Computerized information apparatus

Abstract

A computerized information apparatus for providing information to a user of transport device. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes data processing apparatus, speech recognition and synthesis apparatus, and a network interface to enable voice-driven provision of information obtained both locally within the transport device and from a remote source such as a networked server. In one implementation, the information relates to one or more business entities in an area local to the transport device's location. Information can be both displayed and provided to the user audibly in another implementation.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 - 40 . (canceled) 
     
     
         41 . Computerized information apparatus for use in a personnel transport device, comprising:
 a wireless network interface;   data processing apparatus, the data processing apparatus comprising at least a central processor and a digital signal processor (DSP), at least a portion of the data processing apparatus being in data communication with the wireless interface;   a substantially flat-screen display device in data communication with at least a portion of the data processing apparatus;   a speech processing apparatus in data communication with at least a portion of the data processing apparatus, the speech processing apparatus configured to receive a representation of a user's voice input, the voice input comprising at least part of a name of a business entity for which the user desires information, and to generate a digital domain output based thereon;   a speech synthesis apparatus in data communication with at least a portion of the data processing apparatus and configured to synthesize human-intelligible speech output comprising one or more words;   data storage apparatus in data communication with at least a portion of the data processing apparatus;   a database of information stored on at least a portion of the data storage apparatus and relating to at least a plurality of business entities, the database further comprising information relating to a location of each of the plurality of business entities; and   computerized logic cooperative with at least a portion of the processing apparatus and configured to receive the digital domain output of the speech processing apparatus, and utilize the output to conduct a search of the database for one or more business entities having the at least part of the name associated therewith;   wherein the information desired by the user comprises a location of the named business entity, and the computerized logic is configured to, based upon the search:   (i) generate a listing of a plurality of business entities having the at least part of the name associated therewith, the listing including at least a portion of the information relating to a location for each of the plurality of business entities; and   (ii) receive a subsequent input from the user identifying one of the listed plurality of business entities for which the user desires the information.   
     
     
         42 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein the computerized logic is further configured to, in response to receipt of the subsequent input, present the user with a graphical representation of the location, including at least its immediate surroundings, of the one business entity identified by the user via the subsequent input. 
     
     
         43 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 42 , wherein the graphical representation of the location, including at least its immediate surroundings, further comprises a graphical representation of one or more business entities geographically proximate to the location. 
     
     
         44 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 42 , wherein the graphical representation of the location, including at least its immediate surroundings, comprises a graphical rendering of at least a portion of a building proximate to or containing the location. 
     
     
         45 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 42 , wherein the graphical representation of the location, including at least its immediate surroundings, comprises a map graphic having a line or arrow differentiated in color from its surroundings showing a path to be followed in order to navigate to the location. 
     
     
         46 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 42 , wherein the subsequent input comprises a subsequent voice input of the user. 
     
     
         47 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 42 , wherein the display device comprises a touch screen display device, and the subsequent input comprises a subsequent input generated by the user touching a region of the touch screen corresponding to the one business entity. 
     
     
         48 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein:
 the display device comprises a liquid crystal display (LCD) based flat-screen display device that is disposed within the personnel transport device so as to allow the user to view it during operation of the personnel transport device, yet to mitigate incidental contact with the user;   the generation of a listing of a plurality of business entities having the at least part of the name associated therewith comprises generation of a substantially textual listing of at least a portion of the name of each of the plurality of business entities on the LCD display device; and   the computerized information system further comprises a key-based or button-based electromechanical input device configured to enable the user to identify one of the listed plurality of business entities for which the user desires the information via selection of one of the business entities listed in the substantially textual listing, using a key or button associated with the electromechanical input device.   
     
     
         49 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 48 , further comprising a capacitive touch input device configured to allow the user to provide input to the information apparatus by touching a touch-sensitive portion of the touch input device. 
     
