JP2008293485A - User interface system and method for document processing - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a user interface system and method for document processing. <P>SOLUTION: Data indicating multi-step document processing operation to be performed on an electronic document is first received, and then data indicating the progress situation of the multi-step document processing operation is received. A linear display, including a plurality of segments, is then generated. Each segment corresponds to a specific step of the multi-step processing operation. The appearance of segments in the linear display is changed, in accordance with the progress of the processing operation. The segments indicating the steps required of operation hereafter, a step that is an object of present operation, and a step in which an operation has already been finished, have different display modes. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a user interface system and method for document processing, and more particularly to a user interface system and method for document processing for operations including a series of steps.

  Document processing typically requires the use of a user interface to allow selection and control of various tasks and functions. For example, office equipment such as copiers, printers, image scanning devices, facsimile communication devices, and multifunction peripheral devices including a plurality of these functions usually include a keyboard and a display device or a touch screen display device. Conventionally, an option screen of one step of a multi-step process has been presented to the user little by little. For example, the process of making a copy includes selecting an option, selecting the number of copies, placing the original document, reviewing the thumbnails, and printing a copy. In general, the user must navigate to various hierarchical menus in the user interface to complete each step. In addition, performing complex functions often has to go back and forth between various hierarchical levels of the user interface.

  Accordingly, there is a need for a user interface system and method for document processing that is more user-friendly.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and an object thereof is to provide a user interface system and method for document processing for an operation including a plurality of steps.

  A user interface system for document processing according to the present invention includes means for receiving data representing a multi-step document processing operation performed on an electronic document, and a progress representing a progress of the multi-step document processing operation on the electronic document. Means for receiving data from the document processing device. The system further includes means for displaying a screen that includes a plurality of segments each corresponding to one step of a multi-step document processing operation and each having a mark representing the step. Further, according to the received progress data, the present system changes the appearance of each segment from a first state that represents a step that needs to be operated in the future to a second state that represents the step currently being operated. There is also means for switching to a third state representing a step that has already been completed.

  In one embodiment according to the present invention, the segment changes the display mode in the first state, the second state, and the third state.

  In another embodiment according to the present invention, each mark includes a verbal description of the steps associated with the mark.

  In yet another embodiment according to the present invention, the progress data is data generated by a user related to a series of steps.

  In yet another embodiment according to the present invention, the progress data is automatically generated by the document processing device.

  Furthermore, in one embodiment according to the invention, the system comprises means for selectively changing the appearance of the segments according to the progress of the associated steps.

  A user interface method for document processing according to the present invention receives data representing a series of multi-step document processing operations performed on an electronic document and represents progress data representing the progress of the multi-step document processing operations on the electronic document. Is displayed from the document processing apparatus, and a screen including a plurality of segments each having a mark representing the step corresponding to one step of the document processing operation of a plurality of steps is displayed, and the appearance of each segment is displayed according to the received progress data. Switching from the first state representing the step that needs to be operated in the future to the second state representing the step currently being operated and the third state representing the step that has already been completed.

  In accordance with the present invention, a user interface system and method for document processing for operations involving multiple steps is provided.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described as appropriate with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of an entire user interface system for document processing to which an embodiment according to the present invention is applied. The illustrated system 100 utilizes a distributed computing environment represented as a computer network 102. The computer network 102 is any distributed communication system known in the art that enables the exchange of data between multiple electronic devices. The computer network 102 is known in the art including, for example, a virtual local area network, a local area network, a personal area network, the Internet, an intranet, a wide area network, or any combination thereof. Any computer network. In one embodiment according to the present invention, the computer network 102 can be configured with a number of existing, such as token ring, IEEE 802.11 (x), Ethernet, or other wireless or wire-based data communication mechanisms. It consists of a physical layer and a transport layer as exemplified by the data transfer mechanism.

  The system 100 further includes a document processing device 104 represented in the figure as a multi-function peripheral (hereinafter sometimes referred to as MFP) suitable for performing various document processing. However, the MFP is a form of the document processing apparatus, and the document processing apparatus in the present invention is not limited to the MFP. Examples of processing operations in the document processing apparatus include operations such as copying, image scanning, e-mail, document management, facsimile communication, and printing. In one embodiment according to the present invention, the document processing device 104 includes an interface for receiving a plurality of portable storage media, such as various drives having various IEEE 1394 or USB interfaces, various IC memory cards, and the like. In an embodiment of the present invention, the document processing device 104 further includes a user interface 106 such as a touch screen interface, an alphanumeric interface, an LCD, etc., through which the user can process the document. It can interact directly with the device 104. User interface 106 is suitably adapted to display a graphical user interface associated with the operation of document processing device 104. The configuration of the document processing apparatus 104 will be described later with reference to FIGS.

