(54) OPERATING SYSTEM PROGRAM LAUNCH
`MENU SEARCH
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors:
`
`David A. Matthews, Seattle, WA (US);
`Charles W. Stabb, Seattle, WA (US);
`WA (US)
`. Lerner, Seattle,
`Matthew R
`
`Correspondence Address:
`BANNER & WITCOFF LTD.,
`ATTORNEYS FOR CLIENT NOS. OO3797 &
`0.13797
`1001 GSTREET, N.W.
`SUTE 11 OO
`WASHINGTON, DC 20001-4597 (US)
`
`(73) Assignee:
`
`Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`11/085,654
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Mar. 22, 2005
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`
`715/779; 715/780
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`G06F 7/00
`G06F 3/00
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`An operating system program launch menu, Such as a Start
`menu, provides various mechanisms for a user to quickly
`and efficiently locate and launch desired data items such as
`programs, data files
`storage locations, and the like. A search
`box within the program launch menu may be used to quickly
`locate programs, documents, communications
`, and other
`-complete feature may be used, e.g.,
`data items. An auto
`when the user restricts the locations searched for the user
`entered search text. A most commonly used program list
`may include programs based on various criteria including
`thereby always includ
`both frequency of use and recent use
`ing a most recently used item. An all programs view may
`display programs and documents in a hosted-tree view
`within the original confines of the program launch menu,
`thereby negating the need to open Sub
`menus on top of a
`large portion of the desktop displayed on the display device.
`
`(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2006/0218503 A1
`Sep. 28, 2006
`(43) Pub. Date
`Matthews et all
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`Facebook's Exhibit No. 1009
`Page 2
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`Patent Application Publication Sep. 28, 2006 Sheet 2 of 10
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`US 2006/0218503 A1
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`Page 3
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`Patent Application Publication Sep. 28, 2006 Sheet 3 of 10
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`US 2006/0218503 A1
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`Page 4
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`Patent Application Publication Sep. 28, 2006 Sheet 4 of 10
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`US 2006/0218503 A1
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`Page 5
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`Patent Application Publication Sep. 28, 2006 Sheet 5 of 10
`
`US 2006/0218503 A1
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`707
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`PRESS DOCUMENTS
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`PRESS ALL SOFTWARE
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`RECENT DOCS
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`Page 6
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`

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`Patent Application Publication Sep. 28, 2006 Sheet 6 of 10
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`US 2006/0218503 A1
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`801
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`Facebook's Exhibit No. 1009
`Page 7
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`

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`Patent Application Publication Sep. 28, 2006 Sheet 7 of 10
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`US 2006/0218503 A1
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`
`
`Activate Windows
`Windows Catalog
`Windows Update
`Accessories
`O
`Accessibility
`Accessibility Wizard
`Magnifier
`Narrator
`On-Screen Keyboard
`Utility Manager
`Communications
`HyperTerminal
`NetWork Connections
`Network Setup Wizard
`New Connection Wizard
`Remote Desktop Connection
`Wireless Network Setup Wizard
`Entertainment
`Sound Recorder
`Volume Control
`Windows Media Player
`System Tools
`Activate Windows
`Badkup
`Character Map
`Disk Cleanup
`Disk Defragmenter
`Files and Settings Transfer Wizard
`Scheduled Tasks
`Security Center
`System Information
`System Restore
`Off
`Logoff
`Switch User
`Show Desktop
`LOdk
`Address Book
`Calculator
`Command Prompt
`Notepad
`Paint
`Program Compatibility Wizard
`Synchronize
`Tour Windows
`Windows Explorer
`WordPad
`Run
`Help
`Getting Started
`
`O
`Startup
`Internet Explorer
`MSN
`Outlook Express
`Remote ASSistance
`Windows Media Player
`Windows Messenger
`Windows Movie Maker
`
`FIG 10
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`Page 8
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Sep. 28, 2006 Sheet 8 of 10
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`US 2006/0218503 A1
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`Control Panel -> (sub folder)
`Add Hardware
`a)
`Administrative Tools
`Backup
`Date and Time
`Disk Cleanup
`Disk Defragmenter
`Display
`Files and Settings Transfer Wizard
`Folder Options
`Fonts
`Game Controllers
`Hardware and Devices
`Internet Options
`Keyboard
`Mail
`Mouse
`Network Connections
`New Connection Wizard
`Network Setup Wizard
`Phone and Modem Options
`Power
`Pintes and Faxes
`Program Compatibility Wizard
`Regional and Language Options
`Scanners and Cameras
`Scheduled Tasks
`Sounds and Audio Devices
`Speech
`Startup
`System
`System Information
`System Restore
`Taskbar and Start Menu
`User Accounts
`Windows Update
`
`
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`FIG. 11B
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`24.
