CA2057673A1 - Embedded user-interface having multiple language capability - Google Patents
Embedded user-interface having multiple language capabilityInfo
- Publication number
- CA2057673A1 CA2057673A1 CA 2057673 CA2057673A CA2057673A1 CA 2057673 A1 CA2057673 A1 CA 2057673A1 CA 2057673 CA2057673 CA 2057673 CA 2057673 A CA2057673 A CA 2057673A CA 2057673 A1 CA2057673 A1 CA 2057673A1
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- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- screen
- display
- field
- region
- text
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
- G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
- G07B17/00185—Details internally of apparatus in a franking system, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office
- G07B17/00193—Constructional details of apparatus in a franking system
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
- G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
- G07B17/00185—Details internally of apparatus in a franking system, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office
- G07B17/00193—Constructional details of apparatus in a franking system
- G07B2017/00266—Man-machine interface on the apparatus
- G07B2017/00274—Mechanical, e.g. keyboard
- G07B2017/0029—Soft buttons; buttons that can change function
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
- G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
- G07B17/00185—Details internally of apparatus in a franking system, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office
- G07B17/00193—Constructional details of apparatus in a franking system
- G07B2017/00266—Man-machine interface on the apparatus
- G07B2017/00298—Visual, e.g. screens and their layouts
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Devices For Checking Fares Or Tickets At Control Points (AREA)
Abstract
EMBEDDED USER-INTERFACE OE HAVING
MULTIPLE LANGUAGE CAPABILITY
Abstract of the Invention A postage meter mailing machine includes an improved embedded user interface system. The mailing machine includes a programmable microcontroller means having a non-volatile memory for storing data information and executable routine. The microcontroller is in bus communication with a visual display and a plurality of soft keys. Stored in the memory are (i) a plurality of system screens for display on the visual display, (ii) a data window field and a prompt field and having descriptors for each of the respective files, (iii) a plurality of text strings in a first language and à plurality of text strings in a second language, (iv) a plurality of graphic display run routines, (v) a plurality of routines for enabling the soft keys and for identifying the respective subsequent screen. The user interface is programmed to enable a select one of the text strings in one of the languages for display on the display.
MULTIPLE LANGUAGE CAPABILITY
Abstract of the Invention A postage meter mailing machine includes an improved embedded user interface system. The mailing machine includes a programmable microcontroller means having a non-volatile memory for storing data information and executable routine. The microcontroller is in bus communication with a visual display and a plurality of soft keys. Stored in the memory are (i) a plurality of system screens for display on the visual display, (ii) a data window field and a prompt field and having descriptors for each of the respective files, (iii) a plurality of text strings in a first language and à plurality of text strings in a second language, (iv) a plurality of graphic display run routines, (v) a plurality of routines for enabling the soft keys and for identifying the respective subsequent screen. The user interface is programmed to enable a select one of the text strings in one of the languages for display on the display.
Description
20~7~
EMBEDDED USER-INTERFA OE HAVING
MULTIPL~ LANGUAGE CAPABIIITY
Backoround of the Invention The present invention relates to embedded user interface systems for a microcontrolled machine system having an interactive user interface system, particularly suited for a posta~e meter mailing machine.
In many machine applications, it is an objective to provide the postage meter mailing machine with an ever increasing number of opera~or selectable functions presented to the operator through a machine embedded user friendly interface system. The user 1nterface system provides a means for operator control over and interfacing with machine functions. For example, it is considered advantageous to provide a mail processing system, particularly, a postage meter mailing machine, with accounting functionality and report generating functionality. It is further considered advantageous to provide the mailing machine with the ability to interface with external devices or ~ystem, such as, funds allocation system and external scales.
Enabling a postage meter mailing machine with expanded functionali~y has required that the user interface system be expanded in scope to provide to the user with visual instruction as to how to a~ces~ different machine functions and direct the user as to what information is required from the user in order for the machine controller to properly process a user request. Where such machines intended for multiple nation distribution, it i8 customary to customize the user interface, for example, with respect to language and currency denomination, to be specific of the particular nation which the mailing machine is intended to be marketed. Further, in order to market or re-market the customized mailing machine in a different national market, it has been necessary to fully replace the user'~ interface executable software code, most often requiring that the 2~7~7~
machine is transported to a specially equipped service center.
