초록 ▼

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 in

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 directions, sports, finance, weather, or any number of other topics. The downloaded may also, in one variant, be transmitted to a personal user device, such as via a data interface.

대표청구항 ▼

1. Computerized information apparatus of a transport device, the computerized information apparatus configured to enable substantially automated configuration of information to be delivered to a personal electronic device of a user of the transport device when the user, the computerized information

1. Computerized information apparatus of a transport device, the computerized information apparatus configured to enable substantially automated configuration of information to be delivered to a personal electronic device of a user of the transport device when the user, the computerized information apparatus comprising: data processing apparatus comprising at least a central processor and a digital signal processor (DSP);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;a display device in data communication with at least a portion of the data processing apparatus and viewable by the user;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; andcomputerized logic in data communication with at least a portion of the data processing apparatus and configured to: based at least on the data uniquely identifying the portable radio frequency device, cause download of at least a portion of a previously stored data element from a remote server via the first wireless interface;access at least one remote server via the first wireless interface to obtain one or more information elements specified in the previously stored data element;establish a communication link with a portable electronic device of the user via the data interface; andutilize the established communication link to transfer at least a portion of the obtained one or more information elements to the personal electronic device for storage thereon. 2. The computerized information apparatus of claim 1, wherein the radio frequency apparatus comprises a limited range radio frequency apparatus configured to receive the data uniquely identifying the portable radio frequency device only when the portable radio frequency device is immediately proximate or within the transport device, so as to mitigate potential interference from other radio frequency sources which may be received by the radio frequency apparatus. 3. The computerized information apparatus of claim 1, wherein the radio frequency apparatus comprises computerized logic configured to authenticate the radio frequency apparatus to the portable radio frequency device upon a communication from the portable radio frequency device being received by radio frequency apparatus, the communication configured to instigate said authentication. 4. The computerized information apparatus of claim 1, wherein the display device comprises a capacitive touch screen input and display device, and wherein the computerized information apparatus further comprises second computerized logic in data communication with the data processing apparatus and configured to actuate one or more environmental control functions associated with a premises frequented by the user, the second computerized logic configured to: display on the capacitive touch screen input and display device one or more display elements corresponding to the one or more environmental control functions;receive 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; andcause transmission 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. 5. The computerized information apparatus of claim 4, wherein the second computerized logic is configured to enable the actuation of the one or more environmental control functions after the radio frequency apparatus has successfully identified the user as an authorized user of the transport apparatus based at least on the received data uniquely identifying a portable radio frequency device associated with the user, the actuation being disabled until said enablement occurs. 6. The computerized information apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the previously stored data element is uniquely associated with the user, and the one or more information elements specified in the data element were previously supplied by the user; andwherein the previously stored data element enables the substantially automated configuration of information to be delivered to a personal electronic device of a user to be substantially agnostic to the transport device which the user accesses to obtain the one or more information elements. 7. Computerized information and display apparatus, comprising: a wireless network interface;processing apparatus in data communication with the network interface;a capacitive touch screen input and display device;a data interface in data communication with the processing apparatus and configured to transfer data between the computerized information and display apparatus and a portable electronic device placed in data communication with the data interface; anda storage apparatus comprising at least one computer program, said at least one program being configured to, when executed: obtain digitized speech generated based on speech received from a user, the digitized speech relating to a desired action which the user wishes to perform; andcause, based at least in part on the digitized speech, access of a network entity to cause performance of the desired action;wherein the computerized information and display apparatus is further configured to: receive information obtained via the access of the network entity via the wireless network interface; andprovide at least a portion of the received information to the portable electronic device via the data interface;wherein the computerized information and display apparatus further comprises speech synthesis apparatus in data communication with the processing apparatus; and wherein the computerized information and display system is further configured to engage the user in an interactive dialogue, the dialogue comprising: (i) the speech is received from the user;(ii) at least one subsequent confirmatory or adaptive response to the speech generated audibly by at least the speech synthesis apparatus, the response based at least in part on the speech; and(iii) at least one subsequent speech input provided by the user after the response is audibly generated;wherein, and the computerized information and display system 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 wireless network interface for display on the touch screen input and display device;wherein the computerized information and display apparatus is disposed within a transport device capable of moving between locations, and further comprises:apparatus allowing the user to contact a remote monitoring location; andat 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 apparatus to generate a visually perceptible alert of the presence of a human in an undesirable area proximate to the transport device. 8. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 7, wherein the visually perceptible alert comprises a rendering on the display device showing at least a portion of the undesirable area. 9. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a short-range wireless interface configured to obtain user-specific data from a portable user radio frequency device when the portable user radio frequency device is within sufficient range of the short-range interface, and provide the obtained data to the computerized information apparatus so as to enable one or more functions of the transport device, according to a previously supplied user preference or profile. 10. Computerized information and display apparatus, comprising: a wireless network interface;processing apparatus in data communication with the network interface;a display device;a data interface in data communication with the processing apparatus and configured to transfer data between the computerized information and display apparatus and a portable electronic device placed in data communication with the data interface; anda storage apparatus comprising at least one computer program, said at least one program being configured to, when executed: obtain digitized speech generated based on speech received from a user, the digitized speech relating to a desired action which the user wishes to perform; andcause, based at least in part on the digitized speech, access of a network entity to cause performance of the desired action;wherein the computerized information and display apparatus is further configured to: receive information obtained via the access of the network entity via the wireless network interface; andprovide at least a portion of the received information to the portable electronic device via the data interface;wherein the computerized information and display apparatus further comprises speech synthesis apparatus in data communication with the processing apparatus; and wherein the computerized information and display system is further configured to engage the user in an interactive dialogue, the dialogue comprising: (i) the speech is received from the user;(ii) at least one subsequent confirmatory or adaptive response to the speech generated audibly by at least the speech synthesis apparatus, the response based at least in part on the speech; and(iii) at least one subsequent speech input provided by the user after the response is audibly generated;wherein the computerized information and display apparatus is disposed within a land- mobile transport device capable of moving between locations, and 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 apparatus to generate a visually perceptible alert of the presence of a human in an area proximate to the transport device, the visually perceptible alert comprising a rendering on the display device showing at least a portion of the area; anda short-range wireless interface configured to obtain user-specific data from a portable user radio frequency device when the portable user radio frequency device is within sufficient range of the short-range interface, and provide the obtained data to the computerized information apparatus so as to enable one or more functions of the transport device, according to a previously supplied user preference or profile. 11. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 10, wherein: the computerized information and display apparatus is further configured such that provision of the at least portion of the information can be invoked by application software present on the portable electronic device; andthe at least portion of the information comprises a map image or map graphic of a geographic region, the map image or map graphic which is also viewable on the display device of the computerized information and display apparatus, the geographic region comprising a region that is local to a location of the computerized information and display apparatus. 12. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 11, wherein the at least portion of the information comprises one or more telephone numbers for respective ones of one or more entities that are local to a location of the computerized information and display apparatus. 13. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 11, wherein the apparatus comprises one of a plurality of similar apparatus disposed within a common premises, and wherein the network entity is also disposed on the premises, each of the plurality of computerized information and display apparatus configured to access the server simultaneously via its respective wireless network interface. 14. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 10, wherein: the display device comprises a capacitive touch screen input and display device;the wireless network interface comprises an interface compliant with an IEEE 802.11 Standard;the information obtained via the access of the network entity comprises (i) a map image or map graphic showing an organization or entity, the map image or map graphic configured to be displayed on the capacitive touch screen input and display device, the map image or map graphic also showing a plurality of other organizations and entities immediately proximate to the organization or entity, the organization or entity and the other organizations or entities all at least partly disposed within a common building or structure and are rendered within the image or graphic as such, such rendering including at least a portion of an interior of the common building or structure; and (ii) a telephone number for the organization or entity; andthe computerized information and display apparatus is further configured to cause generation of a soft function key on the capacitive touch screen input and display device, the soft function key configured to, when selected by the user, cause the provision of the at least a portion of the received information to the portable electronic device via the data interface, the at least a portion of the received information to the portable electronic device via the data interface comprising a telephone number. 15. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 10, further comprising speech synthesis apparatus in data communication with the processing apparatus; and wherein the display device comprises a capacitive touch screen input and display device, and the computerized information and display system 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 wireless network interface for display on the touch screen input and display device. 16. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 10, wherein the performance of the desired action includes identification a plurality of approximate but non-exact matches for a user query that is at least part of the speech received from the user. 17. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 10, wherein the at least portion of the received information comprises a map image or map graphic of a geographic region, the map image or map graphic which is viewable on both a display of the portable electronic device and the display device of the host system; and wherein the at least portion of the received information further comprises directions to an organization or entity. 18. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 10, wherein the portable electronic device and the host system are disposed within a land-mobile transport device simultaneously, the host system fixedly mounted therein, the host system further configured to utilize commands generated by the application software of the portablle electronic device to cause access of a remote server via the wireless network interface to obtain desired information, the desired information in addition to the at least portion of the received information. 19. Computerized information and display apparatus, comprising: a wireless network interface;processing apparatus in data communication with the network interface;a display device;a data interface in data communication with the processing apparatus and configured to transfer data between the computerized information and display apparatus and a portable electronic device placed in data communication with the data interface; anda storage apparatus comprising at least one computer program, said at least one program being configured to, when executed: obtain digitized speech generated based on speech received from a user, the digitized speech relating to a desired action which the user wishes to perform; andcause, based at least in part on the digitized speech, access of a network entity to cause performance of the desired action;wherein the computerized information and display apparatus is further configured to: receive information obtained via the access of the network entity via the wireless network interface; andprovide at least a portion of the received information to the portable electronic device via the data interface;wherein the computerized information and display apparatus is disposed within a land- mobile transport device capable of moving between locations, and further comprises a short-range wireless interface configured to obtain user-specific data from a portable user radio frequency device when the portable user radio frequency device is within sufficient range of the short-range interface, and provide the obtained data to the computerized information apparatus so as to enable one or more functions of the transport device, according to a previously supplied user preference or profile. 20. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 19, wherein: the computerized information and display apparatus is further configured such that provision of the at least portion of the information can be invoked by application software present on the portable electronic device; andthe at least portion of the information comprises a map image or map graphic of a geographic region, the map image or map graphic which is also viewable on the display device of the computerized information and display apparatus, the geographic region comprising a region that is local to a location of the computerized information and display apparatus. 21. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 20, wherein the at least portion of the information comprises one or more telephone numbers for respective ones of one or more entities that are local to a location of the computerized information and display apparatus. 22. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 20, wherein the apparatus comprises one of a plurality of similar apparatus disposed within a common premises, and wherein the network entity is also disposed on the premises, each of the plurality of computerized information and display apparatus configured to access the server simultaneously via its respective wireless network interface. 23. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 19, wherein: the display device comprises a capacitive touch screen input and display device;the wireless network interface comprises an interface compliant with an IEEE 802.11 Standard;the information obtained via the access of the network entity comprises (i) a map image or map graphic showing an organization or entity, the map image or map graphic configured to be displayed on the capacitive touch screen input and display device, the map image or map graphic also showing a plurality of other organizations and entities immediately proximate to the organization or entity, the organization or entity and the other organizations or entities all at least partly disposed within a common building or structure and are rendered within the image or graphic as such, such rendering including at least a portion of an interior of the common building or structure; and (ii) a telephone number for the organization or entity; andthe computerized information and display apparatus is further configured to cause generation of a soft function key on the capacitive touch screen input and display device, the soft function key configured to, when selected by the user, cause the provision of the at least a portion of the received information to the portable electronic device via the data interface, the at least a portion of the received information to the portable electronic device via the data interface comprising a telephone number. 24. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 19, further comprising speech synthesis apparatus in data communication with the processing apparatus; and wherein the computerized information and display system 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 wireless network interface for display on the display device. 25. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 24, wherein the performance of the desired action includes identification a plurality of approximate but non-exact matches for a user query that is at least part of the speech received from the user. 26. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 25, wherein the at least portion of the received information comprises a map image or map graphic of a geographic region, the map image or map graphic which is viewable on both a display of the portable electronic device and the display device of the host system; and wherein the at least portion of the received information further comprises directions to an organization or entity. 27. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 26, wherein the portable electronic device and the host system are disposed within a land-mobile transport device simultaneously, the host system fixedly mounted therein, the host system further configured to utilize commands generated by the application software of the portable electronic device to cause access of a remote server via the wireless network interface to obtain desired information, the desired information in addition to the at least portion of the received information. 28. Computerized information and display apparatus, comprising: a wireless network interface;processing apparatus in data communication with the network interface;a display device;a data interface in data communication with the processing apparatus and configured to transfer data between the computerized information and display apparatus and a portable electronic device placed in data communication with the data interface; anda storage apparatus comprising at least one computer program, said at least one program being configured to, when executed: obtain digitized speech generated based on speech received from a user, the digitized speech relating to a desired action which the user wishes to perform; andcause, based at least in part on the digitized speech, access of a network entity to cause performance of the desired action;wherein the computerized information and display apparatus is further configured to: receive information obtained via the access of the network entity via the wireless network interface; andprovide at least a portion of the received information to the portable electronic device via the data interface;wherein the performance of the desired action includes identification a plurality of approximate but non-exact matches for a user query that is at least part of the speech received from the user, and the performance further includes computation of at least one metric for at least some of the plurality of approximate but non-exact matches, the at least one metric being used in determining at least the nearest approximation of a match to the query. 29. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 28, wherein: the computerized information and display apparatus is further configured such that provision of the at least portion of the information can be invoked by application software present on the portable electronic device; andthe at least portion of the information comprises a map image or map graphic of a geographic region, the map image or map graphic which is also viewable on the display device of the computerized information and display apparatus, the geographic region comprising a region that is local to a location of the computerized information and display apparatus. 30. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 29, wherein the at least portion of the information comprises one or more telephone numbers for respective ones of one or more entities that are local to a location of the computerized information and display apparatus. 31. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 29, wherein the apparatus comprises one of a plurality of similar apparatus disposed within a common premises, and wherein the network entity is also disposed on the premises, each of the plurality of computerized information and display apparatus configured to access the server simultaneously via its respective wireless network interface. 32. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 28, wherein: the display device comprises a capacitive touch screen input and display device;the wireless network interface comprises an interface compliant with an IEEE 802.11 Standard;the information obtained via the access of the network entity comprises (i) a map image or map graphic showing an organization or entity, the map image or map graphic configured to be displayed on the capacitive touch screen input and display device, the map image or map graphic also showing a plurality of other organizations and entities immediately proximate to the organization or entity, the organization or entity and the other organizations or entities all at least partly disposed within a common building or structure and are rendered within the image or graphic as such, such rendering including at least a portion of an interior of the common building or structure; and (ii) a telephone number for the organization or entity; andthe computerized information and display apparatus is further configured to cause generation of a soft function key on the capacitive touch screen input and display device, the soft function key configured to, when selected by the user, cause the provision of the at least a portion of the received information to the portable electronic device via the data interface, the at least a portion of the received information to the portable electronic device via the data interface comprising a telephone number. 33. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 28, further comprising speech synthesis apparatus in data communication with the processing apparatus; and wherein the computerized information and display system 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 wireless network interface for display on the display device. 34. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 33, wherein the performance of the desired action includes identification a plurality of approximate but non-exact matches for a user query that is at least part of the speech received from the user. 35. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 34, wherein the at least portion of the received information comprises a map image or map graphic of a geographic region, the map image or map graphic which is viewable on both a display of the portable electronic device and the display device of the host system; and wherein the at least portion of the received information further comprises directions to an organization or entity. 36. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 35, wherein the portable electronic device and the host system are disposed within a land-mobile transport device simultaneously, the host system fixedly mounted therein, the host system further configured to utilize commands generated by the application software of the portable electronic device to cause access of a remote server via the wireless network interface to obtain desired information, the desired information in addition to the at least portion of the received information. 37. Computerized information and display apparatus, comprising: a wireless network interface;processing apparatus in data communication with the network interface;a display device;a data interface in data communication with the processing apparatus and configured to transfer data between the computerized information and display apparatus and a portable electronic device placed in data communication with the data interface; anda storage apparatus comprising at least one computer program, said at least one program being configured to, when executed: obtain digitized speech generated based on speech received from a user, the digitized speech relating to a desired action which the user wishes to perform; andcause, based at least in part on the digitized speech, access of a network entity to cause performance of the desired action;wherein the computerized information and display apparatus is further configured to: receive information obtained via the access of the network entity via the wireless network interface; andprovide at least a portion of the received information to the portable electronic device via the data interface; andwherein the computerized information and display apparatus further comprises: computerized logic configured to cause remote actuation of one or more functions associated with a premises; andinput apparatus in data communication with the computerized logic and configured to receive a user input;wherein the computerized logic is configured to, when executed, display on the display device one or more display elements corresponding to the one or more functions;receive via the input device at least one input corresponding to a user's selection of at least one of the one or more display elements; andtransmit data relating to the at least one input via the wireless network interface to cause actuation at the premises of one or more functions corresponding to the selected at least one display element. 38. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 37, wherein the one or more functions comprise environmental functions comprising at least one of lighting and/or HVAC (heating ventilation air conditioning). 39. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 37, wherein the transmission of data relating to the at least one input via the wireless network interface comprises transmission to a remote networked server, the server configured to utilize the transmitted data to cause the actuation. 40. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 37, wherein the input device and the display device are substantially integrated into a common touch screen input and display device, and the receipt via the input device at least one input corresponding to a user's selection of at least one of the one or more display elements comprises the user touching the appropriate one or more display elements on a screen of the touch screen input and display device. 41. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 37, wherein the application software present on the portable electronic device is configured to receive and store the at least portion of data or information relating to a particular organization or entity for subsequent use by the user in navigating the region. 42. Computerized information and display apparatus, comprising: data processing apparatus;a data bus in data communication with the data processing apparatus, the data bus configured to permit communication between at least the data processing apparatus and a wireless network interface, the wireless network interface configured for data communication with at least one network entity;a display device in data communication with the data processing apparatus;a data interface in data communication with the data processing apparatus and configured to transfer data between the computerized information and display apparatus and a portable electronic device placed in data communication with the data interface; anda 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: generate a first digitized representation of speech received from a user of the computerized information and display apparatus, the digitized representation relating to a desired action which the user wishes to perform; andcause, based at least in part on the first digitized representation, access of at least one remote server via the data bus and wireless network interface to cause performance of the desired action;receive information obtained via the access of the at least one remote server via the data bus; andprovide at least a portion of the received information to the portable electronic device via the data interface; andwherein:at least the data processing apparatus, data interface, and the storage apparatus are disposed within a first structure, and at least the wireless network interface is disposed in a second structure, the first and second structures being physically separate from one another;the data bus comprises a bus compliant with a Universal Serial Bus (USB) serialized data protocol; andthe communication between at least the data processing apparatus and a wireless network interface comprises communication via the data bus and a wired communication path between the data bus in the first structure and the second structure. 43. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 42, wherein the wireless interface is compliant with an IEEE 802.11 WLAN standard. 44. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 43, wherein the data bus comprises a bus compliant with a Universal Serial Bus (USB) protocol, and the communication between at least the data processing apparatus and the wireless network interface is conducted at least in part over a wireline connection between the USB-compliant bus and a data bus in communication with the wireless interface. 45. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 43, wherein the data interface comprises a bus compliant with a Universal Serial Bus (USB) protocol, and the communication between the at least the data processing apparatus and the portable electronic device is conducted over a wireline connection between the USB-compliant bus and a data bus of the portable electronic device. 46. Computerized information and display apparatus, comprising: data processing apparatus;a data bus in data communication with the data processing apparatus, the data bus configured to permit communication between at least the data processing apparatus and a wireless network interface, the wireless network interface configured for data communication with at least one network entity;a display device in data communication with the data processing apparatus;a data interface in data communication with the data processing apparatus and configured to transfer data between the computerized information and display apparatus and a portable electronic device placed in data communication with the data interface; anda 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: generate a first digitized representation of speech received from a user of the computerized information and display apparatus, the digitized representation relating to a desired action which the user wishes to perform; andcause, based at least in part on the first digitized representation, access of at least one remote server via the data bus and wireless network interface to cause performance of the desired action;receive information obtained via the access of the at least one remote server via the data bus; andprovide at least a portion of the received information to the portable electronic device via the data interface; andwherein:the data bus comprises a bus compliant with a Universal Serial Bus (USB) protocol, and the communication between at least the data processing apparatus and the wireless network interface is conducted at least in part over a wireline connection between the USB-compliant bus and a data bus in communication with the wireless interface;the display device comprises a capacitive touch screen input and display device; andthe at least one computer program is further configured to cause display of a plurality of soft function keys or icons associated with respective ones of a plurality of topical areas on the display device, such that the user can touch corresponding areas of the touch screen input display device display so as to select the respective topical areas associated therewith; andwherein the at least one computer program is further configured to: generate one or more additional digitized representations of speech received from the user, the one or more additional digitized representations enabling the performance of the desired action by providing additional information not present in the first digitized representation, the additional information enabling resolution of one or more ambiguities associated with the first digitized representation; andsynthesize one or more audible responses to at least the first digitized representation, at least one of the one or more audible responses being based at least in part on the first digitized representation. 47. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 46, wherein the data bus comprises a bus compliant with a Universal Serial Bus (USB) protocol, and the communication between at least the data processing apparatus and the wireless network interface is conducted at least in part over a wireline connection between the USB-compliant bus and a data bus in communication with the wireless interface. 48. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 46, wherein the data interface comprises a bus compliant with a Universal Serial Bus (USB) protocol, and the communication between the at least the data processing apparatus and the portable electronic device is conducted over a wireline connection between the USB-compliant bus and a data bus of the portable electronic device. 49. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 46, further comprising additional data processing apparatus, the additional data processing apparatus in data communication with the wireless interface and the data bus, the additional data processing apparatus configured to receive the first digitized representation, and provide said digitized representation to the remote network entity via the wireless interface; wherein the data processing apparatus comprises a digital signal processor (DSP), and the additional processing apparatus comprises a central processing unit (CPU). 50. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 49, wherein the data processing apparatus and the storage apparatus are disposed within a first physical structure within a transport apparatus, and at least the additional processing apparatus is disposed within a second physical structure within the transport apparatus, the first and second physical structures being separate from one another. 51. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 46, wherein: at least the data processing apparatus, display device, data interface, and the storage apparatus are disposed within a first structure, and at least the wireless network interface is disposed in a second structure, the first and second structures being physically separate from one another;the data bus comprises a bus compliant with a Universal Serial Bus (USB) serialized data protocol; andthe communication between at least the data processing apparatus and a wireless network interface comprises communication via the data bus and a wired communication path between the data bus in the first structure and the second structure. 52. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 47, wherein the wireless interface is compliant with an IEEE 802.11 WLAN standard. 53. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 47, wherein: the display device comprises a capacitive touch screen input and display device; andthe at least one computer program is further configured to cause display of a plurality of soft function keys or icons associated with respective ones of a plurality of topical areas on the display device, such that the user can touch corresponding areas of the touch screen input display device display so as to select the respective topical areas associated therewith; andwherein the at least one computer program is further configured to: generate one or more additional digitized representations of speech received from the user, the one or more additional digitized representations enabling the performance of the desired action by providing additional information not present in the first digitized representation, the additional information enabling resolution of one or more ambiguities associated with the first digitized representation; andsynthesize one or more audible responses to at least the first digitized representation, at least one of the one or more audible responses being based at least in part on the first digitized representation. 54. The computerized information and display apparatus of Claim 47, wherein: the speech received from the user comprises a name of an entity or organization, and the desired action which the user wishes to perform comprises locating the named organization or entity;the causation, based at least in part on the first digitized representation, of access of the at least one remote server to cause performance of the desired action comprises accessing of a database containing at least a plurality of names of organizations or entities; andthe receipt of information obtained via the access of the at least one remote server comprises receipt of a plurality of potentially matching organizations or entities for the user to select from. 55. The computerized information and display apparatus of Claim 47, wherein the at least portion of the received information provided to the portable electronic device via the data interface comprises a telephone number. 56. Computerized information and display apparatus configured to provide a user with multiple types of information, comprising: data processing apparatus comprising at least a central processor, 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 data interface in data communication with at least a portion of the data processing apparatus and configured to enable transfer of data between the computerized information and display apparatus and a portable electronic device;speech recognition apparatus in data communication with at least a portion of the data processing apparatus, the speech recognition apparatus configured to enable recognition of one or more words within a speech input provided by the user, the one or more words being part of a name of an organization or entity which the user wishes to locate;speech synthesis apparatus in data communication with at least a portion of the data processing apparatus;a display device in data communication with at least a portion of the data processing apparatus;data storage apparatus in data communication with at least a portion of the data processing apparatus, the data storage apparatus including data relating to a plurality of organizations or entities;an electro-mechanical input device in signal communication with at least a portion of the data processing apparatus and operative to allow the user to provide input including selection of one or more functions displayed on the display device;and at least one storage device having at least one computer program disposed thereon, the at least one program operative to run on at least a portion of the data processing apparatus and configured to, upon execution: utilize one or more recognized words within the user's speech input to perform a search the data relating to a plurality of organizations or entities to attempt to identify at least one match for the user's speech input, the search producing a plurality of possible matches;receive user speech input subsequent to the speech input to identify one of the plurality of possible matches that the user desires to obtain further information on; andcause presentation of the further information associated with the one of the plurality of matches via at least the display device, the further information comprising a graphical representation of a location associated with the identified one match, including at least its immediate surroundings, the graphical representation being rendered at least in part by the graphics co-processor; andwherein the computerized information and display apparatus is further configured to: obtain digitized speech generated based on speech received from a user, the digitized speech relating to a desired action which the user wishes to perform; andcause, based at least in part on the digitized speech, access of a network entity to cause performance of the desired action;receive information obtained via the access of the network entity via the wireless network interface; andprovide at least a portion of the received information to the portable electronic device via the data interface; andwherein the computerized information and display apparatus is disposed within a land- mobile transport device capable of moving between locations, and 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 apparatus to generate a visually perceptible alert of the presence of a human in an undesirable area proximate to the transport device, the visually perceptible alert comprising a rendering on the display device showing at least a portion of the undesirable area. 57. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 56, further comprising a short-range wireless interface configured to obtain user-specific data from a portable user radio frequency device when the portable user radio frequency device is within sufficient range of the short-range interface, and provide the obtained data to the computerized information apparatus so as to enable one or more functions of the transport device, according to a previously supplied user preference or profile. 58. Computerized information and display apparatus configured to receive inputs via a plurality of different input modes and provide a user with multiple types of information via a plurality of output modalities, the computerized information and display apparatus further disposed at least partly within a transport device configured to convey one or more persons from one place to another and configured to be operative during said conveyance, 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 first wireless interface 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 and configured to enable transfer of data between the computerized information and display apparatus and a portable electronic device;speech processing apparatus in data communication with at least a portion of the data processing apparatus, the speech processing apparatus configured to digitize the user's speech input so as to enable subsequent recognition of one or more words within the speech input, the one or more words being part of a name of an organization or entity which the user wishes to locate;speech synthesis apparatus in data communication with at least a portion of the data processing apparatus;a display device in data communication with at least a portion of the data processing apparatus;data storage apparatus in data communication with at least a portion of the data processing apparatus;and at least one storage device having at least one computer program disposed thereon, the at least one computer program operative to run on at least a portion of the data processing apparatus and configured to, upon execution: utilize the digitized speech input to cause performance of a search of data relating to a plurality of organizations or entities to attempt to identify at least one match for the user's speech input, the search producing a plurality of possible matches;display a listing of the plurality of possible matches on the display device;receive user input subsequent to the speech input to identify one of the plurality of possible matches that the user desires to obtain further information on; andcause presentation of the further information associated with the one of the plurality of matches via at least the display device, the further information comprising a graphical representation of a location associated with the identified one match, including at least its immediate surroundings; andwherein the computerized information and display apparatus is further configured to: establish a temporary data link with the portable electronic device via the data interface;receive data initiated from an application computer program operative to run on the portable electronic device;based at least in part on the received data, provide at least a portion of the received information to the portable electronic device via the data interface, the at least portion of the received information useful for operation with the application computer program on the portable electronic device so as to provide the user at least a portion of the received information via a display device of the portable electronic device;wherein the computerized information and display apparatus further comprises a 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; andwherein the radio frequency apparatus comprises at least one computer program configured to, when executed, decode at least a portion of an encoded transmission from the portable radio frequency device in order to obtain the data uniquely identifying the portable radio frequency device, the encoding of the transmission performed at least in part to hide or make secret at least a portion of the data uniquely identifying the portable radio frequency device. 59. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 58, wherein the enabled one or more functions are specifically and previously selected by the user. 60. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 58, wherein the at least portion of the received information is configured or selected based at least in part on the identification of the portable radio frequency device. 61. Computerized information and display apparatus configured to receive inputs via a plurality of different input modes and provide a user with multiple types of information via a plurality of output modalities, the computerized information and display apparatus further disposed at least partly within a transport device configured to convey one or more persons from one place to another and configured to be operative during said conveyance, 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 first wireless interface 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 and configured to enable transfer of data between the computerized information and display apparatus and a portable electronic device;speech processing apparatus in data communication with at least a portion of the data processing apparatus, the speech processing apparatus configured to digitize the user's speech input so as to enable subsequent recognition of one or more words within the speech input, the one or more words being part of a name of an organization or entity which the user wishes to locate;speech synthesis apparatus in data communication with at least a portion of the data processing apparatus;a display device in data communication with at least a portion of the data processing apparatus;data storage apparatus in data communication with at least a portion of the data processing apparatus;and at least one storage device having at least one computer program disposed thereon, the at least one computer program operative to run on at least a portion of the data processing apparatus and configured to, upon execution: utilize the digitized speech input to cause performance of a search of data relating to a plurality of organizations or entities to attempt to identify at least one match for the user's speech input, the search producing a plurality of possible matches;display a listing of the plurality of possible matches on the display device;receive user input subsequent to the speech input to identify one of the plurality of possible matches that the user desires to obtain further information on; andcause presentation of the further information associated with the one of the plurality of matches via at least the display device, the further information comprising a graphical representation of a location associated with the identified one match, including at least its immediate surroundings; andwherein the computerized information and display apparatus is further configured to: establish a temporary data link with the portable electronic device via the data interface;receive data initiated from an application computer program operative to run on the portable electronic device;based at least in part on the received data, provide at least a portion of the received information to the portable electronic device via the data interface, the at least portion of the received information useful for operation with the application computer program on the portable electronic device so as to provide the user at least a portion of the received information via a display device of the portable electronic device;wherein the computerized information and display apparatus further comprises a radio frequency apparatus configured to receive data uniquely identifying a portable radio frequency device associated with the user; andwherein the portable radio frequency device is configured to authenticate the radio frequency apparatus before transmission of the data uniquely identifying a portable radio frequency device. 62. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 61, further configured to, based at least on the data uniquely identifying the portable radio frequency device, cause enablement of one or more functions within the transport device. 63. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 62, wherein the enabled one or more functions are specifically and previously selected by the user. 64. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 62, wherein the at least portion of the received information is configured or selected based at least in part on the identification of the portable radio frequency device. 65. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 62, wherein the radio frequency apparatus comprises at least one computer program configured to, when executed, decrypt at least a portion of an encrypted transmission from the portable radio frequency device in order to obtain the data uniquely identifying the portable radio frequency device. 66. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 62, wherein the radio frequency apparatus comprises at least one computer program configured to, when executed, decode at least a portion of an encoded transmission from the portable radio frequency device in order to obtain the data uniquely identifying the portable radio frequency device, the encoding of the transmission performed at least in part to hide or make secret at least a portion of the data uniquely identifying the portable radio frequency device. 67. Computerized information and display apparatus disposed within a transport device and accessible for use by a user thereof, the computerized information and display apparatus configured to enable rapid convergence by the user on information relating to the location of a particular organization or entity, the computerized information and display apparatus comprising: a wireless network interface;processing apparatus in data communication with the network wireless interface;a touch screen input and display device in data communication with the processing apparatus and disposed within the transport device so as to enable the user to readily touch the touch screen input and display device while operating the transport device;a speech processing apparatus in data communication with the processing apparatus;a data interface in data communication with the processing apparatus and configured to enable data to be communicated between the computerized information and display apparatus and a portable electronic device of the user; anda storage apparatus in data communication with the processing apparatus and comprising at least one computer program, said at least one program being configured to, when executed: obtain from the speech processing apparatus digitized speech generated based on speech received from the user, the speech received from the user comprising at least part of a name of the particular organization or entity;cause, based at least in part on the digitized speech and not based on any other digitized speech from the user, access of a remote network entity to cause retrieval of information relating to a plurality of matches to the at least part of the name;receive the information relating to the plurality of matches via the wireless network interface;display a listing of the plurality of possible matches on the touch screen input and display device, the listing generated at least using at least a portion of the received information relating to a plurality of matches and comprising at least a part of a name and a part of an address for each of the plurality of matches;subsequent to the display of the listing, receive a user input to select one of the plurality of possible matches that the user desires to obtain further information for, the computerized information and display apparatus configured such that the subsequent user input can be received via each of (i) the touch screen input and display device, when the user touches a portion of the touch screen input and display device corresponding one of the plurality of matches, and (ii) the speech processing apparatus, in the form of one or more additional digitized speech inputs; andcause presentation of the further information associated with the one of the plurality of matches via at least the touch screen input and display device, the further information comprising a graphical representation of a location associated with the identified one match, including at least its immediate surroundings and one or more other organizations or entities proximate thereto;wherein the computerized information and display apparatus is further configured to provide at least a portion of at least one of (i) the information relating to the plurality of matches, and/or (ii) the further information, to the portable electronic device via the data interface for at least storage thereon; andwherein the computerized information and display apparatus is further configured to (i) store data relating to the selected one of the plurality of matches that the user desires to obtain further information for; and (ii) prevent information associated with the one of the plurality of matches from being presented to the user again within a single search session comprising the digitized speech and one or more subsequent user speech inputs. 68. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 67, wherein said provision of at least a portion of at least one of (i) the information relating to the plurality of matches, and (ii) the further information, comprises provision of at least a portion of each of (i) the information relating to the plurality of matches, and (ii) the further information. 69. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 67, wherein the provided at least portion of at least one of (i) the information relating to the plurality of matches, and (ii) the further information, is configured for at least use by at least one application computer program operative to run on the portable electronic device, the use occurring after the portable electronic device has been removed from the transport device. 70. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 69, wherein: the provided at least portion of at least one of (i) the information relating to the plurality of matches, and (ii) the further information, comprises at least a portion of the graphical representation, andwherein the use by at least one application computer program operative to run on the portable electronic device, the use occurring after the portable electronic device has been removed from the transport device comprises display of the graphical representation on a display of the portable electronic device so as to aid the user in navigating an area local to the transport device. 71. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 67, wherein the graphical representation of the location associated with the identified one match, including at least its immediate surroundings and one or more other organizations or entities proximate thereto, comprises a graphical representation showing the identified one match and the one or more other organizations proximate thereto in a spatial relationship substantially representative of an actual spatial relationship of the identified one match and the one or more other organizations. 72. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 71, wherein the graphical representation comprises a plan view of at least a portion of a building or structure in which the identified one match and the one or more other organizations are disposed. 73. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 71, wherein the graphical representation comprises a representation of one or more walls of each of the identified one match and the one or more other organizations. 74. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 67, further comprising a graphics co-processor in data communication with the processor apparatus and configured to render the graphical representation. 75. The computerized information and display apparatus of I claim 67, wherein the graphical representation comprises a pre-stored data file disposed remotely from the transport device and received via the wireless network interface. 76. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 67, wherein the graphical representation is configured to both (i) graphically show the user a path to follow to get to the location; and (ii) orient the user with respect to their current position in relation to the location. 77. Multi-user capable computerized information and display apparatus configured for use within a transport device, comprising: a wireless network interface;processing apparatus in data communication with the wireless network interface, the processing apparatus comprising at least one central processing unit (CPU), at least one digital signal processor (DSP), at least one graphics co-processor, and at least one direct memory access (DMA) function configured to accelerate accesses of a memory associated with the processing apparatus;a first display device comprising a substantially flat-screen display device in data communication with the processing apparatus, and a second display device also in data communication with the processing apparatus, the first and second display devices disposed on or at least partly within different surfaces within a passenger compartment of the transport device such that different ones of a plurality of users can view respective ones of the first and second display devices from respective ones of different locations within the passenger compartment, at least one of the first and second display devices comprising a capacitive touch screen input and display device capable of at least receiving user inputs via a plurality of soft function keys generated on a input and display screen thereof;a data interface in data communication with the processing apparatus and configured to transfer data between the computerized information and display apparatus and a portable electronic device placed in data communication with the data interface;speech processing apparatus in data communication with the processing apparatus and configured to process user speech inputs; andstorage apparatus in data communication with the processing apparatus and comprising at least one computer program, said at least one program being configured to, when executed: obtain digitized speech generated by the speech processing apparatus based on speech received from one of the plurality of users, the digitized speech relating to a desired action which the one user wishes to perform; andcause, based at least in part on the digitized speech, access of a network entity to cause performance of the desired action;wherein the computerized information and display apparatus is further configured to:receive information obtained via the access of the network entity via the wireless network interface; andprovide at least a portion of the received information to the portable electronic device via the data interface; andwherein the multi-user computerized information and display apparatus is further configured such that at least a portion of the received information can be displayed simultaneously on each of the first and second display devices;wherein the computerized information and display apparatus is configured to render a plurality of different windows contemporaneously on at least one of the first and second display devices, the windows configured to display different content such that a user can view the different content simultaneously;wherein the computerized information and display apparatus is configured to render a plurality of different hyperlinks on the capacitive touch screen input and display device such that the user can access respective Internet sites by touching respective ones of the hyperlinks; andwherein the computerized information and display apparatus is further configured to enable the one of the plurality of users to access the networked entity via the wireless network interface and the digitized speech, and a second of the plurality of users to access a second network entity via the wireless network interface and the capacitive touch screen input and display device, the accesses of (i) the network entity by the one of the plurality of users, and (ii) the second network entity by the second of the plurality of users, occurring substantially simultaneously; andwherein the computerized information and display apparatus further comprises video data apparatus in data communication with the processing apparatus and configured to enable video data from a plurality of imaging devices disposed exterior to the passenger compartment to be displayed on at least one of the first and second display devices such that a user can selectively view a plurality of areas external to the transport device thereon. 78. Computerized information apparatus of a transport device, the computerized information apparatus configured to enable transport-device agnostic delivery of data to a plurality of personal electronic devices of a plurality of respective individual users, the computerized information apparatus comprising: data processing apparatus comprising at least a central processor and a digital signal processor (DSP);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;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; andcomputerized logic in data communication with at least a portion of the data processing annaratus and configured to: generate and present a plurality of iconic soft function keys having respective ones of predetermined topical functions associated therewith, on the capacitive touch screen input and display device, the topical functions each selectable by a user via touch of the touch screen input and display device in an appropriate region thereof, the plurality of iconic soft function keys facilitating rapid access by the user to data relating to the respective topical functions thereof;receive user input via at least one of the soft function keys, the user input designating one or more information elements;based at least on the user input, access a server via the first wireless interface in order to obtain at least a portion of the one or more information elements;establish a communication link with a portable electronic device of the user via the data interface; andutilize the established communication link to transfer at least a portion of the at least portion of information elements to the personal electronic device for storage thereon;wherein the computerized information apparatus further comprises second computerized logic configured to cause at least a portion of the user input to be stored on a server, the storage of the at least portion of the user input enabling the common configuration of subsequent information element accesses for delivery to the user's portable electronic device irrespective of whether the user utilizes the computerized information apparatus of the transport device or another information apparatus associated with another transport device, the second computerized logic also configured to store corresponding at least portions of user inputs from other users on the server, the storage of the corresponding at least portions facilitating the computerized information apparatus to configure subsequent information element accesses for delivery to portable devices of respective ones of those other users which are particular to those respective users; andwherein the computerized information apparatus further comprises 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, based at least on the data uniquely identifying the portable radio frequency device, cause substantially automated configuration of and transfer of the at least portion of the information elements to the user's portable electronic device. 79. The computerized information apparatus of claim 78, further comprising: speech processing apparatus in data communication with at least a portion of the data processing apparatus, the speech processing apparatus configured to digitize a speech input of the user so as to enable subsequent recognition of one or more words within the speech input, the one or more words being associated with information which the user wishes to locate;a graphics co-processor in data communication with at least the central processor; andthird computerized logic in data communication with the data processing apparatus and configured to: utilize the recognized one or more words for performance of a search of a database relating to a plurality of organizations or entities to attempt to identify at least one match for the recognized one or more words, the search producing a plurality of matches;display a listing of the plurality of matches on the capacitive touch screen input and display device, the listing comprising a plurality of touch-selectable regions corresponding to respective ones of the plurality of matches;receive, subsequent to the display of the listing and via a touch by the user of a corresponding one of said touch-selectable regions, a user input to identify one of the plurality of matches that the user desires to obtain further information on; andcause presentation of the further information associated with the one of the plurality of matches via at least the capacitive touch screen input and display device, the further information comprising a rendering of a location associated with the identified one match, including at least its immediate surroundings and at least a plurality of other entities immediately proximate thereto, the rendering performed at least in part by the graphics co- processor. 80. The computerized information apparatus of claim 78, wherein the computerized information apparatus is further configured such that the data transfer can be initiated by the user's tactile selection of at least one display element displayed on the capacitive touch screen and display device. 81. The computerized information apparatus of claim 78, wherein the computerized information apparatus is further configured such that the data transfer can be initiated by an application computer program operative to run on the portable electronic device. 82. The computerized information apparatus of claim 78, wherein the computerized information apparatus is further configured such that the establishment of the communications link and the data transfer are each accomplished substantially automatically and without further user input or intervention. 