Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
  • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
  • G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
  • G06F3/033—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor
  • G06F3/038—Control and interface arrangements therefor, e.g. drivers or device-embedded control circuitry
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • A63F13/00—Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
  • A63F13/20—Input arrangements for video game devices
  • A63F13/22—Setup operations, e.g. calibration, key configuration or button assignment
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • A63F13/00—Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
  • A63F13/20—Input arrangements for video game devices
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • A63F13/00—Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
  • A63F13/20—Input arrangements for video game devices
  • A63F13/21—Input arrangements for video game devices characterised by their sensors, purposes or types
  • A63F13/211—Input arrangements for video game devices characterised by their sensors, purposes or types using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers or gyroscopes
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
  • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
  • G06F3/017—Gesture based interaction, e.g. based on a set of recognized hand gestures
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
  • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
  • G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • A63F13/00—Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
  • A63F13/20—Input arrangements for video game devices
  • A63F13/23—Input arrangements for video game devices for interfacing with the game device, e.g. specific interfaces between game controller and console
  • A63F13/235—Input arrangements for video game devices for interfacing with the game device, e.g. specific interfaces between game controller and console using a wireless connection, e.g. infrared or piconet
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • A63F13/00—Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
  • A63F13/80—Special adaptations for executing a specific game genre or game mode
  • A63F13/812—Ball games, e.g. soccer or baseball
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • A63F2300/00—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game
  • A63F2300/10—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game characterized by input arrangements for converting player-generated signals into game device control signals
  • A63F2300/1018—Calibration; Key and button assignment
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • A63F2300/00—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game
  • A63F2300/10—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game characterized by input arrangements for converting player-generated signals into game device control signals
  • A63F2300/1037—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game characterized by input arrangements for converting player-generated signals into game device control signals being specially adapted for converting control signals received from the game device into a haptic signal, e.g. using force feedback
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • A63F2300/00—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game
  • A63F2300/10—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game characterized by input arrangements for converting player-generated signals into game device control signals
  • A63F2300/105—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game characterized by input arrangements for converting player-generated signals into game device control signals using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • A63F2300/00—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game
  • A63F2300/20—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game characterised by details of the game platform
  • A63F2300/206—Game information storage, e.g. cartridges, CD ROM's, DVD's, smart cards
  • A63F2300/208—Game information storage, e.g. cartridges, CD ROM's, DVD's, smart cards for storing personal settings or data of the player

Definitions

• gestures of a player are mimicked in an animated depiction of the player.
• the term "gestures” may refer to movements of the player, or corresponding movements of the animated depiction of the player. Examples of such gestures include movements of all or part of a body, which may include movements of a body member, such as a hand, arm, head, face, etc.
• gestures are typically detected by a motion sensor in a remote gaming input device handled by the player, and communicated from the remote device to the gaming system processor.
• motion sensors include gyros, magnetometers, and accelerometers.
• the palette of supported gestures is typically limited by the pre-set resolution of the motion sensor. That is, sensitivity to gestures is typically limited to the resolution to which the motion sensor has been set.
• the player typically needs to manually change the sensitivity of the motion sensor.
• a fine sensor i.e., a sensor with relatively high sensitivity
• the sensor may tend to clip.
• a gross sensor i.e., a sensor with relatively low sensitivity
• depiction of the fine motion tends to get blurred in noise. In either scenario, data may be lost.
• a computer system such as a gaming system, for example, may include a processing device and a remote input device.
• the remote input device may be operationally coupled to provide input to the processing device.
• the remote input device may be wirelessly coupled to the processing device.
• the remote input device may include one or more motion sensors, each having one or more sensitivity ranges.
• the remote input device may include one or more motion sensors, each having a plurality of selectable sensitivity ranges.
• the remote input device may include a plurality of motion sensors, each having at least one sensitivity range.
• the processing device may include a context-determining module, a sensitivity-determining module, and a communications module.
• the context-determining module may be configured to ascertain a current context in an application, such as a game- playing application, for example, executing on a computing device.
