JPH10108024A - Data processing unit and data processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the data processing unit and the data processing method in which a processing time is reduced and an image file with a small capacity is generated. SOLUTION: The data processing unit 30 has a CPU 31 that controls the entire sections. To this control section 31, an I/F 32 that receives image data fed from an external device and transfers the image data subject to a prescribed data processing, that is, compression processing or non-compression processing to the external device, is connected. Moreover, to this control section 31, a 1st memory 33 that tentatively stores the image data received by the I/F 32, a data processing section 34 that reads the image data stored in the 1st memory 33 and applies a prescribed data processing, that is, compression processing or non-compression processing to the data, and a 2nd memory 35 that stores compressed image data subject to compression processing or bit map data subject to non-compression processing as an image file, are connected.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data processing apparatus and a data processing method applied to the data processing apparatus, and more particularly, to an uncompressed image file generated from a printer driver or the like so as to minimize the size of the image file. Also, the present invention relates to a data processing apparatus and a data processing method for automatically selecting one of compression methods.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a host computer capable of generating image data to be printed is an application for generating a print image such as a document file or a graphic to be printed, and a data processing apparatus for generating image data from the print image. It has.

This data processing device includes a printer driver and the like, and generates compressed or uncompressed image data from a print image created by an application. The image data is temporarily stored in the hard disk in the form of an image file. The stored image file is transferred to an externally connected image forming apparatus such as a digital copying machine or a laser beam printer, and the image forming apparatus forms an image on a sheet as a recording material based on the image file. You.

In a conventional data processing apparatus, a compression format or a non-compression format is selected as a generation format of image data when a user gives a predetermined instruction to a host computer.

[0005]

However, when image data is generated from a print image in a compressed format and stored on a hard disk as an image file, image data is generated in an uncompressed format depending on the image pattern of the print image. In some cases, the capacity of the image file to be stored may be larger than in the case of the above.

In such a case, there is a problem that the number of image files that can be stored in the hard disk decreases. Also,
If the free space of the hard disk is reduced, it becomes impossible to generate an image file, and a desired image may not be obtained.

For this reason, the user needs to increase the number of data storage devices such as hard disks to secure more storage areas. Alternatively, it is necessary for the user to select a format in which the size of the image file becomes smaller, and to generate the image file again. For this reason, a problem that the processing time becomes longer occurs.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a data processing apparatus and a data processing method capable of shortening the processing time and creating a smaller image file.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made on the basis of the above problems, and is a conversion method for generating image data by converting image data in one of a compressed data format and an uncompressed data processing format. Means, storage means for sequentially storing the converted data converted by the conversion means, and conversion data stored in the storage means while the image data is being converted in the data processing format by the conversion means. Based on the capacity, control means for continuously converting in the data processing format, or determining whether to convert the image data again by switching the data processing format of the conversion means to the other data processing format, It is intended to provide a data processing device provided with the above.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided a conversion means for converting image data in a page unit into a data processing format of one of a compression format and a non-compression format to generate conversion data; Converted data sequentially,
A storage unit for storing, while the image data is being converted in the data processing format by the conversion unit, based on a capacity of the conversion data stored in the storage unit and a range of the page where the conversion is completed, Control means for determining whether to continuously convert in the processing format or to switch the data processing format of the conversion means to the other data processing format and convert the image data again. A data processing device is provided.

Further, according to the present invention, conversion means for converting image data in page units in one of a data processing format of a compression format and a non-compression format to generate conversion data, and Conversion data sequentially
A storage unit for storing the image data in the compression format by the conversion unit, and storing the conversion data converted in the compression format in the storage unit while the conversion data stored in the storage unit is being stored. Based on the capacity and the range of pages occupied by the converted image data, when it is determined that the converted data capacity of the converted image data for one page is larger than that in the case of conversion in the non-compressed format. Switching the data processing format to the non-compressed format and converting the image data again to the non-compressed format;
Control means for continuing the conversion in the compression format if it is determined that the capacity of the converted data after the conversion in the compression format of the image data for the page is equal to or smaller than that in the case of the conversion in the non-compression format, A data processing device comprising:

