Abstract:
A wireless communication device ( 10 ) is provided for maintaining acceptable acoustic coupling, increasing display and data input device capability and increasing antenna performance to encourage further miniaturization and weight reduction thereof. Two moveable housing portions ( 12 ) and ( 14 ) are moveable between a closed ( 18 ) and an open ( 20 ) housing position and matively engage to provide an expandable housing while aligning earpiece ( 26 ) and microphone ( 28 ) transducers on a center axis ( 30 ) of the device ( 10 ). Paging and radiotelephone functions of the device are configured responsive to the position of the housing portion ( 12 ). The housing portion has a lens for viewing a display ( 46 ) thereunder and keycaps for actuating a keypad ( 54 ) thereunder when the housing portion ( 12 ) is in the closed housing position ( 18 ). An antenna ( 56 ) is extendable beyond the moveable housing portion ( 12 ).

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates generally to wireless communication devices such as portable radiotelephones and more particularly to the mechanics and operation of such devices.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Advances in computing, wireless transceivers, displays, data input devices, batteries, materials and mechanics have promoted the miniaturization and weight reduction of wireless communication devices such as portable radiotelephones. However, there are tradeoffs associated with the advantages of such miniaturization.  
           [0003]    Firstly, smaller devices result in a shorter distance between the earpiece and microphone transducers. Since the typical distance between a human ear and mouth remains unchanged, acceptable acoustic coupling between the earpiece transducer and the human ear, and between the microphone transducer and the human mouth is becoming more difficult to maintain. Various solutions have addressed this problem by slidably or rotatably coupling one or more moveable housing elements to the main body portion of the radiotelephone. The housing elements have earpiece or microphone transducers disposed therein. The distance between the earpiece and microphone transducers is increased by moving the housing element to an open position during use and decreased by moving the housing element to a closed position when not in use. Thus, reliable acoustic coupling is achieved when the  5  radiotelephone is in use without compromising miniaturization when the radiotelephone is not in use. Examples of these solutions are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos.: D297,735, D297,734, D326,091, D326,451, D326,452, D298,244, D305,427, D300,827, D300,742, D304,189 and D297,736. However, as the devices become even smaller, the distance between the earpiece and microphone becomes even shorter and the acceptable acoustic coupling is even more difficult to maintain.  
           [0004]    Secondly, smaller devices have less space for display and data input devices, such as keypads. The smaller devices have compromised these functions by making display characters and input keys smaller and thus harder to use. Additionally, the market for advanced communication devices is requiring more capability from the display and data input devices which is contradictory to the trend of providing less capability for the sake of miniaturization.  
           [0005]    Thirdly, smaller devices have less space for an antenna thereby degrading transmission and/or reception performance. Smaller devices, having smaller antennas, are more susceptible to the well known shadowing phenomenon produced by the position of the human head between the communication device and the nearest base site when the device is held against the head during use.  
           [0006]    Thus, there is a need to maintain acceptable acoustic coupling, increase display and data input device capability and increase antenna performance to encourage further miniaturization of wireless communication devices. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0007]    [0007]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a radiotelephone in an open position constructed in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the radiotelephone of FIG. 1 in a closed position.  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a radiotelephone in an open position constructed in accordance with a second preferred embodiment the present invention.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the radiotelephone of FIG. 3.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a radiotelephone in an open position constructed in accordance with a third preferred embodiment the present invention.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the radiotelephone of FIG. 5.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the radiotelephone of FIGS.  1 - 6  and including an optional pager.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0014]    Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there are shown perspective views of a radiotelephone  10  in an open and closed position, respectively, constructed in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. Radiotelephones that may advantageously utilize the present invention include, among others, cellular radiotelephones, cordless radiotelephone one (CT- 1 ) and cordless radiotelephone two (CT- 2 ). The radiotelephone  10  is similar to that of a portable cellular radiotelephone model no. F09HYD8363BG, manufactured and available from Motorola Inc., 600 North U.S. Highway  45 , Libertyville, Ill. 60048. Wireless communication devices, such as the radiotelephone  10 , are well known in the art and will not be described in detail except to distinguish what is well known and what is described in the preferred embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0015]    The radiotelephone  10  comprises a housing assembly having first  12 , second  14  and third  16  housing portions. The first  12  and second  14  housing portions are each coupled to the third  16  housing portion. The third housing portion includes a side  32 . The first  12  and second  14  housing portions are each moveable between a first, closed position, designated by reference numeral  18  in FIG. 1 and shown in FIG. 2, and a second, open position, designated by reference numeral  20  in FIG. 1 and shown in FIG. 1. The first housing portion  12  is moveable between a first housing position  18  at least partially covering a side  32  of the third housing portion  16  and a second housing position  20  at least partially exposing the side  32  of the third housing portion  16 . The second housing portion  14  is moveable between a first housing position  18  at least partially covering the side  32  of the third housing portion  16  and a second housing position  20  at least partially exposing the side  32  of the third housing portion  16 .  
