JP2002297331A - Device/method/program for data conversion and computer-readable recording medium with the program recorded thereon - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce time since a printing instruction made by an operator until the finish of printing. SOLUTION: In the case of converting document information to data for an output device of a compressed form, after the conversion of the document information to the data becomes possible, the data included in the document is obtained preceding a clearly shown conversion instruction from the user and a compression method which should be applied to the data included in the document is selected previously from among a plurality of compression methods.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention converts a document information into transmission data for an output device, and records a data conversion device for transmitting the converted transmission data, 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.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the spread of computers, various complicated documents including vector fonts, natural images, graphics, and the like can be easily created. In order to print (print) such documents with high image quality, the resolution and the like of printers have been dramatically improved. With the improvement in resolution and the like, the amount of data to be processed is increased, and a problem occurs in that a trade-off occurs between print quality and print speed.

Here, when printing (printing) such a document with a printer, a user normally issues an explicit print command (print command) to a printer driver using an application program.

For example, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-283145, “Data processing apparatus, data processing method of data processing apparatus, and storage medium storing computer readable program”,
The printer driver starts a predetermined printing operation only upon receiving a print command (print command) specified by the user. That is, a print command (print command) by the user
Is the starting point of the start of the printing operation.

FIGS. 32 and 33 are flowcharts showing the procedure of a printing process in an information processing apparatus according to the prior art. First, in the flowchart of FIG. 20, the user issues a print command (print command) to the application (step S201), and the application issues the print command (print command) to the OS (step S202).

Next, the OS issues a print command (print command) to the printer driver (step S20).
3). The printer driver transmits the generated printer data to the transmission unit (Step S204). The transmission unit
The received printer data is transmitted to the printer (step S205), and the printer prints out (step S206).

Here, a "printer driver" refers to data which can be interpreted by a printer in order to output document data in an information processing apparatus such as a computer as an image on a medium such as paper (for a printer). Data) and software for transmitting the data to a printer.

In FIG. 20, the flow of printing is briefly described, but in FIG.
A description will be given of a print flow in a typical case where S generates an internal file and a printer driver generates printer intermediate data.

In the flowchart of FIG. 21, the user issues a print command (print command) to the application (step S211), and the application issues the print command (print command) to the OS (step S212).

Next, the OS generates a printer-independent intermediate data file (step S213). Then, the despooler (print processor) issues a command to the printer driver to convert the intermediate data file into printer data (step S214).

After that, the printer driver converts the printer intermediate data file into printer data and transmits it to the transmission unit (step S215). The transmission unit
The received printer data is transmitted to the printer (step S216), and the printer prints out (step S217).

As described above, when printing from an application, in order to release the application quickly, it is general that the OS spools the intermediate data file to a storage device such as a hard disk and releases the application at that time. It is. After that, the despooler calls the printer driver, and finally the intermediate file is converted into printer data. However, for the purpose of reducing the amount of data transmitted to the printer, the intermediate file is first converted to the printer intermediate file. Conversion to data is commonly performed.

A typical format of the intermediate data for the printer is a page description language (PDL (Pag).
e Description Language)), but PDL is a format that can be commonly interpreted between different printers. That is, if the printers can interpret a common PDL, the data in the PDL format can be made compatible.

[0014]

However, in the information processing apparatus including the above-mentioned conventional data conversion apparatus, the resolution of a printer for printing such a document with high image quality has been dramatically improved, and accordingly, However, there is a problem that a trade-off occurs between the print quality and the print speed due to an increase in the amount of data to be processed.
That is, as the amount of information increases, the amount of data conversion that must be performed for printing increases, and there is a problem that much time is required for data conversion processing.

Now, when assuming an operation until the user prints out a certain document, it is considered that a normal user opens the document, reads the contents thereof to some extent, and then prints out the document. It is natural.
That is, there is a certain period of time from when the document is opened until it is printed.

Also, as described above, the issuance of a print command (print command) by a user is usually the starting point of a printing operation.
Separately (asynchronously), it is also possible to provide a pseudo-instruction issuing unit that issues a print instruction (print instruction) in a simulated manner. It is possible to precede the issuance of a print command (print command).

Therefore, in the present application, after the user can convert the document information into printer data by opening the document or the like, the pseudo information is issued prior to the user's explicit print command (print command). By issuing a print command to the printer, printer data is generated in advance. Printer data is information about the original before conversion (for example, information about color information and fonts)
This is useful for processing such as analyzing document information prior to printing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and can reduce the time from a print command (print command) issued by an operator (user) to the end of printing. 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 can be obtained at high speed even when a failure occurs.

[0019]

Means for Solving the Problems The above-mentioned problems are solved,
In order to achieve the object, the data conversion device according to the first aspect of the present invention, when converting document information into data for an output device in a compressed form, converts the document information into the data. After the point in time that data becomes available, the data contained in the document should be obtained prior to an explicit conversion command from the user, and applied to the data contained in the document from among a plurality of compression methods. It is characterized in that a compression method is selected.

The data conversion apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention can convert the original information into the data when converting the original information into data for a compressed output device. After the point in time, all image data included in the document are obtained prior to an explicit conversion command from the user, and a compression method to be applied to each image is selected from a plurality of compression methods. Then, the correspondence result between each image and the selected compression method is stored.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the data conversion apparatus, after the conversion of the document information into the data becomes possible, the document conversion is performed in advance of an explicit conversion command from a user. Convert the information into intermediate format data of the OS,
Data included in the document is obtained from the intermediate format data.

The data conversion device according to the invention of claim 4 holds data for an output device compressed by the selected compression method.

The data conversion apparatus according to the fifth aspect of the present invention can convert the original information into the data when converting the original information into data for a compressed output device. After the point in time, the data conversion is performed prior to the explicit conversion instruction from the user, the data conversion is performed using a plurality of compression methods, and the data for the plurality of compressed forms of the output device is output. Is held.

A data converter according to a sixth aspect of the present invention detects a transfer speed between the data converter and an output device, and, based on the transfer speed, arbitrarily selects one of the compressed data. Is transmitted.

Further, the data converter according to the invention of claim 7 includes means for detecting the expansion speed of the output device and transmitting one compressed data based on the expansion speed. Features.

In the data conversion apparatus according to the present invention, when the original information is converted into data for an output device in a compressed form, the original information can be converted into the data. After the point in time, the data conversion including the compression is performed prior to the explicit conversion instruction from the user, and the compression is performed at a plurality of compression ratios.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, a data conversion device detects a transfer speed between the output device and the data conversion device and, based on the transfer speed, transmits a compression rate to one of the output devices. Is transmitted.

A data converter according to a tenth aspect of the present invention detects a decompression speed of a decompressor of the output device, and, based on the decompression speed, sends one of the compression ratios to the output device. Is transmitted.

In the data conversion method according to the present invention, when the document information is converted into data for an output device in a compressed form, the document information can be converted into the data. After the point in time, the data included in the document is obtained prior to the explicit conversion instruction from the user, and the compression to be applied to the data included in the document is selected from among a plurality of compression methods. It is characterized in that a law is selected.

In the data conversion method according to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, when the document information is converted into data for a compressed output device, the document information can be converted into the data. After the point in time, all image data included in the document are obtained prior to an explicit conversion command from the user, and a compression method to be applied to each image is selected from a plurality of compression methods. Then, the correspondence result between each image and the selected compression method is stored.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the data conversion method, after the document information can be converted into the data, the document conversion may be performed prior to an explicit conversion command from a user. The information is converted into intermediate format data of an OS, and data included in the document is obtained from the intermediate format data.

A data conversion method according to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that data for an output device compressed by the selected compression method is held.

In the data conversion method according to the present invention, it is possible to convert the document information into the data when the document information is converted into data for a compressed output device. After the point in time, the data conversion is performed prior to the explicit conversion instruction from the user, the data conversion is performed using a plurality of compression methods, and the data for the plurality of compressed forms of the output device is output. Is held.

A data conversion method according to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention detects a transfer rate with the output device and transmits any one of the compressed data based on the transfer rate. It is characterized by the following.

A data conversion method according to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention includes a means for detecting a decompression speed of the output device and transmitting one compressed data based on the decompression speed. Features.

In the data conversion method according to the present invention, when the document information is converted into data for an output device in a compressed form, the document information can be converted into the data. After the point in time, the data conversion including the compression is performed prior to the explicit conversion instruction from the user, and the compression is performed at a plurality of compression ratios.

A data conversion method according to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention is a data conversion method, wherein a transfer rate to the output device is detected, and one of the compression ratios is output to the output device based on the transfer speed. The data conversion method according to claim 18, wherein the data is transmitted.

A data conversion method according to a twentieth aspect of the present invention is a data conversion method, comprising detecting a decompression speed of a decompression device of the output device, and based on the decompression speed, compressing one of the compression ratios to the output device. Is transmitted.

The data conversion program according to the present invention is capable of converting the document information into the data when the document information is converted into data for an output device in a compressed form. After the point in time, the data included in the document is obtained prior to the explicit conversion instruction from the user, and the compression to be applied to the data included in the document is selected from among a plurality of compression methods. It is characterized in that a law is selected.

The data conversion program according to the present invention is capable of converting the original information into the data when converting the original information into data for a compressed output device. After the point in time, all image data included in the document are obtained prior to an explicit conversion command from the user, and a compression method to be applied to each image is selected from a plurality of compression methods. Then, the correspondence result between each image and the selected compression method is stored.

According to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention, in the data conversion program, after the document information can be converted into the data, the document conversion program may precede an explicit conversion command from a user. The information is converted into intermediate format data of an OS, and data included in the document is obtained from the intermediate format data.

A data conversion program according to the invention of claim 24 is characterized in that it stores data for an output device compressed by the selected compression method.

The data conversion program according to the twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention is capable of converting the document information into the data when the document information is converted into data for a compressed output device. After the point in time, the data conversion is performed prior to the explicit conversion instruction from the user, the data conversion is performed using a plurality of compression methods, and the data for the plurality of compressed forms of the output device is output. Is held.

According to a twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention, a data conversion program detects a transfer speed between the output device and the device, and transmits any one of the compressed data based on the transfer speed. It is characterized by the following.

The data conversion program according to the invention of claim 27 includes means for detecting a decompression speed of the output device and transmitting one compressed data based on the decompression speed. Features.

The data conversion program according to the present invention is capable of converting the original information into the data when converting the original information into data for an output device in a compressed form. After the point in time, the data conversion including the compression is performed prior to the explicit conversion instruction from the user, and the compression is performed at a plurality of compression ratios.

The data conversion program according to the present invention detects a transfer speed between the output device and the data conversion program, and based on the transfer speed, sends a compression rate to one of the output devices. Is transmitted.

The data conversion program according to the invention of claim 30 detects a decompression speed of a decompression device of the output device and, based on the decompression speed, sends any compression ratio to the output device. Is transmitted.

According to a thirty-first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium in which a program for causing a computer to execute the method according to any one of the twenty-first to twenty-third aspects is recorded. Becomes possible,
Thus, the operations of claims 21 to 30 can be realized by a computer.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for converting document information into compressed data for an output device, comprising: means for performing the compression by a plurality of methods; Means for acquiring data included in the document prior to an explicit conversion instruction from a user after the point in time when the conversion to the data becomes possible, from among the plurality of compression methods, By selecting a compression method to be applied to data included in the document, information on the document is obtained prior to a print command from a user, and a compression method to be applied is selected in advance. By doing so, it is possible to perform optimal compression processing without increasing the processing time.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for converting document information into data for an output device in a compressed form, the means for performing the compression by a plurality of methods,
Means for acquiring all the image data included in the document prior to the explicit conversion instruction from the user after the point at which the conversion of the document information to the data is enabled, The present invention proposes a data conversion device having means for selecting a compression method to be applied to each image from among compression methods, and holding a result of correspondence between each image and the selected compression method.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, prior to a print command from a user, information relating to all image information contained in a document is obtained, and a compression method to be applied in advance is selected for each image data. , The optimum compression processing can be performed for each image without increasing the processing time.

Here, "after the point in time when the conversion becomes possible" means, for example, "after the print command can be issued to the system (separately from the explicit print command by the user)". That is. A print instruction can be issued after opening a document information file.In a computer environment, in a print environment, after opening a document information file, this applies. After opening the file and starting reading, a print instruction can be issued. In an environment in which the reading of the document is started, this applies after the reading of the document is started, and in an environment in which the printing instruction can be issued only after the reading of the document information is finished, this applies after the reading of the document information ends.

