JP2001130105A - Data converter, method for converting data and computer readable recording medium recording program for executing that method on computer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To offer convenience to a user by informing a predicted output time without sacrifice of print speed and to select a printer optimal document information based on the predicted output time without sacrifice of print speed. SOLUTION: The data converter comprises a section 401 for detecting a processing of document information being executed prior to a designation for converting the document information into transmission data, a preceding converting section 403 for converting the document information into transmission data based on detection of the processing, and a section 406 for calculating a predicted output time of the transmission data from an output unit based on the converted transmission data.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data conversion device for converting document information into transmission data for an output device and transmitting the converted transmission data file, a data conversion method, and a program for causing a computer to execute the method. The present invention relates to a computer-readable recording medium, and in particular to a data conversion apparatus for converting document information prior to a user's explicit conversion instruction, calculating an estimated output time from the converted data, and selecting an optimal printer. ,
The present invention relates to a data conversion method and a recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the spread of computers has facilitated the creation of complex documents containing vector fonts, natural images, graphics, and the like. In order to print such documents with high image quality, the resolution and the like of printers are steadily improving. However, since such improvement causes an increase in the amount of data to be processed, a trade-off between print quality and print speed is required. There is a problem that turning off occurs.

[0003] In particular, today, it is common practice to connect a plurality of printers having different characteristics on a network and share them with a plurality of users. For this reason, when using a printer in such an environment, an optimal printer should be selected so that the output time is short in accordance with the document information to be printed from printers having different characteristics, or according to the type of data to be printed. You need to make a selection.

For example, in the "optimum control method of printer" described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-220624, when printing a plurality of originals using a plurality of printers, the required print time is determined for each combination of the original and the printer. It is disclosed to predict and select an optimal printer for a document so that the printing time of all documents is minimized.

In the "network print system" described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-143755, when a user prints an original, the user receives printer specification information from each printer on the network and prints the data to be printed. It is described that a printer having the most appropriate specification is selected from the contents of the specification and the received specification information.

For example, specification information indicating whether only monochrome printing or color printing is possible is received from each printer, and whether the data content of the original is monochrome data or color data is analyzed. A monochrome printer is selected, and a color printer is selected for a document of a color page.

[0007]

Such a conventional apparatus is excellent in that an optimum printer can be selected from a plurality of printers on a network. However, when any device prints (prints) document information with a printer, the user uses an application program to
Issues an explicit print command to the printer driver. Then, the printer driver starts the predetermined printing operation only when receiving the user's explicit print command. That is, the timing at which the user issues a print command is the starting point of the start of the printing operation.

For this reason, in the "network print system" described in JP-A-6-143755, the analysis / comparison of the data content of the document information and the selection of the printer are executed after the user issues a clear print command. Therefore, there is a problem that the printing speed is reduced rather than when the user specifies a printer in advance.

Similarly, in the "optimum control method of printer" described in JP-A-3-220624, the analysis of the data content of the document information, the calculation of the estimated output time, and the selection of the optimum printer are all performed by the user. Is executed after an explicit print command is issued, which causes a problem that the printing speed is reduced rather than when the user designates a printer in advance.

On the other hand, since the printer data directly contains the original contents, if the original information can be converted into the printer data in advance of the user's explicit print command, the analysis of the original contents can be performed prior to the print command. , Calculation of output prediction time, selection of a printer, and the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and it is possible to notify a user of an estimated output time without lowering the printing speed, thereby facilitating the user's convenience. It is an object of the present invention to provide a data conversion device, a data conversion method, and a computer-readable recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to execute the method is recorded, which can select a printer most suitable for document information without lowering the data. .

[0012]

To achieve the above object, a data conversion apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention comprises:
A data conversion device connected to the output device for converting the document information into transmission data for the output device and transmitting the converted transmission data to the output device; Processing detecting means for detecting a process on the document information to be executed and executed; preceding conversion means for converting the document information into the transmission data based on the detection of the processing by the process detecting means; and Calculating means for calculating an output prediction time when the transmission data is output by the output device based on the converted transmission data.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, prior to a user's instruction to convert document information into transmission data, an output prediction time when the transmission data is output by the output device is calculated. Can be.

Here, the calculation of the estimated output time based on the transmission data is performed by analyzing the contents of the document information from the transmission data. The output prediction time is determined from the type of the intermediate drawing command, the drawing area, the computing performance of the PC, the transfer time to the printer, the performance of the printer driver, and the like. For this reason, if a table showing the relationship between the intermediate drawing command and the processing time is prepared in advance in consideration of the computing performance of the PC, the transfer time to the printer, the performance of the printer driver, etc. By analyzing the type of the drawing command and the drawing area, the output prediction time can be calculated from the table.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the document information is converted into transmission data prior to the user's conversion instruction, and the predicted output time is calculated based on the converted transmission data. Therefore, it is possible to notify the user of the predicted output time without lowering the print speed.

Here, the "process on the document information executed prior to the conversion instruction" in the process detection means refers to a process capable of converting the document information into transmission data. This is a process that makes it possible to issue a print command.

Such a process refers to, for example, a "process for opening a document information file" in a computer environment where a print command can be issued after a document information file is opened, or in a printing environment.

In an environment in which a print command can be issued after reading is started after opening a document information file, this means "document information file reading processing". In an environment where a print command can be issued only after the reading of the document information file is completed, this refers to “document information file reading end processing”.

Further, in an environment where a print command can be issued at the time of starting display of read document information on a display device such as a CRT, this is referred to as “document information display start processing”, and display of read document information on a display device. In the environment where the print command can be issued only after the printing is completed, "display process of document information"
Say. Further, after a state in which a print command can be issued in a pseudo manner, a process of displaying the properties of a printer or a process of selecting a print menu may be performed by the user.

In the present invention, “data” includes not only numerical data but also “instructions” for generating numerical data. That is, since an instruction generally accompanies data such as an argument, "data" in the present invention refers to an instruction and data.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data conversion device connected to a plurality of output devices for converting document information into transmission data for the output device. Processing detection means for detecting processing on the document information executed prior to a conversion instruction for converting to transmission data; and prior conversion for converting the document information to transmission data based on detection of the processing by the processing detection means Means, calculation means for calculating an output prediction time when the transmission data is output by the plurality of output devices based on the transmission data converted by the preceding conversion means, and output prediction calculated by the calculation means Determining means for determining an output device for transmitting the transmission data from the plurality of output devices based on time. .

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the present invention relates to a data conversion device connected to a plurality of output devices, wherein the original conversion information is detected by the preceding conversion unit based on the detection of the processing by the processing detection unit. Into transmission data, calculating means calculates an output prediction time based on the transmission data converted by the preceding conversion means, and deciding means calculates the plurality of outputs based on the output prediction time calculated by the calculation means. Since the output device is determined from the devices, the transmission data is analyzed prior to the user's explicit conversion instruction, and the optimum output device can be selected based on the calculated output prediction time. Therefore, an optimal output device can be selected without lowering the printing speed.

It is to be noted that the plurality of output devices include those directly connected to the data conversion device and those connected via a network.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data conversion device connected to a plurality of output devices for converting document information into transmission data for the output device. Processing detection means for detecting processing on the document information executed prior to a conversion instruction for converting to transmission data; and prior conversion for converting the document information to transmission data based on detection of the processing by the processing detection means Means, and determining means for determining an output device to transmit the transmission data from among the plurality of output devices based on the transmission data converted by the preceding conversion device and characteristics of the plurality of output devices. It is characterized by the following.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, prior to the user's conversion instruction for converting document information into transmission data, a plurality of output devices are determined by the determining means based on the transmission data and the characteristics of the output device. , An optimum output device for transmission data can be determined.

Here, the "characteristics of the output device" refers to all information unique to the output device, such as whether only character data can be printed or image data can be printed, image quality, whether only monochrome printing or color printing can be performed, and the like. .

