Patent ID: 7782890

Claim:
A method of local text communication between a plurality of mobile communications devices, comprising the steps of: (a) broadcasting via Bluetooth an electronic invitation from a first mobile communication device, wherein said electronic invitation comprises at least a group ID, and wherein said first mobile communications device has a group communications program stored therein; (b) receiving via Bluetooth a representation of said electronic invitation within a second mobile communications device proximate to said first mobile communications device; (c) determining whether said second mobile communications device will enter into a communications group along with at least said first mobile communications device; (d) if it is determined that said second mobile communications device will enter said communications group, (d1) forming a communications group with comprising at least said first and second mobile communications devices, said communications group being identified by said group ID; (d2) determining whether said group communications program is resident within said second mobile communications device, (d3) if said group communications program is not resident within said second mobile communications device, (i) transmitting via Bluetooth a request for said group communications program to at least said first mobile communications device, (ii) receiving via Bluetooth said transmitted request for said group communications program at least within said first mobile communications device, (iii) transmitting via Bluetooth from said first mobile communications device said group communications program, (iv) receiving via Bluetooth within said second mobile communications device said transmitted group communications program, (v) installing said group communications program within said second mobile communications device, and, (vi) executing said group communications program within said second mobile communications device, thereby joining said second mobile communications device to said communications group; (e) if it is determined that said group communications program is resident within said second mobile communications device, executing said group communications program within said second mobile communications device, thereby joining said second mobile communications device to said communications group; and, (f) using at least said group communications program and said group ID to establish a Bluetooth connection between the mobile communication devices and to transmit an item of text from a selected one of said mobile communications devices in said communications group to every other mobile communications devices in said communications group.