Image processor for processing reservation and information processor for requesting reservation

Abstract

To provide an image processor making it possible to reserve a printer even if no job is generated and to be shared by a plurality of users in order to preferentially and securely process a job of a reserver in a reserved time zone, which accepts a reservation of a job while no job is received, secures resources used for the reserved job, and controls the reserved job by using the resources secured by the securing means.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An image processor to be shared by a plurality of users, comprising: 
 first setting means for reserving and setting a job-processing time zone;    second setting means for a job control method in the reserved time zone; and    job control means for processing a job of a reserver preferentially to jobs of other users in a set reserved time zone in accordance with settings by the first and second setting means.    
     
     
         2 . The image processor according to  claim 1 , wherein the second setting means can set a first mode for rejecting all jobs of parties other than a reserver and a second mode for processing jobs of parties other than a reserver though preferentially processing a job of the reserver, and select either of the first mode and the second mode.  
     
     
         3 . The image processor according to  claim 2 , wherein the second mode includes an exception setting mode for not processing a job of a party other than a reserver having a predetermined necessary printing time or a job exceeding a length set by the reserver in a reserved time zone and a job dividing and setting mode for dividing a job of a party other than a reserver having a predetermined necessary printing time or a job having a length exceeding a length set by the reserver into jobs having a predetermined size or a size set by the reserver and processing the divided jobs, and wherein it is possible for a user to select either of the exception setting mode and the job dividing and setting mode.  
     
     
         4 . The image processor according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 first communicating means for communicating a reserved time to a reserver;    second communicating means for communicating that processing is performed to a reserver and a job generator when controlling a job of a party other than the reserver in a reserved time zone; and    third communicating means for communicating that no processing is performed to a job generator when rejecting a job of a party other than the reserver in a reserved time zone and communicating that a job can be accepted to the job generator when a reserved job is completed.    
     
     
         5 . The image processor according to  claim 1 , wherein the job control means estimates a processing time necessary for a job to be processed before the reserved time zone and applies the job control method in the reserved time zone set by the second setting means to a job which cannot be completed before a reserved time in accordance with the estimated processing time.  
     
     
         6 . The image processor according to  claim 1 , wherein the job control means suspends an unreserved job currently processed and controls the interrupt of a reserved job in a set reserved time zone.  
     
     
         7 . The image processor according to  claim 1 , wherein the job control means judges whether the image processor to which the reserved time zone approaches is in a power saving state and when the image processor is in the power saving state, automatically performs the warm-up operation so that printing can be immediately performed in the reserved time zone.  
     
     
         8 . The image processor according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 third setting means for performing the setting for previously securing resources scheduled to be used for a job of a reserver in a reserved time zone and the setting of the total number of resources to be secured by the reserver;    resource securing means for previously securing resources scheduled to be used for the job of the reserver in the reserved time zone in accordance with the setting by the third setting means; and    resource cancel means for canceling secured remaining resources not used though secured in accordance with the setting of the third setting means so that the remaining resources can be used for other job.    
     
     
         9 . The image processor according to  claim 1 , wherein the setting about resources to be secured arrives together with a job in a form capable of obtaining print data without analyzing the data.  
     
     
         10 . The image processor according to  claim 1 , further comprising update means for updating various settings about a reserved job and a reservation until a reserved time zone approaches.  
     
     
         11 . The image processor according to  claim 1 , wherein the setting by each of the setting means is performed in accordance with information input from each user's host system connected to the image processor.  
     
     
         12 . The image processor according to  claim 1 , wherein the setting by each of the setting means is performed in accordance with the information input from an operation panel of the image processor.  
     
     
         13 . The image processor according to  claim 3 , wherein the communication by each of the communicating means is performed through each user's host system connected to the image processor.  
     
     
         14 . An image processor to be shared by a plurality of users, comprising: 
 reservation means for accepting a reservation of a job while no job is received; and    securing means for securing resources to be used for the reserved job; and job control means for executing job control on the reserved job using the resources secured by the securing means.    
     
     
         15 . The image processor according to  claim 14 , wherein the reservation means accepts a reservation of a job by specifying a file name.  
     
     
         16 . The image processor according to  claim 14 , wherein the job control means releases the resources secured by the securing means after control of a reserved job is completed.  
     
     
         17 . An image processor to be shared by a plurality of users, comprising: 
 reservation means for reserving a certain time zone for a specified user;    securing means for securing resources to be used in the time zone for a reservation by the reservation means; and    job control means for executing job control on a job of the specified user using the resources secured by the securing means.    
     
     
         18 . The image processor according to  claim 17 , wherein the job control means releases the resources secured by the securing means after the time zone expires.  
     
