CH704778A2 - Graphical User Interface. - Google Patents

Abstract

A computer-implemented graphical user interface (6) comprises a work surface and a plurality of widgets (W13, W13a, W13b, W13c) visible to the user on the work surface, wherein output widgets (W13) each comprise one or more content windows (F13) with data elements, wherein the widgets (W13, W13a, W13b, W13c) and the content windows (F13) are coupled such that a content window (F13) and / or data elements selected therein are arranged by the user from an output widget (W13) in which they are located are movable for processing into one of several possible user-visible target widgets (W13a, W13b, W13c).

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to a computer-implemented graphical user interface. More particularly, the present invention relates to a computer-implemented graphical user interface having a work surface and a plurality of widgets disposed thereon, and a method and apparatus for generating the graphical user interface on a display, in particular on a touch-sensitive display.

State of the art

Graphical user interfaces have been steadily improving in recent decades in parallel with the development of lower cost and higher resolution displays, and their application has spread from information technology and information processing to almost all areas of technology, particularly in telecommunications, consumer electronics and in industrial production and processing plants. In the industry, the operation of machines is becoming increasingly graphic user interfaces, which are displayed on a touch-sensitive display, i. on a touch-sensitive screen or "touch screen" for playback (output) and input (input) of data and instructions. This is not least because such touch-sensitive displays allow a more flexible and cost-effective adaptation, such as human-machine interfaces with electromechanical controls, such as conventional buttons, keyboards or movable computer mice.

WO 07 025 396A has a graphical user interface for the subject, which consists of both a touch screen and mechanical buttons and rotary switches. A method and a device for controlling processes of one or more machines with a control unit, designed as a human-machine interface, are disclosed. The processes and parameters are screen-based on the user interface of the user interface, programmed by the user using input points and also changed operationally. The user interface is divided into two panels. The first control panel has a relatively large screen and is used in addition to the visualization of operating states, tables, lists, etc., especially the sequence programming. The second control panel serves as a central function for surgical procedures. Both panels are designed for data exchange in both directions.

DE11 2005 001 152 describes a method for retrieving and displaying technical data for an industrial facility. The subject of DE 11 2005 001 152 is a method for transmitting a user interface on a mobile computer with relatively small display and input devices to a larger terminal connected to an industrial device. Once a user, e.g. Operating a portable PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) nearing the large screen of industrial equipment, a wireless device installed in the vicinity of the large screen recognizes a wireless device integrated in the PDA and establishes a connection. The user can then select and select the appropriate terminal. The big screen shows e.g. a copy of the same ad as on the user's PDA. By providing multiple instances of a graphical user interface, parameters of a particular machine can be quickly queried and manipulated in this way.

EP 1 156 437 A2 relates to a system and method for monitoring a print production workflow. The system includes workflow management software that monitors and facilitates the process steps of the workflow, namely order start, order receipt, order processing, print production, and job completion. The workflow management software includes an integrated object-oriented interface that visually depicts the workflow and intervenes in the workflow. In addition, the software provides the functionality to create, edit and modify compound documents as ordered collections of documents. The workflow management software allows e.g. Cut, copy, paste, move actions on one page or on multiple pages of a document. This functionality is preferably achieved by means of pull-down menus, pop-up dialog boxes, option bars, or icons. In addition, the results of the actions are displayed in a visual representation of the document on the display of the processing station, display windows are used for the intuitive visual representation of the work that must be done at a processing station.

DE 10 2008 001 665A describes methods for generating uniform user interfaces for the control of textile machines. In addition to basic application programs, additional application programs with additional functionalities are often implemented, which are usually created by different programmers and have user interfaces according to different operating philosophies with different appearances. This leads to a high training costs for the operator and to an increased risk of incorrect operation. In addition, the time required for the operation during use of the textile machine increases. In order to avoid this, DE 10 2008 001 665A proposes the use of an independent graphics program module in which display elements or display routines are stored. Thus, an additional application program can be developed largely independently of the basic application program and the operator automatically finds a uniform appearance with a uniform operating philosophy, both in the basic application area and in the additional application area. DE 10 2008 001 665A thus supports a manufacturer of textile machine controls in the development of user interfaces that are consistent for basic applications and their additional functions.

For the operation of machines in the industry, in particular machines in the printing and print product re-processing industry, user interfaces are required for the configuration, control, monitoring, maintenance and preparation and presentation of business and operational information for different business areas, machine types, functions, users and user permissions, both at the control level with multiple connected machines, and at the level of individual machines or at the station level with parts of individual machines. As a rule, proprietary user interfaces of the manufacturers of the machines are used, which leads to overall uneven user interfaces when machines and / or stations from different manufacturers and / or machine generations are used in combination. However, in terms of efficient training, use, development and customization, it is desirable to have as uniform graphical user interfaces as possible that are currently unavailable in the art.

Furthermore, there is a requirement that the operating terminals for the graphical user interfaces can be arranged and mounted inexpensively and in an industrial environment on or at the respective machines or machine components. Often there are dimension limitations, since in the industrial environment various logistical, safety-related or operational conditions must be adhered to. Such framework conditions regularly lead to the fact that the user interfaces, especially in the production area, are limited to small displays with screen sizes of 5 to 15 inches. On the other hand, user interfaces with much larger dimensions are required for higher-level planning, configuration, monitoring and control functions of an entire production or processing plant and occasionally also for special machines or stations of the plant.

There are thus for graphical user interfaces, especially for the operation of industrial production and processing plants, partially conflicting and conflicting requirements. On the one hand, operating terminals with differently sized displays and differently dimensioned user interfaces are used for the operation of the same system, but on the other hand the user interfaces should be uniform and easy to use.

Presentation of the invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a computer-implemented graphical user interface, and method and apparatus for generating the graphical user interface on a display, which user interface does not have at least some disadvantages of the prior art, and which in particular to a user efficient manipulation of data.

The object is solved by the features of the independent claims. Further advantageous embodiments are also evident from the dependent claims and the description.

The above-mentioned objects are achieved by the present invention in particular in that a computer-implemented graphical user interface comprises a work surface and a plurality of widgets visibly arranged on the work surface for the user, wherein output widgets each comprise one or more content windows with data elements, and wherein the widgets and the content windows are coupled such that a content window and / or data elements selected therein are movable by the user from an output widget in which they are located for processing into one of a plurality of possible user-visible destination widgets are.

In one embodiment, the widgets and the content windows are coupled so that a content window and / or data elements selected therein by the user, without placement on the desktop, from the respective output widget are pulled out, with the possible target widgets, through which the relevant content window or the selected data elements are processable, the user are displayed.

In a further embodiment, one of the target widgets is set up to create a copy of a content window or of selected data elements which are positioned in the target widget and to arrange themselves with the copy of the content window or the selected data elements on the work surface ,

In a further embodiment, the widgets and the content windows are coupled so that the target widgets are displayed like a tile stacked one behind the other, alternately each one of the target widgets in the stack is displayed vorderst until the relevant content window respectively the selected data elements in currently most recently displayed target widget or be placed back in the source widget.

In one embodiment variant, the user interface comprises an information area for displaying a section of the work surface, and a navigation area arranged substantially smaller than the information area compared with the information area with a miniaturized representation of the entire work area and the widgets arranged thereon, the navigation area and the information area are coupled so that in the navigation area a miniaturized representation of the target widget, in which the relevant content window or the selected data elements were placed, is marked for the user.

In one embodiment, the widgets each comprise one or more content windows, and the widgets and the content windows are coupled so that a content window is completely movable out of the widget on the work surface by the user, with the content moving out of the widget A new widget is created and the content window is placed in the newly created widget.

In a further embodiment variant, the widgets and / or content windows can each be reduced to a header by the user, wherein the header comprises a status indicator for displaying a current status value associated with the relevant widget or content window.

In another embodiment, the widgets each include one or more visible indicators of other target widgets associated with the widget in question, and the widgets and the content windows are coupled such that a content window and / or data items selected therein are user-defined from the output widget via one of the indicators are movable, wherein the user possible processing actions of the respective target widget are displayed, on which the content window or the selected data elements for appropriate processing can be stored.

In one embodiment, the widgets and the visible indicators are coupled so that when moving the content window respectively the selected data elements via one of the indicators, the indicator associated with the target widget is displayed next to the output widget, and the possible processing actions in target widget.

In a further embodiment variant, the user interface comprises a two-dimensional filing matrix, which can be displayed to display the possible processing actions of the respective target widget and allows storage of the content window or the selected data elements in a matrix cell, for processing the content window or the selected data elements a processing action determined by the particular matrix cell.

In a further embodiment, the widgets are coupled so that a plurality of widgets by the user on the work surface by juxtaposing so that they are movable as a unit on the work surface until they are separated from each other again by the user.

In one embodiment, the user interface comprises a widget inventory with a representation of available but exclusively currently inactive, not on the work surface arranged widgets, the work area and the widget inventory are coupled so that an active widget by the user from the desktop into the widget inventory, becoming inactive, and allowing an inactive widget to be moved by the user from the widget inventory to the desktop and become active.

In a further embodiment variant, the user interface comprises at least one content window which is set up to display a display of objects that can be scrolled by the user, the representation comprising an object visualization of a selected object and object information associated with the selected object having one or more current data values.