• the context-determining module may be configured to ascertain a current scripted situation within the game playing application, or to ascertain a user profile.
• the sensitivity-determining module may be configured to receive information from the context-determining module, and to determine a desired sensitivity range for a remote input device.
• the sensitivity-determining module may be configured to determine the desired sensitivity range based at least in part on the user profile.
• the communications module may be configured to communicate information indicative of the desired sensitivity range to the remote input device.
• the processing device may signal the remote input device to select one of the sensors from the plurality of sensors, and/or to select one of the sensitivity ranges from the plurality of sensitivity ranges.
• the remote input device may be configured to receive communicated information that is indicative of a desired sensitivity range.
• the remote input device may be configured to respond to the received information by operating in the desired sensitivity range.
• the remote input device may be configured to respond to the received information by activating a particular physical sensor having a sensitivity range corresponding to the desired sensitivity range.
• FIG. 1 depicts an image of a gross gesture.
• FIGs. 2A-C depict images of fine gestures at various times in tilt mode.
• FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of an example computing system.
• FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an example method for use in a computing system as depicted in FIG. 1.
• FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an example computing environment in which example embodiments and aspects of the present invention may be implemented.
• FIG. 6 is an example network configuration in which aspects of the invention may be implemented.
• a typically gaming system may include a game console.
• a processing device on which the game's operational software application may be executed, may be housed in the game console.
• the gaming system may also include a remote input device, the nature of which may be based on the actual game the player is playing.
• the remote input device may communicate to the game console information corresponding to the player's gestures using the remote input device.
• the game console may cause a depiction of the player's gestures, or the effects thereof, to be presented on a video display, such as a television, computer monitor, or dedicated video display to which the game console is operationally coupled.
• the remote input device may represent a golf club.
• the player's gestures may be characterized by the player's swinging of the golf club.
• the effects of the player's gestures may be characterized by the golf club's being swung.
• the system may be capable of recognizing gestures used in such a game- play scenario, and adjusting the hardware sensitivity dynamically in response to such recognition.
• the game software may be configured to decide when to switch resolution, and to determine the resolution to which to switch. Because a video game is typically a scripted interaction, the game software typically knows the context of the current situation. For example, in a golf scenario, the game software can recognize that, if the ball is at the tee, the player is likely to be driving rather than putting. Similarly, if the ball is on the green, the player is likely to be putting rather than driving. Or the context could be identified based on club selection. For example, if the player selects a driver, he is likely about to drive. If he selects a putter, he is likely about to putt.
• the game software can recognize the context, and determine a desired sensitivity from the context.
• the processing device may signal the remote input device to select progressively more sensitive sensors.
• FIG. 1 depicts an example image of a gross gesture. As shown, an image of a person holding a microphone is presented. The gross gesture corresponds to the singer swinging her arms over about a 60-degree angle rather quickly. To produce a clear image of such a gesture, relatively low motion sensitivity would be desirable.
• FIGs. 2A-C depict example images of fine gestures at various times in tilt mode. As shown, the singer is now titling the microphone relatively slowly over a relatively small angle (e.g., at a rate of 10 degrees every 7 seconds). To produce a clear image of such a gesture, relatively high motion sensitivity would be desirable.
• FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of an example computing system 10.
• the system 10 may include a computing or processing device 20, and a remote input device 30.
• the processing device 20 may be housed in a game console, for example.
• the remote input device 30 may be operationally coupled to provide input to the processing device 20.
• the remote input device 30 may be wired to the processing device 20, or wirelessly coupled to the processing device 20.
• the remote input device 30 may include a human-interface device, such as a ball, bat, drumstick, fishing rod, or microphone, for example, including any type of game controller, such as a joystick, headset, helmet, heads-up display, or the like.
• the remote input device 30 may include gesture recognition hardware.
• the gesture recognition hardware may include one or more sensors, which may be motion sensors, thermal sensors, or pressure sensors, for example, or any combination of such sensors.
• the remote input device 30 may be robotic device, of a type that might be used in manufacturing, for example.
• the remote input device 30 may be operable over a plurality of sensitivity ranges.
