Abstract: A side panel for a fabric care appliance is described. The side panel includes an embossed pattern for increasing a first natural frequency (or first harmonic) of the side panel. Preferably, the first natural frequency is substantially higher than any ordinary operating frequency or driving frequency of the appliance. For example, in a washing machine, the first natural frequency of the side panel is preferably at least 1.6 times greater than the maximum rotational frequency of a drum or tumbler of the machine.

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.