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 as ( 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:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application is based on prior U.S. application Ser. No. 07/984,636, filed on Dec. 2, 1992 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,907,615, which is hereby incorporated by reference, and priority thereto for common subject matter is hereby claimed. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to radio communication devices having multiple sets of user interface functions. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     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. 
     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 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. 
     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. 
     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. 
     Thus, there is a need to maintain acceptable acoustic coupling, increase display and data input device capability and increase antenna performance as wireless communication devices are made smaller. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     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. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the radiotelephone of FIG. 1 in a closed position. 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a radiotelephone in an open position constructed in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the radiotelephone of FIG. 3 in a closed position. 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a radiotelephone in an open position constructed in accordance with a third preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the radiotelephone of FIG. 5 in a closed position. 
     FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the radiotelephone of FIGS. 1-6 and including an optional pager. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     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 and cordless radiotelephones, such as 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. 
     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 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 . 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 . 
     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 respective housing position  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 . 
     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  14 . 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 . 
     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 . 
     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 . 
     In the open housing position  20 , the first housing portion  12  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 . 
     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 but preferably substantially parallel planes. 
     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  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. 
     The movement of the first housing portion  12  between the closed  18  and open  20  housing positions can be 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 first and second housing portions do not interfere with each other. The first housing portion  12  is retained in the closed position  18  using the hinge mechanism  38 . 
     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 a recess  44  in the area of the hinged mechanism  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. 
     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. 
     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. 
     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. 
     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 . 
     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 . 
     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 two 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. 
     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. 
     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 expanded keypad feature, the covered display  46  provides paging information when the housing portions are moved to their respective closed housing position  18  and radiotelephone information when the housing portions are moved to their respective open  20  housing position. 
     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 expanded keypad 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 housing position  20 . 
     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. 
     For the radiotelephone  10  having the length of the first housing portion  12  approximately equal to the length of the third housing portion  16 , a conventional antenna extending beyond the third housing portion  16  would not reach beyond the length of the first housing portion  12 . In this position a shadowing phenomenon reduces the performance of the antenna  56 . However, extending the conventional antenna 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. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, there are shown perspective views of the radiotelephone  10  in an open and closed position, respectively, constructed in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. The radiotelephone is the same as the radiotelephone  10  shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and described in the associated text with the following two exceptions. Firstly, the first  12  and second  14  housing portions are slidably coupled to the third housing portion  16  rather than being rotatably coupled. Secondly, the antenna  56  is slidably coupled to the first housing portion  12  rather than being rotatably coupled. 
     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. 3 as shown in FIG. 4, and a second, open position, designated by reference numeral  20  in FIG. 3 as shown in FIG.  3 . 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 . 
     A unique feature of the radiotelephone  10  is readily apparent from viewing both FIGS. 3 and 4. 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 respective 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 . 
     Opposing sides  64  and  66  of the first housing portion  12  each slide and are thereby captured by opposing guide rails  72  and  74  on the side  32  of the third housing portion  16 . Similarly, opposing sides  68  and  70  of the second housing portion  14  each slide and are thereby captured by opposing guide rails  72  and  74  on the side  32  of the third housing portion  16 . The first and second housing portions  12  and  14  are raised above the side  32  of the third housing portion  16  to permit the first  12  and the second  14  housing portions to at least partially cover the side  32  when the housing portions  12  and  14  are in their closed housing position  18 . 
     When the housing portions  12  and  14  are in their closed housing position  18 , the side  64  of the first housing portion  12  slides past and over the side  68  of the second housing portion  14 . Likewise, the side  66  of the first housing portion  12  slides past and over the side  70  of the second housing portion  14 . The end portion  22  at the opposing sides  64  and  66  of the first housing portion  12  are disposed in grooves  76  and  78 , respectively, when the housing portions  12  and  14  are in their respective closed positions. 
     When the housing portions  12  and  14  are in their open housing position  20 , conventional stops (not shown) at the end portion  22  of the first housing position  12  and the end portion  24  of the second housing portion  14  keep the housing portions  12  and  14  from separating from the third housing portion  16 . The conventional stops also retain the housing portions  12  and  14  when the housing portions  12  and  14  are in their closed housing position  18 . 