Summary of the In~ention It is an object of the present invention to present a machine embedded user interface, particularly suited for a postage meter mailing machine, wherein the user interface can be selectively enabled during system set-up for marketing in two or more national markets.
It is a further objective of the present invention to present a machine embedded user interface wherein the user interface may present text ~trings in a plurality of languages wherein the respective language to be presented with respec~ to a particular user is enabled automatically upon operator impact of the user identification code.
The user interface is particularly adapted for mailing machine application. A mailing machine includes as part of the user interface a display, a display input/output (I/O) driver, six soft keys aligned to respective portion of the display and a number of hard keys. The mailing machine is under the control of a microcontroller which includes a host programmable microprocessor in bus communication with ~uitable memory devices. One of the memory devices is a program memory. The microcomputer is 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 mèmory are mapped into a number of regions, for example, a command region, a text region, a screen region, a dynamic ~ield region, a hard key region and a soft key region. The memory al60 includes a command file region. The command file contains all the 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.
The text region is comprised of two or more sub-regions.
Each region contains the necessary text strinqs in ASCII
form in different languages.
2~7~73 Within the screen region is stored the data structure which reprefients each screen for t~e display. 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.
Each screen i8 identical in format such t~at there is a title ares, a soft key text area, a dynamic or window area and a hard key ~ext area. Therefore, when a particular screen is retrieved, the text gtring is retrieved from one of the text sub-region. ~he particular text-region to be placed in use may be enabled during system set-up.
Alternatively, the enabled text sub-region may be determined during operator log-on.
Brief Description of the Drawing~
Fig. 1 is a schematic of a microcomputer system for a mail processing system having a u~er interface system in accordance with the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a schematic of a suitable mailing machine microcontroller gystem suitable for employing a user interface system in accordance with the present invention.
Fiq. 3 is a schematic representation of a memory having 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 in~ention.
Fig. 6 is a schematic representation of a user menu option and data flow in accordance with the present invention-Detailed Descrip~ion of tbe Preferred Em~odiment ~eferring to Fig. l, the present in~ention is particularly suited for a poQtage meter mailing machine applica~ion. For example, a postage meter mailing machine, generally indicated as 1, is comprised of a feeder section 2 2 ~ 7 3 and a postage meter mailing machine section 3. In operation, envelopes are placed in a hopper 4 of the feeder section 2, whereupon the envelopes are serially fed through the feeder section to the mailing machine section 3 for imprinting of a postage indicia on feed envelopes by a postage 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 communicating 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 9 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 displays 10 and 12, respectively~
The mimic interface display also includes function hard ~eys, 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 Fi~. 2, a suitable microcontroller system, generally indicated as 100, i5 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 ~-hared non-volatile ~emory (NVM) controller 112. A
microprocessor based host controller 116 is in bus 118 with the NVM controller 112 and connectors 120, 122 and 123, 3~ respectively. The motor controller 194 is also in bus 126 communication with a meter board 128, dater board 130 and scale board 132, also referred to as Weight On The Weight (WOWJ board 132. Also in communication with the Host contr~ller bus 118, and thereby the host con~roller 116, are 2 ~ 7 3 DUAL UART input-output (I/O) module 150 and a Echoplex communication I/O module 152. The NVM controller 112 is 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 analoq-to-digital (A/D) converter 138 is in bus 140 communication with the sensor controller 119. A sensor bus 142 communicates the sensor controller 119 and A/D converter to the harness coupler 144. A flex harness 146 is attached to the harness coupler 144 at one end and to the respective drive motors and sensors (not shown) of the postage meter mailing machine 1. A more detailed description of a particular suitable postage meter mailing machine is described in U.S. Patent No. 4,935,078 entitled HIGH
THROUGHPUT MAILING MACHINE TIMING.
A personality module 160 is in communication with the host controller bus 118 through a personality bus 162 through coupler 120. The personality module 160 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 bus 176 and 178 communication with the graphics controller 166 and I/O board 168 through respective couplers 180 and 182. NVM accounting cartridges 184 and 1~6 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 20~ may coupled to the echoplex I/O module 152 by bus 210.
A system bus controller 220 i~ in bus 222 communication with the host controller bus 118 through the coupler 123. Also a code ROM 221 is in coupled bus 223 communication with the host controller bu6 118 through coupler 122. The system bus 224 provides communication of 2~7~73 the system bus controller 220 with a I/O expansion module 226 from which may be coupled a parallel printer interface 228, a qeneral 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 ~us 224.
Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, the display 7 i8 mapped such that each screen defines data window area DW, a soft key menu field MF, a screen title field TF, a prompt/error field PF. The soft keys, individually referred as ga through 8f, are aligned to respective portion of the screen menu field MF. Aligning the ~oft keys to the screen field MF in this manner, allows a machine operator to easily associate the options presented in the menu field MF with the depression of the correspondingly aligned soft key.
Operator instructions, request for operator variable data input and operator error messages 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 functions can be presented to the operator. It is noted that the soft functions refer to data proces6ing functions, such ag, funds accounting, and hard functions refer to machine control functions.
Referring to Figs. 3 and 5, the Code ROM Module 221 is partitioned $nto addressable regions. A firet one of the regions is the text region RN-l. The text region PN-1 has stored therein the text strings for display. A second region RN-2 has stored the individual screen descriptor for driving the graphics controller 166. Each screen defines the associated text ~trings to be displayed with that screen. A region RN-3 is reserved for interactive in~ormation, that is, the command structure for display of machine state information.
Referring more particularly to Fig. 5, upon initiation of a screen select processor at 300 which is determined by the function key actuated ~i.e., menu option chosen) in previous screen, the memory region corresponding to the language selected is enabled at 302. The identified screen is retrieved from the screen field area at 303. Each identified screen wit~in 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, and also enable the appropriated soft keys. At 303, the corresponding data pursuant to the screen descriptor is retrieved. At 304, the text string i5 retrieved from the enabled language region.
At 305, the first retrieved data item is selected for testing at 306. If the fir~t data item is not a text string, the appropriate graphic information is retrieved from the dynamic fleld RN-2 at 307. The retrieved 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 retrieve~ 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 the 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 f~rst item or, as here, is the next data item to be tested, the spec~fic location for di~play of the data item and the specific corresponding text identification is retrieved at 314. At 315, the specific test string is retrieved and at 316 the text string is oaused 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 da~a item, the routine repeats until all data items have ~een identified and displayed.
Referring more particularly to Fig 6 tO
illustrate a preferred form of the user interface system, upon power-up of the interface system, indicated at 11, the screen retrieve routine is execute~. First, within the PF
ssreen field, the operator is prompted to input the operator 2 ~ ~ ri ~ 7 3 ID number at 12, if enabled. The interface system proceeds to prompt the user at 14 to press the start key for a 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 A1 through A6 which provides the operator with the option to choose by actuation of the respective soft key to change mail classes, chanqe accounts, prepare site setup, service diagnostic, view addition options or quit.
If the operator should choose to change the mail class by depressing soft key 8a, the operator is then 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 also 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 accommodate 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 displa~ed in the data window. The operator i8 then prompted at 22 in the prompt field PF to hit the resume, option S6, to resume t~e selections at the Al 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 is 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 N~ 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 service diagnostics 2~7~7~
_ 9 _ display routine which is presented to the user in 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 ID at 12.
The operator may choose at this point to view more options at A5 following which selection the operator is then prompted to make a selection or press start to run at 30 and the operator is presented with a second eet of options A7 through A12. The A7 option reinstates option Al 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 the operator i6 prompted to hit enter or go back 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 is then presented with a list of reports in the data window DW and is pro~pted 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. ~he available options now being account summary at B1, last transaction at B2, and a site setup and operating reports at B3.
EMBEDDED USER-INTERFA OE HAVING
MULTIPL~ LANGUAGE CAPABIIITY
Backoround of the Invention The present invention relates to embedded user interface systems for a microcontrolled machine system having an interactive user interface system, particularly suited for a posta~e meter mailing machine.
In many machine applications, it is an objective to provide the postage meter mailing machine with an ever increasing number of opera~or selectable functions presented to the operator through a machine embedded user friendly interface system. The user 1nterface system provides a means for operator control over and interfacing with machine functions. For example, it is considered advantageous to provide a mail processing system, particularly, a postage meter mailing machine, with accounting functionality and report generating functionality. It is further considered advantageous to provide the mailing machine with the ability to interface with external devices or ~ystem, such as, funds allocation system and external scales.