  In an embodiment according to the present invention, the document processing device 104 further includes a suitable controller 108 that facilitates processing operations by the document processing device 104. The controller 108 is configured to facilitate operations such as controlling the operation of the document processing device 104, controlling the display of images via the user interface 108, or customizing the graphical user interface. Implemented by hardware, software, or an appropriate combination thereof. In the drawings and the above description, the controller 108 is built in the document processing apparatus 104. However, the controller 108 may be in the form of an external device that is communicably connected to the document processing apparatus 104. The configuration of the controller 108 will be described later with reference to FIGS.

  A data storage device 110 is communicably connected to the document processing device 104. Data storage device 110 is a mass storage device known in the art including, for example, a hard disk drive, other magnetic storage devices, optical storage devices, flash memory, or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, the data storage device 110 is suitably adapted to store information regarding customized interface screens, homepages, settings, etc. associated with specific user identification information. The data storage device 110 can also store some or all of a specific customized graphical user interface associated with an individual user. The data storage device 110 is illustrated as an independent component of the system 100 in the figure, but can be implemented as an internal storage device of the document processing device 104 such as an internal hard disk drive.

  The document processing device 104 is communicatively connected to the computer network 102 via a suitable communication link 112. Suitable communication links 112 include, for example, WiMax (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access), IEEE802.11a, IEEE802.11b, IEEE802.11g, IEEE802.11 (x), Bluetooth (registered trademark), public switched telephone network, dedicated There are communication networks, infrared connections, optical connections, or other suitable wired or wireless data communication channels known in the art.

  System 100 further includes user equipment 114 that is capable of data communication with computer network 102 via communication link 116. Although the user device 114 is shown as a notebook personal computer in the figure, this is merely an example. User devices 114 include, for example, computer workstations, desktop personal computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), web-enabled mobile phones, smartphones, electronic devices for dedicated communication networks, or other web-enabled electronic devices. It represents any personal computing device known in the art. The communication link 116 is, for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark), WiMax, IEEE802.11a, IEEE802.11b, IEEE802.11g, IEEE802.11 (x), a dedicated communication network, an infrared connection, an optical connection, a public switched telephone network, or Other suitable wired or wireless data communication channels known in the art. The user device 114 generates, for example, an electronic document, document processing instructions, user interface modification, upgrade, update, personalized data, and the like, and the generated data is connected to the document processing device 104 or the computer network 102. To similar devices.

  Next, the hardware and functional configuration of the document processing apparatus in which the operation of the system according to the embodiment of the present invention is executed will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of a hardware architecture of a document processing apparatus 200 (represented as the apparatus 104 in FIG. 1) on which the operation of the system 100 is executed in the embodiment according to the present invention. The document processing apparatus 200 includes a processor 202 composed of at least one CPU. The processor 202 may be composed of a plurality of CPUs that operate in cooperation with each other. The document processing apparatus 200 is effective for static or fixed data such as BIOS function, system function, system configuration data, and other routines or data used for the operation of the document processing apparatus 200, or for instructions. A non-volatile or read-only memory (ROM) 204 that is used is included.

  The document processing device 200 also includes a RAM 206 comprised of dynamic random access memory, static random access memory, or any other suitable addressable and writable memory system. ing. RAM 206 provides storage for data instructions related to applications and data processing processed by processor 202.

  Storage interface 208 provides a mechanism for non-volatile storage, mass storage, or long-term storage of data associated with document processing device 200. The storage interface 208 may be a disk drive illustrated as 216, or any suitable addressable such as an optical drive, tape drive, etc., or a mass storage device such as a serial storage device, as well as those skilled in the art. Any suitable storage medium known in the art is used.

  The network interface subsystem 210 allows the document processing device 200 to communicate with other devices by appropriately routing inputs and outputs to and from the network. The network interface subsystem 210 establishes one or more connections with external devices of the document processing device 200. In the figure, by way of example, at least one network interface card 214 for data communication with a fixed or wired network such as Ethernet, token ring, etc., and WiFi, WiMax, wireless modem, cellular network Or, a suitable wireless interface 218 is shown for wireless communication via means such as any suitable wireless communication system. The network interface subsystem 210 suitably utilizes a data transfer layer or protocol layer that is not any physical data transfer layer or physical data transfer layer. In the figure, the network interface card 214 is used to exchange data over a physical network 220 suitably configured from, for example, a local area network, a wide area network, or a combination thereof. It is connected.

  Data communication between the processor 202, read only memory (ROM) 204, RAM 206, storage interface 208, and network interface subsystem 210 occurs via a bus data transfer mechanism illustrated by bus 212.

