Method for selectively accepting phone calls and text messages

A method comprising:

• (a) receiving, by a first text message handling device via a service provider, a first text message including an identification code associated with a second text message handling device initiating the first text message, wherein each text message handling device includes one or more processors and memory;
• (b) determining, by the first text message handling device, if there is a match between the identification code included with the first text message and a previously recorded identification code available to the first text message handling device;
• (c) in response to determining no match in step (b), causing the first text message handling device to not display the first text message and causing the second text message handling device to receive a second text message requesting inclusion of a passcode in the first text message;
• (d) receiving, by the first text message handling device from the second text message handling device, a third text message including the first text message and the passcode entered at the second message text handling device in response to step (c);
• (e) determining, by the first text message handling device, if there is a match between the passcode included in third text message received in step (d) and a previously recorded passcode available to the first text message handling device;
• and
• (f) in response to determining a match in step (e), the first text message handling device causing the third text message to be displayed on a display,
• wherein all or a portion of the identification code included with the first text message is compared for a match in step (b) with previously recorded identification codes included in a plurality of cascading lists, one list at time, wherein the plurality of cascading lists includes a contact list including identification codes and at least one of the following lists:
• a wildcard list including identification codes, a previously dialed list including identification codes, and an entered password list including identification codes, wherein:
• each identification code included in the contact list is one of a Caller ID or a phone number;
• each identification code included in the wildcard list is a portion of a phone number;
• each identification code included in the previously dialed list is a phone number that was previously dialed at the first text message handling device;
• and
• each identification code included in the entered password list is a Caller ID or a phone number of a second text message handling device in which was previously entered a passcode that matched a previously recorded passcode available to the first text message handling device.

A method comprising:

• (a) receiving by a first electronic device from a second electronic device an electronic communication having an identification code associated with, included with, or modulated on the electronic communication, wherein each electronic device includes a processor and memory and the electronic communication is transmitted via a wired, a wireless, or both a wired and a wireless communication medium;
• (b) determining, by the first electronic device, if there is a match between the identification code associated with, included with, or modulated on the electronic communication and a previously recorded identification code available to the first electronic device;
• (c) in response to determining no match in step (b), causing the first electronic device to not activate a user notification means of the first electronic device and causing the second electronic device to receive a prompt requesting entry of a passcode into the second electronic device;
• (d) receiving, by the first electronic device, the passcode entered into the second electronic device in response to step (c);
• (e) determining, by the first electronic device, if there is a match between the passcode received in step (d) and a previously recorded passcode available to the first electronic device;
• and
• (f) in response to determining a match in step (e), the first electronic device activating the user notification means of the first electronic device,
• wherein all or a portion of the identification code associated with, included with, or modulated on the electronic communication is determined for a match in step (b) with previously recorded identification codes included in a plurality of cascading lists, one list at time, wherein the plurality of cascading lists includes a contact list including identification codes and at least one of the following lists:
• a wildcard list including identification codes, a previously dialed list including identification codes, and an entered password list including identification codes, wherein:
• each identification code included in the contact list is one of a Caller ID or a phone number;
• each identification code included in the wildcard list is a portion of a phone number;
• each identification code included in the previously dialed list is a phone number that was previously dialed at the first electronic device;
• and
• each identification code included in the entered password list is a Caller ID or a phone number of a second electronic device in which was previously entered a passcode that matched a previously recorded passcode available to the first electronic device.