Computerized information presentation apparatus

• US 8,296,146 B2
• Filed: 02/24/2012
• Issued: 10/23/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/10/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: West View Research LLC
• Original Assignee: West View Research LLC
• Inventors: Gazdzinski, Robert F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Abebe, Daniel D
• Application Number:
  US13/404,980
• Publication Number:
  US 20120197647A1
• Time in Patent Office: 242 Days
• Field of Search: 704/270, 704/275, 187/396, 369/30.01
• US Class Current: 704/270
• CPC Class Codes: B66B 1/24 Control systems with regulation, i.e. with retroactive action, for influencing travelling speed, acceleration, or deceleration
• CPC Class Codes: B66B 1/3415 Control system configuration and the data transmission or communication within the control system
• CPC Class Codes: B66B 2201/463 Wherein the call is registered through physical contact with the elevator system
• CPC Class Codes: B66B 3/00 Applications of devices for indicating or signalling operating conditions of elevators
• CPC Class Codes: B66B 3/002 Indicators
• CPC Class Codes: B66B 3/006 for guiding passengers to their assigned elevator car
• CPC Class Codes: B66B 3/008 Displaying information not related to the elevator, e.g. weather, publicity, internet or TV
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/206 specially adapted for indoor navigation
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1917 using digital means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/951 Indexing; Web crawling techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9535 Search customisation based on user profiles and personalisation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9538 Presentation of query results
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/44 Program or device authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0381 Multimodal input, i.e. interface arrangements enabling the user to issue commands by simultaneous use of input devices of different nature, e.g. voice plus gesture on digitizer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0383 Remote input, i.e. interface arrangements in which the signals generated by a pointing device are transmitted to a PC at a remote location, e.g. to a PC in a LAN
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/01 Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer G06F3/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/041 Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/044 by capacitive means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/048 Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 : based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 : Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 : Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 : using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 : by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/14 : Digital output to display device ; Cooperation and interconnection of the display device with other functional units
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/167 : Audio in a user interface, e.g. using voice commands for navigating, audio feedback
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/134 : Hyperlinking
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/30 : Semantic analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/00 : Payment architectures, schemes or protocols apparatus for performing or posting payment transactions G07F7/08, G07F19/00; electronic cash registers G07G1/12
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 : Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0251 : Targeted advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0252 : based on events or environment, e.g. weather or festivals
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0254 : based on statistics
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0256 : User search
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0259 : based on store location
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0261 : based on user location
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0264 : based upon schedule
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0265 : Vehicular advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0266 : based on the position of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 90/20 : Destination assistance within a business structure or complex
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 1/20 : Processor architectures; Processor configuration, e.g. pipelining
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 13/00 : Speech synthesis; Text to speech systems
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 13/02 : Methods for producing synthetic speech; Speech synthesisers
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 13/027 : Concept to speech synthesisers; Generation of natural phrases from machine-based concepts generation of parameters for speech synthesis out of text G10L13/08
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 15/00 : Speech recognition G10L17/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 15/02 : Feature extraction for speech recognition; Selection of recognition unit
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 15/08 : Speech classification or search
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 15/22 : Procedures used during a speech recognition process, e.g. man-machine dialogue
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 15/26 : Speech to text systems G10L15/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 17/22 : Interactive procedures; Man-machine interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 2015/025 : Phonemes, fenemes or fenones being the recognition units
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 2015/223 : Execution procedure of a spoken command
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 21/10 : Transforming into visible information
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 25/48 : specially adapted for particular use
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/40 : Bus networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/22 : comprising specially adapted graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/01 : Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 : based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/10 : in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/00 : Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/181 : for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 : for receiving images from a single remote source
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/068 : using credential vaults, e.g. password manager applications or one time password [OTP] applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/08 : Mobility data transfer
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 : WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99933 : Query processing, i.e. searching

Abstract

A computerized information system and computer readable apparatus. In one embodiment, the apparatus is configured for use in a transport apparatus 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). At least a portion of the information is obtained via a wireless link with a remote server.

