(12) United States Patent (10) Patent No.: US 6,512,530 B1 Rzepkowski Et Al

Home , Slider (computing)

USOO65.1253OB1 (12) United States Patent (10) Patent No.: US 6,512,530 B1 Rzepkowski et al. (45) Date of Patent: Jan. 28, 2003

(54) SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR 5,751,285 A * 5/1998 Kashiwagi et al...... 345/833 MIMICKING AN IMAGE FORMING OR 6,331,864 B1 12/2001 Coco et al...... 345/771 X CAPTURE DEVICE CONTROL PANEL * cited by examiner CONTROL ELEMENT Primary Examiner John Cabeca (75) Inventors: Kristinn R. Rzepkowski, Rochester, ASSistant Examiner X. L. Bautista NY (US); Thomas J. Perry, Pittsford, (74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Oliff & Berrdige, PLC NY (US); Joseph G. Rouhana, Rochester, NY (US); John M. Pretino, (57) ABSTRACT Macedon, NY (US) A graphical user interface widget includes a vertically oriented Slider portion. The slider portion includes a slider (73) Assignee: Xerox Corporation, Stamford, CT pointer that indicates a current value of the slider and a Slider (US) bar that indicates the default value of the slider. The bottom - - - - 0 and top edges of the Slider portion are labeled with the (*) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this extreme values of the range for the variable associated with patent is extended or adjusted under 35 the slider portion. The slider pointer divides the slider U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days. portionSlider into p two Subportions. Anp appearance of a bottom subportion of the slider portion is altered to reflect the value (21) Appl. No.: 09/487,268 currently indicated by the slider pointer relative to the (22) Filed: Jan. 19, 2000 extreme values of the range represented by the Slider. A numerical portion can be provided along with the Slider (51) Int. Cl...... G06F 3/00 portion. The numeral portion includes a value display por (52) U.S. Cl...... 345/833; 345/764; 34.5/840; tion and a pair of buttons that are used to increase or 345/773 decrease the numerical value in the value display portion. (58) Field of Search ...... 345/440, 764, When the value display portion is provided, the number in 345/771, 773, 784, 786, 787, 833, 846 the value display portion is linked to the Slider pointer, Such that changing the Slider pointer causes the number displayed (56) References Cited in the value display portion to change accordingly. Similarly, changing the number in the value display portion causes a U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS corresponding change in the position of the Slider pointer 5,559,301 A * 9/1996 Bryan, Jr. et al...... 345/833 X relative to the slider portion. 5,615,347 A * 3/1997 Davis et al...... 345/833 5,640,595 A * 6/1997 Baugher et al...... 710/10 42 Claims, 7 Drawing Sheets

472

472 U.S. Patent Jan. 28, 2003 Sheet 1 of 7 US 6,512,530 B1

4 732

7 72 74 D | | 34 U.S. Patent Jan. 28, 2003 Sheet 2 of 7 US 6,512,530 B1

puppup?S U.S. Patent Jan. 28, 2003 Sheet 3 of 7 US 6,512,530 B1

Window A Window B Process AS: Text and Line Art E. Basic Settings 328 326 Darkness 338 -16 E. Sharpness Reduce Background

Display Images

FIG. 3 U.S. Patent Jan. 28, 2003 Sheet 4 of 7 US 6,512,530 B1

L N

w S O CN O Y n s as CN S w Yt

U.S. Patent Jan. 28, 2003 Sheet 5 of 7 US 6,512,530 B1

58O 57O

DISPLAY INPUT DEVICE DEVICE(S)

INPUT/OUTPUT INTERFACE CONTROLLER

APPEARANCE WIDGET APPLICATION 532 MANAGER MANAGER PORTION

534

GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE PORTION

530

GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE MEMORY CONTROL SYSTEM F.G. 6 U.S. Patent Jan. 28, 2003 Sheet 6 of 7 US 6,512,530 B1

INSTANTIATE NEW INSTANCE OF CONTROL ELEMENT WIDGET S720 DETERMINE EXTREME VALUES OF CONTROL FUNCTION OF WIDGET ST3O

GENERATE AND DISPLAY IMAGE OF CONTROL ELEMENT WIDGET

(B) S4O DETERMINE CURRENT VALUE OF CONTROL FUNCTION OF WIDGET S750

DETERMINE RELATIONSHIP OF CURRENT VALUE TO EXTREME VALUES S60 GENERATE AND DISPLAY MAGE OF SLIDER BAR AND SLIDER POINTER S. 70