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`Accessibility -> (sub folder)
`a)
`Accessibility Options
`b)
`Accessibility Wizard
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`Magnifier
`d)
`Narrator
`e)
`On-Screen Keyboard
`f)
`Utility Manager
`Accessories -> (sub folder)
`a)
`Calculator
`b)
`Character Map
`c)
`Command Prompt
`d)
`HyperTerminal
`e)
`Jourtha
`f)
`Notepad
`g)
`Paint
`h)
`Snipper
`i)
`Sound Recorder
`j)
`Sticky Notes
`k)
`Synchronize
`I)
`WordPad
`Activate Windows (when appropriate)
`Administrative Tools -> (sub folder - hidden by default)
`a)
`Component Services
`b)
`Computer Management
`C)
`DataSources (ODBC)
`d)
`Event Viewer
`e)
`Local Security Policy
`f)
`Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1 Configuration
`g)
`Microsoft .NET Framework. Wizards
`h)
`Performance
`i)
`Services
`Connect To -> (sub folder, only once connectoids exist)
`a)
`Connectoid
`b)
`Connectoid 2
`c)
`etc
`Documents 8 Notes
`Games
`Getting Started
`Help
`Internet Explorer
`Media Player
`Messenger
`MovieMaker
`Movies 8 Television
`Music & Radio
`Outlook Express
`People & Groups
`Photos & Videos
`Presentation -> (sub folder, Mobile SKU only)
`a)
`option 1
`b)
`option 2
`C)
`option 3
`Remote Assistance
`Remote Desktop Connection
`Run
`Search
`Software Explorer
`Windows Catalog
`
`FIG. 1 1A
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`Page 9
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`Patent Application Publication Sep. 28, 2006 Sheet 9 of 10
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`US 2006/0218503 A1
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`315
`
`
`
`401
`
`E. Accessibility
`Administrative Tools
`8 Communications
`: 5, 2 Entertainment;
`
`;
`
`& Synchronize
`Windows Ex lorer
`p
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`Facebook's Exhibit No. 1009
`Page 10
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`Patent Application Publication Sep. 28, 2006 Sheet 10 of 10
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`US 2006/0218503 A1
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`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Priority
`
`Match Source item Location
`Meta data
`Startmenu pin list
`Meta data
`Quick launch
`
`Tiebreaking rulesort Order
`Order in pin list
`Order in Quick launch
`Usage points (MCU Order
`
`
`
`5
`9
`
`Metadata
`Metadata
`
`Executables outside the Startmenu Alphabetical
`History
`Date last visited
`
`16
`18
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`Fulltext
`Fulltext
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`Favorites
`Recent docs folder
`FIG. 13
`
`Order in Favorites
`Date modified
`
`
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`to
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`2
`4
`5
`9
`
`15
`16
`18
`19
`20
`21
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`Source
`sea
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`Inla
`Metadata
`Metadata
`Metadata
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`Keyboard shortcuttable (U, L, etc
`)
`(
`P2
`Path (First word full string match)
`ShOW result as "Run (Search
`Strince'
`Infa
`Fully formed URL
`Order in Quicklaunch
`Quicklaunch
`UEM points (MCU order)
`Startmenu MCU
`Executables outside the Startmenu Alphabetical
`
`Fulltext
`Fulltext
`Fulltext
`Fulltext
`Fulltext
`Fulltext
`
`Quicklaunch
`Startmenu MCU
`Favorites
`History
`Recent docs folder
`All other user files
`FIG. 14
`
`Order in Quick launch
`UEM points (MCU order)
`TOrder in Favorites
`Date last visited
`Date modified
`Alphabetical
`
`
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`Page 11
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`

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`US 2006/0218503 A1
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`Sep. 28, 2006
`
`OPERATING SYSTEMI PROGRAM LAUNCH
`MENU SEARCH
`0001. A portion of the disclosure of this patent document
`contains material which is subject to copyright protection.
