Computerized information and display apparatus with rapid convergence algorithm

• US 9,715,368 B2
• Filed: 12/22/2016
• Issued: 07/25/2017
• 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:
  US15/389,041
• Publication Number:
  US 20170102918A1
• Time in Patent Office: 215 Days
• Field of Search: 704275
• 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 and display apparatus useful for providing information to a user via a display. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a processor apparatus, touch screen input and display device, and speech input apparatus, and at least one computer program configured to run on the processor apparatus, the at least one program being configured to enable an user to intuitively operate the apparatus to rapidly converge on a desired organization or entity which they wish to locate, via speech input of only a name or a part of a name. The information and display apparatus is particularly useful in time-pressured mobile transport vehicle environments, and when the user is unfamiliar with the operation of the apparatus.

Claims

1. Computerized information and display apparatus for use with a transport device, the computerized information and display apparatus comprising:

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

a data bus in data communication with at least a portion of the data processing apparatus, the data bus configured to permit data communication between at least the data processing apparatus and a wireless-enabled network interface apparatus, the wireless-enabled network interface apparatus configured for data communication with at least one network entity;

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;

a 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 a user;

a speech input apparatus in 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, the radio frequency apparatus configured to receive data uniquely identifying a portable radio frequency device associated with the user; and

a storage apparatus in data communication with the data processing apparatus and comprising at least one computer program, said at least one computer program being configured to, when executed;

receive a user input causing the computerized information and display apparatus to enter a mode whereby speech inputs can be provided by the user to locate entities as part of a search session;

when in the mode, receive first speech via the speech input apparatus from a user of the computerized information and display apparatus, the first speech consisting of only a name or part of a name of an entity which the user wishes to locate;

generate a digitized representation of the first speech, the generation of the digitized representation comprising analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) of the first speech;

cause recognition of the name or part of the name based on the digitized representation, the recognized name or part of the name enabling search of at least one database for at least partly matching entries;

cause presentation of a listing of at least two at least partly matching entities identified via a search of the at least one database, the presentation comprising at least a prompt rendered on the touch screen input and display device prompting the user to provide additional input;

receive second speech via the speech input apparatus, the second speech comprising information not present in the first speech, the information relating to the entity;

generate a digitized representation of the second speech, the generation of the digitized representation of the second speech comprising ADC of the second speech;

cause recognition of the information not present in the first speech relating to the entity, the recognition of the information not present in the first speech and relating to the entity enabling logical appending of the information not present in the first speech relating to the entity to the name or part of the name of the entity, such that a single matching entity can be identified from the listing, the single matching entity having digital image data associated therewith in a data storage location, the digital image data configured to provide the user with a visually perceptible image of at least a location of the single matching entity; and

cause presentation on the touch screen input and display device of the digital image data, the digital image data retrieved from the data storage location; and

wherein the at least one computer program is further configured to select and display at least one soft function key (SFK) on the touch screen input and display device based at least on the data uniquely identifying a portable radio frequency device associated with the user.

2. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the presentation of the digital image data on the touch screen input and display device comprises:

automatically causing access via the wireless-enabled network interface apparatus of a networked server at which the digital image data is accessible to invoke wireless transmission of the digital image data; and

receipt, via the wireless-enabled network interface apparatus, of the wirelessly transmitted digital image data; and

wherein the presentation on the touch screen input and display device of the digital image data comprises presentation of the digital image data collectively as the visually perceptible image.

3. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the presentation of the digital image data on the touch screen input and display device comprises provision of at least a map graphic showing the location of the single matching entity including one or more organizations or entities adjacent thereto, and the computerized information and display 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 the particular location on the screen to at least one physical or spatial coordinate;

correlate the at least one physical or spatial coordinate to one or more image data; and

cause display, on the touch screen input and display device, of an image relating to the actual at least one physical or spatial coordinate, the image comprising the one or more image data.

4. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 3, wherein the causation of display, on the touch screen input and display device, of an image relating to the actual at least one physical or spatial coordinate, comprises receipt of compressed digital image data, the compressed digital image data having been compressed using a compression algorithm prior to wireless transmission to the computerized information and display apparatus, the compression enabling at least reduction in wireless bandwidth requirements associated with the wireless transmission.

5. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one computer program is configured to:

generate, after entry into the mode, an audible cue or prompt indicative to the user that the computerized information and display apparatus is ready to receive speech input from the user;

store data relating to one or more eliminated ones of the listing of at least two entities; and

prevent information associated with the one or more eliminated ones from being presented to the user again within the search session.

6. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one computer program is further configured to, as part of said selection and display of at least one soft function key (SFK) on the touch screen input and display device, select and display a plurality of SFKs relating to remote control of one or more electrical equipment functions associated with a premises specific to the user.

7. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one computer program is further configured to:

access, based at least on the data uniquely identifying a portable radio frequency device associated with the user, data previously supplied by the user and relating to one or more user preferences for information to be provided via the computerized information and display apparatus; and

automatically configure digital data for provision to a portable electronic device of the user via the data interface according to the accessed previously supplied data.

8. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 7, wherein the data previously supplied by the user and relating to one or more user preferences is stored as one or more data structures on a network server, and the access of the previously supplied data comprises access of the one or more structures via the wireless-enabled network interface apparatus.

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

the access of the one or more structures via the wireless-enabled network interface apparatus comprises downloading the one or more structures from the network server to the computerized information and display apparatus; and

the at least one computer program is further configured to utilize the one or more data structures to perform said automatic configuration of the digital data according to the accessed previously supplied data.

10. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the receipt of the data uniquely identifying the portable radio frequency device is pursuant to at least one of;

(i) authentication of the portable radio frequency device by the radio frequency apparatus; and

/or (ii) authentication of the radio frequency apparatus by the portable radio frequency device; and

the at least one computer program is further configured to;

access a database using at least a portion of the data uniquely identifying the portable radio frequency device, to identify the user as a valid user of the computerized information and display apparatus; and

based at least on the identification of the user as a valid user, cause automatic configuration of a plurality of user interface displayed on said touch screen input and display device so as to customize the user interface for the valid user.

11. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the receipt of the data uniquely identifying the portable radio frequency device being pursuant to at least one of;

(i) authentication of the portable radio frequency device by the radio frequency apparatus; and

/or (ii) authentication of the radio frequency apparatus by the portable radio frequency device; and

the at least one computer program is further configured to;

access a database using at least a portion of the data uniquely identifying the portable radio frequency device, to identify the user as a valid user of the computerized information and display apparatus; and

automatically cause transmission of a communication to an entity disposed at a destination of travel of the transport device, the communication configured to identify the valid user and alert the entity in advance of the arrival of the valid user.

12. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the presentation of the listing of at least two at least partly matching entities comprises presentation of at least one entity that comprises an approximation of the name or the part of the name, the at least one of the at least two entities selected based at least on a confidence rating comprising a numerical value or index, the confidence rating calculated using a computerized algorithm.

13. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 12, wherein the computerized information and display apparatus is further configured to:

(i) store data relating to one or more eliminated ones of the listing of the at least two entities; and

(ii) prevent information associated with the one or more eliminated ones from being presented to the user again within the search session; and

wherein said access of the digital image data comprises wireless access of a networked data storage location via the wireless-enabled network interface apparatus.

14. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 12, wherein said at least one computer program is further configured to, when executed:

determine whether said computerized algorithm is to be used as part of said session; and

(i) when said determination indicates that said computerized algorithm is to be used as part of said session, cause said calculation of the confidence rating using the computerized algorithm; and

(ii) when said computerized algorithm is not to be used as part of said session, implement computerized logic comprising;

(a) notification to the user of no matches to the name or part of the name; and

(b) request or prompt of the user for an additional input via at least one of the touch screen input and display device and the speech synthesis apparatus.

15. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the presentation of the digital image data on the touch screen input and display device comprises provision of at least a map graphic showing the location of the single matching entity including one or more organizations or entities adjacent thereto, and the computerized information and display 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 the particular location on the screen to at least one coordinate;

correlate the at least one coordinate to one or more image data sources; and

cause display, on the touch screen input and display device, of an image showing or representative of the actual at least one coordinate, the image comprising digital image data generated by the one or more image data sources, the digital image data received wirelessly by the computerized information and display apparatus from a network entity, and in data compressed format.

16. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the at least one computer program is further configured to actuate one or more environmental control functions associated with a premises of the user, the actuation configured to be performed based on receipt of a user selection via the at least one SFK, the actuation comprising causing transmission of data relating to the user selection via the at least one SFK to cause actuation at the premises of one or more electrically controlled apparatus corresponding to the selected at least one SFK;

the data uniquely identifying the portable radio frequency device enables the actuation of the one or more environmental control functions; and

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

17. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 16, wherein the at least one SFK comprises a plurality of SFKs, and wherein:

at least one of the plurality of SFKs comprises an SFK enabling actuation of only user-specific portions of the controlled environmental functions;

at least one of the plurality of SFKs comprises a global SFK enabling actuation of the user-specific portions of the controlled environmental functions simultaneously with one or more non-user-specific portions of the environmental functions;

the user-specific portions are identified based at least on the data uniquely identifying the portable radio frequency device; and

the transmission of data relating to the user selection comprises transmission via a wireless interface of the computerized information and display apparatus.

18. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the touch screen input and display device comprises a flat-screen display element;

the computerized information and display apparatus further comprises a second display device also in data communication with the data processing apparatus, the second display device comprising a thin-film transistor (TFT) display device, the touch screen input and display device and the second display device mounted on or at least partly within respective different surfaces within the transport device within which the computerized information and display apparatus is disposed so as to enable multiple users of the transport device to utilize the computerized information and display apparatus simultaneously, the at least one computer program configured to cause display of at least partly different information on the respective touch screen input and display device and the second display so as to facilitate said simultaneous utilization; and

the computerized information and display apparatus further comprises at least one infra-red radiation detection apparatus in data communication with at least a portion of the data processing apparatus and configured to cause the computerized information and display apparatus to generate a visually perceptible alert of the presence of a human in an undesirable area adjacent to the transport device, the visually perceptible alert comprising a rendering on at least one of the touch screen input and display device and the second display device showing at least a portion of the undesirable area.

19. Computerized information and display apparatus for use with a transport device, the computerized information and display apparatus comprising:

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

a data bus in data communication with at least a portion of the data processing apparatus, the data bus configured to permit data communication between at least the data processing apparatus and a wireless-enabled network interface apparatus, the wireless-enabled network interface apparatus configured for data communication with at least one network entity;

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;

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 a user;

a speech input apparatus in 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, the radio frequency apparatus configured to receive data uniquely identifying a portable radio frequency device associated with the user, the receipt of the data uniquely identifying the portable radio frequency device being pursuant to at least one of;

(i) authentication of the portable radio frequency device by the radio frequency apparatus; and

/or (ii) authentication of the radio frequency apparatus by the portable radio frequency device; and

a storage apparatus in data communication with the data processing apparatus and comprising at least one computer program, said at least one computer program being configured to, when executed;

receive a user input causing the computerized information and display apparatus to enter a mode whereby speech inputs can be provided by the user to locate entities as part of a search session;

when in the mode, receive first speech via the speech input apparatus from a user of the computerized information and display apparatus, the first speech consisting of only a name or part of a name of an entity which the user wishes to locate;

generate a digitized representation of the first speech, the generation of the digitized representation comprising analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) of the first speech;

cause recognition of the name or part of the name based on the digitized representation, the recognized name or part of the name enabling search of at least one database for at least partly matching entries;

cause presentation of a listing of at least two at least partly matching entities identified via a search of the at least one database, the presentation comprising at least a prompt rendered on the touch screen input and display device prompting the user to provide additional input;

receive input from the user selecting a single matching entity from the listing, the single matching entity having digital image data associated therewith in a data storage location, the digital image data configured to provide the user with a visually perceptible image of at least a location of the single matching entity; and

cause presentation on the capacitive touch screen input and display device of the digital image data, the digital image data retrieved from the data storage location, the presentation of the digital image data on the touch screen input and display device comprises provision of at least a map graphic showing a location of the single matching entity including one or more organizations or entities adjacent thereto, the computerized information and display 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 the particular location on the screen to at least one physical or spatial coordinate;

correlate the at least one physical or spatial coordinate to one or more image data; and

cause display, on the capacitive touch screen input and display device, of an image relating to the actual at least one physical or spatial coordinate, the image comprising the one or more image data;

wherein the causation of display, on the capacitive touch screen input and display device, of an image relating to the actual at least one physical or spatial coordinate, the image comprising the one or more image data, comprises receipt of compressed digital image data, the compressed digital image data having been compressed using a compression algorithm prior to wireless transmission to the computerized information and display apparatus, the compression enabling at least reduction in wireless bandwidth requirements associated with the wireless transmission; and

wherein the at least one computer program is further configured to;

access a database using at least a portion of the data uniquely identifying the portable radio frequency device, to identify the user as a valid user of the computerized information and display apparatus; and

based at least on the identification of the user as a valid user, cause automatic configuration of a plurality of user interface elements displayed on said capacitive touch screen input and display device so as to customize the user interface for the valid user.

