CA2057627A1 - User interface for a mail processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

USER INTERFACE FOR A MAIL PROCESSING SYSTEM

Abstract of the Invention The improved embedded user interface system for an electronic postage meter mailing machine apparatus has a programmable microcontroller for controlling the hard and soft system functions of the postage meter mailing machine.
A non-volatile memory stores data inform and executable routine. The postage meter mailing machine includes a display and a plurality of soft and hard keys. The soft keys are aligned to a portion of the display. Stored in the NVM is a plurality of system screen for display on said visual display, each of said screens having a menu field of having N columns and M rows, a data window field and a prompt field and having descriptors for each of said respective fields, a plurality of text strings, a plurality of graphic display run routines, and a plurality of routines for enabling said soft keys and for identifying said respective subsequent screen. The microcontroller is programmed under the influence of a user program being programmed to identify a first screen and then execute a screen select routine comprising the steps of (a) getting the screen identified from said screen region of said memory and display on said display, (b) getting the text strings identified by said screen descriptor of said identified screen from said text region and display said text string in respective areas of said menu field of said screen, and enable said respective soft key to said respective menu area, (c) displaying dynamic information in the display window of said display window and execute graphic routine.

Description

2C~7~;27 USER INTERFACE FOR A ~AIL PROCESSING SYSTEH

Background of the Invention The present invention relates to interactive user interface systems for a microcomputer based machine systems and, more particularly, machine cystems, such as, postage meter mailing machines hav$ng a display or other human readable output means and a user input means, such as, a keypad.
In many machine applications, it is an objective to provide a base machine with an ever increasing number of operator selectable functions presented to the operator through a user friendly interface. ~he user interface provides machine access means for operator control over and interface with machine functions. For example, it has been found advantageous to provide a mail processing system, such as a postage meter mailing machine, with accounting functionality, in additional, to variable machine control functionality. It i8 also considered advantageous to provide the mailing machine with the ability to interface with external devices or system, such as, funds allocation system and external scales.
To facilitate operator use of mailing machine functionality, it is recognized that a user friendly interface system must be employed. A conventional user interface for a mailing machine includes a display, a keyboard coupled to and interactive with a microcontroller system housed in the mailing machine. It is known to embed the user interface system proqramming, i.e., the proqram code for the user interface permanently residee in the memory of the microcontroller. The user interface system is customary a tree type menu driven system operated such ~hat the operator is presented with a series of menu c~oices.
The desired machine system function is deriYed fxom sequentially choosing menu tree branch. At thi~ po~nt, the ~?57627 operator is allowed to enter the necessary variable information for the selected machine function.
The disadvantage of conventional user interface systems, customarily utilized in mailing machines and similar machine environments, is that embedded systems require a large amount of memory ~pace. The amount of memory space increases dramatically ac the functionality of the mailing machine is increased. The consumption of memory space by the user interface adversely effect the amount of program memory available for machine program execution or run-time code.
Another disadvantage of conventional menu driven user interface system is a lack of flexibility in modifying the interface code, since the text code, display screen format code, menu options, etc. cannot be modified without replacing the complete user interface code. This restriction is a particular disadvantage when the system is an embedded system. It is generally required, that should the code of a mailing machine need modification or updating, including the user interface code, the mailing machine must be returned to a service center and a code dump and reload performed.

Summary of ~hç ~nvention The above-cited disadvantages and other disadvantages unique to the employment of a user interface system in an embedded machine environment, such as, mailing machine, are advantageously addressed in the present ~nvent~on.
It is an objective of the present invention to present a user interface system for microprocessor based machine æystems, particularly suited for postage meter mailing machine, wherein the user interface may be readily updated or modified.
It is a further objective of the present invention to present a user interface which allows for mix mode operation, for example, operator data input and function se~ection in a single screen dicplay~ and in combination, may further provide machine state information.

