Computer reservation and usage monitoring system and related methods

ES 2 298 537 T3

DESCRIPTION

System for monitoring the use and reservation of computers and related procedures.

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to the field of computer networks and, more particularly, to the monitoring and control of the use of computers in a computer network.

Background of the invention

Many institutions, such as libraries and universities, for example, provide computer workstations so that they can be used by clients, students, or other users. Such computer workstations can be connected in a wide area network (WAN) or in a local area network (LAN) with a central computer or server that can provide access to the Internet, centralized files or centralized applications, etc. Computer workstations can also run local applications, such as word processors, spreadsheets, etc., for users.

Of course, a difficulty that can arise in such cases is the allocation of the use of such computers in a fair way for all users. In other words, it may happen that some users do not follow the rules of use and use computers for longer than allowed. This not only prevents other users from having the opportunity to use a workstation, but also potentially puts support staff in an awkward and violent situation of having to ask users to stop using the computer or even to stop using the computer. facilities. Additionally, having to “watch” computer workstations can reduce the ability of staff to perform other functions.

To address such problems, various computer software programs have been developed to regulate the amount of time that users can spend at a computer or workstation. Examples of "time out" or "session time control" software products that remove the user from the system of a computer after a predetermined session time limit has elapsed include Time Limit Manager from Fortres Grand Corp . and Tempo from Hyper Technologies, Inc. Other software products provide even more computer network management capabilities, such as the ability to reserve computer workstation sessions in advance. One such product is PC Cop from Card Meter Systems, Inc.

Another particularly advantageous computer reservation and session time control software product is SignUp from Pharos Systems USA, Inc., owner of the present invention. In particular, SignUp is a system used to reserve the use of publicly accessible computers. Workstations, such as personal computers (PCs), can be reserved either in a queue situation in a walk-in environment or for immediate use upon logging in from an idle PC. The use of the PCs is monitored by the system and controlled. SignUp can reserve PCs for any user, subject to security restrictions, and allows different procedures to reserve PCs. In addition, it provides scheduled access times for different groups of networked PCs, and integrates seamlessly with other Pharos software products to provide information on computer usage time, printed pages, and more.

Despite the significant advances Pharos SignUp offers in the area of ​​computer reservation and time management, there may be times when additional functionality may be desired. For example, most session time control and reservation management products require user identification based on user account information stored on the central computer or server. Thus, when the server is down or down, users are unable to initiate new user sessions at the workstations and may potentially be pulled out of their current session.

Summary of the invention

Therefore, in view of the foregoing in the background section, the present invention aims to provide a computer network and related procedures to provide improved functionalities for computer reservation and time monitoring and related procedures.

This and other objects, features and advantages according to the present invention are provided by a computer network that may include a central computer and a plurality of computer workstations that can selectively connect thereto. The central computer may store user account balances or balances for a plurality of users. Also, the central computer and computing workstations, when connected, can cooperate to initiate user sessions at the computing workstations in response to user requests by identifying users whether the requesting users have respective ones. Balances or account balances greater than a balance threshold. The central computer and computer workstations may also cooperate to update the respective user account balances or balances based on user sessions, and terminate user sessions when the respective user account balances or balances fall below. of the balance threshold or balance.

ES 2 298 537 T3

Furthermore, each computer workstation, when disconnected from the central computer, can also advantageously initiate a user session in response to a request from a user and store session information to update the respective user account balance when it reconnects to the host computer. Thus, when the central computer goes down or is not available for some other reason, users will still be able to access the computer workstations and any necessary debit operations that must be carried out to their balances or user account balances can be carried out. when the workstation and host computer are reconnected. What's more, computing workstations can also terminate user sessions when the time limit for a session has expired. This encourages fairness or fairness in the use of workstations by providing equal uptime for all users.

