Portable telephone

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In accordance with the present invention there is provided a portable telephone comprising a set of keys; a cover portion movable between a first position covering the set of keys and a second position not covering the set of keys; and a further key not covered by the cover portion in either position, which has a first function when the cover is in the first position and a second function when the cover is in the second position.
The first function and the second function are suitably different.
Both functions preferably include causing the telephone to perform one or more actions, preferably dependent on the status and/or configuration of the telephone.
Preferably, at least one, and most preferably both, of the first and second functions includes causing the telephone to perform at least one action that is not part of the other function.
The first function preferably includes putting the telephone in an off-hook condition, suitably to answer incoming calls detected by the telephone.
The first function preferably includes putting the telephone off hook only during the period when an incoming call is detected.
The first function may also include volume control, suitably ringer volume control and preferably only whilst an incoming call is not detected.
The second function preferably does not include putting the telephone in an off-hook condition; suitably at least not whilst an off-hook key of the set of keys is exposed.
The second function may include volume control, suitably ringer volume control.
The first function and the second function are preferably associated with different actions.
The function of the further key is suitably dependent on the position of the cover, and preferably also on other aspects of the telephone's configuration and/or status, such as whether an incoming call is detected.
This is suitably achieved by the telephone having a processor which is responsive to activation of the further key and to aspects of the configuration and/or status of the phone (such as user settings, the position of the cover and/or whether an incoming call is detected) and is programmed to act and/or control the telephone accordingly