     
         19 . An information processor capable of communicating with an image processor, comprising: 
 reservation means for reserving a job to the image processor while no job is issued; and    setting means for setting resources to be secured by the image processor and to be used for the reserved job.    
     
     
         20 . The information processor according to  claim 19 , wherein the setting means can select a designation for setting the image processor so as not to secure resources.  
     
     
         21 . An information processor capable of communicating with an image processor, comprising: 
 reservation means for reserving job processing in a certain time zone to the image processor; and    setting means for setting resources to be secured by the image processor to a reservation by the reservation means.    
     
     
         22 . The information processor according to  claim 21 , wherein the setting means can select a designation for setting the image processor so as not to secure resources.  
     
     
         23 . An information processor capable of communicating with an image processor, comprising: 
 reservation means for reserving job processing in a certain time zone to the image processor; and    setting means for setting a job control method for an unreserved job by the image processor in the reserved time zone.    
     
     
         24 . The information processor according to  claim 23 , wherein the setting means can select a designation for setting the image processor so as not to accept an unreserved job in the reserved time zone.  
     
     
         25 . A method for controlling an image processor to be shared by a plurality of users, comprising: 
 a first setting step of reserving and setting a job-processing time zone;    a second setting step of a job control method in the reserved time zone; and    a job control step of processing a job of a reserver preferentially to jobs of other users in a set reserved time zone in accordance with settings by the first and second setting step.    
     
     
         26 . A method according to  claim 25 , wherein the second setting step can set a first mode for rejecting all jobs of parties other than a reserver and a second mode for processing jobs of parties other than a reserver though preferentially processing a job of the reserver, and select either of the first mode and the second mode.  
     
     
         27 . A method according to  claim 26 , wherein the second mode includes an exception setting mode for not processing a job of a party other than a reserver having a predetermined necessary printing time or a job exceeding a length set by the reserver in a reserved time zone and a job dividing and setting mode for dividing a job of a party other than a reserver having a predetermined necessary printing time or a job having a length exceeding a length set by the reserver into jobs having a predetermined size or a size set by the reserver and processing the divided jobs, and wherein it is possible for a user to select either of the exception setting mode and the job dividing and setting mode.  
     
     
         28 . A method according to  claim 25 , further comprising: 
 a first communicating step of communicating a reserved time to a reserver;    a second communicating step of communicating that processing is performed to a reserver and a job generator when controlling a job of a party other than the reserver in a reserved time zone; and    a third communicating step of communicating that no processing is performed to a job generator when rejecting a job of a party other than the reserver in a reserved time zone and communicating that a job can be accepted to the job generator when a reserved job is completed.    
     
     
         29 . A method according to  claim 25 , wherein the job control step estimates a processing time necessary for a job to be processed before the reserved time zone and applies the job control method in the reserved time zone set by the second setting step to a job which cannot be completed before a reserved time in accordance with the estimated processing time.  
     
     
         30 . A method according to  claim 25 , wherein the job control step suspends an unreserved job currently processed and controls the interrupt of a reserved job in a set reserved time zone.  
     
     
         31 . A method according to  claim 25 , wherein the job control step judges whether the image processor to which the reserved time zone approaches is in a power saving state and when the image processor is in the power saving state, automatically performs the warm-up operation so that printing can be immediately performed in the reserved time zone.  
     
     
         32 . A method according to  claim 25 , further comprising: 
 a setting step of performing the setting for previously securing resources scheduled to be used for a job of a reserver in a reserved time zone and the setting of the total number of resources to be secured by the reserver;    a resource securing step of previously securing resources scheduled to be used for the job of the reserver in the reserved time zone in accordance with the setting by the third setting means; and    a resource cancel step of canceling secured remaining resources not used though secured in accordance with the setting of the third setting step so that the remaining resources can be used for other job.    
     
     
         33 . A method according to  claim 25 , wherein the setting about resources to be secured arrives together with a job in a form capable of obtaining print data without analyzing the data.  
     
     
         34 . A method according to  claim 25 , further comprising an update step of updating various settings about a reserved job and a reservation until a reserved time zone approaches.  
     
     
         35 . A method according to  claim 25 , wherein the setting by each of the setting step is performed in accordance with information input from each user's host system connected to the image processor.  
     
     
         36 . A method according to  claim 25 , wherein the setting by each of the setting step is performed in accordance with the information input from an operation panel of the image processor.  
     
     
         37 . A method according to  claim 27 , wherein the communication by each of the communicating step is performed through each user's host system connected to the image processor.  
     
