Radio communication device with expanded keypad capability

A wireless communication device comprising:

• a first housing portion;
• a second housing portion;
• coupled to the first housing portion and moveable to a closed position and an open position;
• an earpiece transducer, coupled to at least one of the first housing portion and the second housing portion;
• a receiver, coupled to the earpiece transducer;
• a microphone transducer, coupled to at least one of the first housing portion and the second housing portion;
• a transmitter, coupled to the microphone transducer;
• a keypad, having at least one key and carried on a side of the first housing portion and at least partially covered by the second housing portion when the second housing portion is in the closed position, for entering data into the wireless communication device;
• a keycap, coupled to the second housing portion, for actuating the at least one key when the second housing portion is in the closed position;
• and
• a controller, coupled to the keypad, for receiving a first keypress and interpreting it as a first function when the second housing portion is in the closed position and interpreting it as a second function when the second housing portion is in the open position.

A radiotelephone comprising:

• a first housing portion;
• a second housing portion, coupled to the first housing portion and moveable relative to the first housing portion between a closed position and an open position;
• a data input device having a key, coupled to the first housing portion and at least partially covered by the second housing portion when the second housing portion is in the closed position, for entering data into the radiotelephone responsive to an actuation force applied to the key;
• a keycap, coupled to the second housing portion and at least partially covering the key when the second housing portion is in the closed position, for actuating the key when the second housing portion is in the closed position;
• and
• a controller, coupled to the data input device, for receiving a first keypress and interpreting it as a first function when the second housing portion is in the closed position and interpreting it as a second function when the second housing portion is in the open position.

A wireless communication device comprising:

• a first housing portion having a keypad with a key;
• a second housing portion, coupled to the first housing portion, moveable between a closed position at least partially covering the keypad and an open position at least partially exposing the keypad;
• a keycap, coupled to the second housing portion, for accessing the key when the second housing portion is in the closed position;
• a slidable connection, for connecting the first housing portion to the second housing portion and permitting sliding of the first housing portion relative to the second housing portion in a predetermined extension and contraction range;
• and
• a controller, coupled to the keypad for receiving a first keypress and interpreting it as a first function when the second housing portion is in the closed position and interpreting it as a second function when the second housing portion is in the open position.

A wireless communication device comprising:

• a housing, having a first housing portion and a second housing portion, movable between a folded position and an unfolded position;
• a hinge pivotally joining the first housing portion and the second housing portion;
• a first input device, arranged on an inner surface of at least one of the first housing portion and the second housing portion and concealed when the housing is in the folded position, for entering data when the housing is in the unfolded position;
• a second input device, arranged on an outer surface of at least one of the first housing portion and the second housing portion, for entering data only when the housing is in the folded position;
• and
• a controller, coupled to the first input device, for receiving a first input and interpreting it as a first function when the second housing portion is in the folded position and interpreting it as a second function when the second housing portion is in the unfolded position.