Computerized information and display apparatus with remote environment control

• US 9,709,972 B2
• Filed: 12/16/2016
• Issued: 07/18/2017
• 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 DEMELASH
• Application Number:
  US15/381,506
• Publication Number:
  US 20170115643A1
• Time in Patent Office: 214 Days
• Field of Search: 704275, 701533
• 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 apparatus useful for providing information to a user via a display. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a processor apparatus, and first wireless interface, radio frequency apparatus, and at least one computer program configured to run on the processor apparatus, the at least one program being configured to enable functions within a transport device including remote control of environment functions (e.g., HVAC, lighting, imagery capture) based on authentication of a user carrying a portable radio frequency device.

Claims

1. Integrated, environment control-enabled computerized information apparatus of a transport device capable of movement between locations, the computerized information apparatus configured to provide a user with remote control of environment functions associated with a premises, at least a portion of the premises being specifically associated with the user, the computerized information apparatus comprising:

data processing apparatus comprising at least a central processor and a digital signal processor (DSP) and a graphics co-processor;

a first wireless interface in data communication with at least a portion of the data processing apparatus;

a mass storage device in data communication with at least a portion of the data processing apparatus;

a data interface in data communication with at least a portion of the data processing apparatus;

an input and display device in data communication with at least a portion of the data processing apparatus and both viewable and accessible by the user;

computerized logic operative to run on the data processing apparatus and configured to cause actuation of one or more environment control functions associated with the premises, the computerized logic configured to;

display on the input and display device one or more display elements corresponding to the one or more environment control functions;

receive via the input and display device at least one input corresponding to a user'"'"'s selection of at least one of the one or more display elements; and

cause transmission via the first wireless interface of data relating to the at least one input to cause actuation at the premises of one or more apparatus corresponding to the selected at least one display element; and

radio frequency apparatus in data communication with at least the computerized logic and at least a portion of the data processing apparatus, the radio frequency apparatus configured to receive data uniquely identifying a portable radio frequency device associated with the user and, based at least on the data uniquely identifying the portable radio frequency device, cause enablement of one or more functions within the transport device, the enablement of one or more functions including at least enablement of the actuation of the environment control functions via the input and display device;

wherein the one or more environment control functions comprise at least one of (i) a premises heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (HVAC) function, and/or (ii) a premises lighting function.

2. The computerized information apparatus of claim 1, wherein the computerized information apparatus is further configured to, based at least on the identifying the portable radio frequency device, enable selective actuation of only portions of the environment control functions corresponding specifically to the at least portion of the premises associated with the user, the selective actuation enabling a savings of energy as compared to non-selective actuation, the non-selective actuation comprising:

(i) actuation of the environment control functions associated with the at least portion of the premises associated with the user, and (ii) actuation of environment control functions associated with one or more non-user-specific portions of the premises.

3. The computerized information apparatus of claim 1, wherein the radio frequency apparatus is further configured to engage in an authentication process relating to the portable radio frequency device prior to the enablement of the one or more functions, the authentication process comprising:

(i) receipt of electromagnetic radiation transmitted from the portable radio frequency device and encoded with the data uniquely identifying the portable radio frequency device; and

(ii) comparison of the received data, and second data relating to one or more authenticated radio frequency devices.

4. The computerized information apparatus of claim 3, wherein the transmission of the data uniquely identifying the portable radio frequency device comprises transmission of at least a portion of the data in an encrypted form;

and

wherein the radio frequency apparatus is configured to decrypt the encrypted at least portion of the data.

5. The computerized information apparatus of claim 1, wherein the radio frequency device apparatus is configured to:

detect an indication of a possible presence of the portable radio frequency device within a communications range of the radio frequency apparatus; and

in response to the detection, transmit an interrogating radio frequency signal configured to cause the portable radio frequency device to respond;

wherein the detection comprises actuation of a function or sensor of the transport device, the function or sensor in signal communication with the computerized information system.