  Executable instructions in the document processing device 200 smoothly execute communication with a plurality of external devices such as a workstation, another document processing device, and another server. In operation, typical devices operate autonomously, but often direct control by a local user may be desirable. Direct control by the local user may be performed via an optional input / output (I / O) interface 222 to a user input / output (I / O) panel 224.

  An interface to one or more document processing engines also performs data communication via bus 212. In the illustrated embodiment, print interface 226, copy interface 228, image scan interface 230, and facsimile interface 232 are print engine 234, copy engine 236, image scan engine (scanner) 238, and facsimile, respectively. -Facilitates communication with the engine 240. The document processing apparatus 200 appropriately executes one or more document processing functions. A system that executes a plurality of document processing operations is generally called a multifunction peripheral device (MFP) or a multifunction device.

  Next, functional blocks of the document processing apparatus in which the system operation is executed will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 shows a functional block configuration example of the document processing apparatus 300 in which the operation of the system 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention is executed. FIG. 3 illustrates the functionality of the hardware shown in FIG. 2 in connection with software and operating system functions.

  The document processing apparatus 300 includes a document processing engine 302 that smoothly performs one or more document processing operations. The document processing engine 302 includes a print engine 304, a facsimile engine 306, an image scanning engine (scanner) 308, and a console panel 310. The print engine 304 can output a physical document, that is, a hard copy, of the electronic document transmitted to the document processing apparatus 300. The facsimile engine 306 performs facsimile communication with an external facsimile apparatus via an apparatus such as a facsimile modem.

  An image scanning engine (scanner) 308 functions to receive a hardcopy document and convert it to image data corresponding to the hardcopy document. A user interface, such as console panel 310, allows input of instructions from the user and display of information to the user. The image scanning engine 308 converts visible tangible document input into an electronic form in bitmap format, vector format, or page description language (PDL) format, and for optical character recognition. Is also configured. Moreover, the actual image scanning of a tangible document functions effectively even in a facsimile operation.

  The document processing engine 302 shown in the figure also includes an interface 316 with a network via a driver 326, and is composed of, for example, a network interface card. The network provides sufficient interaction with any suitable physical and non-physical layer such as wired, wireless or optical data communication.

  Document processing engine 302 communicates appropriately with one or more device drivers 314. Device driver 314 enables data exchange between document processing engine 302 and one or more physical devices to perform actual document processing operations. Such document processing operations include one or more of printing by driver 318, facsimile communication by driver 320, image scanning by driver 322, and user interface functions by driver 324. These various devices are coupled to one or more corresponding engines associated with the document processing engine 302. In the present invention, any set or subset of document processing operations is envisioned. A document processing apparatus including a plurality of available document processing options is called an MFP as described above.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the hardware and functional configuration of the controller in which the system operation in the embodiment according to the present invention is executed will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of a hardware architecture of a back end component in which the operation of the system 100 is executed in the embodiment according to the present invention, that is, the controller 400 shown as the controller 108 in FIG. Show. In the figure, in order to clarify the significance of the constituent elements of the controller, a part of the constituent elements of the document processing apparatus other than the controller, which is represented by reference numeral 432, is also shown. The controller 400 includes a processor 402 including at least one CPU. The processor 402 may be composed of a plurality of CPUs that operate in cooperation with each other. Further, the controller 400 is effectively used for static or fixed data such as BIOS function, system function, system configuration data, and other routines or data used for the operation of the controller 400, or for instructions. Non-volatile or read-only memory (ROM) 404 is included.

  Controller 400 also includes a RAM 406 comprised of dynamic random access memory, static random access memory, or any other suitable addressable and writable memory system. . RAM 406 provides a storage area for data instructions related to applications and data processing processed by processor 402.

  Storage interface 408 provides a mechanism for non-volatile storage, mass storage or long-term storage of data associated with controller 400. The storage interface 408 is known to those skilled in the art in addition to the disk drive illustrated as 416, or any suitable addressable such as an optical drive, tape drive, or mass storage device such as a serial storage device. Use any suitable storage media that is available.

  The network interface subsystem 410 allows the controller 400 to communicate with other devices by appropriately routing inputs and outputs to and from the network. The network interface subsystem 410 suitably interfaces one or more connections with external devices to the controller 400. In the figure, for example, at least one network interface card 414 for data communication with a fixed or wired network such as Ethernet®, token ring, etc., and WiFi (Wireless Fidelity), WiMax, wireless modem, A suitable radio interface 418 for wireless communication via means such as a cellular network or any suitable wireless communication system is shown. The network interface subsystem 410 suitably utilizes a data transfer layer or protocol layer that is not any physical data transfer layer or physical data transfer layer. In the figure, the network interface card 414 is used to exchange data over a physical network 420 suitably configured from, for example, a local area network, a wide area network, or a combination thereof. It is connected.