In addition, when the computer workstations are connected to the central computer, the computer workstations can copy the respective balances or user account balances from the central computer at the start of user sessions, and update the balances or balances. of user accounts copied based on the use of the computer during the respective user sessions. That is, computer workstations can maintain a current user account balance during the session. By way of example, user account balances or balances may include time balances or balances and / or money balances, which may be charged to such accounts appropriately based on time or other resources (for example, printed pages, etc.) that a user consumes during their session. According to this particularly advantageous aspect of the invention, after the end of the user sessions, the computer workstations can send the updated user account balances or balances to the central computer. Thus, it is no longer necessary to have to exchange numerous communications between the IT workstations and the central computer during a session to keep account balances up to date, reducing network traffic and processing requirements.

The computer network may also advantageously include at least one reservation computer to cooperate with the central computer in scheduling reservations for user sessions prior to user sessions. In particular, the central computer and at least one reservation computer can advantageously cooperate to provide a user making a request with an estimated waiting time before a user session is available based on the elapsed times of the sessions. number of user sessions in progress and a number of pending user session reservation requests.

Furthermore, in certain embodiments the computer workstations may be assigned to a one of a plurality of groups. In this way, if the computer workstations of a certain group are not available for user session reservations at a required time, the central computer and at least one reservation computer can cooperate to provide alternative user session reservations. for computer workstations of another group that are available at the required time. Furthermore, the central computer and at least one reservation computer may also cooperate in scheduling user session reservations based on a maximum number of allowable user session reservations and / or a period of time that will elapse prior to the reservation. respective user session.

In addition, host computers and IT workstations can also cooperate in determining total network usage based on ongoing user sessions and allowing user sessions to exceed the session time limit on the computer. case the total network usage is below a threshold. The central computer can also advantageously store the respective user configuration options for each user so that the computer workstations can cooperate with the central computer in implementing the user configuration options for the respective users during startup of the computers. user sessions. In this way, users do not have to reconfigure their computer “desktop” each time they start a user session, but only have to do it once and these configuration options are implemented during subsequent sessions.

In addition, the central computer and computer workstations can initiate user sessions based on other rules that can be defined by a network administrator. For example, these rules could include a number of allowable sessions and / or a total usage time limit within a specified time period (eg one day).

One aspect of the method of the invention refers to the use of a computer network, such as that which has been briefly described hereinabove. The method may include storing the user account balances or balances for a plurality of users on the central computer and, if the central computer and computer workstations are connected, initiating user sessions on computer workstations in response to user requests by identifying users whether the users making the requests have respective user account balances or balances above a balance threshold . Furthermore, respective user account balances or balances may be updated based on user sessions, and user sessions may be terminated when the respective user account balances or balances fall below the balance threshold.

Furthermore, if a computer workstation is disconnected from the host computer, then the procedure may include initiating a user session at the computer workstation in response to a user request, and storing the session information in the computer. computer workstation to update the respective balance or user account balance when reconnecting to the central computer.

ES 2 298 537 T3

Another particularly advantageous aspect of the invention relates to a computer-readable medium containing computer-executable instructions for making a computer workstation perform various steps. In particular, when connected to a central computer, the steps may include receiving a request for a work session start at the work station, and cooperating with the central computer to start a user session at the work station. computer workstation if the user making the request presents a respective balance or user account balance above the balance threshold or balance stored in the central computer. In addition, the instructions may cause the computer workstation to cooperate with the central computer in updating the balance or balance of the user account at the start of the user session and, end the user session when the balance or balance of User account falls below the balance threshold.

Furthermore, when the computing workstation is disconnected from the host computer, the steps may further include initiating a user session at the computing workstation in response to a request from a user and storing the session information in the computer workstation for updating the respective balance or user account balance when it reconnects to the central computer. In addition, instructions may also be included to cause the computer workstation, based on a request from the central computer, to provide the central computer with the remaining time until the session time limit expires. Thus, the central computer can use the estimated time of the computer workstations (and other computer workstations connected in a computer network) to provide a user who is making a computer reservation request, an estimated time up to that a user session is available, through a registration computer, for example.

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram of a computer network according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram of an alternative embodiment of the computer network of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a schematic block diagram of yet another embodiment of the computer network of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a flow chart of a procedure for using the computer network of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a flow chart of an alternate embodiment of the method of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a flow chart of a procedure for using the computer network of Figure 2.

Figure 7 is a flow chart of a procedure for using the computer network of Figure 3.

