CA2127268C

CA2127268C - A miniature wireless communication device

Info

Publication number: CA2127268C
Application number: CA002127268A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Kevin D. Kaschke
Original assignee: Motorola Inc
Current assignee: Motorola Solutions Inc
Priority date: 1992-12-02
Filing date: 1993-11-22
Publication date: 1998-09-29
Anticipated expiration: 2013-11-22
Also published as: TW294875B; DE69330876D1; KR0160950B1; EP0629326A1; CA2127268A1; US6466667B2; JPH07503119A; MX9307579A; FR2698747B1; ITRM930800A0; US6157718A; JP2676428B2; WO1994013088A1; US6154540A; US20020057794A1; IT1262465B; US5907615A; BR9305827A; HU9402174D0; FR2698747A1

Abstract

A wireless communication device (10) is provided for maintaining acceptable acoustic coupling, increasing display and data input device capability and data input and increasing antenna performance to encourage further miniaturization and weight reduction thereof. Two moveable between 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 de 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 potion (12).

Description

wo 94l13088 2 } 2 ~ ' PCT/US~3/ll2gl Housing Assembly for a Wireless Communication Device ;:-Field of the Inven~ion , . , ,:. ~
The present invention relates generally housing ~ -assemblies and, more particularly, to housing assemblies as used w~th wireless communcation devices.

Background of the lnvention -;

Advances in computin~, wirel~ss transceivers, ;: ~ displays, data input~ devices, batteries, materials and ; mechanics have promoted the mini~turization and weight reduction o~ wireless communication devices such as portable ~;
::
20 : radiotelephones. However, there are tradeof~s associated with the advantages of ~such miniaturiza~ion. -Firstly, smaller devices result in a shorter distance ' between the :earpiece~and microphone transducers. Since the ;25~; :typical distance:~etween a human ear and mouth rem~in.~
unchanged, acceptable :acoustic coupling :betweer~ the earpiece ~ -:transducer and the~ human ear, and between the microphone ' transducer and~ the human mouth is becoming more di~;cult :~
to maintain. Various solutions have addre~sed this problem : 30 by slidably or r~tatably coupling one or more moveable housing :elements to the:main body portion of $he radiotelephone. The houslng elements ha~e earplece or microphDne transducers disposed thereirl. The dlstance ~etween the earpiece and microphone transducers is iIlcreased by m~ving the housing : 35 elément to an open position du~ing use and decreased by ~'''~;

: ~ '~.' ..

~ s ;-'?~.6S
~2 moving the housing element to a closed position when not in use. Thus, reliable acoustic coupling is achie~ed 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. Patent Nos.: :
D297~735, D297,734, D326,091, D326,451, D326,452, D298,24~
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 : -1 O acceptable acoustic coupling is even more difficult to maintain.

Secondly, smaller de~rices have less space for display and data input deYices, such as keypads. The smaller devices have compromised these functions by m~kin~ 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 dences which is contradictory to the trend of providing less capability for the sake of miniaturization. ' ., . .:
Thirdly, smaller devices have less space for an antemla '~
thereby degrading trarlsmission and/or reception ~; ' performance. Smaller devices, having sm~aller antennas, are - ~: 25 more susceptible to the well known shadowing phenomenon -:produced by the~posibon of the human head between t communication device and the nearest ~a~se site when ~he . ' -device is held against the head during use.

Thus, there IS a need to maintain acceptable acoustic coupling, increase ~display and data input device c~pability and :~
: increase ~n~enn~ performance as wireless communication devices are made smaller.
. , : 35 "~."' WO 941130B8 ~ ' PCTIUS93111291 ~3 Brief Description of the Drawings FI~;. 1 is a perspective view of a radio$elephone in an open position constructed in accordance with a first preferred ~ :~
embodiment of the ~resent invention. -FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the radiotelephone of FIG.
1 in a closed position.
FIG. ~ is a perspective view of a radiotelephone in an open position constructed in accordance with a second ;
preferred embodiment ofthe present invention.
FIG. 4 is a perspecti~e 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 prefe~ed ~ ~
embodiment of ~he present invention. '~':
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the radiotelephone of FIG.
in a closed position.
FIG. 7 is a block dlagram of the radiotelephone of ~?IGs.
1-6 and including an optional pager.

~, , , ~ ~ , -, .