  Data communication between the processor 402, read only memory (ROM) 404, RAM 406, storage interface 408, and network interface subsystem 410 is through a bus data transfer mechanism illustrated by bus 412.

  The document processor interface 422 also performs data communication via the bus 412. Document processor interface 422 provides a connection with document processing hardware 432 to perform various document processing operations. Such document processing operations include copying performed by the copy hardware 424, image scanning performed by the image scanning hardware 426, printing performed by the printing hardware 428, and performed by the facsimile hardware 430. There is facsimile communication done. The controller 400 properly operates any or all of these document processing operations. A system capable of executing a plurality of document processing operations is called an MFP or a multi-function device as described above. The functions of system 100 are performed in a suitable document processing device, such as document processing device 104 including controller 400 shown in FIG. 4 as an intelligent subsystem associated with the document processing device.

  Next, referring to FIG. 5, a functional block of the controller that executes the system operation and an outline of the operation will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of functional blocks of a controller that executes the operation of the system 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. Also in FIG. 5, in order to clarify the significance of the functional elements of the controller, some of the functional elements of the document processing apparatus other than the controller are also shown. FIG. 5 illustrates the functionality of the hardware shown in FIG. 4 in connection with software and operating system functions.

  Controller functionality includes a document processing engine 502. In one embodiment, document processing engine 502 enables printing operations, copying operations, facsimile communication operations, and image scanning operations. An apparatus capable of executing these functions by one apparatus is an MFP which is a document processing peripheral apparatus generally preferred in the industry. However, it is not necessary for the controller to enable all of the document processing functions described above. The controller is also effectively used in a dedicated document processing apparatus that executes a part of the document processing operation described above or a document processing apparatus for a more limited purpose.

  Document processing engine 502 is appropriately interfaced with user interface panel 510. A user or administrator can access functions controlled by the document processing engine 502 via the user interface panel 510. Access can be through an interface that is locally connected to the controller, or remotely by a remote thin client or thick client.

  The document processing engine 502 performs data communication with the print function unit 504, the facsimile communication function unit 506, and the image scanning function unit 508. These functional units facilitate the actual processing operations of document image scanning to print, send and receive faxes, and obtain document images for copying, or generate electronic versions of document images.

  A job queue 512 performs data communication with the print function unit 504, the facsimile communication function unit 506, and the image scanning function unit 508. Various image formats, such as bitmap format, page description language (PDL) format, or vector format, are relayed from the image scanning function 508 via the job queue 512 for subsequent processing.

  The job queue 512 also performs data communication with the network service function unit 514. In one embodiment, job control, status data, or electronic document data is exchanged between job queue 512 and network service function 514. Thus, an appropriate interface is provided for network-based access to the controller via the client-side network service function 520. This interface is any suitable thin client or thick client. In one embodiment, web service access is performed by hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP), file transfer protocol (FTP), uniform data diagram protocol, or any other suitable exchange mechanism. The network service function unit 514 also effectively provides data exchange with the client-side network service function 520 for communication using FTP, electronic mail, TELNET, or the like. Thus, the controller function 500 facilitates the output or reception of electronic documents and user information through various network access mechanisms.

  The job queue 512 also performs data communication with the image processor 516. The image processor 516 is connected to an apparatus function unit such as a print function unit 504, a facsimile communication function unit 506, or an image scanning function unit 508, raster image processing (RIP) for converting an electronic document into a format suitable for exchanging, and page description. A language interpreter or any suitable image processing mechanism.

  Finally, the job queue 512 performs data communication with a job analysis unit (job parser) 518. The job analysis unit 518 functions to receive a print job language file from an external device such as the client device service unit 522. The client device service unit 522 includes electronic document printing, facsimile communication, or other suitable electronic document input that is valid for processing by the controller function. The job analysis unit 518 functions to analyze the received electronic document file and relay the analyzed electronic document file information to the job queue 512 for processing related to the functions and components described above.

  The outline of the operation in the present invention will be described below. First, data representing a multi-step document processing operation performed on an electronic document is received. Next, data representing the progress status of a multi-step document processing operation to be executed for the electronic document is received from the document processing apparatus. Next, a linear display including a plurality of segments is generated. Each of the linearly displayed segments corresponds to one step of a multi-step document processing operation. Each segment has an associated indicia or indicia that represents the associated step. After the linear display is generated, each segment is switched from the appearance representing the first state to the appearance representing the second state and the third state. Here, for example, the first state represents a step that needs to be operated in the future, the second state represents a step that is currently the operation target, and the third state represents a step that has already been completed. . Switching is performed according to the received progress data.