Still further, according to the present invention, a conversion means for converting image data in a page unit into a data processing format of one of a compression format and a non-compression format to generate conversion data, Storage means for sequentially storing the converted data, capacity detection means for detecting the capacity A of the converted data corresponding to one page in the uncompressed format, and when n> 1, the capacity A Setting means for setting a value of 1 / n as a threshold value B; and converting the image data in a compression format by the conversion means, and storing the converted data converted in the compression format in the storage means. If the capacity of the converted data stored in the storage means exceeds the threshold value B and the range of pages occupied by the image data that has been converted at this time is less than 1 / n of one page, Data processing apparatus for and control means for converting the data processing form image data again by switching to a non-compressed format in uncompressed format, further comprising a wherein is provided.

Still further, according to the present invention, a converting means for converting image data in a page unit into a data processing format of one of a compression format and an uncompressed format to generate conversion data; Storage means for sequentially storing the converted data, capacity detection means for detecting the capacity A of the converted data corresponding to one page in the uncompressed format, and when n> 1, the capacity A Setting means for setting a value of 1 / n as a threshold value B; and converting the image data in a compression format by the conversion means, and storing the converted data converted in the compression format in the storage means. If the capacity of the converted data stored in the storage means exceeds the threshold value B and the range of pages occupied by the image data that has been converted at this time is less than 1 / n of one page, Data processing apparatus for and control means for converting the data processing form image data again by switching to a non-compressed format in uncompressed format, further comprising a wherein is provided.

Still further, according to the present invention, a converting means for converting image data in a page unit into a data processing format of one of a compression format and a non-compression format to generate conversion data, Storage means for sequentially storing the converted data, capacity detection means for detecting the capacity A of the converted data corresponding to one page in the uncompressed format, and when n> 1, the capacity A Setting means for setting a value of 1 / n as a threshold value B; and converting the image data in a compression format by the conversion means, and storing the converted data converted in the compression format in the storage means. If the capacity of the conversion data stored in the storage means exceeds the threshold value B and the range of the page occupied by the converted image data at this point exceeds 1 / n of one page, The data processing apparatus is provided which is characterized by comprising control means for continuing the conversion by condensation format, the.

Still further, according to the invention, a conversion step of converting image data into one of a data processing format of a compression format and a non-compression format to generate conversion data; In the storage step of sequentially storing data, and in the conversion step and the storage step, while the image data is being converted in the data processing format, based on the capacity of the conversion data already stored in the storage step, Whether to continuously convert in the data processing format,
Alternatively, there is provided a data processing method, comprising: a determination step of switching the data processing format in the conversion step to the other data processing format and determining whether to convert the image data again.

Still further, according to the present invention, a conversion step of converting image data in a page unit into a data processing format of one of a compression format and an uncompression format to generate conversion data; The storage step of sequentially storing the converted data, and in the conversion step and the storage step, while the image data is being converted in the data processing format, the capacity of the conversion data already stored in the storage step and Based on the range of pages for which conversion has been completed, it is determined whether to continuously convert in the data processing format or to switch the data processing format in the conversion process to the other data processing format and convert the image data again. A data processing method, comprising the steps of:

Still further, according to the present invention, a conversion step of converting image data in page units in a compression format to generate conversion data, and a storage step of sequentially storing the conversion data converted in the compression format. In the conversion step and the storage step, while the image data is being stored after being converted, based on the capacity of the conversion data already stored in the storage step and the range of pages occupied by the converted image data. A determining step of determining whether or not the converted data capacity of the converted image data of one page is larger than that in the case of converting in an uncompressed format; If it is determined that the capacity of the converted data after the data conversion is larger than when converted in the non-compressed format, the data processing format is switched to the non-compressed format. The step of converting the image data in the non-compressed format again, and in the determining step, the capacity of the converted data of the one-page image data after the conversion in the compressed format is equal to or smaller than that in the case of the non-compressed format. And a step of continuously converting the data in accordance with the compression format when it is determined to be smaller.

