Patent ID: 7010333

Claim:
A radiotelephone terminal comprising: a housing enclosing electronic components operable to transmit and receive radiotelephone communication signals; a flip cover pivotally mounted to the housing and movable between at least a closed position and an open position, and comprising an inner side and an outer side, wherein the inner side of the flip cover opposes the housing and is concealed in the closed position and the outer side of the flip cover is opposite the inner side; and a keypad apparatus comprising: at least one non-contacting keypad, the keypad apparatus having a first side and a second side, the keypad apparatus disposed within the flip cover so that the first side is substantially coincident with the inner side of the flip cover and the second side is substantially coincident with the outer side of the flip cover; a first set of electrode strips electrically connected to the electronic components in the housing so that tactile input can be received on the first side of the keypad apparatus; a second set of electrode strips electrically connected to the electronic components in the housing so that tactile input can be received on the second side of the keypad apparatus; an insulator separating the first and second electrode strips; a first overlay insulator substantially covering the first set of electrode strips; and a second overlay insulator substantially covering the second set of electrode strips that is thicker than the first overlay insulator such that the proximity range of an actuator touching the first side of the keypad apparatus is different from the proximity range of an actuator touching the second side of the keypad apparatus thereby determining which side of the keypad apparatus is being used.