2~!57627 The mailing machine includes a display, a display input/output (I/O) driver, six ~oft keys aligned to respective portion of the display and a number of hard keys.
The mailing machine is under the control of a microcomputer which includes a host progra~mable microprocessor in bus communication with suitable memory devices. One of the memory devices is a program memory. The microcomputer i8 also coupled to the display I/O driver and to I/O drivers for the soft keys and hard keys.
The memory registers of the program memory are mapped into a number of regions, for example, a command region, a text region, a screen region, a dynamic field region, a hard key region and a soft key region. The memory also includes a command file region. The command file contains all the 1~ commands for a fully featured mailing machine, inclusive of all option command structures. The execution code routines for the machine functions may be resident in the memory.
Therefor, when the mailing machine is upgraded, for example, when an external device is added, the command set for scale related function does not need to be loaded or written to memory. The microcomputer can be programmed to poll the system during system initialization to determine the machine configuration and, according to poll result, enable the appropriate screen fields within the 6creen re~ion menus.
Alternatively, subsequent to the polling, the execution code and command files may be downloaded from an external device to the microcomputer.
Within the screen region is stored the data structure which represents each screen for the di6play. As part of that data structure, the screen data defines which hard keys and soft keys are to be enabled with respect to that screen and which command is issued pursuant to the respective key selection. Each screen is identical in format such that there is a title area, a soft key text area, a dynamic or window area and a hard key text area. Therefore, an operator can be provided as many as six menu options and, concurrently, the ability to receive instruction and input ~ariable data in the hard key text area and, in addition thereto, receive system dynamic information in the window 2~57627 area. As a result, the number of necessary menu choices presented can be greatly reduced to achieve a desired system run qtate making for exceptional user friendliness.

Brief Description of the Drawinas Fig. 1 is a schematic of a micro~omputer system for a mail processing system having a user interface system in accordance with the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a schematic of a suitable mailing machine microcontroller system suitable for employing a user -~ inter~ace system in accordance with the present in~ention.
Fig. 3 i8 a schematic representation for a memory have specified region in accordance with the present invention.
Fig. 4 is a schematic representation of a display having defined regions in accordance with the present invention.
Fig. 5 is a logic schematic of the user interface screen select in accordance with the present invention.
Figs. 6A and 6H are a schematic representation of a ZO user menu option and data flow in accordance with the present invention.

