a cellular phone is disclosed having a special mode of operation . according to one embodiment , in the special operating mode a channel of communication is automatically established upon receipt of an incoming call . additional features enable muting of the ringing after the first ring , and sending a note to the caller that the phone in the special mode . this allows a user in a meeting to receive a call and have time to exit the meeting to talk to the caller . according to another embodiment , is the special operating mode the phone blocks all incoming calls for a pre - programmed time period , and thereafter resumes normal operation .