In one embodiment, at least one of the target widgets comprises a graphical control element that is coupled to the content windows such that data elements selected in the content windows are selected by the user from an output widget in which they are arranged for assignment to the control element can be stored on the control and in a subsequent operation of the control, ie upon actuation after the filing of the selected data elements on the operating element, the selected data elements can be displayed to the user.

In addition to the computerized user interface, the present invention also relates to a computer-implemented method and a computerized device having an interface module for generating the graphical user interface on a display, in particular on a touch-sensitive display of a terminal. The present invention also relates to a computer program product, in particular a computer readable medium having computer code stored thereon, for controlling a processor such that the processor generates the graphical user interface on a display, in particular on a touch-sensitive display.

In a further aspect of the present invention, a computer-implemented graphical user interface for a display comprises an information area for displaying a section of a work surface and a navigation area arranged substantially outside the information area compared to the information area, wherein one or more widgets are arranged on the work surface and the navigation area has a miniaturized representation of the entire working area and the widgets arranged thereon, and wherein the navigation area and the information area are coupled via a selection indicator movable in the navigation area such that a partial area of the miniaturized work area determined in the navigation area by the selection indicator corresponds to that displayed in the information area Section of the work surface corresponds.

Preferably, the miniaturized widgets are movable in the navigation area by the user on the miniaturized work surface, and the navigation area and the information area are coupled so that positioning a miniaturized widget on the miniaturized workspace of the navigation area corresponding positioning of the widget on the Working surface causes.

In one embodiment, the widgets are movable by the user from the information area on the miniaturized workspace in the navigation area, the moving widgets are each displayed miniaturized in the navigation area, and the navigation area and the information area are coupled so that the positioning of the miniaturized widgets on the miniaturized workspace of the navigation area respectively causes a corresponding positioning of the widget on the work surface.

In a further embodiment, the widgets are coupled to the desktop so that when overlapping a user-positioned widget with another widget on the desktop and / or an overlap of a user-positioned miniaturized widget with another arranged on the miniaturized desktop miniaturized widget a non-overlapping arrangement of the widgets or the miniaturized widgets is generated, wherein the navigation area and the information area are coupled so that the non-overlapping arrangement of the widgets a corresponding arrangement of the miniaturized widgets on the miniaturized work surface, respectively, the non-overlapping arrangement of the miniaturized widgets one corresponding arrangement of the widgets on the desktop causes.

In one embodiment, the navigation area comprises a plurality of separate navigation sub-areas, each having a miniaturized representation of one of several adjacent parts of the work surface and the widgets arranged thereon. The widgets are movable by the user from one of the navigation subareas to another of the navigation subareas, wherein the navigation subareas and the information area are coupled such that positioning a miniaturized widget on the miniaturized representation of the relevant portion of the workspace will provide corresponding positioning of the corresponding widget on the navigator Working surface causes.

In a further embodiment variant, the widgets and the navigation subareas are coupled such that, when the user moves from one of the navigation subareas to another of the navigation subareas, the permissibility of the positioning of the widget in the other of the navigation subareas, for example according to stored rules, is checked, and the movement of the widget is rejected if the permissibility of the positioning is not given.

In one embodiment, the selection indicator is movable across the navigation subregions, wherein the selection indicator causes a representation of the corresponding two adjacent parts and the widgets of the work surface arranged thereon when positioning over a border region between two navigation sub-areas in the information area.

In one embodiment, a copy mode can be set by the user, and the navigation area and the widgets are coupled so that in copying mode when moving a miniaturized widget from the navigation area into the information area, a copy is made by the widget concerned and placed on the work surface.

In a further embodiment, the widgets in the information area by the user in their dimensions are variable, and the navigation area and the information area are coupled so that a change in the dimensioning of a widget in the information area each causes a corresponding change of the respective miniaturized widget in the navigation area ,

In an embodiment variant, the widgets are coupled to an interface module which is set up to store custom changes and / or positioning of widgets in a user profile, and to position the widgets according to the user profile on the workspace upon login of the user and accordingly in the information area respectively in the navigation area.

In a further embodiment, the navigation area and the widgets are coupled so that when positioning a miniaturized widget in the navigation area, the miniaturized representation of the widgets is scaled in lack of space to ensure a non-overlapping representation of all miniaturized widgets within the navigation area.

In one embodiment, the user interface includes quick access elements, each of which, when actuated by the user, display a widget associated with the particular quick access item in the information area, and the selection indicator in the navigation area displays the corresponding portion of the miniaturized work area displayed on it concerned miniaturized widget.

In another aspect of the present invention, to configure a graphical user interface for displaying various terminals, a graphical configuration interface is presented that includes a miniaturized representation of a graphical user interface, configuration instructions are provided for selecting widgets and arranging the widgets in the working area by positioning miniaturized representations of the widgets in the miniaturized workspace, configuration instructions are accepted for selectively assigning to the terminals each one or more defined parts of the workspace, and the graphical user interface is for each of the terminals based on the associated parts of the workspace Workspace and the widgets arranged therein.

Preferably, the graphical user interface is generated with an information area for displaying a section of each of the respective terminal assigned contiguous parts of the work surface, and with a much smaller compared to the information area arranged outside the information area navigation area, the navigation area each having a miniaturized representation the working area with all the parts assigned to the terminal concerned and the widgets arranged thereon, and wherein the navigation area and the information area are coupled by means of a selection indicator movable in the navigation area so that a selection area of the miniaturized work area determined in the navigation area by the selection indicator corresponds to that displayed in the information area Section of the work surface corresponds.

In one embodiment, the navigation area is generated with a plurality of separate navigation sub-areas, each having a miniaturized representation of one of the terminal assigned to the relevant parts of the workspace and the widgets disposed thereon, wherein the navigation sections are generated so that miniaturized widgets by the user is movable from one of the navigation sections to another of the navigation sections, and that the navigation sections and the information section are coupled such that positioning of a miniaturized widget on the miniaturized representation of one of the parts of the work surface provides corresponding positioning of the respective widget on that part the work surface causes in the terminals to which the part in question is assigned.

In a further embodiment variant, the navigation subareas are coupled in such a way that the authorization of the positioning of the widget in the other of the navigation subareas, for example according to stored rules, is checked during a movement of a widget by the user from one of the navigation subareas to another of the navigation subareas. and the movement of the widget is rejected if the permissibility of the positioning is not given.

In an embodiment variant, a first navigation subarea is provided as a preparation area for defining a production configuration of a print production system or print product reworking system, a second navigation subarea is provided as a production area for monitoring and controlling a production or further processing of printed products in the print production system respectively print product reworking system, and a third navigation subarea is Distribution area provided for defining the delivery of the printed products of the print production system or print product re-processing system. In one variant, a fourth navigation subarea is provided as an evaluation area for statistical functions and reporting functions.

In a further embodiment, configuration instructions for defining the parts of the work surface are accepted and a part is respectively coupled or decoupled for the terminals definable, wherein a coupled defined part of the work surface is generated so that it changes in the relevant part in the other terminals to which the part in question is assigned and in which a decoupled defined part is generated such that it does not replicate changes in the relevant part in the other end devices.

In one embodiment, the user interface is generated with a copy function, wherein the copy function is set to create a copy of the widget in a user-set copy mode when moving a miniaturized widget from the navigation area in the information area and to arrange on a part of the desktop in those terminals to which the part in question is assigned.

In a further embodiment, configuration instructions for assigning quick access elements to the terminals are accepted. The user interface is generated for a terminal with assigned quick access elements which, when actuated by the user, display a defined area of the work area and the widgets arranged thereon in the information area, and the selection indicator in the navigation area displays the corresponding selection area of the area displayed miniaturized workspace and the corresponding miniaturized widgets arranged thereon.

In one embodiment, the graphical user interface is generated with a login area, wherein the login area, the information area and the navigation area are coupled so that the widgets user-specific according to stored user settings, group specific according to stored group settings, and generically according to stored preferences arranged on the work surface and displayed in the information area and navigation area.

In a further embodiment variant, the graphical user interface for a terminal is generated in each case with a widget inventory, wherein the widget inventory includes a display of available but only currently inactive, not arranged on the end of the device associated parts of the work area widgets and wherein the work surface and the widget inventory are coupled such that an active widget is movable by the user from the parts of the work surface associated with the respective terminal into the widget inventory and thereby becomes inactive, and that an inactive widget by the user from the widget inventory on a device associated with the terminal of the work area is movable and thereby becomes active.

