The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 20, 1999
Filed:
Dec. 20, 1996
Phillip E Lindeman, Gurnee, IL (US);
Rudy Krolopp, Lake Zurich, IL (US);
Motorola, Inc., Schaumburg, IL (US);
Abstract
A numeric keypad configuration facilitates accurate keypresses by varying key heights to provide obvious tactile feedback to a user. A home key (160) in a keypad (100) has a lower height (265) than the other keys in the matrix. After locating the home key using touch, surrounding keys can be quickly and accurately located also without looking at the keypad. Additionally, instead of printing a number or letter on the surface of a small key, alphanumeric labels (120) are provided in the spacing area between the keys on the telephone front housing (180) and illuminated, thus improving visibility of the numbers and letters in dim lighting situations. This numeric keypad configuration can be used on cellular telephone keypads or any electronic device where a small numeric keypad is desirable.