Conair Corporation

Robert L Taylor

Anthony Solomita

Barry M Haber

Gerard A Rutigliano

Leandro P Rizzuto

Lisa Black

Wing Nin Ng

A user appliance incorporating the invention includes a non-volatile memory for storing (i) a series of queries regarding operating problems that may be encountered in operating the user appliance; and (ii) a series of instructions on how to overcome the operating problems. Switching devices are provided which enable the user to input &ldquo;yes&rdquo; or &ldquo;no&rdquo; responses to the queries. The appliance further includes a controller that is responsive to an input from the user to cause a broadcast of the queries and instructions via a voice synthesizer. The controller further enables the user to skip certain of the queries by actuation of a switching device to input a &ldquo;no&rdquo; response to the controller.

User appliance with voice help guide

The method of the invention enables an automatic callback to a calling telephone whose caller has left a recorded message. In response to a received call, an identifier of the calling telephone is stored along with the message from the caller. Thereafter, the called party is enabled to play the message left by the caller and is further enabled to enter a callback signal during the playing of the message. This action causes the message playback to be interrupted, the identifier to be recalled from memory and used to automatically place a call to the calling telephone whose message was interrupted.

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Clarksburg, NJ, United States of America

Robert L Taylor