Patent Publication Number: US-2006013609-A1

Title: Machine user interface including a selected service details content well

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      This application is a utility version of Applicant&#39;s design patent application U.S. Ser. No. ______ filed ______ [Applicant&#39;s Docket No. DS/A3343].  
      The present disclosure is directed to user interfaces (UI&#39;s), and more specifically, to a touch-based machine UI including a programmable selected document service details content well that is useful for increasing user satisfaction and productivity.  
      A conventional reprographic machine is the office copier. Traditionally, the copier, in the office equipment context, refers to a light lens xerographic copier in that paper originals are in fact photographed. The images are focused on an area of a photoreceptor, that is subsequently developed with toner. The developed image on the photoreceptor is then transferred to a copy sheet that in turn is used to create a permanent copy of the original.  
      In recent years, however, there has been made available what is known as digital copiers or printing machines. In the most basic functions, a digital copier or printing machine performs the same functions as a light lens copier, except that includes a programmable controller for controlling its functions, and the original image to be copied is not directly focused on a photoreceptor. Instead, with a digital copier or printer, the original image is received, for example, from a personal computer (PC) work station, or storage media, or is scanned by a device generally known as a raster input scanner (RIS) that is typically in the form of a linear array of small photosensors. The controller further enables a wide range of image manipulation and processing capabilities.  
      The original image received as such is focused on the photosensors in the RIS. The photosensors convert the various light and dark areas of the original image to a set of digital signals. These digital signals are temporarily retained in a memory and then eventually are further processed, and manipulated/and or used as is with the aid of a user interface (UI) assembly, to operate the digital printing machine or copier when it is desired to print copies of the original. The digital signals may also be sent directly to the digital printing machine or copier without being stored in a memory. Typically, each such digital printing machine or copier.  
      Digital printing machines or copiers as such are currently being used in the market place of the general office environment. Usually such machines are used in this environment on a non-dedicated and casual basis, as well as by users of varying skill levels, including the most basic level. At the same time, such digital printing machines or copiers are also being used by highly skilled and experienced operators, in a dedicated manner, within the centralized reprographic departments (CRD&#39;s) of large corporations or in key operator Quick Printing Shops.  
      As disclosed for example in commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 6,470,155, issued Oct. 22, 2002 to Martin, et al, it is known to provide a machine for example with dual selectable User Interfaces, each directed to a different skill level. However, currently the method within each level of User Interface for selecting Document Services (Copy, Fax, Scan to Email etc) on multifunction devices is not flexible enough to allow it to conform to a customers desired workflow, and some cases it fails to provide sufficient required information to users regarding the functionality details contained within each of the available services.  
      In addition, it is known for example, as is available on some WINDOWS operating systems, to anticipate the information needs of an application user, and pre-display such information or an outline for such information. Such anticipatory display is often unnecessary, or eventually becomes unnecessary, and so becomes a source of dissatisfaction. Even for those displays that provide a means for opting out, there is no easy or automatic means for re-accessing such information when required.  
      There is therefore a need for a machine optimized UI and a reprographic machine having same, for increasing user satisfaction and productivity on the same reprographic machine.  
      In accordance with the present disclosure, there is provided a touch-based machine User interface (UI) including (a) bar regions for displaying menu headings and command icons; (b) a UI work area; (c) a dedicated machine function selection pane within the UI work area including a series of selectable machine functions and function icons; (d) an associated controller connected to and controlling the series of selectable machine functions; (e) a programmable selected machine function details content well for displaying details and additional information associated with a selected one of the machine function icons; and (f) means for selectively customizing, for a user, the programmable selected machine function details content well from a display to a non-display mode, thereby enabling increased user satisfaction and user productivity on the multi-function machine 
    
    
      The following is a brief description of the drawings used to describe the present disclosure, and thus, these drawings are being presented for illustrative purposes only and thus should not limit the scope of the present disclosure, wherein:  
       FIG. 1  is an illustration of an image producing reprographic machine including the touch-based machine User Interface (UI) in accordance with the present disclosure;  
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustration of the image producing reprographic machine of  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 3  is an illustration of a first embodiment of the machine function selection pane including a selected function details content well of the present disclosure;  
       FIG. 4  is an illustration of a second embodiment of the machine function selection pane showing a selected function and related details thereof displayed in the selected function details content well of the present disclosure;  
       FIG. 5  an illustration of the first embodiment of the machine function selection pane showing the selected function details content well in a DO-NOT-DISPLAY (DND) mode; and  
       FIG. 6  is a flow chart illustrating operation of the selected function details content well and its controller in accordance with the present disclosure. 