In an environment where a print command can be issued after the display of the read document information on the CRT or the like is started, this corresponds to the start of the display of the document information, and the display of the read document information on the CRT or the like ends. In an environment in which a print command can be issued only after that, the display after the end of the display of the document information corresponds (of course, the present invention is not limited to these examples). In addition, “after the print command can be issued” may be set after the user has displayed the printer properties, selected the print menu, or selected the print preview command.

The format (contents) of the document information is
Normally, only the application used to create the document is known, but if the application specifically provides access to the contents of the document, the document may not be in a "print command issuable state". The information can be converted into data for an output device, and such a case also corresponds to "after the time when the conversion becomes possible".

Here, as means for obtaining information on the document prior to the print command from the user, only the intermediate data prepared as standard by the OS is generated, and the information on the document is obtained from the contents of the data. However, it is versatile, simple and fast.

Therefore, the invention described in claim 3 is the first invention.
The data conversion device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein after the conversion of the document information into the data becomes possible, the document information is converted into the intermediate format data of the OS prior to an explicit conversion command from a user. Means for obtaining data included in the document from the intermediate format data, thereby obtaining information on the document prior to a print command. Is generated, the means can be made general-purpose, simple, and high-speed.

In addition to the above-described compression method selection, data generation including compression is performed by the selected method, and if the result is retained, it is possible to promptly respond to an explicit print command from the user. It goes without saying that you can do it.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the data conversion device according to the first or second aspect, wherein the means for holding the data for the output device compressed by the selected compression method is provided. With this configuration, data generation including compression is performed by a method selected in advance, and the result is retained, so that it is possible to promptly respond to an explicit print command from the user.

Depending on the printer driver, a form in which the user can specify a compression method is also conceivable. In such a case, if the data is compressed and held by a plurality of compression methods in advance,
The degree of correspondence to the compression method designation by the user can be increased.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for converting document information into data for an output device in a compressed form, wherein the document information can be converted into the data. After the time point, having means for performing the data conversion prior to an explicit conversion instruction from the user, performing the data conversion using a plurality of compression methods, and performing the data conversion for the output device in the plurality of compressed forms. Providing the means for retaining data can increase the degree of correspondence with the compression method specification by the user.

When the driver automatically selects a compression method, for example, when the user cannot specify the compression method,
Generally, the higher the compression ratio, the lower the image quality.
If the transfer path is congested (or slow), the data with a higher compression ratio is transmitted to output the data promptly, or conversely, the transfer path is empty (or fast).
In this case, it would be advantageous if the data with a lower compression ratio could be transmitted to output a higher quality image.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the data conversion device according to the fourth aspect, further comprising means for detecting a transfer speed between the data conversion device and the output device, , A data conversion device having means for transmitting one compressed data is proposed.
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to transmit data with a high compression rate and output it promptly, or to transmit data with a low compression rate and output with higher image quality, depending on the status of the transfer path. .

The above situation also occurs in relation to the expansion speed of the expander. For example, in the case of a compression method in which decompression takes time as the compression rate is increased, if the transfer path is free (or fast), the data with the lower compression rate is daringly transferred to reduce the transfer time. The reduction of the decompression time is greater than the increase, and the total output can be faster.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided the data conversion apparatus according to the fourth aspect, further comprising means for detecting a decompression speed of the output device.
By transmitting the compressed data, the total output speed can be increased by considering the expansion speed of the expander.

The invention according to claim 8 is an apparatus for converting document information into data for an output device in a compressed form, wherein the document information can be converted into the data. After the time point, means for performing data conversion including the compression prior to an explicit conversion instruction from the user,
Since the compression is performed at a plurality of compression ratios, the data compression is performed at a plurality of compression ratios prior to the conversion command from the user, so that the degree of correspondence to the compression ratio specification by the user is expanded, and Output can be performed quickly at the compression ratio.

Here, "after the point in time when the conversion becomes possible" means, for example, "after the print command can be issued to the system (separately from the print command explicitly specified by the user)". That is. A print instruction can be issued after a document information file is opened.In a computer environment, after a document information file is opened in a print environment, a print instruction can be issued after opening the file and starting reading. In an environment in which the reading of the document is started, this applies after the reading of the document is started, and in an environment in which the printing instruction can be issued only after the reading of the document information is finished, this applies after the reading of the document information ends.

Further, in an environment in which a print command can be issued after the display of the read document information on the CRT or the like starts, the display after the display of the document information starts corresponds, and the display of the read document information on the CRT or the like ends. In an environment in which a print command can be issued only after that, the display after the end of the display of the document information corresponds (of course, the present invention is not limited to these examples). In addition, “after the print command can be issued” may be set after the user has displayed the printer properties, selected the print menu, or selected the print preview command.

The format (contents) of the document information is
Normally, only the application used to create the document is known, but if the application specifically provides access to the contents of the document, the document may not be in a "print command issuable state". The information can be converted into data for an output device, and such a case also corresponds to "after the time when the conversion becomes possible".

In the above description, a quick response to the user-specified compression ratio has been considered. However, when the data amount after compression at the user-specified compression ratio is very large, for example, when a transfer path is involved, By transmitting data with a higher compression ratio than specified by the user without affecting the image quality,
Output can be performed quickly, and as a result, the user's feeling of use can be improved.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the data conversion device according to the eighth aspect, further comprising means for detecting a transfer speed between the data conversion device and the output device. By having a means for transmitting data of any compression rate to the output device based on the speed, it is possible to transmit data of a compression rate higher than specified by the user when the transfer path is congested. By outputting data with a higher compression ratio than that specified by the user when the transfer path is free, it is possible to output with higher image quality.

The above situation also occurs in relation to the expansion speed of the expander. For example, in the case of a compression method in which decompression takes longer as the compression ratio is increased, if the physical specifications of the transfer path are very fast, the transfer time does not become very short even if the user specifies a high compression ratio. regardless of,
As a result, the output may be slowed down as a result of the extension time being increased.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the data conversion apparatus according to the eighth aspect, further comprising means for detecting a decompression speed of a decompression device of the output device, and based on the decompression speed. In addition, by having means for transmitting data of any compression ratio to the output device, a more rapid output can be obtained by considering the decompression performance of the decompressor.

The invention according to claims 11 to 20 is
A data conversion method according to claims 1 to 3,
The processing is performed prior to the print command specified by the user, and the effect corresponding to each claim can be obtained.

The invention according to claims 21 to 30 is
This is a proposal of a data conversion program according to claims 1 to 3, wherein processing is performed prior to a print command specified by a user, and an effect corresponding to each claim can be obtained.

The invention described in claim 31 of the present application is a proposal of a computer readable information recording medium in which the method according to claims 21 to 30 is recorded, wherein the information recording medium is preceded by a print command specified by a user. Thus, a system capable of performing each processing can be provided.

[0077]

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

[First Embodiment] (Hardware Configuration of Information Processing Apparatus and Information Processing System) First, a hardware configuration of an information processing apparatus including a data conversion apparatus according to the first embodiment and a hardware configuration of the information processing system will be described. FIGS. 1 and 2 show an information processing apparatus including a data conversion apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration of the information processing system.

In FIG. 1, 101 is a data conversion device (computer), and 102 is a display device (monitor).
And 103a to 103c are output devices (printers). This is an ordinary configuration of a stand-alone type in which a computer is combined with, for example, three printers. Further, a display device (monitor) 102 as a user interface is connected to the data conversion device 101. The number of printers may be two or four.
It may be more than one.

The data conversion device 101 includes an arithmetic processing unit 11
1, a storage unit 112, and a transmission unit 113. Here, the function of the arithmetic processing unit 111 is realized by a CPU 301 and the like described later. Further, the storage unit 112 stores various programs and data. Specifically, a recording medium such as a ROM 302, a RAM 303, and an HD 305, which will be described later, and a recording medium reading device (for example, the HDD 30)
4) realizes the function.

The storage unit 112 stores, for example, an OS (operating 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. , The arithmetic processing unit 111 executes these programs.

Further, printer data and printer-independent data are also stored in the storage unit 112 and transmitted to the transmission unit 113.
Is sent to the printer. The transmitting unit 113 realizes its function by an interface 309 described later.

Output devices (printers) 103a, 103
b and 103c also include a printer engine (image forming unit), a receiving unit 133, and a failure occurrence notifying unit 134, which are not shown.
In addition, similarly to the data conversion device 101, the arithmetic processing unit 1
31 and a storage unit 132. The output device 10
Since 3a, 103b and 103c have the same internal configuration, FIG. 1 shows only the internal configuration of the output device 103a, and the internal configuration of the remaining output devices 103b and 103c is omitted.

Here, the arithmetic processing unit 131 performs the following processing on C
The function is realized by the PU 401 and the like. The storage unit 132 stores various programs and data. Specifically, a ROM 402, a RAM 403, an HD
The function is realized by a recording medium such as 405 and a reading device of the recording medium (eg, the HDD 404).

The receiving unit 133 is connected to the data converter 1
The printer data transmitted from the transmission unit 113 of the printer No. 01 is received. Specifically, an interface 409 described later
The function can be realized by the above method. Output devices (printers) 103a and 103 that have received the printer data
3b and 103c store the printer data in the storage unit 132, generate final data by the arithmetic processing unit 131, and output the final data to the printer engine.

The failure occurrence notifying section 134 realizes its functions by the CPU 401 for detecting the occurrence of a failure such as a paper jam, an interface 409 for transmitting a failure occurrence notification to the transmitting section 113 of the data converter 101, and the like. .

The arithmetic processing units 111 and 131 and the storage units 112 and 132 physically correspond to the data converter 101.
Alternatively, it is not necessary to exist in the output devices 103a, 103b, and 103c, and a data conversion device or an output device may be virtually configured. 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 a network.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of an information processing system including a data conversion device according to the embodiment of the present invention, and shows an example of a networked system configuration.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 201 denotes a printer server, and reference numeral 202 denotes a local computer as a data conversion device. Reference numeral 203 denotes a network printer as an output device.

The printer server 201, the local computer 202, and the network printer 203 are connected to the network 200, respectively, and can print a document created and stored by the printer server 201 and the local computer 202 by the network printer 203. With printer server 2
01 and the operation of the local computer 202, the operation of the network printer 203 can be monitored and controlled.

Further, the printer server 201 has a storage unit 211, and the storage unit 211 stores various programs and data. The storage unit 211 includes, for example, a ROM,
The function is realized by a recording medium such as a RAM or an HD and a reading device (for example, an HDD) of the recording medium.

(Hardware Configuration of Data Conversion Device) Next, the hardware configuration of the data conversion device will be described. FIG. 3 is a data conversion device 1 according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the H.01.

As described above, the data conversion device 101
The computer can be constituted by itself, and the printer server 201 connected by the network 200
And the local computer 202.

In the data converter 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 FD (Floppy (registered trademark) disk) 307 is controlled by the CPU 301.
FDD (Floppy Disk Drive) 307 for controlling data read / write to / from FDD 307
FD as an example of a removable recording medium for storing data written under the control of FIG.

Reference numeral 308 denotes a display for displaying a window relating to data such as a document, an image, and function information, including a cursor, an icon, or a tool box, and realizes the function of the display device (monitor) 102. .

Reference numeral 309 is connected to the network NET via the communication line 310, and the network NET is connected to the network NET.
And the interface (I /
F). The network NET also includes those relating to connection to the output devices 103a, 103b, 103c.

Reference numeral 311 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 a window, changing a size, selecting and moving an icon, and the like. Reference numeral 313 denotes a bus for connecting the above units.

(Hardware Configuration of Output Device (Printer)) Next, the hardware configuration of the output device (printer) will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the output device (printer) according to the first embodiment.

In the data converter shown in FIG.
1 is a CPU for controlling the entire system, 402 is a ROM storing a boot program and the like, and 403 is a CPU 40
1 is a RAM used as a work area, 404 is an HDD (hard disk drive) that controls reading / writing of data from / to an HD (hard disk) 405 under the control of the CPU 401, and 405 is an HDD
HDs each storing data written under the control of 404 are shown.

