Patent ID: 8265662

Claim:
A method of operating a wireless communication system comprising a base station and a wireless communication device in communication over a voice communication link and a data communication link, the method comprising: in the wireless communication device, receiving a first page over the voice communication link; in the wireless communication device, entering into a data-only communication mode over the data communication link, wherein the voice communication link is not monitored by the wireless communication device when in the data-only communication mode, and transferring a page halt message to the base station upon entry into the data-only communication mode, wherein the page halt message indicates the wireless communication device is halting receipt of further pages over the voice communication link; in the base station, transferring the page halt message for delivery to a page distribution system in response to the page halt message; in the page distribution system, receiving a voice call request for delivery to the wireless communication device; if the page halt message has been received and the voice call request is associated with a person on a list, then transferring the voice call request in a second page for delivery to the wireless communication device; if the page halt message has been received and the voice call request is not associated with a person on the list, then withholding the voice call request for delivery to the wireless communication device; and in the base station, upon receipt of the second page for delivery to the wireless communication device, transferring the second page over the data communication link.