6. The computerized information apparatus of claim 1, wherein the computerized information apparatus is further configured to establish a temporary data link with a portable electronic device via the data interface so as to enable data transfer between the portable electronic device and the computerized information apparatus, the data transfer between the portable electronic device and the computerized information apparatus comprising transfer of data from the computerized information apparatus to the portable electronic device that is configured so as to occur automatically when the portable electronic device establishes data communication with the computerized information apparatus via the data interface, the transferred data configured specifically for the user, the configuration specifically for the user based at least in part on data relating specifically to that user and previously stored on a remote network server apparatus, the previously stored data which relates specifically to that user and is based at least in part on one or more previously supplied user-selected configuration parameters, the transferred data only transferred after successfully performing at least authentication of the portable radio frequency device.

7. The computerized information apparatus of claim 1, further comprising second computerized logic in data communication with the data processing apparatus and configured to:

receive a plurality of successive digitized representations of respective speech inputs of the user of the transport device, the speech inputs relating to a desired function to be performed by the computerized information system, the desired function relating to at least one of a plurality of topical areas for which the computerized information apparatus can provide information, the at least one of the topical areas comprising location of a business or entity, a first of the respective speech inputs comprising a name or part of a name, at least a portion of respective speech inputs comprising responses to one or more prompts instigated by the computerized information apparatus to elicit one or more responses enabling the second computerized logic to ultimately converge on one of a plurality of possible matches to a first of the speech inputs;

cause at least one wireless access of a remote network server apparatus via at least the first wireless interface to access information necessary to perform the desired function, the at least one wireless access comprising at least one of the successive digitized representations;

receive accessed information obtained from the remote network server apparatus via the first wireless interface; and

implement the desired function on the computerized information system using at least a portion of the received information and at least the input and display device.

8. The computerized information apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the provision of the remote control of environment functions associated with a premises is performed automatically via at least the data uniquely identifying the portable radio frequency device;

the radio frequency apparatus is further configured to engage in an authentication process relating to the portable radio frequency device prior to the enablement of the one or more functions, the authentication process comprising;

(i) receipt of electromagnetic radiation transmitted from radio frequency apparatus to the portable radio frequency device and encoded with first data which provides unique identification of the radio frequency apparatus; and

(ii) comparison of the received first data, and second data relating to one or more authenticated radio frequency apparatus; and

wherein the portable radio frequency device is configured such that the authentication process must be completed before the portable radio frequency device transmits the data uniquely identifying the portable radio frequency device.

9. The computerized information apparatus of claim 8, wherein:

the transmission of the data uniquely identifying the portable radio frequency device comprises transmission of at least a portion of the data in an encrypted form; and

the radio frequency apparatus is configured to decrypt the encrypted at least portion of the data.

10. The computerized information apparatus of claim 9, wherein the radio frequency device apparatus is configured to:

detect an indication of a possible presence of the portable radio frequency device within a communications range of the radio frequency apparatus; and

in response to the detection, transmit an interrogating radio frequency signal configured to cause the portable radio frequency device to respond;

wherein the detection comprises actuation of a function or sensor of the transport apparatus, the function or sensor in signal communication with the computerized information system.

11. The computerized information apparatus of claim 1, further comprising second computerized logic in data communication with the data processing apparatus and configured to:

receive a plurality of successive digitized representations of respective speech inputs of the user of the transport device, the speech inputs relating to a desired function to be performed by the computerized information system, the desired function relating to at least one of a plurality of topical areas for which the computerized information apparatus can provide information, the at least one of the topical areas comprising location of a business or entity, a first of the respective speech inputs comprising a name or part of a name, at least a portion of respective speech inputs comprising responses to one or more prompts instigated by the computerized information apparatus to elicit one or more responses enabling the second computerized logic to converge on one of a plurality of possible matches to a first of the speech inputs;

cause at least one wireless access of a remote network server apparatus via at least the first wireless interface to access information necessary to perform the desired function, the at least one wireless access comprising at least one of the successive digitized representations;

receive accessed information obtained from the remote network server apparatus via the first wireless interface; and

implement the desired function on the computerized information system using at least a portion of the received information and at least the input and display device.