Brief description of the drawings

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described by way of example. The example of the embodiment is illustrated by the following attached figures: <Tb> FIG. 1: <sep> shows a block diagram of a production plant with several machines of a production line, a superior line master and several terminals with displays for operating the production plant. <Tb> FIG. 2a, 2b: <sep> each show a graphical configuration interface with miniaturized representations of a work surface and various terminals, and an input area for individually assigning parts of the work surface to the terminals. <Tb> FIG. 3: <sep> shows a graphical user interface display having a navigation area for miniaturizing a work area and widgets disposed thereon, and an information area for displaying a selected portion of the work area and the widgets disposed therein. FIGS. 4a, 4b: <sep> each show the graphical user interface with a different section of the workspace in the information area and a selection indicator correspondingly positioned in the navigation area. <Tb> FIG. 5: <sep> illustrates schematically in the user interface how the displacement of a miniaturized widget in the navigation area causes a corresponding positioning of the relevant widget on the work surface. <Tb> FIG. 6: <sep> schematically illustrates displacements of a widget in the information area in the user interface, wherein a widget can be positioned on the entire work surface by moving the information area into the navigation area. <Tb> FIG. 7: <sep> illustrates schematically in the user interface the displacement of a widget from the navigation area into the information area, wherein a copy of the widget is generated by the navigation area in the section of the work area, which is shown in the information area, when the copy mode is set. <Tb> FIG. 8: <sep> illustrates schematically in the user interface a rearrangement of widgets, in a shifts of a widget from the information area in the navigation area to a location between two widgets. <Tb> FIG. 9a, 9b: <sep> illustrate schematically in the user interface a rearrangement of widgets, in an enlargement of a widget in the information area, which is a displacement, i. Repositioning, other widgets causes. <Tb> FIG. 10: <sep> illustrates schematically in the user interface the display of widgets with content windows and the generation of a widget with a content window that is extracted from an existing widget. <Tb> FIG. 11: <sep> schematically illustrates in the user interface a rearrangement of content windows in a widget, with a change in shape of the relevant widget. <Tb> FIG. FIGS. 12a, 12b; <sep> schematically illustrate the arrangement and scaling of a navigation subarea upon a shift of a miniaturized widget in the relevant subarea to a location with insufficient space for the widget. <Tb> FIG. FIGS. 13a, 13b: <sep> schematically illustrate the resolution of a navigation subarea upon a shift of the only widget present in the relevant subarea to another navigation subarea. <Tb> FIG. Figures 14a, 14b: <sep> schematically illustrate the movement of a content window or data elements selected therein from an output widget into a destination widget for processing, with possible, associable destination widgets cascaded for selection. <Tb> FIG. Figures 15a-16c: <sep> illustrate schematically the movement of a content window or data elements selected therein from an output widget to a destination widget for processing, wherein a processing action to be performed is determined by storage on a symbol or cell of a filing array. <Tb> FIG. 17a, 17b: <sep> illustrate scalable timelines with production orders displayed therein and their respective production histories. <Tb> FIG. Figures 18a-18d: <sep> illustrate content windows with a scrollable content area that is displayed, with the area boundaries within which the content area is movable, being variably adjustable via scrollable tabs. <Tb> FIG. 19: <sep> illustrates a target widget with a detailed graphical and schematic representation of a production line with two conveyor chains and associated jobs that are user controllable in the target widget. <Tb> FIG. 20: <sep> illustrates a widget with multiple coupled content windows, wherein one of the content windows has a user-scrollable representation of objects and the other content windows for a selected object display information and / or controls.

Ways to carry out the invention

In Fig. 1, the reference numeral 1 refers to a production plant in the graphic printing production area, in the printed product processing industry and / or in the field of logistics and transport. The production plant 1 shown schematically in FIG. 1 comprises a plurality of machines 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 of one (or more) production line (s), which are connected to one another via conveyors 21, 22, 23, 24, 25. The production plant 1 comprises in particular machines and conveyors, e.g. with conveyor chains and / or conveyor belts, for printing production systems (such as so-called rotations) and printing product reworking systems, comprising printing machines, collecting devices for collecting (in the broader sense) or collecting product collections from several products by collating, inserting or collecting (in the narrower sense), further processing plants for insertion, wrapping, stapling, gluing, cutting, welding, addressing and / or stacking, including feeders, parcel delivery, bar feeders, wrapping stations and strapping machines, as well as newspaper delivery systems, digital on-demand book production systems and distribution and mailing facilities. Production plant 1 also includes machinery assemblies which perform add-on functions, such as application of adhesive labels (e.g., Memostick®) or printing in the processing flow, also referred to herein as machines. The products are in particular flat, flexible printed products of different thickness but also other flat products such as data carriers or other supplements. Those skilled in the art will understand that the production plant 1 is shown in a very simplified manner and in practice comprises not only a sequential arrangement of machines 10-15 and connecting conveyors 21-25, but that the production plant 1 comprises a flexibly configurable conveyor system and the machines 10 15 and conveyor 21-25 can be combined and set up via different configurable conveying paths for a wide variety of production cases, as indicated in FIG. 1 by the dotted arrows P.

To control the production line (s), the production plant 1 comprises a computerized line master 8 comprising one or more operational computers each having one or more processors, for example a server, and connected to an associated terminal 38 comprising a display , The line master 8 is connected via a communication system 4 to a plurality of further terminals 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, each having a display.

The displays of the terminals 31-38 are preferably touch-sensitive displays ("touch screens") for the representation of graphical user interfaces and the reproduction (output) and input (input) of data and instructions. Particularly preferred so-called "multi-touch screens" are used, which allow manipulation with multiple fingers at the same time. As touch-sensitive systems, e.g. inductive, capacitive or pressure-related sensor techniques used, which take into account especially industrial conditions. Touch-sensitive multi-touch screens not only allow a user to input data and instructions, but also manipulate the user interface using his or her fingers, such as moving and resizing objects and sheets and scrolling in the user interface, and configuring the user interface.

As shown schematically in Fig. 1, the individual terminals 31-34 are each located directly at a machine 11-14 and connected to it, or as independent of the machines 10-15 terminals 35-38, for example, free movable, designed. The terminals 31-38 comprise one or more processors and are designed, for example, as data entry and data output terminals, personal computers (PC), industrial PC modules, mobile PCs, PDAs (personal data assistants) or mobile phones (smart phones). For controlling the production line (s), the line master 8, depending on the variant and / or configuration via the communication system 4 directly to the machines 10-15 and conveyors 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 connected, or indirectly via a terminal 31-34 , which is connected to a machine 11-14. Accordingly, control, configuration and query data and commands are exchanged between the line master 8 and the machines 10-15 and conveyors 21-25 of the production line (s) directly via the communication system 4, or via the communication system 4 and the terminals 31-34 , Similarly, user instructions and data entered by users via the terminals 31-38 for control, configuration or retrieval of the machines 10-15 and conveyors 21-25 are each directly from the respective terminal 31-34 to the machine associated therewith 11-14, transmitted directly via the communication system 4 to a remotely located machine 10-15 and a conveyor 21-25, or passed indirectly via the line master 8 to the relevant machine 10-15 and the respective conveyor 21-25.

Depending on the embodiment, the communication system 4 comprises conductorless (wireless) and / or wired (for example wired) communication connections or communication networks, for example local area networks (LAN, WLAN), system buses and / or individual direct lines.

Preferably, the production plant 1 is set up such that the line master 8 comprises a data memory with the current control and configuration parameters and status values of the machines 10-15 and conveyors 21-25 of the production line (s) and also data with production, distribution - and route plan for the production line (s) record and save. The line master 8 comprises in particular a data memory with configuration data for defined basic settings, group settings and user settings of the graphical user interfaces that are displayed for operating the production system 1 on the various displays of the terminals 31-38, as described in more detail below.

It should be noted here that with the expression "operation of the production plant" a variety of activities are included for the configuration, control, monitoring, maintenance, higher-level production planning of each machine, a machine part (station), a plant section and / or a system comprising several machines of the production line (s), and also the retrieval, processing, presentation and output of operational, operational and business information relating to the production line (s).

Depending on the embodiment and configuration, the user interfaces for the operation and control of the production plant 1 are embedded in a programmed production plant control system or in one or more programmed production plant control applications centralized on the line master 8 or distributed on the line master 8 and the terminals 31-38 be executed. Accordingly, the production facility 1 comprises one or more interface modules 9 for generating, displaying and controlling the user interfaces, which are set up, for example, for a classic client / server architecture or a thin client architecture and in the line master 8 and / or in the terminals 31-38 be arranged and executed.

As schematically illustrated in FIG. 1, the line master 8 comprises a configuration module 80 for configuring the user interfaces for the terminals 31-38 of the production facility 1, in particular as a function of the differently dimensioned specific displays of the terminals 31-38 and / or the associated with machine (s) 10-15 respectively conveyors 21-25. The configuration module 80 is preferably implemented as a programmed software module comprising computer program code for controlling one or more processors of the line master 8. The computer program code is stored on a computer readable medium fixedly or removably connected to the line master. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the configuration module 80 in alternative embodiments may be fully or partially executable with hardware components and / or placed and executed on one or more other terminals 31-38.

Fig. 3 shows an example of a display 60 of one of the terminals 31-38 with a graphical user interface 6 for operating the production plant 1 or at least one machine 10-15, a conveyor 21-25 or other part of the production plant 1. As in 3, the user interface 6 has a navigation area 61, an information area 62 and a control bar 63. In the example shown, the navigation area 61 and the control bar 63 are each aligned vertically; however, in alternative designs or configurations, they are also vertically alignable.

The control bar 63 comprises a scalable timeline 631 and quick access elements 632, which will be described in more detail later.