         [0016]    A unique feature of the radiotelephone  10  is readily apparent from viewing both FIGS. 1 and 2. The first housing portion  12  has an end portion  22 . The second housing portion  14  has an end portion  24  extending beyond the end portion  22  of the first housing portion  12  when the first  12  and the second  14  housing portions are moved to their first housing positions  18  at least partially covering the side  32  of the third housing portion  16 . Preferably, the length of the first  12  housing portion and the length of the second  14  housing portion are each greater than one-half the length of the third housing portion  16 .  
         [0017]    A conventional earpiece transducer  26  is coupled to the first housing portion  12  and a conventional microphone transducer  28  is coupled to the second housing portion  28 . The earpiece  26  and microphone  28  transducers are substantially aligned with a center axis  30  of the third housing portion  16 . Conventional transceiving means (see FIG. 7), coupled to the earpiece  26  and microphone  28  transducers, is preferably disposed in the third housing portion  16 .  
         [0018]    In the closed housing position  18 , the first  12  and second  14  housing portions are substantially disposed in the same plane and preferably adjacent to the side  32  of the third housing portion  16 . Preferably, a side  34  of the first housing portion  12  is shaped to matively engage with a side  36  of the second housing portion  14 . Such engagement permits the positioning of the first  12  and second  14  housing portions in the same plane adjacent to the side  32  of the third housing portion  16  while permitting the earpiece  26  and microphone  28  transducers to align with the center axis  30 .  
         [0019]    Note that in the closed position  18 , the holes in the earpiece  26  and microphone  28  transducers are facing towards the side  32  of the third housing portion  16 . This produces a very clean appearance on the outside of the radiotelephone  10  when in its closed position  18 .  
         [0020]    In the open housing position  20 , the first housing portion  22  is disposed at an obtuse angle relative to the third housing portion  16 , preferably 180°, permitting alignment of the earpiece transducer  26  with a human ear. Similarly, the second housing portion  14  is also disposed at an obtuse angle relative to the third housing portion  16 , although preferably 135°, permitting alignment of the microphone transducer  28  with a human mouth. Both the earpiece  26  and microphone  28  transducers remain aligned with the center axis  30  when the first  12  and second  14  housing portions are in the open housing position  20 .  
         [0021]    Although it would be less desirable than the preferred embodiment, one of the first  12  and second  14  housing portions may overlap the other such that the first  12  and second  14  housing portions are disposed in different and preferably, substantially parallel planes.  
         [0022]    In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first  12  and second  14  housing portions are rotatably coupled to the third housing portion  16  between the closed  18  and open  20  housing positions via hinge mechanisms  38  and  30   40 , respectively. The first  12  and second  14  housing portions are manually rotated between the open  18  and closed  20  positions, one at a time. The hinge mechanisms also retain each of the first  12  and second  14  housing portions in both the closed  18  and open  20  housing positions. A variety of conventional hinge mechanisms are acceptable for use with the present invention.  
         [0023]    The movement of the first housing portion  12  between the closed  18  and open  20  housing positions are coupled to the movement of the second housing portion  14  between the closed  18  and open  20  housing positions. Due to the sculptured shape of the first  12  and second  14  housing portions, one of the housing portions must rotate a predetermined number of degrees relative to the third housing portion  16  before the other housing portion can rotate so that the housing portions do not interfere with each other. The first housing portion  12  is retained in the closed position  18  using the aforementioned hinge mechanism.  
         [0024]    The second housing portion  14  includes a conventional spring member as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,471,493 coupled to the hinge mechanism  40 . The spring member generates a biasing force to urge the second housing portion  14  to its open position  20 . A tab  42  coupled to the end portion  24  of the second housing portion  14  is adapted to fit within recess  44  in the hinged area  38  of the first housing portion  12  to maintain the second housing portion  14  in its closed position  18  when the first housing portion  12  is in its closed position  18 . When the first housing portion  12  is manually moved to the open position  20 , the tab  42  clears the recess  44  permitting the biasing force exerted by the spring member to urge the second housing portion  14  to its open position  20 . The radiotelephone  10  may be thereafter closed by closing the first housing portion  12  after the second housing portion  14 . Of course, more elaborate coupling mechanisms may be employed to automatically open each of the first  12  and the second  14  housing portions.  
         [0025]    The radiotelephone  10  is advantageous in that is contracted to approximately one third of its useable length when in its closed position  18  while providing only one additional layer of housing material. This results in a reduction in thickness of the device and a weight reduction approximately equal to that of one moveable housing portion. Furthermore, when the radiotelephone  10  is expanded to its open position  20 , the earpiece  26  and microphone  28  transducers remain on the center axis  30  of the third housing portion  10  permitting convenient and comfortable alignment with a human ear and mouth.  
