INFORMATION DEVICE

• US 20110016505A1
• Filed: 09/24/2010
• Published: 01/20/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: May Patents Ltd.
• Original Assignee: May Patents Ltd.
• Inventors: Binder, Yehuda
• Application Number:
  US12/889,886
• Publication Number:
  US 20110016505A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/131
• 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 digital video data from a first remote information server via the Internet over a Local Area Network (LAN), said device comprising:

a LAN connector for connecting to the LAN;

a LAN transceiver coupled to said LAN connector for bi-directional packet-based digital data communication with another LAN transceiver of the same type over the LAN;

a first memory coupled to said LAN transceiver for storing digital video data received by said LAN transceiver;

a video display for visually presenting information, said display being coupled to said first memory for displaying the digital video data stored in the first memory; and

a single enclosure housing said LAN connector, said LAN transceiver, said first memory and said display, said single enclosure having dimensions and an appearance of a conventional flat, wall-mountable framed picture, wherein said device is addressable in the LAN, and said device is operative for communicating via the LAN with the first remote information server via the Internet for receiving digital video data from the first remote information server, and for storing and displaying digital video data obtained from the first remote information server.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said device is operative for automatically and periodically communicating with the first remote information server at all times when said device is in operation.

3. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a second memory for storing a digital address uniquely identifying said device in the LAN.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein said device is operative to send the digital address and a request for information, and to obtain and display digital video data from the first remote information server in response to the sent request for information.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein said device is configured for wall mounting in a residential building, and the first remote information server is located outside the residential building.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein communication over the LAN is based on IEEE802.3 standard;

said LAN connector is a RJ-45 type connector; and

said LAN transceiver is an Ethernet transceiver.

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

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein said display is an analog video display.

9. The device according to claim 8, 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.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein said device is further operative to receive and play television channels.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein said device is further operative to receive and display High Definition (HD) video, and said video display is operative to display High Definition (HD) video.

12. The device according to claim 11, wherein the High Definition (HD) video is High Definition Television (HDTV).

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

16. 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 LAN transceiver and said video display.

17. The device according to claim 16, 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.

19. The device according to claim 16, wherein said firmware includes at least part of a web client for communication with, and accessing information stored in, the remote information server.

22. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first remote information server is organized as a website having a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) and including web pages as part of the World Wide Web (WWW), and is further identified by said device using the website URL.

23. The device according to claim 1, 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.

26. The device according to claim 1, wherein communication with the first remote information server is based on Internet protocol suite.

28. The device according to claim 1, 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).

30. The device according to claim 1, wherein the information received from the first remote information server and displayed on the video display relates to a future event, a planned activity, or a forecast of a situation.

32. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a second memory for storing a digital address uniquely identifying said device in the LAN or on the Internet.

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

35. 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 second connector coupled to said first memory for connecting said first memory to the unit; and

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

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

45. The device according to claim 1, wherein said single enclosure is 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.

18. The device according to claim 18, 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.

20. The device according to claim 20, wherein said at least part of a web client includes at least part of a graphical web browser.

21. The device according to claim 21, wherein said at least part of a graphical web browser is based on Windows Internet Explorer.

24. The device according to claim 24, 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.

25. The device according to claim 25, wherein said device communicates with the first and second remote servers one at a time.

27. The device according to claim 27, wherein communication with the first remote information server is based on TCP/IP.

29. The device according to claim 29, 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.

31. The device according to claim 31, 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.

33. The device according to claim 33, wherein the digital address is either a MAC address or an IP address.

36. The device according to claim 36, wherein said device is further operative to transmit digital data to the unit.

38. The device according to claim 36, further comprising:

an AC power plug connectable to an AC power source; and

a power supply connected to said AC power plug to be powered by power supplied by the AC power source and to provide DC power for DC powering said first memory and said video display,

wherein said second connector is further coupled to said power supply for supplying DC power to the unit via said second connector.

40. The device according to claim 36, wherein the unit is a handheld unit;

and said device is further adapted to mechanically dock, supply power to, and communicate with the handheld unit.

37. The device according to claim 37, wherein communication with the unit via said second connector is carried out using a serial digital data stream.

39. The device according to claim 39, wherein:

the unit is a battery operated unit having a battery; and

said power supply further comprises a charger for charging the battery of the battery operated unit.

41. The device according to claim 41, in combination with a cradle in which the handheld unit is detachably mounted, the handheld unit having a mating connector, and wherein said second connector is part of said cradle, and said second connector connects with the mating connector of the handheld unit when the handheld unit is mounted in said cradle.

42. The device according to claim 42, wherein the handheld unit is a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), or a cellular telephone.

44. The device according to claim 44, wherein said device is further operative to display the current year, the current month and the current day of the month.

46. A device for obtaining, storing and displaying digital video data from a first remote information server via the Internet over a Local Area Network (LAN), said device comprising:

a LAN connector for connecting to the LAN;

a LAN transceiver coupled to said LAN connector for bi-directional packet-based digital data communication with another LAN transceiver of the same type over the LAN;

a first memory coupled to said LAN transceiver for storing digital video data received by said LAN transceiver over the LAN;

a video connector for connecting an analog video signal to an analog video display;

a digital to analog converter coupled between said first memory and said video connector for converting the digital video data content stored in said digital memory to an analog video signal for display on the analog video display; and

a single enclosure housing said LAN connector, said LAN transceiver, said first memory, said video connector and said digital to analog converter, said single enclosure having dimensions and an appearance of a conventional flat, wall-mountable framed picture,

wherein said device is addressable in the LAN, and said device is operative for communicating with the first remote information server via the Internet over the LAN for receiving digital video data from the first remote information server, and for storing and displaying the received digital video data.