DETERMINE APPEARANCE OF BOTTOM SUBPORTION OF SLIDER PORTION

FIG. 7A U.S. Patent Jan. 28, 2003 Sheet 7 of 7 US 6,512,530 B1

S8O

GENERATE AND DISPLAY IMAGE OF BOTTOM SUBPORTION

S790 GENERATE AND DISPLAY IMAGE OF NUMERICAL PORTION OF CONTROL WIDGET

S2OO USER SELECTED PORTION OF WIDGET 2 US 6,512,530 B1 1 2 SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR In various exemplary embodiments of the Systems, MIMICKING AN IMAGE FORMING OR methods, and graphical user interfaces according to this CAPTURE DEVICE CONTROL PANEL invention, a graphical user interface widget includes a CONTROL ELEMENT vertically-oriented slider portion. The slider portion includes a slider pointer that indicates a current value of the Slider and a slider bar that indicates the default value of the slider. The BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION bottom and top edges of the slider portion are labeled with 1. Field of Invention the extreme values of the range for the variable associated This invention is directed to a graphical user interface for with the Slider portion. In particular, the Slider pointer an image capture device or an image forming device. divides the slider portion into two Subportions. An appear ance of a bottom Subportion of the slider portion is altered 2. Description of Related Art to reflect the value currently indicated by the slider pointer Scanners and other types of image capture devices, and relative to the extreme values of the range represented by the digital copiers and other image forming devices, have slider. become ubiquitous office productivity tools for generating electronic images of physical original documents or gener 15 Additionally, in Some exemplary embodiments, a numeri ating physical copies of electronic images. Once an elec cal portion is provided along with the Slider portion. The tronic image has been generated, either from Scratch or from numeral portion includes a value display portion and a pair a physical original document, the electronic image data can of buttons that are used to increase or decrease the numerical be used in an infinite variety of ways to increase the value in the value display portion. When the value display productivity and the product quality of an office. Such image portion is provided, the number in the value display portion capture devices include desktop Scanners, other Stand alone is linked to the Slider pointer, Such that changing the Slider Scanners, digital Still cameras, digital Video cameras, the pointer causes the number displayed in the value display Scanning input portions of digital copiers, facsimile portion to change accordingly. Similarly, changing the num machines and other multi-function devices that are capable ber in the value display portion causes a corresponding of generating electronic image data from an original 25 change in the position of the Slider pointer relative to the document, and the like. These image capture devices can Slider portion. also include image databases that Store previously captured These and other features and advantages of this invention electronic image data. Such image forming devices include are described in or are apparent from the following detailed digital copiers, laser printers, inkjet printers, color inkjet description of various embodiments of the Systems, methods printers, and the like. and graphical user interfaces according to this invention. However, as the costs of these various image capture BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS devices and image forming device have dropped and the output quality of the physical copies and the captured Various exemplary embodiments of this invention will be electronic image data has improved, these image capture 35 described in detail, with reference to the following figures, devices and image forming devices have been provided with wherein: an ever increasing number of controllable features. FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional control element of a Similarly, as users have become comfortable with capturing control panel of an image forming or capture device; and using electronic image data obtained from original FIG. 2 is a second exemplary embodiment of a control documents to create physical copies, the uses to which the 40 element of a graphical control panel of an image forming or electronic image data has been put, and thus the needed capture device; control over the quality and appearance of the electronic FIG. 3 is an exemplary embodiment of a conventional set image data and the physical copies, have expanded greatly. of graphical user interface Sliders, SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 45 FIG. 4 is a first exemplary embodiment of the control The ever-increasing numbers of features provided by panel mimic graphical user interface widget according to these various image capturing devices and image forming this invention in a first State; devices cause users of these devices to find it increasingly FIG. 5 shows the first exemplary embodiment of the difficult to obtain the desired results. Often, this is because, control panel mimic graphical user interface widget accord instead of having a control panel that has physical control 50 ing to this invention in a Second State; and elements, these devices often are controlled primarily FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating one exemplary through a graphical user interface. This graphical user embodiment of the Structural organization of a widget con interface can be accessed through a display and Selection trol System that is usable to control the control panel mimic panel of the device. More often, however, the graphical user graphical user interface widgets according to this invention; interfaces are accessed through a general purpose computer 55 and having a display device and one or more input devices. FIGS. 7A and 7B are a flowchart outlining one exemplary While even unsophisticated users of these devices find it embodiment of a method for generating, displaying and easy and intuitive to use the physical control elements on the using the control panel mimic graphical user interface control panel to control complex functions of even complex widgets according to this invention. devices that have Such a control panel, even users familiar 60 with the various common widgets of graphical user inter DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY faces find it difficult and non-intuitive to use these graphical EMBODIMENTS user interface widgets to control even