     
         50 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 49 , wherein the display device is disposed approximately at a vertical level so as to facilitate easy viewing by the user during operation of the personnel transport device, and the key-based or button-based electromechanical input device is mounted approximately at waist level of the user so as to facilitate easy access thereto by the user during operation of the personnel transport device. 
     
     
         51 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 50 , wherein the speech processing apparatus is configured to utilize one or more phonemes to match one or more words within the database to the at least portion of the name, the phoneme matching being based at least in part on Hidden Markov Modeling (HMM). 
     
     
         52 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein the speech processing apparatus is configured to utilize one or more phonemes and at least Hidden Markov Modeling (HMM) for processing of the voice input. 
     
     
         53 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein the speech processing apparatus is configured to utilize one or more phonemes and at least neural network modeling for processing of the voice input. 
     
     
         54 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 41 , further comprising a serial bus in data communication with at least a portion of the data processing apparatus, and a data interface in data communication with the serial bus, the data interface configured to permit at least ad hoc or opportunistic association of an external computerized device with the computerized information system. 
     
     
         55 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 54 , wherein the external computerized device comprises a portable user electronic device of the user, the serial bus comprises a bus compliant with a Universal Serial Bus (USB) protocol, and the interface comprises a physical connector accessible within a passenger compartment of the personnel transport device so that the user can place the portable user device in data communication with the physical connector for the exchange of data between the portable user device and the computerized information apparatus according to at least the USB protocol. 
     
     
         56 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 55 , wherein the portable user device of the user comprises application software, the application software configured to utilize data obtained by the portable user device from the computerized information apparatus for providing information to the user after the ad hoc or opportunistic association has been terminated. 
     
     
         57 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 56 , wherein the data obtained by the portable user device comprises map data relating to a particular geographic area. 
     
     
         58 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 56 , wherein the data obtained by the portable user device comprises data relating to a plurality of business entities disposed within a particular geographic area. 
     
     
         59 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 41 , further comprising a data interface capable of forming an ad hoc data association with a portable electronic user device of the user for transfer of data between the portable user device and the computerized information apparatus. 
     
     
         60 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 59 , wherein the computerized information apparatus comprises one or more functions which can be invoked by application software resident on the portable user device. 
     
     
         61 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 59 , wherein the computerized information apparatus is configured to synchronize data with the portable user device automatically when the ad hoc data association has been established. 
     
     
         62 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein the data storage apparatus comprises both volatile and non-volatile memory devices, and a direct memory access (DMA) unit in data communication with at least one of the memory devices and the central processor. 
     
     
         63 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 62 , wherein the wireless network interface comprises a network interface compliant with an IEEE 802.11 standard. 
     
     
         64 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 62 , wherein the wireless network interface comprises a network interface utilizing direct sequence spread spectrum spectral access. 
     
     
         65 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein:
 the data processing apparatus further comprises a graphics processor; and   the computerized logic is further configured to, in response to receipt of the subsequent input, present the user with a graphical representation of the location, including at least its immediate surroundings, of the location of the one business entity identified by the user via the subsequent input, on the display device;   wherein the graphical representation of the location including at least immediate surroundings comprises a rendering by said graphics processor of one or more portions of at least one building.   
     
     
         66 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 41 , further comprising:
 a serial bus in data communication with at least a portion of the data processing apparatus, and a data interface in data communication with the serial bus, the data interface configured to permit at least ad hoc or opportunistic association of an external computerized device with the computerized information system; and   application software configured to run on a processor of a portable electronic device, the application software configured to receive data from the information apparatus via the ad hoc or opportunistic association for use by the user after the association has been terminated, the application software enabling at least use of a map.   
     
