Abstract: A radiotelephone (101) is adapted to generate a plurality of distinctive vibrating alert patterns. An antenna (201) receives radio frequency (RF) signals including an incoming telephone call signal (121). A receiver (205), operably coupled to the antenna (201), receives the incoming telephone call signal (121). A vibrating alert generator (223) generates a vibrating alert pattern when enabled. A controller (215), operably coupled to the receiver (205) and the vibrating alert generator (223), enables the vibrating alert generator (223) to generate the vibrating alert pattern (301) as one of a plurality of distinctive vibrating alert patterns (301-312) when the incoming telephone call signal (121) is received. The present invention advantageously permits the user or the radiotelephone system (100) to select a preferred distinctive vibrating alert pattern (301), or to assign a particular distinctive vibrating alert pattern (301) to a particular incoming telephone call signal (121).

Abstract: A unique actuator (130) and user interface preferably located on one side of a communication device enables one-handed operation of the device, such as a radiotelephone or other portable communication device. In particular, a multifunction rocker switch (302) may rotate around or slide along a particular axis to scroll up and down through functions, while the rocker switch could move in an orthogonal direction to select a function. Alternatively, three keys (124-128) could be employed in place of the multifunction rocker switch. Among other functions, the actuator will preferably provide the user access to menu features (604) to perform the confirmation or selection operation in most menu features and access to the name directory (610) to place calls when reviewing a number and to terminate a call when completed.