The information area 62 presents the user with a selected section A 'of a work surface A. The work surface A is a virtual two-dimensional area, comparable to the "desktop" in window-oriented user interfaces such as Microsoft Windows, Apple MAC OS or Apple iPhone OS. The work surface A has a size (width / height) which exceeds that of the display 60, and therefore can not be fully displayed on the display 60 for a given full image resolution.

As can be seen in FIG. 3, a plurality of widgets W1, W2, W3, W4, W5 are arranged on the work surface A whose size can be changed by the user in height, width and / or diagonal via the user interface 6, for example by appropriate finger manipulations on the touch-sensitive display 60, as indicated schematically by the double arrows P1, P2. Widgets W1-W5 are components of a graphical windowing system, each consisting of a visible area (window) that receives user generated events and represents data, and a nonvisible object that stores the state of the component and, through certain operations, the visible area can change. The widgets W1-W5 are incorporated into the window system of the production plant control system or the production plant control applications and use this for interaction with the user or other widgets of the window system or the production plant control system or the production plant control applications. An active widget W1-W5 is located on work area A and is executed in the production plant control system or in the production facility control applications, that is, it is in an "executing" state and runs on one or more processors.

As schematically illustrated in FIG. 3, the widgets W5 each include one or more content windows F51, F52. The content windows F51, F52 serve to display and / or manipulate data and may also include input elements for inputting data values and / or instructions. The data presented in the content windows F51, F52 comprises data elements D5, for example with data values of production and investment parameters, production and plant-specific status values, and specific product data such as product designations or product size, and / or other representable data objects such as graphics or images B5, for example product images of newspaper cover sheets, coversheets or supplements in printed product processing. In a concrete example, a content window F51 includes a specific-oriented image B5 of the title page of a concrete newspaper to be processed, as well as data items having production and asset-specific status values regarding the integrity of the records required for production, e.g. Records of the publisher of the newspaper, regarding the allocation of feeders with the required for the production of precursors (main products and supplements), and the present definition of a defined and selectable for the production plant 1 production case, the configuration and interconnection of the machines 10-15 and / conveyor 21-25 of the production plant 1 determines. For example, another content window F52 comprises a plurality of data elements D5 each having a designation of a precursor, e.g. various newspaper parts and advertising supplements, and an assigned number of copies.

The navigation area 61 shows the user a miniaturized representation of the entire working area A and the widgets W1-W5 arranged thereon. The navigation area 61 with the miniaturized work area A * and the miniaturized widgets W1 *, W2 *, W3 *, W4 *, W5 * is coupled to the information area 62 via a selection indicator L which indicates to the user in the navigation area 61 the information area 62 shown section A 'of the work surface A indicates. The selection indicator L serves the user like a magnifying glass and is movable in the navigation area 61 in the miniaturized work surface A *, so that the user can select any section A 'of the working area A for the fully resolved representation in the information area 62. As indicated by the arrow cross in the selection indicator, the selection indicator L is movable in both the horizontal and vertical directions and can be positioned by the user to select a selection. Depending on the embodiment variant, the dimensioning (height, width) of the selection indicator L is adjustable or configurable (scalable), for example, depending on the dimensions of the relevant display 60. In an advantageous variant or configuration, the width of the selection indicator L is equal to the width of the miniaturized work surface A. *, so that the user can navigate across the entire work area A only by moving the selection indicator L vertically. In addition, as indicated by the arrow cross P3, the user can also select the displayed cutout A 'of the work surface by directly moving the work surface A in the navigation area 61, for example by swiping in the desired direction with one or more fingers on the touch-sensitive display 60 ,

As can be seen in FIG. 3, the navigation area 61 is divided into a plurality of navigation subareas N1, N2, N3. The navigation subareas N1, N2, N3 correspond, for example, to different applications, production phases and / or data groups. For example, the navigation section N1 is provided as a preparation area with widgets and content windows for defining a production configuration of a print production system or print product processing system, the navigation section N2 is provided as a production area with widgets and content windows for monitoring and controlling a production or further processing of printed products in the print production system and print product processing system, respectively Navigation section N3 is provided as a distribution area with widgets and content windows for defining and monitoring the delivery of the print products of the print production system and the print product re-processing system, respectively. In a variant, a further navigation subarea is provided as an evaluation area for statistical functions, reporting functions and analysis functions relating to the production, further processing and / or delivery of printed products in the print production system or print product reworking system.

The user interface 6 also includes a catalog area K1 with a widget inventory 610 with all available but currently inactive widgets. The widget inventory 610 includes only inactive widgets, once a widget is positioned on the workspace A, it becomes active, i. executed and does not appear in the widget inventory 610. The interface module 9 is set up, when moving a widget from the information area 62 or the navigation sections N1, N2, N3 of the navigation area 61 in the widget inventory 610, the widget of the work area A remove, disable, and list in the widget inventory 610 as an available, inactive widget and / or graphically display it as an icon. Depending on the implementation variant and / or number of inactive widgets, the widget inventory 610 is completely and permanently visible to the user or is displayed to the user upon input of a simple user command, for example clicking on a graphical symbol.

The user interface 6 also comprises a login area 612 which is set up to receive user identification and access authorization data and / or to display the logged-in user, for example as a user name, user identification and / or image of the user. The logging in can also take place, for example, via a contactless or contact-type interface which reads the user identification and, in a variant, also the access authorization data from a data carrier, for example from a chip card. The entered and / or read user identification and authorization data are checked, for example, in the line master 8 and the user is logged in with existing authorization as an active user with its associated permissions, for example, associated with the relevant terminal 31-34, where the login takes place. In one variant, each user is also assigned to a defined user group.

When a user logs on, the interface module 9 displays the user interface 6 on the relevant display 60 in accordance with the stored configuration data associated with the particular user, user group, and display 60, respectively, associated terminal 31-38. Depending on the configuration data that is created and stored for a user in a user profile, the user can select when logging in (or later via a selectable reset function) whether the user interface 6 at the relevant terminal 31-38 has a user-specific stored in an associated user profile User or work setting, a stored user-specific default setting, a stored group-specific basic setting or a generic basic setting for the current configuration and display of the user interface 6 and the positioned and dimensioned components and areas such as navigation area 61, information area 62, control bar 63, widgets W1 -W5, navigation sections N1, N2, N3, content window F52, selection indicator L, timeline 631, quick access elements 632, etc. to be used.

FIGS. 4a and 4b illustrate the displacement of the section A 'of the working surface A shown in the information region 62 during a movement of the selection indicator L over two adjoining, adjacent navigation sections N1, N2. This shift may be made by the user, as described above, by moving the work surface A in the information area 62 or by moving the selection indicator L in the navigation area 61. As indicated by arrow P4, content windows F52 of a widget W5 may be changed in size by the user, with the size of the surrounding widget W5 correspondingly adjusting. As indicated by the arrow P5, content windows F52 of a widget W5 can be reduced by the user to their header K5. In one variant, widgets can also be reduced by the user to their header. When reducing widgets and / or content windows F52, one or more status indicators SI are respectively displayed in the header K5, which indicate to the user in each case the current value of status values contained in the respective widget or content window F52, for example as symbols or values. Depending on the version, application and configuration, several status values can also be combined in a headers K5 according to predefined or user-defined rules to a collective status.

FIGS. 2a and 2b show examples of a graphical configuration interface 81, 81 generated by the configuration module 80 for configuring the user interfaces 6 for the terminals 31-38 of the production facility 1. The configuration interface 81, 81 is displayed on the display 60, for example shown when an authorized user sets a configuration mode, for example by pressing a configuration button 611 in the user interface 6.

The configuration data acquired by the configuration module 80 via the configuration interface 81, 81 for configuration of the user interface 6 are preferably stored as defined basic settings for the various displays 60 or terminals 31-38 of the production facility 1, for example in the line master 8. In addition, the configuration module allows 80 and the configuration interface 81, 81, the definition of group and / or user-specific settings of the user interfaces 6. However, user-specific configuration data are usually determined directly by manipulation of the user in the user interface 6 and assigned by a profile module of the interface module 9 to the user stored in a user profile, for example centralized in the line master 8.

As shown schematically in FIGS. 2a and 2b, the configuration interface 81, 81 includes a widget catalog K with widgets available in the production plant control system and in the production plant control applications, respectively. For example, the widgets are represented as graphical symbols or lists of labels, for example, hierarchically structured with widget types or classes and available widgets contained therein. A widget W 'selected in the widget catalog K can be specified and configured in detail by the user in the widget configuration area W, for example with regard to its size, contained content windows and / or links to other widgets.

As can be seen in FIGS. 2a and 2b, the configuration interface 81, 81 comprises a representation of the navigation region 61 of the user interfaces 6, as described above, with a plurality of navigation subareas, each having an associated part of the work surface 6 and the ones arranged thereon Miniaturized widgets. The sizes of the navigation subareas can be made in the configuration interface 81, 81, preferably directly in the representation of the navigation area 61, for example by corresponding shifting and setting of the area boundaries. In addition, a navigation subarea can be defined as coupled or decoupled. A coupled defined navigation section is later generated so that it replicates changes in the relevant part in the other terminals 31-38 to which the part in question is assigned. A decoupled defined navigation section, however, is generated so that it does not replicate changes in the relevant part in the other terminals 31-38.