    
    
      The following is a detailed description of the present disclosure. In this description, the drawings have been utilized to illustrate the concepts of the present disclosure. In this description as well as in the drawings, like reference numerals indicate the same items or equivalent items.  
      Referring now to  FIGS. 1-2 , an overall construction, and a block diagram, of a digital reprographic machine  100  including the touch-based machine user interface (UI)  150  of the present disclosure, are illustrated. As shown, the digital machine  100  includes a scanning device  102 , a printing module  104 , and the touch-based machine user interface (UI)  150  (to be described in detail below). The digital machine  100  may also include a finisher device  106  that may be a sorter, tower mailbox or stapler, and at least an electronic subsystem (ESS) controller  110  for controlling all the features and functions of the machine  100 . The printing module  104  may include a plurality of paper trays  112  that store image carrying media such as paper that is used in the printing process. Lastly, the digital machine may include a high capacity feeder  116  that is capable of holding large amounts of paper stock to be used by the machine.  
      In a typical scanning function, the operator would utilize the scanning device  102  to scan in the images from the original documents. This scanning device  102  may be a platen type scanner or may include a constant velocity transport system that moves the original documents across a stationary scanning device. Moreover, the scanning device  102  may also include a document handling system that is capable of placing the original documents, automatically, on the glass platen for scanning.  
      With respect to the printing functions, the printing module  104  would retrieve the proper paper from one of the multiple paper trays  112  or the high capacity feeder  116 , render the desired image on the retrieved paper, and output the printed image to the finishing device  106  for further operations.  
      An example of the basic architecture of the digital machine  100  is illustrated as a block diagram in detail in  FIG. 2 , and includes the scanner  102  that converts an original image into a set of digital signals that can be either stored or reproduced. The scanner  102  is connected to a central bus system  120  that may be either a single bus or a plurality of buses that provide interconnections and intercommunications between the various modules and stations on the digital machine.  
      The digital machine  100  also includes a digital printing device  122  of the printing module  104  ( FIG. 2 ) that converts digital signals representing an image into a hardcopy of that image on a recording medium whether the recording medium be paper, transparency, or other type of markable medium. A first memory device  124  is provided for storing a variety of types of digital information such as machine fault information, machine history information, digital images to be processed at a later time, instruction sets for the machine or job instruction sets. A second memory device forming an electronic pre-collation memory section  126  may be provided for storing the digital representation of the image being presently rendered by the digital printing device  122 . In the electronic pre-collation memory  126 , the digital image is already laid out in its page structure so that it can be readily rendered by the digital printing device  122 .  
      Since the digital machine  100  may be connected to a network including a PC work station (not shown), it includes a network interface  128  and an additional controller  130  that control the interrelationship between the various modules or stations on the digital machine  100  and the network.  
      In cases where the digital machine  100  is a multi-function machine, it would include, typically, a voice/data modem  132  and a telephone circuit board  134 . Moreover, the digital machine may also include input/output drives  136  such as a floppy disc drive, a CD ROM drive, a tape drive, or other type of drive that can accept a portable memory device.  
      Referring now to  FIGS. 1-6 , the digital machine  100 , in accordance with the present disclosure, includes the touch-based machine user interface (UI)  150  for increasing user satisfaction and productivity on a multi-function image production machine. The touch-based machine user interface (UI)  150  with the aid of the controller  110 , effectively enables the user to control, within each user interface level, the amount of information needed for maintaining user productivity and user satisfaction.  