As described above, according to the third aspect of the present invention, prior to the user's explicit conversion instruction, the document information is converted and the contents of the transmission data are analyzed, and the characteristics of the transmission data and the output device are determined. Since the most suitable output device can be selected based on this, it is possible to select the most suitable output device for printing the document information without lowering the printing speed.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the data conversion device according to the third aspect of the present invention, the determination unit determines the image quality of the data among the transmission data converted by the preceding conversion unit. The output device that transmits the transmission data is determined from the plurality of output devices based on the contents of the transmission device.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, prior to the user's explicit conversion instruction, the document information is converted and the contents of the transmission data are analyzed, and the contents relating to the image quality of the transmission data and the characteristics of the output device are analyzed. Therefore, the most suitable output device can be selected for printing the document information without lowering the print speed.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the data conversion apparatus according to the first to fourth aspects, the format of the transmission data is a format independent of the output device. It is characterized by the following.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the format of the transmission data is a format independent of the output device, even if the output device is different, it is possible to select the output prediction time or the output device. Necessary internal processing can be performed in a unified manner. That is, since the intermediate drawing command does not depend on the output device, the intermediate drawing command and the output time in the transmission data required for calculating the output prediction time and selecting the output device,
It is possible to uniformly create and manage a table indicating the correspondence between the characteristics of the output device and the like.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data conversion method for converting document information into transmission data for an output device and transmitting the converted transmission data to an output device. A process detecting step of detecting a process on the document information executed prior to a conversion instruction for converting the document information into the transmission data; and converting the document information into the transmission data based on the detection of the process by the process detection process. And a calculating step of calculating an output prediction time when the transmission data is output by the output device based on the transmission data converted by the preceding conversion step. .

According to the present invention, original information is converted into transmission data prior to the user's conversion instruction in the preceding conversion step, and is converted by the calculation step prior to the user's explicit conversion instruction. Since the predicted output time is calculated based on the transmitted data, it is possible to notify the user of the predicted output time without lowering the print speed.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data conversion method for converting document information into transmission data for an output device and transmitting the converted transmission data to a plurality of output devices. A process detection step of detecting a process on the document information executed prior to a conversion instruction for converting document information into the transmission data; and transmitting the document information to the transmission data based on the detection of the process by the process detection process. A conversion step of calculating the output prediction time when the transmission data is output by the output device based on the transmission data converted by the preceding conversion step; and Determining an output device that outputs the transmission data from the plurality of output devices based on the estimated output time. The features.

According to the seventh aspect of the invention, the original information is converted into transmission data based on the detection of the processing in the processing detection step in the preceding conversion step, and the output prediction time is calculated based on the transmission data in the calculation step. Calculating and determining the output device from among the plurality of output devices based on the output prediction time calculated in the calculation process in the determination process, so that the transmission data is analyzed and calculated prior to the user's explicit conversion instruction. The optimum output device can be selected based on the predicted output time, so that the optimum output device can be selected without lowering the printing speed.

In the data conversion method according to the present invention, in the data conversion method for converting document information into transmission data for an output device and transmitting the converted transmission data to a plurality of output devices, A process detection step of detecting a process on the document information executed prior to a conversion instruction for converting document information into the transmission data, and converting the document information into transmission data based on the detection of the process by the process detection process A pre-conversion step of converting, and a determining step of determining an output device that transmits the transmission data from the plurality of output devices based on the transmission data converted by the pre-conversion process and the characteristics of the output device, It is characterized by including.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the original information is converted into transmission data based on the detection of the processing in the preceding conversion step, and prior to the user's explicit conversion instruction,
The output data is analyzed from the plurality of output devices based on the characteristics of the output device by analyzing the transmission data in the determination step, so that the optimum output device for printing the document information is selected without reducing the printing speed. can do.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the data conversion method according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the determining step includes the step of determining the image quality of the data among the transmission data converted by the preceding conversion step. The output device that transmits the transmission data is determined from the plurality of output devices based on the contents of the transmission device.

According to the ninth aspect of the invention, prior to the user's explicit conversion instruction, the document information is converted and the contents of the transmission data are analyzed, and the contents relating to the image quality of the transmission data and the characteristics of the output device are analyzed. Therefore, the most suitable output device can be selected for printing the document information without lowering the print speed.

The data conversion method according to the invention described in claim 10 is the data conversion method according to claims 6-9.
The format of the transmission data is a format independent of the output device.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, since the format of the transmission data is a format independent of the output device, even if the output device is different, it is possible to select the output prediction time or the output device. Necessary internal processing can be performed in a unified manner. That is, since the intermediate drawing command does not depend on the output device, the correspondence between the intermediate drawing command in the transmission data, the output time, the characteristics of the output device, and the like required for calculating the output prediction time and selecting the output device is described. The table shown can be created and managed in a unified manner.

A recording medium according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention stores a program for causing a computer to execute the method according to any one of the fifth to eighth aspects, and reads the program by machine. Accordingly, the operations of claims 5 to 8 can be realized by a computer.

[0043]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of a data conversion device, a data conversion method, and a computer-readable recording medium according to the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The form will be described in detail.

[First Embodiment] (Hardware Configuration of Data Conversion Processing System)
A hardware configuration of a data conversion processing system including the data conversion device according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration of a data conversion processing system including a data conversion device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the data conversion processing system includes a data conversion device (computer) 101, a display device (monitor) 102, and an output device (printer) 103.
Consists of This is a normal configuration of a stand-alone type in which a computer and a printer are combined, and a display device 102 for realizing a function of a user interface is connected to the data conversion device 101.

The data conversion device 101 includes an arithmetic processing unit 11
1, a storage unit 112, and a transmission unit 113.
The arithmetic processing unit 111 realizes its function by a CPU 201 and the like described later. Further, the storage unit 112 stores various programs and data. More specifically, RO to be described later
The function is realized by a storage medium such as the M202, the RAM 203, and the HD 205, and a reading device of the storage medium (for example, the HDD 204).

The storage unit 112 stores, for example, an OS (operation system), a spooler which is a program for recording an intermediate file, a despooler which is a program for reading the recorded intermediate file, an application, a macro, and a printer driver. Arithmetic processing unit 1
11 executes these programs.

Further, the printer data constituting the transmission data for the output device in the present invention is also stored in the storage section 112 and transmitted to the printer by the transmission section 113.
The transmitting unit 113 realizes its function by an interface unit 209 and the like described later.

Here, the "printer driver" refers to data (printer interpretable by a printer) for outputting document data in an information processing apparatus such as a computer as an image on a medium such as paper. Means the software for converting the data into data for use in the printer.

An output device (printer) 103 includes a printer engine (image forming unit) (not shown) for forming an image, a receiving unit 133, and a data conversion device 101.
In the same way as the above, an arithmetic processing unit 131 and a storage unit 132 are provided.

Here, the arithmetic processing unit 131 is a C
The function is realized by the PU 301 or the like. The storage unit 132 stores various programs and data. Specifically, a ROM 302, a RAM 303, and an HD 3
The function can be realized by a storage medium such as the storage medium 05 or the like and a storage medium reading device (for example, the HDD 304).

The receiving unit 133 is provided with the data converter 1
The transmission data (printer data) transmitted from the transmission unit 113 of the communication unit 01 is received. Specifically, the function can be realized by an interface unit 309 described later. Output device (printer) 10 that has received transmission data
Reference numeral 3 stores the transmission data in the storage unit 132, generates final data by the arithmetic processing unit 131, and outputs the final data to the printer engine.

Note that the arithmetic processing units 111 and 131 and the storage units 112 and 132 do not need to physically exist in the data conversion device 101 or the output device 103, but may virtually constitute a data conversion device or an output device. I just need.
Therefore, for example, the configuration may be such that the arithmetic processing units 111 and 131 and the storage units 112 and 132 exist on the network.

