INFORMATION DEVICE

• US 20090132679A1
• Filed: 01/23/2009
• Published: 05/21/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: May Patents Ltd.
• Original Assignee: SercoNet Limited (Yehuda Binder, MBA)
• Inventors: Binder, Yehuda
• Application Number:
  US12/358,551
• Publication Number:
  US 20090132679A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/217
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/66 Arrangements for connecting between networks having differing types of switching systems, e.g. gateways
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/60 Network streaming of media packets
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/06 specially adapted for file transfer, e.g. file transfer protocol [FTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/10 in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/568 Storing data temporarily at an intermediate stage, e.g. caching

Abstract

A device for obtaining, storing and displaying information from a remote server, the device has a modem for establishing communication sessions with the remote server. A memory coupled to the modem stores the obtained information, and a display is coupled to the memory for displaying the stored information. The device automatically and periodically communicates with the remote server for obtaining the information.

Claims

1. A device for obtaining, storing and displaying personalized information from a data unit via a cable in a building, the cable being connected for concurrently carrying a digital data signal and a power signal, the device comprising:

a connector for connecting to the cable;

a transceiver coupled to said connector for transmitting digital data to, and receiving digital data from the data unit via the cable;

a first memory coupled to said transceiver for storing digital data received from the data unit;

a display coupled to said first memory for displaying information stored in said first memory; and

a single enclosure housing said connector, said transceiver, said first memory and said display,

wherein;

said device is addressable in a Local Area Network (LAN) and is operative for communicating with the data unit through the cable for receiving information from the data unit and for storing and displaying the received information; and

said device is at least in part powered by the power signal carried over the cable.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said single enclosure has dimensions and an appearance of a conventional flat, wall-mountable framed picture.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein said device is operative for automatically and periodically communicating with the data unit at all times when said device is in operation.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein said transceiver is a modem and the data unit is a personal computer.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the cable is connected to concurrently carry the digital data and power signals using Frequency Division Multiplexing (FDM).

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the power signal is a Direct Current (DC) signal.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the cable is a telephone wire pair connected to a PSTN and wherein said transceiver is a dial-up modem.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the cable is part of a Local Area Network (LAN) in the building.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the cable is a LAN cable connected for carrying a LAN signal.

10. The device according to claim 8, wherein the cable, and communication over the cable, are based on IEEE802.3 standard, and said transceiver is an Ethernet transceiver.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein said display is a digital display.

12. The device according to claim 11, wherein said display is an HDTV display.

13. The device according to claim 1 wherein said first memory is non-volatile.

14. The device according to claim 1, wherein said first memory is based on one of a Flash memory, a DRAM memory and a RAM memory.

15. The device according to claim 1, wherein said display comprises a flat screen that is based on Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) technology.

16. The device according to claim 1, wherein said display is coupled to said first memory via a composite video interface, and the composite video interface is one of a PAL and an NTSC interface.

17. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a battery, wherein said device is operative to be at least in part powered from said battery, and wherein said battery is a primary or rechargeable battery.

18. The device according to claim 1, wherein said device is further adapted to communicate with the Internet via a gateway.

19. The device according to claim 1, further comprising firmware and a processor for executing said firmware, said processor being coupled to control at least said transceiver and said display.

20. The device according to claim 19, wherein said processor is one of:

a microprocessor; and

a microcomputer, and said device further comprises at least one user operated button or switch coupled to said processor, for user control of operation of said device.

21. The device according to claim 20, wherein the user control of operation of said device comprises at least one out of:

turning said device on and off;

resetting said device to default values;

changing the contrast of said display;

changing the brightness of said display;

changing the zoom of images presented on said display;

selecting a language; and

selecting the information to be presented on said display.

22. The device according to claim 19, wherein said firmware includes at least part of a web client for communication with, and accessing information stored in, the data unit.

23. The device according to claim 22, wherein said web client includes at least part of a graphical web browser.

24. The device according to claim 23, wherein said graphical web browser is based on Windows Internet Explorer.

25. The device according to claim 1, wherein the cable is connected outside the building and is part of a Wide Area Network (WAN), and the data unit is a first remote information server located outside the building and connected to the Internet.

26. The device according to claim 25, wherein the first remote information server is organized as a web site including web pages as part of the World Wide Web (WWW), and is further identified by said device using the web site Uniform Resource Locator (URL).

27. The device according to claim 25, wherein said device is operative for communicating with a second remote information server via the Internet for receiving information therefrom, and for storing and displaying the received information from the second remote information server.

28. The device according to claim 27, wherein said device is adapted to communicate with the first and second remote information servers for obtaining selected and distinct information from each remote information server.

29. The device according to claim 27, wherein said device communicates with the first and second remote servers one at a time.

30. The device according to claim 25, wherein said device is operative for communicating with only a single remote information server external to the building.

31. The device according to claim 25, wherein communication with the first remote information server is based on Internet protocol suite.

32. The device according to claim 31, wherein communication with the first remote information server is based on TCP/IP.

33. The device according to claim 25, wherein said device is operative to initiate a communication with the first remote information server after a set period following a prior communication session.

34. The device according to claim 33, wherein the set period is at least one of:

set by the user;

set previously in said device; and

set by the first remote information server in a previous communication session.

35. The device according to claim 25, wherein said device is operative to initiate a communication with the first remote information server on a daily basis at a pre-set time of day (TOD).

36. The device according to claim 35, wherein the pre-set time of day is at least one of:

set by the user;

set previously in the device; and

set by the remote information server in a previous communication session.

37. The device according to claim 5, wherein the first remote information server is a dedicated remote information server, and said device is further operative to initiate a communication with the dedicated remote information server based on a user request.

38. The device according to claim 25, wherein the information received from said first remote information server is publicly available for free.