      Referring in particular to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the touch-based machine UI  150  includes (a) bar regions  158 A,  158 B for displaying menu headings and command icons  163 A,  163 B (on the pane  152 ), and  165 A,  165 B (well  160 ); (b) a UI work area  154 ; (c) a dedicated machine function selection pane  152  within the UI work area that includes a series of selectable machine functions  156 A-F for example, and associated function icons  157 A-F; (d) an associated controller  110  connected to and controlling the series of selectable machine functions  156 A-F; (e) a programmable selected machine function details content well  160  for displaying details  162  and additional information associated with a selected one of the machine function  156 A-F for example; and (f) devices  110 ,  180 ,  200  for selectively customizing, for a user, the programmable selected machine function details content well  160  from a display mode  210  ( FIG. 6 ) to a non-display mode  220 , thereby enabling increased user satisfaction and user productivity on the multi-function machine.  
      As illustrated in  FIGS. 3-5 , the service selection pane  152  is a dedicated window, within the User Interface dialog or work area  154 , that is used for the selection of machine document services or functions  156 A-F for example. The service selection pane  152  thus includes icons, such as buttons, for the selectable multi-function machine document services  156 A-F. The service selection pane  152  also includes the programmable selected machine function details content well  160  that is a dedicated area for programmably displaying detail information  162  on any of the selected multi-function machine document services  156 A-F for example.  
      As additionally illustrated in  FIG. 6 , in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for customizing the behavior of the programmable selected machine function details content well  160  in order to allow for time to time variations in customer need for additional or incremental details information. As pointed out above, the machine document service selection pane or window  152  includes the series of mutually exclusive document service selection functions  156 A-F with icons  157 A-F, such as buttons, one per each available service or function.  
      As a default, or based on pre-programming to the display mode  210 , the basic behavior of the programmable selected machine function details content well  160  is that as a user selects one of the icons  157 A-F for one of the mutually exclusive machine document services  156 A-F for example, the detailed information  162  displayed within the programmable selected machine function details content well  160  will automatically be updated to display detailed content for the one selected service. Such displayed detailed information or content  162  helps users understand the specifics of each function of the different machine documents services, as well as any special capabilities within each service. Using the programmable selected machine function details content well  160  as such, a user could quickly browse through all the various services available in order to make a decision on the best and most appropriate service for them.  
      Once the user has decided on the best and most appropriate service  156 A-F, selection of its icon  157 A-F will display the detailed information or content  162  on the selected service within the programmable selected machine function details content well  160 . Then, after reading the displayed content  162 , or being sure the user understands how to properly use the selected service, the user can directly close the programmable selected machine function details content well  160  by touching on the “OK” command button  165 A in the bar region  158 B of the content well  160 . Selecting the “OK” command button  165 A as such, closes the programmable selected machine function details content well  160 , and presents a new dialog box (not shown) for the selected service  156 A-F.  
      In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, the programmable selected machine function details content well  160  appears recessed relative to a rest of the dedicated machine function or service selection pane  152  for enhancing and directing user attention to content  162  displayed therein. The series of selectable machine function icons  156 A-F for example include a Copy icon, a Scan icon, and an email icon. The programmable selected machine function details content well  160  additionally displays a copy  157 R of the selected one of the series of selectable machine function icons  157 A-F within the programmable selected machine function details content well  160 . The means or devices for selectively customizing the programmable selected machine function details content well  160  include a device  180  for reading and authenticating an operator identification, the controller  110 , and the program  166 ,  200  as shown in  FIG. 6 .  
      In one embodiment, the means or devices for selectively customizing the programmable selected machine function details content well  160  include reselection means  212  for programming the programmable selected machine function details content well  160  from a non-display mode  220  to a temporary display mode  210 . In another embodiment, the means for selectively customizing the programmable selected machine function details content well  160  include means  214  for automatically programming of the programmable selected machine function details content well from a non-display mode to a temporary display mode if there is no activity for a pre-determined period of time following selection of one of the machine function icons.  