12. The computerized information apparatus of claim 1, further comprising second computerized logic in data communication with the data processing apparatus and comprising:

means for receiving a plurality of successive digitized representations of respective speech inputs of the user of the transport device, the speech inputs relating to a desired function to be performed by the computerized information system, the desired function relating to at least one of a plurality of topical areas for which the computerized information apparatus can provide information, the at least one of the topical areas comprising location of a business or entity, a first of the respective speech inputs comprising a name or part of a name, at least a portion of respective speech inputs comprising responses to one or more prompts instigated by the computerized information apparatus to elicit one or more response enabling the second computerized logic to converge on one of a plurality of possible matches to a first of the plurality of speech inputs;

means for causing at least one wireless access of a remote network server apparatus via at least the first wireless interface to access information necessary to perform the desired function, the at least one wireless access comprising at least one of the successive digitized representations;

means for receiving accessed information obtained from the remote network server apparatus via the first wireless interface; and

means for implementing the desired function on the computerized information system using at least a portion of the received information and at least the input and display device.

13. The computerized information apparatus of claim 1, wherein the input and display device comprises a capacitive touch screen input and display device, and the computerized information apparatus further comprises at least one computer program, the at least one computer program being configured to, when executed on the data processing apparatus:

cause generation and display on the touch screen input and display device of at least a map graphic showing at least the at least portion of the premises;

receive a user touch input via the touch screen input and display device relating a particular location on a screen of the touch screen input and display device, the particular location corresponding to a location within the displayed at least portion of the premises; and

cause activation of the environment control function associated with at least the particular location.

14. The computerized information apparatus of claim 13, wherein the at least one computer program is further configured to, when executed on the data processing apparatus:

cause conversion of a coordinate of the user touch input to geographic or spatial location data; and

transmit at least a portion of the geographic or spatial location data via the first wireless interface to the premises to enable the activation of the environment control function associated with at least the particular location.

15. The computerized information apparatus of claim 13, wherein the at least one computer program is further configured to, when executed on the data processing apparatus, cause selection of the map graphic based at least in part on the data uniquely identifying the portable radio frequency device received by the radio frequency apparatus of the computerized information system;

wherein at least a portion of the map graphic comprises graphical image data that has been transmitted to computerized information apparatus by a networked server apparatus via the first wireless interface.

16. The computerized information apparatus of claim 1, wherein the input and display device comprises a capacitive touch screen input and display device, and the computerized information apparatus further comprises at least one computer program, the at least one computer program being configured to, when executed on the data processing apparatus:

obtain digitized speech generated based on speech received from a user, the digitized speech relating to an organization or entity which the user wishes to locate; and

access a network entity via the first wireless interface in order to obtain data relating to the location of the organization or entity, the obtained data based at least in part on the digitized speech;

receive at least a portion of the obtained data relating to the location via the first wireless interface; and

cause display on the touch screen input and display device of the location, the display based at least in part on the received at least portion of data;

wherein the display further comprises provision of at least a map graphic showing the location including other organizations or entities proximate thereto, and the computerized information apparatus is further configured to;

receive a user touch input via the touch screen input and display device relating a particular location on a screen of the touch screen input and display device;

cause conversion of a coordinate of the user touch input to an actual geographic location; and

cause display, on the touch screen input and display device, of an image relating to the actual geographic location, the image comprising image data generated by one or more cameras disposed at the actual geographic location.

17. The computerized information apparatus of claim 16, wherein at least a portion of the map graphic comprises graphical image data that has been transmitted to computerized information apparatus by a networked server apparatus via the first wireless interface, the at least portion of the map graphic selected by the network server apparatus based at least on the digitized speech.

18. The computerized information apparatus of claim 17, wherein the graphics co-processor is configured to render at least a portion of the map graphic on the touch screen input and display device.

19. The computerized information apparatus of claim 17, wherein the computerized information apparatus is further configured to generate a plurality of interactive hyperlinks displayed on the touch screen input and display device, the plurality of hyperlinks configured to each, when selected by the user, access a universal resource locator (URL) associated with an internet web server, and obtain information from the web server via the first wireless interface for display on the touch screen input and display device, at least one of the plurality of hyperlinks enabling access of information particularly relating to the actual geographic location or its immediate surroundings.