Detail De~criRtion of the Preferred Embodiment Referring to Fig. 1, the present invent~on i9 particularly sui~ed for p~stage meter mailing machine application. For example, a postage meter mail~ng mach~ne, qenerally indicated as 1, is comprised of a feeder section 2 and a postage meter mailing machine section 3. In operation, envelopes are placed in a hopper 4 o~ the feeder section 2, whereupon the enve~opes are serially fed thr~ugh the feeder section to the mailing machine section 3 for imprinting of a postage indicia on feed envelopes by a po~tage meter print arrangement (not shown) detachably mounted within the mailing machine section 3. In the preferred embodiment, the mailing machine 1 includes a scale 5 for weighing the envelope and com~unicating with a microprocessor such that proper postage is printed by the printing mechanism of the postage meter on the envelope according to the weight of the envelope.
The mailing machine 1 includes a user interface, generally indicated as 6. The user interface 6 includes a visual display 7 and a plurality of soft keys 8 aligned to a respective portion of the screen 7 and a plurality of hard keys 9, which form a keyboard or keypad, at least one of the keys g are designated as an enter key 11 and another designated as a return key 13. Also one of the hard keys is designated as a start 16. The interface 6 also includes first and second mimic display6 10 and 12, respectively.
The mimic interface display al80 includes function hard keys, generally indicated as 14 which are associated with the mimic display 10 and hard keys 15 which are associated with mimic display 12.
Referring more particularly to Fig. 2, a suitable microcontroller system, generally indicated as 100, is comprised of a core board 102 having located thereon a microprocessor based motor controller 104 in bus 106 communication with a code read only memory (ROM) 107, a motor application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) 108 and a shared non-volatile memory (NVM) controller 112. A
microprocessor based host controller 116 is in bus 118 with the NVM controller 112 and connectors 120, 122 and 123, respectively. The motor controller 104 is also in bus 126 communication with a meter ~oard 128, dater board 130 and scale board 132, also referred to as Weight On The Weight (WOW) board 132. Also in communication with the host controller bus 118, and thereby the ho~t controller 116, are DUAL UART input-output (I/O) module 150 and a Ec~oplex communication I/O module 152. ~he NVM controller 112 i~ in bus 113 communication with a shared non-volatile memory NVM
115.
A microprocessor based sensor controller 119 is in bus 136 communication with the NVM controller 112. An analog-to-digital (A/D) converter 13g is in bus 140 communication with the sensor controller 119. A sensor bus 142 communicates the sensor controller 119 and A/D converter 2C!S~7627 to the harness coupler 144. A flex har~ess 146 is attached to the harness coupler 144 at one end and to the respective drive motors and sensors ~not chown) of the postage meter mailing machine 1. A more detailed description of a particularly suitable postage meter mailing machine is described in U.S. Patent No. 4,935,078 entitled HIGH
~HROUGHPUT MAILING MACHINE TIMING.
A personality module 160 i8 in communication with the host controller bus 118 through a personality bus 162 through coupler 120. The personality module 169 includes a Expansion NVM 164, a graphics controller 166, a combination keyboard and MIMC I/O port 168. A man machine interface module 170 including a liquid crystal display (LCD) board 172 and a keyboard and MIMIC board 174 which are in respective bu 176 and 178 communication with the graphics controller 166 and I/O board 168 through respective couplers 180 and 182. NVM accounting cartrid~es 184 and 186 are in communication with the NVM expansion I/O board 164 through coupled bus 188 and 190, respectively.
The dual communication module 150 permits bus 192 and 194 coupling thereto of a weighing platform with integrated rating 200, a rating ~oard 202, a service device 204 or such other general purpose device 206 such as a printer. In like manner, an echoplexed scale 208 may coupled to the echoplex I/O module 152 by bus 210.
A system bus controller 220 is in bus 222 communication with the host controller bus 118 through the coupler 123. A1BO a code ROM 221 is in coupled bus 223 communication with the host controller bus 118 through coupler 122. The system bus 224 provides communication of the system bus controller 220 with a I/O expansion module 226 from which may ~e coupled a parallel printer interface 228, a ~eneral purpose interface 230 and a custom parallel interface 223. Other optional devices, such as, a modem 236, an inserter module 238, an OCR module 242, an addresser module 224 and an additional stacker module 240 may be carried by bus 224.
Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, the display 7 is mapped such that each screen de~ines data window area DW, a soft Z~57627 key menu field MF, a screen title field TF, a prompt/error field PF. The soft Xeys, individually referred as 8a through 8f, are aligned to respective portion of the screen menu field MF. Aligning the aoft keys to the screen field S MF in this manner allows a machine operator to easily associate the options presented i~ the menu field MF with the depression of the correspondingly aligned soft key.
Operator instructions, reguest for operator variable data input and operator error mes~ages are presented in the prompt field PF. Within the data window DW, user system information pertinent to the current state of the mailing machine 1 or selected soft function can be presented to the operator. It is noted that the soft function6 refer to data processing functions, such as funds accounting, and hard functions refers to machine control functions.
Referring to Figs. 3 and 5, the Code RON Module 221 is partitioned into addressa~le regions. A first one of the reqions is the text region ~N-l. The text region RN-l has stored therein the text strings for display. A second region RN-2 has stored the individual screen descriptor ~or driving the graphics controller 166. Each screen defines the associated text string6 to ~e disp~ayed with that screen. A region RN-3 i8 reserved for interactive information, that is, the command ~tructure for display of machine state information.
Referring more particularly to Fig. 5, upon initiation of a screen ~elect processor at 300 which ~s determined by the function key actuated by operator in previou6 screen, the identified screen i8 retrieved from ~he screen field area. Each identified screen within the screen field area includes screen descriptors. Some of which descriptors define the appropriate text strings and define screen location, define the dynamic field for data window, a~d also enable the appropriated soft ~eyg. At 303, the corresponding data pur6uant to the screen descriptor i6 retrieved. At 305, the first retrieved data item is selected for testing at 306. If the fir~t data item i8 not a text string, the appropriate graphic information is retrieved from the dynamic field ~N-2 at 307. The retrieYed graphic display routine is accordingly executed at 308 for display in the data window DW.
Concurrent then with execution of the display routine at 308, a test is performed to determine whether the additional data item has been retrieved at 305. If no further display items have been retrieved, then the routine is finished at 312. If there are additional data items at 309, the routine gets the next data item for testing at 306.
If at 306 t~e data item is a text string, the routine proceeds to 314.
Returning to decision point 306, if a text string has been retrieved as the first item or, as here, i8 the next data item to be tested, the specific location for display of the data item and the specific corresponding text identification is retrieved at 314. At 315, the specific test strinq is retrieved and at 316 the text string is caused to be displayed on the display at the proper screen location. Now at 309, the presence of any additional data item is tested for, if no additional data item, the routine proceeds to 312. If there are additional data items, the routine repeats until all data items have been identified and displayed.
Referring more particularly to Figs. 6A to 6H, to illustrate a preferred form of the user interface system, upon power-up of the interface system, indicated at 11, the screen retrieve routi~e is executed. ~irst, within the PF
screen field, the operator i8 prompted to input the operator ID number at 12, if enabled. The interface system proceeds to prompt the user at 14 to press the start key for ~ mail run at 14. However, prior thereto, the operator will be prompted at 13 to input any missing user ID information at 15. Within the message field MF, the operator is now presented with the menu set Al through A6 which provides the operator with the option to choose ~y actuation of the 3s respective soft key to change mail classes, change accounts, prepare site setup, service diagnostic, view addition options or quit.
If the operator should choose to change the ~ail class by depressing soft key 8a, the operator is then Z~?57627 g prompted at 17 within the prompt field PF to pick a class or enter a speed code and to press enter when done. The operator is aIso presented in the menu field with the options Sl through S2 which present a variety of available classes. If the operator were to wish additional classes to choose from, he simply presses the soft key 8e aligned to option S5 and additional options are presented to the operator. It should be appreciated that the user interface can proceed in this manner to acco~modate as many classes as are desired. As noted and hereafter understood, an operator may choose any of the presented menu choices by depressing the aligned soft key.
Pursuant to a selection of option S6, the operator may choose to view the appropriate fees at 21 in the data window DW associated with the classes displayed in the data window. The operator is then prompted at 22 in the prompt field PF to hit the resume, option S6, to resume the selections at the A1 through A6 menu selection point.
Along with the option to change classes in menu field MF, the operator is given the choice to change accounts at A2 upon which further operation will apply. The operator i5 presented with a prompt at 25 to enter the account number.
Once the new account number is entered at 26, the machine returns to node Nl and the operator is prompted to press the start to run the mail at 14. A diagnostic services option is present at A4 where, should that option be chosen, the user interface will then enter into a fiervice diagnostics display routine which is pre~ented to the user ~n the similar format as hereafter discussed. Should the operator enter a quit mode A6, the user interface then returns to a request for an operator ~D at 12.
The operator may choose at this point ~o view more options at A5 following which se7ection the operator is then prompted to make a selection or press start to run at 30 and the operator is presented with a second set of options A7 through A12. The A7 option reinstates option A1 through A6 to the MF. Option A8 allows the operator to display the meter register and other meter information. If selected, the meter information is displayed in the data window DW and 2(~576Z~7 the operator is prompted to hit enter or go bac~ to the previous presented options Al through A6 at 32. The operator may choose to view reports at A9, should the operator make that selection, the operator i6 then presented S with a list of reports in the data window DW and is prompted at 40 to select the report by hard key entry. The operator is then presented with a choice of three report types Bl through B3 to choose from. The available options now being account summary at Bl, last transaction at B2, and a site setup and operating reports at B3.
Should the operator choose option Bl, the operator is prompted at 42 to pick the type account summary the operator wishes to view in the data window. The operator i8 presented in the menu field with the option to view daily account summary in Cl, a periodic one summary in C2 or a period two summary in C3. ~he operator is prompted in the prompt field PF at 43 to enter in the account number at 44 to which the report i8 displayed at 44. The operator is now prompted in the prompt field PF at 45 to either hit enter or to go back when done. If the operator has chosen to view the report, the operator is then presented with a menu field with options Dl through D6 which, respectively are, previous page of the report, next page, previous account, next account, specified account or grand totals of accounts.
Should the operator choose to specify the another account at DF, a request is presented at 47 ~n the prompt field PF for the account number. The operator is presented with the new account information in the data wind DW and offered options D1 through D6.
By hitting the return key, the operat~on of the machine is returned to the B menu options. The operator may now choose B2 ~y which the ~ast transaction report generatsd is presented in the data window DW at 50. The operator is prompted in the prompt field PF to either hit enter or return key when done. The operator i8 now presented with a menu selection E1 through E5 which refers, respectively, to the previous transaction, next transaction, previous page, next page or specific transaction. The operator at ES can specify a specific transaction at 52 for report activity.

