Multi-function image forming apparatus with image prioritization scheme

Abstract

A printer controller receives a printer job from external equipment and carries out the printer job using a printer. A user IF task accepts a reservation input for the use of a copying function using a scanner and the printer from a user while the printer job is being executed by the printer controller. Responsive to the copy reservation input, a job management task reserves the right of use of the scanner and the printer after the completion of the printer job in execution. If the printer is in operation when the user desires to use the copy function, the user is allowed to make a reservation for copying and then copy after the termination of the current printer job even if another printer job has been spooled.

1. An image formation apparatus comprising:
 image formation means for forming an image corresponding to input image data;  
 printer job control means having means for receiving a printer job from external equipment, means for holding a received printer job, means for providing first image data corresponding to the printer job and means for printing an image corresponding to the first image data using the image formation means;  
 original reading means for optically reading the image of an original to provide second image data;  
 user interface means for accepting from a user a copy job start input and a copy reservation input for, when the image formation means is being used by the printer control means, making a reservation for the use of a copying function provided by the image formation means and the original reading means after the completion of a printer job in execution;  
 copy job management means including means responsive to the copy job start input accepted by the user interface means for copying the original image using the original reading means and the image formation means, and copy reservation means responsive to the copy reservation input accepted by the user interface means for reserving the use of the copying function after the completion of the printer job in execution, 
 wherein the copy job management means includes means for inhibiting the execution of a printer job, even if it has occurred, for a time interval from the time at which the image formation means is made available owing to a copy reservation through the copy reservation means to the time which is the sum of the completion scheduled time of a printer job which was in execution at the time of reservation and a second  predetermined period of time.  
 
 
     
     
       2. An image formation apparatus comprising:
 image formation means for forming an image corresponding to input image data;  
 printer job control means having means for receiving a printer job from external equipment, means for holding a received printer job, means for providing first image data corresponding to the printer job and means for printing an image corresponding to the first image data using the image formation means;  
 original reading means for optically reading the image of an original to provide second image data;  
 user interface means for accepting from a user a copy job start input and a copy reservation input for, when the image formation means is being used by the printer control means, making a reservation for the use of a copying function provided by the image formation means and the original reading means after the completion of a printer job in execution;  
 copy job management means including means responsive to the copy job start input accepted by the user interface means for copying the original image using the original reading means and the image formation means, and copy reservation means responsive to the copy reservation input accepted by the user interface means for reserving the use of the copying function after the completion of the printer job in execution, 
 wherein the copy job management means includes means for inhibiting the execution of a printer job, even if it has occurred, for a time interval from the time at which the image formation means is made available owing to a copy reservation through the copy reservation means to the time at which the user interface means accepts the key inputs  a key input at least once.  
 
 
     
     
       3. An image formation apparatus comprising:
 image formation means for forming an image corresponding to input image data;  
 printer job control means having means for receiving a printer job from external equipment, means for holding a received printer job, means for providing first image data corresponding to the printer job and means for printing an image corresponding to the first image data using the image formation means;  
 original reading means for optically reading the image of an original to provide second image data;  
 user interface means for accepting from a user a copy job start input and a copy reservation input for, when the image formation means is being used by the printer control means, making a reservation for the use of a copying function provided by the image formation means and the original reading means after the completion of a printer job in execution;  
 copy job management means including means responsive to the copy job start input accepted by the user interface means for copying the original image using the original reading means and the image formation means, and copy reservation means responsive to the copy reservation input accepted by the user interface means for reserving the use of the copying function after the completion of the printer job in execution, 
 wherein the copy job management means includes means for inhibiting the execution of a printer job, even if it has occurred, for a first predetermined period do time since the image formation means was made available owing to a copy reservation through the copy reservation means, and  
 wherein the copy job management means includes printer job inhibit means responsive to an input to the user interface means when the apparatus has been placed in the copy executable state for inhibiting the execution of a printer job by the printer job control means, and the user interface means includes printer job inhibit input means for inhibiting the execution of a printer job and printer job inhibit canceling means for canceling the inhibition of the printer job execution.  
 