20. An integrated, environment control-enabled computerized information apparatus of a transport device, the transport device capable of movement between locations, the computerized information apparatus configured to provide a user with remote control of environment functions associated with a premises, the computerized information apparatus comprising:

data processing apparatus comprising at least a central processor and a digital signal processor (DSP) and a graphics co-processor;

a first wireless interface in data communication with at least a portion of the data processing apparatus;

a mass storage device in data communication with at least a portion of the data processing apparatus;

a data interface in data communication with at least a portion of the data processing apparatus;

radio frequency apparatus in data communication with at least a portion of the data processing apparatus;

a capacitive touch screen input and display device in data communication with at least a portion of the data processing apparatus and both viewable and accessible by the user while utilizing the transport device; and

at least one computer program operative to run on the data processing apparatus and configured to cause actuation of one or more environment control functions associated with the premises, the at least one computer program configured to, when executed, implement the method comprising;

receiving, via at least the radio frequency apparatus, data uniquely identifying a portable radio frequency device associated with the user;

based at least on the data uniquely identifying the portable radio frequency device, identifying an authorized user associated with the portable radio frequency device;

based at least on the identification of the authorized user, causing enablement of one or more functions within the transport device, the enablement of one or more functions including at least enablement of the actuation of the one or more environment control functions;

causing display on the capacitive touch screen input and display device one or more display elements corresponding to the one or more enabled environment control functions;

receiving via the capacitive touch screen input and display device at least one input corresponding to a user'"'"'s tactile selection of at least one of the one or more display elements; and

causing transmission via the first wireless interface of data relating to the at least one input to cause actuation at the premises of one or more electrically controlled apparatus corresponding to the selected at least one display element; and

wherein the one or more environment control functions comprise at least one of (i) a heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (HVAC) function;

(ii) a lighting function; and

/or (iii) an imagery monitoring function.

21. The computerized information apparatus of claim 20, wherein the at least one computer program is further configured to, when executed:

prior to the receipt of data uniquely identifying a portable radio frequency device associated with the user, cause transmission of radio frequency energy from the radio frequency apparatus, the transmitted radio frequency energy encoding data useful in a wireless authentication process conducted between the radio frequency apparatus and the portable radio frequency device, the transmitted radio frequency energy further causing the portable radio frequency device to respond with at least the data uniquely identifying the portable radio frequency device; and

based at least on the identification of the authorized user associated with the portable radio frequency device, enable access to a networked server via the first wireless interface, the access enabling access to information stored on the networked server that has been specifically configured for the authorized user according to a user-specific information profile, the information-specific profile established based at least in part on one or more parameters or user inputs previously provided by the user.

22. The computerized information apparatus of claim 21, wherein the at least one computer program is further configured to, when executed:

receive at least a portion of the accessed information stored on the networked server via the first wireless interface; and

enable a data transfer between a portable electronic device of the user via the data interface, the data transfer comprising at least a portion of the received at least portion of the accessed information, the data transfer configured to occur via data communication between an application computer program resident and operable on the portable electronic device and the computerized information apparatus, the application computer program configured to save at least a portion of the transferred data to a storage device on the portable electronic device, and enable subsequent access the stored at least portion of data for display on a display device of the portable electronic device, the display of the at least portion of the transferred data on the display device of the portable electronic device configured to occur after the user and the portable electronic device have egressed from the transport device.

23. The computerized information apparatus of claim 21, wherein:

the one or more environment control functions comprise the imagery monitoring function;

the electrically controlled apparatus comprises one or more video cameras; and

the at least one computer program is further configured to, when executed;

receive via the first wireless interface data transmitted from the premises, the data transmitted from the premises generated by the one or more video cameras and digitally compressed using a digital data compression algorithm, so as to reduce wireless transmission bandwidth requirements; and

cause display within a display window generated on the capacitive touch screen input and display device, at least a portion of the received data transmitted from the premises.

