Importance

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Abstract

A touchpad with an input area having a straight or curved main line of extension comprises a support element, a cover having a first surface facing away from the support element and a second surface facing towards the support element and one or more spacers arranged at a periphery of the input area. The one or more spacers mount the cover on the support element in such a way that the cover spans over the support plate in the input area while it is depressible towards the support element by a force acting on the input area of the touchpad. A resistive trace is so arranged on the support element that it extends along the main line of extension of the input area. At least one terminal contacts the resistive trace at a particular point of the main line of extension of the input area and a set of detection electrodes is arranged on the second surface of the cover in facing relationship with the resistive trace. The detection electrodes are configured and arranged for capacitively detecting a position of a user's finger or stylus when the user's finger or stylus is in proximity of or in light touch with the first surface of the cover, and for resistively detecting a position of a user's finger or stylus when the user's finger or stylus depresses the cover and so brings at least one of the detection electrodes into electrical contact with the resistive trace.

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First Claim