(Hardware Configuration of Data Conversion Device) Next, the hardware configuration of the data conversion device will be described. FIG. 2 illustrates a data conversion device 10 according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of No. 1; In addition,
The data conversion apparatus 101 can be configured by a computer alone as described above, or can be configured by a printer server and a local computer connected by a network.

In the data converter 101 shown in FIG. 2, reference numeral 201 denotes a CPU for controlling the entire system;
Is a ROM storing a boot program and the like, and 203 is a C
RAM 20 used as work area of PU 201
3, 204 is an HD under the control of the CPU 201.
HDD (hard disk drive) that controls reading / writing of data from / to (hard disk) 205
Reference numeral 205 denotes an HD for storing data written under the control of the HDD 204.

Reference numeral 206 denotes an FDD (floppy disk drive) for controlling reading / writing of data from / to an FD (floppy disk) 207 under the control of the CPU 201, and reference numeral 207 denotes a detachable memory for storing data written under the control of the FDD 206. FD as an example of the storage medium of FIG.

Reference numeral 209 is connected to the network NET via the communication line 210, and the network NET is connected to the network NET.
Interface section (I /
F). The network NET includes a connection related to the connection to the output device 103.

Reference numeral 211 denotes a keyboard having a plurality of keys for inputting characters, numerical values, various instructions, and the like.
Denotes a mouse for moving a cursor, selecting a range, moving and changing a window, selecting and moving an icon, and the like. Reference numeral 213 denotes a bus for connecting the above components.

(Hardware Configuration of Output Device (Printer)) Next, the hardware configuration of the output device (printer) will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the output device according to the present embodiment.

In the output device 103 shown in FIG.
1 is a CPU for controlling the entire system, 302 is a ROM storing a boot program and the like, and 303 is a CPU 30
1 is a RAM used as a work area, 304 is an HDD (hard disk drive) that controls reading / writing of data from / to an HD (hard disk) 305 under the control of the CPU 301, and 305 is an HDD
Each of the HDs stores data written under the control of 304.

An FDD (Floppy Disk Drive) 306 controls reading / writing of data from / to an FD (Floppy Disk) 307 under the control of the CPU 301, and a detachable 307 stores data written under the control of the FDD 306. FD as an example of the storage medium of FIG.

Reference numeral 408 denotes a display for displaying the operation contents of the printer. Display 3
08 is a touch panel 3 for instructing operation of the printer.
Eleven functions may also be provided.

Reference numeral 309 is connected to the network NET via the communication line 310, and the network NET is connected to the network NET.
Interface section (I /
F). The network NET includes a connection related to the connection to the data conversion device 101.

Reference numeral 312 denotes a numeric keypad for instructing the operation of the printer, and includes a start button and other operation buttons. Here, the display 308
Alternatively, the function of the ten key 312 may be realized by displaying a ten key or other operation buttons on the display 308 and touching the corresponding ten key on the display 308 with a finger or the like.

(Functional Configuration of Data Conversion Apparatus)
The functional configuration of the data conversion device 101 will be described.
FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram functionally showing the configuration of the data conversion apparatus 101 according to the first embodiment. 4, the data conversion apparatus 101 includes a process detection unit 401, a conversion instruction unit 402, a pre-conversion unit 403, a pseudo instruction issuing unit 404, a holding unit 405, a calculation unit 406, and a conversion instruction detection unit 407. And an output unit 408.

The process detection unit 401 detects a process on document information executed prior to the instruction from the conversion instruction unit 402. In the first embodiment, the processing on the document information executed prior to the instruction by the conversion instruction unit 402 indicates, for example, a file open processing.

However, the processing on the document information executed prior to the instruction by the conversion instruction unit 402 is not limited to the above-described file open processing, and the file read processing is performed according to the computer environment or the print environment. , File reading end processing, document information display start processing, document information display end processing, document content change processing,
The storage processing after the change of the document content may be detected as the processing or the like.

The conversion instruction unit 402 is an instruction unit for explicitly instructing the user to convert document information into transmission data. Specifically, pressing of a print execution button or the like displayed on a display screen (not shown) corresponds to this instruction.

The preceding conversion section 403 converts document information into transmission data (printer data) based on the detection of the processing by the processing detection section 401. In the data conversion device according to the first embodiment, the transmission data is output to the output device 103.
The data is in a format dependent on the (printer), and the conversion to such transmission data is the same as the content of the conventional conversion processing, and therefore the description is omitted.

The pseudo command issuing unit 404 issues a print command to an application prior to a user's explicit conversion command (print command), that is, separately from a user's print command. This print command is issued by a macro described later.

The holding unit 405 holds the converted transmission data (printer data). Here, to hold is specifically realized by storing transmission data in the HD 205. Further, the holding unit 405 holds in advance a correspondence table between an intermediate drawing command described later and a print processing (required) time of the intermediate drawing command.

The calculating unit 406 analyzes the transmission data stored in the storage unit 405, and calculates the intermediate drawing command in the transmission data and the correspondence table between the intermediate drawing command and the print processing time of the intermediate drawing command. The estimated print time for the transmission data is calculated, and the result of the calculated print estimated time is stored in the holding unit 405.

The conversion instruction detecting section 407 includes the conversion instruction section 40
2 is detected. That is, it monitors whether or not the print button is pressed, and outputs a predetermined signal to notify the output unit 408 when the print button is pressed.

The output unit 408 outputs the transmission data held in the holding unit 405 to the output device 103 in accordance with the detection of the instruction by the conversion instruction detecting unit 407. For example,
The function can be realized by the transmission unit 113 shown in FIG. Further, the output unit 408 outputs data on the result of the predicted print time stored in the storage unit 405 to the display device (monitor) 102 shown in FIG. Display device 1
No. 02 can notify the operator of the result of the estimated print time based on the data.

The processing detection unit 401 and the conversion instruction unit 40
2. Pre-conversion unit 403, pseudo-instruction issuing unit 404, holding unit 405, calculation unit 406, conversion instruction detection unit 407, and output unit 408 are ROM 202, RAM 203 or hard disk (HD) 205, floppy disk (FD) 207, etc., respectively. The functions of each unit may be realized by the CPU 201 or the like executing the instruction processing in accordance with the instructions described in the program recorded on the recording medium.

(Contents of Data Conversion Processing) Next, the contents of the data conversion processing of the data conversion apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described. FIGS. 5 and 6 are flowcharts illustrating a procedure of a data conversion process of the data conversion device according to the first embodiment. The data conversion device according to the first embodiment generates printer data (transmission data) including an intermediate rendering command in a printer-dependent format (printer-dependent type).

In the first embodiment, a computer environment (application environment) in which printing can be started after a document file is opened is assumed. In the first embodiment, only one output device (printer) 103 exists.
It is incorporated (installed) by two identification names (printer A, printer B).

Therefore, the printer driver A is used when the printer A is designated for printing, and the printer driver B is used when the printer B is designated for printing. Giving a plurality of identification names to one printer is a general function of a sophisticated OS (operation system), and a detailed description of the function will be omitted.

In the first embodiment, the pseudo-command issuing unit (macro) 404 issues a print command separately from a print command specified by the user. The flowchart of FIG. 5 shows the procedure of the process based on the print command of the macro, and the flowchart of FIG. 6 mainly shows the procedure of the process based on the print command specified by the user.

In the flowchart of FIG. 5, first, when a file is opened (step S501), the file open detection unit as the processing detection unit 401 detects the file open and sends the file open (read start) to the pseudo instruction issuing unit 404. ) (Step S50)
2). Here, since the user instructs the application program to open a file, the application program detects the file open.

Next, the pseudo instruction issuing unit 404 issues a print instruction to the application program (step S503). The pseudo instruction issuing unit 404 can be realized as a macro that operates in an application.

Here, a macro indicates a program capable of executing individual functions of an application as a series of fixed operations. Generally, for high-performance applications (such as word processing software),
The routine operation is performed in a predetermined language (for example, "Visual Basi", a programming language manufactured by Microsoft Corporation).
c for Application ”), the macro can be executed in the application.