• the remote input device 30 may include one or more physical motion sensors 32A- C. Examples of such motion sensors include gyros, accelerometers, and magnetometers. Typically, a single motion sensor or type of motion sensor will not provide absolute positioning of a moving object. Accordingly, multiple, different sensors may be employed. For example, an accelerometer may be used for measuring movement, while an additional sensor (e.g., a gyro) may be employed for determining position.
• a gyro additional sensor
• Each of the one or more physical motion sensors 32A-C may be operable over a plurality of selectable sensitivity ranges.
• the remote input device 30 may include a plurality of physical motion sensors 32A-C, each of which is operable in at least one sensitivity range. It should be understood that the systems and methods described herein are not limited to the use of motion sensors. For example, thermal or pressure sensors could be employed.
• the processing device 20 may include a context-determining module 22, a sensitivity-determining module 24, and a communications module 26.
• the context- determining module 22 may be configured to ascertain a current context in an application 28 executing on the processing device 20.
• the application 28 may be a game- playing application.
• the context-determining module 26 may be configured to ascertain a current scripted situation within the game-playing application 28.
• the context-determining module 22 may be configured to ascertain a user profile 27.
• the processing device 20 may include a memory 25 in which the user profile 27 is stored.
• An example user profile may include one or more predefined preferences of a specific user. Examples of such preferences include presets of default settings for gain, sensitivity, and personalization. This may be accessed through a password or biometric sensor, for example. Multiple profiles may be stored at once.
• the sensitivity-determining module 24 may be configured to receive information from the context-determining module 22, and to determine a desired sensitivity range for the remote input device 30.
• the desired sensitivity range may be determined based at least in part on the current context in the application 28 executing on the processing device 20.
• the desired sensitivity range may be determined based at least in part on the current scripted situation within a game-playing application.
• the sensitivity-determining module 24 may be configured to determine the desired sensitivity range based at least in part on the user profile 27.
• the communications module 26 may be configured to communicate information indicative of the desired sensitivity range to the remote input device 30, for use in selecting a sensitivity range for the remote input device 30.
• the processing device 20 may signal the remote input device 30 to operate in the desired sensitivity range.
• the signal may be transmitted over a wired or wireless connection between the processing device 20 and the remote input device 30.
• the processing device 20 can send a control signal to the sensor in the remote input device 30 to set the sensitivity of the sensor.
• Such a signal may include a field that informs the remote input device 30 of the desired sensitivity range.
• the signal may include a number of bits (e.g., two) that correspond to the desired scale setting.
• the number of bits (and, accordingly, the range of sensitivities) may be a parametric value that may be adjustable via the processing device.
• the remote input device 30 may receive the signal from the processing device 20, and thus receive from the processing device 20 information indicative of the desired sensitivity range.
• the remote input device 30 may respond to receiving the information communicated from the processing device 20 by operating in the desired sensitivity range.
• the remote input device 30 may respond to receiving the communicated information by causing a selected one of the physical motion sensors to operate in a selected one of the plurality of sensitivity ranges.
• the remote input device 30 may cause to operate a selected one of the physical motion sensors that is operable in the desired sensitivity range.
• the remote input device 30 includes a physical motion sensor that is operable over a plurality of selectable sensitivity ranges
• the remote input device 30 may cause the physical motion sensor to operate in the desired sensitivity range by selecting the desired sensitivity range from the plurality of sensitivity ranges over which the motion sensor is operable.
• FIG. 4 provides a flowchart of an example method 60 for use in a computing system as depicted in FIG. 3.
• a desired sensitivity range for the remote input device may be determined at the processing device.
• the determination at 62 may be based, at least in part, on a current context in an application executing on the system.
• the determination at 62 may be based, at least in part, on a user profile.
• the processing device may signal the remote input device to operate in the desired sensitivity range.
• the processing device may signal the remote input device to cause a motion sensor in the remote input device to operate in a selected sensitivity range, as at 70.
• the processing device may signal the remote input device to cause a selected one of a plurality of motion sensors to operate in the desired sensitivity range, as at 72.
