Touch screen user interface for digital reprographic device with pop-up menu display

• US 20070139386A1
• Filed: 12/16/2005
• Published: 06/21/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Martin, Andrew, Krolczyk, Marc
• Application Number:
  US11/304,654
• Publication Number:
  US 20070139386A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide methods, apparatus, and systems for an efficient user interface implemented on a touch screen for a digital reprographic machine. In particular, the touch screen may display various objects, such as icons or command buttons. In response to a user selecting one of these objects, a pop-up window is then provided on the touch screen. The pop-up window may comprise a list box or menu and its contents may be determined by the functions corresponding to the selected object. The pop-up window may remain open until the user selects one of the items, or touches an area of the touch screen that is outside of the pop-up window, or after a certain amount of time has elapsed, such as 10-15 seconds. When the user touches an item in the pop-up window, the pop-up window may close and a corresponding operation may be performed by the digital printing machine.

Claims

1. A method of interfacing with a touch screen of a digital reprographic device, said method comprising:

displaying a set of selectable objects for controlling the operation of the digital reprographic device on a touch screen;

sensing contact with the touch screen;

determining a position of the contact with the touch screen;

selecting one of the selectable objects based on the position of the contact with the touch screen; and

displaying a pop-up window comprising a set of selectable items that correspond to the selected object.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the set of selectable items corresponds to a function of the digital reprographic device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein each function is mutually exclusive.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising closing the pop-up window upon based on when the contact with the touch screen has ended.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising closing the pop-up window after a predetermined amount of time.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising closing the pop-up window upon based on when contact on the touch screen in an area outside the menu.

7. A touch screen user interface for a digital reprographic device, said touch screen user interface comprising:

a touch screen for displaying a set of selectable objects and configured to indicate a location of contact; and

a user interface controller configured to determine a position of the contact with the touch screen, select one of the set of selectable objects based on the position of the contact, and display a pop-up window comprising selectable items related to the selected object.

8. The touch screen user interface of claim 7, wherein the selectable items are related to functions of the digital reprographic device.

9. The touch screen user interface of claim 7, wherein the selectable items are mutually exclusive.

10. The touch screen user interface of claim 7, wherein the user interface controller is configured to command the digital reprographic device to perform the function associated with one of the set of selectable items in the pop-up window.

11. The touch screen user interface of claim 7, wherein the user interface controller is configured to close the pop-up window after a predetermined amount of time.

12. The touch screen user interface of claim 7, wherein the user interface controller is configured to close the pop-up window upon contact in an area of the touch screen outside the pop-up window.

13. A multi-function digital reprographic machine comprising:

a printer;

a scanner;

a touch screen for displaying a set of selectable objects and configured to indicate a location of contact; and

a user interface controller configured to determine a position of the contact with the touch screen, select one of the set of selectable objects based on the position of the contact, and display a pop-up window comprising selectable items related to the selected object.

14. The multi-function digital reprographic machine of claim 13, wherein the selectable items are related to functions of the digital reprographic device.

15. The multi-function digital reprographic machine of claim 13, wherein the selectable items are mutually exclusive.

16. The multi-function digital reprographic machine of claim 13, wherein the user interface controller is configured to command the digital reprographic device to perform the function associated with one of the set of selectable items in the pop-up window.

17. The multi-function digital reprographic machine of claim 13, wherein the user interface controller is configured to close the pop-up window after a predetermined amount of time.

18. The multi-function digital reprographic machine of claim 13, wherein the user interface controller is configured to close the pop-up window upon contact in an area of the touch screen outside the pop-up window.