(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2007/0013674 A1
`Woolley
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Jan. 18, 2007
`
`US 200700 13674A1
`
`(54) RECTANGULAR SENSOR GRID THAT
`PROVIDES FUNCTIONALITY ASA
`RECTANGULAR TOUCHPAD SENSOR AND
`A CIRCULAR SCROLLING REGION
`
`(76) Inventor: Richard D. Woolley, Orem, UT (US)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`MORRISS O'BRYANT COMPAGNI, P.C.
`136 SOUTH MAN STREET
`SUTE 700
`SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84101 (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`11/457,096
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Jul. 12, 2006
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/698.392, filed on Jul.
`12, 2005.
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`G09G 5/00
`(52) U.S. Cl. .............................................................. 345/173
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A touchpad that provides general-purpose touchpad func
`tionality Such as cursor control controlled by movement of
`a pointing object on a touchpad surface, wherein a mode of
`operation of the touchpad can be changed such that the
`touchpad now provides functionality through a circular
`scrolling region defined as a circular region on the touchpad
`surface, to thereby provide improved manipulation of lists
`and other functions that can be provided by a circular
`Scrolling region.
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`Patent Application Publication Jan. 18, 2007 Sheet 1 of 4
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`US 2007/001.3674 A1
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`FIGURE 1
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`(PROeART)
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`Patent Application Publication Jan. 18, 2007 Sheet 2 of 4
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`US 2007/001.3674 A1
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`Patent Application Publication Jan. 18, 2007 Sheet 3 of 4
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`US 2007/001.3674 A1
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`Patent Application Publication Jan. 18, 2007 Sheet 4 of 4
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`US 2007/0013674 A1
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`to
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`US 2007/00 13674 A1
`
`Jan. 18, 2007
`
`RECTANGULAR SENSOR GRID THAT PROVIDES
`FUNCTIONALITY AS ARECTANGULAR
`TOUCHPAD SENSOR AND A CIRCULAR
`SCROLLING REGION
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`0001. This document claims priority to, and incorporates
`by reference all of the subject matter included in the provi
`sional patent application docket number 3339.CIRQ.PR,
`having Ser. No. 60/698.392 and filed on Jul. 12, 2005.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`0002) 1. Field of the Invention
`0003. This invention relates generally to touchpads. More
`specifically, a capacitance sensitive touchpad providing cur
`Sor control and having a rectangular shape as defined by
`electrodes forming an X-Y grid, can also provide a circular
`scrolling region that enables circular movements across the
`circular scrolling region to cause scrolling through a dis
`played list.
`0004 2. Description of Related Art
`0005 The state of the art in capacitance sensitive touch
`pads is characterized by the touchpad and touchpad sensor
`circuits of CirqueTM Corporation. Cirque(R) Corporation
`touchpad technology has evolved, but several elements of
`the past and present hardware and testing methodology can
`be used to demonstrate the present invention.
`0006 From a hardware perspective as shown in FIG. 1,
`a capacitance sensitive touchpad 10 as taught by Cirque(R)
`Corporation includes a grid of row 12 and column 14 (or X
`and Y) electrodes in a touchpad electrode grid. These grids
`are separated by Some material, and are often simply dif
`ferent layers as shown here. Alternatively, the electrode
`grids are printed on opposite sides of a Suitable Substrate
`material. All measurements of touchpad parameters are
`taken from a single sense electrode 16 also disposed around
`or interspersed among the electrodes 12 and 14 of touchpad
`10, and not from the X or Y electrodes themselves. In
`addition, no fixed reference point is used for measurements.
`This is an advantageous feature of a mutual capacitance
`touchpad that determines the change in capacitance on the
`sense line.
`0007. A touchpad sensor circuit 20 generates signals from
`PN generators 22, 24 that are sent directly to the X and Y
`electrodes 12, 14 in various patterns. Accordingly, there is a
`one-to-one correspondence between the number of elec
`trodes on the touchpad electrode grid, and the number of
`drive pins on the touch sensor circuitry 20.
