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 television set for receiving and displaying an analog video channel carried over a coaxial cable and digital video data, the television set comprising:
 a coaxial connector for connecting to the coaxial cable;   a flat-screen display for visually presenting information, said display being coupled to said coaxial connector for displaying the analog video channel received from said coaxial cable;   a non-volatile memory for storing digital video data;   firmware and a processor for executing said firmware, said processor being coupled to control at least said non-volatile memory and said flat-screen display; and   a single wall-mountable enclosure housing said coaxial connector, said flat-screen display, said non-volatile memory and said processor, said single enclosure having dimensions and an appearance of a conventional flat, wall-mountable framed picture,   wherein said processor is coupled between said non-volatile memory and said flat-screen display for displaying the digital video data stored in said non-volatile memory.   
   
   
       2 . The television set according to  claim 1 , wherein said television set is addressable in a digital data network, and said television set is operative for communicating with a first remote information server via the Internet for receiving information therefrom, and for storing the received information in said non-volatile memory for displaying the received information. 
   
   
       3 . The television set according to  claim 2 , wherein said television set is operative for automatically and periodically communicating with the first remote information server at all times when said device is in operation. 
   
   
       4 . The television set according to  claim 2 , wherein said firmware includes at least part of a web client for communication with, and accessing information stored in, the first remote information server. 
   
   
       5 . The television set according to  claim 4 , wherein said at least part of a web client includes at least part of a graphical web browser. 
   
   
       6 . The television set according to  claim 5 , wherein said at least part of a graphical web browser is based on Windows Internet Explorer. 
   
   
       7 . The television set according to  claim 2 , wherein the first remote information server is organized as a web site having a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) and including web pages as part of the World Wide Web (WWW), and is further identified by said television set using the web site URL. 
   
   
       8 . The television set according to  claim 2 , wherein communication with the first remote information server is based on Internet protocol suite. 
   
   
       9 . The television set according to  claim 8 , wherein communication with the first remote information server is based on TCP/IP. 
   
   
       10 . The television set according to  claim 2 , further operative to initiate a communication with the first remote information server after a set period following a prior communication session. 
   
   
       11 . The television set according to  claim 2 , 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. 
   
   
       12 . The television set according to  claim 11 , wherein the information received from the first remote information server includes at least one of: a weather forecast; a future sports event; a future cultural event; a future entertainment event; a TV station guide; and a radio station guide. 
   
   
       13 . The television set according to  claim 2 , further operative to communicate with a second distinct remote information server via the Internet, if the communication with the first remote information server cannot be properly executed in a selected time period or after a set delay. 
   
   
       14 . The television set according to  claim 2 , further addressable by a digital address, and further operative to send the digital address and a request for information to the first remote server, and to obtain and display information received from the first remote information server in response to the sent request for information. 
   
   
       15 . The television set according to  claim 2 , further comprising a second non-volatile memory for storing a digital address uniquely identifying said television set in a WAN, and in a Local Area Network (LAN), or on the Internet. 
   
   
       16 . The television set according to  claim 15 , wherein the digital address is either a MAC address or an IP address. 
   
   
       17 . The television set according to  claim 1 , wherein the coaxial cable is a CATV coaxial cable connected to carry a plurality of CATV analog video channels, and wherein the analog video channel is one of the CATV analog video channels. 
   
   
       18 . The television set according to  claim 1 , wherein said flat-screen display is based on Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) technology. 
   
   
       19 . The television set according to  claim 1 , wherein said non-volatile memory comprises a Flash memory. 
   