: : "~'' :~

~'-'.'.,~
' ~

WO 941130~B PCTIUS93/11291 Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments ReferIing now to FIGs. 1 and 2, there are shown ~ ~
perspective news 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 cor~less radiotelephone two (CT-2). The radiotelephone 10 is sin~ilar to that of a portable cellular radioteleph~ne model no. F09HYD8363B&, manufactured and available from Motarola InC., 600 North U.S. Highway 4 ~ibertyville, 11 60048. Wireless communication devices, such ~ ~
aS the radio~elephone 10, are well known in the art and will ' '-not be described in detail except to distingu~sh what is well knowIl and what is described in the prefe~ed embodiments of the presentinvention.
:~ .
The radiotelephone 10 comprises a hs)using assemb~y : -having first 12, second 14 and third 16 housing portions. The ;' fi rst 12 and second 14 housing portions are each coupled to the third 16 housing porhon. The third housing partion includes a side 32. The first 12 and second 14 housing portions are each moveable between a first, closed position, desi~n~ted by re~erence numeral 18 in FIG. 1 and shown in FIG. 2, and a ~ ~
second, ope~ positlon,~flesi~n~ted 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 pOI tion 14 is moYeable between a first housing position 18 at least partially covenng the side 32 o~ the third housing portion 16 ,~
,"'~
. . .

L ~
wO 94/13088 ' ' PCT/US93/11291 and a second housing position 20 at least partially exposing the side 32 of the thi~d housing portion 16.

A, unique fea$ure of the radiotelephone 10 is readily 5 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 port,ions are moved to their first respective housing 1 0 position 18 at least partially covering the side 32 of the third housing portion 16. Preferably, the length of the first 12 housin~ portion and the length of the second 14 housing ~:
portion are each greater than one-half the len~h of the third ' housing portion 16.
:
A conventiona1 earpiece transducer 26 is coupled to the first housing portion 12 and a conventional microphone '~
:: transducer 28 is coupled to the second housi~gportion 14~ The earpiece 26 and microphone 28 transducer~ are substantially ~ ~-allgned with a center axis 30 of the third housing po~ion 16.
Conventional transceiving means (see FIG. 7), eoupled to the eàrpiece 26 and microphone 28 transducers, is preferably disposed in the third housing po~ion l6.

In tne closed~housing position 18, thè first 12 2nd second 14 housing portions are substantially disposed in the same plane and pref~ably adjacent to ~e side~ 32 of the third -~
housmg portion 16. Preferably, a side 34 of the first housin~
portion 12 is shaped to matively engage with a ~id2 36 of the ~ -second housingportion 14. Such engagement permits the positioning ofthe first 12 and second 14 housingportionsin the same plane adjacent to the side 32 of the third housing :
portion lff while permit ngthe earpiece 26 andmicrophone 28 transdusers to align with the center axis 30.
3~

':

', WO 9411308g PCT/US93/11291 ;~
J - 6 - ~ .
.: -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 wheninits 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 aligNnent of the earpiece transducer 26 with a human ear. ~Cinnil~rly, the second housing portion 14 is also disposed at ~n obt~lse angle relativ~ to the third housing portion 16, although preferably :-135~, permitti~g ~ nment of the microphone transducer 28 ;
with a human mouth. Both the earpiece 26 and microphone 28 transducers remain aIigned with the center axis 30 when the first 12 and second: 14 housing portions are in the open housing posihon 20.

~lthough it would be less desirable than the preferred ~; 2û embodiment~ one of the first 12 and second 14 housing portions may oYerlap ~;he other such that the first 12 and second 14 : housing portions are disposed in dif~erent but preferably substantially parallel planes. . ' .~. . ~ . ..
25 ~ ~ ~ : In the preferred embodiment ofthe~present inYention~
the first 12 and second: 14 housing portions are rotatably coupled to the~third h~using por~ion 16 ~etween the closed 18: ~:
and open 20 housing positions via hinge mech~nisms 38 and 40, respecti~re~.: The first 12 and second 14 housing portions 30 : are manually rotated between the open 18 and clo~ed 20 ; ~ positions, one at:a time. ~The hinge mech~ni~,ms also retain each of the first la: and second 14 housing portions in both ~he closed l8 and open 20 housing posi~ions. A variety of conventi~nal hinge meçh~nis~n~ are acceptable for use with ;~~~: 3~ the present invention.
,-, ': !
~;',' "'.'~
, ' ~
'~''' ,.

WO 94113088 '~ PC'rlU~93/11291 The mo~rement of the first housing portiorl 12 between the closed 18 and open 20 housin~ positions can be coupled to the mo~rement 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 tbe 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 hol~sing portion 12 is retained in the closed position 18 using the hinge mechPnism 38. The second housing portion 14 :
includes a conventional spring member as shown in U.S. ~;
Patent No. 4,471,493 coupled ~ the hinge me~h~ni~m 40. The spring member generates a biasing force to urge the second :
h~usLng 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 me~h~nism 38 of the first housing portion 12 to maintain the second ~: ~20 ~ housing portion 14 in its closed position 18 when the first ~-housing portio~ l2 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 e~Eerted by the spnng member to urge the second housing ~portion 14 to its ~pen position 20. The radiotelephvne 10 may ~ :~
be~ thereafter closed by closing the first housing portion 12 af~er the secor~d housing por~ion 14. Of course, more elaborate coupling meçh~ni~ms may be employed to auto~ cally open each of the first 12 and the second 14 housing portions.
The radiotelephone 10 is advantageous in that is ~ ~
contracted to a~ o~ ately one third of its useable length - ~:
when in its closed position 18 while providing only one '~
: ~ additional layer of housing material. This resu~ts in a reduction in thickness of the device and a weight reduction :~