Still further, according to the present invention, there is provided a conversion means for converting image data in a page unit in a compression format to generate conversion data, and a storage means for sequentially storing the conversion data converted by the conversion means. Detecting a capacity A of the converted data corresponding to one page in the uncompressed format, and setting a value of 1 / n of the capacity A as a threshold value B when n> 1. In the conversion step and the storage step, while storing the conversion data converted in the compression format in the storage unit, the capacity of the conversion data already stored in the storage step exceeds the threshold B, And a determining step of determining whether the range of the page occupied by the converted image data at this point is less than 1 / n of one page. In the determining step, if the condition is not satisfied, When disconnection, the data processing method characterized by comprising the a step of converting the image data again by switching the data processing form in an uncompressed format in uncompressed format is provided.

Still further, according to the present invention, there is provided a conversion means for converting image data in a page unit in a compression format to generate conversion data, and a storage means for sequentially storing the conversion data converted by the conversion means. Detecting a capacity A of the converted data corresponding to one page in the uncompressed format, and setting a value of 1 / n of the capacity A as a threshold value B when n> 1. In the conversion step and the storage step, while storing the conversion data converted in the compression format in the storage unit, the capacity of the conversion data already stored in the storage step exceeds the threshold B, And a determination step of determining whether the range of pages occupied by the image data that has been converted at this point is less than 1 / n of one page, and the determination step satisfies the above condition. If it is determined, the data processing method is characterized in that and a step of converting continuously by the compression format is provided.

[0020]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a data processing apparatus and a data processing method according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a print function of a host computer provided with the data processing device of the present invention.

A host computer (hereinafter, referred to as a PC) 10 equipped with the data processing device is provided with an application 12 for creating a print image such as a document file or a graphic to be printed. A data processing device including a printer driver 14 for generating image data to be transferred to an image forming device described later for each page of the document file, and a storage device 16 such as a hard disk for storing the generated image data in the form of an image file And a print manager 18 for transferring the stored image files to an externally connected image forming apparatus.

The data processing device including the printer driver 14 generates compressed image data or uncompressed format, that is, bitmap image data from a print image.

Examples of image data compression formats include a modified Huffman format (MH format) as a one-dimensional encoding system, a modified read format (MR format) as a two-dimensional encoding system, and a basic facsimile encoding system. Modified as a modified
A lead format (MMR format) or the like is adopted.

The image forming apparatus to which the image file is transferred is, for example, a digital copying machine, a laser beam printer, or the like. Hereinafter, a schematic configuration of a digital copying apparatus as an example of an image forming apparatus will be described.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the digital copying apparatus. This digital copier 2
0 has a control unit 21 that controls and controls the whole. The control unit 21 includes a scanner unit 22 for reading an original image, a print unit 23 for forming an image on a sheet as a recording material based on image data corresponding to the original image read by the scanner unit 22, an image data , And an I / F 25 that transfers image data generated by the image forming apparatus to an external device and receives image data supplied from the external device.

The scanner unit 22 performs an operation of reading a document image based on a request from the control unit 21, converts the read image into image data, and transfers the image data to the control unit 21. The start of the reading operation of the scanner unit 22 and the setting of each parameter are performed by the control unit 21.

The printing unit 23 forms an image on a sheet based on the image data sent from the control unit 21 according to a request from the control unit 21. The control of the operation of the printing unit and the setting of each parameter are executed by the control unit 21.

According to a request from the control unit 21, the memory 24
The image data sent from the control unit 21 is temporarily stored therein, and the stored image data is sent to the control unit 21 according to a request from the control unit 21.

The I / F 25, according to the request of the control unit 21,
Read the image data stored in the memory 24,
The image data is transferred to the connected external device, and the image data supplied from the external device is received and transferred to the control unit 21.

