Abstract: A telephone answering system and method that integrates caller ID and directory information to automate the message reply functions is taught. In an illustrative embodiment a telephone line interface circuit for receiving voice and caller ID information, with a telephone number portion, is coupled to a caller ID data decoding circuit. A voice message memory and a data memory are coupled to a controller. The controller operates to receive and store the voice portion of each message in the voice message memory, and to store the decoded caller ID data in the data memory. A reply actuator is coupled to the controller, and actuation of the reply actuator causes the controller to enable a telephone line interface to place a telephone call to the telephone number portion of the caller ID data. The reply message may be recorded to the message memory for communication at a later time, specified by the user.

Abstract: An integrated cordless telephone system and Bluetooth compliant dongle are taught. The cordless telephone operates in accordance with the Bluetooth specification in both of a voice communications and data communications mode of operation. In the data communications mode, a cordless handset portion of the cordless telephone is interconnected to a computing device and performs the function of a Bluetooth compliant dongle. Multiple cordless handset are supported within a single Bluetooth piconet, and thus the cordless telephone piconet can provide Bluetooth compliant wireless interconnectivity among a plurality of computing devices. In addition, telephony based features are implemented within certain computing devices by application of the present invention.