.
, , WO 94/13088 PCT/US93/11291 . -- , . 6 approximately equal to that of one moveable housing portion.
Furthermore, when the radiotelephone 10 is expanded ~o its open position 20, the earpiece 26 and microphone 28 transducers remain on the center axis 30 of the third housing ;:
portion 10 perrnitting convenient and comfortable ~li~ment ~:
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 s~aller, less space is available for - :~
the display 46 ~d 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 fimctions, such as a conYentional pager, to the ~-~nctionality o~ the radiotelephone 10. A conventional pa~er ~ --may be of the type model number A04JRC5661A, ~ ~
manu~actured and available from Motoro~a lnc. 1500 N.W. : ;~~
2ndAvenue,Bo~TntonBeach~ ~] 33426-8292~ Thecombination ~ ' of a pager and a radiotelephone is already well known in the .
~: art.

Such expanded capability problems are overcome by --~
: relating paging ~nd radiotelephone modes associated with :~.
the wireless communication device lQ to at least one of the first 12 and seconrl 14 housing portions being moved ~etween : the closed l8 anrl :opén 20 positions. The movement of one housing portion actuates a ~witch (see FIG. 7) to prompt the dévice to change a portion of the communication device ~: : bet~;veen paging and radiotelephone fi~nctions. A switch ~: actuated responsive to the mo~ement of a housing portior~ is ~ ~
well known as:taught, by example, in U.S. Patent No. Q'.' :~5 ~,117,~73. ;-, ' . ~

WO ~4113088 2 i 2 ~ P~TIUS93/11291 For example, display functionality is expanded by displaying paging information when the first housing portion 12 is mo~red 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 filnctionality is expanded by -' ha~ g paging functions associated there~nth when the first :~
housing porti~n 12 is in the closed position 18 and : :~
radiotelephone functions associated therewith when thP first housing portion 12 is moved to the open housing position 20.

The dual modes of the device sre not limited to only radiotelephone and paging functions. This feature of the present invention is intçnrled to include any two modes of the :: wireless communication device. For example, the dual modes :-:
alternatiYely inc1ude: radiotelephone vs. notebook func~ions, pIivate vs. hands-~ree conversation and cellular vs. cordless ~;
funct1ors.

;~ : The display 46 and keypad 48 are preferably coYered by ~
the moveable housing portions as shown in FIGs. 1 and 2, but ~ ::
do not necessa2 ily need to be coYered to gain the expanded fi~ctionality pr~ided by the moveable housing porti~n. An : example of a radiotelephone that has~a moveable housing ' ~
portion and does not fully co~rer the keypad is cordless ' ~:
: ra~iotelephone m~del number 34986, manufactured and available ~om Motorola Inc., 600 North U.S. Highway 45, Libertyville, n 60048. :
: ! , : . .
Another unique feature of the wire1ess somIIlunication de~rice 10 as shown in FIGs. 1 and 2 is a substD~nti y . .' transparent portion 50, hereinafter called a lens, coup~ed to ~ ' -35 the first 12 and ~second 14 housing portions. Since the display . ,.

. ~'"'' '~',,'' WO 9d,/130S8 ~ ~ ~, 7 r~ 6 S PCT/US93111291 4~ is at least partia1~y 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. Howe~er, 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 slosed 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 rnvved to their respective open 20 hou~ingposition.
-~; .
Still another unique feature of thP wireless ~:
:; 20 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 part~ally covered by the second housing portion 14 wh the second housing portion 14 is moved to the closed housing position 18, the keypad 48 traditionally becomes of llttle use. However, th~ keycaps 52 are coupled to the second housirlg portion l4 such that the keycaps S2 are disposed esser t,i~11y 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 convenhonal elastomeric material and protrude through the thickness of thei second housing portion 14. The keycaps 52 are coupled to the second houslng portion 14 by sandwiching webbing interconnesting indi~idual keycaps between layers of ~he - second housing portion 14. Thus, the keypacl cap~bility is 35 expanded since it can now be used when the second housing ... ':
....
~ "

portion 14 is in its closed position 18. Of course, additional keycaps may alsn be coupled to the first housing portion 12 if - ~---so desired. In accordance with the prenously taught expanded keypad feature, the covered portion of the keypad 54 pro~rides 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 ~nique feature of the ~reless ~;
communication device 10 as shown in FIGs. 1 and 2 is an antenna 56 coupled to the first housing portion 12. A
tran~ceiver (FIG. 7) is su~stantial~y disposed in the third housing portion 16. The antenna 56 is coupled ~ the transceiver and the first housing portion 12. The antem~a ~6 is -: .
moveable between a first, closed, antenna position desi~nP~ted ~: ~ by re~erence numeral 60 at pocket 58 and a second, open, ~ -antenna po~sition design~ted by reference numeral 62 extended beyond the first housing portion 12. The antenna ~6 is shown to be rotatably coupled to the first housing portion 1~ between anterma positions 60 and 62. The antenna preferably extends beyond the housing portion having the earpiece trarlsducer 26 ~.
such that the antenna extends above a human head.
".