21~576Z7 The final option presented in the B menu f ield is a site setup and report field at B3 from which the operator is prompted in the prompt field PF to pick, type or site setup, or operation report to v~ew 54. The operator ~s presented in the menu field with the options Fl through F4. Should the operator choose the Fl option, which i5 display accounts list and status, account list is displayed in the data window DW. The operator is prompted in the prompt field PF
again to hit enter or to return. The operator is now presented with the G menu f ield displaying options G~
through G3 to which the operator can, respectively, choose previous page, next page, or specify account. Should the operator choose to specify the account, the prompt field PF
requests that the account number ig entered at 57. From the F menu, the operator may choose speed account list to which the data window is caused to display just the account list without status proceeding to the G menu as described. The operator can also choose to configure an account at F3 in which the case the operator is presented in the data window with the configurations options at 60. The operator iR also presented in the prompt field PF with the option to enter or return. The operator i8 now presented in the menu field with options Hl and H2, respectively, previous page or next page to respond. It is noted that in configuring the accounts, the operator is given a list of options which can be actuated through hard key actuation.
The remaining F field choice F4 is the class fee list, choosing that option presents in the data window the class fee lists which has been created and, in like manner, the prompt field PF the enter or go back item is displayed.
Upon display of the class field list, the operator i~
presented with a menu field I having options I~ through I4, in which case the operator can choose to name a class in detail, special fee or meter/carrier information to be displayed, display pre~ious pa~e or next page.
A return sends the operator back to the F menu option, and thereafter the operator can be returned to the A
menu field. From the A menu field, should the operator choose at A10 to generate or cancel a report if a printer is 2~57627 available, the operator i6 then presented the J menu selection field, in which the operator is presented with options Jl through J6.
Should the operator choose selection Jl, accounting reports, the prompt field PF prompts the user at 20 to pick the type of report. The menu field MF now presents options Kl, X2 and K3 to which the operator may select account summary at Rl, account details at X2 and the workstation/carrier summary at K3. Should the operator choose the account summary, he is prompted in the prompt field PF to pick the account report type and is presented options Ll through L3, respectively, complete summary, summary with actual postage and surcharge totals suppressed, and complete summary with carrier class totals without actual and surcharge total~. Following 6election from the L
menu, the operator is presented with options Ml and M2, respectively, print all accounts and print one account, and prompted at 72 to pick a print option. Should the operator choose to print all accounts, the operator is prompted at 73 in the prompt field PF to print one account per page following which the operator is then presented with yes or no options, respectively, N1 and N2 in the menu field. If the operator chooses to print one account, he is prompted at 74 in the prompt field PF to enter the account number. The operator i6 now prompted at 75 in the prompt field a to whether zero balance accounts should be suppressed and present options 01 and 02, representing, respectively, yes or no. The operator is now prompted at 75 with the prompt ~ield PF whether inactive accounts should be suppressed and presented a~ Pl and P2 with yes or no options. The operator is then informed in the display window DW that the print reporting query is being processed.
The ~y~tem ic then returned to the J menu options.
Should the operator select the J2 menu option, the operator is prompted in the prompt field PF at 80 to pick a transaction report type and is presented with the options Ql through Q5 in the menu field, which respectively are, a daily transcription report, daily accounts reports, daily account totals, daily workstation reports, and daily meter Z(~5762~