Image data such as compressed image data or uncompressed bitmap data supplied from the print manager 18 of the PC 10 as an external device is
It is received by the I / F 25 of the image forming apparatus 20 and the control unit 21
Is forwarded to The image data is temporarily stored in the memory 24. Then, the control unit 21 reads out the image data stored at a predetermined timing and supplies the read image data to the printing unit 23, and controls the printing unit 23 so that the image corresponding to the image data supplied from the PC 10 is printed on the paper. To form

In the above-described embodiment, the image data is generated in the compressed format or the non-compressed format by the data processing device provided in the PC 10. However, a plurality of external devices can transmit the data through a common bus line. The configuration connected to the processing device may be adopted.

That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the data processing device 30 has a CPU 31 for controlling and controlling the whole. The control unit 31 is connected to an I / F 32 that receives image data supplied from an external device and transfers image data subjected to predetermined data processing, that is, compression processing or non-compression processing, to the external device. ing. Further, the control unit 31 reads the image data stored in the first memory 33 for temporarily storing the image data received by the I / F 32 and performs predetermined data processing, that is, compression. A data processing unit 34 for performing processing or non-compression processing, and a second memory 35 for storing compressed image data subjected to compression processing or bitmap data subjected to non-compression processing as an image file are connected.

The data processing device 30 is connected to the I / O
It is connected to the bus line 40 via F32. This bus line 40 has a digital copying machine (D-PP
C) 41, a facsimile (FAX) 42, a host computer (PC) 43, a scanner 44, a printer 45, and the like are connected via respective I / Fs.

The D-PPC 41 has a scanner section for reading a document image, and the image data of the document image read by this scanner section is transferred to the data processing device 30 via the bus line 40, and a predetermined Data processing is performed. The D-PPC 41 has a printing unit that forms an image on a sheet based on image data. D-PP from the data processing device 30 via the bus line 40
The image data subjected to the predetermined data processing supplied to C41 is developed by the control unit in the D-PPC 41,
An image is printed on paper by the printing unit.

The FAX 42 receives image data transmitted through a communication line, and forms a print unit for forming an image on a sheet based on the image data. A transmission unit for transmitting image data created by another external device via a communication line. Image data created by another external device is subjected to predetermined data processing by the data processing device 30, and then supplied to the FAX 42 via the bus line 40.
After being developed by the control unit in the FAX 42, it is transmitted to the outside via a communication line.

The PC 43 has an application for creating image data such as a document file. PC43
Is transferred to the data processing device 30 via the bus line 40. Then, after predetermined data processing is performed by the data processing device 30, the data is transferred to an image forming device having an image forming function, for example, a D-PPC 41 via the bus line 40, and is controlled by a control unit in the D-PPC 41. After the development, the image corresponding to the document file is printed on the paper by the printing unit.

The scanner 44 reads a document image and creates image data. This image data is stored in bus line 4
0 to the data processing device 30. And
After predetermined data processing is performed by the data processing device 30, the data is transferred to an image forming device having an image forming function, for example, a D-PPC 41 via a bus line 40, and is transferred to the D-PPC 41.
After being developed by the control unit in the PC 41, an image corresponding to the document image is printed on a sheet by the printing unit.

The printer 45 forms an image on a sheet based on image data generated by another external device connected to the bus line 40, for example, the PC 43 or the scanner 44. That is, the image data subjected to the predetermined data processing by the data processing device 30 is transferred to the printer via the bus line 40, developed by the control unit in the printer 45, and then the image is printed on paper. .

Next, a data processing method executed by the data processing apparatus of the present invention will be described. When the contents of the image are characters, for example, when the image data is compressed in the MMR format, the size of the image file is about 1/10 to 1/20 of that in the case where the image file is created in the uncompressed bitmap format. It is about the size. However, in the case of a complex image such as a photograph, the compression ratio is considerably reduced, and in some cases, the size of the image file is larger than that of the non-compressed bitmap image data.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the image size. If an image file of A4 size paper is generated at 600 DPI and image data is generated in bitmap format to generate an image file, the size of the image file will be about 4 MB. When the content of the image formed on the A4 size paper is a character,
When image data is created by performing compression processing in the MMR format to generate an image file, the size of the image file becomes approximately 20
It is about 0 KB.

