Patent ID: 8456427

Claim:
A method for increasing the effect of a pointing object that influences the coupling of a signal between electrodes of a capacitive sensor used in a touchpad, said method comprising: 1) providing at least one drive electrode for generating a signal and at least one sense electrode for measuring a portion of the signal that is coupled to the at least one sense electrode; 2) providing at least one permanently electrically floating capacitive coupler that is disposed so as to be in a fixed position relative to and adjacent to the at least one drive electrode and the at least one sense electrode, the floating capacitive coupler being disposed in a same plane and between the at least one drive electrode and the at least one sense electrode; and 3) introducing a pointing object so as to be in proximity of the at least one drive electrode and the at least one sense electrode, wherein a presence of the pointing object is sufficient to cause a change in coupling of a signal between the at least one drive electrode and the at least one sense electrode, wherein the at least one electrically floating capacitive coupler enhances the effect of the change in coupling of the signal whenever a low impedance path created between the at least one electrically floating capacitive coupler and the pointing object.