`0008. A touchpad sensor circuit generates signals that are
`sent directly to the X and Y electrodes in various patterns.
`Accordingly, there is a one-to-one correspondence between
`the number of electrodes on the touchpad electrode grid, and
`the number of drive pins on the touch sensor circuit.
`0009. The touchpad 10 does not depend upon an absolute
`capacitive measurement to determine the location of a finger
`(or other capacitive object) on the touchpad surface. The
`touchpad 10 measures an imbalance in electrical charge to
`the sense line 16. When no pointing object is on the
`touchpad 10, the touchpad circuitry 20 is in a balanced state,
`
`and there is no signal on the sense line 16. There may or may
`not be a capacitive charge on the electrodes 12, 14. In the
`methodology of Cirque(R) Corporation, that is irrelevant.
`When a pointing device creates imbalance because of
`capacitive coupling, a change in capacitance occurs on the
`plurality of electrodes 12, 14 that comprise the touchpad
`electrode grid. What is measured is the change in capaci
`tance, and not the absolute capacitance value on the elec
`trodes 12, 14. The touchpad 10 determines the change in
`capacitance by measuring the amount of charge that must be
`injected onto the sense line 16 to reestablish or regain
`balance of electrical charge on the sense line.
`0010. The touchpad 10 must make two complete mea
`surement cycles for the X electrodes and for the Yelectrodes
`(four complete measurements) in order to determine the
`position of a finger. The steps are as follows for both the X
`and the Y electrodes:
`0011 First, a group of electrodes (say a select group of
`the X electrodes 12) are driven with a first signal from PN
`generator 22 and a first measurement using mutual capaci
`tance measurement device 26 is taken to determine the
`location of the largest signal. However, it is not possible
`from this one measurement to know whether the finger is on
`one side or the other of the closest electrode to the largest
`signal.
`0012 Next, shifting by one electrode to one side of the
`closest electrode, the group of electrodes is again driven
`with a signal. In other words, the electrode immediately to
`the one side of the group is added, while the electrode on the
`opposite side of the original group is no longer driven.
`0013 Third, the new group of electrodes is driven and a
`second measurement is taken.
`0014 Finally, using an equation that compares the mag
`nitude of the two signals measured, the location of the finger
`is determined.
`00.15
`Accordingly, the touchpad 10 measures a change in
`capacitance in order to determine the location of a finger. All
`of this hardware and the methodology described above
`assume that the touch sensor circuit 20 is directly driving the
`electrodes 12, 14 of the touchpad 10. Thus, for a typical
`12x16 electrode grid touchpad, there are a total of 28 pins
`(12+16=28) available from the touch sensor circuitry 20 that
`are used to drive the electrodes 12, 14 of the electrode grid.
`0016.
`Accordingly, the touchpad measures a change in
`capacitance in order to determine the location of a finger. All
`of this hardware and the methodology described above
`assume that the touch sensor circuit is directly driving the
`electrodes of the touchpad 10. Thus, for a typical 12x16
`electrode grid touchpad, there are 28 pins on the touch
`sensor circuit that are used to drive the electrodes 12, 14.
`Smaller touchpads that use fewer electrodes are also pro
`vided by Cirque.R. Corporation, such as a 6x8 electrode grid
`used in many portable electronic devices, such as mobile
`telephones.
`0017. The general purpose touchpad as described above
`is typically used for touchpad functions such as cursor
`control, Scrolling through lists, navigation through web
`pages, etc. Regarding scrolling, a vertical and/or horizontal
`scrolling region is typically disposed on an edge of the
`rectangular touchpad.
`
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`US 2007/00 13674 A1
`
`Jan. 18, 2007
`
`0018. The proliferation of portable electronic appliances
`has created a demand for innovative interfaces that allow
`users to more easily control Such appliances. For example,
`some MP3 music devices provide a dedicated circular
`scrolling region that enables navigation through lists of
`music, artists, options, settings, etc.
`0019. It would be an advantage over the state of the art in
`touchpads to provide general purpose functionality that can
`be provided by a rectangular touchpad, combined with the
`functionality of a circular scrolling region for rapid move
`ment through lists, but all disposed on a rectangular touch
`pad Surface.