 
     
     
       4. An image formation apparatus comprising:
 image formation means for forming an image corresponding to input image data;  
 printer job control means having means for receiving a printer job from external equipment, means for holding a received printer job, means for providing first image data corresponding to the printer job and means for printing an image corresponding to the first image data using the image formation means;  
 original reading means for optically reading the image of an original to provide second image data;  
 user interface means for accepting from a user a copy job start input and a copy reservation input for, when the image formation means is being used by the printer control means, making a reservation for the use of a copying function provided by the image formation means and the original reading means after the completion of a printer job in execution;  
 copy job management means including means responsive to the copy job start input accepted by the user interface means for copying the original image using the original reading means and the image formation means, and copy reservation means responsive to the copy reservation input accepted by the user interface means for reserving the use of the copying function after the completion of the printer job in execution, 
 wherein the copy job management means includes means for inhibiting the execution of a printer job, even if it has occurred, for a first predetermined period of time since the image formation means was made available owing to a copy reservation through the copy reservation means,  
 wherein the copy job management means includes means for inhibiting the execution of a printer job, even if it has occurred, for a third  second predetermined period of time since the user interface means accepted the key inputs  a key input at least once after the image formation means was made available owing to a copy reservation through the copy reservation means, and  
 wherein the copy job management means includes power saving means for reducing power consumption of the apparatus by placing the apparatus in the preheat enable state after a lapse of the third  second predetermined period of time the apparatus being placed in the preheated state after a fourth  third predetermined period of time.  
 
 
     
     
       5. An image formation apparatus comprising:
 image formation means for forming an image corresponding to input image data;  
 printer job control means having means for receiving a printer job for external equipment, means for holding a received printer job, means for providing first image data corresponding to the printer job and means for printing an image corresponding to the first image data using the image formation means;  
 original reading means for optically reading the image of an original to provide second image data;  
 user interface means for accepting from a user a copy job start input and a copy reservation input for, when the image formation means is being used by the printer control manes, making a reservation for the use of a copying function provided by the image formation means and the original reading means after the completion of a printer job in execution;  
 copy job management means including means responsive to the copy job start input accepted by the user interface means for copying the original image using the original reading means and the image formation means, and copy reservation means responsive to the copy reservation input accepted by the user interface means for reserving the use of the copying function after the completion of the printer job in execution, 
 wherein the copy job management means includes means for inhibiting the execution of a printer job, even if it has occurred, for a first predetermined period of time since the image formation means was made available owing to a copy reservation through the copy reservation means,  
 wherein the copy job management means includes means for inhibiting the execution of a printer job, even if it has occurred, for a third  second predetermined period of time since the user interface means accepted the key inputs  a key input at least once after the image formation means was made available owing to a copy reservation through the copy reservation means, and  
 wherein the copy job management means includes power saving means for reducing power consumption of the apparatus by placing the apparatus in the power-off enable state after a lapse of the third  second predetermined period of time the apparatus being placed in the power-oft  power- off  state after a fourth  third predetermined period of time.  
 
 
     
     
       6. An image formation apparatus comprising:
 image formation means for forming an image corresponding to input image data;  
 printer job control means having means for receiving a printer job from external equipment, means for holding a received printer job, means for providing first image data corresponding to the printer job and means for printing an image corresponding to the first image data using the image formation means;  
 original reading means for optically reading the image of an original to provide second image data;  
 user interface means for accepting from a user a copy job start input and a copy reservation input for, when the image formation means is being used by the printer conrol means, making a reservation for the use of a copying function provided by the image formation means and the original reading means after the completion of a printer job in execution;  
 copy job management means including means responsive to the copy job start input accepted by the user interface means for copying the original image using the original reading means and the image formation means, and copy reservation means responsive to the copy reservation input accepted by the user interface means for reserving the use of the copying function after the completion of the printer job in execution, 
 wherein the copy job management means includes means for inhabiting the execution of a printer job, even if it has occurred, for a first predetermined period of time since the image formation means was made available owing to a copy reservation through the copy reservation means,  
 wherein the copy job management means includes reservation cancel means responsive to an input to the user interface means when the apparatus has been placed in the copy reserved state by the copy reservation means for canceling the copy reservation, and the user interface means includes reservation cancel input means for canceling the copy reservation.  
 