         [0026]    The radiotelephone  10  further includes a display  46  and a data input device, such as a keypad  48 , preferably coupled to the side  32  of the third housing portion  16 . As the radiotelephone  10  becomes smaller, less space is available for the display  46  and keypad  48 . However, radiotelephones are being designed with more capability to provide a greater range of services and thus need additional display  46  and keypad  48  resources to support the expanded capability. One such example of added capability is the addition of a selective call receiver functions, such as a conventional pager, to the functionality of the radiotelephone  10 . A conventional pager may be of the type model number A04JRC5661A, manufactured and available from Motorola Inc. 1500 N.W. 22nd Avenue, Boynton Beach, Fla. 33426-8292. The combination of a pager and a radiotelephone is already well known in the art.  
         [0027]    Such expanded capability problems are overcome by relating paging and radiotelephone modes associated with the wireless communication device  10  to at least one of the first  12  and second  14  housing portions being moved between the closed  18  and open  20  positions. The movement of one housing portion actuates a switch (see FIG. 7) to prompt the device to change a portion of the communication device between paging and radiotelephone functions. A switch actuated responsive to the movement of a housing portion is well known as taught, by example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,117,073.  
         [0028]    For example, display functionality is expanded by displaying paging information when the first housing portion  12  is moved to the closed position  18  and radiotelephone information when the first housing portion  12  is moved to the open housing position  20 .  
         [0029]    For example, keypad functionality is expanded by having paging functions associated therewith when the first housing portion  12  is in the closed position  18  and radiotelephone functions associated therewith when the first housing portion  12  is moved to the open housing position  20 .  
         [0030]    The dual modes of the device are not limited to only radiotelephone and paging functions. This feature of the present invention is intended to include any to modes of the wireless communication device. For example, the dual modes alternatively include: radiotelephone vs. notebook functions, private vs. hands-free conversation and cellular vs. cordless functions.  
         [0031]    The display  46  and keypad  48  are preferably covered by the moveable housing portions as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, but do not necessarily need to be covered to gain the expanded functionality provided by the moveable housing portion. An example of a radiotelephone that has a moveable housing portion and does not fully cover the keypad is cordless radiotelephone model number 34986, manufactured and available from Motorola Inc., 600 North U.S. Highway  45 , Libertyville, Ill. 60048.  
         [0032]    Another unique feature of the wireless communication device  10  as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a substantially transparent portion  50 , hereinafter called a lens, coupled to the first  12  and second  14  housing portions. Since the display  46  is at least partially covered by the first housing portion  12  when the first housing portion  12  is moved to the closed housing position  18 , the display traditionally becomes of little use. However, the lens  50  is coupled to the first  12  and second  14  housing portions such that the lens is disposed essentially opposite at least a portion of the display  46  when the first  12  and second  14  housing portions are moved to the closed housing position  18 . Thus, the display capability is expanded since it can now be used when the housing portions are in their closed position  18 . Of course, the lens may optionally be coupled to only one of the moveable housing portions if so desired. In accordance with the previously taught feature, the covered display  46  provides paging information when the housing portions are moved to their closed housing position  18  and radiotelephone information when the housing portions are moved to their open  20  housing position  
         [0033]    Still another unique feature of the wireless communication device  10  as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is keycap means  52  coupled to the second housing portion  14 . Since the keypad  48  is at least partially covered by the second housing portion  14  when the second housing portion  14  is moved to the closed housing position  18 , the keypad  48  traditionally becomes of little use. However, the keycaps  52  are coupled to the second housing portion  14  such that the keycaps  52  are disposed essentially opposite at least a portion of the keypad  54  when the second housing portion  14  is moved to the closed housing position  18 . The keycaps  52  are comprised of conventional elastomeric material and protrude through the thickness of the second housing portion  14 . The keycaps  52  are coupled to the second housing portion  14  by sandwiching webbing interconnecting individual keycaps between layers of the second housing portion  14 . Thus, the keypad capability is expanded since it can now be used when the second housing portion  14  is in its closed position  18 . Of course, additional keycaps may also be coupled to the first housing portion  12  if so desired. In accordance with the previously taught feature, the covered portion of the keypad  54  provides paging functions when the second housing portion  14  is moved to its closed housing position  18  and radiotelephone functions when the second housing portion  14  is moved to its open  20  housing position.  
         [0034]    Yet, still another unique feature of the wireless communication device  10  as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is an antenna  56  coupled to the first housing portion  12 . A transceiver (FIG. 7) is substantially disposed in the third housing portion  16 . The antenna  56  is coupled to the transceiver and the first housing portion  12 . The antenna  56  is moveable between a first, closed, antenna position designated by reference numeral  60  at pocket  58  and a second, open, antenna position designated by reference numeral  62  extended beyond the first housing portion  12 . The antenna  56  is shown to be rotatably coupled to the first housing portion  12  between antenna positions  60  and  62 . The antenna preferably extends beyond the housing portion having the earpiece transducer  26  such that the antenna extends above a human head.  