24. An integrated, environment control-enabled computerized information apparatus of a transport device, the transport device capable of movement between locations, the computerized information apparatus configured to provide a user with remote control of one or more environment functions associated with a premises, the premises comprising at least a portion specifically associated with at least the user, the computerized information apparatus comprising:

data processing apparatus comprising at least a central processor and a digital signal processor (DSP) and a graphics co-processor;

a first wireless interface in data communication with at least a portion of the data processing apparatus;

a mass storage device in data communication with at least a portion of the data processing apparatus;

a data interface in data communication with at least a portion of the data processing apparatus;

radio frequency apparatus in data communication with at least a portion of the data processing apparatus;

a capacitive touch screen input and display device in data communication with at least a portion of the data processing apparatus and both viewable and accessible by the user; and

at least one computer program operative to run on the data processing apparatus and configured to cause actuation of one or more environment control functions associated with the at least portion of the premises specific to at least the user, the at least one computer program configured to, when executed, implement the method comprising;

receiving, via at least the radio frequency apparatus, data uniquely identifying a portable radio frequency device associated with the user, the portable radio frequency device being with a communications range of the radio frequency apparatus as determined at least in part based on actuation of a function or sensor of the transport device;

based at least on the data uniquely identifying the portable radio frequency device, identifying an authorized user associated with the portable radio frequency device;

based at least on the identification of the authorized user, causing enablement of one or more functions within the transport device, the enablement of one or more functions including at least enablement of the actuation of the one or more environment control functions;

causing display on the capacitive touch screen input and display device, a map or floor plan graphic of at least the at least portion of the premises;

receiving via the capacitive touch screen input and display device at least one input corresponding to a user'"'"'s tactile selection of at least a portion of the map or floor plan graphic, the user'"'"'s tactile selection to cause activation of one or more of the environment control functions within the at least portion of the premises;

causing determination of a geographic or spatial reference associated with the user'"'"'s selected at least a portion of the map or floor plan graphic; and

causing transmission via the first wireless interface of data relating to (i) the one or more environment control functions for which activation is to be caused via the user'"'"'s tactile selection; and

(ii) the geographic or spatial reference, the transmitted data enabling actuation at the premises of one or more electrically controlled apparatus corresponding to the selected one or more environment control functions and associated with the geographic or spatial reference; and

wherein the one or more environment control functions comprise at least one of (i) a heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (HVAC) function;

(ii) a lighting function; and

/or (iii) an imagery monitoring function.

25. Integrated computerized information apparatus of a transport device capable of movement between locations, the computerized information apparatus configured to automatically provide an authorized user with a plurality of user-specific control functions, the automatic provision based at least on recognition of a portable radio frequency device carried by the user by the computerized information apparatus, the computerized information apparatus comprising:

data processing apparatus comprising at least a central processor and a digital signal processor (DSP) and a graphics co-processor;

a first wireless interface in data communication with at least a portion of the data processing apparatus;

a mass storage device in data communication with at least a portion of the data processing apparatus;

radio frequency apparatus in data communication with at least a portion of the data processing apparatus;

a data interface in data communication with at least a portion of the data processing apparatus;

a capacitive touch screen input and display device in data communication with at least a portion of the data processing apparatus and both viewable and accessible by the user; and

memory apparatus in data communication with at least a portion of the data processing apparatus and comprising at least one computer program operative to run on the data processing apparatus, the at least one computer program configured to, when executed;

conduct, via at least the radio frequency apparatus, an authentication process with the portable radio frequency device, the authentication process comprising transmission of radio frequency energy from the radio frequency apparatus, the transmitted radio frequency energy encoding data enabling the portable radio frequency device to identify at least one of the radio frequency apparatus and the computerized information apparatus, the transmitted radio frequency energy further configured to cause the portable radio frequency device to respond with at least the data uniquely identifying the portable radio frequency device, at least one of the encoded data enabling the portable radio frequency device to identify at least one of the radio frequency apparatus and the data uniquely identifying the portable radio frequency device comprising an encrypted protocol;

receive, via at least the radio frequency apparatus, the data uniquely identifying the portable radio frequency device;

based at least on the data uniquely identifying the portable radio frequency device, identify the authorized user of the transport device;

based at least on the identification of the authorized user, cause automated enablement of one or more functions within the transport device, the enablement of one or more functions including at least enablement of;

