Communication management feature

A software system stored in a non-transitory, tangible computer-readable medium for screening incoming communications, comprising

• a first routine that receives an incoming communication;
• a second routine that identifies a sender of the communication and a communication type, which includes an email;
• a third routine that identifies screening settings based on the sender and communication type;
• a fourth routine that determines whether the communication is allowed in accordance with the identified settings;
• a fifth routine that notifies a recipient of the communication, in a predetermined manner, if the communication is allowed;
• and
• a sixth routine that processes the communication and notifies the recipient, in a manner different than the predetermined manner, if the communication is not allowed,
• wherein the screening settings include one or more display settings that control what a display does when an allowed communication is received, sound settings that control audio settings when an allowed communication is received, and duration settings that control a time period that the communication screening will remain in effect until the communication screening is automatically disabled.

A system for screening incoming communications, comprising:

• means for receiving an incoming communication;
• means for identifying a sender of the communication and a communication type, which includes an email;
• means for identifying screening settings based on the sender and communication type;
• means for determining whether the communication is allowed in accordance with the identified settings;
• means for notifying a recipient of the communication, in a predetermined manner, if the communication is allowed;
• and
• means for processing the communication and notifying the recipient, in a manner different than the predetermined manner, if the communication is not allowed,
• wherein the screening settings include one or more display settings that control what a display does when an allowed communication is received, sound settings that control audio settings when an allowed communication is received, and duration settings that control a time period that the communication screening will remain in effect until the communication screening is automatically disabled.