Keypads for oblique viewing
OwnerVictor G. Feller, Gerry J. Elmaninventors
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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.
Claims11
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.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.