# US 12,602,127 B2 · Virtually divided input trackpad > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,602,127 B2 - Document ID: US12602127B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/742,557 - Filed: 2024-06-13 - Published: 2025-12-18 - Granted: 2026-04-14 - Earliest claimed: 2024-06-13 - Assignees: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC - Applicants: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC - Inventors: Roei Shlomo Menashof; Ariel Kerner; Oren Istrin - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12602127B2 ## CPC - G06F 1/1616: {with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position} - G06F 3/0416: {Control or interface arrangements specially adapted for digitisers} - G06F 1/169: {the I/O peripheral being an integrated pointing device, e.g. trackball in the palm rest area, mini-joystick integrated between keyboard keys, touch pads or touch stripes (G06F1/1643 takes precedence; constructional details of pointing devices G06F3/033)} - G06F 3/03547: {Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface} - G06F 3/04817: using icons (graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34) - G06F 3/04886: by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus - G06F 3/016: {Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user} - G06F 2203/04104: Multi-touch detection in digitiser, i.e. details about the simultaneous detection of a plurality of touching locations, e.g. multiple fingers or pen and finger - G06F 2203/04106: Multi-sensing digitiser, i.e. digitiser using at least two different sensing technologies simultaneously or alternatively, e.g. for detecting pen and finger, for saving power or for improving position detection - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) ## Abstract The virtually divided input trackpad disclosed herein is designed to provide enhanced ergonomic user interaction with digital interfaces. The virtually divided input trackpad comprises two virtually separated functional areas, each of which may be dedicated to distinct functionalities such as object movement and object rotation. This arrangement allows for simultaneous two-handed operation, offering users an intuitive, efficient, and accessible way of controlling digital environments, which is especially beneficial for users with specific accessibility needs. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A computing device including a virtually divided input trackpad comprising: a touch sensor comprising a single continuous surface including two or more independent functional areas, each configured to detect inputs independently and simultaneously; and a set of software drivers, each exclusively assigned to one of the independent functional areas of the touch sensor, the software drivers configured to permit separate and simultaneous inputs from the independent functional areas and translate the inputs into corresponding actions within a digital environment rendered on a display. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The computing device including the virtually divided input trackpad of claim 1, further comprising: a virtual divider between the independent functional areas. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The computing device including the virtually divided input trackpad of claim 2, further comprising: a visual or tactile divider between the independent functional areas to align with the virtual divider. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The computing device including the virtually divided input trackpad of claim 2, wherein the virtual divider is user-configurable or software-specific. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The computing device including the virtually divided input trackpad of claim 1, further comprising: a fixed virtual divider between the independent functional areas. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The computing device including the virtually divided input trackpad of claim 5, further comprising: a fixed visual or tactile divider between the independent functional areas to align with the fixed virtual divider. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The computing device including the virtually divided input trackpad of claim 1, wherein the software drivers are to permit separate and simultaneous outputs to the functional areas. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The computing device including the virtually divided input trackpad of claim 7, wherein the separate and simultaneous outputs to the functional areas include haptic feedback to a user. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The computing device including the virtually divided input trackpad of claim 1, wherein each independent functional area is assigned a specific input recognition algorithm. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The computing device including the virtually divided input trackpad of claim 1, wherein the independent functional areas include a first independent functional area encompassing a left side of the touch sensor and a second independent functional area encompassing a right side of the touch sensor. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The computing device including the virtually divided input trackpad of claim 1, wherein one of the independent functional areas is for controlling movement of on-screen objects within the digital environment and another of the independent functional areas is for controlling rotation of the on-screen objects within the digital environment. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The computing device including the virtually divided input trackpad of claim 1, wherein one of the independent functional areas is for controlling the digital environment with a user's left hand and another of the independent functional areas is for controlling the digital environment with a user's right hand. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The computing device including the virtually divided input trackpad of claim 1, wherein the touch sensor and the display are each to be wired or wirelessly connected to a computing device, and wherein the set of software drivers are to be executed on the computing device. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The computing device including the virtually divided input trackpad of claim 1, wherein the touch sensor and the display are each integral to or separate from a connected computing device, and wherein the set of software drivers are to be executed on the computing device. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The computing device including the virtually divided input trackpad of claim 1, wherein the set of software drivers run on hardware specific to the virtually divided input trackpad or hardware for general operation of the computing device. ### Claim 16 A method of using a virtually divided input trackpad comprising: receiving a first user input on a first independent functional area of a touch sensor, the touch sensor comprising a single continuous surface; receiving a second user input on a second independent functional area of the touch sensor, wherein the first independent functional area and the second independent functional area are configured to receive inputs independently and simultaneously; and translating, by a set of software drivers, the received first and second user inputs into corresponding actions within a digital environment rendered on a display, wherein each software driver is assigned exclusively to a respective one of the first independent functional and the second independent functional area. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, further comprising: reconfiguring a virtual divider or visual or tactile divider between the independent functional areas. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the first independent functional area is for controlling the digital environment with a user's left hand and the second independent functional area is for controlling the digital environment with a user's right hand. ### Claim 19 A virtually divided input trackpad comprising: a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) and attached touch sensor having a single continuous surface and including a first independent functional area encompassing a left side of the touch sensor and a second independent functional area encompassing a right side of the touch sensor, each of the first independent functional area and the second independent functional area configured to detect inputs independently and simultaneously, the independent functional areas separated by a virtual divider; and a pair of software drivers, each exclusively assigned to one of the independent functional areas of the touch sensor, the software drivers to permit separate and simultaneous inputs from the independent functional areas and translate them into corresponding actions within a digital environment rendered on a computing device display.