     The first and second housing portions  12  and  14  are shown to be slidably coupled to opposing guide rails  72  and  74  on the third housing portion  16 . Alternatively, only one side of the first and second housing portions  12  and  14  need be slidably coupled to the third housing portion  16 , given a robust design. For example, the side  64  of the first housing portion  12  slidably engages with guide rail  72  of the third housing portion  16  and the side  70  of the second housing portion  14  slidably engages with guide rail  74  of the third housing portion  16 . Thus, absolutely, no overlap occurs between any part of the sides of the first and second housing portions  12  and  14 . 
     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  14 . 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 . 
     In the closed housing position  18 , the major surfaces of 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 . 
     Note that in the closed position  18 , the holes in the earpiece  26  and microphone  28  transducers are facing away from the side  32  of the third housing portion  16 . This produces an opportunity for the user to use the earpiece and microphone transducers of the radiotelephone  10  when in its closed position  18 . One such use includes a hands-free operation enabling the user to answer a call without opening the radiotelephone  10 . 
     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 180°, 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 . 
     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 but preferably substantially parallel planes. 
     The movement of the first housing portion  12  between the closed  18  and open  20  housing positions can be coupled to the movement of the second housing portion  14  between the closed  18  and open  20  housing positions. Contrary to the rotating housing portions  12  and  14  of FIGS. 1 and 2, the sliding housing portions  12  and  14  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  12  and the second  14  housing portions. 
     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  16  permitting convenient and comfortable alignment with a human ear and mouth. 
     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 . 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 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 . 
     The 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 . 
     As with FIGS. 1 and 2, the dual modes of the device  10  are not limited to only radiotelephone and paging functions. This feature of the present invention is intended to include any two 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. 
     The display  46  and keypad  48  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. 
     Another unique feature of the wireless communication device  10  as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is a substantially transparent portion  50 , hereinafter called a lens, coupled to the second housing portion  14 . As similarly discussed with FIGS. 1 and 2, the lens  50  is coupled to the second  14  housing portion such that the lens is disposed essentially opposite at least a portion of the display  46  when the second  14  housing portion is moved to the closed housing position  18 . Thus, the display capability is expanded since it can now be used when the second housing portion is in its closed position  18 . Of course, the lens may optionally be coupled to both of the moveable housing portions  12  and  14  if so desired. In accordance with the previously taught expanded keypad 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. 
     Still another unique feature of the wireless communication device  10  as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is keycap means  52  coupled to the second housing portion  14 . As discussed with FIGS. 1 and 2, 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 expanded keypad 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. 
     Yet, still another unique feature of the wireless communication device  10  as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 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 slidably 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. 
     For the radiotelephone  10  having the length of the first housing portion  12  approximately equal to the length of the third housing portion  16 , a conventional 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 conventional antenna. 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. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, there are shown perspective views of the radiotelephone  10  in an open and closed position, respectively, constructed in accordance with a third preferred embodiment of the present invention. The radiotelephone is the same as the radiotelephone  10  shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 and described in the associated text with the following one exception. The second housing portion  14  is rotatably coupled to the third housing portion  16  rather than being slidably coupled. Therefore, a combination of sliding and rotating moveable housing portions is shown. 
     The radiotelephone  10  has 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. 5 as shown in FIG. 6, and a second, open position, designated by reference numeral  20  in FIG. 5 as shown in FIG.  5 . The first housing portion  12  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 . 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 . 
     A unique feature of the radiotelephone  10  is readily apparent from viewing both FIGS. 5 and 6. 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 respective housing positions  18  and 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 . 
     Opposing sides  64  and  66  of the first housing portion  12  each slide and are thereby captured by opposing guide rails  72  and  74  on the side  32  of the third housing portion  16 . The first and second housing portions  12  and  14  are raised above the side  32  of the third housing portion  16  to permit the first  12  housing portion to at least partially cover the side  32  when the first housing portions  12  is in its closed housing position  18 . 
     The second housing portion  14  is rotatably coupled to the third housing portion  16  between the closed  18  and open  20  housing positions via hinge mechanism  40 . The second housing portion  14  is manually rotated between the open  18  and closed  20  position. The hinge mechanism  40  also retains second housing portion  14  the closed  18  and open  20  housing positions. Conventional hinge mechanisms are acceptable for use with the present invention. 
     When the housing portions  12  and  14  are in their closed housing position  18 , the side  64  of the first housing portion  12  slides under the side  268  of the second housing portion  14 . Likewise, the side  66  of the first housing portion  12  slides under the side  70  of the second housing portion  14 . 
