Progressive disclosure copying machine console using common keys for copy number and function select operations

Claim 1

A progressive display operator console for a copying machine comprising: a keyboard having predetermined keys for selecting a number of copies to be reproduced by said machine; a copy number display for displaying a selected number of copies; a message display comprising a plurality of individual operator prompting messages selectively displayed to an operator to instruct an operator in the selection of available copying machine functions; and, control means coupled to said keyboard, said copy number display, and said message display for operating said message display to display a message prompting an operator to enter a number of desired copies with said predetermined keys of said keyboard and for sequentially displaying selected messges instructing an operator to enter, with said predetermined keys, machine function selection information, said control means being responsive to the number of desired copies and function selection information entered by an operator with said keys to cause said copy number display to display the desired number of copies and for conditioning said copying machine to operate according to said function selection information, said message display providing a function selection message instructing the operator to actuate predetermined ones of said predetermined keys to select a desired copying machine function, said control means being responsive to subsequent actuation of said predetermined ones of said predetermined keys to condition said copying machine to operate according to an operator selected function and to display another function selection message.