• FIG. 5 shows an exemplary computing environment in which example embodiments and aspects may be implemented.
• the computing system environment 100 is only one example of a suitable computing environment and is not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality. Neither should the computing environment 100 be interpreted as having any dependency or requirement relating to any one or combination of components illustrated in the exemplary operating environment 100.
• Numerous other general purpose or special purpose computing system environments or configurations may be used. Examples of well known computing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may be suitable for use include, but are not limited to, personal computers, server computers, hand-held or laptop devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, embedded systems, distributed computing environments that include any of the above systems or devices, and the like.
• Computer-executable instructions such as program modules, being executed by a computer may be used.
• program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types.
• Distributed computing environments may be used where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network or other data transmission medium.
• program modules and other data may be located in both local and remote computer storage media including memory storage devices.
• an exemplary system includes a general purpose computing device in the form of a computer 110.
• Components of computer 110 may include, but are not limited to, a processing unit 120, a system memory 130, and a system bus 121 that couples various system components including the system memory to the processing unit 120.
• the processing unit 120 may represent multiple logical processing units such as those supported on a multi-threaded processor.
• the system bus 121 may be any of several types of bus structures including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures.
• ISA Industry Standard Architecture
• MCA Micro Channel Architecture
• EISA Enhanced ISA
• VESA Video Electronics Standards Association
• PCI Peripheral Component Interconnect
• the system bus 121 may also be implemented as a point-to-point connection, switching fabric, or the like, among the communicating devices.
• Computer 110 typically includes a variety of computer readable media.
• Computer readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by computer 110 and includes both volatile and nonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media.
• Computer readable media may comprise computer storage media and communication media.
• Computer storage media includes both volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data.
• Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CDROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information and which can accessed by computer 110.
• Communication media typically embodies computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and includes any information delivery media.
• modulated data signal means a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal.
• the system memory 130 includes computer storage media in the form of volatile and/or nonvolatile memory such as read only memory (ROM) 131 and random access memory (RAM) 132.
• ROM read only memory
• RAM random access memory
• BIOS basic input/output system
• RAM 132 typically contains data and/or program modules that are immediately accessible to and/or presently being operated on by processing unit 120.
• FIG. 5 illustrates operating system 134, application programs 135, other program modules 136, and program data 137.
• the computer 110 may also include other removable/non-removable, volatile/nonvolatile computer storage media.
• FIG. 5 illustrates a hard disk drive 140 that reads from or writes to non-removable, nonvolatile magnetic media, a magnetic disk drive 151 that reads from or writes to a removable, nonvolatile magnetic disk 152, and an optical disk drive 155 that reads from or writes to a removable, nonvolatile optical disk 156, such as a CD ROM or other optical media.
• removable/non-removable, volatile/nonvolatile computer storage media that can be used in the exemplary operating environment include, but are not limited to, magnetic tape cassettes, flash memory cards, digital versatile disks, digital video tape, solid state RAM, solid state ROM, and the like.
• the hard disk drive 141 is typically connected to the system bus 121 through a non-removable memory interface such as interface 140, and magnetic disk drive 151 and optical disk drive 155 are typically connected to the system bus 121 by a removable memory interface, such as interface 150.
• the drives and their associated computer storage media discussed above and illustrated in FIG. 5, provide storage of computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules and other data for the computer 110.
• hard disk drive 141 is illustrated as storing operating system 144, application programs 145, other program modules 146, and program data 147. Note that these components can either be the same as or different from operating system 134, application programs 135, other program modules 136, and program data 137. Operating system 144, application programs 145, other program modules 146, and program data 147 are given different numbers here to illustrate that, at a minimum, they are different copies.
• a user may enter commands and information into the computer 20 through input devices such as a keyboard 162 and pointing device 161, commonly referred to as a mouse, trackball or touch pad.
• Other input devices may include a microphone, joystick, game pad, satellite dish, scanner, or the like.