     
         67 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 41 , further comprising a serial bus in data communication with at least a portion of the data processing apparatus, and a data interface in data communication with the serial bus, the data interface configured to permit at least ad hoc or opportunistic association of an external computerized device with the computerized information system; wherein:
 the external computerized device comprises a portable user electronic device of the user, the serial bus comprises a bus compliant with a Universal Serial Bus (USB) protocol, and the interface comprises a physical connector accessible within a passenger compartment of the personnel transport device so that the user can place the portable user device in data communication with the physical connector for the exchange of data between the portable user device and the computerized information apparatus;   the portable user device of the user comprises application software, the application software configured to utilize data obtained by the portable user device from the computerized information apparatus for providing information to the user after the ad hoc or opportunistic association has been terminated; and   the data obtained by the portable user device comprises data selected from the group consisting of: (i) map data relating to a particular geographic area; and (ii) data relating to a plurality of business entities disposed within a particular geographic area.   
     
     
         68 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein the database comprises data that has been communicated to the computerized information apparatus from a remote server via the wireless network interface prior to the user providing the voice input. 
     
     
         69 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 68 , wherein the database comprises data that relates only to a finite and predetermined region. 
     
     
         70 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 68 , wherein the wireless network interface comprises an interface compliant with a wireless protocol that enables substantially simultaneous wireless data interchange with a plurality of discrete client apparatus from a substantially centralized location within wireless range of each of the plurality of client apparatus. 
     
     
         71 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 41 , further comprising a short-range wireless interface configured to obtain user-specific data from a portable user radio frequency device when the portable user radio frequency device is within sufficient range of the short-range interface, and provide the obtained data to the computerized information apparatus so as to enable one or more functions of the computerized information apparatus according to a previously supplied user preference or profile. 
     
     
         72 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 41 , further comprising a short-range wireless interface configured to obtain user-specific data from a portable user radio frequency device when the portable user radio frequency device is within sufficient range of the short-range interface, and provide the obtained data to the computerized information apparatus so as to selectively enable only a portion of a plurality of functions of the computerized information apparatus according to a pre-existing profile or preference associated with the user. 
     
     
         73 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 41 , further comprising a short-range wireless interface configured to obtain user-specific data from a portable user radio frequency device when the portable user radio frequency device is within sufficient range of the short-range interface, and provide the obtained data to the computerized information apparatus so as to selectively enable one or more user-specific heating, ventilation, or air conditioning settings. 
     
     
         74 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 41 , further comprising video data apparatus in data communication with at least the data processing apparatus and configured to enable digital video data to be generated and displayed on the display device. 
     
     
         75 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 74 , wherein the digital video data is generated by a plurality of cameras associated with the computerized information apparatus and displayed on the display device in corresponding ones of portions of the display device so as to enable simultaneous monitoring of multiple portions of an area outside of a passenger compartment of the personnel transport device that contains the user. 
     
     
         76 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 75 , further comprising a video digital signal processor (DSP) and video data processing software operative to run thereon, the software configured to provide compression of at least a portion of the digital video data. 
     
     
         77 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 75 , further comprising at least one motion detection apparatus configured to alert the user of motion occurring outside of a vehicle in which the user is being transported so as to avoid a potential hazard to the user, the alert comprising at least one visually perceptible indication presented to the user via the display device. 
     
     
         78 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 41 , further comprising:
 a short range wireless interface in data communication with at least a portion of the data processing apparatus; and   a data repository, the repository comprising data relating to a plurality of users who are authorized to operate at least a portion of functions of the personnel transport device; and   wherein the computerized information apparatus is configured to:   receive, via the short range interface, data identifying one of the plurality of users; and   utilize the received identifying data to access the data repository to determine that the identified user is one of the users authorized to operate at least a portion of the functions of the personnel transport device.   
     
     
         79 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 41 , further comprising:
 a short range wireless interface in data communication with at least a portion of the data processing apparatus; and   a data repository, the repository comprising data relating to a plurality of users who are authorized to operate at least a portion of functions of the personnel transport device; and   wherein the computerized information apparatus is configured to:   receive, via the short range interface, data identifying one of the plurality of users; and   utilize the received identifying data to access the data repository to obtain data relating to one of more operational settings or parameters associated with the identified one user.   
     
     
         80 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 79 , wherein the one of more operational settings or parameters associated with the identified one user comprise data relating to a user-specific profile, the profile comprising one or more predetermined preferences of the identified one user. 
     
