Communication device having interchangeable faceplates and active keypad cover

A method of operating a communication device, the communication device including a keypad and a faceplate, the method comprising the steps of:

• detecting presence of a keypad cover on the faceplate;
• if a keypad cover is present, detecting a position of the keypad cover;
• and
• if no keypad cover is present, awaiting a user input from the keypad.

A radiotelephone comprising:

• a housing having a front face;
• a keypad disposed on the front face;
• a first faceplate configured for attachment to the front face;
• a second faceplate configured for attachment to the front face, the second faceplate including a keypad cover movable between a first position and a second position, the keypad cover covering a portion of the keypad in the first position;
• a sensor for detecting attachment of a faceplate to the front face and providing a detection signal, the detection signal having a first state when the first faceplate is attached and a second state when the second faceplate is attached;
• and
• a controller responsive to the detection signal for varying operation of the radiotelephone.

A communication device comprising:

• a housing;
• a keypad disposed on a front face of the housing;
• a faceplate configured for attachment to the housing, the faceplate selected from the group consisting of a faceplate including a movable element which is movable between a first position and a second position, and a faceplate lacking a movable element;
• a sensor disposed within the housing for providing a detection signal in response to attachment of the faceplate including the movable element;
• and
• a controller disposed within the housing, the controller implementing a first set of functions in response to the detection signal and a second set of functions in response to absence of the detection signal.

A portable radiotelephone handset comprising:

• a standard housing having a front face;
• a keypad configured to be disposed on the front face;
• a plurality of faceplates, each faceplate configured for removable attachment to the front face of the standard housing for customizing appearance of the portable radiotelephone handset, at least one faceplate having a keypad cover movable between a first position and a second position, the keypad cover covering a portion of the keypad in the first position and exposing the portion of the keypad in the second position;
• a sensor for sensing attachment to the front face of the standard housing of a faceplate having keypad cover and providing a detection signal;
• and
• a controller which implements a first set of functions in response to a first state of the detection signal and a second set of functions in response to a second state of the detection signal.

A method for operating a communication device, the communication device including

• a switch which is movable between a first position and a second position, and
• one of a first faceplate and a second faceplate disposed on the communication device, the first faceplate lacking a keypad cover and the second faceplate having a keypad cover,
• motion of the keypad cover actuating the switch between the first position and the second position when the second faceplate is disposed on the communication device and the keypad cover is present,
• the first faceplate including a fixed actuator for retaining the switch in one of the first position and the second position when the first faceplate is present,
• the method comprising the steps of:
• initially detecting a position of the switch, the position being one of a first position and a second position;
• in response to detection of the first position of the switch, determining that the communication device includes the second faceplate;
• subsequently, detecting position of the keypad cover in response to actuation of the switch by movement of the keypad cover;
• and
• in response to detection of the second position of the switch, determining that the communication device includes the first faceplate.