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A method and automatic machine for processing a product, whereby, from all the regulating and/or monitoring items as a whole, a first group is determined containing a small number of frequently used items having a direct effect on the product; to permit fast use by an operator of the items in the fi

A method and automatic machine for processing a product, whereby, from all the regulating and/or monitoring items as a whole, a first group is determined containing a small number of frequently used items having a direct effect on the product; to permit fast use by an operator of the items in the first group, a screen of an interface device displays the items in the first group graphically by means of respective icons, each of which is connected to a synoptic background image showing the function of the relative item substantially in the region in which the relative item is actually effective.

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1. A method of processing a product on an automatic machine comprising the steps offeeding the product along a processing path; subjecting the product to a number of processing steps while the product is fed alone the processing path; supervising the processing steps by a set of regulating and/or mo

1. A method of processing a product on an automatic machine comprising the steps offeeding the product along a processing path; subjecting the product to a number of processing steps while the product is fed alone the processing path; supervising the processing steps by a set of regulating and/or monitoring items; determining a first group of said regulating and/or monitoring items containing a small number of frequently used items, which have a direct effect on the processing of the product; and displaying at least some items in the first group graphically on screen by means of respective icons, each of which is connected to a synoptic background image of at least one part of the product showing the function of a relative item on the product; wherein said icons are connected to said synoptic background image in the regions in which the relative items are actually effective. 2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one said icon is assigned two or more said regulating and/or monitoring items in said first group.3. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the user may select said synoptic background image from a number of synoptic images of the product each showing the product or part of the product in a respective degree of detail; each said icon being connected to at least one respective said synoptic image of the product.4. A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein said synoptic images are arranged in a tree structure having different levels, each having a respective degree of detail.5. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said synoptic images are two-dimensional images.6. A method as claimed in claim 5, wherein said two-dimensional synoptic images are formed by digitizing photographs.7. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said synoptic images are three-dimensional images.8. A method as claimed in claim 7, wherein said each said three-dimensional synoptic background image is a solid three-dimensional model.9. A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein said each said three-dimensional synoptic background image can be rotated.10. A method as claimed in claim 7, wherein said parts may be eliminated from each said three-dimensional synoptic background image.11. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said each said synoptic background image can be enlarged to display a given portion of the synoptic background image.12. A method as claimed in claim 1, said regulating and/or monitoring items in the first group are divided according to function; all the regulating and/or monitoring items in the first group having the same function being assigned an icon of substantially the same type.13. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in response to selection of a given said icon, a window is displayed containing operating details of the relative said regulating and/or monitoring item.14. A method as claimed in claim 13, wherein said operating details of a regulating item comprise means for receiving a command to vary the respective regulating parameters.15. A method as claimed in claim 13, wherein said operating details of a regulating item comprise animation to show the effect the action of the regulation item has on said product.16. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said screen shows graphically at least a first further icon corresponding to a service item and indicating the necessity to perform a given service job.17. A method as claimed in claim 16, wherein said first further icon is shown on the screen at predetermined deadlines.18. A method as claimed in claim 1, said screen shows graphically at least a second further icon corresponding to a help item and showing the operator the manner in which to perform a given job on the machine.19. A method as claimed in claim 18, wherein said second further icon is shown automatically on the screen when a problem arises on the machine.20. A method as claimed in claim 18, wherein said manner in which to perform a given job is detailed in the form of text strings, images, photographs and/or animation.21. A method as claimed in claim 20, said animation is provided with sound.22. An automatic machine for processing a product; the automatic machine comprisingfeeding devices for feeding the product along a processing path; processing elements arranged along the processing path for subjecting the product to a number of processing steps; a set of regulating and/or monitoring items for supervising the processing elements an operator interface having a display screen; interface means for determining a first group of said regulating and/or monitoring items containing a small number of frequently used items which have a direct effect on the processing of the product; and display means for displaying at least some items in the first group graphically on said screen by means of respective icons, each of which is connected to a synoptic background image of at least one part of the product showing the function of the relative item on the product; wherein said icons are connected to said synoptic background image in the regions in which the relative items are actually effective.