Computerized information presentation apparatus

Abstract

A computerized information system and computer readable apparatus. In one embodiment, the apparatus is configured for use in a transport device and comprises a computer readable medium having at least one computer program disposed thereon, the at least one program being configured to provide the user with requested information (such as for example directions to a desired business or other entity) via speech query. The user may also be provided with other topical information such as weather, parking rates, and the like. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the information is obtained via a wireless link, such as from a remote server.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 .- 40 . (canceled) 
     
     
         41 . Computer readable apparatus comprising at least one storage medium, said at least one storage medium comprising at least one computer program with a plurality of instructions, the computer readable apparatus being part of a computerized information system disposed on or within a personnel transport device configured to transport at least one person from one location to another, the computerized information system being configured to provide a user with desired information relating to a plurality of topical areas, including information relating to one or more business entities, said at least one program being configured to, when executed on a processing apparatus:
 receive a digitized representation of a speech input of the user of the transport device via a speech processing apparatus of the computerized information system, the speech input relating to a desired function to be performed by the computerized information system, the desired function relating to at least one of the topical areas;   cause access of a remote server via at least a wireless interface in order to access information necessary to perform at least a portion of the desired function;   receive accessed information obtained from the remote server via the wireless interface; and   implement the desired function on the computerized information system using at least a portion of the received information and at least one of: (i) a display device of the computerized information system; and/or (ii) a speech synthesis apparatus of the computerized information system.   
     
     
         42 . The computer readable apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein:
 the desired function comprises determination of a location of a business entity;   the speech input comprises at least part of a name of the business entity; and wherein the at least one program is further configured to:   cause recognition of the at least part of the name within the digitized representation; and   cause access of data relating to a location associated with the named business entity.   
     
     
         43 . The computer readable apparatus of  claim 42 , wherein the accessed information comprises at least one of: (i) data enabling display of a graphical representation of the location associated with the named business entity and at least a portion of its immediate surroundings; and/or (ii) data enabling display of a graphical representation of directions for the user to follow in order to navigate to the location. 
     
     
         44 . The computer readable apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein the accessed information comprises at least a graphic data file. 
     
     
         45 . The computer readable apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein:
 the desired function comprises determination of a location of a business entity;   the speech input comprises at least part of a name of the business entity; and   the accessed information comprises data which enables the at least one computer program to render a visual representation of a location of the business entity on the display device, the rendering including rendering a visual representation of at least a portion of the immediate surroundings of the location.   
     
     
         46 . The computer readable apparatus of  claim 45 , wherein the visual representation of a location of the business entity including at least a portion of the immediate surroundings of the location comprises a rendering of at least a portion of building to which the location is at least proximate. 
     
     
         47 . The computer readable apparatus of  claim 46 , wherein the computerized information system comprises a digital signal processor and a graphics processor, and the rendering of at least a portion of building to which the location is at least proximate is performed by the graphics processor. 
     
     
         48 . The computer readable apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein:
 the desired function comprises informing the user of a location of a business entity;   the speech input comprises at least part of a name of the business entity; and   wherein the at least one program is further configured to cause recognition of the at least part of the name within the digitized representation, and cause utilization of the recognized at least part of the name to enable the access of information necessary to inform the user of the location of the business entity.   
     
     
         49 . The computer readable apparatus of  claim 48 , wherein information necessary to inform the user of the location comprises at least two distinct pieces of data which, taken collectively, allow the user to uniquely locate the business entity within three dimensions within a multi-floor building or other structure. 
     
     
         50 . The computer readable apparatus of  claim 49 , wherein said informing of user of the location comprises an audible representation of speech, the representation created from digital data, the audible representation comprising a plurality of human cognizable words including the at least two distinct pieces of information. 
     
     
         51 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein said desired function comprises obtaining information relating to parking a vehicle. 
     
     
         52 . The computer readable apparatus of  claim 51 , wherein said information relating to parking a vehicle comprises parking rate or cost data. 
     
     
         53 . The computer readable apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein said at least one computerized information apparatus is further configured to enable an ad hoc communication link with a portable electronic device of a user of the transport device, the ad hoc link being used to transfer at least a portion of the accessed information between the computerized information system and the portable electronic device. 
     
     
         54 . The computer readable apparatus of  claim 53 , further comprising application software configured to run on the portable electronic device, the application software enabling use of the transferred at least portion of the accessed information to enable the user to navigate to the business entity after debarking from the personnel transport device. 
     
     
         55 . The computer readable apparatus of  claim 53 , wherein the transferred at least portion of information comprises data enabling generation of a map of an area local to the personnel transport device. 
     