The start of the execution of the macro is, in the case of a word processor, for example, by a user's explicit start instruction, by the application at the start of the application, or by the application at the end of the reading of the existing document. It is possible to

Further, in a computer environment (application environment) in which a predetermined operation (for example, printing) can be started after opening a document, it is possible to execute a macro of the operation after opening the document.

The macro according to the first embodiment executes a standard operation of “selecting printer A and printing out all pages of an open document as a file output”, and can be executed immediately after opening a file of an existing document. It is configured as a simple macro.

Therefore, the application that has detected the file open executes the macro after the file is opened, thereby issuing a print command as a file output (step S504).

Here, the file output means that the print data is not transmitted to the printer, but is recorded on a storage medium such as a hard disk. It is possible to uniquely correspond. The print data output as a file in this manner can be printed out by reading it and transmitting it to the printer again.

Therefore, a print command as a file output in which the printer A is selected is transmitted to the OS, and the OS issues a dependent type intermediate drawing command data to the printer (step S505).

Here, the intermediate drawing command has a different command name (function name) depending on the drawing target, and the command is generally given arguments such as a drawing position, a drawing area, a drawing area, and a drawing color. . For example, Microsoft's Windows
ws, the printer-dependent intermediate rendering command is
This is a ce Driver Interface (DDI) function.

For example, when the printer A has a printer driver that can only process the intermediate drawing command of an arc and prints an ellipse using the printer A, the "ellipse" in the print original is replaced by the "ellipse" in the intermediate drawing command. It is issued as a plurality of commands which are printer-dependent and are called a set of "arc intermediate drawing commands". And the printer driver
The arc intermediate drawing command is developed as “a set of raster data (dot data)”, and printer data is generated.

Therefore, in this case, if the relatively short time until the OS issues the intermediate drawing command is excluded, the required printing time is (1) the time required for converting the intermediate drawing command into raster data, and (2) It can be estimated by the total of three times: the time when the raster data is transferred to the printer, and (3) the time when the printer prints.

Depending on the type of printer, (2)
May be included in (3). Where P
The document created in C is configured as a set of “drawing commands for a rectangular area”.

For example, as shown in FIG.
The manuscript (showing the flowchart) is shown in FIG.
The print result is formed as a set of rectangular areas shown in FIG. 3B, and the result of the intermediate drawing command corresponding to each area, that is, the raster data obtained by developing the intermediate drawing command, superimposed on the memory, is the print result. In other words, the final print data is given as a set of raster data of each drawing area.

Hereinafter, rectangles and their collections as shown in FIG. 7 will be referred to as “drawing area”, the area of the drawing area will be referred to as “drawing area area”, and the area of a figure actually drawn in the rectangle will be referred to as “drawing area”. "

The above-mentioned elements (1) to (3) can be simply represented as functions of the following elements (1) 'to (3)', for example.

(1) ': The conversion time of (1) is the type of intermediate rendering command (character rendering or image rendering, etc.), rendering area, PC computing capability, and printer driver performance. It should be noted that what kind of command constitutes the entire intermediate drawing command depends on the printer. Also, the processing time for each intermediate drawing command is roughly proportional to the drawing area. Further, the processing time for executing the halftone processing is substantially proportional to the drawing area obtained by merging the drawing areas for each command.

(2) ′: The transfer time of (2) is determined by the transfer speed of the transfer path and the drawing area (hereinafter, referred to as “the drawing area”).
"Area of merged drawing area"). More precisely,
This is a “function of the transfer speed and the transfer data amount”, but the transfer data amount can be simply substituted for the drawing area. Here, “merging” means that when the drawing areas overlap, the overlapping part is excluded.

(3) ': The printing time of (3) is the printing speed of the printer engine and the area of the combined drawing area. Accordingly, the transfer speed is set in advance for each user environment, and the relationship between the intermediate drawing command and the processing time per unit drawing area is shown for each connected printer, taking into account the computing power of the PC and the performance of the printer driver. If a table is prepared in advance, it is possible to predict the required printing time using the drawing area and the drawing area given as arguments.

In the case of a character, since it becomes complicated to define the area for each character and each font, it is possible to substitute “square of font size” × “thickness”.

In the first embodiment, such a correspondence is described using an explanatory diagram showing a correspondence table in FIG. That is, in step S505, after the OS issues a printer-dependent intermediate rendering command, the printer driver A refers to the correspondence table of FIG. 8 and calculates a predicted processing time of the printer corresponding to each intermediate rendering command. (Step S5
06).

Next, it is determined whether the calculation of the predicted processing time has been performed for all the intermediate drawing commands in the document information (step S507). Here, when the calculation has not been completed for all the intermediate drawing commands (No at Step S507), the process proceeds to Step S505, and thereafter, each processing of Steps S505 to S507 is repeated.

If the calculation is completed for all the intermediate drawing commands in step S507 (Yes in step S507), the halftone processing time, the transfer time, and the printing time are further added to the predicted processing time, and the final An appropriate print prediction time is obtained (step S508). This calculation result is stored (held) in the holding unit 405 (step S50).
9). The held calculation results can be displayed on the display device 102 when necessary, so that the contents can be notified to the user.

For example, when the document information to be printed is composed of one character, one rectangle, and one image, the estimated print time can be expressed by the following equation.

T1 × character drawing area + t3 × rectangle drawing area + t7 × image drawing area + u × combined drawing area area (time required for halftone processing) + v × combined drawing area area / transfer speed (time required for transfer) + w × merged Drawing area area + c
(Time required for printing)

Here, "u" is a constant determined by the computing power of the PC when performing halftone processing, "v" is a constant, "w" and "c" are determined by the printer engine speed and the like. Is a constant.

On the other hand, the user issues an explicit print command to the application after a lapse of a certain time after opening the document. That is, in the flowchart of FIG.
First, the file is opened (step S601), and thereafter, the user issues a print command to the application (step S602). Next, the application issues a print command to the OS (step S60).
3).

Next, the OS issues a print command to the printer driver B (step S604). Prior to the generation of the print data, the printer driver B searches the holding unit 405 to determine whether the printer data including a predetermined intermediate drawing command corresponding to the open document has already been generated (step S1). S605).

Here, “predetermined” indicates that “does not violate the user's explicit print command”. For example, if the above macro generated data for the printer "all pages" of the displayed document, but the user's explicit print command was intended to print "first page only", the printer driver B would read Only the part corresponding to the "first page" of the printer data is transmitted to the printer, and the corresponding part means "predetermined".

[0109] Even if the macro is for printing out in the high image quality mode, if the user's explicit print command is for printing in the normal image quality, the macro image is printed in the high image quality mode. The printer data can be regarded as “predetermined”. Of course, in the above case, it is also possible not to regard it as “predetermined”.

In step S605, if the data has already been generated (Yes in step S605), the printer data is read, and data interpretable by the printer based on the predetermined printer data is transmitted to printer B. (Step S607), the process proceeds to step S608.

On the other hand, in step S605, if the data for the printer has not been generated yet, or the data for the printer has been generated because the time from opening the document to the user's explicit print command is short or the like. If there is no “predetermined” portion (predetermined portion) (No at Step S605), the printer data is generated by normal processing and then transmitted to the printer B (Step S607). Thereafter, in step S608, the printer executes printing, and ends a series of processing.

Here, "based on" indicates that "if further conversion is necessary, the conversion is performed". In the first embodiment, after the selection of the “predetermined” part is completed, there is no need for further conversion, and the part may be transmitted to the printer as it is. As described above, after the document is opened, the processing is performed in the procedure shown in FIG. 6 according to the user's explicit print command.

At this time, the user selects step S509 in FIG.
In the case where the calculation result is stored in the storage unit 405, the calculation result can be displayed on the display device (monitor) 102 or the like each time and the content can be confirmed. Thereby, the user can easily confirm the estimated print time.