     
         38 . A method for controlling an image processor to be shared by a plurality of users, comprising: 
 a reservation step of accepting a reservation of a job while no job is received;    a securing step of securing resources to be used for the reserved job; and    a job control step of executing job control on the reserved job using the resources secured by the securing step.    
     
     
         39 . A method according to  claim 38 , wherein the reservation step accepts a reservation of a job by specifying a file name.  
     
     
         40 . A method according to  claim 38 , wherein the job control step releases the resources secured by the securing step after control of a reserved job is completed.  
     
     
         41 . A method for controlling an image processor to be shared by a plurality of users, comprising: 
 a reservation step of reserving a certain time zone for a specified user;    a securing step of securing resources to be used in the time zone for a reservation by the reservation step; and    a job control step of executing job control on a job of the specified user using the resources secured by the securing means.    
     
     
         42 . A method according to  claim 41 , wherein the job control step releases the resources secured by the securing step after the time zone expires.  
     
     
         43 . A method for controlling an information processor capable of communicating with an image processor, comprising: 
 a reservation step of reserving a job to the image processor while no job is issued; and    a setting step of setting resources to be secured by the image processor and to be used for the reserved job.    
     
     
         44 . A method according to  claim 43 , wherein the setting step can select a designation for setting the image processor so as not to secure resources.  
     
     
         45 . A method for controlling an information processor capable of communicating with an image processor, comprising: 
 a reservation step of reserving job processing in a certain time zone to the image processor; and    a setting step of setting resources to be secured by the image processor to a reservation by the reservation means.    
     
     
         46 . A method according to  claim 45 , wherein the setting step can select a designation for setting the image processor so as not to secure resources.  
     
     
         47 . A method for controlling an information processor capable of communicating with an image processor, comprising: 
 a reservation step of reserving job processing in a certain time zone to the image processor; and    a setting step of setting a job control method for an unreserved job by the image processor in the reserved time zone.    
     
     
         48 . A method according to  claim 47 , wherein the setting step can select a designation for setting the image processor so as not to accept an unreserved job in the reserved time zone.  
     
     
         49 . A computer-readable memory medium which stores a program for controlling an image processor to be shared by a plurality of users, the program comprising: 
 a first setting step of reserving and setting a job-processing time zone;    a second setting step of setting a job control method in the reserved time zone; and    a job control step of processing a job of a reserver preferentially to jobs of other users in the set reserved time zone based on settings by the first and second setting steps.    
     
     
         50 . A memory medium according to  claim 49 , wherein the second setting step can set a first mode for rejecting all jobs of parties other than the reserver and a second mode for processing jobs of parties other than the reserver but preferentially processing a job of the reserver, and select either of the first mode and the second mode.  
     
     
         51 . A memory medium according to  claim 50 , wherein the second mode includes an exception setting mode for not processing, in the reserved time zone, a job of a party other than a reserver having a predetermined necessary printing time or a job exceeding a length set by the reserver, and a job dividing and setting mode for dividing a job of a party other than a reserver having a predetermined necessary printing time or a job having a length exceeding a length set by the reserver into jobs having a predetermined size or a size set by the reserver and processing the divided jobs, and wherein it is possible for a user to select either of the exception setting mode and the job dividing and setting mode.  
     
     
         52 . A memory medium according to  claim 49 , wherein the program further comprises: 
 a first communicating step of communicating a reserved time to the reserver;    a second communicating step of communicating, if a job of a party other than the reserver is to be controlled in the reserved time zone, that the job of the party other than the reserver will be processed to the reserver and a job generator; and    a third communicating step of communicating, if a job of a party other than the reserver is to be rejected in the reserved time zone, that the job of the party other than the reserver will not be performed to a job generator, and for communicating that a job can be accepted to the job generator when the reserved job is completed.    
     
     
         53 . A memory medium according to  claim 49 , wherein the job control step estimates a processing time necessary for a job to be processed before the reserved time zone, and applies the job control method in the reserved time zone set by the second setting step to a job that cannot be completed before a reserved time based on the estimated processing time.  
     
     
         54 . A memory medium according to  claim 49 , wherein in the set reserved time zone the job control step performs a control of suspending an unreserved job currently processed and processing the reserved job as an interrupt process.  
     
     
         55 . A memory medium according to  claim 49 , wherein the job control step judges, when the reserved time zone is approaching, whether the image processor is in a power saving state, and, if the image processor is in the power saving state, automatically performs a warm-up operation so that printing can immediately be performed in the reserved time zone.  
     
