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touchpad

A touchpad or trackpad is a touch-sensitive surface for function or cursor control. It serves as a mouse replacement, is used in laptops and notebooks, and is usually located on the keyboard below the last row of keys.

The touchpad forms the graphical user interface( GUI). In notebooks, a touchpad consists of a touch-sensitive field measuring only a few square centimeters and two function keys, which functionally correspond to the mouse keys. The cursor is controlled by moving a finger over the touchpad surface, and command input can be triggered by tapping quickly on the sensitive surface.

Touchpad with function keys

Touchpad with function keys

Touchpads operate capacitively, with an electrode grid of vertical and horizontal conductors underneath the touch-sensitive layer. When a finger touches the touchpad surface, the finger changes the capacitances between the electrodes of the grid. This change in capacitance is detected by sequentially scanning the grid, converted into position values, and used to control the cursor. The pressure of the finger plays no role in this process. The function cannot be performed by a stylus or an isolated finger either.

Touchpad with electrode grid

Touchpad with electrode grid

The action area of the touchpad is restricted in some touchpads and offers special, frequently repeated functions in the restricted areas.

Informations:
Englisch: touchpad
Updated at: 09.05.2014
#Words: 205
Links: cursor, keyboard (KBD), graphical user interface (GUI), graphical user interface (GUI), indium (In)
Translations: DE
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