2 5 :~ For the radlote3ephone 10 having the length of the first ~ -housing po~tion l2 approximately equal to the length ofthe third housing portion 16, a conventional antenna extending beyond the third~ housing portion 16 would not re~ch beyond '' the ~ength of the first housing portion 12. ~n this position a ~: ~ 30 shadowing phenomenon reduces the performance of l;he ; I con~entional antenna. However, extending the antPnna 56 : '~
beyond the first, moveable housillg por~on 12 raises the ~ '-antenna 56 ~o an even further extended position away from the ~ -:
radiotelephone lQ and therefore overcomes the shadowing

3~ problem resulting in improved antenna pelro~ ance. -'',~'' .
.
~'' '' WO 94/1308& PCTIUS93111291 ~ .

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 pre~erred embodiment of the present invention. The ra~iotelephone 10 is the same as the radiotelephone 10 shown in in FIGs. 1 and 2 and described in the assQciated 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 beingrotatably coupled. Secondly, the ~nt,~nn~ 56 iS slidably coupled to the first housing p~rtion 12 ~ -~
rather than being rotatably coupled.

The radiotelephone 10 comprises a housing assembly having first 12, second 14 and ~hird 16 housing portions. The first 12 and secon~ 14 housing portions are each coupled to the ; .
third 16 housing portion. The third housing portion includes a side 32. The f;rst 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 re~rence 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 covenng thè side 32 of the third housing portion 16 and a ~ ' 25 ~ ~second housing position 20 at least partially exposing the side 32 of the third housing portion 16. Th second housing portion 14 is mov~able between a first housing position 18 at least --partially covering the side 32 of the third housing portion 16 and a second hollsing position 20 at least partially exposing the side 32 of the third housing portion 16.

A Im~que feature of the radiotelephone 10 is readily apparent from ~ewing 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 exten-~in~ beyond the end portion 22 of WQ 94/13088 2 ~ c i rJ O ~ PCT~S93/11291 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 ~ ~
0 each slide and are thereby captured by opposing guide rails 72 ~ ~: and 74 on the side 32 of the third housing portion 16.
~imil~rly, 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 thirdi housing portion :
16. The first and second housing portions 12 and 14 are raised above the side ~2 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 lposihon~ 18, the side 64 of the first hou~ing portion 12 : ~:
slides past and :oYer the side 68 of the second housing portion ~ -14. Lilcewiise. the side 66 of the first housing p~tion l2 slides :
; 25 ~ ~ past and over the side 70 of the second housing portion 14. The end portion 22 at the opposing sides 64 and 66 oiE t~e first hDusing portion 12 are disposed in grooves 76 and 78, : ; respectlvely, when the housing portions 12 and l4 are in their respéctive closed~:positions.
~:
i ! When the housing portions 12 and 14 are in their open housing position 20, co~rentional stops (not shDwn~ at the end 'f portion 22 of the first housil~g pOSitiOIl 12 and the end portion 24 of the second housing portion 14 keep the housirlg portions 12 and 14 from ser)arating frl)m the third housing portioIl 16.

''"' "

~,..-..

WO 94/13û88 PCT/VS93/11291 f~ 4~

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 rleed be ~: ' slidably coupled to the third housing portion 16, given a robust ' design. For example, the side 64 ofthe first housing porti~n 12 slidably engages with guide rail 72 of the third h~using :
portion 16 and the side 70 of the second housing portion 14 slidably engages with guide rail 74 of the third h~using portion 16. Thus, absolutely, no ove~lap occurs between any 1~ part ofthe sides of first and secondhousingportions 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 20 :~: ea~piece 26 and microphone 28 transducers are substantially aligned wit~ a center axis 30 of the third hJusing portion 16.
Conventional trans~cei:ving means (see FIG. 7), coupled to the ea~piece:26 and~microphone 28 transducers,:is preferably ~s.;
disposed in the third housing portion 16.

In the cl~sed housing position 18~, the major surfaces of ~ ' first~ 12 and: secorldl4 housing portions aré subst~nti.~lly ~ "
disposed in the :same~plane, and pre~erably? adiacent to the : ~ side 32 of the third housing portion 16. Preferably7 a side 34 of ;
~ ~ : 30 t he first housing pvrtion 12 is shaped to matively engage with :;: : :: i a side 36 of the s~cond housing portion l4. Such engagement ;~
permits the positioning of the first 12 and second 14 housing :: ~ portions in the same plane adjacent to the side 32 ~f the third housing portion 16 while permitting the earpiece 26 and 3~ mic~ophone 28 transducers to align with the center axis 30.