         [0035]    For miniature radiotelephone  10  having the length of the first housing portion  12  approximately equal to the length of the third housing portion  16 , an antenna extending beyond the third housing portion  16  would not reach beyond the length of the first housing portion  12 . In this position the shadowing phenomenon reduces the performance of the antenna  56 . However, extending the antenna  56  beyond the first, moveable housing portion  12  raises the antenna  56  to an even further extended position away from the radiotelephone  10  and therefore overcomes the shadowing problem resulting in improved antenna performance.  
         [0036]    Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, there are shown perspective views of a radiotelephone  100  in an open and closed position, respectively, constructed in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. The radiotelephone  100  is the same as the radiotelephone  10  shown in in FIGS. 1 and 2 and described in the associated text with the following two exceptions. Firstly, the first  112  and second  114  housing portions are slidably coupled to the third housing portion  116  rather than being rotatably coupled. Secondly, the antenna  156  is slidably coupled to the first housing portion  112  rather than being rotatably coupled.  
         [0037]    The radiotelephone  100  comprises a housing assembly having first  112 , second  114  and third  116  housing portions. The first  112  and second  114  housing portions are each coupled to the third  116  housing portion. The third housing portion includes a side  132 . The first  112  and second  114  housing portions are each moveable between a first, closed position, designated by reference numeral  118  in FIG. 3 and shown in FIG. 4, and a second, open position, designated by reference numeral  120  in FIG. 3 and shown in FIG. 3. The first housing portion  112  is moveable between a first housing position  118  at least partially covering a side  132  of the third housing portion  116  and a second housing position  120  at least partially exposing the side  132  of the third housing portion  116 .  
         [0038]    The second housing portion  114  is moveable between a first housing position  118  at least partially covering the side  132  of the third housing portion  116  and a second housing position  120  at least partially exposing the side  132  of the third housing portion  116 .  
         [0039]    A unique feature of the radiotelephone  110  is readily apparent from viewing both FIGS. 3 and 4. The first housing portion  112  has an end portion  122 . The second housing portion  114  has an end portion  124  extending beyond the end portion  122  of the first housing portion  112  when the first  112  and the second  114  housing portions are moved to their first housing positions  118  at least partially covering the side  132  of the third housing portion  116 . Preferably, the length of the first  112  housing portion and the length of the second  114  housing portion are each greater than one-half the length of the third housing portion  116 .  
         [0040]    Opposing sides  164  and  166  of the first housing portion  112  each slide and are thereby captured by opposing guide rails  172  and  174  on the side  132  of the third housing portion  116 . Similarly, opposing sides  168  and  170  of the second housing portion  114  each slide and are thereby captured by opposing guide rails  172  and  174  on the side  132  of the third housing portion  116 . The guide rails are raised above the side  132  of the third housing portion  116  to permit the first  112  and the second  114  housing portions to at least partially cover the side  132  when the housing portions  112  and  114  are in their closed housing position  118 .  
         [0041]    When the housing portions  112  and  114  are in their closed housing position  118 , the side  164  of the first housing portion  112  slides past and over the side  168  of the second housing portion  114 . Likewise, the side  166  of the first housing portion  112  slides past and over the side  170  of the second housing portion  114 . The end portion  122  at the opposing sides  164  and  166  of the first housing portion  112  are disposed in grooves  176  and  178 , respectively.  
         [0042]    When the housing portions  112  and  114  are in their open housing position  120 , conventional stops (not shown) at the end portion  122  of the first housing position  112  and the end portion  124  of the second housing portion  114  keep the housing portions  112  and  114  from separating from the third housing portion  116 . The conventional stops also retain the housing portions  112  and  114  when the housing portions  112  and  114  are in their closed housing position  118 .  
         [0043]    The first and second housing portions  112  and  114  are shown to be slidably coupled to opposing guide rails  172  and  174  on the third housing portion  116 . Alternatively, only one side of the first and second housing portions  112  and  114  need be slidably coupled to the third housing portion  116  given a robust design. For example, the side  164  of the first housing portion  112  slidably engages with guide rail  172  of the third housing portion  116  and the side  170  of the second housing portion  114  slidably engages with guide rail  174  of the third housing portion  116 . Thus, absolutely, no overlap occurs between any part of the first and second housing portions  112  and  114 .  
         [0044]    A conventional earpiece transducer  126  is coupled to the first housing portion  112  and a conventional microphone transducer  128  is coupled to the second housing portion  128 .  
         [0045]    The earpiece  126  and microphone  128  transducers are substantially aligned with a center axis  130  of the third housing portion  116 . Conventional transceiving means (see FIG. 7), coupled to the earpiece  126  and microphone  128  transducers, is preferably disposed in the third housing portion  116 .  
         [0046]    In the closed housing position  118 , the major surfaces of first  112  and second  114  housing portions are substantially disposed in the same plane and preferably adjacent to the side  132  of the third housing portion  116 . Preferably, a side  134  of the first housing portion  112  is shaped to matively engage with a side  136  of the second housing portion  114 . Such engagement permits the positioning of the first  112  and second  114  housing portions in the same plane adjacent to the side  132  of the third housing portion  116  while permitting the earpiece  126  and microphone  128  transducers to align with the center axis  130 .  
