how does the notebook mousepad know.....

JBucc · 09-20-2006, 12:31 PM

Whether or not it's a finger touching it? I tried to move it with my pen and my leather wallet, nothing. Freaky.

JBucc · 09-20-2006, 12:35 PM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Touchpad

"Touchpads commonly operate by sensing the capacitance of a finger, or the capacitance between sensors. Capacitive sensors are laid out along the horizontal and vertical axis of the touchpad. The location of the finger is determined from the pattern of capacitance from these sensors. This is why they will not sense the tip of a pencil or other similar implement. Gloved fingers may be problematic (such as in a cleanroom environment) but can sometimes work. Moist or sweaty fingers can be problematic for those touchpads that rely on measuring the capacitance between the sensors."

**DaFace** · 09-20-2006, 12:35 PM

http://www.thetartan.org/2004/3/1/sc...sworktrackpads

Basically, your fingers absorb a tiny amount of an electric current from the mousepad. When that change is detected, it knows where your fingers are.

**DaFace** · 09-20-2006, 12:37 PM

After reading through that, the technology is strikingly similar to an ultra-safe table saw I read about a while back. Handyman or not, this thing is cool as hell:

http://www.sawstop.com/

Check out the "Hot Dog Demo" if nothing else.

JBucc · 09-20-2006, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaFace

After reading through that, the technology is strikingly similar to an ultra-safe table saw I read about a while back. Handyman or not, this thing is cool as hell:

http://www.sawstop.com/

Check out the "Hot Dog Demo" if nothing else.

Whoa! That's awesome.

JBucc · 09-20-2006, 12:37 PM

I never even thought about it until just now. I guess I just assumed it sensed pressure or something.

**DaFace** · 09-20-2006, 12:45 PM

Yeah, as long as you don't mind dumping 3 grand on a tablesaw. Could be worth it for a finger, though.

This is cool enough that I think I'll post a thread in the lounge about it.

09-20-2006, 12:31 PM	Topic Starter
JBucc MVP Join Date: Oct 2005 Casino cash: $10004952	how does the notebook mousepad know..... Whether or not it's a finger touching it? I tried to move it with my pen and my leather wallet, nothing. Freaky.
Posts: 12,016

09-20-2006, 12:35 PM	#2
JBucc MVP Join Date: Oct 2005 Casino cash: $10004952	http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Touchpad "Touchpads commonly operate by sensing the capacitance of a finger, or the capacitance between sensors. Capacitive sensors are laid out along the horizontal and vertical axis of the touchpad. The location of the finger is determined from the pattern of capacitance from these sensors. This is why they will not sense the tip of a pencil or other similar implement. Gloved fingers may be problematic (such as in a cleanroom environment) but can sometimes work. Moist or sweaty fingers can be problematic for those touchpads that rely on measuring the capacitance between the sensors."
Posts: 12,016

09-20-2006, 12:35 PM	#3
DaFace Kind of a mod Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Donkey Land Casino cash: $2046899	http://www.thetartan.org/2004/3/1/sc...sworktrackpads Basically, your fingers absorb a tiny amount of an electric current from the mousepad. When that change is detected, it knows where your fingers are.
Posts: 51,755

09-20-2006, 12:37 PM	#4
DaFace Kind of a mod Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Donkey Land Casino cash: $2046899	After reading through that, the technology is strikingly similar to an ultra-safe table saw I read about a while back. Handyman or not, this thing is cool as hell: http://www.sawstop.com/ Check out the "Hot Dog Demo" if nothing else.
Posts: 51,755

09-20-2006, 12:37 PM	#6
JBucc MVP Join Date: Oct 2005 Casino cash: $10004952	I never even thought about it until just now. I guess I just assumed it sensed pressure or something.
Posts: 12,016

09-20-2006, 12:45 PM	#7
DaFace Kind of a mod Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Donkey Land Casino cash: $2046899	Yeah, as long as you don't mind dumping 3 grand on a tablesaw. Could be worth it for a finger, though. This is cool enough that I think I'll post a thread in the lounge about it.
Posts: 51,755