Patent ID: 8718684

Claim:
A text message paging and ordering system operable on an existing mobile communication network that utilizes a short code number issued by the Consolidated Short Code Association (CSCA) for the communication of text messages, the system comprising: a paging and ordering system adapted to be interfaced with the mobile communication network, the paging and ordering system utilizing a single predetermined short code number, which is issued by the Consolidated Short Code Association (CSCA), said paging and ordering system configured to acquire customer wait, appointment, or ordering status information associated with a plurality of establishments; a communication interface associated with each one of a plurality of establishments, each said communication interface in communication with the mobile communication network and said paging and ordering system, said communication interface configured to obtain and transmit customer wait, appointment, or ordering status information from the paging and ordering system, wherein the single predetermined short code number is associated with each communication interface; and a plurality of wireless communication devices adapted to be in communication with the communication network using a plurality of wireless communication carriers; wherein, each one of the plurality of communication interfaces is configured to send through the paging and ordering system a plurality of outgoing text messages to each of the plurality of wireless communication devices, each outgoing text message associated with the single predetermined short code number and includes the customer wait, appointment, or ordering status information associated with the establishment, whereupon receipt of the outgoing text message, each of the plurality of wireless communication devices are enabled to send at least one reply text message identified by the single predetermined short code number for receipt by the paging and ordering system, whereupon the paging and ordering system forwards the at least one reply text message to the communication interface associated with the establishment that sent the outgoing text message.