Abstract: A method of using capacitance-sensitive touchpad, wherein the touchpad includes a plurality of zones on a surface thereof, wherein detection of a finger within one of the plurality of zones determines a direction and a speed of scrolling within a window in a graphical user interface, and wherein detection of a finger within one of the plurality of zones determines a direction and a speed of movement of a cursor performing edge motion in the graphical user interface, thus making edge motion and scrolling dependent only upon a detected location of a finger within the plurality of zones, and not dependent upon detecting movement of the finger.

Abstract: A method of using capacitance-sensitive touchpad, wherein the touchpad includes a plurality of zones on a surface thereof, wherein detection of a finger within one of the plurality of zones determines a direction and a speed of scrolling within a window in a graphical user interface, and wherein detection of a finger within one of the plurality of zones determines a direction and a speed of movement of a cursor performing edge motion in the graphical user interface, thus making edge motion and scrolling dependent only upon a detected location of a finger within the plurality of zones, and not dependent upon detecting movement of the finger.

Abstract: A method of using a capacitance-sensitive touchpad, wherein the touchpad includes a zone on a surface thereof, wherein touchdown of a pointing object within the zone enables activation of a scrolling function, wherein direction of scrolling is then controlled by a gesture by the pointing object, such as moving in a circular motion in a clockwise direction to move down in a list, and in a counter clockwise direction to move up in a list, and wherein fast and slow scrolling speeds are controlled by tapping functions within the scroll zone.

Abstract: Touchpad sensor control circuitry that controls the operation of a touch or proximity sensitive touchpad in a first mode, and in a second mode functions as a keyboard controller, wherein the touchpad sensor control circuitry also determines which keys on a keyboard have been actuated by manipulation of keys, wherein pressing a key is detected by the touchpad sensor control circuitry.

Abstract: A stylus that operates utilizing magnetic fields, wherein a permanent magnet is disposed within a passive stylus that is detectable by a plurality of magnetic sensors that remove the magnetic field of the stylus from the earth's relative magnetic field to thereby obtain vectors that are used in a triangulation equation to determine the location of the stylus in two or three dimensions, depending upon the number of magnetic sensors that are used, wherein one set of magnetic sensors can be used as a reference for earth's magnetic field, and wherein each of the magnetic sensors includes a polarizing coil to change direction of sensitivity, a null coil and a flipping coil.

Abstract: A capacitance-sensitive sensor array and associated touchpad sensor circuitry, the sensor array comprised of a flexible substrate having a plurality of printed conductor elements disposed thereon to form the sensor array, the printed conductor elements being coupled to touchpad sensor circuitry that includes data processing capabilities, wherein the sensor array is disposed along an outside surface of a container, wherein the sensor array is capable of conforming to a curved or irregular outside surface of the container, wherein the sensor array detects at least one characteristic of at least one fluid disposed within the container, and wherein the touchpad sensor circuitry processes data received from the sensor array to provide information regarding the at least one fluid.

Abstract: A capacitance sensitive touchpad, wherein X and Y electrode grids are separated by a resilient but deformable material, such as a gel or other rubber-like material, wherein an object coming into contact with the touchpad causes the resilient material between the electrode grids to be compressed, and wherein the touchpad is capable of determining the change in distance between the electrode grids and thereby determine the amount of force being applied to the touchpad to cause the detected compression of the resilient material.

Abstract: A miniature touchpad disposed underneath a single key cap of a keyboard, wherein the touchpad is disposed within the key cap and provides sensing through the key cap to the key cap surface, wherein a user moves a finger across the key cap surface in order to manipulate a cursor on a display screen, wherein velocity of the cursor on the display screen and direction of movement are both relative to the distance and radial direction of the fingertip from the center of the key cap.

Abstract: A touchpad that shows a representation of at least a portion of a virtual or real object, wherein the touchpad can be used to select a portion of the virtual or real object, such as an appendage or appendages, or the entire virtual or real object, and wherein the touchpad can then be used to give a command regarding an action and/or movement that is to be performed by or on the virtual or real object by using a gesture or combination of gestures on the touchpad surface.

Abstract: A touchpad that provides general-purpose touchpad functionality 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.

Abstract: A miniature touchpad disposed underneath the surface of a single key cap that is disposed in a keyboard, wherein the key cap touchpad provides proximity sensing through the material of the key cap to the key cap surface, wherein a user moves a finger across the key cap surface in order to manipulate a cursor on a display screen, scroll through items in a list, navigate through web pages, or other functions typically associated with a full-function touchpad.

Abstract: A method of using capacitance-sensitive touchpad, wherein the touchpad includes a plurality of zones on a surface thereof, wherein detection of a finger within one of the plurality of zones determines a direction and a speed of scrolling within a window in a graphical user interface, and wherein detection of a finger within one of the plurality of zones determines a direction and a speed of movement of a cursor performing edge motion in the graphical user interface, thus making edge motion and scrolling dependent only upon a detected location of a finger within the plurality of zones, and not dependent upon detecting movement of the finger.

Abstract: A stylus that operates utilizing magnetic fields, wherein a permanent magnet is disposed within a passive stylus that is detectable by a plurality of magnetic sensors that remove the magnetic field of the stylus from the earth's relative magnetic field to thereby obtain vectors that are used in a triangulation equation to determine the location of the stylus in two or three dimensions, depending upon the number of magnetic sensors that are used, wherein one set of magnetic sensors can be used as a reference for earth's magnetic field, and wherein each of the magnetic sensors includes a polarizing coil to change direction of sensitivity, a null coil and a flipping coil.

Abstract: A single-layer touchpad comprised of a relatively clear substrate, a first electrode disposed thereon, and a sense electrode disposed thereon, wherein the first electrode and the sense electrode are comprised of a conductive material, wherein the first electrode in combination with the sense electrode are used to detect the presence of a pointing object in a zone, or the simultaneous presence of multiple pointing objects in multiple zones, and wherein the first electrode and/or the sense electrode are made such that a pattern is visually detectable on the display screen.

Abstract: A mobile telephone that is being held in the hand of a user, wherein sensors within the mobile telephone are able to determine orientation of the mobile telephone, and determination where on a mobile telephone a user is making contact, wherein the orientation and contact information is used to enable and disable desired functions of the portable electronic appliance.

Abstract: A touchpad formed from the combination of a flexible and non-conductive material used for a touch-sensitive surface, and a PC board on which is mounted the touchpad circuitry, wherein touchpad sensing electrodes are disposed on the touch-sensitive surface by creating electrical traces formed from conductive ink, the touch-sensitive surface being capable of conforming to various arcuate surfaces, and being capable of sensing through a protective housing such that the touch-sensitive surface is protected, and does not come in direct contact with the pointing object.