Beveled Keyboard Keys for Handheld Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
As hand-held devices shrink in size to become more portable, their keyboards face challenges in remaining usable due to reduced key size, leading to lower typing speed and user confidence, particularly with domed keys that provide small tactile targets and pressure points causing irritation.
Innovation Solution
A keyboard design with keys having a substantially flat contact surface extending to all sides and a beveled inner side, providing a larger tactile target and reducing the likelihood of hitting adjacent keys, enhancing user confidence and typing speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the device size is reduced to improve portability, then the device becomes more portable and streamlined, but the keyboard size and key size are reduced making the keyboard less usable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by giving different geometric characteristics to different parts of the same key. The contact surface is flat while the sides are beveled, creating localized tactile features that enhance key identification and pressing accuracy without increasing overall key size. This allows the keyboard to remain compact while improving usability through localized structural modifications.
2Ease of operation
If domed keys are used to provide tactile feedback, then the user receives tactile target assistance, but the tactile target area becomes very small and pressure points cause irritation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetry by beveling only the inner sides of the keys while keeping the contact surface flat. This asymmetric design creates tactile edges that provide feedback without requiring a domed shape. The beveled edges distribute pressure more evenly across the thumb while still providing clear tactile boundaries for accurate key positioning, eliminating the pressure point irritation caused by domed keys.
3Area of stationary object
If key size is reduced to fit smaller devices, then more keys can fit in compact space, but typing speed and user confidence decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enhances the effectiveness of small key size by applying local quality through beveled inner sides. These beveled edges create distinct tactile boundaries that help users accurately identify and press the correct key even when keys are small. This localized structural feature compensates for the reduced overall key size, maintaining typing speed and user confidence despite the compact keyboard layout.
Data Source
AI summary
A hand-held electronic device has a keyboard with a plurality of keys, each key having a substantially flat contact surface extending to the sides of each key. One of the sides of the key is beveled.