     
         81 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein the database comprises a database having data relating to business entities only located within a prescribed geographic area, the prescribed area containing the personnel transport device. 
     
     
         82 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 41 , further comprising video data apparatus in data communication with at least the data processing apparatus and configured to enable digital video data to be generated and displayed on the display device, the video data generated from signals produced by at least one miniaturized semiconductor-based sensor. 
     
     
         83 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 82 , wherein the at least one miniaturized semiconductor-based sensor is configured to produce an analog signal, and further comprises at least one analog-to-digital converter (ADC) to convert the analog signal to a digital domain video signal, and a digital multiplexing apparatus configured to multiplex the digital domain video signal with at least one other signal. 
     
     
         84 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 82 , wherein the digital video data is generated by a plurality of cameras associated with the computerized information apparatus and displayed on the display device in corresponding ones of portions of the display device so as to enable simultaneous monitoring of multiple portions of an area outside of a passenger compartment of the personnel transport device that contains the user. 
     
     
         85 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 82 , further comprising a DSP and video processing software configured to run thereon, the DSP and video processing software configured to compress at least a portion of the digital video data. 
     
     
         86 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein the display device comprises a touch screen input and display device, and the computerized information apparatus is further configured to receive a user's selection of a location via the user touching an interactive map display displayed on the touch screen input and display device, and obtain a plurality of coordinates associated with the selected destination. 
     
     
         87 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 86 , wherein the computerized information apparatus is further configured to correlate the plurality of coordinates to one geographic regions or zones within which a prescribed service may be provided. 
     
     
         88 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein the computerized information apparatus further comprises a short-range radio frequency interface configured to receive data identifying a user from a portable radio frequency device carried by the user, and to cause notification of a remote entity of the user's movement or destination of travel. 
     
     
         89 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 82 , further comprising:
 a voice communication apparatus allowing the user of the personnel transport device to conduct a voice conversation with a person at a remote monitoring location;   at least one infra-red radiation detection apparatus in data communication with at least a portion of the data processing apparatus and configured to cause the computerized information apparatus to generate a visually perceptible alert of the presence of a human in an undesirable area proximate to the personnel transport device.   
     
     
         90 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 89 , wherein the digital video data is generated by a plurality of cameras associated with the computerized information apparatus and displayed on the display device in corresponding ones of portions of the display device so as to enable simultaneous monitoring of multiple portions of an area outside of a passenger compartment of the personnel transport device that contains the user; and
 the computerized information apparatus is also configured to render the visually perceptible alert of the presence of a human on the display device.   
     
     
         91 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 41 , further configured to permit the user to, while present in a passenger compartment of the personnel device, selectively and remotely activate one or more environmental functions associated with a structure that the user frequents. 
     
     
         92 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 91 , wherein the one or more environmental functions associated with a structure that the user frequents comprises at least one of an (i) HVAC-related function, and/or (ii) a lighting related function. 
     
     
         93 . Computerized information apparatus for use in a personnel transport device, comprising:
 data processing apparatus;   a display device in data communication with at least a portion of the data processing apparatus;   a speech processing apparatus in data communication with at least a portion of the data processing apparatus, the speech processing apparatus configured to receive a representation of a user's voice input, the voice input comprising at least part of a name of a business entity for which the user desires information, and to generate an output based thereon;   data storage apparatus in data communication with at least a portion of the data processing apparatus;   a plurality of data stored on at least a portion of the data storage apparatus and relating to at least a plurality of business entities, the plurality of data further comprising information relating to an address of each of the plurality of business entities; and   computerized logic in data communication with at least a portion of the processing apparatus and configured to receive the output of the speech processing apparatus, and utilize the output to conduct a search of the plurality of data for one or more matching entries contained therein, the one or more matching entries corresponding respectively to one or more business entities;   wherein the information desired by the user comprises an address of the named business entity, and the computerized logic is configured to, based upon the search, generate a listing of a plurality of matching business entities, including at least a portion of the information relating to an address for each.   
     