Enabling a postage meter mailing machine with expanded functionali~y has required that the user interface system be expanded in scope to provide to the user with visual instruction as to how to a~ces~ different machine functions and direct the user as to what information is required from the user in order for the machine controller to properly process a user request. Where such machines intended for multiple nation distribution, it i8 customary to customize the user interface, for example, with respect to language and currency denomination, to be specific of the particular nation which the mailing machine is intended to be marketed. Further, in order to market or re-market the customized mailing machine in a different national market, it has been necessary to fully replace the user'~ interface executable software code, most often requiring that the 2~7~7~
machine is transported to a specially equipped service center.
Summary of the In~ention It is an object of the present invention to present a machine embedded user interface, particularly suited for a postage meter mailing machine, wherein the user interface can be selectively enabled during system set-up for marketing in two or more national markets.
It is a further objective of the present invention to present a machine embedded user interface wherein the user interface may present text ~trings in a plurality of languages wherein the respective language to be presented with respec~ to a particular user is enabled automatically upon operator impact of the user identification code.
The user interface is particularly adapted for mailing machine application. A mailing machine includes as part of the user interface a display, a display input/output (I/O) driver, six soft keys aligned to respective portion of the display and a number of hard keys. The mailing machine is under the control of a microcontroller which includes a host programmable microprocessor in bus communication with ~uitable memory devices. One of the memory devices is a program memory. The microcomputer is 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 mèmory are mapped into a number of regions, for example, a command region, a text region, a screen region, a dynamic ~ield region, a hard key region and a soft key region. The memory al60 includes a command file region. The command file contains all the 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.
The text region is comprised of two or more sub-regions.
Each region contains the necessary text strinqs in ASCII
form in different languages.
2~7~73 Within the screen region is stored the data structure which reprefients each screen for t~e display. 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.
Each screen i8 identical in format such t~at there is a title ares, a soft key text area, a dynamic or window area and a hard key ~ext area. Therefore, when a particular screen is retrieved, the text gtring is retrieved from one of the text sub-region. ~he particular text-region to be placed in use may be enabled during system set-up.
Alternatively, the enabled text sub-region may be determined during operator log-on.
Brief Description of the Drawing~
Fig. 1 is a schematic of a microcomputer system for a mail processing system having a u~er interface system in accordance with the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a schematic of a suitable mailing machine microcontroller gystem suitable for employing a user interface system in accordance with the present invention.
Fiq. 3 is a schematic representation of a memory having 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 in~ention.
Fig. 6 is a schematic representation of a user menu option and data flow in accordance with the present invention-Detailed Descrip~ion of tbe Preferred Em~odiment ~eferring to Fig. l, the present in~ention is particularly suited for a poQtage meter mailing machine applica~ion. For example, a postage meter mailing machine, generally indicated as 1, is comprised of a feeder section 2 2 ~ 7 3 and a postage meter mailing machine section 3. In operation, envelopes are placed in a hopper 4 of the feeder section 2, whereupon the envelopes are serially fed through the feeder section to the mailing machine section 3 for imprinting of a postage indicia on feed envelopes by a postage 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 communicating 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 9 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 displays 10 and 12, respectively~
The mimic interface display also includes function hard ~eys, 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 Fi~. 2, a suitable microcontroller system, generally indicated as 100, i5 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 ~-hared non-volatile ~emory (NVM) controller 112. A
microprocessor based host controller 116 is in bus 118 with the NVM controller 112 and connectors 120, 122 and 123, 3~ respectively. The motor controller 194 is also in bus 126 communication with a meter board 128, dater board 130 and scale board 132, also referred to as Weight On The Weight (WOWJ board 132. Also in communication with the Host contr~ller bus 118, and thereby the host con~roller 116, are 2 ~ 7 3 DUAL UART input-output (I/O) module 150 and a Echoplex communication I/O module 152. The NVM controller 112 is 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 analoq-to-digital (A/D) converter 138 is in bus 140 communication with the sensor controller 119. A sensor bus 142 communicates the sensor controller 119 and A/D converter to the harness coupler 144. A flex harness 146 is attached to the harness coupler 144 at one end and to the respective drive motors and sensors (not shown) of the postage meter mailing machine 1. A more detailed description of a particular suitable postage meter mailing machine is described in U.S. Patent No. 4,935,078 entitled HIGH
THROUGHPUT MAILING MACHINE TIMING.
A personality module 160 is in communication with the host controller bus 118 through a personality bus 162 through coupler 120. The personality module 160 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 bus 176 and 178 communication with the graphics controller 166 and I/O board 168 through respective couplers 180 and 182. NVM accounting cartridges 184 and 1~6 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 20~ may coupled to the echoplex I/O module 152 by bus 210.
