Capacitive mat information handling system display and totem interactions

An information handling system comprising:

• a processor operable to execute instructions to process information;
• memory interfaced with the processor and operable to store the information;
• a graphics system interfaced with the processor and memory, the graphics system operable to generate the visual images for presentation at one or more display devices;
• a capacitive mat display device interfaced with the graphics system and operable to present the visual images, the capacitive mat disposed on a desktop surface and including capacitive sensors operable to detect touches;
• an input device disposed on the capacitive mat display and having an upper surface to accept inputs from an end user and a lower surface to touch the capacitive mat display, the lower surface touching the capacitive mat display with plural feet disposed to provide an identifying characteristic;
• and
• an input device controller interfaced with the capacitive mat display and operable to identify the input device by detecting the identifying characteristics;
• wherein the input device further comprises a compressible body proximate the lower surface, the compressible body altering a surface area pressed against the capacitive mat based upon pressure placed on the upper surface, the input device controller analyzing the surface area to determine an input value.

A method for determining inputs made by one or more input devices disposed on a capacitive mat, the method comprising:

• detecting physical contact between the one or more input devices and the capacitive mat at plural feet disposed on a bottom surface of the one or more input devices;
• analyzing values detected by the capacitive mat for the plural feet to identify the one or more input devices;
• and
• applying a value to inputs made at the one or more input devices based upon the identifying of the input device;
• disposing a compressible material at the input device bottom surface;
• and
• determining an input value for the input device based upon the surface area covered by the compressible material, the compressible material covering varying surface area based upon pressure placed upon the input device.

A method for determining inputs made by one or more input devices disposed on a capacitive mat, the method comprising:

• detecting physical contact between the one or more input devices and the capacitive mat at plural feet disposed on a bottom surface of the one or more input devices;
• analyzing values detected by the capacitive mat for the plural feet to identify the one or more input devices;
• and
• applying a value to inputs made at the one or more input devices based upon the identifying of the input device;
• removing a first of the plural feet from the input device;
• and
• replacing the first of the plural feet with a second foot, the second foot having a distinguishable characteristic to change the values for identifying the input device.

A method for inputting data from a totem to an information handling system, the method comprising:

• integrating first identifying characteristics on a first side of the totem;
• integrating second identifying characteristics on a second side of the totem;
• detecting the first identifying characteristics with a capacitive mat, the totem resting with the first side on the capacitive mat;
• changing the orientation of the totem to rest with the second side on the capacitive mat;
• detecting the second identifying characteristics with the capacitive mat;
• and
• in response to the detecting the second side identifying characteristics, altering a visual image presented by an application on a display integrated with the capacitive mat;
• wherein the identifying characteristic comprises a capacitor associated with a foot of plural feet coupled to the totem, the capacitor to provide a predetermined electro-magnetic resonance for each foot, the input device controller operable to determine a capacitance for each foot and compare the determined capacitance against known capacitances to identify the input device.