     
         56 . A memory medium according to  claim 49 , wherein the program further comprises: 
 a third setting step of making a setting for previously securing resources scheduled to be used for the job of the reserver in the reserved time zone and a setting of a total amount of resources to be secured for the reserver;    a resource securing step of previously securing the resources scheduled to be used for the job of the reserver in the reserved time zone based on settings by the third setting step; and    a resource cancel step of canceling secured remaining resources that were not used though secured based on the settings by the third setting step so that the remaining resources can be used for other jobs.    
     
     
         57 . A memory medium according to  claim 49 , wherein a setting about resources to be secured is sent together with a job in such a form that print data can be obtained with no analysis.  
     
     
         58 . A memory medium according to  claim 49 , wherein the program further comprises an update step of updating various settings about the reserved job and a reservation until the reserved time zone arrives.  
     
     
         59 . A memory medium according to  claim 49 , wherein the setting by each of the first and second setting steps is made based on information that is input from a host system of each user that is connected to the image processor.  
     
     
         60 . A memory medium according to  claim 49 , wherein the setting by each of the first and second setting steps is made based on information that is input through an operation panel of the image processor.  
     
     
         61 . A memory medium according to  claim 52 , wherein the communication by each of the first, second, and third communicating step is performed through a host system of each user that is connected to the image processor.  
     
     
         62 . A computer-readable memory medium which stores a program for controlling an image processor to be shared by a plurality of users, the program comprising: 
 a reservation step of accepting a reservation of a job in a state that no job is received;    a securing step of securing resources to be used for the reserved job;    a job control step of performing a job control on the reservation-accepted job using the resources secured by the securing step.    
     
     
         63 . A memory medium according to  claim 62 , wherein the reservation step accepts a reservation of a job through specification of a file name.  
     
     
         64 . A memory medium according to  claim 62 , wherein the job control step releases the resources secured by the securing step after the job control on the reservation-accepted job is completed.  
     
     
         65 . A computer-readable memory medium which stores a program for controlling an image processor to be shared by a plurality of users, the program comprising: 
 a reservation step of reserving a certain time zone for a specified user;    a securing step of securing resources to be used in the time zone for a reservation by the reservation step; and    a job control step of performing a job control on a job from the specified user using the resources secured by the securing step.    
     
     
         66 . A memory medium according to  claim 65 , wherein the job control step releases the resources secured by the securing step after the time zone expires.  
     
     
         67 . A computer-readable memory medium which stores a program for controlling an information processor capable of communicating with an image processor, the program comprising: 
 a reservation step of reserving a job to the image processor in a state that no job is issued; and    a setting step of setting resources to be secured by the image processor and to be used for the reserved job.    
     
     
         68 . A memory medium according to  claim 67 , wherein the setting step can select an instruction to make a setting in which the image processor does not secure resources.  
     
     
         69 . A computer-readable memory medium which stores a program for controlling an information processor capable of communicating with an image processor, the program comprising: 
 a reservation step of reserving job processing in a certain time zone to the image processor; and    a setting step of setting resources to be secured by the image processor for a reservation by the reservation step.    
     
     
         70 . A memory medium according to  claim 69 , wherein the setting step can select an instruction to make a setting in which the image processor does not secure resources.  
     
     
         71 . A computer-readable memory medium which stores a program for controlling an information processor capable of communicating with an image processor, the program comprising: 
 a reservation step of reserving job processing in a certain time zone to the image processor; and    a setting step of setting a job control method of the image processor for an unreserved job in the reserved time zone.    
     
     
         72 . A memory medium according to  claim 71 , wherein the setting step can select an instruction to make a setting in which the image processor does not to accept an unreserved job in the reserved time zone.  
     
     
         73 . A program for controlling an image processor to be shared by a plurality of users, comprising: 
 a first setting step of reserving and setting a job-processing time zone;    a second setting step of setting a job control method in the reserved time zone; and    a job control step of processing a job of a reserver preferentially to jobs of other users in the set reserved time zone based on settings by the first and second setting steps.    
     
     
         74 . A program according to  claim 73 , wherein the second setting step can set a first mode for rejecting all jobs of parties other than the reserver and a second mode for processing jobs of parties other than the reserver but preferentially processing a job of the reserver, and select either of the first mode and the second mode.  
     
     
         75 . A program according to  claim 74 , wherein the second mode includes an exception setting mode for not processing, in the reserved time zone, a job of a party other than a reserver having a predetermined necessary printing time or a job exceeding a length set by the reserver, and a job dividing and setting mode for dividing a job of a party other than a reserver having a predetermined necessary printing time or a job having a length exceeding a length set by the reserver into jobs having a predetermined size or a size set by the reserver and processing the divided jobs, and wherein it is possible for a user to select either of the exception setting mode and the job dividing and setting mode.  
     