A system bus controller 220 i~ in bus 222 communication with the host controller bus 118 through the coupler 123. Also a code ROM 221 is in coupled bus 223 communication with the host controller bu6 118 through coupler 122. The system bus 224 provides communication of 2~7~73 the system bus controller 220 with a I/O expansion module 226 from which may be coupled a parallel printer interface 228, a qeneral 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 ~us 224.
Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, the display 7 i8 mapped such that each screen defines data window area DW, a soft key menu field MF, a screen title field TF, a prompt/error field PF. The soft keys, individually referred as ga through 8f, are aligned to respective portion of the screen menu field MF. Aligning the ~oft keys to the screen field MF in this manner, allows a machine operator to easily associate the options presented in the menu field MF with the depression of the correspondingly aligned soft key.
Operator instructions, request for operator variable data input and operator error messages 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 functions can be presented to the operator. It is noted that the soft functions refer to data proces6ing functions, such ag, funds accounting, and hard functions refer to machine control functions.
Referring to Figs. 3 and 5, the Code ROM Module 221 is partitioned $nto addressable regions. A firet one of the regions is the text region RN-l. The text region PN-1 has stored therein the text strings for display. A second region RN-2 has stored the individual screen descriptor for driving the graphics controller 166. Each screen defines the associated text ~trings to be displayed with that screen. A region RN-3 is reserved for interactive in~ormation, that is, the command structure for display of machine state information.
Referring more particularly to Fig. 5, upon initiation of a screen select processor at 300 which is determined by the function key actuated ~i.e., menu option chosen) in previous screen, the memory region corresponding to the language selected is enabled at 302. The identified screen is retrieved from the screen field area at 303. Each identified screen wit~in 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, and also enable the appropriated soft keys. At 303, the corresponding data pursuant to the screen descriptor is retrieved. At 304, the text string i5 retrieved from the enabled language region.
At 305, the first retrieved data item is selected for testing at 306. If the fir~t data item is not a text string, the appropriate graphic information is retrieved from the dynamic fleld RN-2 at 307. The retrieved 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 retrieve~ 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 the 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 f~rst item or, as here, is the next data item to be tested, the spec~fic location for di~play of the data item and the specific corresponding text identification is retrieved at 314. At 315, the specific test string is retrieved and at 316 the text string is oaused 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 da~a item, the routine repeats until all data items have ~een identified and displayed.
Referring more particularly to Fig 6 tO
illustrate a preferred form of the user interface system, upon power-up of the interface system, indicated at 11, the screen retrieve routine is execute~. First, within the PF
ssreen field, the operator is prompted to input the operator 2 ~ ~ ri ~ 7 3 ID number at 12, if enabled. The interface system proceeds to prompt the user at 14 to press the start key for a 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 A1 through A6 which provides the operator with the option to choose by actuation of the respective soft key to change mail classes, chanqe accounts, prepare site setup, service diagnostic, view addition options or quit.
If the operator should choose to change the mail class by depressing soft key 8a, the operator is then 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 also 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 accommodate 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 displa~ed in the data window. The operator i8 then prompted at 22 in the prompt field PF to hit the resume, option S6, to resume t~e selections at the Al 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 is 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 N~ 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 service diagnostics 2~7~7~
_ 9 _ display routine which is presented to the user in 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 ID at 12.
The operator may choose at this point to view more options at A5 following which selection the operator is then prompted to make a selection or press start to run at 30 and the operator is presented with a second eet of options A7 through A12. The A7 option reinstates option Al 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 the operator i6 prompted to hit enter or go back 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 is then presented with a list of reports in the data window DW and is pro~pted 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. ~he available options now being account summary at B1, last transaction at B2, and a site setup and operating reports at B3.
Claims (10)
1. An improved embedded user interface system for an apparatus, said apparatus having a programmable microcontroller means for performing hard and soft system apparatus 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 files, (b) a plurality of text strings in a first language and a plurality of text strings in a second language, (c) a plurality of graphic display run routines, (d) means for enabling said soft keys and for identifying said respective subsequent screen in response to activation of said respective soft keys: and, said user interface having means to enable a select one of said text strings in one of said languages 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 report for next screen till end, (e) execute command file.
