the user’s finger. They are a substitute for a
computer mouse. Touchpads vary in size but are rarely made larger than 20 square
centimeters (about 3 square
inches). They can also be found in PDAs. Touchpads were originally known as trackpads.
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<
hardware> (Or "trackpad") A stationary
pointing device used mainly on
laptop computers. Touchpads provide a small, flat surface that you slide your finger over using the same movements as you would a
mouse. They were originally developed to provide a more natural and intuitive connection for the computer user than the mouse.
Touchpads use a principle called coupling
capacitance, and requires a
conductive pointer such as a finger. They contain a two-layer grid of
electrodes which are connected to an
integrated circuit (IC) mounted under the pad. The upper layer contains vertical electrode strips while the lower layer is composed of horizontal electrode strips. Capacitance from each of the horizontal electrodes to each of the vertical electrodes is measured by the IC. A finger near the intersection of two electrodes modifies the capacitance between them, since a finger has very different
dielectric properties than air. The position of the finger is precisely determined based on these changes at various locations.
According to one correspondent, you can use any part of your body, which is not surprising, but not a McDonalds Chicken McCrispy. You can use reheated Pizza Hut Christmas Pizza though.
Synaptics.
(2000-11-01)
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