Computerized action tool for managing print parameters, queuing actions and archiving actions for a document output management system

• US 8,499,249 B2
• Filed: 03/08/2010
• Issued: 07/30/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Holmes, Alix A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Vu, Kieu
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHAUDHURI, ANITA
• Application Number:
  US12/719,332
• Publication Number:
  US 20100175009A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,240 Days
• Field of Search: 715/779, 715/762, 715/763, 715/764, 715/744, 715/765
• US Class Current: 715/762
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management

Abstract

A method is disclosed comprising selecting an action tool from a set of action tools on a screen display of a computer, the action tool being associated with a set of actions including at least two of the following: (1) a printing action, (2) an e-mailing action, and (3) an archiving action, and applying the action tool to an object with a single user command using the computer, the action tool processing the object in accordance with the associated set of actions. A corresponding document output management system also is disclosed.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

selecting a first action tool from a set of action tools, the first action tool in the set being represented by an image or text string displayed on a first screen display of a computer, each action tool in the set being configured to execute a series of different actions including at least two of the following;

(1) a printing action, (2) an e-mailing action, and (3) an archiving action; and

applying the first action tool to a plurality of objects by moving the displayed image or text string representing the first action tool over a display position of a representation of each object from the plurality of objects presented on the first screen display, the first action tool being applied to the objects with a single user command effected by one of a single keystroke, a single mouse click, and a single touch on a touch screen at the display position of the representation of the objects using the computer, the action tool processing the objects by executing each of the different actions configured to be executed by the first action tool.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the action tool is configured to execute the printing action and the e-mailing action.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the action tool is configured to execute the printing action and the archiving action.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the action tool is configured to execute the e-mailing action and the archiving action.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the action tool is configured to execute the printing action, the e-mailing action, and the archiving action.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the objects are documents.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the printing action comprises an action for generating a hardcopy of the objects.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first action tool is customized and saved by the user.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the first action tool is re-customized and resaved by the user.