activity reports. ~f the operator selects options Ql, the operator is prompted at 81 in the prompt field PF to pick a daily transaction report and is presented with options Rl through R3 in which case the operator can choose in account S order, in carrier order or in the order processed. If option R3 i6 chosen, the operator is noticed in the data window that the report is in system queue and i6 ~eing processed. Upon the operator's selection of options R1 or R2, the operator is prompted to pick print options at 83.
The operator may then choose from the menu field options T1 or T2, to print all accounts or print one account, respectively. If the operator chooses to print one account, the operator is then prompted at 85 to specify the account to be printed. The print request is placed in the print queue at 77.
At the Q menu, the operator may choose to Relect the daily account reports option Q2, in which case the operator is prompted at 87 to pick a daily account report and i8 presented in the menu field with option Ul or U2, respectively, an account summary and account summary with totals by carrier and class. The operator is then again presented ~he print options Tl and T2 and queried rather to print all the accounts, one account and if prompted at 83.
Also presented in the Q menu field i8 the option for daily account totals Q3. If selected, the operator i~ prompted at 88 whether the report is to be presented by carrier/class, respectively, Vl and V2. The operator is ~gain prompted at 83 and presented the print option, T menu. The Q menu field also presents a Q4 option, daily workctation report. Upon choosing Q4, the operator is prompted at 89 whether the class usages will be specified and presented in the menu field with yes or no option W1 and W2, respectively~ The report is then placed in the report query field at 90. Q
menu is then represented. The final Q option is the daily meter activity report, QS. Upon selection of Q5, the request for the report is placed in the report queue at 91 and the Q menu is represented. By hitting the ~ack key, the operator is then transferred to the J menu.