Figure 8 is a flow chart of an alternate embodiment of the method of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a schematic block diagram of a prior art computer network and a reservation and time management system thereof.

Figure 10 is a screenshot of a user login screen for the prior art system illustrated in Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a screenshot illustrating an informational window generated by the prior art system illustrated in Figure 9.

Figure 12 is a screenshot of another informational window generated by the prior art system illustrated in Figure 9.

Figure 13 is a schematic block diagram of a computer network configuration for implementing the reservation function of the prior art system of Figure 9.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiments

The present invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. However, this invention can be carried out in many different ways and should in no way be construed as being limited to the embodiments presented herein. Rather, the embodiments are provided so that this disclosure is rigorous and complete, and fully expresses the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Just as numbers refer to equivalent elements throughout, prime and multi-prime notation is used to indicate similar elements in alternate embodiments.

ES 2 298 537 T3

The various features and advantages of the present invention may be implemented in a variety of computer systems, procedures, and computer software applications, as will be described later herein. In particular, the features of the invention are suitable for use in the Pharos SignUp software application, outlined above. Thus, the prior art SignUp system will now be described with reference to Figures 9 to 13 as prior background training to aid in understanding the further description of the present invention.

More particularly, SignUp may require users to reserve their use of any computer workstation 101, such as a personal computer (PC), on a computer network 100. This provides greater control over the use of network resources. , more efficient use in a high-demand environment, and the ability to distribute the load between workstations 101. The information collected through the SignUp system allows a more accurate assessment of the use value of any computer, demonstrates the need to increase or reduce the quantities of any type of computer, and improves the departmental budget by identifying cost overruns and areas in need of impact on users. In addition, it can also encourage better pre-planning of specific tasks to ensure that the computer or computers necessary to complete tasks can be reserved on time, as well as reduce the use of computers for less necessary, personal or frivolous tasks, if deemed appropriate in a certain application.

SignUp works as follows. A small application called the SignUp client 102 is installed on all user computer workstations 101 to be controlled. Only a single computer workstation 101 is shown in Figure 9 for illustrative clarity, but any number of workstations can be used. The SignUp client application 102 runs in the background on all user workstations 101 and controls user access to the workstations. That is, each workstation 101 controlled by the SignUp system has a corresponding computer tab in the database. The properties configured for a particular workstation 101 affect its availability to users. These properties are sent to the SignUp client application 102 through a SignUp service (described later).

The SignUp client application 102 ensures that all time quotas are met and that the workstation 101 is available for any queued reservations that have been assigned to it. It works in conjunction with a central computer or SignUp server 103. However, the workstation 101 will operate in local or decentralized mode in case the SignUp server 103 is not available. The SignUp 102 client requires all users to identify themselves before they can use workstation 101. A user cannot log in unless they have reserved workstation 101, or currently do not have workstation 101. Bookings.

The SignUp 102 client is visible to users in three ways. The first is through a login screen 104 (Figure 10), which replaces the standard Windows login screen. When idle or idle, it displays the status of the workstation 101, and when a user requests to start a user session at the workstation, the SignUp 102 client prompts the user for the identification code (ID) and password. password. These can be assigned in advance by a system administrator, for example.

The second way that the SignUp 102 client becomes visible to the user during a session is when the SignUp 105 icon is displayed in the system tray. Placing the mouse pointer over the icon 105 opens a window 106 that shows the user the time remaining in their session, as shown in an illustrative way in Figure 11. Third, the SignUp client can also display a message window 107 to the user (Figure 12). These messages can be messages generated by the system (for example, notices indicating that the session is about to end), or sent to the user by a staff member using a management application.

Installing the SignUp 102 client software also inserts an entry from workstation 101 into the database of server 103. The SignUp client 102 controls access to workstation 101, sets all time quotas / usage, and ensures that workstation 101 is available for any reservations assigned to it. Information about booking sessions is communicated to the SignUp service on the SignUp 103 server. As shown in an alternative embodiment illustrated in Figure 13, if desired, the database and the SignUp service can be implemented on separate servers 103b 'and 103a'.