By moving a widget W 'from the widget catalog K or the widget configuration area W to a desired location in a navigation portion of the illustrated navigation area 61, the widgets W' can be accessed by the user via the configuration interface 81, 81 on the desktop A be positioned.

Depending on the version, the widgets W can be exclusively assigned by the user to one or more navigation subareas, or explicitly blocked for one or more navigation subareas, such that a widget W 'configured in the user interface 6 by the user does not fall into an inadmissible navigation subarea N1. N2, N3 can be moved. When attempting to move a widget W into an impermissible navigation subarea, the interface module 9 causes the widget W to jump back to its original location in accordance with appropriate rules. In an embodiment variant, certain widgets W or classes of widgets in the widget catalog K are defined such that they can generally only be arranged in certain navigation subareas or are blocked for certain navigation subareas.

The configuration interface 81, 81 also comprises a monitor area M in which the terminals 31-38 or their displays 60 can be displayed graphically, for example, and activated by the user via the configuration interface 81, 81 and configured with an associated user interface 6.

2aumfasst the configuration interface 81 a monitor configuration area n, in which the defined navigation sub-areas, for example by clicking on a box for a particular terminal 31-38 or its display 60 selectively and selectively activated by the user and can be assigned. In the detailed monitor area M ', the user may set other aspects of the user interfaces for the various terminals 31-38 and their displays 60, such as the control bar 63 by turning on / off and configuring the timeline 631, and adding / removing and configuring quick access elements 632. The quick access elements 632 can be assigned to a widget, a specific position on the work surface A or a defined section A 'of the work surface A, so that upon actuation of the respective quick access element 632, in the information area 62 of the corresponding section A' of the work surface A with the possibly associated widget is displayed, and the selection indicator L in the navigation area 61, the corresponding portion of the miniaturized work area A * displays with the relevant miniaturized widget arranged thereon. However, the quick access elements 632 are preferably set up such that they can be assigned a widget not only via the configuration interface 81 but also in the user interface 6 by the user during operation. For example, the quick access elements 632 and the widgets are coupled so that the user can make the dynamic assignment in the user interface 6 by moving the widget concerned from the work surface A or from the miniaturized work surface A * to the desired quick access element 632 to be mapped ("Drag") and positioned or dropped ("drop"). In this dynamic assignment of a widget to a quick access element 632, however, there is no repositioning of the widget on the work surface A or the miniaturized work surface A shown.

In the example according to FIG. 2b, the configuration interface 81 for a terminal 31-38 selected in the monitor area M or its display 60 comprises a miniaturized representation 6 of its assigned user interface 6, according to the current configuration, as described above with a control bar , an information area and a navigation area with a plurality of navigation subareas. The configuration of a user interface can be made by the user directly in the miniaturized representation 6; in particular, the defined navigation subareas for the user interface of a specific terminal 31-38 or its display 60 can be selectively and selectively activated and assigned by the user. The control bar can also be defined for a particular terminal 31-38 or its display 60 in a corresponding control bar configuration area S, and for example by selecting and moving components of the timeline 631 or quick access elements 632 from the configuration area S in the miniaturized representation of the control bar the relevant user interface 6 are configured, as indicated in Fig. 2b with the arrow.

The configuration of the user interfaces 6 for the various terminals 31-38 or their displays 60 and the associated configuration of the working area A and associated navigation sections N1, N2, N3 is stored by the configuration module 80, for example in the line master 8 and / or in the terminals 31-38.

As explained above with reference to Figs. 3, 4a and 4b, the cutout A 'of the work surface A shown in the information area 62 can be moved by moving the selection indicator L in the navigation area 61 or by moving the work surface 6 in the information area 62 and to be changed. The user interface 6 defined by the configuration module 80 and generated by the interface module 9 is also set up such that widgets can be displaced and repositioned by the user during the production operation on the work surface A.

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates that widgets can be repositioned by the user by correspondingly moving the miniaturized representation of the relevant widget W5 * in the navigation area 61. As indicated in the example of FIG. 5 by the arrow P6, the displacement is effected, for example, by detecting the header of a (miniaturized) widget, for example by positioning a pointer by means of a computer mouse, a trackball or a touchpad, or preferably on the touch-sensitive display 60 by properly positioning one or more fingertips, and then moved to the desired position, for example by dragging the pointer (s) on the screen of the display 60 and dropping it on the screen In the example of FIG. 5, the cross-border displacement of the miniaturized widget W5 * from the navigation subarea N1 to the new location indicated by the reference W5 * 'in the navigation subarea N2 causes a corresponding displacement and repositioning of the navigation device indicated by the reference W5 relevant Wid gets W5 from a region of the working surface A not visible in the information region 62 into the cutout A 'of the working surface shown in the information region 62.

At this point it should be noted that in the figures miniaturized widgets are marked with an asterisk «*», that repositioning and changes are marked with a stroke «'», and that the repositioning of a miniaturized object with the combination "* '' '», Respectively a miniaturized representation of a repositioned miniaturized object with the combination «' * ''» is marked.

6 illustrates a further possibility for the user in the user interface 6 to move a widget on the work surface A by directly detecting the relevant widget W4, W5 in the information area 62 in the section A 'displayed and in the navigation area 61 or in the navigation area 61 Information area 62 is moved to another location in the section A '. As indicated in the example of Fig. 6 with the arrow P7, the widget W4 is moved on the work surface A directly in the illustrated section A 'to a designated by the reference numeral W4 new position, resulting in the navigation area 61 a shift of the miniaturized widget W4 * to the miniaturized widget W4 * 'effected. On the other hand, the widget W5 is displaced from the illustrated section A 'in the information area 62 into the navigation subarea N2 of the navigation area 61, which is a shift from the section A' shown in the information area 62 to an area of the working area A not visible in the information area 62, and in the navigation area 61 a shift of the miniaturized widget W5 * to the miniaturized widget W5 * 'causes.

7 illustrates, by way of an example, how a copy can be generated in the user interface 6 by users from a widget W5 on the work surface A at a different location of the work surface A. As indicated by the dashed arrow P9 in the example of FIG. 7, in a copying mode set by the user, a user moves a miniaturized representation of a widget W5 * from the navigation area 61 into the cutout A 'of the working area A visible in the information area 61, which causes the generation of a copy of the corresponding widget W5 designated by the reference symbol W5 +, the copy being represented in the navigation subarea N2 by the miniaturized widget W5 + *. If no copy mode is set, shifting the miniaturized widget W5 * from the navigation section N1 into the active section A * in the information section 62 causes a corresponding shift of the respective widget W5 on the desktop A, and correspondingly a shift of the miniaturized widget W5 * from the navigation section N1 into the navigation section N2.

8 illustrates, as an example, the rearrangement of widgets effected by the interface module 9 in the user interface 6 when a widget W5 is moved to a location of the work surface A that does not have enough space for non-overlapping positioning of the widget , and without rearranging the widgets would lead to the overlap of the moving widget with other widgets. As is schematically illustrated in the example of FIG. 8, when the widget W5 moves from the displayed detail A 'to the navigation portion N2, which is not visible in the information area 62, the widgets W1 *, W2 *, W3 * shown in miniaturized fashion are respectively displayed horizontally shifted so that sufficient space for a non-overlapping positioning of the designated by the reference numeral W5 *, miniaturized widget is created. Due to the proportional representation of the working area A and the widgets arranged thereon in the navigation area 61, with the rearranging of the miniaturized widgets W1 *, W2 *, W3 * in the navigation area 61 in the user interface 6, a corresponding rearrangement of the corresponding widgets W1, W2 and W3 on the concerned in the information area 62 invisible part of the work surface A.

9a and 9b illustrate an example of the rearranged by the interface module 9 in the user interface 6 rearranging widgets when a widget W6 is enlarged in size by the user so that without rearranging the widgets an overlap of the enlarged widget with other (neighboring) widgets would cause. 9Allustrates the starting position with the widgets W6, W7, W8 and W9 arranged without overlapping of the section A 'shown in the information area 62 and the corresponding miniaturized widgets W6 *, W7 *, W8 * and W9 * in the corresponding navigation section N2 in the navigation area 61.

FIG. 9b schematically illustrates the rearrangement of the widgets W7, W8, W9 respectively of the respective miniaturized widgets W7 *, W8 * and W9 *, which is automatically generated by the interface module 9 in the user interface 6, with a reference number W6 Enlargement of widget W6. In addition to the horizontal shift (displacement) of widgets in the example of FIG. 8, the interface module 9 also causes a line break in the user interface 6 in the example of FIGS. 9a and 9b, since the horizontal shift of the widget 8 without a line break results in a positioning outside the defined one Working surface A would lead. Such reordering of line break widgets is also performed with widgets in the navigation area 61 according to the example of FIG. 8 when widgets are pushed out beyond the side edge (width) of the work area A by the rearrangement.

Fig. 10 schematically illustrates another user operation supported and executed by the user interface 6 and the interface module 9, respectively. As indicated by the arrow P11, content windows F9 are detachable from their widgets W9, in which they are embedded, and can be positioned in a newly generated, separate widget W + on the work surface A by the user. In the example of FIG. 10, as indicated by the arrow 11, the content window F9 is detected by the user and completely moved out of the output widget W9 and positioned outside the output widget W9 on the work surface 9 and released ("drag and drop"). In this case, the interface module 9 generates a new widget W +, in which the extracted content window F9 is embedded by the interface module 9. As can be seen in FIG. 10, the new widget W + in the navigation area 61, as denoted by the reference symbol W + *, is miniaturized in the relevant navigation subarea N2.