         [0047]    Note that in the closed position  118 , the holes in the earpiece  126  and microphone  128  transducers are facing opposite to the side  132  of the third housing portion  116 . This produces an opportunity for the user to use the earpiece and microphone transducers of the radiotelephone  110  when in its closed position  118 . One such use includes a hands-free operation enabling the user to answer a call without opening the radiotelephone  100 .  
         [0048]    In the open housing position  120 , the first housing portion  122  is disposed at an obtuse angle relative to the third housing portion  116 , preferably 180°, permitting alignment of the earpiece transducer  126  with a human ear. Similarly, the second housing portion  114  is also disposed at an obtuse angle relative to the third housing portion  116 , although preferably 18°, permitting alignment of the microphone transducer  128  with a human mouth. Both the earpiece  126  and microphone  128  transducers remain aligned with the center axis  130  when the first  112  and second  114  housing portions are in the open housing position  120 .  
         [0049]    Although it would be less desirable than the preferred embodiment, one of the first  112  and second  114  housing portions may overlap the other such that the first  112  and second  114  housing portions are disposed in different and preferably, substantially parallel planes.  
         [0050]    The movement of the first housing portion  112  between the closed  118  and open  120  housing positions are coupled to the movement of the second housing portion  114  between the closed  118  and open  120  housing positions. Contrary to the rotating housing portions  12  and  14  of FIGS. 1 and 2, the housing portions  112  and  114  of FIGS. 3 and 4 do not interfere with each other and thus can be moved at the same time. Of course, elaborate coupling mechanisms may be employed to automatically open each of the first  112  and the second  114  housing portions.  
         [0051]    The radiotelephone  110  is advantageous in that is contracted to approximately one third of its useable length when in its closed position  118  while providing only one additional layer of housing material. This results in a reduction in thickness of the device and a weight reduction approximately equal to that of one moveable housing portion. Furthermore, when the radiotelephone  110  is expanded to its open position  120 , the earpiece  126  and microphone  128  transducers remain on the center axis  130  of the third housing portion  110  permitting convenient and comfortable alignment with a human ear and mouth.  
         [0052]    The radiotelephone  110  further includes a display  146  and a data input device, such as a keypad  148 , preferably coupled to the side  132  of the third housing portion  116 . As the radiotelephone  110  becomes smaller, less space is available for the display  146  and keypad  148 . However, radiotelephones are being designed with more capability to provide a greater range of services and thus need additional display  146  and keypad  148  resources to support the expanded capability. One such example of added capability is the addition of a selective call receiver functions, such as a conventional pager, to the functionality of the radiotelephone  110 . Such expanded capability problems are overcome by relating paging and radiotelephone modes associated with the wireless communication device  110  to at least one of the first  112  and second  114  housing portions being moved between the closed  118  and open  120  positions.  
         [0053]    The display functionality is expanded by displaying paging information when the first housing portion  112  is moved to the closed position  118  and radiotelephone information when the first housing portion  112  is moved to the open housing position  120 .  
         [0054]    The keypad functionality is expanded by having paging functions associated therewith when the first housing portion  112  is in the closed position  118  and radiotelephone functions associated therewith when the first housing portion  112  is moved to the open housing position  120 .  
         [0055]    As with FIGS. 1 and 2, the dual modes of the device are not limited to only radiotelephone and paging functions. This feature of the present invention is intended to include any to modes of the wireless communication device. For example, the dual modes alternatively include: radiotelephone vs. notebook functions, private vs. hands-free conversation and cellular vs. cordless functions.  
         [0056]    The display  146  and keypad  148  are preferably covered by the moveable housing portions as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, but do not necessarily need to be covered to gain the expanded functionality provided by the moveable housing portion as discussed with FIGS. 1 and 2.  
         [0057]    Another unique feature of the wireless communication device  110  as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is a substantially transparent portion  150 , hereinafter called a lens, coupled to the second housing portion  114 . As similarly discussed with FIGS. 1 and 2, the lens  150  is coupled to the second  114  housing portion such that the lens is disposed essentially opposite at least a portion of the display  146  when the second  114  housing portion is moved to the closed housing position  118 . Thus, the display capability is expanded since it can now be used when the second housing portion is in its closed position  118 . Of course, the lens may optionally be coupled to both of the moveable housing portions  112  and  114  if so desired. In accordance with the previously taught feature, the covered display  146  provides paging information when the housing portions are moved to their closed housing position  118  and radiotelephone information when the housing portions are moved to their open  120  housing position.  