The SignUp service is developed based on Windows and runs on the server 103 or 103a 'and manages all the workstations 101 in a defined area, for example, on a building floor. Multiple SignUp services can operate within the system or network 100. The SignUp service controls access to workstations 101 based on reservation requirements and availability options configured for each workstation.

The SignUp service provides the SignUp 102 customer with its configuration information (for example, where it is located, what type of computer it is, what types of reservation it will accept, what hours it is available). When a user tries to log into a workstation 101 where the SignUp client 102 is running, the SignUp client passes the user-supplied details back to the SignUp service, which checks the details against the database. of data. If the user is successfully identified, the SignUp service also returns the details of any account information (for example, reservation fees, balance or money balance, etc.) that the user may have.

ES 2 298 537 T3

In cases where reservation requests are to be made, the user requests a workstation 101 on a dedicated reservation management computer 104 'configured as a station that provides access to network services. This reservation computer 104 'is connected to the SignUp service of the server 103a', which has a global view of all the available workstations 101. The SignUp service allows (or rejects) the user's reservation request on the spot. A SignUp service manages all workstations 101 in a defined area, for example a floor of a building. Many SignUp services can operate within the system. The SignUp service controls access to the workstations 101 according to the reservation requirements and the availability options configured for the given computer. In cases where advance reservations are not required, users can log into any available workstation 101 simply by walking over to the pampering and logging in.

When making a reservation that is entered into a queue, the user first makes a reservation request and the SignUp service places a request in a queue that is displayed on a queue management station 105 ', for example. As workstations 101 are assigned to users, they are directed to go to their respective workstation to start a session. The reservation is recorded in a database on the server 103b '.

Referring again to Figure 9, when a reservation is activated, the user logs in at workstation 101 and the SignUp client 102 sends the supplied details to the SignUp server 103. The SignUp server 103 instructs the SignUp client 102 if the login was successful. At the start of the session, the SignUp client 102 passes the session details (for example, start time) to the SignUp server 103. At the end of the session, the SignUp client 102 passes the session details (for example, end time), to the SignUp server 103.

Bearing in mind the background indicated above, the various aspects and the various characteristics of the present invention are described below and in the first place in relation to a computing system 20 and related procedure for using the same illustrated in Figures 1 and 4 , respectively. In particular, the computer network 20 illustratively includes a central computer 21 (eg, a server) and a plurality of computer workstations 22 that can be selectively connected thereto. The computing workstations 22 can run local or remote applications, for example, such as "thin client" or "thin client" applications, client-server applications, Web applications, word processors, spreadsheets, and the like. As an example, the computer workstations 22 may be PCs, but they could also be mainframe terminals, Macintosh computers, thin clients or LINUX-based terminals, or other suitable workstations, as will be understood by experts in the field. subject.

It should also be noted that the central device 21 could be a designated computer workstation 22, or the various central computer functions (to be described later) could be distributed among several computer workstations, such as in a point-to-point configuration. , for instance. Also, as used herein, when the host computer 21 and the computer workstations 22 are indicated to be "connected" it simply means that there is some type of connection for data communication between them. In the illustrated embodiment, this connection is shown as a physical or wired connection, which could be a fiber optic cable or a standard electrical signal cable, for example, but wireless connections or other types of connections can also be used. adequate communication. Furthermore, when it is indicated herein that the central computer 21 and the computer workstations 22 are "disconnected" it simply means that during a period of time the communication of data between them is disabled for any reason. For example, this situation could occur when the central computer 21 is shut down, disconnected from the network, some signal interference occurs (such as in the case of a wireless connection), a connection cable to the connection is damaged or disconnected. central computer, etc.

The procedure begins (Block 40) with the storage of the balances or balances in the central computer 21, in Block 41, for users authorized to use the computer system 20. The balances or balances of the user accounts, which will be described later, can be stored in a memory 23, as shown in an illustrative way, which could be a hard disk drive or other suitable storage device, as they can understand experts in the field.

