Internet answering machine

An integrated answering machine for receiving telephone messages via a telephone line and e-mail messages from a remote computer also via the telephone line, the answering machine comprising:

• a telephone line interface connectable to the telephone line;
• a modem coupled to the telephone line interface;
• a processor configured
• for controlling the receipt and recording of telephone messages,
• for automatically periodically establishing a connection with a remote computer via the modem and the telephone line and independently querying the remote computer to determine whether any e-mail messages are stored in the remote computer, and
• for determining the telephone number associated with an incoming telephone call, and if said telephone number is a predetermined service provider number, downloading copies of e-mail messages stored in said remote computer,
• the processor being coupled to the telephone line interface and to the modem;
• a display for indicating the results of the query of the remote computer;
• and
• a memory coupled to the processor for storing at least a portion of the telephone messages.

An integrated answering machine for receiving telephone messages via a telephone line and e-mail messages from a remote computer also via the telephone line, the answering machine comprising:

• a telephone line interface connectable to the telephone line;
• a modem coupled to the telephone line interface;
• a processor configured
• for controlling the receipt, recording and playback of telephone messages,
• for automatically determining the telephone number associated with an incoming telephone call, and if said telephone number is a predetermined service provider number, automatically downloading copies of e-mail messages stored in said remote computer, and
• for controlling the receipt, storing and display of at least a portion of e-mail messages received via said telephone line,
• the processor being coupled to the telephone line interface and to the modem;
• and
• a memory coupled to the processor for storing at least a portion of the e-mail messages.