  According to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the controller 108 of the document processing device 104 first receives data representing a multi-step document processing operation to be performed on an electronic document. Data representing a multi-step document processing operation can be received as an operation request from the user via the user interface 106, for example. The user is then prompted to enter selection information for the first operational step via the user interface 106. The operation corresponding to the first operation step corresponds to a basic function or service that can be executed by the document processing apparatus 104 including, for example, image scanning, facsimile, copying, printing, e-mail, and the like. The actions corresponding to these first operational steps are often actions that the user is involved in interacting with the controller 108 at multiple steps associated with the document processing device 104. Here, each action has one or more subsequent steps corresponding to other related services or options, etc., where additional user options may have to be entered.

  The controller 108 can receive login data from the user via the user interface 106 before receiving data representing a multi-step document processing operation. In the login mode, examples of the login data include one or both of a user ID and a password, biometric data, a personal identification number, a smart card, and the like.

  Next, progress data representing the progress of a multi-step document processing operation for the electronic document is received by the controller 108 of the document processing device 104.

  A linear display is then generated that includes a plurality of segments that display all the steps necessary to complete the selected action. That is, the controller 108 identifies the step to be performed and displays a graphical display of that step on the user interface 106. Each segment has a mark that represents the associated step.

  FIG. 6 shows an example 600 of a user interface screen when copy is selected as the operation corresponding to the first operation step in the embodiment according to the present invention. In the figure, a linear display band 602 has five segments associated with the corresponding five steps involved in making a copy. Here, the linear display means that a plurality of segments are linearly arranged and displayed. These five segments are option selection, number of copies, document placement, thumbnail display, and finishing. Here, the display form of a plurality of segments is not limited to the form of a linear display band, and may be another graphic display form.

  When data representing the progress of a multi-step document processing operation is received, the controller 108 switches the appearance of the corresponding segment of the linear display. Therefore, the appearance of the segment representing the first state representing the step that needs to be operated in the future is different from the appearance of the segment representing the second state representing the step currently being operated, and the operation has already been completed. It is also different from the appearance of the segment representing the third state representing the performed step. The switching of the appearance of the linear display segment is performed according to progress data received by the controller 108.

  In an exemplary embodiment according to the present invention, for example, the appearance of the segment representing the first state is at the basic display level, the appearance of the segment representing the second state is at the highlight level, and the third state The appearance of the segment representing is a light color display level. Thus, as shown in FIG. 6, the appearance of the first state segment is more prominent than the appearance of the third state segment, and the appearance of the second state segment is more prominent than the appearance of the first state segment. .

  When the user finishes the operation of a step, the controller 108 moves the highlight or other easily identifiable marker to the next segment in the linear display band 602 associated with the next step. When the highlighted or easily distinguishable feature display is moved to the next segment, any steps that have already completed the operation are still displayed along with future steps that still need to be performed. It is possible for the user to know exactly whether the user is operating. When the user finishes the operation of the next step, the controller 108 moves the highlighting within the linear display band 602 or displays another easily distinguishable characteristic display that indicates the operation step being performed by the user. Move to the next segment on the linear display band 602 indicating the next step the user must perform. This process continues until the user completes all steps and the operation is complete.

  In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, each mark associated with the corresponding segment includes a verbal description of the associated step, as shown in FIG.

  Progress data can be generated by a user engaged in a series of steps. The progress data can also be automatically generated by the document processing device 104.

  In one embodiment according to the present invention, the operation selection can be made from a remote user device. For example, rather than requesting an operation at the document processing device 104, the user can perform a desired operation on the document processing device 104 from a user device 114, such as a notebook personal computer, connected to the network 102. Can be selected. When an operation is selected from the user device 114, the controller 108 of the document processing device 104 communicates with the user device 114 via the network 102. The user device 114 prompts the user using a display menu similar to the display menu shown as the linear display band 602 in FIG. When the selection of the user operation is completed, the document processing apparatus 104 executes a predetermined operation.

  In another embodiment according to the present invention, the number of operations selected by the user includes too many steps to effectively display within one linear display band 602 within the graphical user interface 106. There is a case. In such an embodiment, a subset of the operational steps is presented to the user. For example, the current step that the user is interacting with is displayed in a linear display band 602 along with a subset of steps that have been previously completed and a subset of future steps that still need to be performed. The displayed previous steps that have already been completed and the number of future steps that still need to be performed depend on the number of steps required for the user to effectively locate their position in the operation being performed. To do. In this embodiment, the controller 108 changes the appearance of the subset of display segments that represent multiple operational steps according to progress through its associated steps.

