Abstract: Computerized apparatus capable of providing a user, such as a passenger of a transportation device, with various types of information. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes speech processing and speech synthesis apparatus, as well as a wireless interface and a database, to enable the user to obtain information both locally and remotely (such as from a remote server and/or the Internet) while being transported. In one variant, the user can engage in a verbal interchange with the apparatus in order to obtain desired information.

Abstract: A transport device which includes computerized apparatus useful for obtaining and displaying information. In one embodiment, the computerized apparatus includes a display to device and speech recognition apparatus configured to receive user speech and/or other input and enable performance of various tasks, such as obtaining desired information. In one variant, the computerized apparatus is configured to establish a plurality of ad hoc data links with portable user devices present within the transport device, thereby enabling passengers to, among other things, wirelessly and simultaneously obtain data from a remote server or network such as the Internet. In another variant, the transport device includes a plurality of display devices within its passenger compartment so as to permit substantially simultaneous individual user viewing and interaction.

Abstract: Transport apparatus which includes computerized apparatus useful for obtaining and displaying information. In one embodiment, the computerized apparatus includes a display device and speech recognition apparatus configured to receive user speech input and enable performance of various tasks, such as obtaining desired information relating to a location of an entity, maps or directions, or any number of other topics. The obtained data may also, in one variant, be displayed with contextually related content. In another variant, retrieved data can be downloaded to a portable user device.

Abstract: Computerized apparatus useful for obtaining and presenting information to users. In one embodiment, the computerized apparatus includes a display device and speech digitization apparatus configured to receive user speech input and enable performance of various tasks, such as obtaining desired information relating to an entity, maps or directions, weather, news, or any number of other topics. In one variant, the user causes the apparatus to enter a mode whereby the user can immediately say a portion of a name, and the apparatus will locate two or more possible matches, and solicit further user input to allow the user to rapidly converge on identifying and navigating to a desired entity.

Abstract: Methods for providing information useful to a user of a computerized apparatus. In one embodiment, the method includes utilizing the speech of the user as an input to access, for example, a database having a plurality of business entities nearby to the user. Where multiple possible matches to the input are located, the user is presented with at least a portion of the name of each of the possible matches, so that the user can select the one of interest, and obtain imagery of a location of the selected entity of interest, including its surroundings, to orient themselves and find the selected entity.

Abstract: Computerized apparatus useful for obtaining and displaying information obtained from multiple sources. In one embodiment, the computerized apparatus is part of a transport device or apparatus, and includes a display device and speech recognition apparatus configured to receive user speech input and enable performance of various tasks, such as obtaining desired information relating to an entity, images thereof, maps or directions, or any number of other topics. The apparatus in one variant further includes sensor apparatus in communication with the computerized apparatus, and which enables for example display of data derived from one or more sensors exposed to an environment of the transport device on the display device.

Abstract: Computerized apparatus and methods useful for remotely controlling one or more environmental functions. In one embodiment, the computerized apparatus is configured to generate, based on previously stored information, displays relating to various environmental functions such as heating, cooling, temperature, and/or lighting within a building. The user of the apparatus can select the desired function(s), and the apparatus causes the selected function(s) to be activated remotely via a wireless interface with a remote networked server, such as before the user arrives. In one variant, different rooms or areas of the building can be controlled independently.

Abstract: Computerized apparatus useful for obtaining and presenting information to users. In one embodiment, the computerized apparatus includes a display device and speech recognition apparatus configured to receive user speech input and enable performance of various tasks, such as obtaining desired information relating to an entity, maps or directions, weather, news, or any number of other topics. The obtained data may also, in one variant, be displayed with contextually related content. In another variant, retrieved data can be downloaded to a portable user device.

Abstract: Computerized apparatus useful for obtaining and presenting information to users. In one embodiment, the computerized apparatus includes a display device and speech recognition apparatus configured to receive user speech input and enable performance of various tasks, such as obtaining desired information relating to an entity, maps or directions, weather, news, or any number of other topics. In one variant, a plurality of data is received by the computerized apparatus from a remote server via a network interface; the received data can then be searched or otherwise utilized to provide the user with the desired information.

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

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

Abstract: Computerized information acquisition and processing apparatus. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a video apparatus with image capture and digitization capability, and multiple wireless interfaces for accomplishing various purposes, including e.g., streaming the digitized video data to another device for viewing and/or storage thereon. In one variant, one of the wireless interfaces is a short range passive RFID-based interface which generates replies to interrogation signals, the replies including user-specific information.

Abstract: Computerized apparatus useful for obtaining and displaying information. In one embodiment, the computerized apparatus includes a network interface, display device, and speech recognition apparatus configured to receive user speech input and enable performance of various tasks, such as obtaining desired information relating to indoor entities, maps or directions, or any number of other topics. The downloaded data may also, in one variant, be displayed with contextually related advertising or other content.

Abstract: Transport apparatus which includes computerized apparatus useful for obtaining and displaying information. In one embodiment, the computerized apparatus includes a network interface, display device, and speech recognition apparatus configured to receive user speech input and enable performance of various tasks via a remote entity, such as obtaining desired information relating to maps or directions, or any number of other topics. The downloaded data may also, in one variant, be displayed with contextually related advertising or other content.

Abstract: Computerized apparatus for obtaining and displaying information, such as for example directions to a desired entity or organization. In one embodiment, the computerized apparatus is configured to receive user speech input and enable performance of various tasks, such as obtaining desired information relating to indoor entities, maps or directions, or any number of other topics. The obtained data may also, in various variants, be displayed in various formats and relative to other entities nearby.

Abstract: Methods for obtaining and displaying information, such as directions to a desires entity or organization. In one embodiment, the method makes use of a computerized apparatus configured to receive user speech input and enable performance of various tasks, such as obtaining desired information relating to indoor entities, maps or directions, or any number of other topics. The obtained data may also, in one variant, be displayed with contextually related advertising or other content.

Abstract: Apparatus useful for obtaining and displaying information. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a network interface, display device, and speech recognition apparatus configured to receive user speech input and enable performance of various tasks via a remote entity, such as obtaining desired information relating to maps or directions, or any number of other topics. The downloaded data may also, in one variant, be displayed with contextually related advertising or other content.

Abstract: Apparatus useful for obtaining and displaying information. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a network interface, display device, and speech recognition apparatus configured to receive user speech input and enable performance of various tasks via a remote entity, such as download of digital music such as MP3s. The downloaded may also, in one variant, be transmitted to a personal user device, such as via a wireless interface.

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 and network interface and computer readable medium having at least one computer program disposed thereon, the at least one program being configured to receive a speech input from the user, and obtain information relating to the input. In one variant, at least a portion of the information is obtained via the network interface from a remote server, and the apparatus includes two components in wireless communication with one another.

Abstract: Computerized apparatus and methods for obtaining and displaying information, such as for example directions to a desired entity or organization. In one embodiment, the computerized apparatus is configured to receive user speech input and enable local performance of various tasks, such as obtaining desired information relating to entities, maps or directions, or any number of other topics. The obtained data may also, in various variants, be displayed in various formats and relative to other entities nearby.