Patent ID: 7376051

Claim:
A clock having self-contained audio features to present to a user a time-appropriate message, comprising: a clock with a time display and a clock body, a microprocessor contained in the clock body, and a user-removable, replaceable, pre-recorded digital storage medium contained in the clock body and connected to the microprocessor, accessible from exterior of the clock body, storing a multiplicity of audio verbal messages recorded by other than the user prior to acquisition of the pre-recorded digital storage medium by the user, each message having informative content of general interest directed at a multiplicity of users and appropriate for and relating to a particular time period, day or time of day, the clock device and clock body having at least one receptacle for the digital storage medium, accessible to the user at the outside of the clock body such that the digital storage medium is removable and replaceable by the user, an audible output in the clock body for delivering an audio verbal message, connected to the microprocessor so as to verbally announce an audio message selected from the multiplicity of messages when so directed by the microprocessor, and the microprocessor having means for selecting one of the multiplicity of stored messages for audio presentation to a user based on particular significance of the one stored message to the current time of day, day of week, or date.