IP Library Granted Patent US 8,297,861
Granted Patent B2
US 8,297,861 · App. 12/127,037 · Granted Oct 30, 2012

Keypad with larger key areas in central key group

Assignee: HTC Corporation
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,297,861
App. No.
12/127,037
Granted
Oct 30, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

An electronic device and a keypad structure thereof are disclosed. The keypad structure includes a first key group, a second key group and a third key group. The second key group is disposed on the left side of the first key group, and the third key group is disposed on the right side of the first key group. Each key area of the second key group is smaller than that of the first key group, and each key area of the third key group is also smaller than that of the first key group.

Claims (31)

1. A keypad structure used in an electronic device, comprising:

a first key group;

a second key group disposed on the left side of the first key group; and

a third key group disposed on the right side of the first key group;

wherein each of the second key group, the first key group and the third key group comprises a plurality of keys arranged in an array, the array comprises a plurality of key columns and rows, and each key area of the keys in a middle row of each key array is the smallest of the array, and a single key area of each key of the second key group and the third key group is smaller than a single key area of each key of the first key group in the same row.

2. The keypad structure according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a fourth key group disposed on the left side of the second key group, wherein each key area of the fourth key group is larger than each key area of the second key group.

3. The keypad structure according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a fifth key group disposed on the right side of the third key group, wherein each key area of the fifth key group is larger than each key area of the third key group.

4. The keypad structure according to claim 1 , wherein the keys are arranged according to a standard QWERTY keyboard.

5. The keypad structure according to claim 1 , wherein upper boundaries of the second key group, the first key group, and the third key group form a curved line.

6. The keypad structure according to claim 5 , wherein the position of the upper boundary of the first key group is lower than the positions of the upper boundaries of the second key group and the third key group.

7. The keypad structure according to claim 1 , wherein the first key group adjoins the second key group and the third key group.

8. The keypad structure according to claim 1 , wherein the keys are arranged along a plurality of column directions and a plurality of row directions, and at least one of the row directions is not perpendicular to the column directions.

9. The keypad structure according to claim 1 , wherein the keypad structure comprises a rigid keypad or a keypad shown in a touchpad display.

10. An electronic device, comprising:

a main body; and

a keypad structure disposed on the main body, having:

a first key group;

a second key group disposed on the left side of the first key group; and

a third key group on the right side of the first key group;

wherein each of the second key group, the first key group and the third key group comprises a plurality of keys arranged on an array, the array comprises a plurality of key columns and rows, and each key area of the keys in a middle row of each key array is the smallest of the array, and a single key area of each key of the second key group and the third key group is smaller than a single key area of each key of the first key group in the same row.

11. The electronic device according to claim 10 , wherein the keypad structure further comprises a fourth key group disposed on the left side of the second key group, wherein each key area of the fourth key group is larger than each key area of the second key group.

12. The electronic device according to claim 11 , wherein the keypad structure further comprises a fifth key group on the right side of the third key group, wherein each key area of the fifth key group is larger than each key area of the third key group.

13. The electronic device according to claim 10 , wherein upper boundaries of the second key group, the first key group and the third key group form a curved line.

14. The electronic device according to claim 13 , wherein the position of the upper boundary of the first key group is lower than the positions of the upper boundaries of the second key group and the third key group.

15. The electronic device according to claim 10 , wherein the first key group adjoins the second key group and the third key group.

16. The electronic device according to claim 10 , wherein the keys are arranged along a plurality of column directions and a plurality of row directions, and at least one of the row directions is not perpendicular to the column directions.

17. The electronic device according to claim 10 , wherein the keypad structure is a rigid keypad.

18. The electronic device according to claim 10 , further comprising:

a touchpad display disposed on the main body, and wherein the keypad structure is a keypad shown in the touchpad display.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Sep 28, 2012
From: HIGH TECH COMPUTER CORP.
To: HTC CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 029057/0855 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 27, 2008
From: WANG, JOHN C.; WANG, YI-SHEN; LIN, YI-CHI
To: HIGH TECH COMPUTER CORP.
Reel/Frame 020999/0075 →
Priority Claims (1)
TW 96119043 A · May 28, 2007 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20080297377A1 · Dec 4, 2008