Multifunction office device having a graphical user interface implemented with a touch screen

• US 6,980,312 B1
• Filed: 04/24/2000
• Issued: 12/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Vigil, Luana L., Martinez, Donna Marie, Goes In Center, Kate, Czyszczewski, Joseph Stanley, Smith, James T II, Moroney, Brian William, Woehr, Ivan
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams, Kimberly
• Assistant Examiner(s): EBRAHIMI DEHKORDY, SAEID
• Application Number:
  US09/557,117
• Time in Patent Office: 2,073 Days
• Field of Search: 358/1.15, 358/400, 358/468, 348/207.99, 710/1, 710/14, 710/20, 399/67, 707/9, 707/200, 715/513
• US Class Current: 358/1.15
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0233 Character input methods

Abstract

A multifunction device includes a multifunction controller, a first interface for receiving input data from a document data source and a second interface for outputting processed input document data to a printer, and a touch screen that implements a graphical user interface for controlling the operation of the device. The device includes control over setting operational parameters for the document data source and the printer, and selecting a mode of operation of the multifunction device. Another interface is provided for coupling to a facsimile device for outputting processed document data to the facsimile device under control of the graphical user interface, while a further interface is provided for coupling to an e-mail port for outputting processed document data to the e-mail port, also under control of the graphical user interface. Users are able to search and access databases through a global data communications network.

Claims

1. A multifunction device, comprising:

a multifunction controller;

a first interface for receiving input data from at least one document data source and a second interface for outputting processed input document data to at least one printer;

a touch screen implementing a graphical user interface for controlling the operation of said multifunction device, including setting operational parameters for said at least one document data source and said at least one printer, and for selecting a mode of operation of said multifunction device; and

another interface for coupling to an e-mail port for outputting processed document data to said e-mail port under control of said graphical user interface wherein said graphical user interface, when operating in an e-mail mode of operation, provides a touch screen which includes alphanumeric characters and a single touch screen button for entering an “

@ ”

character with a single touch input.

2. A multifunction device, comprising:

a multifunction controller;

a first interface for receiving input data from at least one document data source and a second interface for outputting processed input document data to at least one printer; and

a touch screen implementing a graphical user interface for controlling the operation of said multifunction device, including setting operational parameters for said at least one document data source and said at least one printer, and for selecting a mode of operation of said multifunction device;

wherein said graphical user interface enables a user to access and search databases that are coupled to said multifunction controller through a global data communications network.

3. Apparatus comprising:

an image capture device which generates a digital record;

a printer interface which generates printed copy signals corresponding to the digital record, the printed copy signals being effective in printing an image derived from the captured image when coupled to a printer;

a controller which couples said image capture device and said printer interface, said controller having

a touch screen;

a first network interface which connects to an area network for bidirectional exchange of digital data; and

a second network interface which connects to a second network for bidirectional exchange of digital data; and

a control program stored accessibly to and executable on said controller, said control program when executing implementing a graphical user interface on said touch screen and enabling a user to select delivery of the digital record to a selected one of said printer interface, said first network interface, and said second network interface.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said control program when executing on said controller enables a user to access a remotely stored database of address information.

5. Apparatus according to claim 3 further comprising:

a memory coupled to and housed with said controller;

said control program when executing on said controller further enabling a user to store a database of address information in said memory and enabling access to said database of address information stored in said memory.

6. Apparatus according to claim 3 further comprising

a memory coupled to and housed with said controller;

said control program when executing on said controller further enabling a user to store a database of address information in said memory and to selectively access one of said database of address information stored In said memory and a second database of address information stored remotely from said controller and accessible through said first network interface.

36. Apparatus according to claim 3 further comprising

a memory coupled to and housed with said controller;

said control program when executing on said controller further enabling a user to store a database of address information in said memory and to select from two databases and selectively access one of the two databases, the two databases being (1) said database of address information stored in said memory and (2) a second database of address information stored remotely from said controller and accessible through said first network interface.

7. Apparatus comprising;

an image capture device which generates a digital record;

a printer interface which generates printed copy signals corresponding to the digital record, the printed copy signals being effective in printing an image derived from the captured image when coupled to a printer;

a controller which couples said image capture device and said printer interface, said controller having

a touch screen;

a first network interface which connects to an area network for bidirectional exchange of digital data; and

a second network interface which connects to a second network for bidirectional exchange of digital data; and

a control program stored accessibly to and executable on said controller, said control program when executing implementing a graphical user interface on said touch screen and enabling a user to select delivery of the digital record to any selected two of said printer interface, said first network interface, and said second network interface.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said control program when executing on said controller enables a user to access a remotely stored database of address information.