However, when the content of the image is a checkered pattern as shown in FIG. 5, the compression rate is the lowest in the MMR format, and when the image file is generated with the compressed image data, the size of the image file becomes About 3 in map format
It swells to about 12 MB corresponding to double. Since this image file is stored in a memory such as a hard disk, at least 12 MB of free space is required in the memory.

FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of a data processing method executed by the data processing device.
Before generating an image file with compressed or uncompressed image data, a criterion for determining the processing format of the image data, that is, the compressed or uncompressed format, is calculated. First, an image file size A in an uncompressed bitmap format is calculated (S1). Here, the image file size A is calculated in byte units from the number of vertical and horizontal dots of the image. In this S1, the total number of dots of the image,
That is, the reason why the total number of dots calculated by the product of the number of vertical dots and the number of horizontal dots of the image is divided by 8 is that the calculation is performed in byte units.

Subsequently, as a criterion for changing the processing format, a size 1 / n of the image file size A is obtained.
/ N = B is set as a threshold (S2). Note that n> 1.
Then, the compression format is used as the initial image data processing format,
For example, the MMR format is set (S3).

Subsequently, an image file for writing image data generated by data processing is newly opened in a storage device such as a memory (S4). Next, the read position of the image data to be subjected to the data processing, for example, the document file created by the application of the PC and transferred from the PC is moved to the top of the page (S5).

Then, a part of the page data of the document file is read, and image data is generated in the MMR format as a compression format (S6). Then, the generated compressed image data is written to the image file in the memory (S7).

Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the page data of all pages has been converted into image data subjected to data processing. If the data processing has been completed, the image file is closed and the data processing ends (S14). ).

On the other hand, if all the page data has not been converted to image data, it is determined whether the processing format is the compression format or the non-compression format (S9). If the data processing format is the uncompressed format, that is, the bitmap format, the process returns to S6, and the process is repeated until all the page data is converted into the bitmap format image data.

If the data processing format is the compression format, the size of the image file for which writing has been completed so far is compared with the threshold value B calculated in S2 (S1).
0). Here, if the size of the image file does not exceed the threshold value B, the process returns to S6, and the processing is repeated until all the page data is converted into bitmap image data.

If the size of the image file exceeds the threshold value B, it is determined whether the range of the image file to which writing has been completed reaches the 1 / n range of the page. S11). When the image file has been generated up to the 1 / n range of the page, even if the image file is generated at least in the compressed image data, the size is the same as when the image file is generated in the bitmap format And returns to S6 until all page data is converted into bitmap image data.
The process is repeated.

If the generation of the image file has not been completed up to the range of 1 / n of the page, if the image file is continuously generated with the compressed image data as it is,
Since the file size is expected to be larger than when the image file is generated in the bitmap format, the data processing is temporarily stopped, and the format of the data processing is changed to the bitmap format, that is, the uncompressed format (S12).

That is, even though the file size exceeds the file size B corresponding to 1 / n of the image file size A, the fact that image data corresponding to 1 / n of the entire page is not generated means that When the entire image data is generated, the image file size exceeds the size A in the case of the bitmap format, and the compression processing itself becomes useless. Therefore, by generating image data in an uncompressed bitmap format and generating an image file, the size A of the image file smaller than the compressed format can be kept.

After the data processing format is changed to the bitmap format, the image files generated so far are closed and deleted (S13). Then, returning to S4,
Open the image file again and generate the image file again in bitmap format.