Simple functions of The control panel mimic graphical user interface widget these devices. and the Systems, methods and graphical user interfaces This invention thus provides Systems, methods and 65 according to this invention are particularly useful with the graphical user interfaces that mimic the control elements of graphical user interfaces disclosed in U.S. patent applica a control panel of an image forming or capture device. tions Ser. Nos. 09/487,273, 09/487,274, 09/487.272, 09/487, US 6,512,530 B1 3 4 271, 09/487,582, 09/487,266 and 09/487,269, filed on even the next lower control value. Of course, it should be appre date here with and each incorporated herein by reference in ciated that, if the relative numerical values of the numerical its entirety. Visual cues 114 are reversed, the increase control value key However, it should be appreciated that the control panel 132 would actually decrease the control value, while the mimic graphical user interface and the Systems, methods and decrease control value button 134 would actually increase graphical user interfaces of this invention can be used in the control value. place of any known or later developed slider in any known FIG. 2 illustrates a Second conventional control element or later developed graphical user interface. Accordingly, it of a graphical control panel 200. In particular, it should be should be appreciated that, while the following discussion appreciated that the graphical control panel 200 can be discloses a particular use for the control panel mimic graphi displayed on a touch Screen or other display device of a cal user interface widget according to the invention, Such control panel of a image capture or forming device. references are exemplary only, and should not be construed As shown in FIG. 2, the control panel 200 includes an as limiting the Scope of this invention. indicator portion 210, a visual cue portion 220 and a control FIG. 1 illustrates a first exemplary embodiment of a device portion 230, as in the exemplary embodiment of the conventional control panel control element 100. As shown in 15 control element 100 shown in FIG.1. The control panel 200 FIG. 1, the conventional control element 100 includes a also includes a function Selection portion 240 and a fiction indicator portion 110, a visual cue portion 120 and a control menu selection portion 250. device portion 130. In particular, the indicator portion 110 In particular, as shown in FIG. 2, the indicator portion 210 includes a number of indicator devices 112 and a number of includes a plurality of Visual indicators 212 and a number of numerical indicators 114. The numerical indicators 114 give numerical visual cues 214. The visual cue portion 220 a numerical cue to the user So the user can intuitively grasp includes a pair of Visual cues 222 and 226. In particular, the the relative values represented by the indicator devices 112 Visual cue 222 represents that an output image will be darker of the indicator portion 110. It should be appreciated that the than the input image, while the Visual cue 226 indicates that indicator devices 112 can be any known or later developed the output image will be lighter than the input image. Like device for providing a visual indication of the Selected value 25 the control device portion 130 of the control element 100, to the user. For example, the indicator devices can be light the control device portion 230 of the control panel 200 emitting diodes, liquid crystal devices, organic light emitting includes an increase value control button 232 and a decrease diodes, or any other known or later developed device control value button 234. The control device portion 230 capable of providing a Visual indication to the user. It should also includes a numerical portion 236 that numerically also be appreciated that the indicator devices 112 can indicates the control value that is visually indicated by the provide, in addition to, or instead of, the Visual indication, visual indicators 212 of the indicator portion 210. either tactile or audio indications. In particular, as the increase and decrease control value The visual cue portion 120 provides a number of visual buttons 232 and 234 are operated, the numerical value in the cues 122, 124 and 126 to the user that represent the effects 35 numerical portion 236 respectively increases or decreases. of Selecting a particular value, as indicated by one of the At the same time, the particular ones of the visual indicators indicator devices 112, to be applied by this control element 212 that are above or below the control value take on 110. In particular, in the exemplary embodiment of the different Visual appearances. AS shown in FIG. 2, the indi control element 100 shown in FIG. 1, the control element cator portions 212 that represent control values below the 100 is used to lighten or darken an output document relative 40 current Selected control value, as represented by the number to an input document. For example, the input document in the numerical portion 236, are given a gray color, while could be a original document to be Scanned while the output the Visual indicators 212 that represent numerical values document is a captured electronic image. In contrast, the above the currently Selected control value are given a white original document could be an electronic document to be appearance. printed and the output document could be the printed 45 The function selection portion 240 includes a plurality of physical copy of the electronic image. Finally, the original function selection elements 242 that can be selected. When document could be a document to be photocopied while the Selected, the control elements displayed in the control panel output document is the photocopy. 