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Abstract

A multi-tiered data acquisition and management system including at least two input computers, operably coupled via a communication link, each coupled to a respective local database of data records. The system includes at least two portable computing devices, each operably coupled to one of the two input computers via a wireless communication channel for accessing the data records of the local databases of the input computers. Each portable computing device comprises a CPU, memory, and a touch sensitive display device that cooperate to display multiple virtual regions (which comprise on a data I/O screen and sense location of contact by a user in these virtual regions to thereby provide for user input). These multiple virtual regions preferably include one of a virtual keypad for entering symbols associated with keys of the keypad, at least one scroll bar, at least one rolling key, multiple icons, a menu screen and a graphing screen. Each portable computer may have an integrated code reader (for example, bar code reader) for data entry. The information acquired and maintained by the system may include product information, information identifying a medical patient, or information related to a medical patient (such as personal information gathered upon admittance for care, information related to past medical history of the medical patient, and information related to vital statistics of the medical patient). In addition, each portable device may include a message notification mechanism that notifies the user of receipt of a message from one of the input computers over the respective wireless communication channels.

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First Claim