US Patent 9535519 Smart housing for extending trackpad sensing

Embodiments described herein may help to provide an extension of touchpad sensing to adjacent surfaces. An example device may involve: (a) a touchpad having a first surface, (b) at least one electrode coupled to at least one location on the first surface, where at least a portion of the at least one electrode is arranged on a second surface that is adjacent to the first surface so that a touch to the portion of one of the electrodes on the second surface causes the touchpad to output data relating to the corresponding location on the first surface, and (c) and a control system configured to: (1) receive a first signal that is indicative of touch input on the touchpad, and (2) detect, in the first signal, data relating to the corresponding location on the first surface and responsively output a second signal relating to a touch of one of the electrodes on the second surface.