Touchpad

Abstract

A portable electronic apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus has a body portion and input means in the form of a touchpad. The touchpad is movable between a first relative position where it operates in a first mode, and a second relative position where it operates in a second mode. The touchpad is capable of receiving input data from one or both of its operational surfaces, so providing greater flexibility.

1 . A touchpad apparatus comprising a first major surface and a second major surface, wherein the first major surface includes a first operational surface configured to receive data from a user, and wherein the second major surface includes a second operational surface configured to receive data from a user. 
   
   
       2 . The touchpad apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each of the two operational surfaces is configured to receive the data independently from the other operational surface. 
   
   
       3 . The touchpad apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein both of the operational surfaces are configured to receive data substantially simultaneously. 
   
   
       4 . The touchpad apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first operational surface is configured to receive a first type of data and the second operational surface is configured to receive a second type of data, wherein the second type of data is different than the first type of data. 
   
   
       5 . The touchpad apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the touchpad apparatus comprises a capacitive touchpad, and wherein a direction of current flow within the capacitive touchpad is sensed to provide an indication of the particular operational surface used to input the data. 
   
   
       6 . The touchpad apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first operational surface comprises a first touchpad element and the second operational surface comprises a second, different touchpad element, and wherein the touchpad apparatus further comprises an insulating sheet between the first and second touchpad elements. 
   
   
       7 . The touchpad apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the touchpad apparatus is configured to communicate the data entered via the first and second operational surfaces to controller circuitry. 
   
   
       8 . The touchpad apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the touchpad apparatus is configured to be operational in a first mode in which only the first operational surface is available for receiving user input and in a second mode in which both the first and second operational surfaces are available for receiving user input. 
   
   
       9 . The touchpad apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein no distinction is made between the data received via the first operational surface and the data received via the second operational surface. 
   
   
       10 . The touchpad apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the touchpad apparatus is configured to allow a user to view displayed information via the touchpad apparatus. 
   
   
       11 . The touchpad apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the touchpad apparatus is substantially transparent. 
   
   
       12 . The touchpad apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising first and second protective layers defining the first and second operational surfaces, respectively, and a functional membrane encapsulated between the first and second protective layers. 
   
   
       13 . A touchpad apparatus comprising a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface, wherein the first major surface includes a first operational surface configured to receive data from a user, and wherein the second major surface includes a second operational surface configured to receive data from a user. 
   
   
       14 . The touchpad apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the touchpad apparatus is configured to be operational in a first mode in which only the first operational surface is available for receiving user input and in a second mode in which both the first and second operational surfaces are available for receiving user input. 
   
   
       15 . The touchpad apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein in the second mode both of the operational surfaces are configured to receive data substantially simultaneously. 
   
   
       16 . The touchpad apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the touchpad apparatus is configured to allow a user to view displayed information via the touchpad apparatus. 
   
   
       17 . A touchpad apparatus comprising a first major surface and a second major surface, wherein the first major surface includes a first operational surface configured to receive data from a user, and wherein the second major surface includes a second operational surface configured to receive data from a user,
 wherein the touchpad apparatus is configured to be operational in a first mode in which only the first operational surface is available for receiving user input and in a second mode in which both the first and second operational surfaces are available for receiving user input.   
   
   
       18 . The touchpad apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein in the second mode both of the operational surfaces are configured to receive data substantially simultaneously. 
   
   
       19 . The touchpad apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein in the second mode the first operational surface is configured to receive a first type of data and the second operational surface is configured to receive a second type of data, wherein the second type of data is different than the first type of data. 
   
   
       20 . The touchpad apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein in the second mode no distinction is made between the data received via the first operational surface and the data received via the second operational surface.