     
         56 . The computer readable apparatus of  claim 53 , wherein the ad hoc communication link comprises a physical data link formed via at least one connector of the information system and operative according to a Universal Serial Bus (USB) protocol. 
     
     
         57 . The computer readable apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein the computerized information system is further configured to display a plurality of icons corresponding to respective ones of at least a portion of the topical areas, selection of the topical areas by the user causing access of a remote network entity via the wireless network interface in order to retrieve information relevant to the user and relating to the selected topical area. 
     
     
         58 . The computer readable apparatus of  claim 57 , wherein the topical areas include weather information, and the information relevant to the user comprises a weather forecast for a prescribed geographic area, the area selected by the user via the computerized information system. 
     
     
         59 . The computer readable apparatus of  claim 57 , wherein the icons are selected to facilitate rapid access to and display of a limited collection of data in order to reduce the amount of time needed by the user to locate and be cognitive of information that the user desires to a few seconds. 
     
     
         60 . The computer readable apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein said speech input relating to a desired function comprises an input to obtain information relating to weather conditions, and the computerized information system 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 the wireless interface. 
     
     
         61 . The computer readable apparatus of  claim 60 , wherein said information relating to weather conditions for an area local to and containing the personnel transport device comprises a multi-day forecast, the information system 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. 
     
     
         62 . The computer readable apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein said speech input relating to a desired function comprises an input to obtain information relating to parking rates, and the computerized information system is further configured to obtain the information relating to parking rates from a remote network entity via the wireless interface. 
     
     
         63 . The computer readable apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein said speech input relating to a desired function comprises an input to obtain information relating to weather conditions, and the computerized information system is further configured to:
 prompt the user to select a geographic region to which the information relating to weather conditions relates;   receive a user input, the input selecting the geographic region; and   based at least in part on the user input, obtain information relating to weather conditions for the geographic region.   
     
     
         64 . The computer readable apparatus of  claim 63 , wherein said information relating to weather conditions for the geographic location comprises a multi-day forecast, the information system further configured to display at least a portion of the multi-day forecast for the geographic location on the display device in the form of at least a plurality of iconic weather-related symbols, as well as a plurality of temperature values. 
     
     
         65 . The computer readable apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein said speech input is to obtain directions to a particular business entity, and said received information comprises map data, the map rendered by the display device, the rendered map showing both the user's current location and a location of the business entity. 
     
     
         66 . The computer readable apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein:
 the desired function comprises determination of a location of a business entity;   the speech input comprises at least part of a name of the business entity; and   the accessed information comprises data which enables the at least one computer program to render a visual representation of a location of the business entity on the display device, the rendering including rendering a visual representation of at least a portion of the immediate surroundings of the location, as well as a rendering of locations of a plurality of business entities that are proximate to the business entity.   
     
     
         67 . The computer readable apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein:
 said speech input relating to a desired function comprises a speech input to obtain information relating to a particular business entity, the speech input comprising at least part of a name of the business entity;   said receipt of accessed information obtained from the remote server via the wireless interface comprises receipt of at least information relating to a plurality of business entities having a name that includes the at least part of the name;   said information system is further configured to:   receive a user input subsequent to the speech input, the user input enabling the system to identify one of the plurality of business entities as the one for which the user desires information; and   wherein the implementation of the desired function on the computerized information system using at least a portion of the received information and at least one of: (i) a display device of the computerized information system; and/or (ii) a speech synthesis apparatus of the computerized information system comprises presentation of a portion of the accessed information relating to the one business entity to the user via at least one of the display device and/or the speech synthesis apparatus.   
     
     
         68 . The computer readable apparatus of  claim 67 , wherein the presentation of a portion of the accessed information relating to the one business entity to the user via at least one of the display device and/or the speech synthesis apparatus comprises display of the portion of the accessed information relating to the one entity on the display device, including at least part of an address of the one entity. 
     
     
         69 . The computer readable apparatus of  claim 67 , wherein the presentation of a portion of the accessed information relating to the one business entity to the user via at least one of the display device and/or the speech synthesis apparatus comprises display of the portion of the accessed information relating to the one entity on the display device, including at least a map image illustrating a location of the one business entity relative to at least its immediate surroundings. 
     
     
         70 . The computer readable apparatus of  claim 67 , wherein the information system is further configured to display the at least information relating to a plurality of business entities having a name that includes the at least part of the name in a list format on the display device, individual items in the displayed list format including at least a portion of the address of each respective business entity of the plurality relating thereto. 
     