`
`BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`0020. It is an object of the present invention to provide a
`general purpose touchpad that provides general purpose
`touchpad functionality Such as cursor control, and also
`provide specialized functionality through a circular scrolling
`region that enables Scrolling through lists, navigation
`through web pages, and any other functions associated with
`circular Scrolling regions.
`0021. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention is
`a touchpad that provides general-purpose touchpad func
`tionality Such as cursor control controlled by movement of
`a pointing object on a touchpad surface, wherein a mode of
`operation of the touchpad can be changed such that the
`touchpad now provides functionality through a circular
`scrolling region defined as a circular region on the touchpad
`surface, to thereby provide improved manipulation of lists
`and other functions that can be provided by a circular
`Scrolling region.
`0022. These and other objects, features, advantages and
`alternative aspects of the present invention will become
`apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of
`the following detailed description taken in combination with
`the accompanying drawings.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL
`VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
`0023 FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a prior art
`touch sensor circuit and an electrode grid of a capacitance
`sensitive touchpad.
`0024 FIG. 2 is a top view of the surface of a touchpad,
`illustrating a first embodiment of the rectangular region
`defined by the electrodes, and the outline of a first circular
`scrolling region that can be made functional by changing the
`operating mode of the touchpad.
`0025 FIG.3 is a top view of the surface of the touchpad,
`illustrating a second embodiment of the rectangular region
`defined by the electrodes, and the outline of two circular
`Scrolling regions.
`0026 FIG. 4 is a top view of the surface of the touchpad,
`illustrating a third embodiment of the rectangular region
`defined by the electrodes, and the outline of four scrolling
`regions.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`0027 Reference will now be made to the drawings in
`which the various elements of the present invention will be
`
`given numerical designations and in which the invention
`will be discussed so as to enable one skilled in the art to
`make and use the invention. It is to be understood that the
`following description is only exemplary of the principles of
`the present invention, and should not be viewed as narrow
`ing the claims which follow.
`0028. The presently preferred embodiment of the inven
`tion is a modified capacitance sensitive touchpad that is
`capable of performing object detection and tracking on a
`surface thereof. Such a touchpad is manufactured by Cir
`que(R) Corporation. As explained above, the capacitance
`sensitive touchpad is capable of providing functionality that
`is generally associated with touchpads. As an example, Such
`functionality includes, but should not be considered to be
`limited to, cursor control. Controlling a cursor is generally
`considered to be a primary touchpad function when used
`with a graphical user interface. As portable electronic appli
`ances, such as mobile telephones and MP3 players become
`more Sophisticated and provide more functionality, the inter
`face to such devices is also evolving.
`0029. It should also be realized that improved user inter
`faces are not restricted to just portable electronic appliances.
`Many stationary or simply larger devices are now including
`more Sophisticated interfaces.
`0030. Accordingly, it is an embodiment of the present
`invention to provide a rectangular or square touchpad that
`provides typical touchpad functionality, such as cursor con
`trol, button input, navigation through web pages, etc. How
`ever, in addition to these “typical touchpad functions, the
`present invention also provides a circular Scrolling region or
`regions. The touchpad is modified to include control cir
`cuitry that recognizes different modes of operation. In a first
`mode of operation, the touchpad function as a typical
`touchpad. In a second mode of operation, the touchpad
`provides a circular region or regions where the touchpad
`provides dedicated Scrolling capabilities.
`0031 When considering operation of the touchpad of the
`present invention, it is useful to look at an example where
`the present invention can be used. Consider a circular
`scrolling region that is already found on Some MP3 music
`players. A user is able to Scroll continuously up and down
`through lists of music, through artists, etc. by moving a
`finger in a circular direction. The circular motion thus
`enables the user to keep scrolling in a single direction
`without interruption. In other words, the user does not have
`to lift a finger from the Scrolling region and reset it to a
`beginning position in order to continue movement in a
`desired direction. A circular scrolling region has no begin
`ning or ending position, thus enabling the user to maintain
`movement in a desired direction without interruption.