`The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile
`reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent
`disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office
`patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright
`rights whatsoever.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`0002 The invention relates generally to computers and
`computer operating systems. More specifically, the inven
`tion provides methods and system for a search box and
`search capabilities in a graphical user interface of a program
`launch menu for an operating system.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`0003 Computer operating systems have evolved signifi
`cantly in recent years. Typically, these systems have a shell
`that provides a graphical user interface (GUI) to an end-user.
`The shell consists of one or a combination of software
`components that provide direct communication between the
`user and the operating system. Speed improvements in
`computer hardware, e.g., memory, hard drives, processors,
`graphics cards, system buses, and the like, have enabled
`richer GUIs that are drastically easier for users to compre
`hend. Accompanying hardware price reductions have made
`computer systems more affordable, enabling broad adoption
`of computers as productivity tools and multimedia systems.
`GUIs have allowed users who may have been unschooled or
`unfamiliar with computers to quickly and intuitively grasp
`the meaning of desktops, icons, windows, and applications,
`and how the user can interact with each.
`0004 The desktop illustrated in FIG. 2 has become the
`standard graphical metaphor for modern GUIs. The interface
`is designed to model the real world activity of working at a
`desk. The desktop typically occupies the entire Surface of a
`single display device, or may span multiple display devices,
`and hosts subordinate user interface objects such as icons,
`menus, cursors and windows. The desktop serves as a base
`work area, where multiple documents and applications can
`sit open.
`0005. An operating system, such as Microsoft Windows
`XP(R) brand or Windows 2000(R) brand operating systems,
`typically comprise a graphical method for launching new
`software applications within its GUI. FIG. 2 illustrates a
`well-known example of how this may be accomplished in
`the Windows XP operating system. The screenshot 200
`displays desktop 201, bordered on one side by taskbar 203,
`and featuring open window 202. When a user desires to
`launch a new application, the user moves a pointer (also
`referred to as a cursor) controlled by a mouse, trackball, or
`the like and clicks on the appropriate menu item in the Start
`Menu 204, which is itself first invoked by clicking on the
`Start button 205. The Start button 205 is generally located in
`a fixed location on the taskbar 203. A user may adjust the
`location of the taskbar 203, but once in place, the Start
`button 205 becomes a constant and familiar starting point for
`the user to launch new applications.
`0006 When a user clicks on the Start button 205 in FIG.
`2, the Start Menu 204 appears as a floating list on top of the
`
`currently open window 202 and desktop 201. A subsequent
`submenu 206 of the Start Menu 204, here triggered when the
`user clicks on or hovers over the “Programs' list item,
`appears on top of and to the right of the original Start Menu
`in order to show more choices.
`0007 Program launching menus (e.g., the Start Menu)
`that use pop-up menus to display all programs, such as is
`illustrated in FIG. 2, have previously been limited in their
`organization and the functions that a user can perform. It can
`be difficult for users to navigate through very long lists with
`deep folder structures. Users often become frustrated when
`trying to find a desired application or document in the
`program launch menu because the information in a program
`launch menu is often cluttered and unorganized, and users
`often accidentally open or close folders as they are navigat
`ing through large cluttered launch menus. In addition, large
`pop-up menus often appear unattractive to users and do not
`appear to be designed to fit within a program launch menu
`very well. While a user can manually organize his or her
`program launch menu to minimize at least some of the
`clutter, this can be tedious and time consuming, and not all
`users are of an experience level to know how to organize
`their program launch menus.