Reference numeral 406 denotes an FDD (floppy disk drive) for controlling the reading / writing of data from / to an FD (floppy disk) 407 under the control of the CPU 401; FD as an example of the recording medium of FIG.

Reference numeral 408 denotes a display for displaying the operation contents of the printer. Display 4
08 is a touch panel 4 for instructing operation of the printer.
Eleven functions may also be provided.

Further, 409 is connected to the network NET via the communication line 410,
And the interface (I /
F). The network NET includes a connection related to the connection to the data conversion device 101.

Reference numeral 412 denotes a numeric keypad for instructing operation of the printer, and includes a start button and other operation buttons. Reference numeral 413 denotes a bus connecting the above components.

(Functional Configuration of Data Conversion Apparatus)
The functional configuration of the data conversion device 101 will be described.
FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram functionally showing the configuration of the data conversion apparatus 101 according to the first embodiment. 5, the data conversion apparatus 101 includes a process detection unit 501, a conversion instruction unit 502, a pre-conversion unit 503, and a storage unit 504.
And a conversion instruction detecting unit 505 and an output unit 506.

Here, the process detecting section 501 detects a process on the document information executed prior to the instruction from the conversion instructing section 502. In the first embodiment, the processing on the document information executed prior to the instruction from the conversion instruction unit 502 indicates, for example, a file reading end processing. Note that instead of the file reading end process,
File opening processing and other processing, processing when the user displays the properties of the printer, processing when the print preview command is selected after selecting the print menu, and the like may be used.

That is, the processing on the document information executed prior to the instruction by the conversion instruction unit 502 is determined by the computer environment and the printing environment in which a print command (print command) can be issued. For example, the process detected by the process detection unit 501 is a process of opening a document information file in a computer environment or a print environment where a print command (print command) can be issued after opening the document information file. In an environment in which a print command (print command) can be issued after the file is opened and the reading is started, the reading of the document is started.

In the first embodiment, as an example, the environment is such that a print command (print command) can be issued after the reading of document information is completed. Therefore, the processing is a document information reading end process. Alternatively, in an environment where a print command (print command) can be issued after the display of the read document information on the display device (monitor) 102 is started,
This is a display start process of the document information, and a display end process of the document information in an environment where a print command (print command) can be issued after the display on the display device (monitor) 102 is completed. Note that the processing is not limited to the processing exemplified here.

[0109] Normally, only the application used to create the original document recognizes the format (contents) of the original document information. However, if the application particularly provides means for accessing the contents of the document, In such a case, it is possible to convert document information into data for an output device even if the print command (print command) is not actually in a state where it can be issued. Therefore, also in this case, it is assumed that a print command (print command) can be issued.

The conversion instructing section 502 instructs to convert document information into transmission data. Specifically, although not shown, pressing of a print execution button or the like displayed on the display screen corresponds to this instruction.

The preceding conversion unit 503 outputs the document information based on the detection of the process by the process detection unit 501.
a, 103b, and 103c are converted into transmission data in a data format corresponding to each of two or more devices. That is, here, two or more data of the transmission data in the data format corresponding to the output device 103a, the transmission data in the data format corresponding to the output device 103b, and the transmission data in the data format corresponding to the output device 103c are generated. .

The generated transmission data in two or more data formats are merged in a state where they can be identified from each other, and stored in the holding unit 504 as a transmission data file. The conversion of each data format into transmission data is the same as the content of the conventional conversion processing, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

The conversion of the transmission data may be performed over all pages, only a predetermined page, or only the first page. For example, by performing only the first one page, the processing time required for data can be reduced, and the operating load of the entire apparatus can be reduced. Further, the storage (recording) capacity of the holding unit 504 for holding the converted data can be reduced. Also, the leading conversion unit 503
Only the focused document information of the document information may be converted into transmission data. Thereby, similarly, the operation load of the entire apparatus is reduced and the holding unit 5
04 can be reduced in storage (recording) capacity.

The holding unit 504 holds the transmission data file converted by the preceding conversion unit 503. Specifically, data retention is realized by, for example, storing data in the HD 305.

The conversion instruction detecting unit 505 includes the conversion instruction unit 50.
2 is detected. That is, it monitors whether the print execution button or the like is pressed, and outputs a predetermined signal to notify the output unit 506 when the button is pressed.

The output unit 506 is provided for each of the output devices 103a, 103a.
It has a function of identifying a data format corresponding to 03b and 103c. Also, the output unit 506 outputs the conversion instruction detection unit 50.
In accordance with the detection of the instruction by the control unit 5, only the data portion corresponding to the output destination device (printer) is extracted from the transmission data file held by the holding unit 504 and output to the output destination printer. Also, the output unit 506
Has a function of detecting that a failure such as a paper jam has occurred in the output devices 103a, 103b, and 103c.

For example, the function of output section 506 can be realized by transmission section 113 shown in FIG.
The output unit 506 corresponds to a portion of a certain OS called a port monitor, and a printer maker can provide a port monitor of a unique specification. The output device 103
The function of notifying the occurrence of a failure between the failure occurrence notifying unit 134 of the a, 103b, and 103c and the transmitting unit 113 of the data converter 101 is known as a technique for performing bidirectional communication between a computer and a printer. Description is omitted.

The processing detection unit 501 and the conversion instruction unit 50
2. The pre-conversion unit 503, the holding unit 504, the conversion instruction detection unit 505, and the output unit 506 are respectively a ROM 302, an R
The CPU 30 according to an instruction described in a program recorded on a recording medium such as the AM 303, the hard disk (HD) 305, and the floppy disk (FD) 307.
The function of each unit may be realized by executing instruction processing by 1 or the like.

(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. 6 and 7 are flowcharts illustrating a procedure of a data conversion process of the data conversion device according to the first embodiment.

In the first embodiment, in a computer environment (application environment) where printing can be started after reading of a document file is completed, a document such as a document created and published by another person that does not need to be changed in content is used. Assume the case of printing. In the first embodiment, although not particularly limited, for example, three output devices (printers)
Although 103a, 103b, and 103c are incorporated (installed), another printer is virtually incorporated (installed) in the system.

The output unit 506 of the data conversion device 101
It has information that these printers are installed. In the following description of the first embodiment, for convenience, the output devices 103a, 103b, and 103c are identified as printers A, B, and C, respectively, and the virtual printer is identified as printer X.

Therefore, the printer driver A is used when printing is performed by specifying the printer A, and the printer driver B is used when printing is performed by specifying the printer B. The driver for specifying the printer C is the printer driver C, and similarly, the driver for specifying the printer X is the printer driver X. Since the function of installing a virtual printer is a general function of a high-performance OS (Operating System), a detailed description of the function is omitted.

In the first embodiment, the pseudo-instruction issuing unit (macro) in the processing detection unit 501 issues a print instruction (print instruction) separately from a print instruction (print instruction) explicitly specified by the user. . The flowchart of FIG. 6 shows a procedure of processing by a macro print command (print command), and the flowchart of FIG. 7 mainly shows a procedure of processing by a user-specific print command (print command).

In FIG. 6, when the file is opened (step S601) and the reading is completed, the reading completion detecting unit as the processing detecting unit 501 detects the reading completion of the file and notifies the pseudo instruction issuing unit of the reading completion. (Step S602). Here, since the user instructs the application program to open the file, it is the application program that detects the end of reading the file.

Next, the pseudo instruction issuing unit issues a print instruction (print instruction) to the application program (step S603). Such a pseudo print command issuing unit can be realized as a macro that operates in an application.

Here, a macro refers to a program capable of executing individual functions of an application as a series of routine operations. Generally, in a high-performance application (word processor software or the like), the routine operation is performed in a predetermined language (for example, “VisualBas” which is a programming language manufactured by Microsoft Corporation).
sic for Applications ”), it is possible to execute a macro in an application.

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

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

Therefore, the application that has detected the end of reading the file executes the macro after the end of reading the file, so that a print command (print command) as a file output is issued (step S604).

[0130] The file output means that the printer data is not transmitted to the printer but is recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk. It is possible to uniquely correspond. The printer data output as a file as described above can be printed out by reading and transmitting the data to the printer again.

Therefore, a print command (print command) as a file output, which has selected the printer X, is transmitted to the printer driver X via the OS (step S6).
05). In the first embodiment, for example, the printer driver X converts (generates) document information into printer data A that can be interpreted by the printer A, and also converts (generates) document data into printer data B that can be interpreted by the printer B. .

Then, the printer driver X merges (combines) the generated printer data A and printer data B in a state where they can be identified with each other, and sends them to the holding unit 504 as a transmission (printer) data file. The data is transmitted (step S606). Then, the holding unit 504 records (holds) the transmission data file on the recording medium (step S607).

On the other hand, the user issues an explicit print command (print command) to the application after a certain time has elapsed after opening the document. That is, in the flowchart of FIG. 7, first, the file is opened (step S701), and thereafter, the user issues a print command (print command) to the application (step S702). Next, the application issues a print command (print command) to the OS (step S7).
03).

Next, the OS issues a print command (print command) to the printer driver corresponding to the output destination printer (step S704). For convenience, if the print command (print command) by the user is issued to the printer A as an output destination, the print command (print command) is transmitted to the printer driver A. Printer driver A
Prior to the generation of the printer data,
4 to determine whether printer data corresponding to the open document has already been generated.

If the data has already been generated, the data file for transmission is read, and it is determined whether or not the file contains data for printer A (denoted as “corresponding portion” in FIG. 7). (Step S70)
5). In step S705, if it is included (step S705: Yes), the output destination is the printer A
The output unit 506 stores the transmission data file as it is, that is, the printer data A and the printer data B are merged together with the information indicating that
(Step S706).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S705 that the printer data has not yet been generated because the time from opening the document to the user's explicit print command (print command) is short (step S705: No) ), Printer data is generated by normal processing, and output
6 (step S707).

Even when the printer data is generated, if there is no portion corresponding to the output destination printer, that is, “corresponding portion” does not exist (step S705: No),
Similarly, printer data is generated by normal processing and transmitted to the output unit 506 (step S707). The case where there is no “corresponding portion” in the generated printer data means that, for example, a print command (print command) by the user is generated while the data for the printer A and the data for the printer B are generated and held. This is the case where the printer C is used as an output destination.

The output unit 506 that has received the transmission data file determines whether a failure has occurred in the output destination printer, here, the printer A (step S708).
Further, it is determined whether or not the data for printer A, that is, the “corresponding portion” is included in the transmission (printer) data file (step S709). When the printer A is normal (step S708: No) and data for the printer A is included (step S709:
Yes), the output unit 506 separates the data in the file into data for the printer A (data of the “corresponding portion”) and data for the printer B, and transmits only the data for the printer A to the printer A. (Step S710).
Thereby, printing is executed in the printer A. At this time, the output unit 506 holds data for the printer B.

Here, if a failure such as a paper jam occurs in the printer A after transmission to the printer A (step S71)
1: Yes), the printer A notifies the output unit 506 of the occurrence of the failure. The output unit 506 having received the notification
Returns to step S708, recognizes the failure of printer A (step S708: Yes), and changes the output destination printer from printer A to another printer, for example, printer B (step S712). Step S706
Alternatively, if there is a failure in the output destination printer in step S708 following step S707, the output destination printer is similarly changed to another printer.

If the output destination has been changed to another printer, step S corresponds to the new output destination printer.
Steps 709 to S711 are sequentially performed. That is, when the new output destination is the printer B, the output unit 506 holds the data for the printer B in this example as described above (step S709: Yes).
(Step S710). Thereby, printing is executed in the printer B as a measure against a failure. If a failure does not occur in the printer B during the execution of the printing (step S711: No), the execution of the printing is completed and the processing ends.

If a further failure occurs in the printer B during the execution of printing (step S711: Yes), the new output destination is changed to the printer C in the same manner as when the printer A was changed to the printer B. . However, in this example, the first data generated is the data for the printer A and the data for the printer B, and the data for the printer C is not generated (see FIG. 6, step S606). Therefore, even if the output destination is changed to the printer C, step S7
After 09, exception processing due to an error such as printing failure is performed, and the processing ends.

In the above description, the output unit 506 holds the data for the printer B.
If the data 06 does not hold the data for the printer B (step S709: No), exception processing due to an error such as a print failure is performed, and the processing ends. That is, if a failure occurred in the output destination printer, the output destination was changed to another printer, but if the data for the newly output destination printer was not held, an error occurred and the print was executed. The process will end.