     
         71 . Computer readable apparatus comprising a storage medium, said storage medium comprising at least one computer program with a plurality of instructions, the computer readable apparatus being part of a computerized information system disposed on or within a personnel transport device having a passenger compartment within which at least a portion of the information system is disposed, the computerized information system being configured to adaptively provide a user with desired information relating to a plurality of topical areas, said at least one program being configured to, when executed:
 receive a digitized representation of a speech input of the user of the transport device via a speech recognition apparatus in communication with the computerized information system, the speech input comprises at least a part of a name of a particular business entity;   cause wireless access of a network using at least a wireless interface of the computerized information system in order to access information stored on a remote server and which is related to a plurality of business entities, including the particular business entity;   receive the accessed information obtained from the remote server via the wireless interface; and   generate a synthesized speech output via a speech synthesis apparatus of the information system, the speech output prompting the user to provide a subsequent speech input;   receive a digitized representation of the subsequent user speech input via the speech recognition apparatus, the subsequent input enabling the information system to identify one of a plurality of business entities that is the particular business entity of interest to the user; and   display, based at least in part on the received accessed information, a map representation showing a location of the particular business entity on a display device of the personnel transport device, the map representation further comprising an arrow graphic differentiated at least in color from the map representation so as to guide the user to the business entity; and   wherein said computerized information system is fixedly mounted within said transport device such that at least a portion of said display device is viewable by the user while operating the transport device.   
     
     
         72 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein the computerized information system is further configured to display a plurality of icons corresponding to respective ones of at least a portion of the topical areas, selection of the topical areas by the user causing access of a remote network entity via the wireless interface in order to retrieve information relevant to the user and relating to the selected topical area. 
     
     
         73 . The apparatus of  claim 72 , wherein the topical areas include weather information, and the information relevant to the user comprises a weather forecast for a prescribed geographic area, the area selected by the user via the computerized information system. 
     
     
         74 . The apparatus of  claim 72 , wherein said information relevant to the user and relating to the selected topical area comprises information relating to weather conditions for an area local to and containing the personnel transport device, the information relating to weather conditions for an area local to and containing the personnel transport device comprising a multi-day forecast, the information system 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. 
     
     
         75 . The apparatus of  claim 71 , wherein said the computerized information system is further configured to:
 receive a user input selecting a topical area of the plurality of topical areas, the selected topical area relating to weather:   prompt the user to select a geographic region for which the user desires weather information;   receive a user input, the input selecting a geographic region; and   based at least in part on the user input, obtain information relating to weather conditions for the geographic region from a remote entity via at least the wireless interface.   
     
     
         76 . The apparatus of  claim 75 , wherein said information relating to weather conditions for the geographic location comprises a multi-day forecast, the information system further configured to display at least a portion of the multi-day forecast for the geographic location on the display device in the form of at least a plurality of iconic weather-related symbols, as well as a plurality of temperature values. 
     
     
         77 . Computer readable apparatus of a computerized information system of a personnel transport device, the apparatus comprising a storage medium having computerized logic comprising at least one computer program, the at least one program configured to, when executed on the computerized system:
 receive, via a speech recognition apparatus of the computerized information system, an input from a user of the personnel transport device, the input relating to a user's desire to locate a business entity using the computerized information system;   cause utilization of a wireless interface of the transport device and a network in data communication with the wireless interface to access information disposed on a remote server, the accessed information relating to the business entity;   receive the accessed information received via the wireless interface;   provide the user with at least a portion of the accessed information relating to the business or entity via each of: (i) a display device of the computerized information system; and (ii) a speech synthesis apparatus of the computerized information system;   at least temporarily store at least a portion of the accessed information on a storage device of the computerized information system;   enable an ad hoc communication link with a portable electronic device of the user, the ad hoc link being configured to transfer data between the computerized information system and the portable electronic device; and   transfer at least a portion of the stored accessed information to the personnel electronic device for subsequent use by the user.   
     
     
         78 . The computer readable apparatus of  claim 77 , further comprising application software configured to run on the portable electronic device, the application software enabling use of the transferred at least portion of the accessed information to enable the user to navigate to the business entity after debarking from the personnel transport device. 
     
     
         79 . The computer readable apparatus of  claim 78 , wherein the transferred at least portion of information comprises data enabling generation of a map of an area local to the personnel transport device. 
     
     
         80 . The computer readable apparatus of  claim 78 , wherein the ad hoc communication link comprises a wired link operative according to a bus protocol. 
     
