Adapters for facilitating half-duplex wireless communications in portable electronic communications devices, and systems comprising same

A communications system, comprising:

• a portable electronic communications device comprising a processor, a memory communicatively coupled to the processor, computer-executable instructions stored on the memory, and a transceiver communicatively coupled to the processor and operable to send and receive radio-frequency signals to and from a telecommunications network, the computer-executable instructions being configured so that the computer-executable instructions, when executed on the processor, cause the portable electronic communications device to transmit only when receiving an input corresponding to a transmit command;
• and
• an adapter comprising a case configured to receive the portable electronic communications device, and a key mounted on the case, wherein the key is communicatively coupled to the portable electronic communications device when the portable electronic communications device is disposed in the case and the key is operable to generate on a selective basis the input corresponding to the transmit command;
• wherein:
• the computer-executable instructions are further configured so that the computer-executable instructions, when executed on the processor, cause the portable electronic communications device to perform a user-programmable function when receiving an input corresponding to the user-programmable function;
• and
• the adapter further comprises a second key mounted on the case, wherein the second key is communicatively coupled to the portable electronic communications device when the portable electronic communications device is disposed in the case and the second key is operable to generate on a selective basis the input corresponding to the user-programmable function.

An adapter for use with a portable electronic communications device as an accessory, comprising:

• a case configured to receive the portable electronic device having a housing in which a plurality of electronic components are disposed;
• and
• a key mounted on the case, the key being communicatively coupled to the portable electronic communications device when the portable electronic communications device is disposed in the case and being operable to provide the portable electronic communications device with an input on a selective basis;
• and
• a first wireless transceiver electrically connected to the key, the first wireless transceiver being configured to communicate with a second wireless transceiver associated with the portable electronic communications device so that the key is communicatively coupled to the portable electronic communications device by way of the first and second wireless transceivers.