     When the first housing portion  12  is in its open housing position  20 , conventional stops (not shown) at the end portion  22  of the first housing position  12  keep the first housing portion  12  from separating from the third housing portion  16 . The conventional stops also retain the first housing portion  12  when the first housing portion  12  is in its closed housing position  18 . 
     The first housing portion  12  is shown to be slidably coupled to opposing guide rails  72  and  74  on the third housing portion  16 . Alternatively, only one side of the first housing portion  12  need be slidably coupled to the third housing portion  16  given a robust design. For example, the side  64  of the first housing portion  12  slidably engages with guide rail  72  of the third housing portion  16  only. 
     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  14 . 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 . 
     In the closed housing position  18 , the major surfaces of 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 . 
     Note that in the closed position  18 , the holes in the earpiece transducer  26  is facing away from the side  32  of the third housing portion  16  and microphone transducer  28  is facing towards the side  32  of the third housing portion  16 . 
     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 . 
     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 but preferably substantially parallel planes. 
     The movement of the first housing portion  12  between the closed  18  and open  20  housing positions can be coupled to the movement of the second housing portion  14  between the closed  18  and open  20  housing positions. Contrary to the rotating housing portions  12  and  14  of FIGS. 1 and 2, the movement of the housing portions  12  and  14  of FIGS. 5 and 6 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  12  and the second  14  housing portions. 
     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  16  permitting convenient and comfortable alignment with a human ear and mouth. 
     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 . 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 display functionality is expanded by displaying paging information when the second housing portion  14  is moved to the closed position  18  and radiotelephone information when the second housing portion  14  is moved to the open housing position  20 . 
     The keypad functionality is expanded by having paging functions associated therewith when the second housing portion  14  is in the closed position  18  and radiotelephone functions associated therewith when the second housing portion  14  is moved to the open housing position  20 . 
     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 two 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. 
     The display  46  and keypad  48  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. 
     Another unique feature of the wireless communication device  10  as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is a substantially transparent portion  50 , hereinafter called a lens, coupled to the second housing portion  14 . As similarly discussed with FIGS. 1 and 2, the lens  50  is coupled to the second  14  housing portion such that the lens is disposed essentially opposite at least a portion of the display  46  when the second  14  housing portion is moved to the closed housing position  18 . Thus, the display capability is expanded since it can now be used when the second housing portion is in its closed position  18 . Of course, the lens may optionally be coupled to both of the moveable housing portions  12  and  14  if so desired. In accordance with the previously taught expanded keypad feature, the covered display  46  provides paging information when the housing portions are moved to their closed housing position  28  and radiotelephone information when the housing portions are moved to their open  20  housing position. 
     Still another unique feature of the wireless communication device  10  as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is keycap  52  coupled to the second housing portion  14 . As discussed with FIGS. 1 and 2, 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 expanded keypad 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. 
     Yet, still another unique feature of the wireless communication device  10  as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 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 slidably 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. 
     For the radiotelephone  10  having the length of the first housing portion  12  approximately equal to the length of the third housing portion  16 , a conventional 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. 
     Referring now to FIG. 7, there is shown a block diagram of the radiotelephone  10  of FIGS. 1-6. The block diagram of the radiotelephone  10  generally includes an antenna  56 , a receiver  702 , memory  703 , a display  46 , a keypad  48 , a processor  706 , an earpiece  26 , a microphone  28 , 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  10  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. 
     Optionally, the radiotelephone  10  is coupled to a selective call receiver unit, or pager  713 . The selective call receiver  713  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. 
     The details in FIG. 7 either represented as a radiotelephone  10  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. 
     As discussed with FIGS. 1-6, the radiotelephone  10  performs certain tasks responsive to the position of the moveable housing portions. This is accomplished using the switch  711 . When one of the housing portions is in its closed position, the switch is closed circuited and thereby sends a control signal  704  of a logic low to the processor. Likewise, when the one housing portion is in its open position, the switch  711  is open circuited and thereby sends a control signal  704  of a logic high to the processor  706 . 
     The processor  706  is programmed with a predetermined set of instructions which control the functions of the shown blocks of the radiotelephone  10  based on the control signal  704  sent to the processor  706  from the switch  711 . Thus, for example, the processor  706  can adaptively reconfigure the keypad  48  and display  46  for either radiotelephone or paging modes depending upon the state of the switch  711 .