 
     
     
       7. An image formation method for use with an image formation apparatus having a printer unit and a scanner unit comprising:
 a printer job control step of receiving a printer job from external equipment and printing an image corresponding to the printer job using the printer unit;  
 a user interface step of accepting from a user key inputs which include a copy reservation input for, when the printer unit is being used by the printer job control step, making a reservation for the use of a copying function provided by the printer unit and the scanner unit after the completion of a printer job in execution; and  
 a copy job management step including a substep of copying the image of an original using the scanner unit and the printer unit in response to a copy job start input from the user in the user interface step, and a substep of reserving the use of the copying function after the completion of the printer job in execution in response to the copy reservation input in the user interface step, 
 wherein the copy job management step includes a substep of inhibiting the execution of a printer job, even if it has occurred, for a time interval from the time at which the printer unit is made available owing to a copy reservation in the copy reservation substep to the time which is the sum of the completion scheduled time of a printer job which was in execution at the time of reservation and a second  predetermined period of time.  
 
 
     
     
       8. An image formation method for use with an image formation apparatus having a printer unit and a scanner unit comprising:
 a printer job control step of receiving a printer job from external equipment and printing an image corresponding to the printer job using the printer unit;  
 a user interface set of accepting from a user key inputs which include a copy reservation input for, when the printer unit is being used by the printer job control step, making a reservation for the use of a copying function provided by the printer unit and the scanner unit after the completion of a printer job in execution; and  
 a copy job management set including a substep of copying the image of an original using the scanner unit and the printer unit in response to a copy job start input from the user in the user interface step, and a substep of reserving the use of the copying function after the completion of the printer job in execution in response to the copy reservation input n the user interface step, 
 wherein the copy job management step includes a substep of inhibiting the execution of a printer job, even if it has occurred, for a time interval from the time at which the printer unit is made available owing to a copy reservation in the copy reservation substep to the time at which the key inputs are accepted at least once in the user interface step.  
 
 
     
     
       9. An image formation method for use with an image formation apparatus having a printer unit and a scanner unit comprising:
 a printer job control step of receiving a printer job from external equipment and printing an image corresponding to the printer job using the printer unit;  
 a user interface step of accepting from a user key inputs which include a copy reservation input for, when the printer unit is being used by the printer job control step, making a reservation for the use of a copying function provided by the printer unit and the scanner unit after the completion of a printer job in execution; and  
 a copy job management step including a substep of copying the image of an original using the scanner unit and the printer unit in response to a copy job start input from the user in the user interface step, and a substep of reserving the use of the copying function after the completion of the printer job in execution in response to the copy reservation input in the user interface step, 
 wherein the copy job management step includes a substep of inhibiting the execution of a printer job, even if it has occurred, for a first predetermined period of time since the printer unit was made available owing to a copy reservation in the copy reservation substep, and  
 wherein the copy job management step includes a printer job inhibit substep of inhibiting the execution of a printer job in the printer job control step in response to an input to the user interface step when the apparatus has been placed in the copy executable state.  
 
 
     
     
       10. An image formation method for use with an image formation apparatus having a printer unit and a scanner unit comprising:
 a printer job control step of receiving a printer job from external equipment and printing an image corresponding to the printer job using the printer unit;  
 a user interface step of accepting from a user key inputs which includes a copy reservation input for, when the printer unit is being used by the printer job control step, making a reservation for the use of a copying function provided by the printer unit and the scanner unit after the completion of a printer job in execution; and  
 a copy job management step including a substep of copying the image of an original using the scanner unit and the printer unit in response to a copy job start input from the user in the user interface step, and a substep of reserving the use of the copying function after the completion of the printer job in execution in response to the copy reservation input in the user interface step, 
 wherein the copy job management step includes a substep of inhibiting the execution of a printer job, even if it has occurred, for a first predetermined period of time since the printer unit was made available owing to a copy reservation in the copy reservation substep, and  
 wherein the copy job management step includes a reservation cancel substep of canceling the copy reservation in response to an input in the user interface step when the printer unit and scanner unit have been placed in the copy reserved state through the copy reservation substep.  
 
 
     
     
       11. The image forming apparatus as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the copy job management means includes a copy reservation cancel means for canceling the reserving of the use of the copying function when the user interface means does not accept an input from the user for a predetermined period of time after the image forming means is made available owing to the copy reservation through the copy reservation means. 
     
     
       12. The image forming apparatus as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the copy job management means includes an autoclear means for performing an autoclear function for initializing settings of the image forming apparatus when the copy reservation has been canceled. 
     