In the above description, the print processing is terminated when the data for the new output destination is not held due to the occurrence of a failure. , And the print processing may be continued. For example, in the above description, when a failure has occurred in the printer A and the printer B and the output destination is changed to the printer C,
Instead of generating an error, a configuration may be adopted in which data for the printer C is newly generated and output by the printer C is performed. In other words, until all the installed printers (excluding virtual printers) become unprintable due to a failure, print processing may be sequentially performed using another printer as a measure against the failure.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, conversion instructing section 502 instructs to convert document information into transmission data, and processing detecting section 501 precedes the instruction by conversion instructing section 502. The preceding conversion unit 503 converts the document information into the transmission data in two or more different data formats based on the detection of the process by the process detection unit 501. The holding unit 504 holds a transmission data file including the transmission data converted by the preceding conversion unit 503.

Therefore, prior to the user's explicit print command (print command), data conversion for a plurality of output devices 103a, 103b, and 103c having different data formats can be performed and stored. After the user's explicit print command (print command), it is possible to shorten the time until the end of the print process,
When the user has a greater degree of freedom in selecting an output device, and when a failure such as a paper jam has occurred in the printer designated as the output destination, the print processing can be promptly performed with the alternative output device. Therefore, in addition to shortening the time from a print command (print command) issued by the operator (user) to the end of printing, an output can be obtained promptly even when a failure occurs.

According to the first embodiment, conversion instruction detecting section 505 detects an instruction from conversion instruction section 502, and output section 506 responds to the detection of the instruction by conversion instruction detecting section 505. It outputs data of a data format corresponding to the output device 103a, 103b, 103c of the output destination in the transmission data file held by the holding unit 504 to the output device.

For this reason, after a user's explicit print command (print command) or when printing is performed by another output device due to the occurrence of a fault, the conversion process to printer data is not required, and the time required for the process is reduced. Can be omitted. Therefore, in addition to shortening the time from the print command (print command) issued by the operator to the end of printing, an output can be obtained promptly even when a failure occurs.

Further, according to the first embodiment, when the output unit 506 detects that a failure has occurred in the output device at the output destination, the output unit 506 reads out the transmission data file stored in the storage unit 504. In order to output data in a data format corresponding to another output device other than the output device in which the failure has occurred to the output device, when printing is performed on another output device due to the occurrence of the failure, conversion to printer data is performed. No processing is required, and the time required for the processing can be omitted. Therefore, an output can be obtained promptly even when a failure occurs.

[Embodiment 2] [0149] Embodiment 2 is an output device for generating transmission data by pre-converting document information by a pseudo print command prior to a user-specified print command (print command). In addition to the transmission data in a data format corresponding to the above, data in a format independent of the output device is generated.

The information processing device including the data conversion device according to the second embodiment, the hardware configuration of the information processing system, the hardware configuration of the data conversion device, and the hardware configuration of the output device (printer) are shown in FIGS. 4
Since the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

(Functional Configuration of Data Conversion Device)
The functional configuration of the data conversion device 101 will be described.
FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram functionally showing the configuration of the data conversion apparatus 101 according to the second embodiment. 8, the data conversion apparatus 101 includes a process detection unit 501, a conversion instruction unit 502, a pre-conversion unit 803, and a holding unit 504.
, A conversion instruction detection unit 505, an output unit 806, and a conversion unit 807. In the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and the description is omitted.

The preceding conversion unit 803 converts document information into data independent of the output device based on the detection of processing by the processing detection unit 501. Hereinafter, data independent of the output device is referred to as independent data. Also, the leading conversion unit 803
Are output devices 103a,
It generates transmission data in a data format corresponding to each of one or more of the devices 103b and 103c.

The generated transmission data and non-dependent data in one or more data formats are merged in a state where they can be identified from each other, and are stored in the holding unit 504 as a transmission data file. Note that the conversion of each data format into transmission data and the conversion into non-dependent data are the same as the contents of the conventional conversion processing, and a description thereof will be omitted.

The conversion unit 807 extracts only the data portion corresponding to the output destination device (printer) from the transmission data file held by the holding unit 504 in accordance with the detection of the instruction by the conversion instruction detection unit 505. And outputs it to the output unit 806. In addition, according to the detection of the instruction by the conversion instruction detecting unit 505, the converting unit 807 determines that the transmission data file held by the holding unit 504 does not include a data portion corresponding to the output destination device (printer). Extract non-dependent data from the data file for transmission. Then, the conversion unit 807 converts the non-dependent data into transmission data in a data format corresponding to the output destination device (printer), and outputs it to the output unit 806.

The output unit 806 outputs transmission data corresponding to the output destination device (printer) to the output destination printer in accordance with the detection of the instruction by the conversion instruction detection unit 505.

The processing detecting section 501 and the conversion instructing section 50
2. The preceding conversion unit 803, the holding unit 504, the conversion instruction detection unit 505, the output unit 806, and the conversion unit 807 are respectively R
OM 302, RAM 303 or hard disk (H
D) 305, the function of each unit may be realized by the CPU 301 or the like executing the instruction processing according to the instructions described in the program recorded on the recording medium such as the floppy disk (FD) 307.

(Contents of Data Conversion Processing) Next, contents of data conversion processing of the data conversion apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 9 and FIG.
4 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a data conversion process of the data conversion device according to the first embodiment.

Also in the second embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, a computer environment (application environment) in which printing can be started after reading of a document file is completed, and contents such as a document created and published by another person. Assume that a document that does not need to be changed is printed. In the second embodiment, although not particularly limited, for example, three output devices (printers) 103a, 103b,
It is assumed that 103c and one virtual printer are installed. In the following description of the second embodiment, for the sake of convenience, the output devices 103a, 103b, and 103c are referred to as printers A, B, and C, respectively, and the virtual printer is referred to as printer Y.

The printer Y is set so that the OS generates an intermediate data file (independent data) independent of the printer (spool setting). Further, the printer A, the printer B, and the printer C have a spool setting in which the OS does not generate intermediate data. Printer A,
The drivers of the printer B, the printer C, and the printer Y are a printer driver A, a printer driver B, a printer driver C, and a printer driver Y, respectively.

In the second embodiment, the pseudo-instruction issuing unit (macro) in the processing detection unit 501 issues a print instruction (print instruction) separately from a print instruction (print instruction) explicitly specified by the user. . The flowchart of FIG. 9 shows a procedure of processing by a macro print command (print command), and the flowchart of FIG. 10 mainly shows a procedure of processing by a print command (print command) explicitly specified by the user.

In FIG. 9, when the file is opened (step S901) and the reading is completed, the reading completion detecting unit as the processing detecting unit 501 detects the reading completion of the file and notifies the pseudo instruction issuing unit of the reading completion. (Step S902). Here, since the user instructs the application program to open the file, it is the application program that detects the end of reading the file.

Subsequently, the pseudo instruction issuing unit issues a print instruction (print instruction) to the application program (step S903). The pseudo print command issuing unit executes a routine operation of “selecting printer Y and printing out all pages of an open document as a file output”, and is configured as a macro that can be executed immediately after reading of an existing document is completed. Have been. Therefore, the application that has detected the end of reading the file executes the macro after the end of reading the file, so that a print command (print command) as a file output is issued (step S904).

A print command (print command) as a file output, which selects the printer Y, is transmitted to the OS. O
S generates an intermediate file composed of independent data and spools it in a working memory or the like. Next, O
S activates a despooler having a specification capable of transmitting the intermediate file to the printer driver Y as it is (step S90).
5). The despooler issues a print (conversion) command to the printer driver Y and transmits the intermediate file to the driver Y (step S906).

In the second embodiment, for example, the printer driver Y generates printer data A interpretable by the printer A and also generates printer data B interpretable by the printer B based on the intermediate file. Then, the printer driver Y merges (combines) the generated printer data A, the printer data B, and the independent data of the intermediate file in a state where they can be identified from each other. Then, the storage unit 504 is used as a transmission data file.
(Step S907). Then, the holding unit 50
No. 4 records (holds) the transmission (printer) data file on the recording medium (step S908).

On the other hand, after opening the document (step S1001), the user issues an explicit print command (print command) to the application after a certain time has elapsed (step S1002). Next, the application issues a print command (print command) to the OS (step S1003).

Next, the OS issues a print command (print command) to an output destination printer, for example, a printer driver corresponding to the printer B, ie, the printer driver B.
Is issued (step S1004). Prior to generation of the printer data, the printer driver B
04, and determines whether or not printer data corresponding to the open document has already been generated (step S1005).

If the data has already been generated (step S1005: YES), the printer driver B reads the transmission data file and stores the data for the printer B (“corresponding portion” in FIG. 10) in the file. (Written as
Is determined (step S100).
6). In step S1006, if it is included (step S1006: YES), only the data for printer B is extracted from the transmission data file and transmitted to the output unit 806 (step S1007).

On the other hand, for example, as in the case where the print command (print command) is issued with the printer C as the output destination, a portion corresponding to the output destination printer is included in the transmission data file corresponding to the open document. If it is not included (step S1006: No), the driver for printer C extracts non-dependent data from the data file for transmission (for printer), converts it into data for printer C, and outputs it. (Step S10)
08).

On the other hand, in step S1005, after the document is opened, a user-specific print command (print command) is issued.
If the printer data has not yet been generated due to a short time to the printer (step S1005: N
o), the printer driver B generates data for the printer B by normal processing and transmits the data to the output unit 806 (step S1009). The output unit 806 that has received the printer data transmits the data to the printer designated as the output destination (step S1010). Thereby,
Printing is executed in the designated printer (step S1011).

After step S1011, if a failure occurs in the designated printer as in the first embodiment, print processing can be performed by another printer as a measure against the failure. The flow of processing in this case is as described in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will not be repeated.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, one of two or more data formats having different transmission data is a format independent of the output devices 103a, 103b, and 103c. If the output device selected by the user or the output device that has become the alternate output destination due to the occurrence of a failure is not among the plurality of output devices having the different data formats, use data independent of the output device. , Data for an output device selected by the user or an alternative output device. Therefore, an output can be obtained promptly even when a failure occurs.

According to the second embodiment, conversion unit 80
7 converts the data in a format independent of the output devices 103a, 103b, and 103c into data in a data format corresponding to the output device of the output destination. If the output device that is the output destination is not among the plurality of output devices having the different data formats, data independent of the output device is output to a user-selected output device or data for an alternative output device. The time required for generating the output device data can be shortened by converting the data to. Therefore, an output can be obtained promptly even when a failure occurs.
Also, the release of the application can be expedited.

[Third Embodiment] In a third embodiment, a plurality of data formats having different granularities of document information by a pseudo print command prior to a print command (print command) specified by a user, for example, PDL (page description language) ) Format data, raster format data, and intermediate format data. Here, the granularity expresses the progress of data conversion.For example, data before raster expansion is larger than data after raster expansion, and font data after expansion is font data before expansion. Smaller particle size.

The hardware configuration of the information processing system including the data converter according to the third embodiment, the hardware configuration of the data converter, and the hardware configuration of the output device (printer) are shown in FIGS. Since the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description is omitted.

(Hardware Configuration of Information Processing Apparatus) Next, a hardware configuration of an information processing apparatus including a data conversion apparatus according to the third embodiment will be described. FIG.
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of an information processing device including a data conversion device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 11, 1101 is a data conversion device (computer), 1102 is a display device (monitor), and 1103 is an output device (printer).
This is a normal configuration of a stand-alone type in which a computer and a printer are combined. Further, a display device (monitor) 1102 as a user interface is connected to the data conversion device 1101. The number of printers may be two or more.

[0177] The data conversion device 1101 includes the arithmetic processing unit 1
111, a storage unit 1112, and a transmission unit 1113. The arithmetic processing unit 1111, the storage unit 1112, and the transmitting unit 1113 are respectively the arithmetic processing unit 111 of the first embodiment,
It is the same as the storage unit 112 and the transmission unit 113.

The output device (printer) 1103 includes a printer engine (image forming unit) (not shown), an arithmetic processing unit 1131, a storage unit 1132, and a receiving unit 1133. The arithmetic processing unit 1131, the storage unit 1132, and the receiving unit 1133 are respectively the arithmetic processing unit 13 of the first embodiment.
1, the same as the storage unit 132 and the reception unit 133.