     
         81 . The computer readable apparatus of  claim 80 , wherein the bus protocol comprises a Universal Serial Bus (USB) protocol. 
     
     
         82 . The computer readable apparatus of  claim 80 , wherein the wired link comprises a physical connection between the transport device and the portable electronic device which comprises a physical connector that is fixedly part of the transport device and which is at least partly recessed with a slot or enclosure of the transport device so as to be accessible to the user while operating the personnel transport device yet which at least mitigates the opportunity for incidental damage. 
     
     
         83 . The computer readable apparatus of  claim 77 , wherein the computerized information system is configured such that the transfer between the computerized information system and the portable electronic device can be initiated by the user's actuation of application software resident on the portable electronic device. 
     
     
         84 . The computer readable apparatus of  claim 83 , wherein the transferred at least portion relates to a map of an area local to the transport device. 
     
     
         85 . The computer readable apparatus of  claim 77 , wherein said transferred at least portion of information is configured specifically for the user, said configuration specifically for the user based at least in part on data previously stored and relating specifically to that user. 
     
     
         86 . The computer readable apparatus of  claim 85 , wherein said previously stored data is stored on a server remote from the transport device and relates specifically to that user based at least in part on one or more previously supplied user-selected configuration parameters. 
     
     
         87 . The computer readable apparatus of  claim 77 , further comprising video data apparatus in data communication with the computerized information system and configured to enable video data to be generated and displayed on the display device. 
     
     
         88 . The computer readable apparatus of  claim 87 , wherein the video data is generated by a plurality of cameras associated with the transport device 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 proximate the transport device. 
     
     
         89 . The computer readable apparatus of  claim 88 , wherein the computerized information system further comprises at least one motion detector configured to alert the user of motion occurring outside of the personnel transport device, the alert comprising display of visually perceptible information on the display device. 
     
     
         90 . The computer readable apparatus of  claim 77 , further comprising at least one motion detection apparatus configured to alert the user of motion occurring outside of the transport device so as to avoid a hazard associated therewith, the alert comprising information that is visually perceptible to the user while the user is operating the personnel transport device. 
     
     
         91 . The computer readable apparatus of  claim 87 , further comprising a key- or button-based electromechanical input device which is in signal communication with the computerized information system and by which the user can select one or more functions displayed on the display device. 
     
     
         92 . The computer readable apparatus of  claim 91 , wherein the display device comprises a substantially flat panel liquid crystal display (LCD) display device disposed at a vertical level within the transport device that enables easy viewing by the user, and the key- or button-based electromechanical input device is disposed at approximately waist level of the user. 
     
     
         93 . The computer readable apparatus of  claim 91 , further comprising a to capacitive touch screen input device in data communication with the computerized information system and configured to enable the user to provide input to the system by touching the screen of the touch screen input device, the touch screen input device being physically separate from the display device. 
     
     
         94 . The computer readable apparatus of  claim 93 , further comprising:
 a voice communication apparatus in signal communication with the computerized information system, the communication apparatus allowing the user of the personnel transport device to conduct a voice conversation with a person at a remote monitoring location.   
     
     
         95 . The computer readable apparatus of  claim 93 , further comprising at least one infra-red radiation detection apparatus in data communication with the information system and configured to cause the computerized information system to generate a visually perceptible indication of the presence of a human in an undesirable area proximate to the personnel transport device. 
     
     
         96 . The computer readable apparatus of  claim 77 , further comprising at least one infra-red radiation detection apparatus in data communication with the information system and configured to cause the computerized information system to generate a visually perceptible indication of the presence of a human in an undesirable area proximate to the personnel transport device on the display device, further including a flashing indication to alert the user. 
     
     
         97 . The computer readable apparatus of  claim 77 , further comprising the remote server, the remote server configured to receive data requests substantially simultaneously from a plurality of different personnel transport devices, and provide data to respective ones of the transport devices in response to said requests. 
     
     
         98 . The computer readable apparatus of  claim 77 , wherein the information system further comprises a short-range wireless interface configured to obtain data from a portable user radio frequency device when the portable user radio frequency device is within sufficient range of the short-range interface, the information configured to use the obtained data so as to configure one or more functions of the computerized information apparatus according to a previously supplied user preference or profile. 
     
     
         99 . The computer readable apparatus of  claim 77 , wherein the information system further comprises a short-range wireless interface configured to obtain data from a portable user radio frequency device when the portable user radio frequency device is within sufficient range of the short-range interface, the information system configured to use the obtained data so as to selectively enable only a portion of a plurality of functions of the computerized information system according to a pre-existing profile or preference associated with the user.