     
       13. The image forming method as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the copy job management step includes a copy reservation cancel substep for canceling the reserving of the use of the copying function when user key inputs are not accepted for a predetermined period of time after the printer unit is made available owing to the copy reservation in the copy reservation substep. 
     
     
       14. The image forming method as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the copy job management step includes an autoclear step for performing an autoclear function for initializing settings of the image forming apparatus when the copy reservation has been canceled. 
     
     
       15. An image forming apparatus comprising:
   image formation means for forming an image corresponding to input image data;        printer job control means having means for receiving a printer job from external equipment, means for holding a received printer job, means for providing first image data corresponding to the printer job and means for printing an image corresponding to the first image data using the image formation means;        original reading means for optically reading the image of an original to provide second image data;        user interface means for accepting from a user a copy job start input and a copy reservation input for, when the image formation means is being used by the printer control means, making a reservation for the use of a copying function provided by the image formation means and the original reading means after the completion of a printer job in execution;        copy job management means including means responsive to the copy job start input accepted by the user interface means for copying the original image using the original reading means and the image formation means, and copy reservation means responsive to the copy reservation input accepted by the user interface means for reserving the use of the copying function after the completion of the printer job in execution,        wherein the copy job management means includes means for inhibiting the execution of a printer job, even if the print job has been received from said external equipment, for a time interval from the time at which the image formation means is made available owing to a copy reservation through the copy reservation means to the time which is the sum of the completion scheduled time of a printer job which was in execution at the time of reservation and a second predetermined period of time.     
     
     
       16. An image formation apparatus comprising:
   image formation means for forming an image corresponding to input image data;        printer job control means having means for receiving a printer job from external equipment, means for holding a received printer job, means for providing first image data corresponding to the printer job and means for printing an image corresponding to the first image data using the image formation means;        original reading means for optically reading the image of an original to provide second image data;        user interface means for accepting from a user a copy job start input and a copy reservation input for, when the image formation means is being used by the printer control means, making a reservation for the use of a copying function provided by the image formation means and the original reading means after the completion of a printer job in execution;        copy job management means including means responsive to the copy job start input accepted by the user interface means for copying the original image using the original reading means and the image formation means, and copy reservation means responsive to the copy reservation input accepted by the user interface means for reserving the use of the copying function after the completion of the printer job in execution,        wherein the copy job management means includes means for inhibiting the execution of a printer job, even if the print job has been received from said external equipment, for a time interval from the time at which the image formation means is made available owing to a copy reservation through the copy reservation means to the time at which the user interface means accepts the start input.     
     
     
       17. The image forming apparatus as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the copy job management means includes a copy reservation cancel means for canceling the reserving of the use of the copying function when the user interface means does not accepted an input from the user for a predetermined period of time after the image forming means is made available owing to the copy reservation through the copy reservation means. 
     
     
       18. The image forming apparatus as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the copy job management means includes an autoclear means for performing an autoclear function for initializing settings of the image forming apparatus when the copy reservation has been canceled. 
     
     
       19. An image formation apparatus comprising:
   image formation means for forming an image corresponding to input image data;        printer job control means having means for receiving a printer job from external equipment, means for holding a received printer job, means for providing first image data corresponding to the printer job and means for printing an image corresponding to the first image data using the image formation means;        original reading means for optically reading the image of an original to provide second image data;        user interface means for accepting from a user a copy job start input and a copy reservation input for, when the image formation means is being used by the printer control means, making a reservation for the use of a copying function provided by the image formation means and the original reading means after the completion of a printer job in execution;        copy job management means including means responsive to the copy job start input accepted by the user interface means for copying the original image using the original reading means and the image formation means, and copy reservation means responsive to the copy reservation input accepted by the user interface means for reserving the use of the copying function after the completion of the printer job in execution,        wherein the copy job management means includes means for inhibiting the execution of a printer job, even if the print job has been received from said external equipment, for a first predetermined period of time since the image formation means was made available owing to a copy reservation through the copy reservation means, and        wherein the copy job management means includes printer job inhibit means responsive to an input to the user interface means when the apparatus has been placed in the copy executable state for inhibiting the execution of a printer job by the printer job control means, and the use interface means includes printer job inhibit input means for inhibiting the execution of a printer job and printer job inhibit canceling means for canceling the inhibition of the printer job execution.     
     