     
         94 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 93 , further configured to cause provision of the listing to the user via at least the display device; and
 wherein the display device comprises a touch screen device capable of receiving inputs from a user touching a screen of the device, and the computerized apparatus is further configured to receive an input from the user via the screen as to which of the plurality of business entities on the listing is the one for which the user desires to obtain the information.   
     
     
         95 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 93 , wherein the matching comprises having the at least part of the name associated with each of the plurality of business entities. 
     
     
         96 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 95 , further comprising a speech synthesis apparatus configured to audibly apprise the user that the search returned a plurality of matching business entities; and
 wherein the computerized apparatus is further configured to receive a subsequent voice input from the user in order to identify which of the plurality of business entities of the listing is the one for which the user desires to obtain the information.   
     
     
         97 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 93 , wherein:
 the computerized information apparatus is fixedly mounted within the personnel transport device such that it is substantially non removable from the personnel transport device;   the display device is mounted within a surface viewable by the user while riding in the personnel transport device; and   the computerized information system further comprises a key-based or button-based electromechanical input device configured to enable the user to identify one of the listed plurality of business entities for which the user desires the information via selection of one of the business entities listed in the substantially textual listing, using a key or button associated with the electromechanical input device, the electromechanical input device disposed at an elevation below an elevation of the display device and which is approximately at waist level of the user while the user is riding in the personnel transport device.   
     
     
         98 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 93 , wherein:
 the data processing apparatus comprises a central processor, a graphics processor, and a digital signal processor embodied as substantially separate integrated circuits;   the computerized information apparatus further comprises:   a universal serial bus (USB) compliant data bus in data communication with at least a portion of the data processing apparatus, and at least one data connector in data communication with the data bus;   video data apparatus in data communication with at least the data processing apparatus and configured to enable digital video data to be generated and displayed on the display device, wherein the digital video data is generated by a plurality of cameras associated with the computerized information apparatus and displayed on the display device in corresponding ones of portions of the display device so as to enable simultaneous monitoring of multiple portions of an area outside of a passenger compartment of the personnel transport device that contains the user;   and wherein:   the display device comprises a color-enabled capacitive touch-screen input and display device; and   the computerized information apparatus is configured to form an ad hoc association with a personal electronic device of the user, whereby data can be transferred between the personal electronic device and the computerized information apparatus via the data bus and the connector.   
     
     
         99 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 98 , further comprising:
 at least one motion detection apparatus configured to detect motion proximate to the personnel transport device and alert the user of the motion via at least the display device; and   a short range radio frequency interface in data communication with at least a portion of the processing apparatus and configured to receive data uniquely identifying a user transmitted from a portable radio frequency identification device carried by the user, the uniquely identifying data causing the computerized information apparatus to invoke one or more functions based on user-specific preference data that was previously supplied by the user.   
     
     
         100 . Computerized information apparatus for use in a personnel transport device, comprising:
 data processing apparatus;   a display device in data communication with at least a portion of the data processing apparatus;   a speech processing apparatus in data communication with at least a portion of the data processing apparatus, the speech processing apparatus configured to receive a representation of a user's voice input, the voice input comprising at least part of a name of a business entity for which the user desires information, and to generate an output based thereon;   a speech synthesis apparatus in data communication with at least a portion of the data processing apparatus, the speech synthesis apparatus configured to audibly output one or more human intelligible words;   data storage apparatus in data communication with at least a portion of the data processing apparatus;   a plurality of data stored on at least a portion of the data storage apparatus and relating to at least a plurality of business entities; and   computerized logic in data communication with at least a portion of the processing apparatus and configured to receive the output of the speech processing apparatus, and utilize the output to conduct a search of the plurality of data for one or more matching entries contained therein, the one or more matching entries corresponding respectively to one or more business entities;   wherein the information desired by the user comprises a location of the named organization or entity, and the computerized logic is configured to, based at least upon the search,   generate at least one of an audible and/or visual output indicative of a business entity that is a nearest approximation of a match to the query, but not an exact match.   
     