200 will change depending on the particular variables asso In particular, the Visual cue 122 indicates that the control ciated with the different selection elements 242. The selector values associated with the top three indicator devices 112 50 244 is used to indicate which of the function selection cause the output document to be darker than the input elements 242 is currently active. The function menu Selec document. In contrast, the Visual cue 126 indicates that the tion portion 250 allows the user to select between a basic control values associated with the bottom three indicator menu selector 252 and an advanced menu selector 254. The devices 112 cause the output document to be lighter than the basic menu Selector 252 causes the function Selection ele input document. Finally, the Visual cue 124 indicates that the 55 ments 242 to be displayed in the function Selection portion control value associated with the middle indicator device 240, while the advanced menu selector 254 causes an 112 causes the output document to have the same lightness advance set of function elements (not shown) to be dis or darkness as the input document. played in the function selection portion 240. The control portion 130 includes an increase control value In contrast to the conventional control panels and the button 132 and a decrease control value button 134. Pressing 60 control elements shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, FIG. 3 illustrates the increase control value button 132 causes the current one exemplary embodiment of a conventional graphical user control value, as represented by an activated one of the interface 300. In particular, this conventional graphical user indicator devices 112, to be replaced with the next higher interface includes a conventional slider portion 310. The value, in accordance with the numerical visual cues 114. In slider portion 310 includes sliders for two different control contrast, pressing the decrease control value button 134 65 elements 320 and 330. In particular, the control element 320 causes the current control value, as indicated by the acti represents the darkness of an electronic image to be captured vated one of the indicator devices 112, to be replaced with by Scanning an original document, while the control element US 6,512,530 B1 S 6 330 represents the relative sharpness of the electronic image control the darkness or lightness of the output image, where relative to the Sharpness of the original document. the value 1 represents a maximum lightness of the output As shown in FIG. 3, the control portion 320 includes a image and the value 100 represents the maximum darkness Slider bar 332 and an associated range Scale 324, relative to of the output image. Thus, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, when which the user can move a slider pointer 326. The control the slider pointer 414 is at the “10" value, the appearance of portion 320 also includes a numerical display box 328 that the bottom subportion 415 is relatively light. In contrast, displays the numerical value corresponding to the position when the slider pointer 414 is at the "90' value, the bottom of the slider pointer 326 relative to the range represented by subportion 415 is relatively dark. the scale 324. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary Similarly, the control portion 330 includes a second slider embodiment of the Structural organization of a widget con bar 332 and a second Scale 334 relative to which the user can trol system 500 that is usable to control the control panel move a second pointer 336. Like the control portion 320, the mimic graphical user interface widgets according to this control portion 330 includes a numerical display box 338 invention. AS shown in FIG. 6, the image capture device that displays the numerical value corresponding to the control system 500 includes an input/output interface 510, a position of the pointer 336 relative to the scale 334. 15 controller 520, a memory 530, a widget manager 540 and an FIGS. 4 and 5 show one exemplary embodiments of a appearance manager 550, each interconnected by a data/ control panel mimic graphical user interface widget 400 control bus 560. One or more input devices 570 and a according to this invention. In particular, the control panel display device 580 are connected by links 572 and 582, mimic graphical user interface widget 400 shown in FIG. 4 respectively, to the input/output interface 510 is in a first State, while the control panel mimic graphical The input device or devices 570 can include any one or user interface widget 400 shown in FIG. 5 is in a second more of a mouse, a keyboard, a touch pad, a track ball, a State. touch Screen, or the like, or any other known or later As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the control panel mimic developed device that is capable of inputting data and control signals over the link 572 to the input/output interface graphical user interface widget 400 includes a vertically 25 oriented slider portion 410. The slider portion 410 includes 510. Similarly, the display device 580 can be any known or a slider pointer 414 and a default value indicator bar 416 in later developed display device, including a cathode ray tube the slider portion 410 that informs the user of the default type monitor, a flat Screen type monitor, an LCD monitor, or value for a bottom slider subportion 415. The bottom and top any other known or later developed device on which the edges of the slider portion 410 are labeled with numerical graphical user interfaces according to this invention can be indicatorS 412 that indicate the extreme values of the range displayed and interacted with using one or more of the input for the control function associated with the slider portion devices 570. 410. In particular, the slider pointer 414 divides the slider The links 572 and 582 can be any known or later portion 410 into two subportions, the bottom subportion 415 developed devices or Systems that connect the one or more that is below the slider pointer 414 and a top Subportion 417 35 input devices 570 and the display device 580, respectively, that is above the slider pointer 414. An appearance of the to the image capture device control System 500, including a bottom subportion 415 of the slider portion 410 is altered to direct cable connection, a connection over a wide area reflect the value currently indicated by the position of the network or local area network, a connection over a intranet, slider pointer 414 relative to the extreme values of the range a connection over an extranet, a connection over the represented by the slider portion 410. 