`Reversing the direction of Scrolling is also accomplished by
`simply reversing the direction of circular movement in a
`circular path of the scrolling region. In essence, the present
`invention provides typical touchpad functionality and cir
`cular scrolling functionality using the same touchpad.
`0032. One method of providing these two functions with
`the same hardware is to provide a mode switch. The mode
`switch enables a user to change back and forth between the
`two different functions of the touchpad. The different func
`tionality is thus provided by two different programs, typi
`cally stored in the firmware of the touchpad circuitry, and/or
`in driver software. Thus, the hardware does not need to be
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`modified to provide the desired dual-functionality of the
`touchpad. The touchpad hardware will function the same
`regardless of the mode of operation. Detection and tracking
`of a finger or other pointing object on the touchpad surface
`is the same for both functions. What will change is the
`information being transmitted from the touchpad circuitry to
`a device that is receiving input.
`0033. A control for switching between different modes of
`operation can be provided on or off the touchpad itself. For
`example, the switch might be a dedicated switch on the
`touchpad Surface that is used exclusively for touchpad mode
`switching. Thus, the function of the switch would not
`change, regardless of the mode of operation. Alternatively,
`the switch could be implemented in driver software, and not
`be switch on the touchpad itself.
`0034. In a first mode of operation, the touchpad will send
`information that enables cursor control, web page naviga
`tion, button input, etc. In a second mode of operation, the
`touchpad will send information that enables scrolling func
`tions, such as the direction of Scrolling and the speed of
`scrolling. These functions should not be considered limiting.
`The touchpad will send whatever information is appropriate
`for the mode operation being used.
`0035) It is envisioned that many different devices can
`take advantage of the dual-functionality of the present
`invention. Such devices include, but should not be consid
`ered to be limited to, both portable and non-portable devices.
`0036) Portable devices may include, but should not be
`considered limited to, digital cameras, digital camcorders,
`MP3 players, multimedia devices, mobile telephones, per
`Sonal digital assistants (PDAs), laptop computers, notebook
`computers, tablet computers, etc.
`0037 Non-portable devices may include, but should not
`be considered to be limited to, industrial equipment, desktop
`computers, controls for kitchen appliances, controls for
`household appliances such as washers and dryers, controls
`for electronic equipment in the home, including entertain
`ment devices such as stereos, DVD players, receivers, home
`entertainment centers, and controls for automobiles and
`other vehicles, etc.
`0038. As a brief illustration of a first embodiment of the
`present invention, FIG. 2 is provided as a top view of the
`Surface of a touchpad 10. This figure illustrates a rectangular
`touchpad defined by the X and Y electrodes 12, 14, and the
`outline of a single circular scrolling region 30 that can be
`made functional by changing the operating mode of the
`touchpad 10. The touchpad 10 still operates by detecting the
`location of a pointing object on the Surface of the touchpad,
`but the location information is now used to control scrolling
`through lists, instead of providing some other touchpad
`functionality.
`0039. It should be observed that the “rectangular shape
`of the touchpad 10 in this embodiment should not be
`considered limiting. The touchpad can assume other shapes,
`Such as a square. Likewise, the “circular scrolling region
`could also be formed as any other arbitrary shape. What is
`important in a scrolling region of the present invention is
`that movement should be able to follow some continuous
`path without interruption as long as the user desires to move
`the pointing object. Thus, the circular scrolling region 30
`was selected because of the ease of following an uninter
`
`rupted path when performing the Scrolling function. Never
`theless, other paths could be stored in the firmware. Thus,
`the first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 is for purposes of
`providing one example of a path, and should not be con
`sidered limiting of potential continuous paths that can be
`created.
`0040 FIG. 3 is provided as a top view of the surface of
`the touchpad 10. This figure illustrates a rectangular touch
`pad defined by the X and Y electrodes 12, 14. However, this
`second embodiment of the invention includes first and
`second circular scrolling regions 40, 42. The position of the
`two circular scrolling regions 40, 42 is for illustration
`purposes only, and can be changed according to the wishes
`of the designer. For example, the circular Scrolling regions
`40, 42 might be disposed in the corners of the touchpad
`because they are easy to locate.