         [0058]    Still another unique feature of the wireless communication device  10  as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is keycap means  152  coupled to the second housing portion  114 . As discussed with FIGS. 1 and 2, the keycaps  152  are coupled to the second housing portion  114  such that the keycaps  152  are disposed essentially opposite at least a portion of the keypad  154  when the second housing portion  114  is moved to the closed housing position  118 . The keycaps  152  are comprised of conventional elastomeric material and protrude through the thickness of the second housing portion  114 . The keycaps  152  are coupled to the second housing portion  114  by sandwiching webbing interconnecting individual keycaps between layers of the second housing portion  114 . Thus, the keypad capability is expanded since it can now be used when the second housing portion  114  is in its closed position  118 . Of course, additional keycaps may also be coupled to the first housing portion  112  if so desired. In accordance with the previously taught feature, the covered portion of the keypad  154  provides paging functions when the second housing portion  114  is moved to its closed housing position  118  and radiotelephone functions when the second housing portion  114  is moved to its open  120  housing position.  
         [0059]    Yet, still another unique feature of the wireless communication device  110  as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is an antenna  156  coupled to the first housing portion  112 . A transceiver (FIG. 7) is substantially disposed in the third housing portion  116 . The antenna  156  is coupled to the transceiver and the first housing portion  112 . The antenna  156  is moveable between a first, closed, antenna position designated by reference numeral  160  at pocket  158  and a second, open, antenna position designated by reference numeral  162  extended beyond the first housing portion  112 . The antenna  156  is shown to be slidably coupled to the first housing portion  112  between antenna positions  160  and  162 . The antenna preferably extends beyond the housing portion having the earpiece transducer  126  such that the antenna extends above a human head.  
         [0060]    For miniature radiotelephone  110  having the length of the first housing portion  112  approximately equal to the length of the third housing portion  116 , an antenna extending beyond the third housing portion  116  would not reach beyond the length of the first housing portion  112 . In this position the shadowing phenomenon reduces the performance of the antenna  156 . However, extending the antenna  156  beyond the first, moveable housing portion  112  raises the antenna  156  to an even further extended position away from the radiotelephone  110  and therefore overcomes the shadowing problem resulting in improved antenna performance.  
         [0061]    Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, there are shown perspective views of a radiotelephone  200  in an open and closed position, respectively, constructed in accordance with a third preferred embodiment of the present invention. The radiotelephone  200  is the same as the radiotelephone  100  shown in FIGS. 3 and 3 and described in the associated text with the following one exception. The second housing portion  214  is rotatably coupled to the third housing portion  216  rather than being slidably coupled. Therefore, a combination of sliding and rotating moveable housing portions is shown.  
         [0062]    The radiotelephone  200  comprises a housing assembly having first  212 , second  214  and third  216  housing portions. The first  212  and second  214  housing portions are each coupled to the third  216  housing portion. The third housing portion includes a side  232 . The first  212  and second  214  housing portions are each moveable between a first, closed position, designated by reference numeral  218  in FIG. 5 and shown in FIG. 6, and a second, open position, designated by reference numeral  220  in FIG. 5 and shown in FIG. 5. The first housing portion  212  is moveable between a first housing position  218  at least partially covering a side  232  of the third housing portion  216  and a second housing position  220  at least partially exposing the side  232  of the third housing portion  216 . The second housing portion  214  is moveable between a first housing position  218  at least partially covering the side  232  of the third housing portion  216  and a second housing position  220  at least partially exposing the side  232  of the third housing portion  216 .  
         [0063]    A unique feature of the radiotelephone  210  is readily apparent from viewing both FIGS. 5 and 6. The first housing portion  212  has an end portion  222 . The second housing portion  214  has an end portion  224  extending beyond the end portion  222  of the first housing portion  212  when the first  212  and the second  214  housing portions are moved to their first housing positions  218  and at least partially covering the side  232  of the third housing portion  216 . Preferably, the length of the first  212  housing portion and the length of the second  214  housing portion are each greater than one-half the length of the third housing portion  216 .  
         [0064]    Opposing sides  264  and  266  of the first housing portion  212  each slide and are thereby captured by opposing guide rails  272  and  274  on the side  232  of the third housing portion  216 . The guide rails are raised above the side  232  of the third housing portion  216  to permit the first  212  housing portion to at least partially cover the side  232  when the first housing portions  212  is in its closed housing position  218 .  
         [0065]    The second housing portion  214  is rotatably coupled to the third housing portion  216  between the closed  218  and open  220  housing positions via hinge mechanism  240 . The second housing portion  214  is manually rotated between the open  218  and closed  220  position. The hinge mechanism also retains second housing portion  214  the closed  218  and open  220  housing positions. Conventional hinge mechanisms are acceptable for use with the present invention.  
         [0066]    When the housing portions  212  and  214  are in their closed housing position  218 , the side  264  of the first housing portion  212  slides past the side  268  of the second housing portion  214 . Likewise, the side  266  of the first housing portion  212  slides past the side  270  of the second housing portion  214 .  
         [0067]    When the first housing portion  212  is in its open housing position  220 , conventional stops (not shown) at the end portion  222  of the first housing position  212  keep the first housing portion  212  from separating from the third housing portion  216 . The conventional stops also retain the first housing portion  212  when the first housing portion  212  is in its closed housing position  218 .  