     
       20. An image formation apparatus comprising:
   image formation means for forming an image corresponding to input image data;        printer job control means having means for receiving a printer job from external equipment, means for holding a received printer job, means for providing first image data corresponding to the printer job and means for printing an image corresponding to the first image data using the image formation means;        original reading means for optically reading the image of an original to provide second image data;        user interface means for accepting from a user a copy job state input and a copy reservation input for, when the image formation means is being used by the printer control means, making a reservation for the use of a copying function provided by the image formation means and the original reading means after the completion of a printer job in execution;        copy job management means including means responsive to the copy job start input accepted by the user interface means for copying the original image using the original reading means and the image formation means, and copy reservation means responsive to the copy reservation input accepted by the user interface means for reserving the use of the copying function after the completion of the printer job in execution,        wherein the copy job management means includes means for inhibiting the execution of a printer job, even if the print job has been received from said external equipment, for a first predetermined period of time since the image formation means was made available owing to a copy reservation through the copy reservation means,        wherein the copy job management means includes means for inhibiting the execution of a printer job, even if the print job has been received from said external equipment, for a second predetermined period of time after the user interface means accepted a key input, and        wherein the copy job management means includes power saving means for reducing power consumption of the apparatus by placing the apparatus in the preheat enable state after a lapse of said second predetermined period of time, the apparatus being placed in the preheated state after a third predetermined period of time.     
     
     
       21. An image formation apparatus comprising:
   image formation means for forming an image corresponding to input image data;        printer job control means having means for receiving a printer job from external equipment, means for holding a received printer job, means for providing first image data corresponding to the printer job and means for printing an image corresponding to the first image data using the image formation means;        original reading means for optically reading the image of an original to provide second image data;        user interface means for accepting from a user a copy job start input and a copy reservation input for, when the image formation means is being used by the printer control means, making a reservation for the use of a copying function provided by the image formation means and the original reading means after the completion of a printer job in execution;        copy job management means including means responsive to the copy job start input accepted by the user interface means for copying the original image using the original reading means and the image formation means, and copy reservation means responsive to the copy reservation input accepted by the user interface means for reserving the use of the copying function after the completion of the printer job in execution,        wherein the copy job management means includes means for inhibiting the execution of a printer job, even if the print job has been received from said external equipment, for a first predetermined period of time since the image formation means was made available owing to a copy reservation through the copy reservation means,        wherein the copy job management means includes means for inhibiting the execution of a printer job, even if the print job has been received from said external equipment, for a second predetermined period of time since the user interface means accepted a key input at least once after the image formation means was made available owing to a copy reservation through the copy reservation means, and        wherein the copy job management means includes power saving means for reducing power consumption of the apparatus by placing the apparatus in the power - off enable state after a lapse of the second predetermined period of time the apparatus being placed in the power - off state after a third predetermined period of time.     
     
     
       22. An image formation apparatus comprising:
   image formation means for forming an image corresponding to input image data;        printer job control means having means for receiving a printer job from external equipment, means for holding a received printer job, means for providing first image data corresponding to the printer job and means for printing an image corresponding to the first image data using the image formation means;        original reading means for optically reading the image of an original to provide second image data;        user interface means for accepting from a user a copy job start input and a copy reservation input for, when the image formation means is being used by the printer control means, making a reservation for the use of a copying function provided by the image formation means and the original reading means after the completion of a printer job in execution;        copy job management means including means responsive to the copy job start input accepted by the user interface means for copying the original image using the original reading means and the image formation means, and copy reservation means responsive to the copy reservation input accepted by the user interface means for reserving the use of the copying function after the completion of the printer job in execution,        wherein the copy job management means include means for inhibiting the execution of a printer job, even if the print job has been received from said external equipment, for a first predetermined period of time since the image formation means was made available owing to a copy reservation through the copy reservation means,        wherein the copy job management means includes reservation cancel means responsive to an input to the user interface means when the apparatus has been placed in the copy reserved state by the copy reservation means for canceling the copy reservation, and the user interface means includes reservation cancel input means for canceling the copy reservation.     
     