2(!S7627 The remaining choices in the J field are J3 through J6. If the operator should choose to actuate the J3 ~ccount class list, the operator i8 prompted at 93 to pick type of account class list report. The menu field then presents options Xl through X3, respectively, account class list, class fee list, or speed code list. Upon ~election, the report information is placed ~n queue at 94.
The J5 option, service/supervisor configuration reports, i8 a system service operation and may be entered by external devices for service allowing increased flexibility in configuring or modifying the user interface or providing service diagno~tic. The operator i8 presented with the options ZZl and ZZ2, site configuration and operator ID
reports, respectively. Following selection, the report configurations are placed herein queue at 99~ There is a cancel report J6 which the operator can choose to cancel all reports in the queue. Upon select~on, the operator is requested t~ confirm at 100 and presented options V1 and V2, yes or no, respectively. If confirmation is no, the data window DW displays at 102, report queue not cancelled. If confirmation is yes, the operator is prompted in the data window report cancelled at 101. It is noted that an item in queue represents a host controller busy or working state on enter functions selected.
The operator may be returned back to the A menu. The operator may now select option A10. Option A10 represents a series of choices which are country specific, for example, weight format. It should be appreciated now that the presented optionsl prompts and machine state information can be configured in a manner as aforedescribed to be country specific to that particular country's mail weight classification system or other variant.
An operator machine adjustment option can be selected. For example, a refill/machine adjustment option 3s A12, where the operator is prompted at 107 to select tape refill AAl, meter refill AA2, display add slogan AA3, indicia print adjustment AA4 or machine speed adjustment AA5. These options allow the operator a convenient means of adjusting system functions through the user interface. For 2~?57627 example, the operator may choose option AA2 which i8 meter refill adjustment. The operator is prompted at 120 to please pick the proper RMRStm (Remote Meter Reset System) function. This option is available for machines which are capable of remote meter funds resetting functions. The operator is given the selection option ABl and A~2, respectively, start post reset or change reset amount. If the start postage meter reset is chosen, the operator is prompted at 121, enters combination and then is given a choice to stop reset at ACl. ~ollowing reset, the menu is returned to the A menu. If the operator chooses to change reset amount, he is requested to enter the reset amount ABB.
The operator is prompted at 122 to enter amount and prompted in the data window or new amount.
It i8 therefore, apparent that through the use of three root screens and sub-access system here, an operator can be prompted easily without having to page through an excessive amount of screens compared with the options chosen to conclude a function. Some of this is also assisted by the fact that you could have an option screen, instructions and dynamic information portrayed in a single display 6tate.

Claims (10)

1. An improved embedded user interface system for an apparatus, said apparatus having a programmable microcontroller means for performing hard and soft apparatus system functions and having memory means for storing data information and executable routine, said microcontroller in bus communication with a visual display means for displaying information under control of said microcontroller and a plurality of soft keys, wherein said improved embedded user interface system comprises:
said memory means having stored therein (a) a plurality of system screen for display on said visual display, each of said screens having a menu field of having N columns and M rows, a data window field and a prompt field, and having descriptors for each of said respective files, (b) a plurality of text strings, (c) a plurality of graphic display run routines, (d) means for enabling said soft keys and means for identifying said respective subsequent screen in response to activation of said respective soft key; and, said user interface being programmed to identify a first screen and have a screen select routine to (a) get the screen identified from said screen region of said memory and display on said display, (b) get the text strings identified by said screen descriptor of said identified screen from said text region and display said text string in respective areas of said menu field of said screen, and enable said respective soft keys, (c) display dynamic information in the display window of said display window and execute graphic display run routine, (d) await activation of one of said soft keys and repeat for next screen till end, (e) execute command file.

2. An improved embedded user interface system as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said soft key being aligned to a respective portion of said screen menu field and said respective text string being aligned opposite said enabled soft key.

3. An improved embedded user interface system as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein said memory means comprises;
(a) a screen region having stored therein said plurality of system screen, (b) a text region having stored therein said plurality of text strings, (c) a dynamic field region having stored therein said graphic display run routines, (d) a soft key field having stored therein said routine for enabling said soft keys and for identifying said respective subsequent screen.

