Abstract: An improved telephone system with additional features that enable a user or users to make more effective use of their telephone service. The present invention comprises an improved telephone system and method for updating a clock using caller ID information. In one embodiment, the clock is located in a remote device from a caller ID unit, and is updated automatically by information received from the caller ID unit through existing wiring in a building's power grid. In another embodiment, the clock is located in a portable telephone handset, and the caller ID unit may be located either in the portable telephone handset or in a portable telephone base station.

Abstract: A system and method for charging rechargeable batteries using power from ambient acoustic waves. A first embodiment comprises a system with one or more audio speakers and a battery charger. Each speaker has a transducer that generates an electromotive force (EMF) in response to acoustic waves incident on the speaker. The battery charger receives the EMF from the speaker and charges one or more batteries using the received EMF. A second embodiment comprises a method for charging rechargeable batteries by the steps of generating a sound wave incident on an audio speaker, the speaker generating an EMF, providing the EMF to a battery charger, and the battery charger using the EMF to charge the batteries. A third embodiment comprises a battery charger that uses electrical power generated by one or more audio speakers to charge one or more rechargeable batteries. A rectifying unit in the battery charger receives and rectifies EMFs from the speakers and provides it to the batteries.