An improved methodology and implementing system are provided in which a
docking station is arranged to receive and dock a number of individual
wireless personal information management (IM) units. In an exemplary
embodiment, the personal IM units include touch-sensitive flat display
screens. One or more of the personal wireless IM units may be
individually removed from the docking station and operated to selectively
and individually communicate with the docking station to access and
retrieve more detailed information related to a presentation being made
in another medium such as a TV or even an associated live presentation.
In one example, the docking station is arranged to receive input from a
TV system relative to which channel is being presented on the TV and is
enabled to access and retrieve detailed information from a server which
is related to the content of the current TV presentation. Alternatively,
a user may select to use the personal IM unit independently of the TV to
access selected unrelated web sites or to retrieve information from a
server concerning a past or scheduled future TV presentation. The docking
station includes means for determining which of a number of personal IM
units is front-most in the docking station. The server is generally
programmed ahead of time with detailed information related to scheduled
TV programs and may also be coupled to a TV station directly to
dynamically provide additional content for unscheduled TV programs.