Interface for multifunctional system having multiple services
AssigneeXerox Corporation
InventorsCharles W. Stohrer, Anne E. Brose
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An interface for a multifunctional electronic device capable of performing multiple services such as copy, fax, scan, and print wherein the interface is simplified by illuminating or otherwise focusing a user's attention to only those control switches that are available for selection in respect to the service to be performed. Also, provision may be made to highlight, within a group of available features, the switch that controls the feature that is currently selected.
Claims24
A multifunctional electronic system having a human interface and offering a plurality of services to a human user, said system comprising:
- a) a system controller;
- b) a plurality of human controllable switch devices located on the interface that control selection of system features and that separately communicate with the system controller;
- c) a plurality of human interpretable indicators, each associated with a switch device and indicating the existence of one of a plurality of modes for such switch device;
- wherein, when a first service is selected, the controller directs the human interpretable indicator associated with a switch device to indicate the existence of a first mode for such switch device;
- and
- wherein, when a second service is selected, the controller directs the human interpretable indicator associated with the switch device to indicate the existence of a second mode for such switch device.
An electrophotographic multifunctional printer having a human interface and offering a plurality of services to a human user, said printer comprising:
- a) a system controller;
- b) a plurality of human controllable switch devices located on the interface that control selection of system features and that separately communicate with the system controller;
- c) a plurality of human interpretable indicators, each associated with a switch device and indicating the existence of one of a plurality of modes for such switch device;
- wherein, when a first service is selected, the controller directs the human interpretable indicator associated with a switch device to indicate the existence of a first mode for such switch device;
- and
- wherein, when a second service is selected, the controller directs the human interpretable indicator associated with the switch device to indicate the existence of a second mode for such switch device.
In a multifunctional system having a system controller, a human interface comprising a plurality of switch devices that control selection of system features, and a human interpretable indicator associated with each switch device, a process for interfacing with the system, comprising:
- selecting a first service to be performed;
- determining, with the controller, which features are available for selection with the first service;
- and
- activating, with signals from the controller, the human interpretable indicators associated with those switch devices that control selection of the features available for selection with the first service.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.