9. Apparatus according to claim 7 further comprising:

a memory coupled to and housed with said controller;

said control program when executing on said controller further enabling a user to store a database of address information in said memory and enabling access to said database of address information stored in said memory.

10. Apparatus according to claim 7 further comprising

a memory coupled to and housed with said controller;

said control program when executing on said controller further enabling a user to store a database of address information in said memory and to selectively access one of said database of address information stored in said memory and a second database of address information stored remotely from said controller and accessible through said first network interface.

11. Apparatus comprising:

an image capture device which generates a digital record;

a printer interface which generates printed copy signals corresponding to the digital record, the printed copy signals being effective in printing an image derived from the captured image when coupled to a printer;

a controller which couples said image capture device and said printer interface, said controller having

a touch screen;

a first network interface which connects to an area network for bidirectional exchange of digital data; and

a second network interface which connects to a second network for bidirectional exchange of digital data; and

a control program stored accessibly to and executable on said controller, said control program when executing implementing a graphical user interface on said touch screen and enabling a user to select delivery of the digital record to each and all of said printer interface, said first network interface, and said second network interface.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said control program when executing on said controller enables a user to access a remotely stored database of address information.

13. Apparatus according to claim 11 further comprising:

a memory coupled to and housed with said controller;

said control program when executing on said controller further enabling a user to store a database of address information in said memory and enabling access to said database of address information stored in said memory.

14. Apparatus according to claim 11 further comprising

a memory coupled to and housed with said controller;

said control program when executing on said controller further enabling a user to store a database of address information in said memory and to selectively access one of said database of address information stored in said memory and a second database of address information stored remotely from said controller and accessible through said first network interface.

15. Apparatus comprising:

an image capture device which generates a digital record;

a printer which generates a printed copy derived from the digital record;

a controller which couples said image capture device and said printer, said controller having

a touch screen;

a first network interface which connects to an area network for bidirectional exchange of digital data; and

a second network interface which connects to a second network for exchange of digital data; and

a control program stored accessibly to and executable on said controller, said control program when executing implementing a graphical user interface on said touch screen and enabling a user to select delivery of the digital record to a selected one of said printer, said first network interface, and said second network interface.

16. Apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said control program when executing on said controller enables a user to access a remotely stored database of address information.

17. Apparatus according to claim 15 further comprising:

a memory coupled to and housed with said controller;

said control program when executing on said controller further enabling a user to store a database of address information in said memory and enabling access to said database of address information stored in said memory.

18. Apparatus according to claim 15 further comprising

a memory coupled to and housed with said controller;

said control program when executing on said controller further enabling a user to store a database of address information in said memory and to selectively access one of said database of address information stored in said memory and a second database of address information stored remotely from said controller and accessible through said first network interface.

19. Apparatus comprising:

an image capture device which generates a digital record;

a printer which generates a printed copy derived from the digital record;

a controller which couples said image capture device and said printer, said controller having

a touch screen;

a first network interface which connects to an area network for bidirectional exchange of digital data; and

a second network interface which connects to a second network for exchange of digital data; and

a control program stored accessibly to and executable on said controller, said control program when executing implementing a graphical user interface on said touch screen and enabling a user to select delivery of the digital record to any selected two of said printer, said first network interface, and said second network interface.

20. Apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said control program when executing on said controller enables a user to access a remotely stored database of address information.

21. Apparatus according to claim 19 further comprising:

a memory coupled to and housed with said controller;

said control program when executing on said controller further enabling a user to store a database of address information in said memory and enabling access to said database of address information stored in said memory.

22. Apparatus according to claim 19 further comprising

a memory coupled to and housed with said controller;

said control program when executing on said controller further enabling a user to store a database of address information in said memory and to selectively access one of said database of address information stored in said memory and a second database of address information stored remotely from said controller and accessible through said first network interface.

23. Apparatus comprising:

an image capture device which generates a digital record;

a printer which generates a printed copy derived from the digital record;

a controller which couples said image capture device and said printer, said controller having

a touch screen;

a first network interface which connects to an area network for bidirectional exchange of digital data; and

a second network interface which connects to a second network for exchange of digital data; and

a control program stored accessibly to and executable on said controller, said control program when executing implementing a graphical user interface on said touch screen and enabling a user to select delivery of the digital record to each and all of said printer, said first network interface, and said second network interface.

24. Apparatus according to claim 23 wherein said control program when executing on said controller enables a user to access a remotely stored database of address information.

25. Apparatus according to claim 23 further comprising:

a memory coupled to and housed with said controller;

said control program when executing on said controller further enabling a user to store a database of address information in said memory and enabling access to said database of address information stored in said memory.