11 schematically illustrates another user operation supported by the user interface 6 and the interface module 9, respectively. As indicated by the arrow P12, a widget W10 is resized by the user so that the ratio of its width to its height is substantially reversed in the resized widget W10. As can be seen in FIG. 11, the interface module 9 thereby rearranges the content windows F11, F12 of the output widget W10 in the user interface 6, so that the content windows designated by the reference symbols F11, F12 in the newly dimensioned widget W10 Are arranged side by side without overlapping. If necessary, the interface module also makes a resizing of the newly dimensioned widget W10 to allow a complete representation of the rearranged content windows F10, F11, F12 without the need for scrolling. As illustrated in FIG. 11, the miniaturized representation of the widget W10 * is correspondingly adapted in the relevant navigation subarea N2, as indicated by the reference symbol W10 *.

FIGS. 12a and 12b illustrate the behavior of the navigation area 61 controlled by the interface module 9 when positioning a widget at a location in the navigation subarea N2 with insufficient space for overlap-free presentation of the miniaturized widgets. In this case, the widget to be repositioned can be of the information area 62 are moved to the navigation area 61 or moved within the navigation area 61. As indicated by the arrow P13 in the example of FIGS. 12a and 12b, the miniaturized widget W11 * is displaced within the navigation subarea N2 to a location in the lower border, where there is not enough space for an overlap-free positioning of the widget. As can be seen in FIG. 12b, the interface module 9 generates a scaled representation of the navigation subarea N2, wherein both the selection indicator denoted by the reference symbol L 'and the miniaturized widgets are reduced, so that the shifted reference symbol W11 *' designated miniaturized widget in the navigation section N2 is positioned without overlapping, where it is also displayed scaled accordingly. In one embodiment, the part of the working surface A assigned to the navigation subarea N2 and thus the entire working surface A are correspondingly enlarged. In another variant, the total area of the working area A remains the same and the part of the working area A associated with the navigation area N2 is extended to another part of the working area A, which is correspondingly reduced in size.

FIGS. 13a and 13b illustrate the behavior of the navigation area 61 controlled by the interface module 9 during the emptying of a navigation subarea N3 by shifting the only miniaturized widget W12 * remaining there. As indicated by the arrow P14, the single miniaturized widget W12 * in the navigation subarea N3 is displaced therefrom into another navigation subarea N2, so that after the shift no widget remains in the navigation subarea N3. As can be seen in FIG. 13a, the newly positioned widget W12 * 'in the scaled navigation subarea N2 is likewise displayed scaled accordingly. As shown schematically in FIG. 13b, the depleted navigation portion N3 is removed from the navigation portion 61, for example, after the user has previously requested confirmation that the navigation portion N3, which has become empty by the shift of the miniaturized widget W12 *, is actually from the navigation portion 61 of the user interface 6 should be deleted. An erased navigation subarea N3 can be activated again in the navigation area 61 at any time via the configuration interface 81, 81 described above with reference to FIGS. 2a and 2b. As can be seen in FIG. 13, the navigation subarea designated by the reference numeral N2 + and the miniaturized widgets and the selection indicator L + are unscaled again, represented in the original size after the empty navigation subarea N3 has been removed, and thus again enough space for an unscaled representation was created.

In another user operation, two or more widgets may be strung together on the work surface A, for example, by pushing together two adjacent sides, and then moved on the work surface A as a unit until they are separated again by a defined operation, for example, by a "shaking motion" of the combined unit object on the work surface A by means of a corresponding finger or mouse manipulation.

In the following paragraphs, with reference to FIGS. 14a, 14b, 15a-15c and 16a-16c, various examples of actions and applications will be described by the user via the user interface 6 by supplying content windows and / or data elements selected therein can be defined and triggered from an output widget to a target widget.

Figs. 14a and 14b illustrate an example in which a content window F13 and the data elements contained therein or selected therein are transferred to one of a plurality of possible destination widgets W13a, W13b, W13c from an output widget W13 for further processing to which a defined action or application is assigned. As indicated by the arrow P15, the user cascades the various possible target widgets W13a, W13b, W13c behind the output widget W13, i. stacked like a tile in succession, shown when the user moves out the content window Fl 3 to be edited or the data elements selected therein from the output widget W13, without positioning it on the work surface A or on the detail A 'displayed in the information area 62. The possible target widgets W13a, W13b, W13c are presented to the user, for example, who are alternately arranged one at a time in the cascade and made visible to the user without coverage by other widgets. The possible destination widgets W13a, W13b, W13c are determined as a function of the output widget W13 and / or the selected content window or data elements, for example corresponding to a configuration permanently configured via the configuration interface 81, 81 or depending on a defined type or class of the Output widgets W13 and / or the selected content window or the selected data elements. As a rule, the possible destination widgets W13a, W13b, W13c comprise a defined widget which is set up to generate a copy of the content window positioned therein or of the data elements stored therein. Fewer generic target widgets W13a, W13b, W13c include actions, functions and applications in the graphics printing area, in the print product processing industry and / or in the area of logistics and transport, which are executed for the relevant content window or data elements. As indicated by the arrow 15, by moving the selected content window F13 or the selected data elements into or onto the desired target widget W13c, the user can trigger the assignment and processing of the data elements to the respective target widget W13c. The target widget W13c over which the selected data items are moved by the user is displayed by the interface module 9 in the first instance completely visible to the user. By releasing and positioning the selected content window F13 or the selected data elements in the selected target widget 13c, their assignment and processing are definitely triggered. As shown schematically in FIG. 14b, in the navigation area 61 the position of the selected target widget W13c in which the selected data elements are processed is indicated by marking (in bold here) the corresponding miniaturized widget W13c *. If the selected target widget W13c was not previously active, it is now removed from the inactive widgets widget inventory 610.

In the example of Figs. 15a-15c, the output widget W13 comprises user-visible indicators I1, I2, I3 of other widgets connected as possible destination widgets W14 to the output widget W13, respectively via a logical mapping are linked. These indicators are designed, for example, as graphical symbols ("icons") and / or readable names. As indicated by the arrow PI6, possible processing actions of a target widget W13 are displayed to the user when he moves a content window F13 or data elements D selected therein from an output widget via an indicator I1, I2, I3 of a selected target widget 14. For example, the possible processing actions of the target widget W13 are again displayed to the user as visible indicators I4, I5, I6 in the form of graphical symbols and / or readable labels. When the user advances the content window F13 or the data elements D selected therein, as indicated by the arrow P16, to the indicator 14 of the desired processing action and positions it there (drop), the content window F13 becomes therein selected data elements D the target widget W14 for processing in accordance with the determined by the respective indicator 14 processing action. As shown schematically in FIG. 15b, in the navigation area 61 the position of the selected target widget W14 in which the selected data elements are processed is indicated by marking (in bold here) the corresponding miniaturized widget W14 *. If the selected target widget W14 was not previously active, it is now removed from the inactive widgets widget inventory 610.

FIG. 15c illustrates a variant in which the assignment of the content window F13 or the data elements D selected therein to a selectable processing action of the selected target widget W14 is determined by the user via a filing matrix X displayed by the interface module 9. The filing matrix X preferably comprises two combinable criteria for determining the processing action by positioning the content window F13 or the data elements D selected therein in a correspondingly selected cell of the matrix, the two criteria being mapped onto the rows or columns of the matrix X. For example, the line position determines a production time and the column position a particular production case or production path in the production plant 1, so that with a corresponding positioning in the filing matrix X, the processing of the data elements of the content window F13 can be assigned to both a specific production time window and a specific production case. Again, in the navigation area 61, the location of the selected destination widget W14 is marked and the destination widget W14 is eventually removed from the widget inventory 610 of the inactive widgets.

Further examples for the assignment of the content window F13 or the data elements D selected therein to a specific processing action of a selected target widget W14 are illustrated in FIGS. 16a-16c. As shown in Fig. 16a, the target widget W15 indicated by the user as indicated by the arrow P17 is positioned on the output widget W13 by positioning the content window F13 and the data items D selected therein over the indicator I2, respectively or graphically docked. If the target widget W15, as already indicated by the miniaturized representation of the widget W15 * in the navigation subarea N3 in the navigation area 61, is already active on the work area A, it is, as indicated by the dashed arrow in the navigation area 61, from its original position in the navigation section N3 in the navigation section N1 shifted, or at least displayed temporarily, and shown there as miniaturized target widget W15 * 'docked to the miniaturized representation of the output widget W13 *. As can be seen in Figs. 16a-16, the possible processing actions in the destination widget 15 are graphically represented, for example, as graphical symbols G1, G2, G3 of feed points to various production lines, production cases, conveyors, product delivery routes, etc. When the user views the content window F13 or the data elements D selected therein, as indicated by the arrow PI7, continue to move to the graphic symbol G1 of the desired processing action ("drag") and position them there ("drop"), the content window F13 or the data elements D selected therein Target widget W15 for processing in accordance with the determined by the relevant graphical symbol G1 processing action passed. As schematically illustrated by the dashed arrow in the navigation region 61 in FIG. 16, after the transfer of the data elements to the target widget W15, the miniaturized representation of the docked target widget W15 * 'is returned to the original position of the miniaturized target. Widgets W15 * moved, respectively the temporary presentation of the docked target widget W15 * 'ended. If the selected target widget W15 was not previously active, it is now removed from the inactive widgets widget inventory 610.