39. The device according to claim 38, wherein the information received from the first remote information server is also available in other mediums.

40. The device according to claim 39, wherein the first remote information server is also associated with one of:

a newspaper;

a radio station; and

a television station.

41. The device according to claim 25, wherein the information received from the first remote information server and displayed on said display relates to a future event, a planned activity or a forecast of a situation.

42. The device according to claim 41, wherein the information received from the first remote information server includes at least one of:

a weather forecast;

a future sports event;

a future culture event;

a future entertainment event;

a TV station guide; and

a radio station guide.

43. The device according to claim 25, wherein the information received from the first remote information server and displayed on said display relates to a past event, a past activity, or a former situation.

44. The device according to claim 43, wherein the information from the first remote information server includes at least one of sports event results;

a stock quote;

lottery results; and

a currency exchange rate.

45. The device according to claim 25, wherein the information received from the first remote information server and displayed on said display relates to an ongoing or recent event, a current or recent activity, or an existing situation.

46. The device according to claim 45, wherein the information received from the first remote information server includes at least one of:

public news; and

traffic related information.

47. The device according to claim 25, wherein said device is operative to delay a communication with the first remote information server for a set period, in the case that such communication cannot be properly executed at a given time.

48. The device according to claim 47, wherein the set period is at least one of:

set by the user;

set previously in said device; and

set by the first remote information server in a previous communication session.

49. The device according to claim 25, wherein said device is operative to communicate with an alternative second distinct remote information server via the Internet, in the case the communication with the first remote information server cannot be properly executed at a given time or after a set delay.

50. The device according to claim 25, wherein the device is addressable in a Local Area Network (LAN) using a digital address, and wherein the device is operative to send the digital address and a request for information, and to obtain and display the received information from the first remote information server in response to the sent request for information.

51. The device according to claim 50, wherein the digital address is either a MAC address or an LIP address.

52. The device according to claim 25, wherein said device is configured for wall mounting in the building, and the first remote information server is located outside the residential building.

53. The device according to claim 25, wherein said device is dedicated only for obtaining, storing and displaying information from the first remote information server.

54. The device according to claim 25, further comprising a second memory for storing a digital address uniquely identifying said device in the WAN, and wherein said second memory is operative for storing personalized information.

55. The device according to claim 54, wherein the personalized information is a user name or a password.

56. The device according to claim 54, wherein the personalized information is set by the user.

57. The device according to claim 54, wherein the personalized information is set by the remote information server.

58. The device according to claim 54, wherein the personalized information is associated with the physical geographical location of said device.

59. The device according to claim 54, wherein the personalized information comprises a code identifying specific information requested by the user, and wherein said device is operative to send the code to the first remote information server for obtaining and displaying specific information received from first remote information server in response to the request sent.

60. The device according to claim 59, wherein the personalized information is set by the user or by the first remote information server.

61. The device according to claim 1, wherein said display is alphanumeric.

62. The device according to claim 1, wherein said display is based on Field Emission Display (FED) technology or Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) technology.

63. The device according to claim 1, wherein said display comprises a flat screen that is based on Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) technology.

64. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a second memory for storing a digital address uniquely identifying said device in the LAN, and wherein said second memory is operative for storing a digital address for uniquely identifying said device in the Local Area Network (LAN) or on the Internet.

65. The device according to claim 1, wherein said device is further operative to store and play digital audio data.

66. The device according to claim 1, wherein:

said device is further operative to receive and display information from a connected unit;

said device further comprises a connector coupled to said first memory for connecting to the unit; and

said device is operative to receive digital data comprising information from the unit and displaying the information on said display.

67. The device according to claim 66, wherein said device is further operative to transmit digital data to the unit.

68. The device according to claim 67, wherein the communication with the unit via said connector is based on a standard serial digital data bus.

69. The device according to claim 68, wherein the unit is a battery operated unit, and further comprising a charger for charging the battery of the battery operated unit, and wherein the charger is powered from said power signal.

70. The device according to claim 68, wherein the data unit is a handheld unit and said device is further adapted to mechanically dock, supply power to, and communicate with the handheld unit.

71. The device according to claim 70 in combination with a cradle for detachable mounting of the handheld unit, the handheld unit having a mating connector, wherein said connector is part of said cradle, and said connector connects with the handheld unit mating connector when the handheld unit is mounted in said cradle.

72. The device according to claim 71, wherein said handheld unit is a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), or a cellular telephone.

73. The device according to claim 1, wherein:

the cable is connected outside the building and is part of a Wide Area Network (WAN;

the data unit is a first remote information server located outside the building and connected to the Internet;

said device supports information pushing from the remote information server; and

said device is further operative to respond and communicate with the remote information server, when the remote information server initiates a communication session and said device receives information from the remote server and displays the received information.

74. The device according to claim 1, wherein said device is further operative to periodically retrieve and display information from said first memory.

75. The device according to claim 1, further operative as a clock for maintaining and displaying the time, and wherein said device is further operative to display the current hour, minute and second.

76. The device according to claim 75, further operative to display the current year, the current month and the current day of the month.

77. The device according to claim 75, further operative to display the time of a last information update or a last communication session.

78. The device according to claim 1, wherein said single enclosure in constructed to have at least one of the following:

a form substantially similar to that of a standard picture frame;

wall mounting elements substantially similar to those of a standard picture frame for hanging on a wall; and

a shape to at least in part substitute for a standard picture frame.

79. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a digital to analog converter coupled to said first memory for converting digital data stored in said first memory to an analog signal.

80. The device according to claim 79, wherein the analog signal is an analog video signal for connecting to an analog video display.

81. The device according to claim 80, wherein the analog video signal is an S-Video signal or a composite video signal in a PAL or NTSC format.