The output device (printer) 1103 is configured so that the user can select whether to perform processing such as raster development on the data conversion device 1101 side or on the output device (printer) 1103 side. I have. As a result, the user can cause the raster processing to be performed on the faster one of the computer and the printer or distribute the load. Printers having such a function are known.

The output device (printer) 1103 is
The configuration is such that the user can select whether to perform font expansion processing on the data conversion device 1101 side or on the output device (printer) 1103 side. This allows the user to select whether or not to give priority to the appearance of the printed document, that is, whether or not to permit the appearance of the original document to differ from that of the printed document.

In general, when the printer does not have the font data specified in the original, the printer may replace the font and print. In this case, the appearance differs between the original original and the printed one. Sometimes. Printers having such a function are known.

The arithmetic processing units 1111 and 113
1. The storage units 1112 and 1132 do not need to physically exist in the data conversion device 1101 or the output device 1103, and may simply constitute a data conversion device or an output device. Therefore, for example, the arithmetic processing unit 1
The configuration may be such that 111 and 1131 and the storage units 1112 and 1132 exist on a network.

(Functional Configuration of Data Conversion Device)
The functional configuration of the data conversion device 1101 will be described. FIG. 12 shows a data conversion device 1 according to the third embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram functionally showing a configuration of the information processing apparatus 101. 12, a data conversion device 1101 includes a process detection unit 501, a conversion instruction unit 502, and a preceding conversion unit 1203.
, A holding unit 504, a conversion instruction detecting unit 505, an output unit 1206, and an extracting unit 1207. In the third embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and the description is omitted.

The pre-conversion unit 1203 includes a process detection unit 501
, The document information is converted into transmission data in a plurality of data formats having different granularities, for example, transmission data in a PDL format, transmission data in a raster format, or the like.
The converted transmission data in a plurality of data formats are merged in a state where they can be identified from each other, and stored in the holding unit 504 as a transmission data file. Note that the conversion of each data format into transmission data is the same as the content of the conventional conversion processing, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

The extraction unit 1207 includes a conversion instruction detection unit 505
In accordance with the detection of the instruction by the storage unit 504, a data portion in any one data format is extracted from the transmission data file held by the holding unit 504, and is extracted by the output unit 120
6 is output.

The output unit 1206 includes a conversion instruction detecting unit 505
The transmission data extracted by the extraction unit 1207 is output to the output destination printer in accordance with the detection of the instruction by.

The processing detecting section 501 and the conversion instructing section 50
2. The preceding conversion unit 1203, the storage unit 504, the conversion instruction detection unit 505, the output unit 1206, and the extraction unit 1207 are respectively recorded on a recording medium such as the ROM 302, the RAM 303, the hard disk (HD) 305, and the floppy disk (FD) 307. The functions of each unit may be realized by the CPU 301 or the like executing the instruction processing according to the instructions described in the written program.

(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. 13 and 14 are flowcharts illustrating a procedure of a data conversion process of the data conversion device according to the third embodiment.

Also in the third embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, a computer environment (application environment) in which printing can be started after reading of a document file is completed, and contents such as a document created and published by another person. It is assumed that a manuscript that does not need to be changed (one page in total) is printed. In the third embodiment, it is assumed that one output device (printer) 1103 and one virtual printer are installed.

In the following description of the third embodiment, it is assumed that the output device 1103 is a printer X and the virtual printer is a printer Y for convenience. The drivers of the printer X and the printer Y are a printer driver X and a printer driver Y, respectively. In the third embodiment, the printer X
Can specify two processing modes: a PDL mode for handling data in PDL format, and an image data mode (raster data mode) for handling data in raster format.

In the third embodiment, a pseudo-instruction issuing unit (macro) in the processing detection unit 501 issues a print instruction (print instruction) separately from a print instruction (print instruction) explicitly specified by the user. . The flowchart of FIG. 13 shows the procedure of processing by a macro print command (print command), and the flowchart of FIG. 14 mainly shows the procedure of processing by a user-specific print command (print command).

In FIG. 13, when a file is opened (step S1301) and its reading is completed,
The reading completion detecting unit as the processing detecting unit 501 detects the reading completion of the file, and notifies the pseudo instruction issuing unit of the reading completion (Step S1302). Here, since the user instructs the application program to open the file, it is the application program that detects the end of reading the file.

Subsequently, the pseudo instruction issuing unit issues a print instruction (print instruction) to the application program (step S1303). The pseudo print command issuing unit executes a routine operation of “selecting printer Y and printing out all pages of an open document as a file output”, and is configured as a macro that can be executed immediately after reading of an existing document is completed. Have been. Accordingly, the application that has detected the end of reading the file executes the macro after the end of reading the file, so that a print command (print command) as a file output is issued (step S1304).

A print command (print command) as a file output, which selects the printer Y, is transmitted (issued) to the printer driver Y via the OS (step S130).
5). The printer driver Y converts the document information into data A in PDL format that can be interpreted by the printer X,
The data is also converted to raster format data B. Then, the printer driver Y merges (combines) the generated data A in the PDL format and the data B in the raster format in a state where they can be identified with each other, and transmits them to the holding unit 504 as a transmission (printer) data file. Yes (Step S130)
6). Then, the holding unit 504 records (holds) the transmission (printer) data file on the recording medium (step S1307).

On the other hand, after opening the document (step S1401), the user issues an explicit print command (print command) to the application after a certain time has elapsed (step S1402). Next, the application issues a print command (print command) to the OS (step S1403).

Next, the OS issues a print command (print command) to an output destination printer, for example, a printer driver corresponding to the printer X, ie, the printer driver X.
Is issued (step S1404). Prior to generation of the printer data, the printer driver X
04, and determines whether printer data corresponding to the open document has already been generated (step S1405).

If it has already been generated (step S1405: YES), the printer driver X reads the data file for transmission (for the printer) and switches to the processing mode (PDL mode or image data mode) specified by the user. Only the data in the corresponding format is extracted and transmitted to the output unit 1206 (step S1406).

On the other hand, in step S1405, after the document is opened, a print command (print command) specified by the user is issued.
If the printer data has not yet been generated due to a short time to the printer (step S1405: N
o), the printer driver X generates data in a format corresponding to the processing mode specified by the user by normal processing, and transmits the data to the output unit 1206 (step S1407).
The output unit 1206 that has received the printer data transmits the received data to the printer X (step S14).
08). Thereby, printing is executed in the printer X (step S1409).

As described above, according to the third embodiment, conversion instructing section 502 instructs to convert document information into transmission data, and processing detecting section 501 precedes the instruction by conversion instructing section 502. The pre-conversion unit 1203 detects the processing performed on the document information and executes the same based on the detection of the processing by the processing detection unit 501, and transmits the document information to the same output device (printer) 1103. In order to convert the transmission data into a plurality of data formats having different granularities and to hold the transmission data converted by the preceding conversion unit 1203, the holding unit 504 precedes a user-specific print command (print command). Since data can be converted and stored in multiple data formats with different granularities, processing such as raster expansion and font expansion can be performed. In the case where the conversion can be performed by either the conversion device 1101 or the output device (printer) 1103, the user can select a data format having an appropriate granularity and perform a print process after an explicit print command (print command) by the user. The time until the printing process is completed can be reduced.

Therefore, in a system in which processing such as raster development and font development can be performed in both the data conversion device 1101 and the output device (printer) 1103, a print command (print command) issued by an operator (user) is provided. ) To the end of printing can be shortened.

Further, according to the third embodiment, when conversion instruction detecting section 505 detects an instruction from conversion instruction section 502, extraction section 1207 causes conversion instruction detecting section 505 to detect the instruction.
According to the detection of the instruction by the storage unit 504
The output unit 1206 extracts data in any one data format from the transmission data held by the extraction unit 1207 and outputs the data extracted by the extraction unit 1207 to the output device (printer) 1103. After the print command (print command), the conversion process to the printer data is not required, and the time required for the process can be omitted. Therefore, in a system in which processing such as raster expansion and font expansion can be performed in both the data conversion device 1101 and the output device (printer) 1103, printing is performed from a print command (print command) issued by an operator (user). The time until completion can be shortened.

[Fourth Embodiment] In the fourth embodiment, the document information is different in granularity by a pseudo print command prior to a print command (print command) specified by the user, for example, PDL.
(Page description language) format data or raster format data, for example, estimating the time required from the data transmission to the output device (printer) to the start of printing, and outputting the data in the optimum data format to the output device (printer). Printer)
Output to

The hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus including the data conversion apparatus according to the fourth embodiment is shown in FIG.
The hardware configuration of the information processing system including the data converter according to the fourth embodiment, the hardware configuration of the data converter, and the hardware of the output device (printer) are the same as those of the third embodiment shown in FIG. The hardware configuration is the same as each configuration of the first embodiment shown in FIGS.

(Functional Configuration of Data Conversion Apparatus)
The functional configuration of the data conversion device 1101 will be described. FIG. 15 shows a data conversion device 1 according to the fourth embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram functionally showing a configuration of the information processing apparatus 101. 15, a data conversion device 1101 includes a process detection unit 501, a conversion instruction unit 502, and a preceding conversion unit 1503.
, A holding unit 504, a conversion instruction detecting unit 505, an output unit 1506, an extracting unit 1507, and a processing time detecting unit 150.
8 is included. In the fourth embodiment,
The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and description thereof is omitted. Also, the leading conversion unit 15
03 and an output unit 1506 are similar to the preceding conversion unit 1203 and the output unit 1206 of the third embodiment, respectively.

The extraction unit 1507 includes a conversion instruction detection unit 505
Of the transmission data file held by the holding unit 504 based on the processing time obtained for each data format by the processing time detection unit 1508 in response to the detection of the instruction by And outputs it to the output unit 1506.

[0206] The processing time detecting unit 1508 is connected to the output device 11
03, the data processing speed Vc per unit PDL amount,
Based on the size Sa of the data A in the PDL format, the size Sb of the data B in the raster format, and the approximately current transfer speed Vi, Ta and Tb are easily estimated from the following equations (1) and (2).

Ta is the time when the data A in the PDL format is transmitted to the output device 1103 and the rasterization to the final raster data is completed, that is, the time until the output device 1103 starts printing. In the case of Tb, the raster data B is transmitted to the output device 1103, where the expansion to the final raster data is completed (when the data conversion device 1101 has not expanded to the final raster data), and the output device 1103 Is the time until printing starts.

Ta = Sa / Vi + Sa / Vc (1) Tb = Sb / Vi (2)

The means for acquiring the transfer rate Vi (hereinafter referred to as transfer rate detecting means) may be a ping command, for example, or a predetermined value such as a performance monitor attached to the OS. The traffic may be monitored at the sampling interval and the effective transfer rate may be calculated from the traffic volume. Further, the transfer rate detected at a current moment may be used, or an average value of data measured at a plurality of past moments may be used.

The processing detection unit 501 and the conversion instruction unit 50
2. The preceding conversion unit 1503, the storage unit 504, the conversion instruction detection unit 505, the output unit 1506, the extraction unit 1507, and the processing time detection unit 1508 are respectively a ROM 302 and a RAM 3
03 or a hard disk (HD) 305, a floppy disk (FD) 307, or the like, the CPU 301 or the like executes instruction processing in accordance with instructions described in a program recorded on a recording medium such as a floppy disk (FD) 307, thereby realizing the function of each unit. Is also good.

(Contents of Data Conversion Processing) Next, the contents of the data conversion processing of the data conversion apparatus according to the fourth embodiment will be described. Also in the fourth embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, a computer environment (application environment) in which printing can be started after reading of a document file is completed, and contents need to be changed, such as a document created and published by another person. It is assumed that a document having no blank (one page in total) is printed. In the fourth embodiment, one output device 1103 (to be referred to as a printer X) and one output device
It is assumed that one virtual printer (printer Y) is installed.

In the fourth embodiment, the printer X
Two processing modes can be designated: a PDL mode for handling data in PDL format, and an image data mode (raster data mode) for handling data in raster format. The driver of the printer X, that is, the printer driver X has a data processing speed Vc per unit PDL amount on the printer side as a constant therein.

In the fourth embodiment, a pseudo-instruction issuing unit (macro) in the processing detection unit 501 issues a print instruction (print instruction) separately from a print instruction (print instruction) specified by the user. . The processing procedure of this macro print command (print command) is the same as the processing procedure described in the third embodiment with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Description is omitted.