Upon receiving a request to initiate a user session at a workstation 22, at Block 42, the workstation determines whether it is connected to the central computer 21, at Block 43. If this is the case, and if the user making the request has a respective user account balance greater than a balance threshold, in Block 44, then the computer workstation 22 cooperates with the central computer to initiate the user session at the computer workstation, at block 45. The user request identifies the user who has made the request and will typically include an individual user ID or identifier and password, although other suitable identifying data (eg, biometric information, smart cards, etc.) may also be used. If the balance of the user account is below the balance threshold, the central computer 21 will deny the login request (and will cause the workstation 22 to inform the user, for example via a window similar to window 107), in Block 50, thus concluding the illustrated procedure (Block 51).

If the session is started, the central computer 21 and the computer workstation cooperate in updating the respective balances or user account balances based on the user session, in Block 46. That is, the balance or

ES 2 298 537 T3 user account balance can be a balance or time balance, in which case the central computer 21 can deduct from this balance or balance as the user session progresses. Of course, the central computer 21 could carry out such deductions relatively continuously, periodically, or simply at the end of the user session. The balance or time balance can be established in a number of ways, such as by allocating the same amount of time to all users, or simply by allowing users to purchase different amounts of time.

Another procedure is to use a balance of a monetary account. In this way, if users are to be charged a charge corresponding to the time they spend using a workstation 22, then the appropriate amount of money can be deducted from user account balances or balances. A monetary account also gives the network owner the flexibility to bill for other functions performed during user sessions in addition to computer usage time, such as printing. Of course, both the monetary and time account balance could be maintained, if desired, in a given application.

Central computer 21 and computer workstation 22 also cooperate during the user session in determining when a respective user account balance is below the balance threshold, at Block 47. Again, this could be determined based on how long the user continues to use the workstation 22 in the case of a balance or time balance, or the amount of funds remaining in the user's account is deducted after applying the charges for the usage time and / or printing, etc. of the balance of a monetary account. It should also be noted that the balance threshold can be set to any desired value, including zero, depending on the particular application and the preferences or policies of the network administrator or the organization, for example, and there could even be different users for different types of computers.

If the user's account balance falls below the balance threshold, then the central computer 21 and workstation 22 cooperate in terminating the user session, at block 48, concluding the illustrated procedure ( Block 49). For example, when the central computer 21 updates the user account balance based on elapsed session time, printing charges, etc., and the balance falls below the balance threshold, then the central computer could send an instruction to the workstation 22 causing the latter to terminate the session and notify the user appropriately. Other account update and completion procedures may also be used, as described below.

According to the invention , the computer network 20 advantageously provides for improved operational flexibility when the central computer 21 and the user workstations 22 are disconnected. In particular, when disconnected from the central computer 21 (Block 43), each workstation 22 can, on its own, initiate a user session in response to a user request, at Block 52. The disconnect between the host computer 21 and the workstations 22 is illustratively shown with an open switch 25 in Figure 1 for the sake of illustrative clarity. Again, it should be remembered that as used herein, the term "disconnection" does not only mean a physical disconnection as is the case with an actual switch, but can represent any event that causes the interruption of data communication between central computer 21 and workstation (s) 22, as discussed above.

As experts in the field will appreciate, many session time control and / or reservation management systems do not allow a user to initiate a user session unless the balance of the user's account is first verified. , which would not be possible when a data connection to the central computer 21 is not established. However, the workstations 22 can be configured to initiate a "local" or "decentralized" session when a valid identifier is entered (eg, a password with the correct number and / or type of characters), for example. Of course, other criteria could be used to determine a valid password, biometric, etc. (or nothing).

Once the workstation 22 initiates the user session, then the workstation stores session information to update the respective balance of the user account when it reconnects to the central computer, in Block 53. The information Session data can be stored in the memories 24 of the workstations 22, for example. Again, said memories can be hard disk drives, RAM memories, or any other suitable storage medium. In this way, according to the present invention, users will still be able to use the workstations 22 during a crash of the central computer 21, although the charges of any type of need that must be made to their balances or user account balances can be carried out. advantageously carried out when the workstations and the central computer are reconnected, in Block 54.