WO 94/1308X '~ PCT/US93111291 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 ~ ~:
~osed position 18. One such use includes a hands-free ~;
operation enabling the user to answer a call without ope~ing the radiotelephone 10.
~ O
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. ~:imil~rly, the 1~ second housing portion 14 is also disposed at an obtuse angle :~
rela~ive to the third housing portion 16, although preferably 180~, permitting ~ nment of the microphorle transducer 28 with ~ ~uman mouth.: 13oth 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 preferrea ~ :
embodiment, one of the first 12 and second 14 housing portions 25~ ~ may:overlap the other such that the first 12 and second 14 housing portions are disposed in di~erent but preferably substantially parallel;planes.

The mo~ement of the first housing portion 12 between .
the ~losed 18~ and open 20 housing positions can be coupled to :
the movement of the second housing portinn 14 between the ' ~
, closed 18 a~d open 20 housing positions. Contrary to the rotating housing portions 12 and 14 of FIGs. 1 and 2, the sii~in~ housing portions 12 and 14 o~FIGs. 3 and 4 do not 3 5 inte*ere with each: other and thus can be moved at the same .

. ~ .

time. Of course~ elaborate coupling mechanisms may be employed to iautomatically open each of the first 12 and the second 14 housing portions. -The radiotelephone lQ is advantageous in that is contracted to approximately one third ~f 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 dev~ce and a weight reduction 10 approximately equal to that of one moveable housing portion.
Furthermore, when the radiotelephone 1~ 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 lO permi~ting convenient and comfortable ~ nment with a human ear and mouth. ::~

The radiotelephone 10 furtherincludes a display 46 and a data input device, such as a l~eypad 48, preferably coupled to :
the side 32 of the third housing portion 16. As the : '20 r adiotelephone 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 : 25;~ exa~nple of added capabiiity is the addition of a selective call receiver~ filnctions, such as a conventional pager, to the :~
unctionallty of ~the radlotelephorle 10. :Such expanded c~p~hi1-ty problems are avercome by relat ng p~ne and radiotelephone modes associated with the wireless 30 con~nunication device 10 to at least one of the first 12 and secdnd 14 h~uslng~por~lons being moved ~etween the closèd 18 and open 20 positions.

The display functionality is expanded by displayix~g : "
~: 35 pz~f~in~ inform~ation~when the first housin~ pO~OIl 12 is : . .

:

WO 94113~88 ., ~ PCT/US93/11291 -17- ~:

moved to the closed position 18 and radiotelephone in~ormation when the first housing portion 1~ 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 de~ice. For example, the dual modes alternatively include:
radiotelepholle vs. notebook ~unctions, private vs. hands-~ree '~
conversati~n 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.
, ~

2$ Another unique -feature of the wireless communication device 10 as ~hown in FIGs. 3 and 4 is a substantially transparent portion 50, hereinaf~er called a lens, coupled to ' the second housing portion 14. As similarly discussed with FIGs. 1 and 2, th~ lens 50 is coup}ed to the second 14 h~using ~:
30 portion such that the lens is disposed essentia}ly opposite at least a portion of the display 46 when the sec~nd 14 housirlg ~:
portion is moved to the closed housing posi~ion 18. Thus, ~he display capability is expanded since it can now be used when the second housing portion is in its closed position 18. O~ ~ :
course, the lens may optionally be coupled to both of ~he ;' ~
.~
''.

wo 94/l3088 PCTriJS93/1l29l ~ ~ ~ ? ~ ) - 1 8- -moveable housing portions 12 and 14 if so desired. In accordance with the previously taught exparlded keypad feature, the covered display 46 provides paging information when the housing portions are moved to their closed housing 5 position 18 and radiotelephone in~ormation when the housing portions are moved to their open 20 housing positior~
~ ,~
Still another unique ~eature of the wireless co~nmunication device 10 as shown in FIGs. 3 and 4 is keycap 10 me~n~ 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 re ~ -disposed essentially opposite at least a portion of the keypad 54 when the secoI~d housmg portion 14 is moved to the closed 1 ~ 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 ~2 are coupled to the second housing portion 14 by sandwi~hing webbing intercolmecting individual keycaps between layers of the second housingportion 14. Thus, th keypad capabilityis expanded since it can now be used when the second housing : :
por~ion 14 is in its closed position 18. Of course, additional k eycaps may also be coupled to the first housing portion 12 if :
~ so desired. In accordance with the previously taught e~~panded keypad feature. the covered portion of the keypad 54 ~ "
;provides paging~ functions when the second housing portio~ 14 IS moYed to its closed housing position 18 and radiotelephone unctions ~vhen the second housing portion 14 is moved to its open 20 housin~ position. : :~
30 ~
Yet, still another unique feature of the wireless communi~ation de~Tice 10 as shown in FIGs. 3 and 4 is ~n ante~a 56 coupled to the firsthousingpor~ion 12. A
transceiver (FIG. 7) is substantially disposed in the third 35 housing portion 16. Tbe antenna 56 is coupled to the :
~.~