`0041. For example, the first circular scrolling region 40
`can be used to control the volume of a multimedia device.
`The second circular Scrolling region 42 can be used to
`control a playlist of a multimedia device.
`0042 An important observation is that the functions
`controlled by the Scrolling regions can be dedicated, but also
`switchable. For example, the function being controlled by
`the Scrolling regions is already known to the touchpad when
`operating in a specific mode of operation. In FIG. 3, the
`scrolling regions became multimedia controls. But there can
`be more than one of operation of the multimedia controls.
`For example, in a first mode, the touchpad is performing
`typical touchpad functions. In a second mode of operation,
`the touchpad 10 is controlling the multimedia functions of
`Volume and movement through a playlist. In a third mode of
`operation, the first scrolling region 40 controls some other
`function of the multimedia device. For example, the first
`scrolling region may control fast forwarding and rewinding
`through multimedia content in the multimedia device, and
`the second scrolling region may control skipping of multi
`media content in a forward and a reverse direction in the
`multimedia device.
`0043. There can be any number of modes of operation.
`The modes of operation are limited only by the functions
`that need to be available. Programming of the different
`modes of operation is all accomplished in firmware and/or
`driver software.
`0044) In addition, the present invention is not limited to
`one or two scrolling regions on touchpad 10. FIG. 4 is
`provided as a top view of the surface of the touchpad 10.
`This figure illustrates a rectangular touchpad and four Scroll
`ing regions 50, 52, 54 and 56. As in the other embodiments,
`these four scrolling regions 50, 52, 54, and 56 may be
`dedicated to a single function, or to multiple functions
`depending upon the mode of operation of the touchpad 10.
`0045. It should be noted that although the present inven
`tion has been described in terms of using capacitance
`sensitive touchpad technology, other proximity-sensitive
`and touch-sensitive touchpad technology can also be used to
`implement the present invention. For example, the present
`invention may be implemented using electromagnetic,
`inductive, pressure sensing, electrostatic, ultrasonic, optical,
`resistive membrane, semi-conductive membrane or other
`finger or stylus-responsive technology.
`0046.
`It is to be understood that the above-described
`arrangements are only illustrative of the application of the
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`
`principles of the present invention. Numerous modifications
`and alternative arrangements may be devised by those
`skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope
`of the present invention. The appended claims are intended
`to cover Such modifications and arrangements.
`
`What is claimed is:
`1. A method for providing separate and dedicated general
`purpose touchpad functions and Scrolling functionality on a
`touchpad, said method comprising the steps of
`(1) operating in a first mode of operation, wherein the
`touchpad is dedicated to performing general-purpose
`touchpad functions that do not include Scrolling;
`(2) actuating a Switch to cause the touchpad to begin a
`second mode of operation;
`(3) operating in the second mode of operation, wherein
`the touchpad is dedicated to performing a scrolling
`function.
`2. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the second
`mode of operation further comprises the step of providing a
`continuous path for a pointing object on a touchpad surface
`in order to execute the scrolling function, wherein the user
`does not have to interrupt movement of the pointing object
`in order to perform Scrolling in a desired direction.
`3. The method as defined in claim 2 wherein the step of
`providing the continuous path further comprises the step of
`providing a circular path for the pointing object.
`4. The method as defined in claim 2 wherein the step of
`providing the continuous path further comprises the steps of
`(1) providing scrolling in a first list direction by moving
`around the continuous path in a first path direction; and
`(2) providing scrolling in a direction opposite the first list
`direction by moving around the continuous path in a
`direction that is opposite the first path direction.
`5. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the method
`further comprises the step of actuating the Switch a second
`time to thereby return to the first mode of operation.
`6. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the method
`further comprises the steps of:
`(1) providing a plurality of modes of operation;
`(2) moving sequentially from one mode of operation to a
`next mode of operation by actuating the Switch; and
`(3) returning to the first mode of operation after the switch
`is actuated when operating in a last mode of operation.