(i) remote actuation of the one or more environment control functions associated with a premises associated with the authorized user, the one or more environment control functions comprising at least one of (i) a heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (HVAC) function;

(ii) a lighting function; and

/or (iii) an imagery monitoring function; and

(ii) access data stored at least in part on the computerized information apparatus, the accessed data comprising a user-specific profile or user-specific parameters previously provided by the authorized user, the accessed data enabling the computerized information apparatus to automatically configure at least one information access function of the computerized information apparatus specifically for the authorized user;

wherein the enablement of the remote actuation of the one or more environment control functions associated with a premises associated with the authorized user includes causing display on the capacitive touch screen input and display device of one or more display elements corresponding to the one or more enabled environment control functions, the one or more display elements each responsive to a user'"'"'s tactile selection thereof to cause transmission by the computerized information apparatus via the first wireless interface of data relating to the tactile selection to cause actuation at the premises of one or more electrically controlled apparatus corresponding to a respective one of the one or more display elements.

26. The computerized information apparatus of claim 25, wherein the computerized information apparatus is further configured to establish a temporary data link with a portable electronic device via the data interface so as to enable data transfer between the portable electronic device and the computerized information apparatus, the data transfer between the portable electronic device and the computerized information apparatus comprising transfer of data from the computerized information apparatus to the portable electronic device that is configured so as to occur automatically when the portable electronic device establishes data communication with the computerized information apparatus via the data interface, the transferred data configured specifically for the user, the configuration specifically for the user based at least in part on data relating specifically to that user and previously stored on a remote network server apparatus, the previously stored data which relates specifically to that user and is based at least in part on one or more previously supplied user-selected configuration parameters, the transferred data only transferred after successfully performing at least authentication of the portable radio frequency device.

27. The computerized information apparatus of claim 25, further comprising computerized logic in data communication with the data processing apparatus and configured to, when executed:

receive a digitized representation of speech of the user of the transport device;

cause a first access of a network server apparatus via at least the first wireless interface to access a database comprising a plurality of words, at least a portion of the plurality of words having one or more topical contexts associated therewith, the first access comprising at least the digitized representation, the digitized representation being useful to the network server apparatus for determination of a topical context associated with the speech;

receive via at least the first wireless interface content selected by at least the network server apparatus, the content contextually related at least in part to the determined topical context associated with the speech; and

cause display of at least a portion of the received content on at least the capacitive touch screen input and display device.

28. The computerized information apparatus of claim 27, wherein the speech comprises an input or query to obtain particular information which the user desires, the particular information associated with a category of information, and the determined topical context is logically independent of the category.

29. The computerized information apparatus of claim 25, further comprising computerized logic in data communication with the data processing apparatus and configured to, when executed:

receive an input from the user of the transport device via at least one of;

(i) a speech input and digitization apparatus, and (ii) the capacitive touch screen input and display device, the input to obtain first information;

cause transmission of a request to a network server apparatus via at least the first wireless interface, the request comprising at least;

(i) data relating to the input, and (ii) data relating to the identity of, or identifying, the authorized user;

receive via at least the first wireless interface digitally rendered content selected by at least the network server apparatus, the digitally rendered content selected based at least in part on;

(i) the data relating to the authorized user, and (ii) second data accessible to the network server apparatus, the second data comprising data indicative of one or more stored information configuration parameters specific to and previously selected by the authorized user; and

cause display of at least a portion of the received content on at least the capacitive touch screen input and display device.

30. The computerized information apparatus of claim 29, wherein the computerized information apparatus is further configured to generate a plurality of interactive hyperlinks displayed on the touch screen input and display device, the plurality of hyperlinks configured to each, when selected by the user, access a universal resource locator (URL) associated with an internet web server, and obtain information from the web server via the first wireless interface for display on the touch screen input and display device, at least one of the plurality of hyperlinks enabling access of information particularly relating to the actual geographic location or its immediate surroundings.