As described above, according to the data processing method of the present invention, data to be processed is first processed in a compression format, and an image file is generated using image data in the compression format. Then, based on a predetermined criterion during the generation of the image file, by generating the image file in the data processing format currently being executed, that is, the compression format,
It is determined whether the size of the image file can be made smaller than the image file size in the bitmap format. If it is determined that the size of the image file can be reduced or becomes equal to the size, the image file is continuously generated in a compressed format. If it is determined that the size of the image file generated in the compression format is larger than the size of the image file in the bitmap format, the data processing format is changed to the bitmap format and the image file is generated again.

Therefore, a smaller image file can be automatically generated. Therefore, the number of files that can be stored in a storage device such as a hard disk can be increased, and the problem that an image file cannot be generated halfway can be solved.

Further, as compared with the conventional processing method in which the user switches the data processing format after generating an image file corresponding to the range of the entire page, this data processing method can be processed in a short time. Become.

Further, by setting n in S2 and S11 to a relatively large value, the size of the generated image file can be determined at an early stage of generating the image file, and the processing time can be shortened. In addition, an image file having a smaller size can be created.

[0057]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a data processing apparatus and a data processing method capable of reducing the processing time and creating an image file having a smaller capacity. Can be.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a host computer to which a data processing method of the present invention is applied;

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a digital copying apparatus as an example of an image forming apparatus that forms a print image based on image data transferred from a host computer shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a system including a data processing device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image size;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image that is converted into image data.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a data processing method of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Host computer 12 ... Application 14 ... Printer driver 16 ... Hard disk 18 ... Print manager 20 ... Digital copying apparatus 21 ... Control part 22 ... Scanner part 23 ... Printing part 24 ... Memory 25 ... I / F 30 ... Data processing apparatus 31 ... CPU 32 I / F 33 First memory 34 Data processing unit 35 Second memory 40 Bus line 41 Digital copier 42 Facsimile 43 Host computer 44 Scanner 45 Printer

