Importance

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Abstract

A method and apparatus for accessing an one of a plurality of highly localized weather broadcasts based on the reception by a weather forecast service of call related information (e.g., Caller ID information) relating to an incoming call. A server associated with the weather service includes separate weather forecasts each based on call related information, e.g., an area code and/or exchange number. The highly localized weather forecast may be downloaded in analog or digital form, and may be played as received by a caller or stored for later playback. An off-line automatic dialer and record control module establishes a telephone call to a weather server at a predetermined time, e.g., just before sunrise, and automatically activates the downloading and storage of the weather forecast without further instruction required by the user. This allows the provision of a highly localized weather broadcast system which is capable of forecast resolution at least down to the locality of a particular exchange in a particular area code, while at the same time having the capability of being commonly located at a single telephone number. The highly localized weather forecasts may be accessed real-time for immediate audible play, or off-line by downloading a particularly chosen weather forecast while the customer premises equipment is off-line. The weather forecast may be downloaded in audible form and recorded at the customer premises equipment, or with the use of modems may be digitally downloaded to storage in the customer premises equipment for later playback.

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First Claim