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 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. 
     
     
         18 . The device according to  claim 17 , 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.   
     
     
         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. 
     
     
         20 . The device according to  claim 19 , wherein said at least part of a web client includes at least part of a graphical web browser. 
     
     
         21 . The device according to  claim 20 , wherein said at least part of a graphical web browser is based on Windows Internet Explorer. 
     
     
         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. 
     
     
         24 . The device according to  claim 23 , 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 24 , wherein said device communicates with the first and second remote servers one at a time. 
     
     
         26 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein communication with the first remote information server is based on Internet protocol suite. 
     
     
         27 . The device according to  claim 26 , wherein communication with the first remote information server is based on TCP/IP. 
     
     
         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). 
     
     
         29 . The device according to  claim 28 , 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. 
     
     
         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. 
     
     
         31 . The device according to  claim 30 , 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. 
     
     
         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. 
     
     
         33 . The device according to  claim 32 , wherein the digital address is either a MAC address or an IP address. 
     
     
         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. 
     
     
         36 . The device according to  claim 35 , wherein said device is further operative to transmit digital data to the unit. 
     
     
         37 . The device according to  claim 36 , wherein communication with the unit via said second connector is carried out using a serial digital data stream. 
     
     
         38 . The device according to  claim 35 , 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. 
     
     
         39 . The device according to  claim 38 , 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. 
     
     
         40 . The device according to  claim 35 , 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. 
     
     
         41 . The device according to  claim 40 , 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 41 , wherein the handheld unit is a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), or a cellular telephone. 
     
     
         43 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said device is further operative as a clock for maintaining and displaying the current hour, minute and second. 
     
     
         44 . The device according to  claim 43 , wherein said device is further operative to display the current year, the current month and the current day of the month. 
     
     
         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.