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A conversion means for converting image data into a data processing format of one of a compression format and a non-compression format to generate conversion data, and a storage for sequentially storing the conversion data converted by the conversion means. Means, while the image data is being converted in the data processing format by the conversion means, based on the capacity of the conversion data stored in the storage means, continuously converting in the data processing format, or Control means for switching the data processing format of the conversion means to the other data processing format and determining whether to convert the image data again. 2. A conversion means for converting image data in a page unit in one of a data processing format of a compression format and a non-compression format to generate conversion data, and sequentially converting the conversion data converted by the conversion device. A storage unit for storing, while the image data is being converted in the data processing format by the conversion unit, based on a capacity of the conversion data stored in the storage unit and a range of the converted page, Control means for determining whether to continuously convert in the processing format or to switch the data processing format of the conversion means to the other data processing format and convert the image data again. Data processing device. 3. A conversion means for converting image data in page units into one of a data processing format of a compression format and a non-compression format to generate conversion data, and sequentially converting the conversion data converted by the conversion means. Storage means for storing, the image data is converted in a compression format by the conversion means,
While storing the converted data converted in the compression format in the storage unit, one page is set based on the capacity of the converted data stored in the storage unit and the range of pages occupied by the converted image data. If it is determined that the capacity of the converted data after the conversion of the image data for one minute is larger than that in the case where the image data is converted in the non-compressed And when it is determined that the capacity of the converted data of the one-page image data after conversion in the compression format is equal to or smaller than that in the case of conversion in the non-compression format, the conversion in the compression format is performed. A data processing device comprising: a control unit for continuing the following. 4. A conversion means for converting image data of a page unit in one of a data processing format of a compression format and a non-compression format to generate conversion data, and sequentially converting the conversion data converted by the conversion device. Storage means for storing; capacity detection means for detecting a capacity A of the converted data corresponding to one page in the uncompressed format; when n> 1, a value of 1 / n of the capacity A is set to a threshold value B
Setting means for setting as, image data is converted in a compression format by the conversion means,
While the conversion data converted in the compression format is being stored in the storage means, the capacity of the conversion data stored in the storage means exceeds the threshold B, and the image data which has been converted at this time is completed. When the range of the page occupied by is less than 1 / n of one page, control means for switching the data processing format to the non-compression format and converting the image data again to the non-compression format is provided. Data processing device. 5. A conversion means for converting image data of a page unit in one of a data processing format of a compression format and a non-compression format to generate conversion data, and sequentially converting the conversion data converted by the conversion device. Storage means for storing; capacity detection means for detecting a capacity A of the converted data corresponding to one page in the uncompressed format; when n> 1, a value of 1 / n of the capacity A is set to a threshold value B
Setting means for setting as, image data is converted in a compression format by the conversion means,
While the conversion data converted in the compression format is being stored in the storage means, the capacity of the conversion data stored in the storage means exceeds the threshold B, and the image data which has been converted at this time is completed. Control means for continuing the conversion in the compression format when the range of the page occupied exceeds 1 / n of one page. 6. A conversion step of converting image data into one of a compressed format and an uncompressed data processing format to generate conversion data, and a storage for sequentially storing the conversion data converted in the conversion process. And in the conversion step and the storage step, while the image data is being converted in the data processing format, based on the capacity of the conversion data already stored in the storage step, continuing in the data processing format. And determining whether to convert the image data again by switching the data processing format in the conversion process to the other data processing format in the conversion process. 7. A conversion step of converting image data of a page unit into one of a data processing format of a compression format and a non-compression format to generate conversion data; and sequentially converting the conversion data converted in the conversion process. In the storing step of storing, in the converting step and the storing step, while the image data is being converted in the data processing format, the capacity of the converted data already stored in the storing step and the range of the converted page. And determining whether to continuously convert the image data in the data processing format, or to switch the data processing format in the conversion process to the other data processing format and convert the image data again based on A data processing method characterized in that: 8. A conversion step of converting image data of each page in a compression format to generate conversion data; a storage step of sequentially storing the conversion data converted in the compression format; and the conversion step and the storage step. In the process of storing the image data after the conversion, the image of one page is stored based on the capacity of the conversion data already stored in the storage step and the range of the page occupied by the converted image data. A judging step of judging whether or not the capacity of the converted data after the data conversion is larger than a case where the data is converted in an uncompressed format; If the data processing format is determined to be larger than that in the case where the image data is converted in the non-compressed format, the data processing format is switched to the non-compressed format, and the image data is again converted to the non-compressed format. In the converting step, in the determining step, when it is determined that the capacity of the converted data of the one page of image data after the conversion in the compression format is equal to or smaller than that in the case of conversion in the non-compression format, Continuously converting according to the compression format. 9. Conversion means for converting image data in page units in a compression format to generate conversion data; storage means for sequentially storing the conversion data converted by said conversion means; A detecting step of detecting a capacity A of the conversion data corresponding to one page; and when n> 1, a value of 1 / n of the capacity A is set to a threshold B
In the setting step, and in the conversion step and the storage step, while storing the conversion data converted in the compression format in the storage unit, the capacity of the conversion data already stored in the storage step is A judgment step of judging whether or not the range of pages occupied by the image data which exceeds the threshold value B and has been converted at this time is less than 1 / n of one page; A step of switching the data processing format to an uncompressed format and converting the image data in the uncompressed format again when it is determined that the data processing format is not present. 10. Conversion means for converting image data in a page unit in a compression format to generate conversion data; storage means for sequentially storing the conversion data converted by the conversion means; A detecting step of detecting a capacity A of the conversion data corresponding to one page; and when n> 1, a value of 1 / n of the capacity A is set to a threshold B
In the setting step, and in the conversion step and the storage step, while storing the conversion data converted in the compression format in the storage unit, the capacity of the conversion data already stored in the storage step is A judgment step of judging whether or not the range of pages occupied by the image data which exceeds the threshold value B and has been converted at this point is less than 1 / n of one page; And a step of continuously converting the data in accordance with the compression format when it is determined that the data format is satisfied.