47. The device according to claim 47, wherein said device is operative for automatically and periodically communicating with the first remote information server at all times when said device is in operation.

48. The device according to claim 47, further comprising a second memory for storing a digital address uniquely identifying said device in the LAN.

49. The device according to claim 47, wherein said device is operative to send the digital address and a request for information to the first remote information server, and to obtain and display digital video data received from the first remote information server in response to the sent request for information.

50. The device according to claim 47, wherein said device is configured for wall mounting in a residential building, and the first remote information server is located outside the residential building.

51. The device according to claim 47, wherein communication over the LAN is based on IEEE802.3 standard;

said LAN connector is a RJ-45 type connector; and

said LAN transceiver is an Ethernet transceiver.

52. The device according to claim 47, further comprising an analog video interface comprising said video connector and an analog video transmitter, wherein said analog video interface is a composite video interface, and the composite video interface is one of a PAL and an NTSC interface.

53. The device according to claim 47, wherein said device is further operative to receive and display television channels.

54. The device according to claim 47, wherein said device is further operative to receive and store in said first memory High Definition (HD) digital video.

56. The device according to claim 47, wherein said first memory is non-volatile.

57. The device according to claim 47, wherein said first memory is based on one of:

a Flash memory;

a DRAM memory; and

a RAM memory.

58. The device according to claim 47, further comprising a battery, wherein said device is operative to be at least in part powered from said battery, and said battery is a primary battery or a rechargeable battery.

59. The device according to claim 47, further comprising firmware and a processor for executing said firmware, said processor being coupled to control at least said LAN transceiver and the video display.

65. The device according to claim 47, 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).

66. The device according to claim 47, wherein said device is further operative for communicating with a second remote information server via the Internet for receiving information from the second remote information server, and for storing and displaying the information received from the second remote information server.

69. The device according to claim 47, wherein communication with the first remote information server is based on Internet protocol suite.

71. The device according to claim 47, 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).

73. The device according to claim 47, wherein the information received from the first remote information server and displayed relates to a future event, a planned activity or a forecast of a situation.

75. The device according to claim 47, further comprising a second memory for storing a digital address uniquely identifying said device in the LAN or on the Internet.

77. The device according to claim 47, wherein said device is further operative to store and play digital audio data.

78. The device according to claim 47, wherein:

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

said device further comprises a third connector connectable to said unit for coupling said unit to said first memory; and

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

79. The device according to claim 78, wherein said device is further operative to transmit digital data to the unit.

80. The device according to claim 79, wherein communication with the unit via said second connector uses a standard serial digital data stream.

81. The device according to claim 78, further comprising:

an AC power plug connectable to an AC power source; and

a power supply connected to said AC power plug to be powered by power supplied by the AC power source and to provide DC power for DC powering said first memory and the video display,

wherein said third connector is further coupled to said power supply for DC powering the unit via said third connector.

82. The device according to claim 81, wherein the unit is a battery operated unit having a battery, and said power supply further comprises a charger for charging the battery of the battery operated unit.

83. The device according to claim 81, wherein the unit is a handheld unit and said device is further adapted to mechanically dock, supply power to, and communicate with the handheld unit.

84. The device according to claim 83 in combination with a cradle for detachable mounting of the handheld unit, the handheld unit having a mating connector, wherein said third connector is part of said cradle, and said third connector connects with the handheld unit mating connector when the handheld unit is mounted in said cradle.

85. The combination according to claim 84, wherein the handheld unit is a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), or a cellular telephone.

86. The device according to claim 47, wherein said device is further operative as a clock for maintaining and displaying the current hour, minute and second.

87. The device according to claim 86, wherein said device is further operative to display the current year, the current month and the current day of the month.

88. The device according to claim 47, 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.

55. The device according to claim 55 wherein said High Definition (HD) digital video is High Definition Television (HDTV).

60. The device according to claim 60, 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.

62. The device according to claim 60, wherein said firmware includes at least part of a web client for communication with, and accessing information stored in, the remote information server.

61. The device according to claim 61, wherein the user control of operation of said device comprises at least one of:

turning said device on and off;

resetting said device to default values;

changing the contrast of the display;

changing the brightness of the display;

changing the zoom of images presented on the display;

selecting a language; and

selecting the information to be presented on the display.

63. The device according to claim 63, wherein said at least part of a web client includes at least part of a graphical web browser.

64. The device according to claim 64, wherein said at least part of a graphical web browser is based on Windows Internet Explorer.

67. The device according to claim 67, 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.

68. The device according to claim 68, wherein said device communicates with the first and second remote servers one at a time.

70. The device according to claim 70, wherein communication with the first remote information server is based on TCP/IP.

72. The device according to claim 72, 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.

74. The device according to claim 74, 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.

76. The device according to claim 76, wherein the digital address is either a MAC address or an IP address.