WO 94113088 f~ , PCT~US93/11291 - 1 9~

transceiver and the first housing portion 12. The antenna ~6 is moveable between a first, closed, antenna position design~ted ~:
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 len~th of the first -~
hous; ng po~tion 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 ~ ~he first housing portion 12. In this position the shadowin~ .Ihenomenon reduces the performance Qf the conventional antenna. However, exten~ing the antenna 56 beyond the first, moveable housing portion 12 raises the antenna 56 to an even further extended position away from the r adiotelephone 10 and therefore overcomes the shadowing problem resulting in improved antenna perforrn~nce.

Refer~ng now :to FIGs. 5 and 6, there are shown ~perspe~tive views ~of the radiotelephone 10 in an open and 25 ~ c106ed position,~ respectively, constructed in accordance Yvith a ~:
third preferred: em~odiment of thP present invention. The ~ ' radiotelephone 10 is the same as the radiotelephone 10 shown in~IGs. 3 and 4 and described in the associated text with the ~ ~:
6110wing one exception. The second housing portion 14 is rotatably coupled to the third housing portion 16 rather than ~ ;
being slidab}y coupled. Therefore, a combination of sliding and rotating moveable housing portions îs shown. .

The radiotelephone 10 co~ ises a housing assembly '-' :35 ha~ingfirst 12, second 14 and third 16 housing portions. The ~ '~
. .~..
.:
-.
~ ~ , ' ~.
;'~''' '.''~'"

, r ~
. , . ! 2 0 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 FI~;. 5 as shown in FIG. 5. The first housing portion 12 is moYeable 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 un~que feature of the radiotelephone 10 is readily ~ -apparent from viewing both FIGs. 5 and 6. The first housirlg : -portion 12 has an end portion 22. The second housing portion ~- ~
14 has ~n end portion 24 extending beyond $he end portion 22 of ~ :
the first housing portion 12 when the ~irst 1~ 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 ~ortion 16. Preferably, the length of the first 12 hsusing portion and the ~ength of the second 14 housiIlg ~.
portion are each greater than one-half the length of the third housing portion 1:6. ~;

Opposing sides 64 and 66 of the first housinl3 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 pe~nit the first 12 housing portion to at least partial}y cover the side 32 when the first housing portions 12 is iI~ its closed housing position 18.

WO 941130~8 2 , ; ~ PCT~US93/11291 -21 - -~

The second housing portion 14 is rotatably coupled to the third housing portion 16 between the closed 18 and open 2û
housing positions via hinge mechanism 40. The second housing portion 14 is manually rotated between the open 18 and closed 20 position. The hinge me~h~ni~m 40 also retains : ~-second housing port~on 14 the closed 18 and open 20 housing positions. Conventional hinge mech~ni.~m.s a~e acceptable ~r 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 68 of the second housing portion 14.
Likewise~ the side 66 of the first housing portion 12 slides 1~ ~der the side 70 o:f 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 :; 20 : portlon 12 from separating from the third housing portion 16. :
The conventional stops also retain the first housing portion 1 : when the first housing portion 12 is in its closed housing : position 18. '~' : :25 ~ ::: The first housing portion 12 is shown to be slidably c~upled to opposing~ de rails 72 and 74 on the third housing ~'.
porti~onl6. Alte~natively,only-onesideofthefirst housing : ~ p~o~on 12 need be slidably coupled to the third housing por~ion16 given a robust desi~. For examplei the side 64 of the first 30 housing portion 12: slidably engages with guide rail 72 of the third housing por~ion 16.
.
:: . ~ , A conventional earpiece transducer 2~is coupled to the first housing p~rtion 12 and a conventional microphone transducer 28 ili coupled to the second housing porbon 14. The ''':
'~

WO 94/13088 ~ r~ 2 fi ~) -22- PCT/USg3/ll2 earpiece 26 and microphone 28 transducers are substantially aligned with a center axis 30 of the third housing portion 16.
~onventional transoeiving 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, ~ 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 positior~ing of the first 12 and second 14 housing portions in the same plane adjacent to the side 32 of the third housing portion 216 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 ~way ~rom the side 32 of the 2Q t~ird housing portion 16 and microphone transducer 28 is facing towards the slde 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 I6, pr~ferably 180~, permitting ali~nment 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 ~ nment of the microphone transducer 28 with a human mouth. Both the earpiece 26 and microphone i 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. : ~
.:.;