   
       20 . A television set for receiving and displaying the content of an analog video channel carried over a coaxial cable and digital video data from a digital storage device storing the digital video data, the television set comprising, in a single enclosure:
 a coaxial connector for connecting to the coaxial cable;   a flat-screen video display for visually presenting information, said display being coupled to said coaxial connector for displaying the analog video channel content received from said coaxial cable;   a second connector for connecting to the digital storage device;   firmware and a processor for executing said firmware, said processor being coupled to control at least said flat-screen display and said digital storage device when connected;   an AC power plug connectable to an AC power source; and   a power supply connected to said AC power plug to be powered by AC power supplied by the AC power source and to provide DC power for DC powering said processor and said flat-screen display;   wherein said second connector is further coupled to said power supply for DC powering the digital storage device when connected via said second connector, and   wherein said processor is coupled between said second connector and said flat-screen display for displaying the digital video data received from the digital storage device when connected via said second connector.   
   
   
       21 . The television set according to  claim 20 , further adapted so that the digital storage device is removably mechanically attached to said television set. 
   
   
       22 . The television set according to  claim 20 , wherein said single enclosure has dimensions and an appearance of a conventional flat, wall-mountable framed picture. 
   
   
       23 . The television set according to  claim 20 , wherein said television set is operative for automatically and periodically communicating with the digital storage device at all times when said television set is in operation. 
   
   
       24 . The television set according to  claim 20 , wherein said firmware includes at least part of a web client for communication with, and accessing information stored in, the digital storage device. 
   
   
       25 . The television set according to  claim 24 , wherein said at least part of a web client includes at least part of a graphical web browser. 
   
   
       26 . The television set according to  claim 25 , wherein said at least part of a graphical web browser is based on Windows Internet Explorer. 
   
   
       27 . The television set according to  claim 20 , further operative to initiate a communication with the digital storage device after a set period following a prior communication session. 
   
   
       28 . The television set according to  claim 20 , wherein said flat-screen display is based on Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) technology. 
   
   
       29 . The television set according to  claim 20 , wherein the digital storage device is part of a handheld unit, and said television set further comprises a cradle for docking the handheld unit. 
   
   
       30 . The television set according to  claim 29 , wherein the handheld unit is a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), or a cellular telephone handset. 
   
   
       31 . The television set according to  claim 29 , wherein the handheld unit further comprises a rechargeable battery, and said television set further comprises a charger connected to said second connector for charging the rechargeable battery when the handheld unit is docked in said cradle. 
   
   
       32 . The device according to  claim 20 , 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.   
   
   
       33 . A device for receiving and displaying an analog video signal and a digital video signals, said device comprising, in a single enclosure:
 an analog video connector for receiving a first analog video signal;   a digital data connector for connecting to a digital video signal source;   a digital data transceiver coupled to said digital data connector for receiving the digital video signal;   a digital to analog converter coupled to said digital data transceiver and operative to convert the digital video signal to a second analog video signal;   a flat-screen video display for visually presenting video information;   firmware and a processor for executing said firmware, said processor being coupled to control at least said flat-screen video display and said digital to analog converter;   an AC power plug connectable to an AC power source; and   a power supply connected to said AC power plug to be powered by AC power supplied by the AC power source and to provide DC power for DC powering said processor, said digital to analog converter and said flat-screen display,   wherein said video display is connected to display the first and second analog video signals, and said single enclosure has dimensions and an appearance of a conventional flat, wall-mountable picture.   
   
   
       34 . The device according to  claim 33 , wherein the first analog video signal is a TV analog video channel signal carried over a coaxial cable, and said analog video connector is a coaxial connector for connecting to the coaxial cable. 
   
   
       35 . The device according to  claim 33 , further operative for automatically and periodically receiving a digital video signal at all times when said device is in operation. 
   
   
       36 . The device according to  claim 33 , wherein said flat-screen video display is based on Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) technology. 
   
   
       37 . The device according to  claim 33 , 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.   
   
   
       38 . The device according to  claim 33 , further comprising a second memory for storing a digital address uniquely identifying said device in a Local Area Network (LAN). 
   
   
       39 . The device according to  claim 38 , wherein said device is operative to send the digital address and a request for information to a remote information server, and to obtain and display the received information from the remote information server in response to the sent request for information. 
   