• These and other input devices are often connected to the processing unit 120 through a user input interface 160 that is coupled to the system bus, but may be connected by other interface and bus structures, such as a parallel port, game port or a universal serial bus (USB).
• a monitor 191 or other type of display device is also connected to the system bus 121 via an interface, such as a video interface 190.
• computers may also include other peripheral output devices such as speakers 197 and printer 196, which may be connected through an output peripheral interface 195.
• the computer 110 may operate in a networked environment using logical connections to one or more remote computers, such as a remote computer 180.
• the remote computer 180 may be a personal computer, a server, a router, a network PC, a peer device or other common network node, and typically includes many or all of the elements described above relative to the computer 110, although only a memory storage device 181 has been illustrated in FIG. 5.
• the logical connections depicted in FIG. 5 include a local area network (LAN) 171 and a wide area network (WAN) 173, but may also include other networks.
• LAN local area network
• WAN wide area network
• Such networking environments are commonplace in offices, enterprise-wide computer networks, intranets and the Internet.
• the computer 110 When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 110 is connected to the LAN 171 through a network interface or adapter 170. When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer 110 typically includes a modem 172 or other means for establishing communications over the WAN 173, such as the Internet.
• the modem 172 which may be internal or external, may be connected to the system bus 121 via the user input interface 160, or other appropriate mechanism.
• program modules depicted relative to the computer 110, or portions thereof may be stored in the remote memory storage device.
• FIG. 5 illustrates remote application programs 185 as residing on memory device 181. It will be appreciated that the network connections shown are exemplary and other means of establishing a communications link between the computers may be used.
• Example Distributed Computing Frameworks or Architectures are exemplary and other means of establishing a communications link between the computers may be used.
• MICROSOFT®'s .NET platform includes servers, building- block services, such as web-based data storage, and downloadable device software.
• the .NET platform provides (1) the ability to make the entire range of computing devices work together and to have user information automatically updated and synchronized on all of them, (2) increased interactive capability for web sites, enabled by greater use of XML rather than HTML, (3) online services that feature customized access and delivery of products and services to the user from a central starting point for the management of various applications, such as e-mail, for example, or software, such as Office .NET, (4) centralized data storage, which will increase efficiency and ease of access to information, as well as synchronization of information among users and devices, (5) the ability to integrate various communications media, such as e-mail, faxes, and telephones, (6) for developers, the ability to create reusable modules, thereby increasing productivity and reducing the number of programming errors, and (7) many other cross-platform integration features as well.
• FIG. 6 illustrates an example network environment in which the present invention may be employed.
• actual network and database environments may be arranged in a variety of configurations; however, the example environment shown here provides a framework for understanding the type of environment in which an embodiment may operate.
• the example network may include one or more client computers 200a, a server computer 200b, data source computers 200c, and/or databases 270, 272a, and 272b.
• the client computers 200a and the data source computers 200c may be in electronic communication with the server computer 200b by way of the communications network 280 (e.g., an intranet, the Internet or the like).
• the client computers 200a and data source computers 200c may be connected to the communications network by way of communications interfaces 282.
• the communications interfaces 282 can be any type of communications interfaces such as Ethernet connections, modem connections, wireless connections and so on.
• the server computer 200b may provide management of the database 270 by way of database server system software such as MICROSOFT® 's SQL SERVER or the like. As such, server 200b may act as a storehouse of data from a variety of data sources and provides that data to a variety of data consumers.
• a data source may be provided by data source computer 200c.
• Data source computer 200c may communicate data to server computer 200b via communications network 280, which may be a LAN, WAN, Intranet, Internet, or the like.
• Data source computer 200c may store data locally in database 272a, which may be database server or the like.
• the data provided by data source 200c can be combined and stored in a large database such as a data warehouse maintained by server 200b.
• Client computers 200a that desire to use the data stored by server computer 200b can access the database 270 via communications network 280.
• Client computers 200a access the data by way of, for example, a query, a form, etc. It will be appreciated that any configuration of computers is equally compatible with an embodiment of the present invention.

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• Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• User Interface Of Digital Computer (AREA)
• Position Input By Displaying (AREA)

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