Interactive user-machine interface method and apparatus for copier/duplicator

Abstract

This patent describes a user interface device (UI device) used for machine control. The UI device is comprised of a video display capable of presenting desired images to the machine operator and a touch sensitive device capable of detecting operator requests by means of the operator touching the surface of the video display. A standard keyboard may also be employed when typed responses are required of the operator or for infrequent use a QWERTY keyboard may be displayed on the Display. The UI device is controlled by a general purpose computer, which also controls the on-line machine. Visual elements presented to the user on the UI device's display include instructions in text (orthographic display), and images (imaginal display). Displayed images may include and log status indicators (E.g., meters, thermometers) and buttons which the operator can touch to signal control requests. The displayed images change dynamically so that only relevant indicators and valid control buttons are presented to the user at any given time (termed "conditional disclosure"), and the display format can be changed completely upon operator request, to allow for control of infrequently used or complex features (termed "progressive disclosure"). A set of schematics and flow charts are included to complete the disclosure of the system. The resultant interactive display enables a relatively untrained operator to a control a feature-rich or complex machine system.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A system for controlling a copying or printing system comprising: video means for displaying orthographic and imaginal displays to the operator,   pointing means under operator control for determining a selected point on said video means, and for generating electrical signals which are a function of the location of said point on said video means,   sensors in said system to sense the system status,   drivers in said system to drive the system to a selected status,   means for generating displays on said video means in response to said signals and the system status sensed by said sensors and for commanding said drivers in response to said pointing means electrical signals and the system status sensed by said sensors,   wherein said means for generating is a computer comprising programs,   said system sensors include a measuring means for determining the size of the paper loaded in the paper tray, and   said means for generating, in response to said measuring means, produces a display for said video means to indicate the copy paper size.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for generating, in response to an appropriate signal from said pointing means, produces a display for said video means to indicate the original paper size. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said system further comprises means for adjusting the system optics in response to said measuring means and said pointing means signals to adjust the optic focal length and aperture so that the original image, through magnification or reduction, will be printed at the copy paper size. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said system further comprises means for adjusting the copier optics in response to said measuring means and said pointing means signals to adjust the optic focal length and aperture so that there will be a variable amount of magnification or reduction of the image. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said means for generating will produce for said video means a display comprising a bar indication displaying the amount of magnification or reduction. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said means for generating will produce for said video means a display comprising a two-dimensional representation of the copy size and the original image as it will look on the copy in its magnified or reduced size. 
     
     
       7. .[.The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:.]. .Iadd.A system for controlling a copying or printing system comprising: video means for displaying orthographic and imaginal displays to the operator,   pointing means under operator control for determining a selected point on said video means, and for generating electrical signals which are a function of the location of said point on said video means,   sensors in said system to sense the system status,   drivers in said system to drive the system to a selected status,   means for generating displays on said video means in response to said signals and the system status sensed by said sensors and for commanding said drivers in response to said pointing means electrical signals and the system status sensed by said sensors, .Iaddend.   means for determining the average light value of the current original image,   toner means, responsive to said means for determining, for applying to the photoreceptor belt an amount of toner to produce a copy of pre-determined density, and   density adjustment means, responsive to signals produced by said pointing means, for changing said pre-determined density value.   
     
     
       8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said means for generating displays further comprises means for generating a bar display showing the adjusted toner density value. 
     
     
       9. .[.The apparatus of claim 1.]. .Iadd.A system for controlling a copying or printing system comprising: video means for displaying orthographic and imaginal displays to the operator,   pointing means under operator control for determining a selected point on said video means, and for generating electrical signals which are a function of the location of said point on said video means,   sensors in said system to sense the system status,   drivers in said system to drive the system to a selected status,   means for generating displays on said video means in response to said signals and the system status sensed by said sensors and for commanding said drivers in response to said pointing means electrical signals and the system status sensed by said sensors, .Iaddend.   further comprising bias means responsive to signals produced by said pointing means, for changing the bias voltage on the system developer roll to reduce the printing of paste-up lines and faint marks on the original, and   wherein said means for generating generates a bar display for said video means indicating the amount of developer roll bias.