  According to another embodiment of the present invention, the controller 108 detects that there is no user activity within a predetermined time period, or the user interrupts the operation by detecting an interruption by other methods. Can be determined. If it is determined that the user has interrupted the operation, then the controller 108 determines whether the user input up to the step where the input was made can be stored for later execution. If the data before the interruption can be saved, the data corresponding to all the steps input by the user is saved in the data storage device 110 by the document processing device 104. The operation data is preferably stored in association with the user login information. Not all operations can be interrupted and resumed at the same location. For example, if a manuscript document must be placed on the copier in the step before being interrupted, it cannot resume from the interrupted step. In such a situation, the controller 108 may choose not to save the data storage device 110 with the steps completed before the interruption. On the other hand, if the step can be resumed from an earlier step but not the first step, the controller 108 causes the data storage device 110 to save the step completed before the interruption. As a result, the operation can be resumed from the step where the operation can be normally completed.

  Thus, when the user subsequently logs in, the controller 108 accesses the data storage device 110 and displays the linear display band 602 on the display of the graphical user interface 106, along with the step where the previous operation was interrupted. . In this way, the user can efficiently execute a desired operation without repeating the input operation for the steps that have already been completed.

  The system and components of the embodiment according to the present invention have been described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. The operation of these systems and components will be described in the following document processing with reference to FIGS. Understanding of the operation of the user interface for the user will deepen the understanding. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the user interface from the viewpoint of the document processing apparatus in an embodiment according to the present invention. First, in S702, the controller 108 of the document processing apparatus 104 receives data representing a multi-step document processing operation to be performed on an electronic document. The operation represented by the data received in S702 is an operation corresponding to, for example, a copy operation, an image scanning operation, a facsimile operation, or a printing operation selected by the user.

  In step S <b> 704, the controller 108 receives progress data from the document processing apparatus 104 indicating the progress status of the multi-step document processing operation on the electronic document. The process then proceeds to S706, where, for example, a linear display including a plurality of segments, such as the linear display band 602 shown in FIG. A graphical representation of the segment corresponding to each step of the document processing operation is generated. In one embodiment according to the present invention, each segment of the linear display band 602 represents an associated step and has a mark associated with that step. In S708, the controller 108 switches the appearance of the linear display segment on the user interface 106 according to the received progress data. That is, according to the progress data received, in S708, the appearance of the segment representing the first state such as a step that needs to be operated in the future is changed to the second state such as the step currently being operated. It is switched so as to be different from the appearance of the segment to be represented, and different from the appearance of the segment representing the third state such as the step that has already finished the operation.

  Next, referring to FIG. 8, the operation of the user interface as seen from the viewpoint of the document processing apparatus in another embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the user interface viewed from the viewpoint of the document processing apparatus in the embodiment according to the present invention. First, in step S802, the controller 108 of the document processing apparatus 104 receives data representing a multi-step document processing operation performed on an electronic document. The operation represented by the data received in S802 is an operation corresponding to, for example, a copy operation, an image scanning operation, a facsimile operation, or a printing operation selected by the user.

  In step S804, a method for generating progress data representing the progress status of the multi-step document processing operation on the electronic document is selected. That is, it is determined whether or not progress data representing the progress status of the document processing operation is automatically generated. If progress data generated by the user is selected in S804, the process proceeds to S806, and the progress data is generated by the user. If the method of automatically generating progress data representing the progress status of the multi-step document processing operation is selected, the process proceeds to S808, and the progress data is automatically generated by the document processing apparatus. When the progress data is generated in S806 or S808, the controller 108 receives progress data representing the progress status of the multi-step document processing operation on the electronic document in S810.

  In S812, a display including a plurality of segments, for example, the linear display band 602 shown in FIG. In one embodiment according to the present invention, the linear display corresponds to a graphical display of the steps of the multi-step document processing operation, which is displayed to the user by the user interface 106. Each segment included in the linear display band 602 has a mark that represents the step associated with that segment. Each mark can include a verbal description of the associated step.

  Next, in S814, the controller 108 switches the appearance of the linear display segment on the user interface 106 according to the received progress data. Here, the appearance of the linear display segment is a segment representing the second state in which the appearance of the segment representing the first state representing the step that needs to be operated in the future represents the step currently being operated. Is switched so as to be different from the appearance of the segment representing the third state representing the step which has already finished the operation. Furthermore, the appearance of the linear display segment is switched so that the first state is the basic display level, the second state is the highlight display level, and the third state is the light color display level. As can be seen, the appearance of the first state segment is more prominent than the appearance of the third state segment, and the appearance of the second state segment is more prominent than the appearance of the first state segment. Processing then continues to S816 where the controller 108 selectively changes the appearance of at least a portion of the segments of the linear display band 602 according to the progress of the associated step.