40 Internet, a connection over the public Switched telephone Additionally, in the exemplary embodiment of the control network, a connection over a cellular network, or a connec panel mimic graphical user interface widget 400 according tion over any other distributed processing or communica to this invention that is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a numerical tions network or System, including both or either wired and portion 420 is provided along with the slider portion 410. wireless systems and/or devices. In general, the links 572 The numeral portion 420 includes a value display portion 45 and 582 can each be any known or later developed connec 422 and a pair of increase and decrease buttons 424 and 426. tion Systems or Structures uSable to connect the one or more The increase and decrease buttons 424 and 426 are used to input devices 570 and the display device 580, respectively, increase or decrease the numerical value in the value display to the image capture device control system 500. portion 422. When the value display portion 422 is provided, The memory 530 includes an application portion 532 in the number in the value display portion 422 is linked to the 50 which an application program and any application files used Slider pointer 414. Thus, changing the position of the Slider by that application program can be Stored. The graphical pointer 414 within the slider portion 410 causes the number user interface portion 534 Stores various graphical user displayed in the value display portion 422 to change accord interface widgets, including the control panel mimic graphi ingly. Similarly, in various other exemplary embodiments, cal user interface widget 400 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 and as changing the number in the value display portion 422 will 55 described above. cause a corresponding change in the position of the Slider In operation, the widget manager 540 of the graphical user pointer 414 relative to the slider portion 410. interface widget control system 500, to display a particular The exemplary embodiment of the control panel mimic instance of the control panel mimic graphical user interface graphical user interface widget 400 according to this inven widget, determines the control function which is to be tion shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 can be used, for example, to 60 controlled by this instance of the control panel mimic indicate the darkneSS/lightness or contrast of an output graphical user interface widget and the range of values this image relative to an input image, Similarly to the control control function can take. The widget manager 540 then portions 320 and 330, or the control elements 110 and 210. outputs to the display device 580 an image of the control The appearance of the bottom Subportion can be altered panel mimic graphical user interface widget with the depending on the type of function the widget 400 is asso 65 numerical indicators indicating the end values of the range. ciated with. Thus, for example, in the exemplary embodi It should be appreciated that numerical indicators can indi ment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the widget 400 is used to cate the actual end values. Alternatively, the numerical US 6,512,530 B1 7 8 indicators can indicate the positions of the end values In step S200, a determination is made whether the user relative to the range on a percentage Scale, where one end has selected the slider pointer or either of the increase or value is 0% and the other end value is 100%. decrease buttons of the numerical portion. If So, control Then, the widget manager 540 determines the current and jumps back to step S140. Otherwise, control jumps back to default values of the control function controlled by this step S200. Thus, the method continues indefinitely, or until instance of the control panel mimic graphical user interface this instance of the control panel mimic graphical user widget. The widget manager 540 outputs an image of the interface widget is released. slider pointer 414 and the slider bar 416 to the display device so that the slider pointer 414 and the slider bar 416 are It should be appreciated that the graphical user interface positioned relative to the slider portion 410 according to the widget control system 500 shown in FIG. 6 can be imple determined current value of the control function, and the mented on a general purpose computer. However, it should default value of the control function, respectively, and the also be appreciated that the graphical user interface widget range of the values of the control function associated with control system 500 shown in FIG. 6 can be implemented on this instance of the control panel mimic graphical user a Special purpose computer, a programmed microprocessor interface widget. If the numerical portion 420 is provided, or microcontroller and peripheral integrated circuit the widget manager 540 outputs an image of the numerical 15 elements, an ASIC or other integrated circuit, a digital Signal portion indicating the numerical value of the control func processor, a hardwired electronic or logic circuit Such as a tion. discreet element circuit, a programmable logic device Such The widget manager 540 also provides the current value as a PLD, PLA, FPGA and/or PAL, or the like. In general, of the control function and the range of values of the control any device, capable of implementing a finite State machine, function associated with this instance of the control panel that is in turn capable of implementing the flowchart shown mimic graphical user interface widget to the appearance in FIGS. 7A and 7B, can be used to implement the graphical manager 550. The appearance manager 550 then maps the user interface widget control system 500 current value of the control function and the range of values The memory 530 shown in FIG. 6 can include both to determine an appearance of the bottom Subportion 415. Volatile and/or non-volatile alterable memory or non The appearance manager 550 outputs an image for the 25 alterable memory. Any alterable memory can be imple bottom Subportion 415 according to the determined appear mented using any combination of Static or dynamic RAM, a ance to the display device 580. It should be appreciated that hard drive and a hard disk, flash memory, a floppy disk and the appearance of the bottom Subportion 415 can depend on disk drive, a Writable optical disk and disk drive, or the like. the particular control function associated with this instance Any non-alterable memory can be implemented using any of the control panel mimic graphical user interface widget. combination of ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, an opti FIGS. 7A and 7B are a flowchart outlining one exemplary cal CD-ROM disk, an optical ROM disk, such as a embodiment of a method for generating a graphical user CD-ROM disk or a DVD-ROM disk and disk drives, or the interface widget according to this invention. Beginning in like. step S100, control continues to step S110, where a current 35 Thus, it should be understood that each of the elements of instance of the control panel mimic graphical user interface the graphical user interface widget