`0008 One organizational feature that has been used in
`program launch menus is to provide a list of shortcuts to
`most frequently used (MFU) or most recently used (MRU)
`items. However, MFU and MRU lists do not always accu
`rately reflect those applications and/or documents currently
`desired by a user. A MFU list, e.g., will not necessarily
`display a recently used document or application, and a MRU
`list will not necessarily display a frequently used document
`or application.
`0009 Thus, it would be an advancement in the art to
`provide a program launch menu in an operating system,
`where the program launch menu provided more intuitive
`organization and provided features which allow a user to
`more efficiently find a desired application or document.
`
`BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`0010. The following presents a simplified summary of the
`invention in order to provide a basic understanding of some
`aspects of the invention. This Summary is not an extensive
`overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key
`or critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope
`of the invention. The following Summary merely presents
`Some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a
`prelude to the more detailed description provided below.
`0011 To overcome limitations in the prior art described
`above, and to overcome other limitations that will be appar
`ent upon reading and understanding the present specifica
`tion, various illustrative aspects of the present invention are
`directed to a program launch menu and improvements
`thereto, for example, including but not limited to an
`improved search facility within a program launch menu,
`improved navigational capabilities of selectable items
`within a program launch menu, and improved heuristics for
`the selection of items that appear on a list of commonly used
`items within a program launch menu.
`0012. According to an illustrative aspect of the invention,
`a computer may assist in performance of a method for
`displaying a list of historically selected items in a menu of
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`Page 12
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`US 2006/0218503 A1
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`Sep. 28, 2006
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`a computer program. The method may include determining
`a most frequently used (MFU) item, determining a most
`recently used item (MRU), and displaying on a computer
`display device the MFU item and the MRU item in the list
`in a menu. The menu may optionally be a program launch
`menu, such as a Start menu. The selection of the MRU and
`MFU items may optionally be based on a number of usage
`points associated with each selectable item, wherein items
`with the highest number of usage points are included in the
`list. The usage points may be determined by adding points
`when an item is used by a user, and Subtracting points as an
`item goes unused by the user. When an item is used, it may
`optionally receive enough usage points to ensure that the
`item will be included in the list, e.g., by adding enough
`usage points to equal the usage points of the last item
`previously included on the list.
`0013. According to another illustrative aspect of the
`invention, one or more computer readable media may store
`computer software for selecting items for display in a
`program launch menu of an operating system. The method
`may include determining a number of usage points corre
`sponding to each of a plurality of items capable of inclusion
`in the program launch menu by assigning an initial number
`of usage points to each of the plurality of items. When one
`of the plurality of items is launched within the operating
`system, the Software increases usage points corresponding to
`that item. The Software decreases usage points correspond
`ing to any item that is not launched within the operating
`system for one or more predetermined periods. The software
`determines a predetermined number of the plurality of items
`as having the largest numbers of usage points, and displays
`in the program launch menu the determined items.
`0014. According to an illustrative aspect of the invention,
`a program launch menu, Such as a Start menu, displays a
`search text input box within the program launch menu
`displayed on a computer display device, which can be used
`to locate user-selectable items on a computer system. Vari
`ous aspects of the invention may provide for a display of
`search results within the program launch menu, the search
`results identifying selectable items matching text input
`received from a user via the search text input box. The
`search results may optionally be grouped according to a type
`of each matching selectable item, e.g., application, docu
`ment, Internet, communication, etc., and may optionally be
`ranked within each group based on one or more secondary
`criteria, Such as a modification date. According to various
`aspects of the invention, searches may be conducted against
`metadata of each selectable item, or against a full-text search
`of the contents of selectable items, as appropriate.
`0.015 According to an illustrative aspect of the invention,
`one or more computer readable media may store computer
`Software for providing a keyboard shortcut for launching an
`item stored on the computer system. Upon detection that a
`user has pressed a program launch menu key on a keyboard
`directly or indirectly connected to the computer system, the
`computer displays a program launch menu on a display
`device directly or indirectly connected to the computer
`system. Upon displaying the program launch menu, the
`computer automatically provides an input focus to a search
`text input box within the program launch menu displayed on
`the computer display device. The computer displays search
`results within a predefined area of the program launch menu,
`wherein the search results comprise selectable items match
`
`ing text input received from the user via the search text input
`box, and automatically provides selection focus to a top
`search result. The computer launches the selectable item
`corresponding to the top search result when receiving pre
`defined user input, e.g. <Enterd, while the top search result
`has the selection focus.