  Next, the operation of the user interface in another embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the user interface according to another embodiment of the present invention. First, in step S902, the controller 108 of the document processing apparatus 104 receives login data from the user by any appropriate means. Examples of the login data include one or both of a user ID and a password, biometric authentication data, or a personal identification number. In step S904, the controller 108 prompts the user to select an operation via the user interface 106. For example, a copy operation, an image scanning operation, a facsimile operation, or a printing operation is selected by the user.

  In step S906, the controller 108 determines whether the operation is a multi-step operation. If the operation does not include a plurality of steps, the linear display band 602 is not displayed, and the user-oriented multi-step process ends. If it is determined that the operation includes a plurality of steps, the process proceeds to S908, where the controller 108 displays a linear display band 602, which is necessary for the step in the operation via the user interface 106 to the user. Encourage you to take appropriate action. In step S910, the controller 108 detects a necessary user action. In step S912, the controller 108 determines whether the detected action is the last step of the operation, that is, whether the operation is completed. If it is determined that the operation is not completed, the process returns to S908, and the controller 108 updates the linear display band 602 of the current step to the next step, and notifies the user of the next step through the user interface 106. Encourage them to take the necessary action. If the controller 108 determines that the operation has been completed in S912, the controller 108 ends the user-oriented multi-step process.

  Next, the operation of the user interface according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the user interface according to another embodiment of the present invention. First, in step S1002, the controller 108 of the document processing apparatus 104 receives login data from the user by any appropriate means. Examples of the login data include one or both of a user ID and a password, biometric authentication data, or a personal identification number.

  In step S <b> 1004, the controller 108 determines that the operation of a plurality of previous steps of the logged-in user is interrupted, and determines whether data before the interruption is stored. If it is not determined that the previous multi-step operation of the user has been interrupted, the controller 108 prompts the user to select an operation in step S1008 via the user interface 106. In step S1010, the controller 108 determines whether the selected operation is a multi-step operation. If the selected operation does not include a plurality of steps, the linear display band 602 is not displayed and the process ends. If the selected operation includes multiple steps, the process proceeds to S1012 and the controller 108 displays a linear display band 602 and prompts the user to take the necessary action on the user interface 106. In step S <b> 1014, the controller 108 determines whether there is no user action and the operation is interrupted within a predetermined time, or whether the user indicates that the operation is interrupted.

  If it is determined that the operation has been interrupted, the process proceeds to S1020, and the controller 108 ends the process after saving the operation data input before the interruption. If it is determined that the operation has not been interrupted, the process proceeds to S1016, and the controller 108 collects the user input necessary for the user interface 106 and waits for the end of the user input necessary for the current step. When the user input necessary at the current step is completed in S1016, the process proceeds to S1018, and whether or not the user input performed in S1016 is for the last step in the series of operations, The controller 108 determines. If it is determined in S1018 that it is not the last operation, the process returns to S1012 and the appearance of the segment corresponding to the current step in the display band 602 is moved to the segment corresponding to the next step, and the user interface 106 is changed. To prompt the user to take the necessary action for the next step. If the controller 108 determines in step S1018 that a series of operations has been completed, the controller 108 ends the process.

  If the controller 108 determines in step S1004 that the user's previous multiple-step operation has been interrupted, the controller 108 reads the interrupted operation data that was interrupted and saved in step S1006. After reading the data, in step S1007, the controller 108 prompts the user to take the necessary action through the user interface 106 at the step where the operation is interrupted. Next, the process proceeds to S1012, and the series of processes described above are performed thereafter.

  As is apparent from the foregoing description, the present invention provides a user interface system and method for document processing for operations involving multiple steps. In addition, according to one embodiment of the present invention, a user interface system and method for document processing is provided that conveys information to a user through a graphical display in an operation that includes multiple steps. In addition, according to one embodiment of the present invention, a user interface system and method for document processing is provided that communicates the progress of document processing operations to a user in an easily understandable manner.

  The present invention may be in the form of code intermediate source and object code, such as source code, object code, partially compiled form, or any other form suitable for use in embodiments of the present invention. Including other computer programs. A computer program can be a stand-alone application, a software component, a script, or a plug-in to another application. The computer program for carrying out the present invention transmits a computer program such as a storage medium such as ROM and RAM, an optical recording medium such as a CD-ROM, and a magnetic recording medium such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk. Can be embodied on a carrier that is any entity or device capable of transmitting or can be transmitted by any carrier such as an electrical or optical signal transmitted by electrical or optical cable, or by radio or other means it can. The computer program can also be downloaded from the server via the Internet. The function of the computer program can also be incorporated in an integrated circuit. Any and all embodiments that contain code that causes a computer or processor to substantially execute the described principles of the invention are within the scope of the invention.

