INFORMATION DEVICE

• US 20090174693A1
• Filed: 01/23/2009
• Published: 07/09/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: May Patents Ltd.
• Original Assignee: May Patents Ltd.
• Inventors: Binder, Yehuda
• Application Number:
  US12/358,596
• Publication Number:
  US 20090174693A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/204
• 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 first remote information server via the Internet over a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), the device comprising:

an antenna for transmitting and receiving digital data over the air;

a WLAN transceiver coupled to said antenna for bi-directional packet-based digital data communication over the air, via said antenna, with another WLAN transceiver of the same type;

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

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

a single enclosure housing said antenna, said WLAN 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 WLAN, and said device is operative for communicating over the WLAN with the first remote information server via the Internet for receiving information therefrom, and for storing and displaying the received information.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said device is operative for automatically and periodically communicating with said 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 WLAN.

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 the received information 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 said WLAN transceiver is operative to communicate substantially according to IEEE802.11 standard.

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

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

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

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

11. The device according to claim 10, 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.

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

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

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

15. The device according to claim 1, wherein said first memory is based on one out a Flash memory, a DRAM memory and a PAM memory.

16. The device according to claim 1, further comprising:

an AC power plug for connecting to an AC power outlet; and

a power supply connected to said AC power plug to be powered by power supplied from the AC power outlet, said power supply comprising an AC to DC converter for DC powering at least part of said device.

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, for use with a wiring connected for concurrently carrying a power signal and an information signal over the same wires, said device further comprising a connector for connecting to the wiring, and said device being further operative to be at least in part powered from the power signal.

19. The device according to claim 18, wherein the wiring is a telephone wire pair and the information signal is an analog telephone signal.

20. 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 antenna and said display.

21. The device according to claim 20, 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.

22. The device according to claim 21, 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.

23. The device according to claim 20, wherein the firmware include at least part of a web client for communication with, and accessing information stored in, the remote information server.

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

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

26. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first remote server information 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 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.

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 1, wherein said device is operative for communicating with only a single remote information server external to the building.

31. The device according to claim 1, 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 1, 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

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

35. 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).

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 (Original) The device; and

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

37. The device according to claim 1, 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 1, 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 1, 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.

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 1, wherein the information received from the first remote information server and displayed 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 1, wherein the information received from the first remote information server and displayed 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 1, 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 in due 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 1, 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 in due time or after a set delay.

50. The device according to claim 1, wherein the communication with the first remote information server is based on spread spectrum modulation.

51. The device according to claim 50, wherein the spread spectrum modulation (-OK) is a DSSS (Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum) modulation.

52. The device according to claim 1, wherein the communication with the first remote information server uses a license-free radio frequency band.

53. The device according to claim 52, wherein the license-free radio frequency band is one of:

900 MHz;

2.4 GHz; and

5.8 GHz.

54. The device according to claim 1, wherein said device is dedicated only for obtaining, storing and displaying information from the first remote information server.

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

56. The device according to claim 55, wherein the digital address is either a MAC address or an IP address.

57. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a second memory for storing a digital address uniquely identifying said device in the WLAN, and wherein said second memory is operative for storing personalized information.

58. The device according to claim 57, wherein the personalized information is a user name or a password.

59. The device according to claim 57, wherein the personalized information is set by the user.

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

61. The device according to claim 57, wherein the personalized information is associated with the physical geographical location of said device.

62. The device according to claim 57, wherein the personalized information comprises a code identifying specific information requested by the user, and wherein said device is operative to sending 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.

63. The device according to claim 62, wherein the personalized information is set by the user or by the first remote information server.

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

65. 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.

66. The device according to claim 65, wherein said device is further operative to transmit digital data to the unit.

67. The device according to claim 66, wherein the communication with the unit via said connector is based on a standard serial digital data bus.