In the local or decentralized mode described above, the workstations 22 are cached as much information as possible in advance (for example, at network startup), providing the workstations with the ability to operate. when the central computer 21 is not available (for whatever reason). 22 workstations will be available for immediate reservations (ie walk-in). Of course, if the central computer 21 becomes available and connected to the network while the session is still in progress, the workstations 22 will preferably check the user's account details and, if they are not valid or without the balance or The user's balance is below the balance threshold, the session is ended as described above. Alternatively, a workstation 22 may continue an ongoing session if the host computer 21 becomes unavailable again after the session has started.

ES 2 298 537 T3

Turning now further to Figure 5, still further advantageous features may also be included in the method and computer network 20 described above. For example, the central computer 21 may also advantageously store respective user configuration options for each user so that the computer workstations 22 can cooperate with the central computer in implementing the user configuration options for the respective users in the start of user sessions, in Block 55 '. In this way, users do not need to have to reconfigure their computer "desktop" each time they start a user session, but only have to do it once and these configuration options will be implemented during subsequent sessions, as you can. understand an expert in the field.

Other network profiles and policies can also be stored on the host computer 21 and associated with specified user accounts, thereby controlling user access to features of their desktop environment. In addition, in some embodiments users can log into the system at computer workstations 22 using a common guest account, and multiple environments can be configured to allow multiple logins to be available to the guest mode system, as understood by a skilled.

Still further, computer workstations 22 and / or host computer 21 preferably also implement a session time control logout feature, as described above. That is, computer workstations 22 preferably determine when the session time limit has elapsed, at Block 56 ', at which point the session can be terminated (Block 48'). This promotes fairness and fairness in the use of computer workstations by providing equal uptime for all users. Of course, this could also be implemented based on resource utilization. For example, a user could be limited to a certain amount of time based on a paid service (for example LEXIS / NEXIS), processing time, data usage volume, bandwidth, etc.

The session time limit will typically be set in advance by a network administrator based on organization policies or preferences, for example, and can be any desired length of time. Additionally, the various time limits, rules, etc., could be dynamically adjusted by the central computer based on computer workstations 22 crashes, lost connections to databases or the Internet, or other events, for example. This can be done at the central computer 21, or at a workstation 22 or another network computer by entering an administrator ID or password that allows the administrator to modify the system configuration options stored in the central computer, for example , as well as avoiding other user rules.

However, instead of immediately ending a user session as soon as the session time limit has elapsed, the central computer 21 and workstations 22 can optionally be configured to advantageously cooperate and determine total network usage based on to current user sessions, in Block 57 '. Thus, if the total network usage is below a predetermined threshold (for example, a predetermined number of computers are not being used or have not been reserved, etc.), in Block 56 ', it can be allowed to user sessions exceed the session time limit, in Block 58 '. Of course, the balance threshold or account balance (Block 47 ') that must be met can still be enforced.

Turning now further to Figures 2 and 6, an alternative computer network 20 'and related procedure for the use thereof according to the invention will now be described. In the illustrated embodiment, at the start of a user session, the computer workstation 22 'in question copies the respective balance of the user account from the central computer 21, in Block 60 ". The user account balances stored in the computer workstation 22 '(Block 61 ”) are then updated at the workstation based on computer use, printing, etc., during the respective user session. . That is, the computer workstation 22 'maintains an "ongoing" user account balance during the session, which again may be time balances and / or money balances, as discussed above.

According to this particularly advantageous aspect of the invention, after the end of the user session, in Block 62 ", the computer workstation 22 'sends an updated user account balance to the central computer 21', in Block 63 ", thus concluding the illustrated procedure (Block 64"). Such termination may be due to any of the reasons described above or other reasons (i.e. session time limit exceeded, balance drops, or account balance below a known minimum threshold for computer workstation 22 ', exit from user's system, a power failure, etc.). Thus, it is no longer necessary to have to exchange numerous communications between the computer workstations and the central computer 21 to keep the account balances up to date, which reduces the traffic on the network, as well as the processing requirements.

