Abstract: A telephone answering device (TAD) which includes a means of intelligently organizing voice messages, associated entered codes such as personal IDs and home telephone numbers, and information stored in the memory of the TAD. These codes or numbers are decoded by means of the caller entering DTMF signals into the telephone which are recognized, recorded and processed by the TAD. When processed with codes and personal information previously entered into the device's memory, the TAD displays the identity of the callers for each message, thus providing a menu of choices, i.e., a list of callers. This enables the user to access messages in a selective manner based on the identity of the caller. The need to listen to the actual voice messages to determine the caller's identity and the need to listen to the messages sequentially or chronologically is obviated, saving both time and effort.

Abstract: A telephone answering device (TAD) which includes a means of intelligently organizing voice messages, associated entered codes such as personal IDs and home telephone numbers, and information stored in the memory of the TAD. These codes or numbers are decoded by means of the caller entering DTMF signals into the telephone which are recognized, recorded and processed by the TAD. When processed with codes and personal information previously entered into the device's memory, the TAD displays the identity of the callers for each message, thus providing a menu of choices, i.e., a list of callers. This enables the user to access messages in a selective manner based on the identity of the caller. The need to listen to the actual voice messages to determine the caller's identity and the need to listen to the messages sequentially or chronologically is obviated, saving both time and effort.

Abstract: An information retrieval system and method for determining the location of a traveller based upon a comparison between broadcast radiowave frequencies at the location and a table of locations for radio stations which broadcast at those radiowave frequencies. By determining the location, the offset hour for the time zone where the radio station is located may be obtained for correctly displaying the hour on an analog watch. When the watch is moved to a different time zone, the hands are accelerated, forward or backward, until they indicate the local time. The location, such as a city, can also be displayed so that the traveller is apprised of both the correct time and present location automatically.

Abstract: A telephone answering device (TAD) which includes a means of intelligently organizing voice messages, associated entered codes such as personal IDs and home telephone numbers, and information stored in the memory of the TAD. These codes or numbers are decoded by means of the caller entering DTMF signals into the telephone which are recognized, recorded and processed by the TAD. When processed with codes and personal information previously entered into the device's memory, the TAD displays the identity of the callers for each message, thus providing a menu of choices, i.e., a list of callers. This enables the user to access messages in a selective manner based on the identity of the caller. The need to listen to the actual voice messages to determine the caller's identity and the need to listen to the messages sequentially or chronologically is obviated, saving both time and effort.

Abstract: An information retrieval system and method for determining the location of a traveller based upon a comparison between broadcast radiowave frequencies at the location and a table of locations for radio stations which broadcast at those radiowave frequencies. By determining the location, the offset hour for the time zone where the radio station is located may be obtained for correcting displaying the hour on an electronic watch. The location, such as a city, is also displayed so that the traveller is apprised of both the correct time and present location automatically.