In the above description, the output prediction time is calculated based on the printer-dependent intermediate rendering command. However, the output prediction time is calculated based on a printer-independent intermediate rendering command described later. You may. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing processing when spooling is not performed, and FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing processing when spooling is performed.

In the flowchart of FIG. 9, first, the user issues a print command to an application (step S901). Next, the application issues a print command to the OS (step S902). here,
A print command for “ellipse” is issued.

Next, the OS issues a printer-dependent second intermediate rendering command to the printer driver based on a print command (command to print an ellipse) from the application (step S903). Here, the print command is issued with the ellipse as a set of arcs.

After generating the final data for the printer, the printer driver transmits the data to the printer (step S904). The final printer data transmitted to the printer is data relating to a set of points. After that, the printer prints (prints) the final data for the printer (step S905), and ends a series of processing when spooling is not performed.

On the other hand, in the flowchart of FIG.
First, the user issues a print command to an application (step S1001). Next, the application issues a print command to the OS (step S100).
2). At this point, a print command for the “ellipse” is issued.

Next, the OS generates a printer-independent first intermediate drawing command (a command to print an ellipse) and spools it (step S1003). Thereafter, a printer-dependent second intermediate rendering command is issued to the printer driver based on the first rendering command (step S10).
04). Here, the print command is issued with the ellipse as a set of arcs.

Next, after generating the final data for the printer, the printer driver transmits the data to the printer (step S1005). The final printer data transmitted to the printer is data relating to a set of dots. After that, the printer prints (prints) the final data for the printer (step S1006), and ends a series of processes for spooling. Note that the processes shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 9 and 10 are similarly applied to the second and third embodiments described below.

As described above, according to the data conversion apparatus of the first embodiment, the preceding conversion unit 403 converts the document information into printer data (transmission data) including an intermediate drawing command prior to the user's conversion instruction. Since the output prediction time is calculated based on the intermediate drawing command of the converted printer data, it is possible to notify the user of the output prediction time without lowering the printing speed.

[Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment, the printer data including the printer-dependent intermediate rendering command is generated from the document information, and the estimated print time is calculated from the intermediate rendering command. However, as in the second embodiment described below, a printer-independent intermediate rendering command (first intermediate rendering command) is generated from the document information, and the printer-independent first intermediate rendering command is generated. The estimated print time may be calculated based on the calculated estimated print time, and one printer may be determined from a plurality of printers based on the calculated estimated print time, and the selected printer may be selected.

(Hardware Configuration of Data Conversion Processing System) First, a hardware configuration of a data conversion processing system including a data conversion device according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of a data conversion processing system including the data conversion device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 11, this data conversion processing system includes a data conversion device (computer) 101
And a display device (monitor) 102 and a plurality of output devices (network printers) 103A and 103B.
A plurality of output devices (network printers) 103A, 1
03B and the data conversion device 101
Printer data generated by the data converter 101 is transmitted via the network 1100 to one of the selected printers as described later.

Note that the data conversion device 101, the printer 1
The internal configuration and hardware configuration of each of the components 03A and 103B are the same as those in the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.

(Functional Configuration of Data Conversion Device)
The functional configuration of the data conversion device 101 will be described.
FIG. 12 illustrates a data conversion device 101 according to the second embodiment.
3 is a functional block diagram functionally showing the configuration of FIG. In FIG. 12, a data conversion device 101 includes a process detection unit 1201
, A conversion instructing unit 1202, a preceding conversion unit 1203, a pseudo instruction issuing unit 1204, a holding unit 1205, and a calculating unit 1.
206, a conversion instruction detecting unit 1207, and a determining unit 1208
It has a configuration including an output unit and 1209.

Here, the processing detection unit 1201, the conversion instruction unit 1202, the pseudo instruction issuing unit 1204, the holding unit 1205,
Regarding the calculation unit 1206 and the conversion instruction detection unit 1207,
Processing detection unit 401, conversion instruction unit 4 according to Embodiment 1.
02, pseudo-instruction issuing unit 404, holding unit 405, calculation unit 4
06 and the same configuration as the conversion instruction detecting unit 407,
The description is omitted.

The pre-conversion unit 1203 is the processing detection unit 120
The document information is converted into transmission data (printer data) based on the detection of the processing by step 1. In the data conversion device according to the second embodiment, the transmission data is output to the output device 1
03 (printer) -independent data, and the conversion to such transmission data is the same as the content of the conventional conversion processing, and therefore the description thereof is omitted.

The determination unit 1208 determines one of the plurality of printers, for example, a printer capable of printing at the earliest, from the plurality of printers based on the predicted print time calculated by the calculation unit 1206.

The output unit 1209 is provided with a conversion instruction detecting unit 120.
In response to the detection of the instruction by the control unit 7, the transmission data stored in the storage unit 1205 is output to the printer selected by the determination unit 1209 to the printer 103.

Note that, also in the second embodiment, the processing detecting section 1201, the conversion instructing section 1202, and the preceding converting section 120
3, pseudo-instruction issuing unit 1204, holding unit 1205, calculating unit 1206, conversion instruction detecting unit 1207, determining unit 1208,
The output unit 1209 is connected to the ROM 20 shown in FIG.
2. RAM 203 or hard disk (HD) 20
5. According to an instruction described in a program recorded on a recording medium such as a floppy disk (FD) 207,
The function of each unit may be realized by the PU 201 or the like executing the instruction processing.

(Contents of Data Conversion Processing) Next, the contents of the data conversion processing of the data conversion apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described. FIGS. 13 and 14 are flowcharts of a data conversion process performed by the data conversion device according to the second embodiment. In the data conversion apparatus according to the second embodiment, printer data (transmission data) including a first intermediate drawing command in a printer-independent format is generated from document information, and spool processing is performed.

In the second embodiment, a computer environment (application environment) in which printing can be started after a document file is opened is assumed. Embodiment 2
In FIG. 7, a plurality of output devices (printers) 103 exist on a network, and each of them is installed (installed) by two identification names (printer A and printer B). As described later, one of the printers is selected as the printer data, and the data is printed by the selected printer.

The flowchart of FIG. 13 shows the procedure of processing by a macro print command similar to that of the first embodiment, and the flowchart of FIG. 14 mainly shows the procedure of processing by a print command specified by the user. .

In the flowchart of FIG. 13, when a file is opened (step S1301), the file open detecting unit as the process detecting unit 1201 detects the file open and notifies the pseudo instruction issuing unit 1204 of the start of reading (step S1301). S1302). Here, since the user instructs the application program to open a file, the application program detects the file open.

Next, the pseudo instruction issuing unit 1204 issues a print instruction to the application program (step S1303). This pseudo-instruction issuing unit 1204 can be realized as a macro similarly to the first embodiment that operates in an application.

The macro according to the second embodiment executes a standard operation of “selecting printer A and printing out all pages of the open document as a file output”, and can be executed immediately after the file of the existing document is opened. It is configured as a simple macro.

When the application that has detected the file open executes the macro after the file is opened, a print command as a file output is issued (step S1304). Then, a print command as a file output when the printer A is selected is sent to the OS
The OS issues a first intermediate rendering command independent of the printer to the printer (step S1305).

When printing is performed from an application, in order to speed up the release of the application, the OS generates a printer-independent first intermediate drawing command, and then stores the first intermediate drawing command in a storage device such as the HD 205. It is a common practice to spool the application and release the application at that time.

Thereafter, the OS reads the spooled first intermediate drawing command file, converts the spooled first intermediate drawing command file into a second intermediate drawing command in a format corresponding to the capability of the printer driver, and calls the printer driver B. Then, the printer driver B generates final data for the printer based on the second intermediate drawing command. For example, Microsoft's Windows
In the case of, the first intermediate drawing command file is Enhance
d Meta File (EMF), and the second intermediate drawing instruction is Device Driver Inter.
face (DDI) function.