     
         101 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 100 , wherein the at least one audible and/or visual output comprises at least a portion of information within the plurality of data that relates to a location or address of the business entity that is a nearest approximation of a match to the query. 
     
     
         102 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 100 , wherein the computerized logic is further configured to (i) identify a plurality of approximate but non-exact matches; and (ii) compute at least one metric for the plurality of approximate but non-exact matches, the at least one metric being used in determining at least the nearest approximation of a match to the query. 
     
     
         103 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 102 , wherein the computerized logic is further configured to:
 receive a subsequent input from the user identifying one business entity that is the nearest approximation of a match as the business entity for which the user desires the information; and   in response to receipt of the subsequent input, present the user with a graphical representation of a location of the one business entity, including at least its immediate surroundings.   
     
     
         104 . Computerized information apparatus for use in a personnel transport device, comprising:
 a wireless network interface;   data processing apparatus, the data processing apparatus comprising at least a central processor and a digital signal processor (DSP), at least a portion of the data processing apparatus being in data communication with the wireless interface;   a substantially flat-screen display device in data communication with at least a portion of the data processing apparatus;   a speech processing apparatus in data communication with at least a portion of the data processing apparatus, the speech processing apparatus configured to receive a representation of a user's voice input, the voice input received via at least one microphone disposed within a passenger compartment of the transport device, the voice input comprising at least part of a name of a business entity for which the user desires information, and to generate a digital domain output based thereon;   a speech synthesis apparatus in data communication with at least a portion of the data processing apparatus and configured to synthesize human-intelligible speech output comprising one or more words;   input apparatus in communication with at least a portion of the data processing apparatus and configured to enable the user to cause the computerized information apparatus to enter a functional mode whereby the user can provide the voice input to the speech processing apparatus;   camera apparatus in data communication with at least a portion of the data processing apparatus and configured to generate digital data relating to at least one area proximate the transport device for display on the display device;   data bus apparatus in data communication with at least a part of the data processing apparatus and configured to transfer data between the computerized information apparatus and a portable electronic device of the user when the portable device is placed in data communication with the data bus apparatus;   short-range radio frequency apparatus in data communication with at least a portion of the data processing apparatus and configured to receive data from a portable radio frequency device carried by the user in order to enable at least one function associated with the personnel transport device;   data storage apparatus in data communication with at least a portion of the data processing apparatus;   a database of information stored on at least a portion of the data storage apparatus and relating to at least a plurality of business entities, the database further comprising information relating to a location of each of the plurality of business entities; and   computerized logic cooperative with at least a portion of the data processing apparatus and configured to receive the digital domain output of the speech processing apparatus, and utilize the at least part of the name rendered in the digital domain output to conduct a search of the database for one or more business entities having the at least part of the name associated therewith;   wherein the computerized logic is configured to, based upon the search:   (i) generate a listing of a plurality of business entities having the at least part of the name associated therewith, the listing including at least a portion of the information relating to a location or address for each of the plurality;   (ii) receive a subsequent input from the user identifying one of the listed plurality of business entities for which the user desires the information;   (iii) cause presentation of at least a portion the desired information on the display device for visual perception by the user; and   wherein the computerized logic is further configured to receive a user input relating to current topical information which the user desires, and cause access of at least a remote server via the wireless network interface to obtain the desired current topical information.   
     
     
         105 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 104 , wherein the current topical information comprises a weather forecast for a prescribed geographic area, the area selected by the user via the computerized information apparatus. 
     
     
         106 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 104 , wherein the information apparatus is configured to display a plurality of icons, individual ones of the icons relating to respective ones of a plurality of topical areas, and receive the user input relating to current topical information which the user desires via the user selecting at least one of the icons. 
     