WO 94/130~8 2 ' 7' ,'. ~: ,'' PCT/US93111291 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 dif~erent but preferably ~:
substantially parallel planes. ~ ~ .
"~ .
The mo~rement 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. ~ and 6 - ~
do not interfere w~th each other and thus can be moved at the ':
~: same time. :Of course, elaborate coupling mech~ni~ms may be employed to automatically open each of the first 12 and the ~ --second l4 housing portions.
~ ,,, The radiotelephone 10 is advantageous in that is : contracted to; approximately one third of its usea~le length : 20:: ~when in its clased position ~8 while pronding only one ~ -additional Iayer of :housing lnaterial. This results in a '~
eduction in thickness of the device and a weight reduction approxlmately equal to that of one moveable housing por~ion.
Furthermore, when the radiotelephone 10 is expanded to its , . .
::2~: : open position 20, the earpiece 26 and microphone 28 transducers remain on the center axis 30 of the third housing ~ ~;
portion 10 permitting convenien$ and comfortable alignment ; ~
h a human ear ~nd 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 ~ecomes smaller, less space is aYailabIe for :: the display 46 and keypad 48. However, radiotelephones are ~-being designed unth more capability to provide a greater range .."'~
,;
.:;

~:

"
; . ~ . ;, ~l~ - 2 4 -of ser~ces and thus need additional display 46 ~nd keypad 48 resources to support the expanded capability One such ex~nple of added capability is the addition of a selective call receiver fimctions, such as a conven$ional pager, to the :~
fimctionality ofthe radiotelephone 10. Such expanded c apability 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 ~:
1 û and open 20 positions.

The display fianctionality is expanded by displaying paging information when the second housing portion 14 is mvved to the closed position 18 and radiotelephone :~
1~ information when the second housing portion 14 is inoved to the open housingpositlon 20.

The keypad functionality is expanded by having paging functions associated therewith when the second housing .
: 20 ~: portion 14 is in the closed position 18 and radiotelephone ~unctions associated therewith when the second h~using : ~-portion 14 is moved to the open housing position 20. ~ . ~

As with FIGs. 1 and 2, the dual modes of the device are ~;;
25 not limited to on~y~radiotelephone and paging functions. This feature of the present invention is intended to include any two ~:
.; ~ modes of the wireless commwlication dence. For example, the dual modes alternative]y include: radio~elephoxle vs.
;; notebook functions, private vs. hands-free conYersation 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 ~, but '. ~:
do not nece~s~rily need to be covered to gain the expanded : "
~,' .~

~ ~, ~ ~ f ~ ~
WO 94/13088 ~J I ~ ~ J ~? ~' PCT/US93/11291 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 ~ousing portion 14. As simil~rly 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 -' 1 0 least a pvrtion 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 o~ the moveable housingportions 12 and 14 if so desired. In accordance with the previous}y 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 ir~ormation when- the housing -20 portions are moved to their open 20 housing position.
',.',;.1 ., Still another unique feature of the wireless communication device 10 as shown in FIGs. 5 and 6 is keycap m~.~nS 52 coupled to the second housing portion 14. As 25 :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 p~rtion 14 is moved to the closed ;~ : housing position 18. T he keycaps 52 are comprised of 30 conventional elastomeric mateTial 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 indi~dual keycaps between layers of the second hollsing portion 14. Thus~ the keypad capability is ~ .
35 expzlnded sin~e it can now be used when the second housing : : .

WO ~4/13D88 }~CT/US93/11291 -26- .

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 e~panded keypad feature9 the covered portion of the keypad 54 5 prosrides paging functions when the second housing portion 14 is moved to its closed housing position 18 and radiotelephone ~unctions when the second housing portion 14 is moved to its open 20 housing position.

Yet, still another unique feature of the wireless communication de~Jice 10 as shown in FIGs. 3 and 4 is an anterma 56 coupled to $he fi~st housing portion 12. A
transceiver (FIG. 7) is substantially disposed in the third housing portioll 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 desi~n~ted by reference numeral 62 extended beyond the first housing portion 12. The antenna 56 is shown to be slidal ly coupled to the first housing portion 12 between :: antenna po~itions 60 and 62. The ante~na pre~rably extends ~:;
:~ : beyond the housing portion hanng the earpiece transducer 26 ~'~
such that the antenna extends above a human head. ~ '~

25 ~ For the radiotele;phone 10 ha~ring the length of the first : . -housing portion 12 appro~imately equal to the length of the third housing portion 16, a conventional antenna ex$endirlg 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 perform?.nc.e of the ante'nnà 56. However, extçntline- the anten~a 56 beyond the first, moveable housing portion 12 r~ises the anteIma 66 to an e~en further extended position away ~rom the radiotelephone 10 and therefore over~omes the shadowing probIem resulting ' in improved antenna periiormance.