     
       23. An image formation method for use with an image formation apparatus having a printer unit and a scanner unit comprising:
   a printer job control step of receiving a printer job from external equipment and printing an image corresponding to the printer job using the printer unit;        a user interface step of accepting from a user key inputs which include a copy reservation input for, when the printer unit is being used by the printer job control step, making a reservation for the use of a copying function provided by the printer unit and the scanner unit after the completion of a printer job in execution; and        a copy job management step including a substep of copying the image of an original using the scanner unit and the printer unit in response to a copy job start input from the user in the interface step, and a substep of reserving the use of the copying function after the completion of the printer job in execution in response to the copy reservation input in the user interface step,        wherein the copy job management step includes a substep of inhibiting the execution of a printer job, even if the print job has been received from said external equipment, for a time interval from the time at which the printer unit is made available owing to a copy reservation in the copy reservation substep to the time which is the sum of the completion scheduled time of a printer job which was in execution at the time of reservation and a second predetermined period of time.     
     
     
       24. An image formation method for use with an image formation apparatus having a printer unit and a scanner unit comprising:
   a printer job control step of receiving a printer job from external equipment and printing an image corresponding to the printer job using the printer unit;        a user interface set of accepting from a user key inputs which include a copy reservation input for, when the printer unit is being used by the printer job control step, making a reservation for the use of a copying function provided by the printer unit and the scanner unit after the completion of a printer job in execution; and        a copy job management step including a substep of copying the image of an original using the scanner unit and the printer unit in response to a copy job start input from the user in the user interface step, and a substep of reserving the use of the copying function after the completion of the printer job in execution in response to the copy reservation input in the user interface step,        wherein the copy job management step includes a substep of inhibiting the execution of a printer job, even if the printer job has been received from said external equipment, for at least a time interval from the time at which the printer unit is made available owing to a copy reservation in the copy reservation substep to the time at which the key inputs are accepted at least once in the user interface step.     
     
     
       25. The image formation method as recited in  claim 24 , wherein the copy job management step includes a copy reservation cancel substep for canceling the reserving of the use of the copying function when user key inputs are not accepted for a predetermined period of time after the printer unit is made available owing to the copy reservation in the copy reservation substep. 
     
     
       26. The image forming method as recited in  claim 25 , wherein the copy job management step includes an autoclear step for performing an autoclear function for initializing settings of the image forming apparatus when the copy reservation has been canceled. 
     
     
       27. An image formation method for use with an image formation apparatus having a printer unit and a scanner unit comprising:
   a printer job control step of receiving a printer job from external equipment and printing an image corresponding to the printer job using the printer unit;        a user interface step of accepting from a user key inputs which include a copy reservation input for, when the printer unit is being used by the printer job control step, making a reservation for the use of a copying function provided by the printer unit and the scanner unit after the completion of a printer job in execution; and        a copy job management step including a substep of copying the image of an original using the scanner unit and the printer unit in response to a copy job start input from the user in the user interface step, and a substep of reserving the use of the copying function after the completion of the printer job in execution in response to the copy reservation input in the user interface step,        wherein the copy job management step includes a substep of inhibiting the execution of a printer job, even if the print job has been received from said external equipment, for a first predetermined period of time since the printer unit was made available owing to a copy reservation in the copy reservation substep, and        wherein the copy job management step includes a printer job inhibit substep of inhibiting the execution of a printer job in the printer job control step in response to an input to the user interface step when the apparatus has been placed in the copy executable state.     
     
     
       28. An image formation method for use with an image formation apparatus having a printer unit and a scanner unit comprising:
   a printer job control step of receiving a printer job from external equipment and printing an image corresponding to the printer job using the printer unit;        a user interface step of accepting from a user key inputs which include a copy reservation input for, when the printer unit is being used by the printer job control step, making a reservation for the use of a copying function provided by the printer unit and the scanner unit after the completion of a printer job in execution; and        a copy job management step including a substep of copying the image of an original using the scanner unit and the printer unit in response to a copy job start input from the user in the user interface step, and a substep of reserving the use of the copying function after the completion of the printer job in execution in response to the copy reservation input in the user interface step,        wherein the copy job management step includes a substep of inhibiting the execution of a printer job, even if the print job has been received from said external equipment, for a first predetermined period of time since the printer unit was made available owing to a copy reservation in the copy reservation substep, and        wherein the copy job management step includes a reservation cancel substep of canceling the copy reservation in response to an input in the user interface step when the printer unit and scanner unit have been placed in the copy reserved state through the copy reservation substep.