For example, as described in the first embodiment, when an ellipse is to be printed using this printer when the printer has a printer driver that can only process an intermediate drawing command of an arc, the "ellipse" in the print original is used.
In the first intermediate drawing command, the ellipse intermediate drawing command remains as it is, but since the printer cannot perform the ellipse drawing process, the second intermediate drawing command is a set of “arc intermediate drawing commands” and is printer-dependent. Issued as multiple instructions.

Then, the printer driver develops the arc intermediate drawing command as a “set of raster data (dot data)”, and printer data is generated. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing the correspondence between the first intermediate rendering command, the second intermediate rendering command, and the raster data.

Therefore, if the printing time required in this case excludes a relatively short time until the OS spools the first intermediate drawing instruction, (4) the first intermediate drawing instruction becomes the second intermediate drawing instruction. It can be estimated from the total of three times: the time when the command is returned and the second intermediate drawing command is converted into the raster data; (5) the time when the raster data is transferred to the printer; and (6) the time when the printer prints.

The above-mentioned elements (4) to (6) can be simply represented as functions of the following elements (4) 'to (6)', respectively.

(4) ': The conversion time of (4) is the type of the first intermediate drawing command (character drawing or image drawing, etc.), drawing area, PC calculation capability, and printer driver performance. It should be noted that the first intermediate rendering command as a whole is expanded into what second intermediate rendering command depends on the printer.

(5) ': The transfer time in (5) is determined by the transfer speed of the transfer path and the drawing area (hereinafter, referred to as the drawing area) obtained by combining the drawing areas.
This is referred to as “merged drawing area area”. ).

(6) ': The printing time in (6) is the printing speed of the printer engine and the area of the combined drawing area.

Therefore, the transfer rate is set in advance for each user environment, and the PC is set for each connected printer.
If a table showing the relationship between the first intermediate drawing command and the processing time per unit drawing area is prepared in advance in consideration of the computing capability of the printer driver and the performance of the printer driver, the drawing area and the drawing area given as arguments can be used. It is possible to predict the required printing time.

Here, since the first intermediate rendering command is independent of the printer, it has the highest level of abstraction, and one of the first intermediate rendering commands corresponds to one or more second intermediate rendering commands.
Therefore, the number of times of referring to the correspondence table between the first intermediate drawing instruction and the processing time is calculated based on the first intermediate drawing instruction, rather than calculated based on the printer-dependent second intermediate drawing instruction. In some cases, the speed is high even when the time until spooling is considered.

In the second embodiment, the correspondence table shown in FIG. 16 is used as such a correspondence table.
That is, after the OS issues a printer-independent first intermediate rendering command in step S1305, the printer driver A refers to the correspondence table in FIG. 16 to estimate the processing time of the printer corresponding to each first intermediate rendering command. A value is calculated (step S1306).

It is determined whether or not such a calculation of the processing time prediction value has been performed for all the first intermediate drawing commands in the document information (step S1307). Step S13
Move to 05. If the calculation of the processing time prediction values for all the first intermediate drawing commands has been completed (Yes at step S1307), the first intermediate drawing command file is spooled in the storage device, and further obtained for each printer in this manner. The halftone processing time, the transfer time, and the printing time are added to the estimated processing time to obtain a final predicted printing time (step S1308).

For example, when the document information to be printed is composed of one character, one rectangle, and one image, the estimated print time is expressed by the following equation. t1 × character drawing area + t3 × rectangle drawing area + t7 × image drawing area + u × combined drawing area area (time required for halftone processing) + v × combined drawing area area / transfer speed (time required for transfer) + w × combined drawing area area + C (time required for printing) Here, u is a constant determined by the computing capability of the PC when performing halftone processing, v is a constant, w and c are constants determined by the printer engine speed and the like.

The estimated print time is held in the holding unit 1205 (step S1309). Further, the determining unit 120
No. 8 determines the printer with the shortest print prediction time based on the print prediction time for each of the plurality of printers (step S1310).

On the other hand, the user issues an explicit print command to the application after a lapse of a certain time after opening the document. That is, in the flowchart of FIG. 14, a file is first opened (step S140).
1) Then, the user issues a print command to the application (step S1402). Next, the application issues a print command to the OS (step S1403).

Next, the OS executes the first printer-independent type.
An intermediate drawing command is generated (step S1404), and the command is spooled (step S1405). Thereafter, based on the spooled printer-independent first intermediate rendering command, the printer B issues a printer-dependent second intermediate rendering command to the printer B (step S1406).

The printer-independent second intermediate rendering command is output to the printer B and transmitted to the printer driver B. Prior to generating the print data, the printer driver B searches the holding unit 1205 to determine whether the printer data including the predetermined second intermediate drawing command corresponding to the open document has already been generated. (Step S1407). Here, the “predetermined” has the same content as in the first embodiment.

If it is determined in step S1407 that the printer data has already been generated (step S140).
7 is affirmative), the data for the printer is read, and data interpretable by the printer based on the data for the printer is transmitted to the printer B (step S140).
8), proceed to step S1410.

On the other hand, in step S1407, if the printer data has not been generated yet or the printer data has been generated because the time from opening the document to the user's explicit print command is short or the like. If there is no portion (predetermined portion) corresponding to “predetermined” (No at Step S1407), printer data is generated by normal processing and then transmitted to the printer B (Step S1408), and Step S1410 is performed. Move to.

In step S1410, the printer B
Receives the printer data transmitted in step S1408 or the printer data transmitted in step S1409, and executes printing based on those data. In this way, after the document is opened, the processing is performed in the procedure shown in FIG. 14 in accordance with the user's explicit print command.

As described above, according to the data conversion apparatus of the second embodiment, the pre-conversion unit 1203 converts the document information into a printer-independent first intermediate drawing command prior to the user's conversion instruction. Output data (transmission data), and the output prediction time is calculated based on the first intermediate rendering command of the converted printer data.
The predicted output time can be calculated by the user without lowering the printing speed, and the optimum printer can be selected.

According to the data converter of the second embodiment, since the format of the first intermediate drawing command is a format independent of the output device, it is possible to refer to the first intermediate drawing command. Thus, the printer can be efficiently selected.

Further, according to the data converter of the second embodiment, since the format is independent of the output device, even if the output device is different, the output prediction time and the internal time required for selecting the output device are required. Process can be unified,
It is possible to uniformly create and manage a table showing a correspondence relationship between an intermediate drawing command in transmission data, an output time, characteristics of an output device, and the like required for calculating an output prediction time and selecting an output device. .

[Embodiment 3] In Embodiment 2 described above, the print prediction time is obtained and the optimum printer is selected based on the print prediction time. As described above, the first intermediate rendering command independent of the printer is generated from the document information, the image quality index for each first intermediate rendering instruction is obtained, and the optimum printer is selected based on the image quality index. You may do so.

First, a hardware configuration of a data conversion processing system including a data conversion device according to the third embodiment,
The hardware configuration of the data conversion device and the output device (printer) is the same as that of the second embodiment, and thus the description is omitted.

(Functional Configuration of Data Conversion Device)
The functional configuration of the data conversion device 101 will be described.
FIG. 17 illustrates a data conversion device 101 according to the third embodiment.
3 is a functional block diagram functionally showing the configuration of FIG. 17, the data conversion device 101 includes a process detection unit 1701
, A conversion instructing unit 1702, a preceding conversion unit 1703, a pseudo instruction issuing unit 1704, a holding unit 1705, and a deciding unit 1.
706, a conversion instruction detecting unit 1707, and an output unit 1708
And a configuration including:

Here, the processing detection unit 1701, the conversion instruction unit 1702, the pseudo instruction issuing unit 1704, the holding unit 1705,
The conversion instruction detection unit 1707 has the same configuration as the processing detection unit 401, conversion instruction unit 402, pseudo instruction issuing unit 404, conversion instruction unit 402, holding unit 405, and conversion instruction detection unit 407 in the first embodiment. , The description of which is omitted. The output unit 1708 is similar to the output unit 1209 of the second embodiment shown in FIG.
The description is omitted.

