Patent ID: 7280643

Claim:
An embedded device configured to provide an audio status output, the embedded device comprising: a processor; an input button in electronic communication with the processor; a speaker in electronic communication with the processor for outputting an audio output; memory in electronic communication with the processor for storing data; a user identification for identifying the user of the embedded device, wherein the user identification is stored in the memory, and wherein the user identification is used for billing purposes; and an audio output generator stored in the memory, the audio output generator comprising instructions stored in the memory, the instructions being executable to: receive a generate audio command initiated by a user through use of the input button in electronic communication with the processor; access status data stored in the memory; access the user identification stored in the memory; include the user identification with the status data; convert the status data and the included user identification to audio output data, the audio output data comprising a plurality of distinct audio signals that are machine-decipherable and that corresponds to individual data elements of the user identification and the status data; and provide the audio output data to the speaker such that the audio output based on the audio output data is generated, wherein the audio output comprises DTMF tones.