68. The device according to claim 65, further comprising:

An AC power plug connectable to an AC power source;

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 display, and

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

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

70. The device according to claim 68, 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.

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 68, wherein:

said device is further adapted so that the unit is removably mechanically attached to said device; and

said power supply is operative to supply DC power to the unit when mechanically attached via said connector.

74. 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.

75. The device according to claim 74, further operative to display the current year, the current month and the current day of the month.

76. The device according to claim 74, further operative to display the time of a last information update or a last communication session.

77. The device according to claim 1, wherein said single enclose 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.

78. 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.

79. The device according to claim 78, wherein the analog signal in an analog video signal for connecting to an analog video display.

80. The device according to claim 79, wherein the analog video signal is an S-Video signal or a composite video signal in a PAL or NTSC format.

81. The device according to claim 1, further supporting an information pushing from the remote server, wherein 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.

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

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

84. A device dedicated for obtaining, storing and displaying information requested by a user from a single dedicated remote information server via the Internet using a digital data cellular network, the device comprising:

a cellular antenna for transmitting and receiving digital data over the air via the digital data cellular network;

a cellular modem coupled to said cellular antenna for bi-directional packet-based digital data communication with the digital data cellular network;

a first memory coupled to said cellular modem for storing information contained in digital data received from the Internet via said digital data cellular network;

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

a second memory for storing a digital address uniquely identifying the user;

a third memory for storing data identifying the information requested by the user;

a fourth memory for storing a digital address uniquely identifying the device in the Internet; and

a single enclosure having a thin flat picture appearance housing said cellular antenna, said cellular modem, said first memory and said display,

wherein said device is operative to obtain from the user, and store in said second memory, the digital address uniquely identifying the user and to obtain, and store in said third memory, the information requested by the user, and wherein said device is further operative for communicating over the cellular network and via the Internet with the single dedicated remote information server, for transmitting to the server the digital address uniquely identifying the user, the data identifying the information requested by the user and the digital address uniquely identifying the device in the Internet, for receiving requested information from the server, and for storing the requested information in said first memory and displaying the received information from said first memory.

85. The device according to claim 84, wherein said device is operative for automatically and periodically communicating with the dedicated remote information server at all times when said device is in operation.

86. The device according to claim 84, wherein said device is configured for wall mounting in a residential building, and the dedicated remote information server is located outside the residential building.

87. The device according to claim 84, wherein said display is alphanumeric.

88. The device according to claim 84, wherein said display is based on Field Emission Display (FED) or Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) technologies.

89. The device according to claim 84, wherein said display comprises a flat screen that is based on Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) technology.

90. The device according to claim 84, wherein said display is an analog video display.

91. The device according to claim 90, wherein said display is coupled to said first memory via a composite video interface, and the composite video interface is one of a PAL interface and an NTSC interface.

92. The device according to claim 84, wherein said display is a digital display.

93. The device according to claim 92, wherein said display is an HDTV display.

94. The device according to claim 84, wherein at least one of said memories is a non-volatile memory.

95. The device according to claim 84, wherein at least one of said memories is based on one out a Flash memory, a DRAM memory and a RAM memory.

96. The device according to claim 84, further comprising:

an AC power plug for connecting to an AC power outlet; and

a power supply connected to said AC power plug to be powered by power supplied from the AC power outlet, said power supply comprising an AC to DC converter for DC powering at least part of said device.

97. The device according to claim 84, 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.

98. The device according to claim 84, for use with wiring connected for concurrently carrying a power signal and an information signal over the same wires, said device further comprising a connector for connecting to the wiring, and said device being further operative to be at least in part powered from the power signal.

99. The device according to claim 84, further comprising firmware and a processor for executing said firmware, said processor being coupled to control at least said cellular antenna and said display.

100. The device according to claim 99, 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.

101. The device according to claim 100, 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 said display;

changing the brightness of said display;

changing the zoom of images presented on said display;

selecting a language; and

electing the information to be presented on said display.

102. The device according to claim 100, wherein said firmware include at least part of a web client for communication with, and accessing information stored in, the dedicated remote information server.