control system 500 widget is instantiated. In particular, as it is instantiated, in shown in FIG. 6 can be implemented as portions of a step S120, the extreme values for the control function Suitably programmed general purpose computer. asSociated with this instance of the control panel mimic Alternatively, each of the elements shown in FIG. 5 can be graphical user interface widget are determined. Then, in Step 40 implemented as physically distinct hardware circuits within S130, an image of the control panel mimic graphical user a ASIC, or using a FPGA, a PLD, a PLA, or a PAL, or using interface widget, indicating these extreme end values, is discreet logic elements or discreet circuit elements. The generated and displayed. Control then continues to Step particular form each of the elements of the graphical user S140. interface widget control system 500 shown in FIG. 6 will In step S140, a current value and a default value for a 45 take as a design choice and will be obvious and predictable control function associated with the current instance of the to those skilled in the art. control panel mimic graphical user interface widget are Moreover, the graphical user interface widget control determined. Next, in step S150, the relationships of the system 500 shown in FIG. 6 can be implemented as software current value of this control function and the default value executing on a programmed general purpose computer, a of this control function to the extreme ends of the range for 50 Special purpose computer, a microprocessor or the like. In this control function are determined. Then, in step S160, this case, the graphical user interface widget control System images of the Slider pointer and of the Slider bar are 500 shown in FIG. 6 can be implemented as routines generated and displayed to place Slider pointer and the Slider embedded in a peripheral driver, as a resource residing on a bar at the appropriate relative positions relative to the Slider Server, or the like. portion between the extreme values based on the determined 55 The graphical user interface widget control system 500 current value and the determined default value, respectively. shown in FIG. 6 can be implemented by physically incor Control then continues to step S170. porating them into a Software and/or hardware System, Such In step S170, the appearance for the bottom subportion of as the hardware and Software Systems of a digital copier or the Slider portion is determined based on the extreme and the like. current values of the control function and an appearance 60 While this invention has been described in conjunction map that defines the different appearances the bottom Sub with the exemplary embodiments outlined above, it is evi portion can take. Then, in step S180, an image of the bottom dent that many alternatives and modifications and variations Subportion is generated and displayed based on the deter will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the mined appearance. Next, in Step S190, an image of the exemplary embodiments of the invention, as Set forth above, numerical portion is generated and displayed based on the 65 are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes current value of the control function. Control then continues may be made without departing from the Spirit and Scope of to step S200. the invention. US 6,512,530 B1 9 10 What is claimed is: 7. The widget of claim 1, wherein the pair of numerical 1. A widget of a graphical user interface, the widget indicators indicate actual minimal and maximal values of the allowing a user to control an associated control function, the range of values. widget comprising: 8. The widget of claim 1, wherein the pair of numerical a slider portion, a range of values of the associated control indicators indicate percentage values of the range of value function associated with a vertical dimension of the relative to the minimal value of the range of values. slider portion; 9. A graphical user interface comprising at least one of the a pair of numerical indicators, a first one of the pair of numerical indicators associated with a minimal value of widgets of claim 1. the range of values and positioned relative to a bottom 10. The widget of claim 1, wherein the appearance of the of the Slider portion, a Second one of the pair of bottom subportion of the slider portion is uniform within the numerical indicators associated with a maximal value bottom subportion and visually contrastable from the top of the range of values and positioned relative to a top subportion of the slider portion. of the slider portion; 11. The widget of claim 1, wherein the appearance of the a slider bar extending acroSS the slider portion perpen bottom Subportion of the slider portion is a shading contrast dicularly to the vertical dimension of the Slider portion, 15 from the top subportion of the slider portion. the Slider bar positioned along the vertical dimension of 12. A widget of a graphical user interface, the widget the slider portion based on a default value of the allowing a user to control an associated control function, the asSociated control function and the range of values, widget comprising: a Selectable slider pointer positioned adjacent to the Slider a slider portion, a range of values of the associated control portion, the Slider pointer positioned along the vertical function associated with a vertical dimension of the dimension of the Slider portion based on a current value slider portion; of the associated control function and the range of a slider bar extending acroSS the Slider portion perpen values, the Slider pointer dividing the slider portion into dicularly to the vertical dimension of the Slider portion, a top Subportion extending between a current position the Slider bar positioned along the vertical dimension of of the slider pointer relative to the slider portion and the 25 top of the slider portion and a bottom Subportion the slider portion based on a default value of the extending between a current position of the Slider asSociated control function and the range of values, pointer relative to the slider portion and the bottom of a Selectable slider pointer positioned adjacent to the Slider the Slider portion; portion, the Slider pointer positioned along the vertical wherein an appearance of the bottom Subportion of the dimension of the slider portion based on a current value slider portion is determined based on the current value of the associated control function and the range of of the associated control function and the range