26. Apparatus according to claim 23 further comprising

a memory coupled to and housed with said controller;

said control program when executing on said controller further enabling a user to store a database of address information in said memory and to selectively access one of said database of address information stored in said memory and a second database of address information stored remotely from said controller and accessible through said first network interface.

27. A method comprising the steps of:

capturing a digital record of a document;

executing on a controller having a touch screen a control program which implements a graphical user interface on said touch screen and which enables a user to select delivery of the captured digital record to one of an associated printer, a first network interface, and a second network interface; and

performing in accordance to such selection one of;

1. delivering the digital record to the printer to generate a copy of the document;

2. delivering the digital record to the first network interface to generate an electronic mail message;

3. delivering the digital record to the second network interface to generate a facsimile transmission to a remote facsimile receiver.

28. The method of claim 27 wherein the format of the electronic mail message is a format selected from the group consisting of PDF and Text.

37. The method of claim 27 wherein the format of the electronic mail message is PDF format.

29. A method comprising the steps of:

capturing a digital record of a document;

executing on a controller having a touch screen a control program which implements a graphical user interface on said touch screen and which enables a user to select delivery of the captured digital record to at least two of an associated printer, a first network interface, and a second network interface; and

performing in accordance to such selection at least two of;

1. delivering the digital record to the printer to generate a copy of the document;

2. delivering the digital record to the first network interface to generate an electronic mail message;

3. delivering the digital record to the second network interface to generate a facsimile transmission to a remote facsimile receiver.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein the format of the electronic mail message is a format selected from the group consisting of PDF and Text.

38. The method of claim 29 wherein the format of the electronic mail message is PDF format.

31. A program product comprising:

a computer readable medium;

a control program stored on said medium, said control program when executing on a controller which couples an image capture device, a printer, first and second network interfaces, and a touch screen, implementing a graphical user interface on said touch screen and enabling a user to select delivery of a digital record captured by the device to one of the printer, the first network interface, and the second network interface by performing in accordance to such selection one of;

(a) delivering the digital record to the printer to generate a copy of the document;

(b) delivering the digital record to the first network interface to generate an electronic mail message;

(c) delivering the digital record to the second network interface to generate a facsimile transmission to a remote facsimile receiver.

32. A program product comprising;

a computer readable medium;

a control program stored on said medium, said control program when executing on a controller which couples an image capture device, a printer, first and second network interfaces, and a touch screen, implementing a graphical user interface on said touch screen and enabling a user to select delivery of a digital record captured by the device to at least two of the printer, the first network interface, and the second network interface by performing in accordance to such selection at least two of;

(a) delivering the digital record to the printer to generate a copy of the document;

(b) delivering the digital record to the first network interface to generate an electronic mail message;

(c) delivering the digital record to the second network interface to generate a facsimile transmission to a remote facsimile receiver.

33. Apparatus comprising:

a multifunction controller;

a first interface which receives input data from at least one document data source and a second interface which outputs processed input document data to at least one printer, wherein both first and second interfaces are coupled to said multifunction controller;

a touch screen coupled to the multifunction controller and capable of sensing at most a single touch input, the touch screen implementing a graphical user interface for controlling the operation of said multifunction controller, including setting operational parameters for said at least one document data source and said at least one printer, and for selecting a mode of operation of said multifunction device; and

another interface which couples the multifunction controller to an e-mail port for outputting processed document data to the e-mail port under control of the graphical user interface;

wherein said graphical user interface, when operating in an e-mail mode of operation, provides a touch screen which includes alphanumeric characters and a single touch screen button for entering an “

@”

character with a single touch input.

34. Apparatus comprising:

an image-capture interface which couples to at least one image capture device and which generates a digital record of a captured image;

a printer interface which generates printed copy signals corresponding to the digital record, the printed copy signals being effective in printing an image derived from the captured image when coupled to a printer;

a controller which couples said image capture device and said printer interface, said controller having

a touch screen;

a first network interface which connects to an area network for bidirectional exchange of digital data; and

a second network interface which connects to a second network for bidirectional exchange of digital data; and

a control program stored accessibly to and executable on said controller, said control program when executing implementing a graphical user interface on said touch screen and enabling a user to select delivery of the digital record to each and all of said printer interface, said first network interface, and said second network interface.

35. Apparatus of claim 34 wherein the touch screen is capable of sensing at most a single touch input on said touch screen and wherein the graphical user interface, when operating in an e-mail mode of operation, provides a single touch screen button for entering an “

@”

character with a single touch input.