4. A method of providing an apparatus with a user selectable apparatus system functions, said apparatus having programmable microcontroller in bus communication with a program memory, a visual display means for visual display of information and a plurality of soft key, comprising the steps of:
storing in said program memory (i) a plurality of system screen for display on said visual display, each of said screens having a menu field of having N columns and M rows, a data window field and a prompt field, and having descriptors for each of said respective fields, (ii) a plurality of text strings, (iii) a plurality of graphic display run routines, (iv) means for enabling said soft keys and means for identifying said respective subsequent screen in response to activation of said respective soft key;
and, programming said microcontroller to identify a first screen and having a screen routine to (a) get the screen identified from said screen region of said memory and display on said display, (b) get the text strings identified by said screen descriptor of said identified screen from said text region and display said text string in respective areas of said menu field of said screen, and enable said respective soft keys, (c) display dynamic information in the display window of said display window and execute graphic display run routine, (d) await activation of one of said soft keys and repeat for next screen till end, (e) execute command file.

5. A method as claimed in claim 4 further comprising the steps of storing in said memory means a plurality of regions such that;
(a) a screen region having stored therein said plurality of system screen, (b) a text region having stored therein said plurality of text strings, (c) a dynamic field region having stored therein said graphic display run routines, (d) a soft key field having said routine for enabling said soft keys and for identifying said respective subsequent screen.

6. An improved embedded user interface system for a mailing machine, said mailing machine having a programmable microcontroller means for performing hard and soft apparatus system functions and having memory means for storing data inform and executable routine, said microcontroller in bus communication with a visual display means for displaying information under control of said microcontroller and a plurality of soft keys, wherein said improved embedded user interface system comprises:
said memory means having stored therein (a) a plurality of system screen for display on said visual display, each of said screens having a menu field of having N columns and M rows, a data window field and a prompt field, and having descriptors for each of said respective fields, (b) a plurality of text strings, (c) a plurality of graphic display run routines, (d) means for enabling said soft keys and means for identifying said respective subsequent screen in response to activation of said respective soft key; and, said user program being programmed to identify a first screen and having a screen select routine to (a) get the screen identified from said screen region of said memory and display on said display, (b) get the text strings identified by said screen descriptor of said identified screen from said text region and display said text string in respective areas of said menu field of said screen, and enable said respective soft keys, (c) display dynamic information in the display window of said display window and executive graphic display run routine, (d) await activation of one of said respective soft keys and repeat for next screen till end, (e) executive command file upon depression of a selected one of said keys.

7. An improved embedded user interface system as claimed in claim 6 wherein each of said soft key being aligned to a respective portion of said screen menu field and said respective text string being aligned opposite said enabled soft key.

8. An improved embedded user interface system as claimed in claim 6 or 7 wherein said memory means has (a) a screen region having stored therein said plurality of system screen, (b) a text region having stored therein said plurality of text strings, (c) a dynamic field region having stored therein said graphic display run routines, (d) a soft key field having stored therein said routine for enabling said soft keys and for identifying said respective subsequent screen.

9. A method of providing a mailing machine with a user selectable apparatus system functions, said apparatus having programmable microcontroller in bus communication with a program memory, a visual display means for visual display of information and a plurality of soft key, comprising the steps of:
storing in said program memory (i) a plurality of system screen for display on said visual display, each of said screens having a menu field of having N columns and M rows, a data window field and a prompt field, and having descriptors for each of said respective fields, (ii) a plurality of text strings, (iii) a plurality of graphic display run routines, (iv) means for enabling said soft keys and means for identifying said respective subsequent screen in response to activation of said respective soft key;
and, programming said microcontroller to identify a first screen and having a screen select routine to (a) get the screen identified from said screen region of said memory and display on said display, (b) get the text strings identified by said screen descriptor of said identified screen from said text region and display said text string in respective areas of said menu field of said screen, and enable said respective soft keys, (c) display dynamic information in the display window of sand display window and execute graphic display run routine, (d) await activation of one of said soft keys and repeat for next screen till end, (e) execute command file.

10. A method as claimed in claim 9 further comprising the steps of storing in said memory means a plurality of regions such that;
(a) a screen region having stored therein said plurality of system screen, (b) a text region having stored therein said plurality of text strings, (c) a dynamic field region having stored therein said graphic display run routines, (d) a soft key field having said routine for enabling said soft keys and for identifying said respective subsequent screen.