of values, the Slider pointer dividing the slider portion into values. a top Subportion extending between a current position 2. The widget of claim 1, wherein the current value of the of the slider pointer relative to the slider portion and the control function can be altered by Selecting the Selectable 35 top of the Slider portion and a bottom Subportion Slider pointer and altering the current position of the Slider extending between a current position of the Slider pointer relative to the Slider portion. pointer relative to the slider portion and the bottom of 3. The widget of claim 2, wherein the appearance of the the Slider portion; bottom Subportion of the Slider portion changes when the wherein an appearance of the bottom Subportion of the current position of the slider pointer relative to the Slider 40 slider portion is determined based on the current value portion is altered. of the associated control function and the range of 4. The widget of claim 1, further comprising: values. a numerical value display portion that displays a numeri 13. The widget of claim 12, wherein the current value of cal value corresponding to the current value of the the control function can be altered by Selecting the Selectable asSociated control function and the range of values, 45 Slider pointer and altering the current position of the Slider an increase value button that increases the current value of pointer relative to the Slider portion. the associated control function; and 14. The widget of claim 13, wherein the appearance of the a decrease value button that decreases the current value of bottom Subportion of the Slider portion changes when the the associated control function. current position of the slider pointer relative to the Slider 50 portion is altered. 5. The widget of claim 4, wherein: 15. The widget of claim 12, further comprising: the current value of the control function can be altered by a numerical value display portion that displays a numeri Selecting the Selectable Slider pointer and altering the cal value corresponding to the current value of the current position of the Slider pointer relative to the asSociated control function and the range of values, slider portion; and 55 the numerical value displayed in the numerical value an increase value button that increases the current value of display portion changes when the current position of the associated control function; and the slider pointer relative to the Slider portion is altered. a decrease value button that decreases the current value of 6. The widget of claim 4, wherein: the associated control function. the current value of the control function can be altered and 60 16. The widget of claim 15, wherein: the numerical value displayed in the numerical value the current value of the control function can be altered by display portion can be changed by Selecting one of the Selecting the Selectable Slider pointer and altering the increase and decrease buttons, and current position of the Slider pointer relative to the the current position of the slider pointer relative to the slider portion; and slider portion changes when the numerical value dis 65 the numerical value displayed in the numerical value played in the numerical value display portion is display portion changes when the current position of changed. the slider pointer relative to the Slider portion is altered. US 6,512,530 B1 11 12 17. The widget of claim 15, wherein: ated control function and the range of values, an increase the current value of the control function can be altered and value button usable to increase the current value of the the numerical value displayed in the numerical value asSociated control function, and a decrease value button display portion can be changed by Selecting one of the uSable to decrease the current value of the associated control 5 function. increase and decrease buttons, and 28. The method of claim 27, further comprising: the current position of the slider pointer relative to the altering the current value of the control function, com slider portion changes when the numerical value dis prising: played in the numerical value display portion is Selecting the Selectable Slider pointer, and changed. altering the current position of the Slider pointer rela 18. The widget of claim 12, further comprising: 1O tive to the Slider portion; and a pair of numerical indicators, a first one of the pair of altering the numerical value displayed in the numerical numerical indicators associated with a minimal value of value display portion when the current position of the the range of values and positioned relative to a bottom slider pointer relative to the Slider portion is altered. of the Slider portion, a Second one of the pair of 29. The method of claim 27, further comprising: numerical indicators associated with a maximal value 15 altering the current value of the control function and the of the range of values and positioned relative to a top numerical value displayed in the numerical value dis of the slider portion. play portion by Selecting one of the increase and 19. The widget of claim 18, wherein the pair of numerical decrease buttons, and indicators indicate actual minimal and maximal values of the altering the position of the Slider pointer relative to the range of values. slider portion changes when the numerical value dis 20. The widget of claim 18, wherein the pair of numerical played in the numerical value display portion is altered. indicators indicate percentage values of the range of value 30. The method of claim 24, further comprising display relative to the minimal value of the range of values. ing a pair of numerical indicators, a first one of the pair of 21. A graphical user interface comprising at least one of numerical indicators associated with a minimal value of the the widgets of claim 12. 25 range of values and positioned relative to a first end of the Slider portion, a Second one of the pair of numerical indi 22. The widget of claim 12, wherein the appearance of the cators associated with a maximal value of the range of bottom subportion of the slider portion is uniform within the values and positioned relative to a Second end of the Slider bottom subportion and visually contrastable from the top portion. subportion of the slider portion. 