     
         107 . The computerized apparatus of  claim 104 , wherein said the user input relating to current topical information which the user desires comprises an input to obtain information relating to weather conditions, and the computerized information apparatus is further configured to obtain the information relating to weather conditions for an area local to and containing the personnel transport device from a remote network entity via at least the wireless network interface, said information relating to weather conditions for an area local to and containing the personnel transport device comprising a multi-day forecast, the information apparatus further configured to display at least a portion of the multi-day forecast on the display device in the form of a plurality of iconic weather-related symbols, as well as a plurality of temperature values. 
     
     
         108 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 107 , wherein the computerized information apparatus is further configured to:
 receive a second user input relating to additional current topical information which the user desires, the additional current topical information relating to parking rates;   cause retrieval of the information relating to parking rates from a remote network entity via at least the wireless interface network interface; and   display the retrieved information relating to parking rates on the display device.   
     
     
         109 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 104 , wherein the camera apparatus comprises a plurality of individual semiconductor-based miniaturized cameras in data communication with at least a portion of the data processing apparatus and configured to generate respective ones of digital data relating to respective ones of substantially different areas proximate the transport device for substantially simultaneous display on the display device. 
     
     
         110 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 109 , wherein the substantially simultaneous display comprises display within respective ones of a plurality of substantially contiguous windows generated on the display, the windows arranged such that the user can view the substantially different areas simultaneously. 
     
     
         111 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 104 , wherein the display device comprises a capacitive touch screen input and display device, and the computerized information system is configured to:
 permit the user to touch a region of a screen of the display device corresponding to a physical location displayed on a graphic representation of an area;   based at least on the user's touch of the region, determine a plurality of coordinates associated with the physical location; and   utilize the plurality of coordinates to enable at least one function relating to the physical location.   
     
     
         112 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 104 , further configured to retrieve, via at least the wireless network interface, image data relating to a particular location or business entity, including at least the immediate surroundings of the particular location or business entity which can be displayed on the display device;
 wherein the image data comprises a representation of the particular location or business entity and at least the immediate surroundings, as well as one or more business entities proximate thereto, so as to enable the user to find the particular location or business entity.   
     
     
         113 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 112 , wherein the computerized logic is configured to apprise the user that the functional mode has been entered, the apprising of the user comprising at least one of: (i) an audible human-intelligible statement or prompt generated by the speech synthesis apparatus; and/or (ii) a visually perceptible textual query displayed on the display device. 
     
     
         114 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 104 , wherein the personnel transport device comprises one of a plurality of client devices in a client-server relationship with the remote server, others of the plurality of client devices each comprising a personnel transport device. 
     
     
         115 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 104 , wherein:
 the display device comprises a liquid crystal display (LCD) display device;   the data bus apparatus comprises a data bus compliant with a Universal Serial Bus (USB) protocol, and includes a physical multi-pin connector by which the data bus apparatus can be placed in data communication with the portable electronic device;   the computerized information apparatus is further configured to retrieve, via at least the wireless network interface, image data relating to a particular location or business entity, including at least the immediate surroundings of the particular location or business entity which can be displayed on the display device;   the listing comprises a listing displayed on the display device; and   
       wherein the computerized information apparatus further comprises a key-based or button-based electromechanical input device configured to enable the user to identify one of the listed plurality of business entities for which the user desires the information via selection of one of the business entities listed in the listing, using a key or button associated with the electromechanical input device. 
     
     
         116 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 115 , further comprising application software configured to run on the portable electronic device, and configured to enable the user to use data transferred from the computerized information system for purposes of navigation after the association has been terminated, the data transferred having been obtained at least in part from a remote server via at least the wireless network interface prior to transfer to the portable electronic device. 
     
     
         117 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 115 , further comprising:
 a capacitive touch input device configured to allow the user to provide input to the information apparatus by touching a touch-sensitive portion of the touch input device; and   at least one of (i) ultrasonic sensing apparatus in data communication with at least a portion of the data processing apparatus and configured to detect at least motion external to the transport device and provide the user an alert relating thereto; and/or (ii) infrared sensing apparatus configured to detect the presence of at least a human external to the transport device and provide the user an indication thereof.   
     