`0016. According to yet another illustrative aspect of the
`invention, one or more computer readable media may store
`Software for providing a program launch menu. The Soft
`ware may display a program launch menu on a display
`device of a computer system, where the program launch
`menu is capable of displaying at least three views. A first
`view may display all application programs in a user-navi
`gable structure. A second view may display the most com
`monly used selectable items including a most recently
`viewed item and a most frequently used item. A third view
`may display search results of selectable items matching text
`input received from a user via a search text input box
`displayed within the program launch menu. The user may
`toggle between the views using a toggle control displayed on
`the computer screen. If the user enters text in a search box,
`the search results view may automatically be displayed.
`0017 According to another illustrative aspect of the
`invention, there is a method of displaying on a computer
`display device a list of selectable items in a program launch
`menu of an operating system executing on a computer
`system. The method may include displaying on a computer
`display device a program launch menu having a predefined
`area in which a plurality of selectable items can be dis
`played, where the plurality of selectable items are arranged
`according to a hierarchy, and where each item comprises one
`of an expandable item and a launchable item. The method
`may initially display in the predefined area a first subset of
`the plurality of selectable items, where each selectable item
`in the first subset is at a top level of the hierarchy. Respon
`sive to a user selecting a first expandable item in the first
`Subset, the method may rearrange items within the pre
`defined area to provide room to hierarchically display in the
`predefined area a second subset of the plurality of selectable
`items, the second Subset including one or more children
`items of the first expandable item. The method may, respon
`sive to the user selecting any launchable item displayed in
`the predefined area, execute a program application associ
`ated with the launchable item. The display of the selectable
`items may optionally be a hosted or nested tree view of the
`items.
`0018. According to another illustrative aspect of the
`invention, one or more computer readable media may store
`computer Software for displaying a nested or hosted tree
`view of a plurality of selectable menu items in a predefined
`area of a program launch menu displayed on a computer
`display device.
`0019. According to another illustrative aspect of the
`invention, a computer system may include stored software to
`display a nested tree view of a plurality of selectable items
`within a non-computer-resizable predefined area of a pro
`gram launch menu. Optionally, responsive to a user selecting
`a first expandable item in the nested tree view, the software
`rearranges items within the predefined area to provide room
`to hierarchically display in the predefined area a subset of
`the plurality of selectable items, the subset including one or
`more children items of the first expandable item. The
`
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`Page 13
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`

`US 2006/0218503 A1
`
`Sep. 28, 2006
`
`Software may launch an application program corresponding
`to a user-selected launchable item from the plurality of
`selectable items displayed in the predefined area.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`0020. A more complete understanding of the present
`invention and the advantages thereof may be acquired by
`referring to the following description in consideration of the
`accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers
`indicate like features, and wherein:
`0021
`FIG. 1 illustrates an operating environment in
`which one or more illustrative aspects of the invention may
`be performed.
`0022 FIG. 2 illustrates a screenshot of a prior art desktop
`and program launch menu:
`0023 FIG. 3 illustrates a screenshot of a desktop having
`a program launch menu according to one or more illustrative
`aspects of the invention.
`0024 FIG. 4 illustrates a program launch menu accord
`ing to one or more illustrative aspects of the invention.
`0.025
`FIG. 5 illustrates a program launch menu accord
`ing to one or more illustrative aspects of the invention.
`0026 FIG. 6 illustrates a program launch menu accord
`ing to one or more illustrative aspects of the invention.
`0027 FIG. 7 illustrates a state diagram for use with a
`program launch menu according to one or more illustrative
`aspects of the invention.
`0028 FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative state diagram for
`use with a program launch menu according to one or more
`illustrative aspects of the invention.
`0029 FIG. 9 illustrates a method for determining valid
`items for inclusion on a most frequently used list according
`to one or more illustrative aspects of the invention.