First, upon completion of reading the file,
A macro is executed, "Select printer Y and print out all pages of the open document as file output." Thereby, the data A in the PDL format and the data B in the raster format are generated, merged and recorded (held) in the holding unit 504 (see FIG. 13, steps S1301 to S1307).

The flowchart shown in FIG. 16 mainly shows the procedure of processing in accordance with a print command (print command) specified by the user. After opening the document (step S1601), the user issues an explicit print command (print command) to the application after a certain time has elapsed (step S1602). Next, the application issues a print command (print command) to the OS (step S1603).

Next, the OS issues a print command (print command) to the printer driver X of the output destination printer X (step S1604). Then, prior to the generation of the printer data, the printer driver X searches the holding unit 504 to determine whether the printer data corresponding to the open document has already been generated (step S1605).

If the data has already been generated (step S1605: YES), the printer driver X reads the data file for transmission and sets the size Sa of the data A in the PDL format and the size Sb of the data B in the raster format.
Is detected (step S1606). Further, the printer driver X inquires the transfer speed detecting means about the approximately current transfer speed Vi, and easily estimates the times Ta and Tb until the start of output from the above formulas (1) and (2) (step S1607).

If Ta ≧ Tb (step S1608: YES), only the data B in the raster format is extracted and transmitted to the output unit 1506 regardless of the designation of the processing mode by the user (step S1609). On the other hand, if Ta <Tb (step S1608: N
o) Only when the data format specified by the user is the PDL format, only the data A in the PDL format is extracted.
If the data format specified by the user is the raster format, only the data B in the raster format is extracted, and the extracted data is transmitted to the output unit 1506 (step S161).
0).

The reason why such processing is performed is that, for example, in font development, the appearance may differ between the original document and the printed one due to the font being replaced and printed. This is to prevent the user from contradicting the intention of the user when he / she wants to match the two appearances.

[0220] On the other hand, in step S1605, after the document is opened, a user's explicit print command (print command) is issued.
If the printer data has not yet been generated due to a short time to the printer (step S1605: N
o), the printer driver X generates data in a format corresponding to the processing mode specified by the user by normal processing, and transmits the data to the output unit 1506 (step S161).
1). Output unit 1506 receiving printer data
Transmits the data to the printer X (step S1).
612). Thereby, printing is executed in the printer X (step S1613).

As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, the processing time detection unit 1508 uses the preceding conversion unit as a criterion when extracting data in any one of the data formats by the extraction unit 1507. In order to determine the time required for the output device (printer) 1103 to perform output processing on the data in each data format converted by 1503, after a user's explicit print command (print command),
By extracting a data format of a granularity that requires a short time for the output processing in the output device (printer) 1103 and outputting the data format to the output device (printer) 1103, the time until the print processing is completed can be reduced. Therefore, in a system in which processing such as raster expansion and font expansion can be performed in both the data conversion device 1101 and the output device (printer) 1103, printing is performed from a print command (print command) issued by an operator (user). The time until completion can be shortened.

In the present embodiment, unit PD
Although the time required for output by the output device (printer) 1103 was easily estimated using the processing speed Vc per L amount, the processing speed per unit PDL amount was determined by the driver for each type of drawing command included in the PDL. By having it internally, it is possible to estimate more accurately.

[Fifth Embodiment] In the fifth embodiment, the document information is different in granularity by a pseudo print command before a print command (print command) specified by the user, for example, PDL.
(Page description language) format or raster format data, and if a failure occurs due to the data format during print processing on the output device (printer), another The print processing is performed by retransmitting the data in the data format.

The hardware configuration of the information processing system including the data converter according to the fifth embodiment, the hardware configuration of the data converter, and the hardware configuration of the output device (printer) are shown in FIGS. Since the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description is omitted.

(Hardware Configuration of Information Processing Apparatus) Next, a hardware configuration of an information processing apparatus including the data conversion apparatus according to the fifth embodiment will be described. FIG.
FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of an information processing device including a data conversion device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 17, 1701 is a data conversion device (computer), 1702 is a display device (monitor), and 1703 is an output device (printer).
This is a normal configuration of a stand-alone type in which a computer and a printer are combined. Further, a display device (monitor) 1702 as a user interface is connected to the data conversion device 1701. The number of printers may be two or more.

The data conversion device 1701 has the
711, a storage unit 1712, and a transmission unit 1713. The arithmetic processing unit 1711, the storage unit 1712, and the transmission unit 1713 are respectively the arithmetic processing unit 111 of the first embodiment,
It is the same as the storage unit 112 and the transmission unit 113.

The output device (printer) 1703 includes a printer engine (image forming unit) (not shown), an arithmetic processing unit 1731, a storage unit 1732, a receiving unit 1733, and a failure notification unit 1734. Arithmetic processing unit 173
1. The storage unit 1732 and the receiving unit 1733 are the same as the arithmetic processing unit 131, the storage unit 132, and the receiving unit 133 of the first embodiment, respectively.

The failure occurrence notifying unit 1734 includes, for example, the CPU 401 for detecting the occurrence of a failure when it is difficult to perform the printing process, and the interface 409 for transmitting a failure occurrence notification to the transmission unit 1713 of the data conversion device 1701. Implements that function.

Here, as an obstacle to performing the printing process, for example, when printing a complicated original in the PDL mode, raster resources on the printer side are not developed due to insufficient resources on the printer side such as memory. There is a problem that the printing is not performed properly and the printer is not hung up, but the printout cannot be obtained. The failure occurrence notification unit 1734 notifies the transmission unit 1713 of the data conversion device 1701 when such a failure has occurred.

The output device (printer) 1703 performs processing such as raster development and font development on the data conversion device 1701 side and the output device (printer) 1703 in the same manner as the output device (printer) 1103 described in the third embodiment. The user is able to select which side to perform.

The arithmetic processing units 1711 and 173
1. The storage units 1712 and 1732 do not need to physically exist in the data conversion device 1701 or the output device 1703, and may simply constitute a data conversion device or an output device. Therefore, for example, the arithmetic processing unit 1
711, 1731 and storage units 1712, 1732 may be configured to exist on a network.

(Functional Configuration of Data Conversion Device)
The functional configuration of the data conversion device 1701 will be described. FIG. 18 illustrates a data conversion device 1 according to the fifth embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram functionally showing the configuration of the wireless communication device 701. In FIG. 18, a data conversion device 1701 includes a process detection unit 501, a conversion instruction unit 502, and a preceding conversion unit 1803.
, A holding unit 504, a conversion instruction detecting unit 505, and an output unit 1806. In the fifth embodiment, the same configuration as that of the first embodiment is applied to the first embodiment.
The same reference numerals are given and the description is omitted. The preceding conversion section 1803 is the same as the preceding conversion section 1203 of the third embodiment.

The output unit 1806 includes a conversion instruction detecting unit 505
In accordance with the detection of the instruction by the storage unit 504, only data in any one data format is extracted from the transmission data file held by the holding unit 504, and the extracted data is output to the output device 17.
03 is output. In addition, the output unit 1806 is connected to the output device 1
In 703, a function is provided for detecting occurrence of a failure such as difficulty in data expansion. For example, the function of the output unit 1806 can be realized by the transmission unit 1713 illustrated in FIG.

The output unit 1806 corresponds to a portion of a certain OS called a port monitor, and a printer maker can provide a port monitor of a unique specification. In addition,
The failure occurrence notification function between the failure occurrence notification unit 1734 of the output device 1703 and the transmission unit 1713 of the data conversion device 1701 is well known as a technique for performing bidirectional communication between a computer and a printer. Omitted.

The processing detecting section 501 and the conversion instructing section 50
2. The preceding conversion unit 1803, the holding unit 504, the conversion instruction detecting unit 505, and the output unit 1806
2. RAM 303 or hard disk (HD) 30
5. According to instructions described in a program recorded on a recording medium such as a floppy disk (FD) 307, C
The function of each unit may be realized by the PU 301 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 fifth embodiment will be described. Also in the fifth embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, a computer environment (application environment) in which printing can be started after reading of a document file is completed, and contents need to be changed, such as a document created and published by another person. It is assumed that a document having no blank (one page in total) is printed.

In the fifth embodiment, it is assumed that one output device 1703 (referred to as printer X) and one virtual printer (referred to as printer Y) are installed. In the fifth embodiment, the printer X
It is possible to specify two processing modes: a PDL mode for handling data in DL format, and an image data mode (raster data mode) for handling data in raster format.

In the fifth embodiment, the pseudo-instruction issuing unit (macro) in the processing detection unit 501 issues a print instruction (print instruction) separately from a print instruction (print instruction) explicitly specified by the user. . The processing procedure of this macro print command (print command) is the same as the processing procedure described in the third embodiment with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Description is omitted.

First, when reading of the file is completed,
A macro is executed, "Select printer Y and print out all pages of the open document as file output." Thereby, the data A in the PDL format and the data B in the raster format are generated, merged and recorded (held) in the holding unit 504 (see FIG. 13, steps S1301 to S1307).

[0241] The flowchart shown in Fig. 19 mainly shows the procedure of processing in accordance with a print command (print command) specified by the user. After opening the document (step S1901), the user issues an explicit print command (print command) to the application after a certain time has elapsed (step S1902). Next, the application issues a print command (print command) to the OS (step S1903).

Next, the OS issues a print command (print command) to the printer driver X of the output destination printer X (step S1904). Printer driver X
Prior to the generation of the printer data,
Then, it is determined whether printer data corresponding to the open document has already been generated (step S1905).

If the file has already been generated (step S1905: YES), the printer driver X reads the data file for transmission and, along with information indicating which processing mode is specified by the user, leaves the file as it is. That is, the data A in the PDL format and the data B in the raster format are transmitted to the transmitting unit in a merged state (step S1906).

[0244] On the other hand, in step S1905, after the document is opened, a user's explicit print command (print command) is issued.
If the printer data has not yet been generated due to a short period of time (step S1905: N
o), the printer driver X generates data in a format corresponding to the processing mode designated by the user by normal processing and transmits the data to the output unit 1806 (step S1907).
The output unit 1806, which has received the transmission data file,
It is determined whether a failure has occurred in the printer X (step S1908).

If the printer X is normal (step S1908: NO), the output unit 1806 outputs the data corresponding to the processing mode designated by the user from the data in the transmission (printer) data file. Extract
The data is transmitted to the printer X (step 1909). Thereby, printing is executed in the printer X. At this time, the output unit 1806 holds data in modes other than those transmitted to the printer X.

During the execution of the printing process in the printer X,
When a failure such as inability to expand data occurs (step S1
910: Yes), the printer X notifies the output unit 1806 of the occurrence of the failure. Output unit 1 receiving such notification
806 returns to step S1908, recognizes the failure of the printer X (step S1908: Yes), and
It is checked whether or not there is data corresponding to a processing mode different from the mode designated by the user in the transmission data file received from the server 04 (step S1911).

If the transmission data file contains data corresponding to a processing mode different from the mode specified by the user (step S1911: Yes), the data is extracted from the transmission data file. The data is transmitted to the printer X (step S1912). Thereby, printing is executed in the printer X.

On the other hand, in the transmission data file,
If there is no data corresponding to the processing mode different from the mode specified by the user (step S1911: No), exception processing due to an error such as printing failure is performed, and the process ends.

As described above, according to the fifth embodiment, conversion instruction detecting section 505 detects an instruction from conversion instruction section 502, and output section 1806 outputs an instruction for the instruction from conversion instruction detecting section 505. In accordance with the detection, data in one data format is extracted from the transmission data held by the holding unit 504 and output to the output device (printer) 1703. If it is detected that a failure has occurred, the data in another data format among the transmission data held by the holding unit 504 is output to the output device (printer) 1703, so that the user explicitly prints the data. After the command (print command), the conversion process to the printer data is not required, and the time required for the process can be omitted. In both cases, for example, if a failure occurs such that printing processing is not performed because processing such as raster development in the output device (printer) 1703 is not properly performed, data in another format is output to the output device (printer) 1703. It can be output again.

Therefore, in a system in which processing such as raster development and font development can be performed in both the data conversion device 1701 and the output device (printer) 1703, a print command (print command) issued by an operator (user) is provided. ) To the end of printing can be shortened, and a printout can be obtained promptly even when a failure occurs due to the data format.