Next, yet another computer network 20 "and related procedure for the use of the same advantageous with relation to Figures 3 and 7 will be described. In particular, the computer network 20 "includes one or more standby computers 26" for cooperation with the central computer 21 "to schedule reservations of user sessions prior to user sessions, in the same way as described above in relation to the existing SignUp software application. By way of example, the reservation computer 26 "could be local (that is, it could be in the same place as the computer workstations 22"), or it could be located remotely and could be connected to the central computer 21 'via Internet, etc., for example. In some

In embodiments, reservations could also be made by means of a telephone interface, as will be understood by those skilled in the art.

According to the invention, starting at Block 70, once a reservation request has been received in the reservation computer 26 ", the central computer 21" and the reservation computer cooperate to schedule the reservation (in case it is verified balance / appropriate account information). Furthermore, they also advantageously cooperate to provide the user making the request with an estimated wait time prior to a user session being available based on the elapsed times of the current user sessions and a number of requests for reservation of session sessions. pending user, in Blocks 73 and 74, thus concluding the illustrated procedure (in Block 75).

Pending session requests can be stored in a memory 27 "in the reservation computer 26". Of course, they could also be stored in the central computer 21 "(or any other storage device), if desired. It should also be noted that the reservation does not need to be automatically scheduled upon receipt of a reservation request, but rather the user can be allowed to decide whether to confirm a reservation based on the estimated waiting time. The way in which the elapsed times are determined varies depending on whether the central computer 21 "or the workstations keep track of the session times, for example.

In case of the latter, then the central computer 21 "could poll the computer workstations 22" based on a reservation request to obtain this information and forward this information to the reservation computer 26 "so that it can estimate the waiting time, or the central computer could estimate the waiting time and forward it to the reservation computer. Those skilled in the art should understand that several variations on this process are possible depending on a given network configuration.

With further reference to an alternative embodiment of the method illustrated in Figure 8, the computer workstations 22 "may be assigned to one of a plurality of groups. This could be done based on where workstations are located, expected computer utilization, type of workstations (eg, PCs, Macintosh computers, mainframe terminals, etc.). This could also be done based on the applications available on a 22 ”computer workstation, network policies / regulations regarding the use of computers, type of user (i.e. some computers may be reserved for certain types of uses, clients, etc.), computer settings, and user profiles, for example.

If the computer workstations 22 "corresponding to a given group are not available for reservation of user sessions at a required time, in Block 80 ', then the central computer 21" and the reservation computer 26 "cooperate to provide or suggest alternative user session reservations for computer workstations of another group that are available at the required time. The order in which the various types of workstations will be considered alternatives will preferably be configurable by the network administrator, for example, as described above to implement other network configuration options. If the user accepts the alternative reservation, in Block 82 ', then the reservation can be confirmed and scheduled, in Block 72'. The organization of computers can also be found on two levels: branch offices (representing actual physical locations), and groups of computers within those branches (representing the physical grouping of 22 ”workstations within a site). Some system properties can be configured globally across all branches, while others are applicable per group.

Various other advantageous features may also be implemented in one or more of the embodiments described above. For example, the central computer 21 "and the reservation computer 26" may also cooperate in scheduling reservations for user sessions based on a maximum allowable number of user session reservations and / or an amount of time that it will take place prior to the respective user session. For example, rules can be configured to allow a user to have only two user sessions on the same day, or a total usage time of two hours on the same day. Of course, any number of settings and time limits can be used. In addition, other rules and / or policies may be used that override the current rules and / or policies and take effect within a given period of time (for example, rules may be implemented to prohibit user sessions for a given period regardless of status. of the user or the balance of the user account.

The present invention also advantageously allows integration of the reservation computer 26 "with other counting / printing / copying stations or computers. That is, some prior art procedures allow a reservation system to be integrated with a print / copy management system to allow limited account maintenance from your reservation computer. According to the present invention, the tasks of reservation, printing, copying, and / or account maintenance, all of which can be advantageously carried out from an application that is running on the reservation computer 26 "and / or on the central computer 21 ", for instance. In addition, a programming interface can be provided to allow customizable reservation rules.

It should also be noted that the aspects and features indicated above can advantageously be implemented on a software or other computer-readable medium that has computer-executable instructions for one or more of the computers described above.