     
         118 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 104 , wherein:
 the display device comprises a capacitive touch-screen input and display device;   the data bus apparatus comprises a data bus compliant with a Universal Serial Bus (USB) protocol, and includes at least one physical multi-pin connector by which the data bus apparatus can be placed in data communication with the portable electronic device;   the computerized information apparatus is further configured to retrieve, via at least the wireless network interface, image data relating to a particular location or business entity, including at least the immediate surroundings of the particular location or business entity which can be displayed on the display device;   the listing comprises a listing displayed on the display device; and   wherein the computerized information apparatus is further configured to enable the user to identify one of the listed plurality of business entities for which the user desires the information via selection of one of the business entities listed in the listing, via touching a prescribed region of a screen of the touch-screen input and display device.   
     
     
         119 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 104 , further configured to retrieve, via at least the wireless network interface, image data relating to a location of a business entity, including at least the immediate surroundings of the location which can be displayed on the display device, the location of the business entity being inside of a multi-floor building, the image data showing at least a portion of the interior of the building, the immediate surroundings being located inside the building as well. 
     
     
         120 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 104 , wherein:
 the display device comprises a touch-screen input and display device;   the data bus apparatus comprises a data bus compliant with a Universal Serial Bus (USB) protocol, and includes at least one physical multi-pin connector by which the data bus apparatus can be placed in data communication with the portable electronic device, the at least one connector disposed within a recess or box inside the passenger compartment of the personnel transport device so as to not be immediately visible to a user upon entering the passenger compartment;   the computerized information system is further configured to, based at least in part on the data received form the portable radio frequency device data carried by the user, configure at least one aspect of the operation of the personnel transport device according to user-specific data previously supplied by the user and stored within the computerized information system; and   wherein the computerized information system is configured to store a plurality of user-specific data previously supplied by respective ones of a plurality of users of the personnel transport device, the respective user-specific data enabling the configuration of at least one aspect of the operation of the transport device differently for each of the users.   
     
     
         121 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 104 , wherein the data storage apparatus comprises both volatile and non-volatile memory devices, and a direct memory access (DMA) unit in data communication with at least one of the memory devices and the central processor; and the computerized information apparatus further comprises:
 a microcontroller in data communication with at least a portion of the processing apparatus and configured to control at least one aspect of the operation of the personnel transport device;   a speech library stored on the data storage apparatus and comprising a plurality of words or word fragments which can be used by the speech processing apparatus to evaluate the user's voice input to identify the at least part of the name; and   wherein the computerized information apparatus is further configured to exit the mode after the expiry of a prescribed period of time without receiving a voice input from the user.   
     
     
         122 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 104 , further comprising a plurality of display devices in data communication with at least a portion of the data processing apparatus, at least some of the plurality of display devices mounted within a passenger compartment of said personnel transport device substantially so that respective ones of a plurality of users of the personnel transport device can view respective ones of the at least some display devices substantially simultaneously. 
     
     
         123 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 122 , wherein the plurality of display devices mounted within a passenger compartment of said personnel transport device substantially so that respective ones of a plurality of users of the personnel transport device can view respective ones of the at least some display devices substantially simultaneously each are a touch screen input and display device configured to receive a user's input via a screen thereof. 
     
     
         124 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 104 , wherein said computerized information apparatus is configured to enable, substantially simultaneously, ad hoc communication links with each of a plurality of portable electronic devices of respective users within a passenger compartment of the transport device, the ad hoc communications links each being configured to exchange data between the computerized information apparatus and the respective portable electronic device. 
     
     
         125 . The computerized information apparatus of  claim 124 , wherein said data exchange between the computerized information apparatus and the respective portable electronic device comprises a transfer of data from the computerized information apparatus to the portable electronic device, the transferred data comprising data which was obtained by the computerized information apparatus from a remote server via at least the wireless network interface, and which is personalized for a user of the personal electronic device in at least one respect.