Information device

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.

1 . A device for obtaining, storing and displaying personalized information from a first remote information server via a coaxial cable that is at least in part in a building and is connected for carrying a digital data signal in a digital data frequency band, the device comprising:
 a coaxial connector for connecting to the coaxial cable;   a cable modem for transmitting digital data to, and receiving digital data from, the coaxial cable;   a filter coupled between said coaxial connector and said cable modem for substantially passing only signals in the digital data frequency band;   a first memory coupled to said cable modem for storing digital data received from the coaxial cable;   a port for connecting to a display for visually presenting information, said port being coupled for displaying information stored in said first memory; and   a single enclosure housing said coaxial connector, said cable modem, said first memory and said port, said single enclosure having dimensions and an appearance of a conventional flat, wall-mountable framed picture;   wherein: said device is addressable in a Local Area Network (LAN); and said device is operative for communicating with the first remote information server via the Internet through the coaxial cable for receiving information from the first remote information server, and for storing and outputting information to the display via said port for displaying the received information.   
   
   
       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 , wherein the coaxial cable is connecting outside the building to a Cable Television (CATV) provider, and wherein the coaxial cable is connected to concurrently carrying other signals using Frequency Division Multiplexing (FDM). 
   
   
       4 . The device according to  claim 3 , wherein the other signals are video channels, and wherein said filter is further operative to substantially block the video channels. 
   
   
       5 . The device according to  claim 4 , wherein the coaxial cable is part of a Wide Area Network (WAN) and the connection to said device over the coaxial cable is always on. 
   
   
       6 . The device according to  claim 5 , wherein the communication over the coaxial cable and said cable modem substantially conforms to CableLabs Data-Over-Cable-Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) standard. 
   
   
       7 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said port is a video coaxial connector, and wherein said device further comprises a splitter/combiner and an RF modulator producing an analog video channel coupled to said video coaxial connector, for combining the analog video channel to be concurrently carried over the coaxial cable with other video channels. 
   
   
       8 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the coaxial cable is part of a Local Area Network (LAN) in the building. 
   
   
       9 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said port is an analog video connector for connecting to an analog video display. 
   
   
       10 . The device according to  claim 9 , wherein the 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. 
   
   
       11 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the display is a digital display, and wherein said port is a digital video connector. 
   
   
       12 . The device according to  claim 11 , wherein the display is an HDTV display. 
   
   
       13 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said device is further adapted to communicate with the Internet via a gateway. 
   
   
       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 of: a Flash memory; a DRAM memory, and a RAM 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 battery or a rechargeable battery. 
   
   
       18 . The device according to  claim 1 , 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. 
   
   
       19 . The device according to  claim 18 , wherein the wiring is the coaxial cable and the information signal is an analog video channel. 
   
   
       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 cable modem and the 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 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.   
   
   
       23 . The device according to  claim 20 , wherein said firmware include at least part of a web client for communication with, and accessing information stored in, the first remote information server. 
   
   
       24 . The device according to  claim 23 , wherein said at least part of a web client includes at least part of a graphical web browser. 
   
   
       25 . The device according to  claim 24  wherein said at least part of a 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 from the second remote information server, and for storing and displaying the information received 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 information 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 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 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 the 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 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 within a selected time period. 
   
   
       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 within a selected time period or after a set delay. 
   
   
       50 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said device is addressable in the Local Area Network (LAN) using a digital address, and said device is operative to send the digital address and a request for information, and to receive and display the requested information from the first remote information server in response to the sent request for information. 
   
   
       51 . 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. 
   
   
       52 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said device is dedicated only for obtaining, storing and displaying information from the first remote information server. 
   
   
       53 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a second memory for storing a digital address uniquely identifying said device in a Wide Area Network (WAN), and in the Local Area Network (LAN) or on the Internet. 
   
   
       54 . The device according to  claim 53 , wherein the digital address is either a MAC address or an IP address. 
   
   
       55 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a second memory for storing a digital address uniquely identifying said device in a Wide Area Network (WAN), and wherein said second memory is operative for storing the personalized information. 
   
   
       56 . The device according to  claim 55 , wherein the personalized information includes a user name or a password. 
   
   
       57 . The device according to  claim 55 , wherein the personalized information is set by the user. 
   
   
       58 . The device according to  claim 55 , wherein the personalized information is set by the remote information server. 
   
   
       59 . The device according to  claim 55 , wherein the personalized information is associated with the physical geographical location of said device. 
   
   
       60 . The device according to  claim 55 , wherein: the personalized information comprises a code identifying specific information requested by the user; and said device is operative to send the code to the first remote information server for obtaining and displaying specific information received from the first remote information server in response to the request sent. 
   
   
       61 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein: said device is further operative to receive and output to the 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 the display. 
   
   
       62 . The device according to  claim 61 , wherein said device is further operative to transmit digital data to the unit. 
   
   
       63 . The device according to  claim 61 , wherein communication with the unit via said connector takes place over a standard serial digital data bus. 
   
   
       64 . The device according to  claim 61 , 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 the display, and wherein said connector is further coupled to said power supply for DC powering the unit via said connector.   
   
   
       65 . The device according to  claim 64 , 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. 
   
   
       66 . The device according to  claim 64 , 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. 
   
   
       67 . The device according to  claim 66 , in combination with a cradle for detachable mounting of the handheld unit, the handheld unit having a mating connector, wherein the mating 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. 
   
   
       68 . The device according to  claim 67 , wherein the handheld unit is a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), or a cellular telephone. 
   
   
       69 . The device according to  claim 64 , 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 the unit is mechanically attached via said connector. 
   
   
       70 . 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. 
   
   
       71 . The device according to  claim 70 , further operative to display the current year, the current month and the current day of the month. 
   
   
       72 . The device according to  claim 70 , further operative to display the time of a last information update or a last communication session. 
   
   
       73 . 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.   
   
   
       74 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said port is operative to output to the display an analog video signal that is an S-Video signal or a composite video signal in a PAL or NTSC format. 
   
   
       75 . The device according to  claim 1 , further supporting an information pushing from the first remote information server, wherein said device is further operative to respond to, and communicate with, the first remote information server when the first remote information server initiates a communication session and said device receives information from the first remote server and displays the received information. 
   
   
       76 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said device is further operative to periodically retrieve and display information from said first memory.