         [0068]    The first housing portion  212  is shown to be slidably coupled to opposing guide rails  272  and  274  on the third housing portion  216 . Alternatively, only one side of the first housing portion  212  need be slidably coupled to the third housing portion  216  given a robust design. For example, the side  264  of the first housing portion  212  slidably engages with guide rail  272  of the third housing portion  216  only.  
         [0069]    A conventional earpiece transducer  226  is coupled to the first housing portion  212  and a conventional microphone transducer  228  is coupled to the second housing portion  228 . The earpiece  226  and microphone  228  transducers are substantially aligned with a center axis  230  of the third housing portion  216 . Conventional transceiving means (see FIG. 7), coupled to the earpiece  226  and microphone  228  transducers, is preferably disposed in the third housing portion  216 .  
         [0070]    In the closed housing position  218 , the major surfaces of first  212  and second  214  housing portions are substantially disposed in the same plane and preferably adjacent to the side  232  of the third housing portion  216 . Preferably, a side  234  of the first housing portion  212  is shaped to matively engage with a side  236  of the second housing portion  214 . Such engagement permits the positioning of the first  212  and second  214  housing portions in the same plane adjacent to the side  232  of the third housing portion  216  while permitting the earpiece  226  and microphone  128  transducers to align with the center axis  230 .  
         [0071]    Note that in the closed position  218 , the holes in the earpiece transducer  226  is facing opposite to the side  232  of the third housing portion  216  and microphone transducer  228  is facing towards the side  232  of the third housing portion  216 .  
         [0072]    In the open housing position  220 , the first housing portion  222  is disposed at an obtuse angle relative to the third housing portion  216 , preferably 180°, permitting alignment of the earpiece transducer  226  with a human ear. Similarly, the second housing portion  214  is also disposed at an obtuse angle relative to the third housing portion  216 , although preferably 135°, permitting alignment of the microphone transducer  228  with a human mouth. Both the earpiece  226  and microphone  228  transducers remain aligned with the center axis  230  when the first  212  and second  214  housing portions are in the open housing position  220 .  
         [0073]    Although it would be less desirable than the preferred embodiment, one of the first  212  and second  214  housing portions may overlap the other such that the first  212  and second  214  housing portions are disposed in different and preferably, substantially parallel planes.  
         [0074]    The movement of the first housing portion  212  between the closed  218  and open  220  housing positions are coupled to the movement of the second housing portion  214  between the closed  218  and open  220  housing positions. Contrary to the rotating housing portions  12  and  14  of FIGS. 1 and 2, the housing portions  212  and  214  of FIGS. 3 and 4 do not interfere with each other and thus can be moved at the same time. Of course, elaborate coupling mechanisms may be employed to automatically open each of the first  212  and the second  214  housing portions.  
         [0075]    The radiotelephone  210  is advantageous in that is contracted to approximately one third of its useable length when in its closed position  218  while providing only one additional layer of housing material. This results in a reduction in thickness of the device and a weight reduction approximately equal to that of one moveable housing portion. Furthermore, when the radiotelephone  210  is expanded to its open position  220 , the earpiece  226  and microphone  228  transducers remain on the center axis  230  of the third housing portion  210  permitting convenient and comfortable alignment with a human ear and mouth.  
         [0076]    The radiotelephone  210  further includes a display  246  and a data input device, such as a keypad  248 , preferably coupled to the side  232  of the third housing portion  216 . As the radiotelephone  210  becomes smaller, less space is available for the display  246  and keypad  248 . However, radiotelephones are being designed with more capability to provide a greater range of services and thus need additional display  246  and keypad  248  resources to support the expanded capability. One such example of added capability is the addition of a selective call receiver functions, such as a conventional pager, to the functionality of the radiotelephone  210 . Such expanded capability problems are overcome by relating paging and radiotelephone modes associated with the wireless communication device  210  to at least one of the first  212  and second  214  housing portions being moved between the closed  218  and open  220  positions.  
         [0077]    The display functionality is expanded by displaying paging information when the second housing portion  214  is moved to the closed position  218  and radiotelephone information when the second housing portion  214  is moved to the open housing position  220 .  
         [0078]    The keypad functionality is expanded by having paging functions associated therewith when the second housing portion  214  is in the closed position  218  and radiotelephone functions associated therewith when the second housing portion  214  is moved to the open housing position  220 .  
         [0079]    As with FIGS. 1 and 2, the dual modes of the device are not limited to only radiotelephone and paging functions. This feature of the present invention is intended to include any to modes of the wireless communication device. For example, the dual modes alternatively include: radiotelephone vs. notebook functions, private vs. hands-free conversation and cellular vs. cordless functions.  
         [0080]    The display  246  and keypad  248  are preferably covered by the moveable housing portions as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, but do not necessarily need to be covered to gain the expanded functionality provided by the moveable housing portion as discussed with FIGS. 1 and 2.  
