Patent ID: 7822433
Filing Date: 2010-10-26
Classification: H01L,H04M,H04W

Abstract:
1. A method of communicating within a pre-defined calling group having a plurality of members, the method comprising: receiving a system ID of a first personal communication device (PCD) of a called party and a group ID of a second PCD of a calling party, wherein the system ID of the first PCD and the group ID of the second PCD are received from the second PCD, and wherein the first and second PCDs are members of a pre-defined calling group comprising a plurality of members, each member associated with a unique system ID and group ID; determining, based on a record for the second PCD that is associated with a system ID of the second PCD, whether the second PCD is a restricted member or a non-restricted member of the pre-defined calling group, wherein restricted members of the calling group are restricted to contacting non-restricted members and other restricted members of the calling group, and non-restricted members of the calling group are able to contact restricted members of the calling group, other non-restricted members of the calling group and PCDs that are not members of the calling group; and establishing a telecommunications connection with respect to the first PCD and the second PCD based on the system ID of the first PCD, the group ID of the second PCD, and the determination of whether the second PCD is a restricted member or a non-restricted member of the pre-defined calling group.