[Sixth Embodiment] FIGS. 20 and 21 show a flow of processing in an embodiment of the invention according to the sixth embodiment. In the present embodiment, in a computer environment (application environment) where printing of the document can be started after reading of the document file is completed, there is no need to change contents such as a document created and published by another person.
This is an embodiment in the case of printing a page document.

In this embodiment, one printer X is installed, and a virtual printer Y is also installed. The printer driver X according to the present embodiment can execute two known compression processes of “run-length compression mode” and “JPEG mode” on image data.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the pseudo-command issuing means issues the print command separately (independently) from the print command specified by the user. FIG. 21 shows a processing flow mainly based on a print command specified by the user.

As shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, when the document file is opened by the user, the reading completion detecting means detects the completion of the reading of the file, and notifies the pseudo instruction issuing means of this. In the case of the present embodiment, since the user instructs the application program to open a file, it is the application program that detects the end of reading.

Subsequently, the pseudo-print-command issuing means issues a print command to the application program. Such a pseudo print command issuing unit can be realized as a macro that operates in an application.

Here, a macro refers to a program that can execute individual functions of an application as a series of fixed operations. Generally, in a high-performance application, it is possible to execute a macro in the application by describing a fixed operation in a predetermined macro language. The execution of the macro is, for example, Microsoft Word.
In addition to the explicit execution instruction by the user, the application can be executed by the application at the same time as the activation of the application, or can be executed by the application at the same time as the completion of reading the existing document.

The macro of this embodiment executes a routine operation of “select printer Y and print out all pages of the open document as file output”.
It is configured as a macro that can be executed immediately after the end of reading the existing document. Therefore, a print command as a file output is issued by executing the macro by the application that has detected the end of reading the file.

Here, the file output means that the printer data is not transmitted to the printer but is recorded on a storage means such as a hard disk.

Therefore, a print command as a file output for selecting the printer Y is transmitted to the OS, and
Generates an intermediate data file in a standard format and spools it to a storage device. Subsequently, the OS despools the file. In the present embodiment, an instruction for converting the intermediate data file to the printer data is not input to the printer driver. This is input to the printer driver (step S2005).

For inputting the intermediate data file itself to the printer driver, for example, Windows
In the case of ws, the despooling function of the OS may be changed (the despooler portion may be changed to a unique one, and the intermediate data file may be passed as it is). Generally, such intermediate data includes the location of image data contained in the document (specifically, a pointer in the memory of the PC),
An identifier uniquely corresponding to each image data is included.
The intermediate data file is generally a set of drawing commands, and the pointer and the identifier are given as arguments of the command.

The printer driver Y in the present embodiment extracts image information from the intermediate data, and executes a method A (run-length mode) and a method B for a part (for example, only the upper 10 lines) of each image information. (JP
The compression is performed in the EG mode) (step S2006). And the compression method that minimized the amount of data after compression was
Corresponding to the document file name and the image information identifier, the file is held in the holding unit as a specified file (step S2).
007).

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 (step S2101) (steps S2102 to 2104). When this print command is issued to the printer X as an output destination, the printer driver X that generates data for the printer X searches for the specified file before generating the data, and outputs the name of the document file to which the print command was issued. And match,
It is checked whether or not the compression method is specified (step S210)
5).

If the designation has already been made, the data is compressed by the designated method for each image data based on the identifier to generate printer data and transmitted to the transmission means (steps S2106 and S2108). When the document is not changed, the identifier is generally not changed between the flow in FIG. 20 and the flow in FIG. 21).

On the other hand, step S1 is performed because the user's explicit print command is earlier than the start of the macro operation.
02 is not executed, printer data is generated and transmitted (steps S2107 and S210).
8). Thereafter, printing (printing) is performed (step S210).
9), a series of processing ends.

In the above embodiment, the compression method is determined for each image.
By taking the average of the compression ratios of B and the like, it is also possible to easily select an efficient compression method without being conscious of the correspondence (identifier and the like) between the image and the compression method.

As described above, prior to a print command from a user, information about a document is obtained and a compression method to be applied is selected in advance, so that processing time is not increased. Optimum compression processing can be made possible.

Prior to a print command from a user, information on all image information contained in a document is obtained, and a compression method to be applied to each image data is selected and stored in advance. With this configuration, it is possible to apply an optimal compression process to each image without increasing the processing time.

Further, as means for obtaining information about the document prior to the print command, the intermediate data prepared by the OS as a standard is generated, so that the means can be general-purpose, simple and high-speed. can do.

[Seventh Embodiment] FIGS. 22 and 23 show the flow of processing of the invention according to the seventh embodiment. In the present embodiment, as in the sixth embodiment, in a computer environment (application environment) where printing of the document can be started after reading of the document file is completed, such as a document created and published by another person, This is an example of a case where an original of one page that does not need to be changed is printed.

Also in this embodiment, one printer X is installed, and a virtual printer Y is also installed. The printer driver X of the present embodiment can also execute two known compression processes of “run-length compression mode” and “JPEG mode” on image data.

Also in the present embodiment, the pseudo-command issuing means issues the print command separately (independently) from the print command specified by the user. FIG. 22 shows the flow of processing by a print instruction of the pseudo instruction issuing means, and FIG. 23 mainly shows the flow of processing by a print instruction specified by the user.

As in Embodiment 6, after the document is opened by the user, the reading completion detecting means detects the completion of reading and notifies the pseudo instruction issuing means of the opening.
Also in the case of the present embodiment, it is the application program that detects the end of reading.

Subsequently, the pseudo print command issuing means issues a print command to the application program. The pseudo print command issuing means executes a routine operation of “selecting printer Y and printing out all pages of the open document as a file output”, and is configured as a macro that can be executed immediately after reading of the existing document is completed. Have been.
Therefore, a print command as a file output is issued by executing the macro by the application that has detected the end of reading the file.

Here, the file output means that the printer data is not transmitted to the printer but is recorded on a storage means such as a hard disk. The file name at the time of recording is unique to the read document name. It is possible to correspond to.

Therefore, a print command as a file output in which the printer Y is selected is transmitted to the printer driver Y via the OS. Here, the printer driver Y in the present embodiment compresses each type of data (eg, image) to be compressed by the methods A and B, and generates printer data using the compression result of the smaller data amount. (Step S2206), the image data is stored in the storage unit (Step S2207).

On the other hand, the user issues an explicit print command to the application after a certain time has elapsed after opening the document (step S2301) (steps S2302 to S2304). When the print command is issued to the printer X as an output destination, the printer driver X that generates data for the printer X searches the holding unit before generating the data, and outputs the printer data corresponding to the open document. It is checked whether has already been generated (step S2305). If the file has already been generated (step S2305: YES), the file is read and transmitted to the transmission unit (step S2305).
2306).

On the other hand, because the user's explicit print command is earlier than the start of the macro operation, step 20 is executed.
1 is not executed (Step S2305: No)
In step 203, printer data is generated and transmitted.

As described above, data generation including compression is performed by a method selected in advance, and the result is retained, so that it is possible to promptly respond to an explicit print command from the user. it can.

[Eighth Embodiment] FIGS. 24 and 25 show the processing flow of the invention according to the eighth embodiment. In the present embodiment, a virtual printer Y is installed in addition to one printer X. The printer driver X of the present embodiment also applies a known “run-length compression mode”, “JPEG It is possible to execute two compression processes of “mode”, and it is configured such that the user can specify which mode to use.

As shown in FIG. 24, after the document is opened by the user, the reading end detecting means detects the end of reading, and notifies the pseudo instruction issuing means of the opening. Also in the case of the present embodiment, it is the application program that detects the end of reading.

Subsequently, the pseudo print command issuing means issues a print command to the application program (step S2403). The pseudo print command issuing means executes a routine operation of “selecting printer Y and printing out all pages of the open document as a file output”, and is configured as a macro that can be executed immediately after reading of the existing document is completed. Have been. Therefore, the application that has detected the end of reading the file executes the macro to issue a print command as a file output (step S2404).

A print command as a file output for selecting the printer Y is transmitted to the printer driver Y via the OS (step S2405). Here, the printer driver Y in the present application generates two types of printer data using both methods A and B, merges these data in an identifiable state, and transmits the merged data to the holding unit (step S2406) ), And hold in the storage means (step S2407).

On the other hand, the user issues an explicit print command to the application after a certain time has elapsed after opening the document (step S2501) (steps S2502 to S2504), and specifies the compression method for the driver. I do. When the print command is issued to the printer X as an output destination, the printer driver X that generates data for the printer X searches the holding unit before generating the data, and outputs the printer data corresponding to the open document. It is checked whether has already been generated (step S2505).

If the file has already been generated (step S2505: YES), the file is read, and only the data corresponding to the compression method designated by the user is extracted and transmitted to the transmitting means (steps S2506 and S2506).
508).

On the other hand, step S2 is performed because the user's explicit print command is earlier than the start of the macro operation.
407 is not executed (step S2505: N
In o), printer data is generated and transmitted (steps S2507 and S2508). Thereafter, printing is performed by the printer (step S2509), and a series of processing ends.

In this way, prior to an explicit conversion instruction from the user, the conversion is performed using a plurality of compression methods, and the data for the plurality of compressed output devices is held. Therefore, it is possible to increase the degree of correspondence with the compression method designation by the user, and to promptly respond to the print command.

[Embodiment 9] FIGS. 26 and 27 show
33 shows a flow of a process of the invention according to the ninth embodiment. In the present embodiment, a virtual printer Y is installed in addition to one printer X. The printer driver X of the present embodiment also applies a known “run-length compression mode”, “JPEG Although it is possible to execute two compression processes of "mode", it is not possible for the user to specify which mode to use, and the driver is automatically determined. Also,
The printer driver X according to the present embodiment uses the decompression speed VA per unit data amount on the printer side for each of the compression methods A and B.
d and VBd are contained therein as constants.

As shown in FIG. 26, after the document is opened by the user (step S2601), the reading end detecting means detects the end of reading, and notifies the pseudo instruction issuing means of the opening (step S2602). Also in the case of the present embodiment, it is the application program that detects the end of reading.

Subsequently, the pseudo print command issuing means issues a print command to the application program (step S2603). The pseudo print command issuing means executes a routine operation of “selecting printer Y and printing out all pages of the open document as a file output”, and is configured as a macro that can be executed immediately after reading of the existing document is completed. Have been. Therefore, a print command as a file output is issued by executing the macro by the application that has detected the end of reading the file.

A print command as a file output for selecting the printer Y is transmitted to the printer driver Y via the OS (steps S2604, S2605). Here, the printer driver Y in the present embodiment uses the method A
After generating two types of printer data by using both of the data B and B, these are merged in an identifiable state and transmitted to the holding unit (step S2606), and held in the storage unit as the holding unit (step S2607) ).

On the other hand, after the document is opened (step S2701), after a certain time has elapsed, the user issues an explicit print command to the application (steps S2702 to S2704), and specifies the compression method for the driver. I do. When the print command is issued to the printer X as an output destination, the printer driver X that generates data for the printer X searches the holding unit before generating the data, and outputs the printer data corresponding to the open document. It is checked whether has already been generated (step S2705).

If it has already been generated (step S2705: YES), the data size Sa after compression by method A and the data size Sb after compression by method B are detected (step S2706). Further, the printer driver X inquires the transfer speed detecting means about the approximately current transfer speed Vi, and easily estimates the times Ta and Tb required for transfer and decompression by the following equation (step S270).
7).

Ta = Sa / Vi + Sa / VAd Tb = Sb / Vi + Sa / VBd

Here, the transfer speed detecting means is, for example, p
ing command, or Wi
Like the performance monitor attached to the Windows NT4 or the like, the traffic may be monitored at a predetermined sampling interval and the effective transfer rate may be calculated from the traffic amount. Further, the transfer rate detected at one current point may be used, or an average value of data measured at a plurality of past points may be used.

Then, Ta and Tb are compared, and only the data corresponding to the method in which the transfer and decompression time is shorter (faster) is extracted and transmitted to the transmitting means (step S270).
8).

If there is no printer data in the printer driver X (step S2705: NO),
The printer driver X generates data for the printer using a default compression method, and then transmits the data to the transmission unit (step S2709).

