Device Integration (touchpad-device-integration)

This topic discusses the considerations and requirements for integrating a Windows Precision Touchpad device into a host system.

Windows Precision Touchpad devices define an experience, and integration of the device has a significant impact on how accurately that experience is implemented. The following sections provide information about the various factors that have to be considered for a successful device integration.

Size

A Windows Precision Touchpad device should have a sensor with minimum dimensions of 32mm x 64mm, as shown in the following diagram. This should be the minimum permissible size that is reported via the physical maximum for X and for Y in the report descriptor.

The best Windows Precision Touchpad devices should have the recommended dimensions of approximately 65mm x 105mm, as shown in the following diagram, to allow for more comfortable interactions.

Placement

Windows Precision Touchpad placement is defined by three measurements: horizontal offset, vertical offset and depth offset.

Horizontal Offset

The optimal placement for a Windows Precision Touchpad is to center the device with the line which bisects the 'F' and 'J' keys of the integrated keyboard as shown in the following diagram.

If a Windows Precision Touchpad device cannot be integrated with the optimal zero offset, then the integrator should store the positive or negative offset value (in himetric units) in the registry to allow the host device to compensate.

If a device has an offset, the value to store is calculated by taking the length of the touchpad to the right of the bisecting line (Y) and subtracting the length of the touchpad to the left of the bisecting line (X), such that Y – X = Offset value. If a device has a right offset, this value will be positive, whereas a device with a left offset will result in a negative value. The following diagram shows the 'X' and 'Y' distances referenced in the preceding explanation.

The Windows registry key that stores information about the horizontal offset of the touchpad is:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\PrecisionTouchPad And here are the relevant variables with their values:

Setting	Name	Type	Default value	Value
Horizontal Offset	HorizontalOffset	DWORD	0	Absolute offset distance in himetric units.
Indicate Negative	HorizontalOffsetIsNeg	DWORD	0	0 = Positive Offset 1 = Negative Offset

 

Vertical Offset

Windows Precision Touchpad devices can be integrated at different vertical offsets from the keyboard spacebar as shown in the following diagram. The integrator should store the positive offset (in himetric units) in the registry, to allow the host to compensate. If a value is not provided, the host should assume a default offset of 14mm.

The Windows registry key that stores information about the vertical offset of the touchpad is:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\PrecisionTouchPad And here is the relevant variable with its default value:

Setting	Name	Type	Default value	Value
Vertical Offset	SpaceBarOffset	DWORD	1000	Offset distance in himetric units.

 

Note  If the touchpad is not below the space bar, but is in fact located above the keyboard, leave the vertical offset at the default value.

Depth Offset

See Palm Deck Integration for more information on integrating the touchpad with the palm deck, including recommendations for depth.