  The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. The description is not exhaustive and is not intended to limit the invention to the form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above disclosure. For example, the systems and methods described in the description of embodiments according to the present invention include, for example, communication, general-purpose computing, data processing, etc., in various fields using user interfaces that require multiple user interaction steps. The present invention is not limited to application to document processing. The embodiments best illustrate the principles of the invention and its practical applications, so that those skilled in the art can use the invention in various modifications in various embodiments suitable for the particular intended use. Was selected and explained. It will be apparent that all such modifications and variations can be made by those skilled in the art within the principles and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. Within the scope of the invention as defined.

1 is a configuration example of an entire user interface system for document processing to which an embodiment according to the present invention is applied. It is a hardware structural example of the document processing apparatus with which the operation | movement of the system of embodiment by this invention is performed. It is a structural example of the functional block of the document processing apparatus with which operation | movement of the system of embodiment by this invention is performed. It is a figure for demonstrating the structural example of the hardware of the controller with which the operation | movement of the system of embodiment by this invention is performed. It is a figure for demonstrating the structural example of the functional block of the controller with which the operation | movement of the system of embodiment by this invention is performed. It is an example of the user interface screen in the embodiment according to the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of a user interface from the viewpoint of a document processing device in an embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of a user interface viewed from the viewpoint of the document processing apparatus in the embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart showing the operation example of the user interface in another embodiment by this invention. It is a flowchart showing the operation example of the user interface in another embodiment by this invention.

Explanation of symbols

100 system 102 computer network, distributed communication system 104 document processing apparatus, MFP
106 User interface 108 Controller 110 Data storage device 112, 116 Communication link 114 User device 200, 300 Document processing device 202, 402 Processor 204, 404 Read only memory, ROM
206, 406 RAM
208, 408 Storage interface 210, 410 Network interface subsystem 212, 412 Bus 214, 316, 414 Network interface card 216, 416 Disk drive 218, 418 Radio interface 220, 420 Physical network 222 Optional input Output interface 224 User input / output panel 226 Print interface 228 Copy interface 230 Image scan interface 232 Fax interface 234, 304 Print engine 236 Copy engine 238, 308 Image scan engine 240, 306 Fax engine 310 Console panel 314 Device Drivers 318, 320, 22, 324, 326 driver 400 controller 422 document processor interface 424 copy hardware 426 image scanning hardware 428 printing hardware 430 facsimile hardware 432 document processing hardware 502, 302 document processing engine 504 print function unit 506 facsimile Communication Function Unit 508 Image Scanning Function Unit 510 User Interface Panel 512 Job Queue 514 Network Service Function Unit 516 Image Processor 518 Job Analysis Unit 520 Client Side Network Service Function 522 Client Device Service Unit 600 Example of User Interface Screen 602 Linear display band

Claims (12)

Means for receiving data representing a series of multi-step document processing operations performed on an electronic document;
Means for receiving progress data from a document processing device representing a progress status of a multi-step document processing operation on the electronic document;
Means for displaying a screen including a plurality of segments each corresponding to one step of the document processing operation of the plurality of steps and each having a mark representing the step;
In accordance with the received progress data, the operation of each segment has already been completed with the second state representing the step currently being operated from the first state representing the step that needs to be operated in the future. Means for switching to a third state representing steps, a user interface system for document processing.   The user interface system for document processing according to claim 1, wherein the display state of the segment is changed according to the first state, the second state, and the third state.   3. The user interface system for document processing according to claim 2, wherein each of the marks includes a verbal description of the steps associated with the mark.   The user interface system for document processing according to claim 1, wherein the progress data is data generated by a user related to the series of steps.   The user interface system for document processing according to claim 1, wherein the progress data is automatically generated by the document processing apparatus.   The user interface system for document processing according to claim 1, further comprising means for selectively changing the appearance of the segment according to the progress of the associated step. Receives data representing a series of multi-step document processing operations performed on an electronic document;
Receiving progress data from a document processing device representing progress of a multi-step document processing operation on the electronic document;
Corresponding to one step of the multi-step document processing operation and displaying a screen including a plurality of segments each having a mark representing the step;
In accordance with the received progress data, the operation of each segment has already been completed with the second state representing the step currently being operated from the first state representing the step that needs to be operated in the future. A user interface method for document processing comprising switching to a third state representing a step.   8. The user interface method for document processing according to claim 7, wherein the display mode of the segment is changed according to the first state, the second state, and the third state.   9. The user interface method for document processing according to claim 8, wherein each mark includes a verbal description of the steps associated with the mark.   8. The user interface method for document processing according to claim 7, wherein the progress data is data generated by a user related to the series of steps.   8. The user interface method for document processing according to claim 7, wherein the progress data is automatically generated by the document processing apparatus.   8. The user interface method for document processing according to claim 7, further comprising selectively changing the appearance of the segment according to the progress of the associated step.