In the example of FIG. 16, the assignment and transfer of the content window F13 or the data elements D selected therein for the selectable processing action of the selected target widget W15 does not take place via the graphic symbols G1, G2, G3 but via a filing matrix X displayed by the interface module 9 as described above in connection with Fig. 15c, wherein the data elements concerned, as indicated by the arrow 17, is assigned to the filing matrix X by the user of a particular cell.

Fig. 19 shows an example of the target widget W15 with a detailed graphical and schematic representation of a production line with two conveyor chains FK1, FK2. The target widget W15, also referred to as a line widget, includes an area W151 and a plurality of areas illustrating the production flow, namely, a source area W152, a refining area W153, a destination area 154, and a removal area W155. The source area W152 shows the available product sources Q1, Q2, for example product unwinding stations, rotation or other product feeders, and their configured assignment to the conveyor chains FK1, FK2 of the production line. In the finishing area W153 are the finishing device (s) V, for example, a plug-in drum and / or devices for cutting, stapling, gluing, labeling or wrapping the products, and their configured assignment to the conveyor chains FK1, FK2 shown. In the target area W154, the available target devices Z1, Z2 or storage groups, for example stacking stations Z2 for packetizing or winding stations Z1, and their configured assignment to the conveyor chains FK1, FK2 are shown. In the removal area W155, the assignment of the conveyor chains FK1, FK2 to trucks and / or ramps is shown. In these areas, the individual aggregates of the conveyor chain are also displayed in each case associated status information, for example, "on", "off", "ready", "inactive" or "fault". The production flow is preferably represented in the color having the printed product of the relevant order A1, A2, A3.

In the area of the production overview W151, the production orders A1, A2, A3 are shown, which are allocated to the conveyor chains FK1, FK2 of the production line, for example by manipulations as described above with reference to FIGS. 15a, 15b, 15c, 16a, 16b and 16c has been described. If a plurality of orders A2, A3 are allocated to a conveyor chain FK1, then these are automatically stacked one behind the other in the production overview W151, as can be seen in FIG. The production order A2 first allocated and / or first to be executed on the relevant conveyor chain FK1 is shown first, the further orders A3 are shown stacked behind in the order of their assignment or intended production start time. In addition to a job identification, for example a name and / or an alphanumeric code, production data W151 for the jobs A1, A2 shown above are also assigned to production data, for example the planned number of copies to be produced, the number of copies currently produced and the current production speed, eg in number of copies per hour. In addition, production status information is displayed for each conveyor chain FK1, FK2 or the currently executed order A1, A2, for example missing packages of a job, a faulty aggregate on the conveyor chain FK1, FK2, the production of waste paper and / or a system crash. The above-described orders A1, A2 are also associated with user-operable controls, for example, as shown in Figure 19, a "play / pause" operating element, for starting or interrupting and a stop control for canceling the order production on the relevant conveyor chain FK1, FK2. When an order A1, A2 has ended, an order A3, possibly stacked behind it, is automatically displayed in the foreground and can be started by the user by pressing the play / pause control element.

Each conveyor chain FK1, FK2 is assigned an overflow counter ÜZ, which indicates the number of copies that have gone into the overflow for the current order A1, A2 on the conveyor chain FK1, FK2. The overflow counter ÜZ is only displayed, for example, if copies are actually overflowing.

Polling counter AZ1 and a respectively assigned polling status AZ2 are displayed for the current job A1, A2 of a chain FK1, FK2. In this case, a retrieval is a summary of a number of storage groups, in particular stacking stations Z2, with a common route retrieval list. A route list includes all routes of an order A1, A2, A3 and indicates the current production order. Call-offs are only created for orders A1, A2, A3, to which a stacking station Z2 for packetizing is assigned as destination device. Calls respectively the corresponding call counters AZ1 and the respectively assigned call status AZ2 are displayed in the color of the print product of the current order. The call counter AZ1 and the respectively assigned call status AZ2 are executed as graphical operating elements (buttons). A retrieval counter AZ1 gives (on the control element) the current number of copies of the order in question to A1, A2, A3. The call counters AZ1 also include an identification or identification (on the control element), for example an alphanumeric code or a name. By clicking on a fetch counter AZ1, the associated fetch list is opened and displayed to the user in a content window. In the call list the assigned not yet finished produced routes are listed, in each case with name of the route, status (eg "in call", "in division", "produced"), information about a possible delay, number of copies, set times of production start and End of production and assigned ramp, the latter being editable by the user, for example via a filing matrix X described above. By clicking on a retrieval status AZ2, the associated retrieval is blocked or enabled and the current status «blocked» or «released» is displayed on the control element.

Routes can be assigned to a call by different ways. Starting from a route list, which is shown for example in the content window F15 of the output widget 16 described later with reference to FIG. 20, one or more selected routes can be shifted to the destination widget 15, the line widget, and assigned to a call (Drag and drop). In a first variant, the selected routes to be assigned are shifted by the user from the output widget 16 specifically to an order A1, A2, A3, whereupon the user is presented with a filing matrix X with possible retrievals (eg arranged horizontally) and ramps (eg vertically arranged) so that the user can selectively place the selected routes therein on one of the calls and one of the ramps. In a further variant, the selected routes to be assigned by the user are assigned by the user from the output widget 16 directly by targeted storage on one of the call counter AZ1 the relevant call, the routes is added to the end of the call list behind the already assigned routes. If the selected routes are held by the user for a defined time over the relevant call counter AZ1 for a defined time (Drag & Hold), the call list opens and the routes can be specifically arranged and stored in the call list (drop).

Figures 17a, 17b and 18a-18d illustrate examples of content windows, respectively data windows, which are graphically representable in the user interface 6 and which are arranged to display a user-variably adjustable data area.

In the example of FIGS. 17a and 17b, the data area can be set by the user by selecting a specific scaling, so that, depending on the scaling in the content or data window 5, 5, a differently sized section of a value scale 51 with correspondingly different resolution, different detail content and / or different scale is displayed. The scaling can be set by the user by entering a scaling parameter, such as a graphical operator such as a slider, a movable tab, a rotatable knob, or via an input mask, or in a touch-sensitive display 60 by appropriate finger manipulations, e.g. by moving apart or merging two finger tips positioned on the display 60. In a preferred embodiment, the scalable content or data window 5, 5 of FIGS. 17a, 17b is set up as a time bar 631 for displaying a plurality of graphically represented time segments T1, T2, T3 in a scalable time window. The time segments T1, T2, T3 represent, for example, planned and / or current productions of the production plant 1. As can be seen in FIGS. 17a and 17b, the current time T is displayed in the content or data window 5, 5, for example by a graphic Symbol, a geometric element or a specific color marker. FIG. 17a shows the content or data window 5 in a high-resolution scaling, in which the time range between 5: 45h and 10: 45h is shown. 17a, the time segments T1, T2, T3 are not completely visible to the user in the content or data window 5, respectively. FIG. 17b shows the content or data window 5 with a comparatively low-resolution scaling, in which a larger time range between 3: 45h and 12: 45h is shown. The scaling in the example of FIG. 17 enables a complete representation of the time segments T1, T2, T3.

The reference symbols E1, E2 designate temporal events at 04: 45h and 07: 00h respectively, for example faults, failures or interruptions of the production plant 1, which are graphically displayed on the time segments T1, T2, T3 by the interface module 9 in a timely manner. The reference symbols V1, V2 designate time delays of approximately 50 minutes and approximately 20 minutes, respectively, which are expected, for example, in current production due to the events E1, E2, and which are graphically displayed respectively highlighted on the time segments T1, T2, T3 , The interface module 9 is set up in such a way that it displays further detailed information to the user when clicking or touching the time segments T1, T2, T3, the events E1, E2 and / or the expected time delays VI, V2 in the user interface 6.