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 in a first language and a plurality of text strings in a second language, (c) a plurality of graphic display run routines, (d) means for enabling said soft keys and for identifying said respective subsequent screen in response to activation of said respective soft keys: and, said user interface having means to enable a select one of said text strings in one of said languages 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 report 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 a first language subregion and a second language subregion each region having said plurality of text strings in the respective languages, (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.
(a) a screen region having stored therein said plurality of system screen, (b) a text region having stored therein a first language subregion and a second language subregion each region having said plurality of text strings in the respective languages, (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.
4. A method of providing an apparatus with a user selectable apparatus system function, 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 for identifying said respective subsequent screen; 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 upon depression of a selected one of said keys.
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 for identifying said respective subsequent screen; 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 upon depression of a selected one of said keys.
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 having 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.
(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 having 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 an mailing machine, said mailing machine having a programmable microcontroller means for performing hard and soft system apparatus 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 files, (b) a plurality of text strings in a first language and a plurality of text strings in a second language, (c) a plurality of graphic display run routines, (d) means for enabling said soft keys and for identifying said respective subsequent screen in response to activation of said respective soft keys; and, said user interface having means to enable a select one of said text strings in one of said languages 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 field 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 report for next screen till end, (e) execute command file.
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 in a first language and a plurality of text strings in a second language, (c) a plurality of graphic display run routines, (d) means for enabling said soft keys and for identifying said respective subsequent screen in response to activation of said respective soft keys; and, said user interface having means to enable a select one of said text strings in one of said languages 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 field 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 report for next screen till end, (e) execute command file.
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 comprises;
(a) a screen region having stored therein said plurality of system screen, (b) a text region having stored therein a first language subregion and a second language subregion each region having said plurality of text strings in the respective languages, (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.
(a) a screen region having stored therein said plurality of system screen, (b) a text region having stored therein a first language subregion and a second language subregion each region having said plurality of text strings in the respective languages, (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.
9. A method of providing a mailing machine with a user selectable mailing machine system function, said mailing machine having programmable microcontroller in bus communication with a program memory, a visual display means for visual display of information and 8 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 for identifying said respective subsequent screen; 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 upon depression of a selected one of said keys.
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 for identifying said respective subsequent screen; 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 upon depression of a selected one of said keys.
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 having 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.
(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 having 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.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US62989890A | 1990-12-19 | 1990-12-19 | |
| US629,898 | 1990-12-19 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2057673A1 true CA2057673A1 (en) | 1992-06-20 |
Family
ID=24524951
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2057673 Abandoned CA2057673A1 (en) | 1990-12-19 | 1991-12-13 | Embedded user-interface having multiple language capability |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0491392A3 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2057673A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CH684506A5 (en) * | 1992-09-04 | 1994-09-30 | Frama Ag | Device for the input control of an electronically controlled franking machine. |
| GB9714186D0 (en) * | 1997-07-04 | 1997-09-10 | Pitney Bowes Ltd | Multi currency postage meter |
| US5960418A (en) * | 1997-07-14 | 1999-09-28 | Pitney Bowes Ltd. | Multi-currency postage meter |
| FR2779550B1 (en) * | 1998-06-05 | 2000-09-08 | Neopost Ind | POSTAGE DEVICE WITH CONVERTIBLE COIN |
| DE10012518A1 (en) | 2000-03-15 | 2001-09-20 | Francotyp Postalia Gmbh | Franking machine with language switch |
| GB0422088D0 (en) * | 2004-10-05 | 2004-11-03 | Symbian Software Ltd | Display of information on the dosplay screen of a computing device |
Family Cites Families (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4629871A (en) * | 1979-12-28 | 1986-12-16 | Pitney Bowes, Inc. | Electronic postage meter system settable by means of a remotely generated input device |
| US4449186A (en) * | 1981-10-15 | 1984-05-15 | Cubic Western Data | Touch panel passenger self-ticketing system |
| US4593183A (en) * | 1982-05-06 | 1986-06-03 | Tokyo Shibaura Denki Kabushiki Kaisha | Automatic transaction machine |
| GB8808023D0 (en) * | 1988-04-06 | 1988-05-05 | Avery Ltd W & T | Franking machine |
-
1991
- 1991-12-13 CA CA 2057673 patent/CA2057673A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1991-12-19 EP EP19910121790 patent/EP0491392A3/en not_active Withdrawn
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| EP0491392A3 (en) | 1992-07-22 |
| EP0491392A2 (en) | 1992-06-24 |
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