      The method or manner of working of the touch-based machine UI  150  of the present disclosure is illustrated for example in  FIG. 6 . According to the method as illustrated, when and where more productivity is desired from the machine, and in cases where a user is already familiar with the detailed information that would be displayed in the programmable selected machine function details content well  160  about the functionality of a particular selected service, the programmable selected machine function details content well  160  as above can be pre-programmed to default to the non-display mode  220 . As such, selection of any of the machine service selection icons, or buttons will not display (see  FIG. 5 ) detailed information about the selected service, but will allow the user to go immediately to the dialog or activity screen (not shown). This saves a step in the process, thus speeding up the process and increasing productivity.  
      In particular as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , when the machine is started and the service selection window or pane  152  is launched, the controller  110  expects one of the selectable service functions to be selected. If not, the program will stop when Ti (time waiting for a service selection) reaches or exceeds a predetermined time limit Tsu. If a service function is selected, the program reads and checks the user&#39;s ID. It then reads a predetermined time Td for waiting for an activity, and starts the clock running, Nat. (time waiting for activity selection). It then checks to see if this particular user of the ID had preprogrammed the selected function for a DO-NOT-DISPLAY (DND) mode  220 . If not, the content well  160  defaults to the DISPLAY (D) mode  210 . If the DND mode  220  had previously been preprogrammed, then the content well  160  switches to the DND mode. In any case, the program continues to check for activity that indicates that the user understands the service function selected, and has made a decision. As a result of such checking, even if the DND mode had previously been preprogrammed the will default to the DISPLAY (D) mode if Nat. (time waiting for activity selection) also equals or exceeds Td. Once activity is detected, the program then checks for its completion, as well as for selection of another service function.  
      The bar region  158 A of the Service selection window or that  158 B of the content well  160  as shown, contain command icons or buttons, for example an “OK” and a “Cancel” command icons. In operation, when the content well  160  is in the default display mode  210  and detailed information is displayed, the “Cancel” icon  163 B,  165 B will be displayed in the bar region in an off or unselectable state. As such it will appear grayed out and non-interactive. However, when the selection pane  152  is launched or returned to from a service content well  160 , the “Cancel” button  163 B will display a selectable state.  
      In one aspect of the present disclosure, one service selection icon may always be selected as a default service with the content well  160  in the default display mode  210 , thus displaying detailed information  162  on the default service in the content well  160 . For example, the “Copy” service selection function and icon” can be such a default service, and so the detailed service information content well  160  will be displaying the associated details content for the copying function. If the “copy” service function is that desired by the user, then selection or a single press and release of the “OK” button in the bar region  158 A will launch the associated dialog for the “Copy” service. Optionally, instead of pressing and releasing the “OK” button, the user may reselect, for example, again press and release the currently selected button a second time (double pressing).  
      However, if instead, another or different service selection button is selected, that is pressed and released, it then replaces the default service and its icon becomes the selected icon. As such, a copy  157 R of its icon as well as detail information content  162  about it will be displayed in the content well  160  when the content well  160  is in the display mode  210 .  
      As can be seen, there has been provided a touch-based machine User interface (UI) including (a) bar regions for displaying menu headings and command icons; (b) a UI work area; (c) a dedicated machine function selection pane within the UI work area including a series of selectable machine functions and function icons; (d) an associated controller connected to and controlling the series of selectable machine functions; (e) a programmable selected machine function details content well for displaying details and additional information associated with a selected one of the machine function icons; and (f) means for selectively customizing, for a user, the programmable selected machine function details content well from a display to a non-display mode, thereby enabling increased user satisfaction and user productivity on the multi-function machine.  
      The claims, as originally presented and as they may be amended, encompass variations, alternatives, modifications, improvements, equivalents, and substantial equivalents of the embodiments and teachings disclosed herein, including those that are presently unforeseen or unappreciated, and that, for example, may arise from applicants/patentees and others.