The determining unit 1706 determines one of the plurality of printers, for example, a printer capable of printing the earliest, from the plurality of printers based on the correspondence table between the first intermediate drawing command and the image quality index.

In the second embodiment, the processing detecting section 1701, the conversion instructing section 1702, and the preceding converting section 170
3, a pseudo instruction issuing unit 1704, a holding unit 1705, a determining unit 1706, a conversion instruction detecting unit 1707, and an output unit 1
Reference numeral 708 denotes the ROM 202 and RA RA shown in FIG.
CPU 201 according to instructions written in a program recorded on a recording medium such as M203, hard disk (HD) 205, floppy disk (FD) 207, or the like.
And the like may execute the instruction processing to realize the function of each unit.

(Contents of Data Conversion Processing) Next, the contents of the data conversion processing of the data conversion apparatus according to the third embodiment will be described. FIGS. 18 and 19 are flowcharts of a data conversion process performed by the data conversion apparatus according to the third embodiment. In the data conversion device according to the third embodiment, printer data (transmission data) including a first intermediate rendering command in a format independent of a printer is generated, and a spool process is performed.

In the third embodiment, a computer environment (application environment) in which printing can be started after a document file is opened is assumed. Embodiment 3
In FIG. 7, a plurality of output devices (printers) 103 exist on a network, and each of them is installed (installed) by two identification names (printer A and printer B). As described later, one of the printers is selected as the printer data, and the data is printed by the selected printer.

The flowchart of FIG. 18 shows a procedure of processing by a macro print command similar to that of the first embodiment. It should be noted that the procedure of the process mainly according to the print command specified by the user is the same as the procedure of the process in the second embodiment shown in the flowchart of FIG.

In the flowchart of FIG. 18, when a file is opened (step S1801), the file open detecting unit as the process detecting unit 1701 detects the file open and notifies the pseudo instruction issuing unit 1704 of the start of reading (step S1801). S1802). Here, since the user instructs the application program to open a file, the application program detects the file open.

Next, the pseudo instruction issuing unit 1704 issues a print instruction to the application program (step S1803). This pseudo-instruction issuing unit 1704 can be realized as a macro similarly to the first embodiment that operates in an application.

The macro according to the third embodiment executes a routine operation of “select print A and print out the previous page of the open document as a file output”, and can be executed immediately after the file of the existing document is opened. It is configured as a simple macro.

When the application that has detected the file open executes the macro after the file is opened, a print command as a file output is issued (step S1804).

A print command as a file output for selecting the printer A is transmitted to the OS, and the OS generates a first intermediate rendering command independent of the printer (step S180).
5). In the printer driver A, FIG.
9, the product of the image index and the drawing area corresponding to each first intermediate drawing command is obtained (step S9).
1806).

FIG. 19 shows a first intermediate drawing command (image object).
4 shows a correspondence table between the image quality index for each first intermediate drawing instruction (image object). Here, "image quality index"
It is "clean" when the user observes subjectively,
Normally, each drawing target printed out after performing the halftone processing is defined for each printer.

It is determined whether the calculation of the product of the image index and the image area has been performed for all the first intermediate drawing commands in the document information (step S1807). If not, the process moves to step S1805. Then, when the above calculation is completed for all the first intermediate drawing commands (step S
If the answer is 1807), the first intermediate drawing command file is spooled in the storage device, and the sum of the pixel index and the total image area is integrated for each printer (step S1808).

The calculation result is stored (held) in the holding unit 1705 (step S1809). Further, the decision unit 1
Step 706 determines a printer determined to have the best image quality based on the calculation results for each of the plurality of printers (step S1810).

As described above, according to the data conversion apparatus of the third embodiment, the preceding conversion unit 1703 converts the document information into the printer data (transmission data) including the first intermediate drawing instruction prior to the user's conversion instruction. ), And the sum of the product of the image quality index and the drawing area is calculated based on the first intermediate drawing command of the converted printer data. It becomes possible to select.

According to the data converter of the second embodiment, since the format is independent of the output device, even if the output device is different, the output prediction time and the internal time required for selecting the output device are required. Process can be unified,
It is possible to uniformly create and manage a table showing a correspondence relationship between an intermediate drawing command in transmission data, an output time, characteristics of an output device, and the like required for calculating an output prediction time and selecting an output device. .

In the above embodiment, a printer is used as an output device. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an image forming device such as an image setter or a film recorder may be used as an output device. The effect is achieved.

The image processing methods described in the first to third embodiments are realized by executing a prepared program on a computer such as a personal computer or a workstation, a printer with a built-in microcomputer, a digital copying machine, or the like. You. This program uses R
AM, ROM, hard disk, floppy disk,
The program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, an MO, and a DVD, and is executed by being read from the recording medium by the computer. Further, this program can be distributed via the recording medium or via a network as a transmission medium.

[0184]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a process on document information executed prior to a conversion instruction for converting document information into transmission data is detected, and The document information is converted into the transmission data based on the detection, and an output prediction time when the transmission data is output by the output device is calculated based on the converted transmission data. To convert the document information into transmission data and calculate the predicted output time based on the converted transmission data, thereby notifying the user of the predicted output time and reducing the There is an effect that a data conversion device capable of achieving convenience can be obtained.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, a process for the document information executed prior to a conversion instruction for converting the document information into transmission data is detected, and based on the detection of the process, Manuscript information is converted into transmission data, an output prediction time when the transmission data is output by the plurality of output devices is calculated based on the converted transmission data, and the plurality of output times are calculated based on the calculated output prediction time. Since the output device for transmitting the transmission data is determined from among the output devices, the transmission data is analyzed prior to the user's explicit conversion instruction, and the optimal output device is selected based on the calculated output prediction time. I can put it. For this reason, there is an effect that a data converter capable of selecting an optimum output device can be obtained without lowering the printing speed.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, a process for the document information executed prior to a conversion instruction for converting the document information into transmission data is detected, and based on the detection of the process, The document information is converted into transmission data, and the output device that transmits the transmission data is determined from the plurality of output devices based on the converted transmission data and the characteristics of the plurality of output devices. Prior to the conversion instruction, the original information is converted, the contents of the transmission data are analyzed, and the optimum output device can be selected based on the transmission data and the characteristics of the output device, thereby reducing the printing speed. There is an effect that a data conversion device capable of selecting an optimum output device for printing document information without obtaining the document information can be obtained.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, an output device for transmitting the transmission data from among the plurality of output devices based on the contents related to the image quality of the converted transmission data is provided. Since the determination is made, prior to the user's explicit conversion instruction, the document information is converted and the content of the transmission data is analyzed, and the optimum output device is selected based on the content relating to the image quality of the transmission data and the characteristics of the output device. This makes it possible to obtain a data conversion device capable of selecting an optimum output device for printing document information without lowering the printing speed.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the format of the transmission data is a format independent of the output device, even if the output device is different, the output prediction time and the output Internal processing required for selection can be performed in a unified manner, and intermediate drawing commands and output time in transmission data required for calculation of output prediction time and output device selection, output device characteristics, etc. There is an effect that a data conversion device capable of uniformly creating and managing a table indicating the correspondence is obtained.

Further, according to the invention described in claim 6, a process on document information executed prior to a conversion instruction for converting document information into transmission data is detected, and the processing is performed based on the detection of the process. Since the document information is converted into the transmission data and the output prediction time when the transmission data is output by the output device is calculated based on the converted transmission data, the document information is converted prior to the user's conversion instruction. Since the data is converted into transmission data and the output prediction time is calculated based on the converted transmission data, the user can be notified of the output prediction time and reduce the printing speed for the convenience of the user without reducing the printing speed. There is an effect that a possible data conversion method is obtained.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, a process for the document information executed prior to the conversion instruction for converting the document information into transmission data is detected, and based on the detection of the process, Manuscript information is converted into transmission data, an output prediction time when the transmission data is output by the plurality of output devices is calculated based on the converted transmission data, and the plurality of output times are calculated based on the calculated output prediction time. Since the output device for transmitting the transmission data is determined from among the output devices, the transmission data is analyzed prior to the user's explicit conversion instruction, and the optimal output device is selected based on the calculated output prediction time. I can put it. Therefore, there is an effect that a data conversion method capable of selecting an optimum output device without lowering the printing speed can be obtained.