     
         76 . A program according to  claim 73 , further comprising: 
 a first communicating step of communicating a reserved time to the reserver;    a second communicating step of communicating, if a job of a party other than the reserver is to be controlled in the reserved time zone, that the job of the party other than the reserver will be processed to the reserver and a job generator; and    a third communicating step of communicating, if a job of a party other than the reserver is to be rejected in the reserved time zone, that the job of the party other than the reserver will not be performed to a job generator, and for communicating that a job can be accepted to the job generator when the reserved job is completed.    
     
     
         77 . A program according to  claim 73 , wherein the job control step estimates a processing time necessary for a job to be processed before the reserved time zone, and applies the job control method in the reserved time zone set by the second setting step to a job that cannot be completed before a reserved time based on the estimated processing time.  
     
     
         78 . A program according to  claim 73 , wherein in the set reserved time zone the job control step performs a control of suspending an unreserved job currently processed and processing the reserved job as an interrupt process.  
     
     
         79 . A program according to  claim 73 , wherein the job control step judges, when the reserved time zone is approaching, whether the image processor is in a power saving state, and, if the image processor is in the power saving state, automatically performs a warm-up operation so that printing can immediately be performed in the reserved time zone.  
     
     
         80 . A program according to  claim 73 , further comprising: 
 a third setting step of making a setting for previously securing resources scheduled to be used for the job of the reserver in the reserved time zone and a setting of a total amount of resources to be secured for the reserver;    a resource securing step of previously securing the resources scheduled to be used for the job of the reserver in the reserved time zone based on settings by the third setting step; and    a resource cancel step of canceling secured remaining resources that were not used though secured based on the settings by the third setting step so that the remaining resources can be used for other jobs.    
     
     
         81 . A program according to  claim 73 , wherein a setting about resources to be secured is sent together with a job in such a form that print data can be obtained with no analysis.  
     
     
         82 . A program according to  claim 73 , further comprising an update step of updating various settings about the reserved job and a reservation until the reserved time zone arrives.  
     
     
         83 . A program according to  claim 73 , wherein the setting by each of the first and second setting steps is made based on information that is input from a host system of each user that is connected to the image processor.  
     
     
         84 . A program according to  claim 73 , wherein the setting by each of the first and second setting steps is made based on information that is input through an operation panel of the image processor.  
     
     
         85 . A program according to  claim 76 , wherein the communication by each of the first, second, and third communicating step is performed through a host system of each user that is connected to the image processor.  
     
     
         86 . A program for controlling an image processor to be shared by a plurality of users, comprising: 
 a reservation step of accepting a reservation of a job in a state that no job is received;    a securing step of securing resources to be used for the reserved job; and    a job control step of performing a job control on the reservation-accepted job using the resources secured by the securing step.    
     
     
         87 . A program according to  claim 86 , wherein the reservation step accepts a reservation of a job through specification of a file name.  
     
     
         88 . A program according to  claim 86 , wherein the job control step releases the resources secured by the securing step after the job control on the reservation-accepted job is completed.  
     
     
         89 . A program for controlling an image processor to be shared by a plurality of users, comprising: 
 a reservation step of reserving a certain time zone for a specified user;    a securing step of securing resources to be used in the time zone for a reservation by the reservation step; and    a job control step of performing a job control on a job from the specified user using the resources secured by the securing step.    
     
     
         90 . A program according to  claim 89 , wherein the job control step releases the resources secured by the securing step after the time zone expires.  
     
     
         91 . A program for controlling an information processor capable of communicating with an image processor, comprising: 
 a reservation step of reserving a job to the image processor in a state that no job is issued; and    a setting step of setting resources to be secured by the image processor and to be used for the reserved job.    
     
     
         92 . A program according to  claim 91 , wherein the setting step can select an instruction to make a setting in which the image processor does not secure resources.  
     
     
         93 . A program for controlling an information processor capable of communicating with an image processor, comprising: 
 a reservation step of reserving job processing in a certain time zone to the image processor; and    a setting step of setting resources to be secured by the image processor for a reservation by the reservation step.    
     
     
         94 . A program according to  claim 93 , wherein the setting step can select an instruction to make a setting in which the image processor does not secure resources.  
     
     
         95 . A program for controlling an information processor capable of communicating with an image processor, comprising: 
 a reservation step of reserving job processing in a certain time zone to the image processor; and    a setting step of setting a job control method of the image processor for an unreserved job in the reserved time zone.    
     
     
         96 . A program according to  claim 95 , wherein the setting step can select an instruction to make a setting in which the image processor does not to accept an unreserved job in the reserved time zone.