Possible to use laptop touchpad as a writing input device?

Anyone know if there is software to use the laptop touchpad as a handwriting input device? I think it would be nice to have something where you could use a PDA stylus and have software take post-it notes. And it would know difference between stylus and finger, so it would switch automatically. Or should I submit a patent?

 

Most touchpads aren't sensitive enough to even use a stylus on them first of all... I say go ahead and submit a patent! Unless someone else has already >.>

 

Hmmm, seems like this would be a useful feature. I mean it would be like a Palm PDA more or less. Except instead of using their cryptic alphabet, it'd be nice just to jot notes, etc.

 

It seems to me I have seen a stylus available for iPhones that mimics the capacitance of a human finger.

Yep, here it is.
IPhone stylus

Since the iPhone uses similar tech to the touchpads it MIGHT work.


And here is one they have specifically for a laptop.

Pogo Sketch

They ONLY mention using it on a Mac, but you might drop them a note to ask.


Gary

 

There's one obvious reason why you normally can't use touchpad as a writing input device. It's not mapped by absolute cordinates. Unless all of your words are connected and you don't stop and start a new line, it's very possible.

 

It's possible to do this, but the touchpad isn't meant for precise writing like a regular writing tablet, since that would jack up the price for something that isn't necessary. If you use a synaptics touchpad, I believe they have something on their website you can download to see what it's like to write with the touchpad.

Jack_Luo, nice 1080 posts .

 

The tool you're referring to is "moodpad". Snaptics touchpads are exception. They're much more capable and their sensivity is pretty good, probably in the same ball park as ipod touch.

BTW.. what's so special about 1080 posts?

 

Just to join in - if you write on your touchpad you possibly would like to know what you hve written on there - so you'd need a screen even black and white - because on the actual computer screen you would see the resutl, but wouldn't know where you've set your stylus.

 

Apparently 1080 degrees. I assume thats what he meant. Guess his question was answered though.

 

I guess we could use our PDA's as inputs atleast?

 

Sounds possible.

 

I got a note back from the Pogo folks. Their stylus works ONLY on the Mac with multitouch trackpads.

Gary