Keypad assembly for use on a contoured surface of a mobile computing device

摘要

A mobile computing device is provided that includes a housing, a display screen, and a keypad. The housing includes a front face having a portion that has a contour. The contour may be is inwardly directed and be defined by at least a first gradient direction. The display screen is provided with the front face, apart from the portion that has the contour. The keypad includes a plurality of keycaps that extend outward from the front face. The keypad may be provided only on an occupied region of the portion of the front face that has the contour. A maximum angle formed by the occupied region of the front face relative to a horizontal reference that is coplanar with the display screen is greater than 20 degrees.

主权项

1. A mobile computing device comprising:
a housing that includes a front face having a portion that has a contour, wherein the contour is inwardly directed to have at least a first gradient direction that decreases a thickness of the housing along a progression in the gradient direction; a display screen provided with the front face, apart from the portion that has the contour; a keypad provided on the front face, wherein the keypad comprises a plurality of keycaps that extend outward from the front face; wherein the keypad is provided at least partially on an occupied region of the portion of the front face that has the contour; and wherein a maximum angle formed by the occupied region of the front face relative to a horizontal reference that is coplanar with the display screen is greater than 20 degrees.