Radiotelephone terminal with dual-sided keypad apparatus

A method of assembling a radiotelephone terminal, the method comprising:

• assembling a flip cover having keypad apparatus disposed within, the flip cover having an inner side and an outer side opposite the inner side, the keypad apparatus comprising at least one non-contacting keypad, the keypad apparatus having a first side that is substantially coincident with the inner side of the flip cover and a second side is substantially coincident with the outer side of the flip cover;
• attaching the flip cover to a housing enclosing electronic components that are operable to transmit and receive radiotelephone communication signals so that the flip cover is pivotally mounted to the housing and movable between at least a closed position and an open position, wherein the inner side of the flip cover is concealed in the closed position and exposed in the open position;
• and
• electrically connecting the keypad apparatus to the electronic components in the housing so that tactile input can be received, at least selectively, from both the first side and the second side of the keypad apparatus.

A method of operating a radiotelephone terminal having a flip cover, the method comprising:

• determining a position of the flip cover, wherein the flip cover is movable between at least a closed position and an open position wherein an inside tactile area is concealed in the closed position, and an outside tactile area is opposite the inside tactile area, at least one of the inside tactile area and the outside tactile area being implemented by a non-contacting keypad;
• enabling the inside tactile area when the flip cover is in the open position;
• and
• enabling the outside tactile area when the flip cover is in the closed position.

Radiotelephone terminal apparatus comprising:

• a housing enclosing electronic components that are operable to transmit and receive radiotelephone communication signals;
• a flip cover pivotally mounted to the housing and movable between at least a closed position and an open position, wherein an inside tactile area is concealed in the closed position, and an outside tactile area is opposite the inside tactile area, at least one of the inside tactile area and the outside tactile area being implemented by a non-contacting keypad;
• means for determining the position of the flip cover;
• and
• means for enabling the inside tactile area when the flip cover is in the open position and the outside tactile area when the flip cover is in the closed position.

A radiotelephone terminal comprising:

• a housing enclosing electronic components operable to transmit and receive radiotelephone communication signals, the housing having no keypad;
• a flip cover pivotally mounted to the housing and movable between at least a closed position and an open position, and comprising an inner side and an outer side, wherein the inner side of the flip cover opposes the housing and is concealed in the closed position and the outer side of the flip cover is opposite the inner side;
• and
• keypad apparatus having a first side and a second side, the keypad apparatus disposed within the flip cover so that the first side is substantially coincident with the inner side of the flip cover and the second side is substantially coincident with the outer side of the flip cover, the keypad apparatus also electrically connected to the electronic components in the housing so that tactile input can be received, at least selectively from both the first side and the second side of the keypad apparatus.

A method of assembling a radiotelephone terminal, the method comprising:

• assembling a flip cover having keypad apparatus disposed within, the flip cover having an inner side and an outer side opposite the inner side, the keypad apparatus having a first side that is substantially coincident with the inner side of the flip cover and a second side is substantially coincident with the outer side of the flip cover;
• attaching the flip cover to a housing having no keypad and enclosing electronic components that are operable to transmit and receive radiotelephone communication signals so that the flip cover is pivotally mounted to the housing and movable between at least a closed position and an open position, wherein the inner side of the flip cover is concealed in the closed position and exposed in the open position;
• and
• electrically connecting the keypad apparatus to the electronic components in the housing so that tactile input can be received, at least selectively, from both the first side and the second side of the keypad apparatus.