         [0081]    Another unique feature of the wireless communication device  210  as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is a substantially transparent portion  250 , hereinafter called a lens, coupled to the second housing portion  214 . As similarly discussed with FIGS. 1 and 2, the lens  250  is coupled to the second  214  housing portion such that the lens is disposed essentially opposite at least a portion of the display  246  when the second  214  housing portion is moved to the closed housing position  218 . Thus, the display capability is expanded since it can now be used when the second housing portion is in its closed position  218 . Of course, the lens may optionally be coupled to both of the moveable housing portions  212  and  214  if so desired. In accordance with the previously taught feature, the covered display  246  provides paging information when the housing portions are moved to their closed housing position  228  and radiotelephone information when the housing portions are moved to their open  220  housing position.  
         [0082]    Still another unique feature of the wireless communication device  100  as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is keycap means  252  coupled to the second housing portion  214 . As discussed with FIGS. 1 and 2, the keycaps  252  are coupled to the second housing portion  214  such that the keycaps  252  are disposed essentially opposite at least a portion of the keypad  254  when the second housing portion  214  is moved to the closed housing position  218 . The keycaps  252  are comprised of conventional elastomeric material and protrude through the thickness of the second housing portion  214 . The keycaps  252  are coupled to the second housing portion  214  by sandwiching webbing interconnecting individual keycaps between layers of the second housing portion  214 . Thus, the keypad capability is expanded since it can now be used when the second housing portion  214  is in its closed position  218 . Of course, additional keycaps may also be coupled to the first housing portion  212  if so desired. In accordance with the previously taught feature, the covered portion of the keypad  254  provides paging functions when the second housing portion  214  is moved to its closed housing position  218  and radiotelephone functions when the second housing portion  214  is moved to its open  220  housing position.  
         [0083]    Yet, still another unique feature of the wireless communication device  210  as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is an antenna  256  coupled to the first housing portion  212 . A transceiver (FIG. 7) is substantially disposed in the third housing portion  216 . The antenna  256  is coupled to the transceiver and the first housing portion  212 . The antenna  256  is moveable between a first, closed, antenna position designated by reference numeral  260  at pocket  158  and a second, open, antenna position designated by reference numeral  262  extended beyond the first housing portion  212 . The antenna  256  is shown to be slidably coupled to the first housing portion  212  between antenna positions  260  and  262 . The antenna preferably extends beyond the housing portion having the earpiece transducer  226  such that the antenna extends above a human head.  
         [0084]    For miniature radiotelephone  210  having the length of the first housing portion  212  approximately equal to the length of the third housing portion  216 , an antenna extending beyond the third housing portion  216  would not reach beyond the length of the first housing portion  212 . In this position the shadowing phenomenon reduces the performance of the antenna  256 . However, extending the antenna  256  beyond the first, moveable housing portion  212  raises the antenna  256  to an even further extended position away from the radiotelephone  210  and therefore overcomes the shadowing problem resulting in improved antenna performance.  
         [0085]    Referring now to FIG. 7, there is shown a block diagram of the radiotelephone  700  representing the functional blocks of the radiotelephones  10  of FIGS. 1 and 2,  100  of FIGS. 3 and 4 and  200  of FIGS. 5 and 6. The radiotelephone  700  generally includes an antenna  701 , a receiver  702 , memory  703 , a display  704 , a keypad  705 , a processor  706 , a speaker  707 , a microphone  708 , a transmitter  709 , an alert transducer  710 , a switch  711  and a power supply  712 . The memory  703  includes conventional read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM) and electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM) and may be external or internal to the processor  706 . The radiotelephone  700  is of a cellular portable type such as model number F09HYD8363BG manufactured and available from Motorola Inc. 600 North U.S. Highway  45 , Libertyville, Ill. 60048.  
         [0086]    Optionally, the radiotelephone  700  is coupled to a selective call receiver unit, or pager  713 . The selective call receiver is of the type such as model number A04JRC5661A, manufactured and available from Motorola Inc. 1500 N.W. 22nd Avenue, Boynton Beach, Fla. 33426-8292.  
         [0087]    The details in FIG. 7 either represented as a radiotelephone  700  in blocks  701 - 712  or in combination with a pager  713  and their functional relationship therebetween are well known in the art and will not be described further except to distinguish between what is well known and that described in the preferred embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0088]    As discussed with FIGS.  1 - 6 , the radiotelephone  700  performs certain tasks responsive to the position of the moveable housing portions. This is accomplished using the switch  711 . When the housing portion is in its closed position, the switch is closed circuited and thereby sends a control signal of a logic low to the processor. Likewise, when the housing portion is in its open position, the switch is open circuited and thereby sends a control signal of a logic high to the processor.  
         [0089]    The processor  706  is programmed with a predetermined set of instructions which control the functions of the shown blocks of the radiotelephone  700  based on the control signal sent to the processor from the switch Thus, for example, the processor can adaptively reconfigure the keypad  705  and display  704  for either radiotelephone or paging modes depending upon the state of the switch  711 .