In the example of Figs. 18a-18d, the content or data window 7 has a graphical element, in particular a slider 70, for vertically shifting ("scroil") the contiguous area of data lines to be displayed. In the example of Fig. 18a, the slider 70 is set in the uppermost position, so that the user to the top or respectively arranged at the beginning data lines of a data array or a data file in the content or data window 7 are displayed, which in the present example with the digits 1 to 16 are marked. In the example of Fig. 18b, the slider 70 is set in the lowermost position, so that the user according to the bottom respectively arranged at the end data lines of a data array or a data file in the content or data window 7 are displayed, which in the present example with the digits 85 to 100 are marked. As schematically illustrated in FIGS. 18a-18d, the content or data window 7 is provided with displayed area boundaries 71, 72 which determine the displaceable and displayable data area. In the example of FIGS. 18a and 18b, the range limits 71, 72 are set to the maximum values "1" and "100", respectively, so that the entire data area with all the data lines 1-100 can be viewed in the content or data window 7 by means of corresponding settings of the slider 70 , By setting the range limits 71, 72, the user can set the displaceable and displayable data range so that, depending on the range limits 71, 72 in the content or data window 7, a different range and a different number of data rows are visible and displaceable ("scrollable"). are. In the example of FIGS. 18c and 18d, the range limits 71, 72 are set to the values "46" and "75", respectively, so that the data area with the data lines 46-75 can be viewed in the content or data window 7 by means of corresponding settings of the slider 70 , In the example of FIG. 18c, the slider is set in the uppermost position of the limited area, so that the user is shown the data lines 46-61 in the content or data window 7 accordingly. In the example of FIG. 18d, the slider is set in the lowest position of the limited area, so that the user is shown the data lines 60-75 in the content or data window 7 accordingly. As illustrated in FIGS. 18c and 18d, the range limits 71, 72 can be set and displayed, for example, by moving corresponding graphically displayed tabs, or by entering the range limits in data entry fields.

The person skilled in the art will understand that the content or data windows 5, 5, 7 can not be oriented vertically as shown in FIGS. 17a, 17b and 18a-18d, but also horizontally.

20 shows a displayable in the information area 62 widget W16 with multiple coupled content windows F14, F15, F16. The content window F14 is arranged to display a user-scrollable representation of objects F140L, F140, F140R. The objects include, for example, printed products, such as newspapers and / or advertising brochures, in particular various editions thereof. Scrolling through the objects takes place according to a configurable sorted order, for example alphabetically by object name, numerically by object number or chronologically after a creation time, production time or delivery time. In the example of FIG. 20, in each case the object opened at the moment, which is selected by scrolling, is displayed with a representation F140 in the foreground, and the neighboring object preceding or following the selected object in the sorted order is displayed in a reduced object representation F140L, F140R displayed, for example in a horizontal arrangement laterally on the left or right side, or in a vertical arrangement above or below the representation F140 of the selected object F140. The representation of the selected object F140 comprises an object visualization F141 of the product, for example an image or graphical representation of the product, and current object information F142 with one or more object information elements F142 having current data values, for example the current actual and desired number of provided (produced) copies of the product Objects that are updated continuously, dynamically. For example, the reduced object representation F140L, F140R also includes an object visualization of the product. For scrolling through, the content window F14 includes, for example, clickable controls F14L, F14L, which allow browsing of the objects in the direction of the selected object preceding or subsequent objects and in a horizontal arrangement to scroll to the left or right respectively in a vertical arrangement up or down. Additionally or alternatively, browsing by the user may be controlled by appropriate sweeps by means of one or more fingers on the screen surface. The object counter F14Z indicates the total number N of the objects in the row and the position or object number M of the selected object in the sorted row. The content windows F15 and F16 are coupled to the content window F14 such that in the content windows F15, F16, depending on the selected object F140, further information that can be selected, for example, via clickable tabs, is displayed. The reference number F15 relates to a content window with object information, for example, depending on the selected register, a complete image or graphic representation, order lists, output lists, route lists, etc. of the printed product selected in the content window F14 with status information, planned start and end times, etc. The reference character F16 refers to a content window with information elements F161 and associated controls F16B related to the selected object F140 and the information selected in the content window F15, for example, number of outputs, number of routes, number of packets, number of jobs, etc. and associated clickable Controls for selectable listing of expenses, routes, orders, packages, etc.

Finally, it should be noted that in the description, although computer program code has been assigned to specific functional modules and that the execution of steps has been described in part in a particular order, those skilled in the art will understand that the computer program code is structured differently and the order of at least certain steps without departing from the subject-matter of the protection.

Claims (17)

A computer-implemented graphical user interface (6) comprising a work surface (A) and a plurality of widgets (W13, W13a, W13b, W13c, W14, W15) visibly arranged on the work surface (A) for the user, wherein output widgets (W13) each comprising one or more content windows (F13) with data elements (D), and wherein the widgets (W13, W13a, W13b, W13c, W14, W15) and the content windows (F13) are coupled such that a content window (F13) and / or data items (D) selected therein by the user from an output widget (W13) in which they are located for processing into one of a plurality of possible user-visible destination widgets (W13a, W13b, W13c, W14, W15 ) are movable. The user interface (6) according to claim 1, characterized in that the widgets (W13, W13a, W13b, W13c, W14, W15) and the content windows (F13) are coupled such that a content window (F13) and / or selected therein Data elements (D) by the user, without placement on the work surface (A), are extractable from the respective output widget (W13), wherein the possible destination widgets (W13a, W13b, W13c) through which the relevant content window (F13 ) or the selected data elements (D) are processable to the user are displayed. The user interface (6) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that one of the target widgets (W13c) is set up, from a content window (F13) and selected data elements (D), respectively, in the target widget (W13c ) to make a copy and to arrange with the copy of the content window (F13) or the selected data elements (D) on the work surface (A). The user interface (6) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the widgets (W13, W13a, W13b, W13c, W14, W15) and the content windows (F13) are coupled such that the target widgets (W13a , W13b, W13c) are displayed stacked one behind the other like a tile, alternately displaying one of the destination widgets (W13a, W13b, W13c) in the stack until the respective content window (F13) or the selected data elements (D) are currently displayed Target widget (W13c) or be placed back in the source widget (W13). 5. user interface (6) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by an information area (62) for displaying a section (A ') of the work surface (A), and compared to the information area (62) substantially smaller outside the information area ( 62) with a miniaturized representation of the entire working area and the widgets arranged thereon, wherein the navigation area (61) and the information area (62) are coupled so that in the navigation area (61) a miniaturized representation of the destination widget (61) W13c *) into which the relevant content window (F13) or the selected data elements (D) were placed is marked for the user. 6. user interface (6) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the widgets (W9) each comprise one or more content windows (F8, F9), and that the widgets (W9) and the content windows (F8, F9) are coupled such that a content window (F9) can be moved completely out of the relevant widget (W9) onto the work surface (A) by the user, whereby a new widget is opened for the content window (F9) moved out of the widget (W9). W +) is created and the content window (F9) is placed in the newly created widget (W +). 7. user interface (6) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the widgets and / or content windows (F52) by the user each on a header (K5) are reducible, the header (K5) a status indicator (Sl ) for displaying a current status value associated with the respective widget or content window (F52). 8. user interface (6) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the widgets (W13) each one or more visible indicators (I1, I2, I3) of other, with the widget in question (W13) associated destination widgets (W14, W15), and that the widgets (W13, W14, W15) and the content windows (F13) are coupled in such a way that a content window (F13) and / or data elements (D) selected therein are selected by the user from the source. Widget (W13) via one of the indicators (12) are movable, wherein the user possible processing actions of the respective target widget (W14, W15) are displayed, on which the content window (F13) and the selected data elements (D) for corresponding processing can be stored are. 9. user interface (6) according to claim 8, characterized in that the widgets (W13, W14, W15) and the visible indicators (I1, I2, I3) are coupled so that upon movement of the content window (F13) or the selected Data elements (D) via one of the indicators (I2) the target widget (W14, W15) associated with the indicator (I2) is displayed next to the output widget (W13) and that the possible processing actions in the relevant target widget (W14, W15) are displayed graphically. 10. user interface (6) according to any one of claims 8 or 9, characterized by a two-dimensional filing matrix (X), which for displaying the possible processing actions of the respective target widgets (W14, W15) can be displayed and a filing of the content window (F13) respectively of the selected data elements (D) in a matrix cell, for processing the content window (F13) or the selected data elements (D) by a processing action determined by the respective matrix cell. 11. user interface (6) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the widgets are coupled so that a plurality of widgets by the user on the work surface (A) by juxtaposing are so connected to each other that they as a unit on the work surface (A) are movable until they are separated from each other again by the user. 12. user interface (6) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized by a widget inventory (610) with a representation of available but only currently inactive, not on the work surface (A) arranged widgets, the work surface (A) and the widget inventory (610) are coupled such that an active widget is movable by the user from the desktop (A) to the widget inventory (610) and thereby becomes inactive, and that an inactive widget by the user of the widget Inventory (610) is movable on the work surface (A) and thereby becomes active. A user interface (6) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that at least one of the content windows (F14) is arranged to display a user-scrollable representation of objects (F140L, F140, F140R), the representation being object visualization (F141) of a selected object and the object information (F142) associated with the selected object with one or more current data values. 14. User interface (6) according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that at least one of the target widgets (W15) comprises a graphical control element (AZ1), which is so coupled to the content windows (F13, F15) that in the data windows (F13, F15) selected data elements (D) by the user from an output widget (W13, W16) in which they are arranged to be assigned to the control element (AZ1) on the control element (AZ1) and a subsequent operation of the operating element (AZ1), the selected data elements (D) are displayed to the user. Computer-implemented method for generating a graphical user interface (6) according to one of claims 1 to 14 on a display (60). A computer program product comprising a computer readable medium having computer code stored thereon for controlling a processor such that the processor generates on a display (60) a graphical user interface (6) according to any one of claims 1 to 14. A computerized device comprising a display (60) and an interface module (9) for generating a graphical user interface (6) according to any one of claims 1 to 14 on the display (60).