31. The method of claim 24, wherein altering an appear 23. The widget of claim 12, wherein the appearance of the ance of a Subportion of the slider portion is displaying a bottom Subportion of the Slider portion is a shading contrast shade uniformly within the subportion, wherein the shade from the top subportion of the slider portion. contrasts visibly with a remainder subportion of the slider 24. A method for displaying a widget of a graphical user portion. interface, the widget associated with a control function 32. The method of claim 24, wherein altering an appear having a range of values, the method comprising: 35 ance of a Subportion of the Slider portion is shading the determining the range of values of the control function; subportion to contrast visibly with a remainder subportion of determining a current value and a default value of the the Slider portion. control function; 33. A widget of a graphical user interface, the widget determine relationships between the current value and of 40 allowing a user to control an associated control function, the the default value to the determined range of values, widget comprising: a slider portion, a range of values of the associated control displaying a slider portion of the widget; function associated with a first dimension of the Slider displaying a slider bar of the widget at a position relative portion; to the Slider portion based on the determined relation 45 a pair of numerical indicators, a first one of the pair of ship between the default value and the determined numerical indicators associated with a minimal value of range of values, the range of values and positioned relative to a first end displaying a slider pointer of the widget at a position of the Slider portion, a Second one of the pair of relative to the slider portion based on the determined numerical indicators associated with a maximal value relationship between the current value and the deter 50 of the range of values and positioned relative to a mined range of values, Second end of the Slider portion; determining an appearance value based on the determined a slider bar extending acroSS the Slider portion perpen relationship between the current value and the deter dicularly to the first dimension of the slider portion, the mined range of values, and slider bar positioned along the first dimension of the altering an appearance of a Subportion of the Slider 55 slider portion based on a default value of the associated portion based on the determined appearance value. control function and the range of values, and 25. The method of claim 24, further comprising altering a Selectable slider pointer positioned adjacent to the Slider the current value of the control function, comprising; portion, the Slider pointer positioned along the first Selecting the Slider pointer; and dimension of the slider portion based on a current value altering the position of the Slider pointer relative to the 60 of the associated control function and the range of slider portion. values, the Slider pointer dividing the slider portion into 26. The method of claim 25, further comprising altering a first Subportion extending between a current position the determined appearance value as the position of the Slider of the slider pointer relative to the slider portion and the pointer relative to the Slider portion is altered. Second end of the Slider portion and a Second Subpor 27. The method of claim 24, further comprising display 65 tion extending between a current position of the Slider ing a numerical value display portion that includes a numeri pointer relative to the slider portion and the first end of cal value corresponding to the current value of the associ the Slider portion; US 6,512,530 B1 13 14 wherein an appearance of the Second Subportion of the dimension of the slider portion based on a current value slider portion is determined based on the current value of the associated control function and the range of of the associated control function and the range of values, the Slider pointer dividing the slider portion into values. a first Subportion extending between a current position 34. The widget of claim 33, wherein the current value of 5 the control function can be altered by Selecting the Selectable of the slider pointer relative to the slider portion and the Slider pointer and altering the current position of the Slider Second end of the Slider portion and a Second Subpor pointer relative to the Slider portion. tion extending between a current position of the Slider 35. The widget of claim 34, wherein the appearance of the pointer relative to the slider portion and the first end of Second Subportion of the Slider portion changes when the the Slider portion; current position of the slider pointer relative to the Slider wherein an appearance of the Second Subportion of the portion is altered. slider portion is determined based on the current value 36. The widget of claim 33, wherein the appearance of the of the associated control function and the range of bottom subportion of the slider portion is uniform within the values. bottom subportion and visually contrastable from the top 15 subportion of the slider portion. 39. The widget of claim 38, wherein the current value of 37. The widget of claim 33, wherein the appearance of the the control function can be altered by Selecting the Selectable bottom Subportion of the Slider portion is a shading contrast Slider pointer and altering the current position of the Slider from the top subportion of the slider portion. pointer relative to the Slider portion. 38. A widget of a graphical user interface, the widget 40. The widget of claim 39, wherein the appearance of the allowing a user to control an associated control function, the Second Subportion of the Slider portion changes when the widget comprising: current position of the slider pointer relative to the Slider a slider portion, a range of values of the associated control portion is altered. function associated with a first dimension of the Slider 41. The widget of claim 38, wherein the appearance of the portion; 25 bottom subportion of the slider portion is uniform within the a slider bar extending acroSS the slider portion perpen bottom subportion and visually contrastable from the top dicularly to the first dimension of the slider portion, the subportion of the slider portion. slider bar positioned along the first dimension of the 42. The widget of claim 38, wherein the appearance of the slider portion based on a default value of the associated bottom Subportion of the slider portion is a shading contrast control function and the range of values, and from the top subportion of the slider portion. a Selectable slider pointer positioned adjacent to the Slider portion, the Slider pointer positioned along the first