According to the invention described in claim 8, processing for the document information executed prior to the conversion instruction for converting the document information into transmission data is detected, and the processing is performed based on the detection of the processing. The document information is converted into transmission data, and the output device that transmits the transmission data is determined from the plurality of output devices based on the converted transmission data and the characteristics of the plurality of output devices. Prior to the conversion instruction, the original information is converted, the contents of the transmission data are analyzed, and the optimum output device can be selected based on the transmission data and the characteristics of the output device, thereby reducing the printing speed. There is an effect that a data conversion method capable of selecting an optimum output device for printing document information without obtaining the document information can be obtained.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, an output device for transmitting the transmission data from the plurality of output devices based on the contents of the converted transmission data regarding the image quality of the data is provided. Since the determination is made, prior to the user's explicit conversion instruction, the document information is converted and the content of the transmission data is analyzed, and the optimum output device is selected based on the content relating to the image quality of the transmission data and the characteristics of the output device. As a result, there is an effect that a data conversion method capable of selecting an optimal output device for printing document information without lowering the printing speed is obtained.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention,
Since the format of the transmission data is a format independent of the output device, even if the output device is different, it is possible to unify the internal processing required for the output prediction time and the selection of the output device, It is possible to create and manage a table showing the correspondence between the intermediate rendering command in the transmission data, the output time, the characteristics of the output device, etc., which is required when calculating the predicted output time and selecting the output device. This provides an effect that a simple data conversion method can be obtained.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention,
By recording a program for causing a computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 6 to 10, the program becomes machine-readable, whereby the operations of claims 6 to 10 are realized by the computer. There is an effect that a recording medium capable of performing the above is obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a data conversion processing system including a data conversion device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the data conversion device according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the output device according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram functionally showing a configuration of the data conversion device according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a data conversion process of the data conversion device according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating another data conversion procedure of the data conversion device according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a drawing area in the data conversion device according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a correspondence table between the first intermediate drawing command and the time required for the processing in the data conversion device according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a process performed when the data conversion apparatus according to the first embodiment does not perform spooling;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure when spooling is performed by the data conversion apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a data conversion processing system including a data conversion device according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a block diagram functionally showing a configuration of a data conversion device according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a data conversion process performed by the data conversion apparatus according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of another data conversion process performed by the data conversion device according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a correspondence relationship among a first intermediate rendering command, a second intermediate rendering command, and raster data of the data conversion device according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing a correspondence table between a first intermediate drawing instruction of the data conversion apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention and a time required for printer processing of the first intermediate drawing instruction.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram functionally showing a configuration of a data conversion device according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a data conversion process of the data conversion apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing a correspondence table between a first intermediate drawing command and an image quality index for each first intermediate drawing command of the data conversion device according to the third embodiment of the present invention;

[Explanation of symbols]

 101 data conversion device (computer) 102 display device (monitor) 103, 103A, 103B output device (printer) 111, 131 arithmetic processing unit 112, 132 storage unit 113 transmission unit 133 reception unit 201, 301 CPU 202, 302 ROM 203, 303 RAM 204, 304 HDD 205, 305 HD 206, 306 FDD 207, 307 FD 208, 308 Display 209, 309 I / F 210, 310 Communication line 211 Keyboard 212 Mouse 213, 313 Bus 311 Touch panel 312 Numeric keys 401, 1201, 1701 Processing detection unit 402, 1202, 1702 Conversion instruction unit 403, 1203, 1703 Pre-conversion unit 404, 1204, 1704 Pseudo instruction issuing unit 405, 1205, 1705 Sandwiching member 406,1206 calculator 407,1207,1707 conversion instruction detecting unit 408,1209,1708 output section 1100 network 1208,1706 determiner

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A data converter connected to an output device for converting document information into transmission data for the output device and transmitting the converted transmission data to the output device, wherein the document information is converted into the transmission data. Processing detection means for detecting processing on the document information executed prior to the conversion instruction to be performed; and prior conversion means for converting the document information into the transmission data based on the detection of the processing by the processing detection means; A data conversion device, comprising: a calculation unit configured to calculate an output prediction time when the transmission data is output by the output device based on the transmission data converted by the preceding conversion unit. 2. A data converter connected to a plurality of output devices for converting document information into transmission data for the output device, the data conversion device being executed prior to a conversion instruction for converting the document information into the transmission data. Processing detection means for detecting processing on the document information; pre-conversion means for converting the document information into transmission data based on the detection of the processing by the processing detection means; transmission data converted by the pre-conversion means Calculating means for calculating an output prediction time when the transmission data is output by the plurality of output devices based on the output data; and transmitting the transmission data from the plurality of output devices based on the output prediction time calculated by the calculation means. A data conversion device, comprising: a determination unit that determines an output device that transmits data. 3. A data converter connected to a plurality of output devices for converting document information into transmission data for the output device, the data conversion device being executed prior to a conversion instruction for converting the document information into the transmission data. Processing detecting means for detecting processing on the document information; preceding conversion means for converting the document information into transmission data based on the detection of the processing by the processing detecting means; transmission data converted by the preceding conversion means; Determining means for determining an output device to transmit the transmission data from among the plurality of output devices based on characteristics of the plurality of output devices. 4. The transmitting device according to claim 1, wherein the determining unit determines an output device that transmits the transmission data from the plurality of output devices based on a content related to an image quality of the data among the transmission data converted by the preceding conversion unit. The data conversion device according to claim 3, wherein the data conversion is performed. 5. The data conversion device according to claim 1, wherein a format of the transmission data is a format independent of the output device. 6. A data conversion method for converting document information into transmission data for an output device and transmitting the converted transmission data to an output device, the method being executed prior to a conversion instruction for converting the document information into the transmission data. A process detecting step of detecting a process on the document information to be performed; a preceding conversion process of converting the document information into the transmission data based on the detection of the process by the process detecting process; Calculating a predicted output time when the transmission data is output by the output device based on the transmission data. 7. A data conversion method for converting document information into transmission data for an output device, and transmitting the converted transmission data to a plurality of output devices, wherein a conversion instruction for converting the document information into the transmission data is provided. A process detecting step of detecting a process on the document information executed by the process, a preceding conversion process of converting the document information into transmission data based on the detection of the process by the process detecting process, A calculating step of calculating an output prediction time when the transmission data is output by the output device based on the transmission data, and from among the plurality of output devices based on the output prediction time calculated by the calculation step. A determining step of determining an output device that outputs the transmission data. 8. A data conversion method for converting document information into transmission data for an output device and transmitting the converted transmission data to a plurality of output devices, wherein a conversion instruction for converting the document information into the transmission data is provided. A process detecting step of detecting a process on the document information to be executed, a preceding conversion process of converting the document information into transmission data based on the detection of the process by the process detecting process, Determining the output device that transmits the transmission data from the plurality of output devices based on the transmission data and the characteristics of the plurality of output devices. 9. The transmitting device according to claim 1, further comprising: determining an output device transmitting the transmission data from the plurality of output devices based on a content related to an image quality of the data among the transmission data converted in the preceding conversion process. 9. The data conversion method according to claim 8, wherein the data conversion is performed. 10. The data conversion method according to claim 6, wherein a format of the transmission data is a format independent of the output device. 11. A computer-readable recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to execute the method according to claim 6 is recorded.