103. The device according to claim 102 wherein said at least part of a web client includes at least part of a graphical web browser.

104. The device according to claim 102 wherein said at least part of a graphical web browser is based on Windows Internet Explorer.

105. The device according to claim 84, wherein the dedicated 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).

106. The device according to claim 84, wherein communication with the dedicated remote information server is based on Internet protocol suite.

107. The device according to claim 106, wherein communication with the dedicated remote information server is based on TCP/IP.

108. The device according to claim 84, wherein said device is operative to initiate a communication with the dedicated remote information server on a daily basis at a pre-set time of day (TOD).

109. The device according to claim 108, wherein the pre-set time of day is at least one of:

set by the user;

set previously in said device; and

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

110. The device according to claim 84, wherein the information received from the dedicated remote information server is publicly available for free.

111. The device according to claim 84, wherein the information received from the dedicated remote information server and displayed relates to a future event, a planned activity, or a forecast of a situation.

112. The device according to claim 111, wherein the information received from the dedicated 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.

113. The device according to claim 84, wherein the information received from the dedicated remote information server and displayed relates to a past event, a past activity, or a former situation.

114. The device according to claim 113, wherein the information from the dedicated remote information server includes at least one of:

sports event results;

a stock quote;

lottery results; and

a currency exchange rate.

115. The device according to claim 84, wherein the information received from the dedicated remote information server and displayed relates to an ongoing or recent event, a current or recent activity, or an existing situation.

116. The device according to claim 115, wherein the information received from the dedicated remote information server includes at least one of:

public news; and

traffic related information.

117. The device according to claim 84, wherein said device is operative to delay a communication with the dedicated remote information server for a set period, in the case that such communication cannot be properly executed within a selected time period.

118. The device according to claim 117, wherein the set period is at least one of:

set by the user;

set previously in said device; and

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

119. The device according to claim 84, wherein the communication with the dedicated remote information server is based on spread spectrum modulation.

120. The device according to claim 119, wherein the spread spectrum modulation is a DSSS (Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum) modulation.

121. The device according to claim 84, wherein the cellular network uses a licensed radio frequency band.

122. The device according to claim 84, wherein the cellular network uses a license-free radio frequency band.

123. The device according to claim 122, wherein the license-free radio frequency band is one of:

900 MHz;

2.4 GHz; and

5.8 GHz.

124. The device according to claim 84, wherein the digital address digital address uniquely identifying the device in the Internet is either based on a MAC address or based on an IP address.

125. The device according to claim 84, wherein the digital address uniquely identifying the user is a user name or a password.

126. The device according to claim 84, wherein said device is further operative to store and play digital audio data.

127. The device according to claim 84, wherein:

said device is 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 to display the information on said display.

128. The device according to claim 127, wherein said device is further operative to transmit digital data to the unit.

129. The device according to claim 127, wherein the communication with the unit via said connector is based on a standard serial digital data bus.

130. The device according to claim 127, 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 display, and

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

131. The device according to claim 130, wherein the unit is a battery operated unit having a battery, and said power supply further comprising a charger for charging the battery of the battery operated unit.

132. The device according to claim 130, 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.

133. The device according to claim 132, in combination with a cradle for detachable mounting of the handheld unit, wherein:

the handheld unit has a mating connector;

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.

134. The device according to claim 84, further operative as a clock for maintaining and displaying the current time, and wherein said device is further operative to display the current hour, minute and second.

135. The device according to claim 134, further operative to display the current year, the current month and the current day of the month.

136. The device according to claim 134, further operative to display the time of a last information update or a last communication session.

137. The device according to claim 84, 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.

138. The device according to claim 84, 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.

139. The device according to claim 138, wherein the analog signal is an analog video signal for connecting to an analog video display.

140. The device according to claim 139, wherein the analog video signal is an S-Video signal or a composite video signal in a PAL format or NTSC format.