Auto-function switching process for a multi-functional machine

• US 5,969,826 A
• Filed: 01/21/1997
• Issued: 10/19/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Gusmano, Donald J., Dash, Robert J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Coles, Edward L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): FIELDS, DERRICK LAMAR
• Application Number:
  US08/786,593
• Time in Patent Office: 1,001 Days
• Field of Search: 358/400, 358/468, 358/404, 358/498, 358/462, 358/442, 395/112, 395/117, 399/81, 399/85, 399/16, 399/17, 399/76, 399/1, 345/901, 345/905
• US Class Current: 358/400
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00384 Key input means, e.g. buttons or keypads electromechanical details of key input means in general H01H13/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00408 Display of information to the user, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00413 using menus, i.e. presenting the user with a plurality of selectable options H04N1/00464 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00432 using tabs
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00474 outputting a plurality of functional options, e.g. scan, copy or print
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00482 outputting a plurality of job set-up options, e.g. number of copies, paper size or resolution
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32496 Changing the task performed, e.g. reading and transmitting, receiving and reproducing, copying facsimile mode changing H04N1/333
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 345/901 Electronic book with display
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 345/905 Display device with housing structure

Abstract

A system or method displays an appropriate user interface for a multi-function machine. A controller changes displayed contents of a user interface to display a functional screen corresponding to a copy-function when a document handler sensor senses a document placed in a document handler and changes the displayed contents of the user interface to display a functional screen corresponding to a facsimile-function when a telephone number sensor circuit senses a telephone being inputted through a ten-key pad. The controller also changes the display of the user interface to display a functional screen corresponding to a copy-function when a platen cover sensor senses a lifting of a platen cover. Lastly, the controller changes the display of the user interface to display a function screen corresponding to a print-function when a portable memory drive sensor senses an insertion of a portable memory device into a portable memory drive.

Claims

1. A method for displaying an appropriate user interface for a multi-function machine comprising the steps of:

(a) sensing a non-user interface related preparatory action by a user of the multi-function machine; and

(b) changing a display of a user interface to display a functional screen corresponding to the sensed non-user interface related preparatory action.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the non-user interface related preparatory action is lifting a platen cover and the displayed functional screen is a copy-function screen.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the non-user interface related preparatory action is placing a document into a document handler and the displayed functional screen is a copy-function screen.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the non-user interface related preparatory action is keying-in a telephone number and the displayed functional screen is a facsimile-function screen.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the non-user interface related preparatory action is lifting a handset and the displayed functional screen is a facsimile-function screen.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the non-user interface related preparatory action is inserting a floppy disk into a drive and the displayed functional screen is a print media-function screen.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the non-user interface related preparatory action is inserting a compact disk into a drive and the displayed functional screen is a print media-function screen.

8. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the non-user interface related preparatory action is inserting a portable memory device into a drive and the displayed functional screen is a print media-function screen.

9. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

(c) sensing a second non-user interface related preparatory action by a user of the multi-function machine; and

(d) changing the user interface screen to display a function screen corresponding to the sensed second non-user interface related preparatory action.

10. A system for displaying an appropriate user interface for a multi-function machine, comprising:

a user interface;

sensing means for sensing a non-user interface related preparatory action by a user of the multi-function machine; and

control means, responsive to said sensing means, for changing a display of said user interface to display a functional screen corresponding to the sensed non-user interface related preparatory action.

11. The system as claimed in claim 10, further comprising:

a platen cover;

said sensing means is a sensor to sense lifting of said platen cover;

said control means changing the display of said user interface to display a copy-function screen when said platen cover is lifted.

12. The system as claimed in claim 10, further comprising:

a document handler;

said sensing means is a sensor to sense placing a document into said document handler;

said control means changing the display of said user interface to display a copy-function screen when a document is placed in said document handler.

13. The system as claimed in claim 10, further comprising:

a ten key pad;

said sensing means is a telephone number sensor circuit to sense the dialing of a telephone number;

said control means changing the display of said user interface to display a facsimile-function screen when a telephone number is entered through the ten key pad.

14. The system as claimed in claim 10, further comprising:

a floppy disk drive;

said sensing means is a sensor to sense insertion of a floppy disk into said floppy disk drive;

said control means changing the display of said user interface to display a print media-function screen when a floppy disk is inserted into said floppy disk drive.

15. The system as claimed in claim 10, further comprising:

a portable memory drive;

said sensing means is a sensor to sense insertion of a portable memory into said portable memory drive;

said control means changing the display of said user interface to display a print media-function screen when a portable memory is inserted into said portable memory drive.

16. The system as claimed in claim 10, wherein said sensing means senses a second non-user interface related preparatory action by a user of multi-function machine and said control means changes a display of said user interface to display a functional screen corresponding to the second sensed non-user interface related preparatory action.

17. A system for displaying an appropriate user interface for a multi-function machine, comprising:

a user interface having a touch-sensitive display and a ten key pad;

a document handler;

a document handler sensor;

a telephone number sensor circuit; and

a controller;

said controller, responsive to said document sensor and said telephone number sensor circuit, changing displayed contents of said user interface to display a functional screen corresponding to a copy-function when said document handler sensor senses a document placed in said document handler and changing the displayed contents of said user interface to display a functional screen corresponding to a facsimile-function when said telephone number sensor circuit senses a telephone being inputted through said ten-key pad.

18. The system as claimed in claim 17, further comprising:

a platen cover; and

a platen cover sensor;

said control means, responsive to said platen cover sensor, changing the display of said user interface to display a functional screen corresponding to a copy-function when said platen cover sensor senses a lifting of said platen cover.

19. The system as claimed in claim 17, further comprising:

a portable memory drive; and

a portable memory drive sensor;

said control means, responsive to said portable memory drive sensor, changing the display of said user interface to display a function screen corresponding to a print media-function when said portable memory drive sensor senses an insertion of a portable memory device into said portable memory drive.