Patent ID: 6772201
Filing Date: 2004-08-03
Classification: G06F,G16H

Abstract:
A multi-tiered computing system comprising:a first computing tier having a master server computer, the master server computer coupled to a master database of master data records; a second computing tier having a plurality of input computers, each input computer coupled to a respective local database of local data records, each local database replicated to the master database; and a third computing tier having a remote portable computer, the portable computer being in communication with a select input computer for accessing and updating the local data records of the respective local database coupled thereto, the portable computer comprising: a CPU for controlling operation of the portable computer; an interface memory for storing software to control the CPU and to store temporarily at least one data set, each data set having multiple data fields for storing data values; and a touch sensitive display device for displaying at least a data I/O screen and for sensing contact by a user, the CPU defining multiple virtual regions upon the data I/O screen, each virtual region corresponding to a data field, the touch sensitive display device sensing contact by the user within a virtual region, the touch sensitive display device displaying within each virtual region a data value for the associated data field from a current data set, and the CPU identifying a virtual region contacted by the user and effecting an interface control associated therewith and wherein the user modifies data values within a correspond active data field by pressing the associated virtual region.