Keypads for oblique viewing

• US 20040057573A1
• Filed: 06/23/2003
• Published: 03/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Gerry J. Elman, Victor G. Feller
• Original Assignee: Gerry J. Elman, Victor G. Feller
• Inventors: Elman, Gerry J., Feller, Victor G.
• Application Number:
  US10/601,835
• Publication Number:
  US 20040057573A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/368
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/024 Profile on actuator
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/028 on planes with different or alterable inclination, e.g. convex plane
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/22 Illumination; Arrangements for improving the visibility of characters on dials
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/23 Construction or mounting of dials or of equivalent devices; Means for facilitating the use thereof by improving visibility H04M1/22

Abstract

A keypad is provided for optimal viewing from an off-axis vantage point, i.e., that is not perpendicular to the plane of the keypad, for a device such as a wireless phone clipped upside-down to a user'"'"'s belt or a remote control pointed at a controlled device. At least a triad of keys have numerical or other visible indicia on a planar, or slightly convex or concave surface that is oblique to the plane. The keypad can be operated conveniently without having to shift viewpoint or move the device.

Claims

1. A keypad optimized for off-axis viewing, comprising one or more triads of keys in a row protruding from a faceplate surface, each such key bearing an indicium representative of the result of pressing the key, the indicium being on a key surface that is oblique to the plane defined by the faceplate surface or by the topmost portion of each of the keys.

2. The keypad of claim 1, comprising three triads of keys representing numbers from 1 to 9.

3. The keypad of claim 2, further comprising a fourth triad of keys, one representing the number 0 and the other two representing functions.

4. The keypad of claim 3, wherein the other two functions are represented by the characters * and #.

5. The keypad of claim 1 wherein the keys are formed integrally with a common base from which they protrude through the faceplate.

6. A wireless phone comprising a keypad as recited in claim 1.

7. A mounting for a wireless phone optimized for off-axis viewing and operation, comprising a keypad as recited in claim 1 and a clip for temporarily securing the wireless phone upside-down for manual operation at or near the waist of a user.

8. A kit for retrofitting a conventional wireless phone for off-axis viewing comprising a replacement keypad as recited in claim 1.

9. The kit of claim 8, further comprising a mounting comprising a clip for temporarily securing the wireless phone upside-down for manual operation at or near the waist of a user.

10. A remote control device comprising a keypad as recited in claim 1.

11. The keypad of claim 1, wherein the indicia on the keys of at least one triad do not include numbers.