Angled Keypad Engagement Surfaces for Small Handheld Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Handheld electronic devices with small form factors often have small, difficult-to-locate and actuate keys due to their compact design, making it challenging for users to operate them effectively.

Innovation Solution

The keypad is designed with a stepped layout and obliquely oriented engagement surfaces, featuring protruding corners and relief surfaces to facilitate tactile and visual identification and actuation of keys, ensuring ease of use even with small key sizes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the handheld electronic device is designed with a small form factor, then the device size is reduced, but the key size and ease of operation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidkey actuation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The engagement surface of each key is oriented at an oblique angle relative to the key actuation direction, creating a localized tactile feature that protrudes from the key top surface. This local geometric modification provides enhanced tactile feedback and directional guidance without increasing the overall key size or device footprint.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The engagement surface is designed with an asymmetric oblique orientation that creates a distinct protruding corner on the key top surface. This asymmetric geometry provides tactile distinguishability between adjacent keys and guides finger placement, improving operability while maintaining compact dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

2Area of moving object

If the key size is reduced to fit small form factor devices, then device compactness is improved, but key locateability and distinguishability worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvekey sizeVSAvoidkey locateability

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of moving objectVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

Each key incorporates an obliquely oriented engagement surface that creates a localized protruding corner feature. This local geometric variation provides tactile distinguishability between keys of identical small size, enabling users to locate and identify individual keys through touch without requiring larger key dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The oblique engagement surface creates a curved or angled protruding corner that provides tactile feedback. This curved geometric feature enhances key distinguishability through tactile sensation, allowing users to differentiate between adjacent small keys through touch alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentUS8254564B2Keypad having keys with angled engagement surfaces, and associated handheld electronic device

Publication Date: 2012.08.28 MALIKIE INNOVATIONS LTD

AI summary

An improved keypad for a handheld electronic device has keys wherein the engagement surface thereof is oriented oblique to the actuation axis of the key. The oblique arrangement of the engagement surfaces visually and tactually distinguishes one key from another, which facilitates their incorporation into various handheld electronic devices with relatively small form factors.