US Patent 7796606 Prioritization of emergency voice and data communications

Prioritized communications are facilitated based on a receiving user's designation of a source (initiator), a delivery mode, and other parameters associated with the communication. The receiver may configure a list of preapproved initiators, delivery devices and modes, and any associated services such as a locator service, a mapping service, a directory service, etc. The communication is initiated by the initiator or automatically from an application associated with the initiator's device. A communication service or a hosted service retrieves receiver information and facilitates prioritized communication also providing optional services associated with the communication.