Claims

1. 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 transport apparatus configured to transport at least one person from one location to another, 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:

receive a digitized representation of a speech input of the user of the transport apparatus via a speech recognition apparatus in communication with 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 wireless access of a remote server to access information necessary to perform 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 touch-screen display and input device of the computerized information system; and

/or (ii) a speech synthesis apparatus of the computerized information system.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one computer program is further configured to enable an ad hoc communication link with a portable electronic device of a user of the transport apparatus, the ad hoc link being used to transfer data between the computerized information system and the portable electronic device.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the portable electronic device not part of, and is removable from, the transport apparatus and computerized information system.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the data transfer between the computerized information system and the portable electronic device is initiated by software resident on the portable electronic device.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said speech input relating to a desired function comprises an input to obtain information relating to at least one of (i) location of a nearby restaurant;

(ii) traffic conditions;

or (iii) weather conditions.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said speech input relates to traffic conditions, and said received information comprises information regarding traffic conditions for the locale in which at least one of said computerized information system and said transport apparatus is situated.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said speech input is to obtain directions to a particular business entity, and said received information comprises a map graphic illustrating how to get to said business entity.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

said remote server is in communication with a database of business entities, said database being searchable at least by a name of a business entity; and

said implementation of the desired function comprises an audible representation of speech, the representation created from a digital file, the audible representation comprising information relating to the business entity.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one computer program is further configured to cause presentation of advertising content that is related to at least one context associated with said accessed information, said advertising content being presented via the touch screen input and display device of the computerized information system.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said received information is configured specifically for the user, said configuration specifically for the user based at least in part on data previously stored an relating specifically to that user.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said data is stored on a remote server and relates specifically to that user based at least in part on one or more previously supplied user-selected configuration parameters.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said input relating to a desired function comprises an input to obtain information relating to a particular destination or entity.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said at least one program is further configured to generate a synthesized speech output relating to the particular destination or entity in order to resolve one or more ambiguities associated therewith.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one computer program is further configured to iteratively receive digitized representations of subsequent user speech inputs, the subsequent inputs being used to traverse a menu structure comprising a plurality of possible matching entries.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said 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 touch-screen display and input device of the computerized information system; and

/or (ii) a speech synthesis apparatus of the computerized information system comprises implementation via both the touch-screen display and input device of the computerized information system and the speech synthesis apparatus of the computerized information system.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said computerized information system is fixedly mounted within said transport apparatus such that at least a portion of said touch-screen input and display device is substantially flush with at least one surface of said transport apparatus.

17. 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 transport apparatus configured to transport at least one person from one location to another, 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:

receive a digitized representation of a speech input of the user of the transport apparatus via a speech recognition apparatus in communication with the computerized information system, the speech input relating to a desired function to be performed by the computerized information system;

cause wireless access of a network in order to access information stored on a remote server and necessary to perform 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 touch-screen display and input device of the computerized information system; and

/or (ii) a speech synthesis apparatus of the computerized information system;

wherein;

said input relating to a desired function comprises an input to obtain information relating to a particular destination or entity;

said computerized information system is further configured to generate a synthesized speech output via the speech synthesis apparatus, and iteratively receive digitized representations of subsequent user speech inputs via the speech recognition apparatus, the subsequent inputs being used to traverse a menu structure comprising a plurality of possible matching entries;

said computerized information system is fixedly mounted within said transport apparatus such that at least a portion of said touch-screen input and display device is substantially flush with at least one surface of said transport apparatus and viewable by the user while operating the transport apparatus; and

the provision of at least a portion of the accessed information relating to the directions to the business or entity via at least one of;

(i) a touch screen input and display device of the computerized system; and

/or (ii) a speech synthesis apparatus, comprises provision of at least a map graphic showing the location of the destination or entity and other entities proximate thereto, the map graphic further comprising an arrow graphic differentiated at least in color from the map graphic so as to guide the user from a current location to the destination or entity.

18. Computer readable apparatus of a computerized information system, the apparatus comprising a storage apparatus, the storage apparatus having computerized means configured to:

receive, via a speech recognition means of the computerized information system, an input from the user, the input relating to a user'"'"'s request to obtain directions to a business or entity from the computerized information system;

cause utilization of a wireless interface and a means for networking in order to access information disposed on a remote server or database, the information relating to the directions to the business or entity, the business or entity disposed at least partly within a building;

receive the accessed information received via the wireless interface; and

provide the user with at least a portion of the accessed information relating to the directions to the business or entity via at least one of;

(i) a touch screen input and display device of the computerized information system; and

/or (ii) a means for speech synthesis;

wherein the computerized information system is;

fixedly mounted within a transport apparatus, the transport apparatus capable of transport multiple persons including the user from one location to another, the fixed mounting such that the user can interface with each of the touch screen input and display device, the speech synthesis means, and the speech recognition means, while operating the transport apparatus; and

configured to support an ad hoc communication link with a portable electronic device of the user, the ad hoc link being used to transfer data between the computerized information system and the portable electronic device, the data relating at least in part to the user'"'"'s request to obtain directions.