`7. The method as defined in claim 6 wherein the method
`further comprises the steps of:
`(1) controlling a first scrolling function in a first scrolling
`mode of operation; and
`(2) controlling a second scrolling function in a second
`Scrolling mode of operation.
`8. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the method
`further comprises the step of providing a plurality of Scroll
`ing regions on the touchpad.
`9. The method as defined in claim 8 wherein the method
`further comprises the step of dedicating different scrolling
`functions to each of the plurality of Scrolling regions on the
`touchpad.
`
`10. The method as defined in claim 9 wherein the method
`further comprises the step of enabling a user to assign
`scrolling functions to at least one of the plurality of scrolling
`regions on the touchpad.
`11. The method as defined in claim 3 wherein the method
`further comprises the step of disposing an overlay on the
`touchpad to thereby provide a visual indication of the
`location of the circular path on the touchpad surface.
`12. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the step of
`performing the Scrolling function further comprises the step
`of selecting the scrolling function from the group of Scroll
`ing functions comprised of Scrolling through items in a list,
`controlling Volume, moving forward in a rapid manner
`through audio, video, or multimedia content, moving back
`wards in a rapid manner through audio, video, or multimedia
`content, skipping forward through audio, video or multime
`dia content, and skipping backward through multimedia
`COntent.
`13. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the method
`further comprises the step of providing the touchpad with at
`least two modes of operation in portable electronic appli
`ances selected from the group of portable electronic appli
`ances comprised of digital cameras, digital camcorders,
`portable music players, multimedia devices, mobile tele
`phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), laptop comput
`ers, notebook computers, and tablet computers.
`14. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the method
`further comprises the step of providing the touchpad with at
`least two modes of operation in electronic appliances
`selected from the group of electronic appliances comprised
`of industrial equipment, desktop computers, kitchen appli
`ances, household appliances such, electronic equipment in
`the home, including entertainment devices such as Stereos,
`DVD players, receivers, home entertainment centers, and
`automobiles and other vehicles.
`15. A touchpad that provides separate and dedicated
`general-purpose touchpad functions and scrolling function
`ality, said touchpad comprised of:
`a touchpad capable of detecting a location of and tracking
`movement of a pointing object on a touchpad Surface;
`control circuitry for controlling operation of the touchpad;
`Software for controlling operation of the control circuitry,
`wherein the software includes a first mode of operation
`wherein the touchpad is dedicated to performing gen
`eral-purpose touchpad functions that do not include
`Scrolling, and a second mode of operation, wherein the
`touchpad is dedicated to performing a scrolling func
`tion; and
`a Switch for toggling between the first mode of operation
`and the second mode of operation.
`16. The touchpad as defined in claim 15 wherein the
`touchpad is selected from the group of touchpad technolo
`gies comprised of electromagnetic, inductive, pressure sens
`ing, electrostatic, ultrasonic, optical, resistive membrane,
`semi-conductive membrane or other finger or stylus-respon
`sive technologies.
`17. The touchpad as defined in claim 15 wherein the
`switch is further comprised of a dedicated mechanical
`switch.
`18. The touchpad as defined in claim 17 wherein the
`switch is a non-mechanical switch that is controlled by the
`software.
`
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`
`19. The touchpad as defined in claim 15 wherein the
`touchpad is implemented in portable electronic appliances
`selected from the group of portable electronic appliances
`comprised of digital cameras, digital camcorders, portable
`music players, multimedia devices, mobile telephones, per
`Sonal digital assistants (PDAs), laptop computers, notebook
`computers, and tablet computers.
`20. The touchpad as defined in claim 15 wherein the
`touchpad is implemented in electronic appliances selected
`
`from the group of electronic appliances comprised of indus
`trial equipment, desktop computers, kitchen appliances,
`household appliances such, electronic equipment in the
`home, including entertainment devices Such as Stereos, DVD
`players, receivers, home entertainment centers, and automo
`biles and other vehicles.
`
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