Patent ID: 8478252

Claim:
A computer-implemented method for enforcing limits on electronic communications, comprising: at a processor, establishing a value representative of a non-monetary credit balance; at the processor, establishing a first conversion rate between non-monetary credits and incoming communications; at the processor, establishing a second conversion rate between non-monetary credits and outgoing communications; receiving an electronic communication at an electronic communication device; at the processor, responsive to receiving the electronic communication, increasing the value of the non-monetary credit balance according to the first conversion rate; at an input device of the electronic communication device, receiving input from a user requesting initiation of an electronic communication to a designated recipient via an electronic communication network; and at the processor, responsive to receiving the input from the user: determining whether the non-monetary credit balance is at least sufficient to initiate the requested electronic communication according to the second conversion rate; and responsive to the non-monetary credit balance being at least sufficient to initiate the requested electronic communication according to the second conversion rate: causing the communication device to transmit a signal to initiate the requested electronic communication via the electronic communications network; and decreasing the value of the non-monetary credit balance according to the second conversion rate; wherein: receiving an electronic communication comprises receiving a text message; receiving input from a user requesting initiation of an electronic communication comprises receiving input from a user to send a text message; and causing the communication device to transmit a signal to initiate the requested electronic communication comprises causing the communication device to transmit a text message.