20. Multi-user capable computerized information and display apparatus for use within a transport device, the computerized information and display apparatus configured to automatically configure at least a portion of its functionality based on radio frequency data, the computerized information and display apparatus comprising:

means for data processing;

a data bus in data communication with at least a portion of the means for data processing, the data bus configured to permit data communication between at least the means for data processing and a means for wireless interface, the means for wireless interface configured for data communication with at least one network entity at least while the transport device is in motion;

a means for mass data storage in data communication with at least a portion of the means for data processing;

a means for data interface in data communication with at least a portion of the means for data processing, the means for data interface enabling at least data communication with a portable electronic device means of a user so as to transfer data between the portable electronic device means and the computerized information and display apparatus;

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

a second display device also in data communication with the means for data processing, the second display device comprising a thin-film transistor (TFT) display device, the touch screen input and display device and the second display device mounted on or at least partly within respective different surfaces within the transport device within which the computerized information and display apparatus is disposed so as to enable multiple users of the transport device to utilize the computerized information and display apparatus simultaneously, the at least one computer program configured to cause display of at least partly different information on the respective capacitive touch screen input and display device and the second display so as to facilitate said simultaneous utilization;

a speech input apparatus in communication with at least a portion of the means for data processing;

radio frequency apparatus in data communication with at least a portion of the means for data processing, the radio frequency apparatus configured to receive data uniquely identifying a portable radio frequency device associated with the user, the receipt of the data uniquely identifying the portable radio frequency device being pursuant to at least one of;

(i) authentication of the portable radio frequency device by the radio frequency apparatus; and

/or (ii) authentication of the radio frequency apparatus by the portable radio frequency device; and

a storage apparatus in data communication with the means for data processing and comprising at least one computer program, said at least one computer program being configured to, when executed;

receive a user input causing the computerized information and display apparatus to enter a mode whereby speech inputs can be provided by the user to locate entities as part of a search session;

when in the mode, receive first speech via the speech input apparatus from a user of the computerized information and display apparatus, the first speech consisting of only a name or part of a name of an entity which the user wishes to locate;

generate a digitized representation of the first speech, the generation of the digitized representation comprising analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) of the first speech;

cause recognition of the name or part of the name based on the digitized representation, the recognized name or part of the name enabling search of at least one database for at least partly matching entries;

cause presentation of a listing of at least two at least partly matching entities identified via a search of the at least one database, the presentation comprising at least a prompt rendered on the capacitive touch screen input and display device prompting the user to provide additional input;

receive input from the user selecting a single matching entity from the listing, the single matching entity having digital image data associated therewith in a data storage location, the digital image data configured to provide the user with a visually perceptible image of at least a location of the single matching entity; and

cause presentation on the capacitive touch screen input and display device of the digital image data, the digital image data retrieved from the data storage location, the presentation of the digital image data on the touch screen input and display device comprising provision of at least a map graphic showing the location of the single matching entity including one or more organizations or entities adjacent thereto; and

wherein the computerized information and display 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 the particular location on the screen to at least one physical or spatial coordinate;

correlate the at least one physical or spatial coordinate to one or more image data; and

cause display, on the touch screen input and display device, of an image relating to the actual at least one physical or spatial coordinate, the image comprising the one or more image data;

wherein the causation of display, on the touch screen input and display device, of an image relating to the actual at least one physical or spatial coordinate, the image comprising the one or more image data, comprises receipt via at least the means for wireless interface of compressed digital image data, the compressed digital image data having been compressed using a compression algorithm prior to wireless transmission to the computerized information and display apparatus, the compression enabling at least reduction in wireless bandwidth requirements associated with the wireless transmission as compared to no use of such compression; and

wherein the at least one computer program is further configured to;

access a database using at least a portion of the data uniquely identifying the portable radio frequency device, to identify the user as a valid user of the computerized information and display apparatus; and

based at least on the identification of the user as a valid user, cause automatic configuration of a plurality of user interface elements displayed on said touch screen input and display device so as to customize the user interface for the valid user, the customization comprising at least one of the plurality of user interface elements being selected particularly for the valid user based on previously obtained information about the valid user or one or more preferences of the valid user.