83. Environment-aware computerized information apparatus of a transport device, 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;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;video data apparatus in data communication with the data processing apparatus and configured to enable digital video data relating to two or more regions surrounding the transport device to be generated and provided to the data processing apparatus;computerized logic in data communication with at least a portion of the data processing apparatus and the capacitive touch screen input and display device and configured to enable the capacitive touch screen input and display device to simultaneously display a plurality of different on-screen windows, each of the windows displaying respective ones of digital video data from the two or more regions;second computerized logic configured to actuate one or more environmental control functions associated with a premises frequented by the user, the second computerized logic configured to: display on the capacitive touch screen input and display device one or more display elements corresponding to the one or more environmental control functions;receive 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; andcause transmission 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;radio frequency apparatus in data communication with at least the second 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 one or more functions including at least the actuation of the environmental control functions via the capacitive touch screen input and display device;wherein the computerized information apparatus is further configured to establish a temporary data link with the 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 configured to be initiated by the user's tactile selection of at least one display element displayed on the capacitive touch screen and display device; andwherein 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. 84. The computerized information apparatus of claim 83, 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 environmental control functions corresponding specifically to the user. 85. The computerized information apparatus of claim 83, wherein the computerized information apparatus is further configured to, based at least on the identifying the portable radio frequency device, enable actuation of only user-specific portions of the controlled environmental functions so as to save energy as compared to common actuation of the user-specific portions along with one or more non-user-specific portions of the environmental functions. 86. The computerized information apparatus of claim 83, wherein: the premises comprises a premises having a substantially enclosed portion within which the transport device can operate; andthe transmission 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 comprises transmission via a wireless interface of the computerized apparatus. 87. Environment-aware computerized information apparatus of a transport device, the computerized information apparatus comprising: data processing means 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 means;a mass storage device in data communication with at least a portion of the data processing means;a data interface means in data communication with at least a portion of the data processing means;a capacitive touch screen input and display device in data communication with at least a portion of the data processing means and both viewable and accessible by the user;video data apparatus in data communication with the data processing means and configured to enable digital video data relating to two or more regions surrounding the transport device to be generated and provided to the data processing means;computerized logic means in data communication with at least a portion of the data processing means and the capacitive touch screen input and display device and configured to enable the capacitive touch screen input and display device to simultaneously display a plurality of different on-screen windows, each of the windows displaying respective ones of digital video data from the two or more regions;second computerized logic configured to actuate one or more environmental control functions associated with a premises frequented by the user, the second computerized logic configured to: display on the capacitive touch screen input and display device one or more display elements corresponding to the one or more environmental control functions;receive 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; andcause transmission 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;radio frequency apparatus in data communication with at least the second computerized logic and at least a portion of the data processing means, the radio frequency apparatus configured to receive data uniquely identifying a portable radio frequency means associated with the user and, based at least on the data uniquely identifying the portable radio frequency means, cause enablement of one or more functions within the transport device, the one or more functions including at least the actuation of the environmental control functions via the capacitive touch screen input and display device;wherein the computerized information apparatus is further configured to establish a temporary data link with the 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 configured to be initiated by the user's tactile selection of at least one display element displayed on the capacitive touch screen and display device; andwherein 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. 88. Multi-user capable computerized information and display apparatus configured for use within a transport device, comprising: a wireless network interface;processing means in data communication with the wireless network interface, the processing means comprising at least one central processing unit (CPU), at least one digital signal processor (DSP), at least one graphics co-processor, and at least one direct memory access (DMA) function configured to accelerate accesses of a memory associated with the processing means;a first display means comprising a substantially flat-screen display device in data communication with the processing means, and a second display means also in data communication with the processing means, the first and second display means disposed on or at least partly within different surfaces within a passenger compartment of the transport device such that different ones of a plurality of users can view respective ones of the first and second display means from respective ones of different locations within the passenger compartment, at least one of the first and second display means comprising a capacitive touch screen input and display device capable of at least receiving user inputs via a plurality of soft function keys generated on a input and display screen thereof;a data interface in data communication with the processing means and configured to transfer data between the computerized information and display apparatus and a portable electronic device placed in data communication with the data interface;speech processing means in data communication with the processing means and configured to process user speech inputs; andstorage apparatus in data communication with the processing means and comprising at least one computer program, said at least one program being configured to, when executed: obtain digitized speech generated by the speech processing means based on speech received from one of the plurality of users, the digitized speech relating to a desired action which the one user wishes to perform; andcause, based at least in part on the digitized speech, access of a network entity to cause performance of the desired action;wherein the computerized information and display apparatus is further configured to:receive information obtained via the access of the network entity via the wireless network interface; andprovide at least a portion of the received information to the portable electronic device via the data interface; andwherein the multi-user computerized information and display apparatus is further configured such that at least a portion of the received information can be displayed simultaneously on each of the first and second display means;wherein the computerized information and display apparatus is configured to render a plurality of different windows contemporaneously on at least one of the first and second display means, the windows configured to display different content such that a user can view the different content simultaneously;wherein the computerized information and display apparatus is configured to render a plurality of different hyperlinks on the capacitive touch screen input and display device such that the user can access respective Internet sites by touching respective ones of the hyperlinks; andwherein the computerized information and display apparatus is further configured to enable the one of the plurality of users to access the networked entity via the wireless network interface and the digitized speech, and a second of the plurality of users to access a second network entity via the wireless network interface and the capacitive touch screen input and display device, the accesses of (i) the network entity by the one of the plurality of users, and (ii) the second network entity by the second of the plurality of users, occurring substantially simultaneously; andwherein the computerized information and display apparatus further comprises video data apparatus in data communication with the processing means and configured to enable video data from a plurality of imaging devices disposed exterior to the passenger compartment to be displayed on at least one of the first and second display devices such that a user can selectively view a plurality of areas external to the transport device thereon. 89. Computerized information and display apparatus, comprising: a wireless network interface;processing apparatus in data communication with the network interface;a display device;a data interface in data communication with the processing apparatus and configured to transfer data between the computerized information and display apparatus and a portable electronic device placed in data communication with the data interface; anda storage apparatus comprising at least one computer program, said at least one program being configured to, when executed: obtain digitized speech generated based on speech received from a user, the digitized speech relating to a desired action which the user wishes to perform; andcause, based at least in part on the digitized speech, access of a network entity to cause performance of the desired action;wherein the computerized information and display apparatus is further configured to: receive information obtained via the access of the network entity via the wireless network interface; andprovide at least a portion of the received information to the portable electronic device via the data interface;wherein the computerized information and display apparatus is disposed within a land- mobile transport device capable of moving between locations, the land-mobile transport device comprising a control apparatus, wherein a user of the land-mobile transport device can provide an input to the control apparatus to cause the land-mobile transport device to substantially automatically move from one location to another without further user input; andwherein the control apparatus is further configured to calculate whether or not the land- mobile transport device should stop at a prescribed location during said substantially automatic movement;wherein the computerized information and display apparatus further comprises speech synthesis apparatus in data communication with the processing apparatus; and wherein the computerized information and display system is further configured to engage the user in an interactive dialogue, the dialogue comprising:(i) the speech is received from the user;(ii) at least one subsequent confirmatory or adaptive response to the speech generated audibly by at least the speech synthesis apparatus, the response based at least in part on the speech; and(iii) at least one subsequent speech input provided by the user after the response is audibly generated; andwherein the display device comprises a capacitive touch screen input and display device, and the computerized information and display system 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 wireless network interface for display on the touch screen input and display device. 90. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 89, wherein the computerized information and display apparatus is further configured to receive one or more commands generated by application-layer software running on the portable electronic device, the one or more commands causing the transfer of data from the computerized information and display apparatus to the portable electronic device, the one or more commands being initiated manually by a user of the portable electronic device. 91. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 89, wherein: the computerized information and display apparatus is further configured such that provision of the at least portion of the information can be invoked by application software present on the portable electronic device; andthe at least portion of the information comprises a map image or map graphic of a geographic region, the map image or map graphic which is also viewable on the display device of the computerized information and display apparatus, the geographic region comprising a region that is local to a location of the computerized information and display apparatus. 92. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 91, wherein the at least portion of the information comprises one or more telephone numbers for respective ones of one or more entities that are local to a location of the computerized information and display apparatus. 93. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 91, wherein the apparatus comprises one of a plurality of similar apparatus disposed within a common premises, and wherein the network entity is also disposed on the premises, each of the plurality of computerized information and display apparatus configured to access the server simultaneously via its respective wireless network interface. 94. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 89, wherein: the display device comprises a capacitive touch screen input and display device;the wireless network interface comprises an interface compliant with an IEEE 802.11 Standard;the information obtained via the access of the network entity comprises (i) a map image or map graphic showing an organization or entity, the map image or map graphic configured to be displayed on the capacitive touch screen input and display device, the map image or map graphic also showing a plurality of other organizations and entities immediately proximate to the organization or entity, the organization or entity and the other organizations or entities all at least partly disposed within a common building or structure and are rendered within the image or graphic as such, such rendering including at least a portion of an interior of the common building or structure; and (ii) a telephone number for the organization or entity; andthe computerized information and display apparatus is further configured to cause generation of a soft function key on the capacitive touch screen input and display device, the soft function key configured to, when selected by the user, cause the provision of the at least a portion of the received information to the portable electronic device via the data interface, the at least a portion of the received information to the portable electronic device via the data interface comprising a telephone number. 95. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 89, wherein the performance of the desired action includes identification a plurality of approximate but non- exact matches for a user query that is at least part of the speech received from the user. 96. Computerized information and display apparatus, comprising: a wireless network interface;processing apparatus in data communication with the network interface;a first display device comprising a substantially flat-screen display device in data communication with the processing apparatus;a second display device also in data communication with the processing apparatus;a data interface in data communication with the processing apparatus and configured to transfer data between the computerized information and display apparatus and a portable electronic device placed in data communication with the data interface; andstorage apparatus in data communication with the processing apparatus and comprising at least one computer program, said at least one program being configured to, when executed: obtain digitized speech generated based on speech received from a user, the digitized speech relating to a desired action which the user wishes to perform; andcause, based at least in part on the digitized speech, access of a network entity to cause performance of the desired action;wherein the computerized information and display apparatus is further configured to:receive information obtained via the access of the network entity via the wireless network interface; andprovide at least a portion of the received information to the portable electronic device via the data interface; andwherein:at least a portion of the received information can be displayed on each of the first and second display devices; the processing apparatus comprises at least (i) a digital signal processor; (ii) a central processing unit (CPU); (iii) a graphics processor; and (iv) a direct memory access (DMA) function configured to accelerate accesses of said storage apparatus;the first display device comprises a substantially flat-screen capacitive touch screen input and display device in data communication with the processing apparatus; andthe second display device comprises a thin-film transistor (TFT) display device in data communication with the processing apparatus; andthe first and second display devices are mounted on or at least partly within different surfaces within a land-mobile transport device within which the computerized information and display apparatus is disposed;wherein the computerized information and display apparatus is disposed within a land- mobile transport device capable of moving between locations, and 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 apparatus to generate a visually perceptible alert of the presence of a human in an undesirable area proximate to the transport device; andwherein the visually perceptible alert comprises a rendering on the display device showing at least a portion of the undesirable area. 97. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 96, further comprising a short-range wireless interface configured to obtain user-specific data from a portable user radio frequency device when the portable user radio frequency device is within sufficient range of the short-range interface, and provide the obtained data to the computerized information apparatus so as to enable one or more functions of the transport device, according to a previously supplied user preference or profile. 98. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 96, further comprising video data apparatus in data communication with the processing apparatus and configured to enable video data to be generated and sent to a remote location for viewing thereat while the user is using the computerized information and display apparatus. 99. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 98, wherein the video data apparatus is configured to cause display of two or more discrete images in a picture-in-picture (PIP) format such that the user can view at least a portion of each of the discrete images simultaneously on at least one of the first and second display devices. 100. Computerized information and display apparatus, comprising: a wireless network interface;processing apparatus in data communication with the network interface;a first display device comprising a substantially flat-screen display device in data communication with the processing apparatus;a second display device also in data communication with the processing apparatus;a data interface in data communication with the processing apparatus and configured to transfer data between the computerized information and display apparatus and a portable electronic device placed in data communication with the data interface; andstorage apparatus in data communication with the processing apparatus and comprising at least one computer program, said at least one program being configured to, when executed: obtain digitized speech generated based on speech received from a user, the digitized speech relating to a desired action which the user wishes to perform; andcause, based at least in part on the digitized speech, access of a network entity to cause performance of the desired action;wherein the computerized information and display apparatus is further configured to:receive information obtained via the access of the network entity via the wireless network interface; andprovide at least a portion of the received information to the portable electronic device via the data interface; andwherein:at least a portion of the received information can be displayed on each of the first and second display devices. the processing apparatus comprises at least (i) a digital signal processor; (ii) a central processing unit (CPU); (iii) a graphics processor; and (iv) a direct memory access (DMA) function configured to accelerate accesses of said storage apparatus;the first display device comprises a substantially flat-screen capacitive touch screen input and display device in data communication with the processing apparatus; andthe second display device comprises a thin-film transistor (TFT) display device in data communication with the processing apparatus; andthe first and second display devices are mounted on or at least partly within different surfaces within a land-mobile transport device within which the computerized information and display apparatus is disposed; andfurther comprising a short-range wireless interface configured to obtain user-specific data from a portable user radio frequency device when the portable user radio frequency device is within sufficient range of the short-range interface, and provide the obtained data to the computerized information apparatus so as to enable one or more functions of the transport device, according to a previously supplied user preference or profile. 101. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 100, further comprising video data apparatus in data communication with the processing apparatus and configured to enable video data to be generated and sent to a remote location for viewing thereat while the user is using the computerized information and display apparatus. 102. The computerized information and display apparatus of claim 101, wherein the video data apparatus is configured to cause display of two or more discrete images in a picture-in-picture (PIP) format such that the user can view at least a portion of each of the discrete images simultaneously on at least one of the first and second display devices.