TITLE: Designing Multi­Surface Touchpads for Versatile Functionality
THE PROBLEM/RESEARCH: Often times, computer touchpads, specifically laptops, can be found to be tedious and inconvenient. Many times it is due to an inconvenient sitting position or awkward location. Areas such as chairs with arms, small spaces, or just an awkward sitting position can cause a trackpad on a PC to become difficult and impractical. We thought it helpful to have a touchpad made of flexible material that could be applied to any surface. We researched how computer touchpads actually worked, and found two methods: pressure sensitivity and an electric “grid” that could determine where you touched it. The challenge was to create a touchpad that could maintain its functionality while also allowing flexibility in order for it to be applied to any surface, such as a leg. QUESTION: Is it possible to create a touchpad that can be utilized on multiple surfaces depending on the shape of the surface? HYPOTHESIS: If you create a touchpad using a flexible material, then it will be applicable to multiple surfaces. MATERIALS: Community Core Vision (CCV) ­ A program that can track shadows/contrast Sheets of paper to be used as the flexible touch surface Cardboard PROCEDURE: To begin our experimentation, we created our own “touchpad” using just a cardboard box, paper, and webcam. Using a program called Community Core Vision, or CCV, we were able to put the paper on the open end of the box and track the shadows that appeared when fingers were placed on it, which CCV was able to translate into movement of the mouse on the computer. We decided that using this albeit crude technology we could make a prototype of a potential design of a flexible pad, while providing graphic designs of a more practical version. We thought that the plastic used on cell phone holders commonly used in cars would be a good choice to provide a sticky yet flexible surface for the pad to be on. Ideally, the touchpad would operate by connecting multiple touchpad “cells” with flexible wire, so the touch surface can be flexible and bend with multiple surfaces. We didn’t have the resources to make a fully functioning prototype, so we decided that the box prototype would represent a single “cell” and we created a shell of what it should ideally be. We also created a non­functioning model of the potential touchpad to be produced using small squares and strings representing wires. Ideally, the finished pad would be about a 4 inch square, most likely with a wired connection, as any wireless chip would inhibit its ability to be flexible. Most of our work was based around designing, and not actual creating, as we lack the funds and expertise to create a working product. RESULTS: We created a non­functioning prototype of the touchpad that represented the physical configuration of the pad. Even with a coating, it remained flexible, and the potential for a functioning pad appeared to be excellent. If each section of the pad corresponded to it’s own section of the screen, then all that would have to be done is the coordination of the pads together to operate on one computer. These pieces would be wired together to connect one another, and then the entire device encased in a flexible material to create a single, solid device. The bottom surface could be covered in a gel much like that used in cell phone holders in cars in order to give it a grip on the things it is applied to without actually being sticky. CONCLUSION: We found that it would be possible to create a flexible touchpad by separating the pad into multiple smaller sections of “touchpads” that would function together to operate as a normal pad. Each portion could correspond to a separate section of the computer screen, like a “grid”. These would be connected by coated wires, allowing the sections to flex together. The entire device could be covered, or encased in a flexible material, such as plastic, that would still allow one’s finger to operate the touchpads. This would give the appearance of a single touchpad with smooth surfaces. This could then either be plugged into a computer using wires, or adapted to be wireless. APPLICATIONS: The applications of a flexible touchpad include the ability to use computers comfortably. In a relaxed sitting position, a flexible touchpad can be placed above the thigh so a computer mouse can be operated without stretching out an arm. Because it can be used on multiple surfaces, it may also be used on the arm. If arms are crossed, fingers may operate the touchpad on the tricep. Flexible touchpads may also advance the world of gaming technology. Allowing bendable/flexible touchpads to be sewn onto clothing may allow users to operate a computer or game while in motion and impeded by no heavy or handheld electronics. FUTURE RESEARCH: Additional research can be conducted to find out how this flexible touchpad can be made cheaper, so it won’t be impractical and easily replaced by a regular mouse. In terms of human health, research can be conducted to see how a flexible, multiple­surface touchpad can help fix posture. Rather than bending over a desk to reach for a mouse, could a flexible touchpad on the body help straighten the back? ABSTRACT: The purpose of this project was to make a functioning touchpad that could be used on multiple surfaces like on body parts or on chairs. First, ways of creating touchpad technology were explored and shadow tracking was utilized. This allowed for the construction of a prototype from a camera, a box, and a sheet of paper. Using the program Community Core Vision (CCV), the shadows seen by the camera was translated into a mouse "click" on the screen. This translation was exported to the Flash program "Photo Demo", and the prototype operated like a functioning trackpad. Next, a non­functioning prototype was created to imitate the physical appearance of the ideal final product. It was concluded that a flexible touchpad could be made by having a grid of small, interconnected touchpads bonded by flexible wires. This would allow the touchpad to bend. A coat of plastic would make the operating surface smooth and a silicone­based base would keep the product from moving while it is being used.