Methods and systems for generating interactive information formatted for a device

A software component in a system that is embedded in a physical device, the system retrieving information from external information sources through a computer and integrating the external information with the physical device, the software component comprises:

• a. a set of properties for defining the software component's characteristics;
• b. at least one interface to other software components and systems;
• c. a set of methods for processing information;
• and
• d. means for connecting to a service component in the computer, accessing information transmitted to a memory in the system from an external information source through the service component, processing information transmitted from the external information source, activating physical attributes of the physical device in response to the occurrence of a predetermined event and performing predefined functions on the computer in response to an external interaction with the one or more physical attributes of the physical device.

A computer environment for allowing flexible interaction of a plurality of systems, at least one system embedded in a physical device comprises:

• a. a central processor for controlling processing operations and connecting the system to the computer, the computer having a software application for defining a service component and assigning the service component to information on at least one external information source, the service component retrieving the information from the external information source, upon receiving the information the software application formatting the information in a predetermined format and transmitting the information to the system after the system subscribes to the service component;
• b. a memory for storing information transmitted from the software application;
• and
• c. a software component for processing information stored in the memory in order to activate a physical attribute of the physical device in response to the occurrence of a predetermined event, the software component further instructing the software application to perform predefined tasks upon the occurrence of the predetermined event and interaction with a physical attribute of the physical device.

A system embedded in a physical device, the system retrieving information from external information sources through a computer and integrating the external information with the physical device, the system comprising:

• a. a central processor for controlling processing operations;
• b. a memory for storing information retrieved from the external information source;
• c. a software component for processing information stored in the memory;
• d. means for assigning the external information source to a service component in the computer through a set of numbers, connecting the system to the service component, transmitting information from the external information source to the memory and executing through the software component information stored in the memory;
• e. means for activating a physical attribute of the physical device in response to the occurrence of a predetermined event during execution of the information on the software component;
• and
• f. means for performing one or more predefined functions on the computer in response to activating the one or more physical attributes and in response to external interaction with the one or more physical attributes.

A method of retrieving information from external information sources through a computer and integrating the information with a system in a physical device, the method comprising the steps of:

• a. controlling processing operations through a central processor in the system;
• b. storing information retrieved from the external information source in a memory in the system;
• c. processing information stored in the memory through a software component in the system;
• d. assigning the external information source to a service component in the computer through a subset of a UNT number;
• e. connecting the system to the service component;
• f. transmitting information from the external information source to the memory and executing through the software component information stored in the memory;
• e. activating a physical attribute of the physical device in response to the occurrence of a predetermined event during execution of the information on the software component;
• and
• g. performing one or more predefined functions on the computer in response to the step of activating the one or more physical attributes and in response to external interaction with the one or more physical attributes.

A system embedded in a physical device, the system retrieving information from external information sources through a computer and integrating the external information with the physical device, the system comprises:

• a. a central processor for controlling processing operations and connecting the system to the computer, the computer having a software application for defining a service component and assigning the service component to information on at least one external information source, the service component retrieving the information from the external information source, upon receiving the information the software application formatting the information in a predetermined format and transmitting the information to the system after the system subscribes to the service component;
• b. a memory for storing information transmitted from the software application;
• and
• c. a software component for periodically transmitting information stored in the memory to the software application and/or to the service component, the software application and or service component further processing the transmitted information or distributing it to external sources.