19. Computer readable apparatus of a computerized information system, the apparatus comprising a storage apparatus, the storage apparatus having computerized logic configured to:

receive, via a speech recognition apparatus of the computerized information system, an input from the user, the input relating to a user'"'"'s desire to obtain directions to a business or entity from the computerized information system;

cause utilization of a wireless interface and a network to access information disposed on a remote server, the information relating to the directions to the business or entity;

receive the accessed information received via the wireless interface; and

provide the user with at least a portion of the accessed information relating to the directions to the business or entity via at least one of;

(i) a touch screen input and display device of the computerized system; and

/or (ii) a speech synthesis apparatus;

wherein the computerized information system is disposed on or within a transport apparatus, the transport apparatus configured to transport at least one person from one location to another; and

wherein the provision of at least a portion of the accessed information comprises provision of at least a map graphic showing the location of the business or entity and other businesses or entities proximate thereto, the map graphic further comprising an arrow graphic differentiated at least in color from the map graphic so as to guide the user from a current location to the business or entity.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the provision of at least a portion of the accessed information further comprises provision of at least synthesized speech via an audio amplifier and one or more speakers that are mounted within the transport apparatus.

21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein:

the provision of at least a portion of the accessed information relating to the directions to the business or entity via at least one of;

(i) a touch screen input and display device of the computerized system; and

/or (ii) a speech synthesis apparatus comprises provision of the at least portion of accessed information via the touch screen input and display device; and

the computerized information system is fixedly mounted within said transport apparatus such that at least a portion of said touch-screen input and display device is substantially flush with at least one surface of said transport apparatus such that the provided at least portion of the accessed information can be viewed by the user during operation of the transport apparatus.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the logic is further configured to receive digitized representations of subsequent user speech inputs via the speech recognition apparatus, the subsequent inputs being used to traverse a menu structure comprising a plurality of possible matching entries for the business or entity.

23. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the logic is further configured to adaptively provide a user with desired information relating to a plurality of topical areas, at least one of the topical areas comprising traffic reporting.

24. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the logic is further configured to adaptively provide a user with desired information relating to a plurality of topical areas, at least one of the topical areas comprising weather reporting.

25. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said received accessed 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.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein said data is stored on a remote server and relates specifically to that user based at least in part on one or more previously supplied user-selected configuration parameters.

27. Computer readable apparatus of a computerized information system, the apparatus comprising a storage apparatus, the storage apparatus having computerized logic configured to:

receive, via a speech recognition apparatus of the computerized information system, an input from the user, the input relating to a user'"'"'s desire to obtain directions to a business or entity from the computerized information system;

cause utilization of a wireless interface and a network to access information disposed on a remote server, the information relating to the directions to the business or 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 directions to the business or entity via at least one of;

(i) a touch screen input and display device of the computerized system; and

/or (ii) a speech synthesis apparatus; and

enable an ad hoc communication link with a portable electronic device of a user of the transport apparatus, the ad hoc link being configured to transfer data between the computerized information system and the portable electronic device;

wherein the computerized information system is disposed on or within a transport apparatus, the transport apparatus configured to transport at least one person from one location to another.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the portable electronic device is not part of, and is removable from, the transport apparatus and computerized information system.

29. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the logic is configured to enable a data transfer between the computerized information system and the portable electronic device that is initiated by software resident on the portable electronic device.

30. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the logic is configured to transfer data between the computerized information system and the portable electronic device via the ad hoc link relating to a map of the local area.

31. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the logic is further configured to receive, via the ad hoc link, a user-originated command that is provided via software operative to run on the portable electronic device.

32. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the logic is configured such that the received user-originated command causes said data transfer between the computerized information system and the portable electronic device.

33. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein said received accessed 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.

34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein said data is stored on a remote server and relates specifically to that user based at least in part on one or more previously supplied user-selected configuration parameters.