Variable template input area for a data input device of a handheld electronic system

A data input device configured to provide multiple data input methods in a portable electronic system, comprising:

• a data input surface for detecting a gesture performed thereon by a user and for facilitating recognition of said gesture as corresponding to a particular data input, wherein said data input surface is responsive to a touch thereon and is in a location relative to a perimeter of a display device that is spaced from the display device;
• and
• a user removable template having one of a plurality of marking configurations, wherein each marking configuration facilitates operating said data input surface in one of a plurality of functional configurations, wherein said user removable template is positioned over said data input surface for dividing said data input surface into a first data input area and a second data input area, wherein said first data input area is configured to facilitate recognition of one or more first gestures, and wherein said second data input area is configured to facilitate recognition of one or more second gestures associated with one of said functional configurations, the user by changing the user removable template capable of controlling multiple devices which are integrated into the electronic system.

A user removable data input device configured to provide multiple data input ways in a portable electronic system, comprising:

• a data input surface for detecting a gesture performed thereon by a user and for facilitating recognition of said gesture as corresponding to a particular data input, wherein said data input surface is responsive to a touch thereon and is in a location relative to a perimeter of a display device that is spaced from the display device, wherein said data input surface has one of a plurality of marking configurations, wherein each marking configuration facilitates operating said data input surface in one of a plurality of functional configurations, wherein said data input surface includes a first data input area and a second data input area, wherein said first data input area is configured to facilitate recognition of one or more first gestures, and wherein said second data input area is configured to facilitate recognition of one or more second gestures associated with one of said functional configurations, and
• wherein said user removable data input device is configured to couple to the electronic system and to uncouple from said electronic system.