Method and apparatus for improved personal communication devices and systems

A method of communicating information to a wireless communication device on a wireless system, comprising the method steps of:

• (a) initiating communication between a message sender and a message recipient utilizing a communications network;
• (b) passing CALLER ID data from the communications network to the wireless communication system without requiring entry of the CALLER ID by the message sender;
• (c) annunciating the CALLER ID to the message sender;
• (d) allowing input of optional data message sender, including at least a picture;
• (e) transmitting at least the CALLER ID data and the optional data to the wireless communication device;
• (f) receiving the CALLER ID data and the optional data at the wireless communication device;
• (g) comparing the CALLER ID data received with the data contained in a contact database recorded in a memory of the wireless communication device;
• and
• (h) displaying information including the picture and the CALLER ID in a display resulting from the comparing step.

A method of communicating information to a wireless communication device on a wireless communications system, comprising the method steps of:

• (a) initiating communication between a message sender and a message recipient;
• (b) passing CALLER ID data to the wireless-communication system without requiring entry of the CALLER ID by the message sender;
• (c) annunciating the CALLER ID to the message sender;
• (d) inputting optional data including a picture by the message sender;
• (e) transmitting the CALLER ID data and the optional data to the wireless communication device;
• (f) receiving the CALLER ID data and the optional data at the wireless communication device;
• and
• (g) displaying the CALLER ID data and the optional data received in a display of the wireless communication device.

A method of communicating information from a message originator to a message recipient having a wireless portable communication device, comprising the steps of:

• initiating a message from a message originator to a message recipient over a wireless communications network;
• receiving at a message center both information provided automatically by the wireless communications network identifying the telephone number of the message originator, and a picture obtained from the message originator;
• and,
• causing the wireless communications network to transmit the telephone number information and the picture from the message center to the wireless portable communication device.