Patent ID: 8068041

Claim:
A keypad for a handheld electronic device, the keypad comprising: a number of keys arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, each key having an engagement surface that is structured to be engaged by a user in actuating the key and a skirt surface adjacent the engagement surface; each key of at least a portion of the number of keys comprising a first portion and a second portion, the first portion having a first surface, the second portion having a second surface, at least a portion of the first surface disposed adjacent at least a portion of the second surface being disposed oblique to the at least a portion of the second surface, at least a portion of the second surface being disposed adjacent at least a portion of the skirt surface, at least a portion of each of the first and second surfaces being at least a portion of the engagement surface of the key; at least a portion of a first surface of a key disposed in a predetermined row and in a predetermined column being disposed adjacent at least a portion of a first surface of an adjacent key in the predetermined row; at least a portion of the first surface of the key disposed in the predetermined row and in the predetermined column being offset in an actuation direction from at least a portion of an engagement surface of an adjacent key in the predetermined column and being disposed adjacent at least a portion of a skirt surface of the adjacent key in the predetermined column to provide a tactile distinction between the key disposed in the predetermined row and in the predetermined column and the adjacent key in the predetermined column; and at least a first key of the at least a portion of the number of keys additionally comprising a third portion, the at least a first key being disposed in a given row, the third portion comprising a tactile feature structured to provide a tactile distinction between the at least a first key and an adjacent key in the given row, the third portion having a third surface adjacent the first surface and adjacent the second surface, a portion of the third surface being part of the skirt surface.