''' ~

WO 94/13088 ~'~ ' 7 ~' ~ PCT/US93111291 ' Referring now to FIG. 7, there is shown a block diagram : -of the radiotielephone 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 ~:
trar~sducer 710, a switch 711 and a power supply 712. The ' memory 703 includes conventional ~ead only memory ~ROM), random ~ccess memo~ 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 manu~actured and available *om l~otorola ; ~ Inc.600NorthU.S.;Highway45,Llbertyville,Il 60048.
Optionally, the radiotelephone 10 is coupled to a selective call receiver unit; or pager 713. The selective call recei~er 713 - :is of the type such as model number A04JRC5661A?
manufactured and available from Motorola Inc. :150û N.W.
20: 22nd A~renue, Boynton Beach, Fl 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 funetional relationship therebetweerl are ; '; 25~ : well known in the~ art and will not be descnbed further except t~ distinguish between what is well known and that described -m the ;preferred embocliments of the pFesent ~nventlon.

As discuss~ed with FIGs. 1-6, the radiotelephone 10 ,v 30 performs certain tasks responsive to tbe position of the moveable housin~ portions. This is accompli:shed 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 signa] 704 of a logic low to the processor. Likewise, when the one housing portion is in its open posi~ion~ the f J ~ 2 8 -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 processor706 can adaptively reconfigure the keypad 48 and display 46 for either radiotelephone or paging -modes depending upon the state of the switch 711. ~ -' ~
What is claimed is:
'"' ~ ,, -'' :; :
., ~; ~ ",,~
~: . ', ,~
, . :~

:. ~
. ., ~
.... ~, .,:

Claims

1. A housing assembly, comprising:
first, second and third housing portions, the first and the second housing portions each coupled to the third housing portion;
a side on the third housing portion, the first housing portion moveable between a first housing position at least partially covering the side of the third housing portion and a second housing position at least partially exposing the side of the third housing portion? the second housing portion moveable between a first housing position at least partially covering the side of the third housing portion and a second housing position at least partially exposing the side of the third housing portion;
an end portion of the first housing portion; and an end portlon of the second housing portion extending beyond the end portion of the first housing portion when the first and the second housing portions are moved to their first respective housing positions at least partially covering the side of the third housing portion.

2 A housing assembly according to claim 1 wherein the first and second housing portions are substantially disposed i n the same plane when moved to the first housing position.

3. A housing assembly according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second housing portions is rotatably coupled to the third housing portion.

4. A housing assembly according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second housing portions is slidably coupled to the third housing portion.

5. A housing assembly according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second housing portions further comprises a transducer.

6. A housing assembly according to claim 5 wherein the first and second housing portions further comprise an earpiece transducer and a microphone transducer, respectively.

7. A housing assembly according to claim 5 wherein the transducer is substantially aligned with a center axis of the third housing portion.

8. A housing assembly according to claim 1 wherein the third housing portion further comprises at least one of display means and data input means.

9. A housing assembly according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the first, second and third housing portions further comprises radiotelephone means.

10. A wireless communication device comprising:
first and second housing portions, the first housing portion coupled to the second housing portion and moveable between a first and a second housing position; and paging and radiotelephone modes associated with the device when the first housing portion is moved to the first and the second housing position, respectively.

11. A wireless communication device according to claim 10 further comprising display means for displaying paging and radiotelephone information when the first housing portion is moved to the first and the second housing position, respectively.

12. A wireless communication device according to claim 10 further comprising data input means having paging and radiotelephone functions associated therewith when the first housing portion is moved to the first and the second housing position, respectively.

13. A wireless communication device comprising:
a first and a second housing portion, the first housing portion coupled to the second housing portion and moveable between a first and a second housing position;
display means coupled to the second housing portion and at least partially covered by the first housing portion when the first housing portion is moved to the first housing position;
and lens means forming a substantially transparent portion of the first housing portion and disposed essentially opposite at least a portion of the display means when the first housing portion is moved to the first housing position.

14. A wireless communication device according to claim 13 further comprising first and second information sets displayed by the display means when the first housing portion is moved to the first and the second housing position, respectively.

16. A wireless communication device according to claim 14 wherein the first: and second information sets further comprise paging and radiotelephone information sets, respectively.

16. A wireless communication device comprising:
a first and a second housing portion, the first housing portion coupled to the second housing portion and moveable between a first and a second housing position;

data input means coupled to the second housing portion and at least partially covered by the first housing portion when the first housing portion is moved to the first housing position;
and keycap means coupled to the first housing portion and disposed essentially opposite at least a portion of the data input means when the first housing portion is moved to the first housing position.

17. A wireless communication device according to claim 16 f further comprising first and second functions of the data input means when the first housing portion is moved to the first and the second housing position, respectively.

18. A wireless communication device according to claim 17 wherein the first and second functions further comprise paging and radiotelephone functions, respectively.

19. A wireless communication device comprising:
a first housing portion coupled to a second housing portion and moveable between a first and a second housing position.
transceiving means substantially disposed in the second housing portion; and antenna means coupled to the transceiving means and the first housing portion, and moveable between a first and a second antenna position.

20. A wireless communication device, comprising:
first, second and third housing portions, the first and second housing portions each coupled to the third housing portion and each moveable between a first and a second housing position; and antenna means coupled to the first housing portion and moveable between a first and a second antenna position.