   
       40 . The device according to  claim 38 , wherein the digital address is either a MAC address or an IP address. 
   
   
       41 . A device for receiving and displaying digital video data from a home network over wiring, and for charging and communicating with a handheld mobile unit including a unit connector and a rechargeable battery, the device comprising, in a housing:
 a first connector for connecting to the wiring;   a home network transceiver coupled to said first connector for transmitting digital data to, and receiving digital data from, a second home network transceiver of the same type connected to the wiring;   a receiving bay for docking the handheld mobile unit, said bay being disposed in the device housing and including a receiving bay opening and a second connector mating to the unit connector, said handheld mobile unit receiving bay being configured for removable engagement with the handheld mobile unit and for allowing serial digital data communication between said device and the handheld mobile unit when the handheld mobile unit is docked in the receiving bay;   a charger coupled to said second connector for DC charging the rechargeable battery in said handheld mobile unit when said handheld mobile unit is docked in said receiving bay; and   firmware and a processor for executing said firmware, said processor being coupled to communicate with and to control said home network transceiver and the handheld mobile unit when said handheld mobile unit is docked in said receiving bay.   
   
   
       42 . The device according to  claim 41 , wherein said device further comprises a non-volatile memory and is addressable in the home network, and said device is operative for communicating via the home network with a first remote information server via the Internet for receiving information from the first remote information server, and for storing the received information in said non-volatile memory. 
   
   
       43 . The device according to  claim 42 , further operative for automatically and periodically communicating with the first remote information server at all times when said device is in operation. 
   
   
       44 . The device according to  claim 43 , wherein said non-volatile memory comprises a Flash memory. 
   
   
       45 . The device according to  claim 42 , wherein said firmware includes at least part of a web client for communication with, and accessing information stored in, the first remote information server. 
   
   
       46 . The device according to  claim 45 , wherein said at least part of a web client includes at least part of a graphical web browser. 
   
   
       47 . The device according to  claim 46 , wherein said at least part of a graphical web browser is based on Windows Internet Explorer. 
   
   
       48 . The device according to  claim 42 , wherein the first remote server information 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. 
   
   
       49 . The device according to  claim 42 , wherein communication with the first remote information server is based on Internet protocol suite. 
   
   
       50 . The device according to  claim 49 , wherein communication with the first remote information server is based on TCP/IP. 
   
   
       51 . The device according to  claim 42 , further operative to initiate a communication session with the first remote information server after a set period following a prior communication session. 
   
   
       52 . The device according to  claim 42 , wherein said device is further addressable by a digital address, and is further operative to send the digital address and a request for information to the first remote information server, and to obtain information from the first remote information server in response to the sent request for information. 
   
   
       53 . The device according to  claim 42 , further comprising a second non-volatile memory for storing a digital address uniquely identifying said television set in a WAN, and in a 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 41 , wherein the wiring is a telephone wire pair, said first connector is a telephone connector, and said home network transceiver is a telephone line modem. 
   
   
       56 . The device according to  claim 55 , wherein the home network is based on HomePNA standard, and said telephone line modem is a HomePNA compliant modem. 
   
   
       57 . The device according to  claim 41 , wherein the wiring is AC power wiring, said first connector is an AC power connector, and said home network transceiver is a powerline modem. 
   
   
       58 . The device according to  claim 57 , wherein the home network is based on HomePlug standard, and said powerline modem is a HomePlug compliant modem. 
   
   
       59 . The device according to  claim 57 , wherein the wiring is a coaxial cable, said first connector is a coaxial connector, and said home network transceiver is a cable modem. 
   
   
       60 . The device according to  claim 41 , wherein the wiring is a Local Area Network (LAN) wiring, said first connector is a LAN connector, and said home network transceiver is a LAN transceiver. 
   
   
       61 . The device according to  claim 60 , wherein the home network is based on IEEE802.3 standard, and said LAN transceiver is an Ethernet compliant modem.