`0030 FIG. 10 illustrates a menu hierarchy that may be
`used according to one or more illustrative aspects of the
`invention.
`0031 FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate an alternative menu
`hierarchy that may be used according to one or more
`illustrative aspects of the invention.
`0032 FIG. 12 illustrates a screen shot of a program
`launch menu displaying All Programs according to an illus
`trative aspect of the invention.
`0033 FIG. 13 illustrates tie-breaking rules for search
`results according to an illustrative aspect of the invention.
`0034 FIG. 14 illustrates tie-breaking rules for search
`results according to an illustrative aspect of the invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`0035) In the following description of the various embodi
`ments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings,
`which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of
`illustration various embodiments in which the invention
`may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodi
`
`ments may be utilized and structural and functional modi
`fications may be made without departing from the scope of
`the present invention.
`Illustrative Operating Environment
`0036 FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a suitable com
`puting environment 100 in which the invention may be
`implemented. The computing 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 of the invention. Neither should the computing
`environment 100 be interpreted as having any dependency
`or requirement relating to any one or combination of com
`ponents illustrated in the exemplary operating environment
`1OO.
`0037. The invention is operational with numerous other
`general purpose or special purpose computing system envi
`ronments or configurations. Examples of well known com
`puting systems, environments, and/or configurations that
`may be suitable for use with the invention include, but are
`not limited to, personal computers; server computers; por
`table and hand-held devices such as personal digital assis
`tants (PDAs), tablet PCs or laptop PCs; multiprocessor
`systems; microprocessor-based systems; set top boxes; pro
`grammable consumer electronics; network PCs; minicom
`puters; mainframe computers; game consoles; distributed
`computing environments that include any of the above
`systems or devices; and the like.
`0038. The invention may be described in the general
`context of computer-executable instructions, such as pro
`gram modules, being executed by a computer. Generally,
`program modules include routines, programs, objects, com
`ponents, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks or
`implement particular abstract data types. The invention may
`also be practiced in distributed computing environments
`where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that
`are linked through a communications network. In a distrib
`uted computing environment, program modules may be
`located in both local and remote computer storage media
`including memory storage devices.
`0039. With reference to FIG. 1, an illustrative system for
`implementing the invention includes a general purpose
`computing device in the form of a computer 110. Compo
`nents 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 130 to the processing unit 120. 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 architec
`tures. By way of example, and not limitation, Such archi
`tectures include Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus,
`Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, Enhanced ISA
`(EISA) bus, Video Electronics Standards Association
`(VESA) local bus, Advanced Graphics Port (AGP) bus, and
`Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus also known as
`Mezzanine bus.
`0040 Computer 110 typically includes a variety of com
`puter 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. By way of example, and not limita
`
`Facebook's Exhibit No. 1009
`Page 14
`
`

`

`US 2006/0218503 A1
`
`Sep. 28, 2006
`
`tion, computer readable media may comprise computer
`storage media and communication media. Computer storage
`media includes volatile and nonvolatile, removable and
`non-removable media implemented in any method or tech
`nology 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, CD-ROM, 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. The term “modu
`lated 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. By way of example, and not
`limitation, communication media includes wired media Such
`as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless
`media Such as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless
`media. Combinations of the any of the above should also be
`included within the scope of computer readable media.
`0041. The system memory 130 includes computer stor
`age media in the form of volatile and/or nonvolatile memory
`such as read only memory (ROM) 131 and random access
`memory (RAM) 132. A basic input/output system 133
`(BIOS), containing the basic routines that help to transfer
`information between elements within computer 110, such as
`during start-up, is typically stored in ROM 131. RAM 132
`typically contains data and/or program modules that are
`immediately accessible to and/or presently being operated
`on by processing unit 120. By way of example, and not
`limitation, FIG. 1 illustrates operating system 134, applica
`tion programs 135, other program modules 136, and pro
`gram data 137.
`0042. The computer 110 may also include other remov
`able/non-removable, Volatile/nonvolatile computer storage
`media. By way of example only, FIG. 1 illustrates a hard
`disk drive 141 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. Other removable/non
`removable, Volatile/nonvolatile computer storage media that
`can be used in th