Computerized action tool and method of use

• US 20060285868A1
• Filed: 06/16/2005
• Published: 12/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Holmes, Alix A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,698,650 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 399/81
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a computer system which includes a plurality of objects stored in a memory, a plurality of actions such as printing actions stored in the memory, and an action tool. Application of the action tool executes a subset of the plurality of actions on a subset of the plurality of objects. A method of outputting computerized objects by identifying a plurality of objects to be printed or otherwise manipulated, selecting an action tool which includes multiple actions and applying the action tool to the identified objects also is disclosed. The system and method of the invention are particularly useful for printing sets of documents or other files.

Claims

1. A document output management system, comprising:

a plurality of printing actions stored in a memory, and

an action tool which is accessible through an action tool user interface, the action tool, when applied, executing a subset of the plurality of printing actions on at least one computerized object.

2. The document output management system of claim 1, wherein the at least one computerized object comprises a plurality of computerized objects.

3. The document output management system of claim 2, wherein the plurality of computerized objects are documents.

4. The document output management system of claim 2, wherein the plurality of computerized objects are files.

5. The document output management system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of printing actions comprise at least one of printing parameters and queuing instructions.

6. The document output management system of claim 1, wherein the action tool can be customized by a user.

7. The document output management system of claim 1, wherein the printing actions in the subset are executed in series.

8. The document output management system of claim 1, wherein the action tool is applied to an individual object using a single user command.

9. The document output management system of claim 2, wherein the action tool is applied to the plurality of computerized objects using a single user command.

10. The document output management system of claim 1, wherein the action tool is part of a set of action tools.

11. The document output management system of claim 1, wherein the action tool is a wand.

12. A method of outputting computerized objects, comprising:

identifying a plurality of computerized objects to be printed,

selecting an action tool, the action tool including multiple printing actions, and

applying the action tool to the identified computerized objects.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising customizing the action tool by linking a particular set of printing actions to a particular action tool.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein linking includes choosing the set of printing actions from a drop down menu.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising saving the customized action tool.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the action tool is applied using a single user command.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein selecting an action tool includes selecting at least one action tool from a group of action tools.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein the computerized objects are documents and applying the action tool comprises printing the documents.

19. A computer system, comprising:

a plurality of objects stored in a memory,

a plurality of actions stored in the memory, and

an action tool configured to execute a subset of the plurality of actions on a subset of the plurality of objects.

20. The computer system of claim 19, wherein the action tool is applied using a single user command.