Then, the printer data is transmitted to the printer by the transmission means (step S2710), and printing is performed by the printer (step S2711), after which all processing ends.

[0298] Thus, there is provided a means for detecting a transfer rate between the data conversion device and the output device, and a means for transmitting one compressed data based on the transfer speed. Therefore, depending on the state of the transfer path, it is possible to transmit data with a high compression rate and output it immediately, or to transmit data with a low compression rate to output with higher image quality.

[0299] Further, the apparatus has means for detecting the expansion speed of the output device and means for transmitting the data after compression based on the expansion speed, so that the expansion speed of the expander can be reduced. By taking this into consideration, it is possible to output quickly in total.

[Embodiment 10] FIGS. 28 and 29
Shows the flow of processing of the invention according to the tenth embodiment. In the present embodiment, in a computer environment (application environment) in which printing of the document can be started after reading of the document file is completed, there is no need to change the contents of one page, such as a document created and published by another person. This is an example of printing an original. In the present embodiment, one printer X is installed, and a virtual printer Y is also installed. In the printer X according to the present embodiment, the user can specify two compression modes, a “low compression mode” and a “high compression mode”.

Also, in the present embodiment, the pseudo-command issuing means issues the print command separately (independently) from the print command specified by the user, but FIG. 28 shows the print command of the pseudo-command issuing means. FIG. 29 mainly shows the flow of processing based on a print command specified by the user.

As shown in FIG. 28, when the document file (S2801) is opened by the user, the reading completion detecting means detects the completion of reading the file and notifies the pseudo instruction issuing means of this (step S2802). In the case of the present embodiment, since the user instructs the application program to open a file, it is the application program that detects the end of reading.

Next, the pseudo print command issuing means issues a print command to the application program (step S2803). Such a pseudo print command issuing unit can be realized as a macro that operates in an application.

Here, a macro refers to a program capable of executing individual functions of an application as a series of fixed operations. Generally, in a high-performance application, it is possible to execute a macro in the application by describing a fixed operation in a predetermined macro language. In the case of Microsoft Word 97, for example, the execution of the macro is executed not only by a user's explicit execution instruction, but also by the application simultaneously with the start of the application, or by the application simultaneously with the completion of reading of the existing document. It is possible.

The macro according to the present embodiment executes a standard operation of “selecting printer Y and printing out all pages of the open document as a file output”, and is executed immediately after reading of the existing document is completed. It is configured as a possible macro. Therefore, when the application that has detected the end of reading the file executes the macro, a print command as a file output is issued (step S2804).

Here, the file output means that the printer data is not transmitted to the printer but is recorded on a storage means such as a hard disk, and the file name at the time of recording is unique to the read document name. It is possible to correspond to.

[0307] Therefore, a print command as a file output in which the printer Y has been selected is transmitted to the printer driver Y via the OS (step S2805). Here, the printer driver Y in the present application converts the document information into data A at a low compression ratio, which can be interpreted by the printer X (not Y), and at the same time converts it into data B at a high compression ratio. A and B are merged in a state where the data can be identified and transmitted to the storage unit as the holding unit (step S28).
06). The holding unit saves the merged print data in a file (step S2807).

On the other hand, after the document is opened (step S2901), after a certain period of time, the user issues an explicit print command to the application and specifies the compression ratio to the driver (step S290).
2 to S2904). When the print command is issued to the printer X as an output destination, the printer driver X that generates data for the printer X searches the holding unit before generating the data, and outputs the printer data corresponding to the open document. (Step S2905) to determine whether or not has already been generated.

If the file has already been generated (step S2905: YES), the file is read, and only the data in the format corresponding to the compression ratio specified by the user is extracted and transmitted to the transmitting means (step S290).
6), and printing is performed (steps S2908, S2)
909).

On the other hand, because the user's explicit print command is earlier than the macro operation start, step 10
1 is not executed (Step S2905: No)
, Printer data is generated and transmitted (step S2907). Thereafter, printing is performed (steps S2908 and S2909).

[0311] In this way, after the document information can be converted into the data, there is provided means for performing data conversion including the compression prior to an explicit conversion command from a user, Since the compression is performed at a plurality of compression ratios, the degree of correspondence to the user's specification of the compression ratio can be increased, and the output can be performed quickly at the user-specified compression ratio.

Embodiment 11 FIGS. 30 and 31 are similar to FIGS.
FIG. 39 illustrates a flow of a process according to the eleventh embodiment. Also in the present embodiment, in a computer environment (application environment) in which printing of the document can be started after reading of the document file is completed, there is no need to change the contents of one page such as a document created and published by another person. This is an example of printing an original.

In this embodiment, one printer X is installed, and a virtual printer Y is installed. The printer X of this embodiment has a “low compression mode” and a “high compression mode”. Compression can be performed in the two compression modes, but the user cannot specify either of them. Further, the printer driver X of the present embodiment
Decompression speeds VAd and VBd per unit data amount on the printer side for each of the compression ratios A and B are stored therein as constants.

As shown in FIG. 30, when the document file is opened by the user (step S3001), the reading end detecting means detects the end of reading of the file and notifies the pseudo instruction issuing means of this (step S300).
2).

Subsequently, the pseudo print command issuing means issues a print command to the application program (step S3003). Such a pseudo print command issuing unit can be realized as a macro that operates in an application.

The macro according to the present embodiment executes a standard operation of “selecting printer Y and printing out all pages of the open document as a file output”, and is executed immediately after reading of the existing document is completed. It is configured as a possible macro. Therefore, the application that has detected the end of reading the file executes the macro to issue a print command as a file output (step S3004).

Thus, a print command as a file output for selecting the printer Y is transmitted to the printer driver Y via the OS (step S3005). Here, the printer driver Y in the present application converts the document information into data A at a low compression ratio, which can be interpreted by the printer X (not Y), and at the same time converts it into data B at a high compression ratio. A and B are merged in a state where the data can be identified and transmitted to the storage unit as the holding unit (step S30).
06). The holding unit holds the merged printer data in a file (step S3007).

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 (step S3101) (steps S3102 to S3104). When the print command is issued to the printer X as an output destination, the printer driver X that generates data for the printer X searches the holding unit before generating the data, and outputs the printer data corresponding to the open document. It is checked whether has already been generated (step S3105).

If the file has already been generated, the file is read, and the size Sa of the data A with a low compression ratio is read.
And the size Sb of the data B having a high compression ratio is detected (step S3106). Further, the printer driver X inquires of the transfer speed detecting means about the approximately current transfer speed Vi, and easily estimates the times Ta and Tb required for transfer and decompression by the following formula (step S3107).

Ta = Sa / Vi + Sa / VAd Tb = Sb / Vi + Sa / VBd

Here, the transfer speed detecting means is, for example, p
ing command, or Wi
Like the performance monitor attached to the Windows NT4 or the like, the traffic may be monitored at a predetermined sampling interval, and the effective transfer rate may be calculated from the traffic amount. Further, the transfer rate detected at one current point may be used, or an average value of data measured at a plurality of past points may be used.

Then, Ta and Tb are compared, and only data corresponding to the method in which the time required for transfer and decompression is shorter (faster) is extracted and transmitted to the transmitting means (step S310).
8). Thereafter, the transmitting means transmits the printer data to the printer (step S3110), the printer performs printing (step S3111), and the process ends.

In step 20, the user's explicit print command is earlier than the start of the macro operation.
1 is not executed (Step S3105: No)
In step S3109, printer data is generated and transmitted at the default compression ratio. Thereafter, the transmitting means transmits the printer data to the printer (Step S).
3110), the printer performs printing (step S3111), and the process ends.

[0324] Thus, after the point at which the conversion of the document information into the data becomes possible, there is provided means for performing data conversion including the compression prior to an explicit conversion instruction from the user, Since the compression is performed at a plurality of compression ratios, the degree of correspondence to the user's specification of the compression ratio can be increased, and the output can be performed quickly at the user-specified compression ratio.

[0325] Further, there is provided means for detecting a transfer speed between the data conversion device and the output device, and means for transmitting data of any compression ratio to the output device based on the transfer speed. When the transfer path is congested, data can be output quickly by transmitting data with a higher compression ratio than that specified by the user when the transfer path is congested. Compression rate data can be transmitted.

[0326] Further, there is provided means for detecting the expansion speed of the expander of the output device, and means for transmitting data of any compression ratio to the output device based on the expansion speed. By considering the stretching performance of the stretcher,
Faster output can be obtained.

In the above, the present invention is not limited to the configuration and processing of each of the above-described embodiments, but may, of course, be variously modified.

[0328]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Prior to a print command from the user, information about the document is obtained and a compression method to be applied is selected in advance, so that optimal compression processing can be performed without increasing processing time. It has the effect that it can be done.

According to the present invention, prior to a print command from a user, information on all image information contained in a document is obtained, and a compression method to be applied in advance to each image data is selected. Since the configuration is such that the processing is held, an effect is obtained that the optimum compression processing can be applied to each image without increasing the processing time.

According to the present invention, as means for obtaining information about a document prior to a print command, intermediate data prepared as a standard by the OS is generated, so that the means can be used in a general-purpose manner. This has the effect of being simple and fast.

According to the present invention, up to data generation including compression by a method selected in advance,
Since the configuration is such that the result is held, it is possible to quickly respond to an explicit print command from the user.

According to the present invention, prior to an explicit conversion command from the user, the conversion is performed using a plurality of compression methods, and the data for the plurality of compressed output devices is converted. Since the configuration is held, the degree of correspondence to the user's designation of the compression method is increased, and the print command can be promptly dealt with.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided means for detecting a transfer rate between the data conversion device and the output device, and means for transmitting one compressed data based on the transfer speed. Configuration, depending on the status of the transfer path,
By transmitting data with a high compression rate and outputting it quickly, or by transmitting data with a low compression rate, it is possible to output data with higher image quality.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided means for detecting the extension speed of the output device.
Is configured to have a means for transmitting the compressed data of (1), so that it is possible to perform a total output at high speed by considering the expansion speed of the expander.

According to the present invention, there is provided a means for performing data conversion including the compression prior to an explicit conversion command from a user after the conversion of the document information into the data becomes possible. Since the compression is performed at a plurality of compression ratios, the degree of responsiveness to the user's specification of the compression ratio is expanded, and the output can be promptly performed at the compression ratio specified by the user.

Also, according to the present invention, there is provided means for detecting a transfer rate between the data conversion device and the output device. Means for transmitting data at a higher compression rate than specified by the user when the transfer path is congested. Thus, it is possible to transmit data with a higher compression ratio than that specified by the user.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided means for detecting a decompression speed of a decompression device of the output device, and based on the decompression speed, data of any compression ratio is transmitted to the output device. Since the transmitting means is provided, it is possible to obtain a quicker output by considering the expansion performance of the expander.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration of an information processing system including the data conversion device according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the data conversion device according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an information processing device or an output device of the information processing system according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram functionally showing the configuration of the data conversion device according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a data conversion process performed by the data conversion apparatus according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of another data conversion process performed by the data conversion apparatus according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram functionally showing a configuration of a data conversion device according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a data conversion process performed by the data conversion apparatus according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of another data conversion process performed by the data conversion device according to the second embodiment;

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

FIG. 12 is a block diagram functionally showing a configuration of a data conversion device according to a third embodiment;

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

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

FIG. 15 is a block diagram functionally showing a configuration of a data conversion device according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a data conversion process performed by the data conversion apparatus according to the fourth embodiment;

FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration of an information processing device including a data conversion device according to a fourth embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a block diagram functionally showing the configuration of a data conversion device according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart of a data conversion process performed by the data conversion apparatus according to the fifth embodiment;

FIG. 20 is a flowchart of a data conversion process performed by the data conversion apparatus according to the sixth embodiment;

FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating another procedure of the data conversion process of the data conversion device according to the sixth embodiment;

FIG. 22 is a flowchart of a data conversion process performed by the data conversion apparatus according to the seventh embodiment;

FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating another procedure of the data conversion process of the data conversion device according to the seventh embodiment;

FIG. 24 is a flowchart of a data conversion process performed by the data conversion apparatus according to the eighth embodiment;

FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating another procedure of the data conversion process of the data conversion device according to the eighth embodiment;

FIG. 26 is a flowchart of a data conversion process performed by the data conversion apparatus according to the ninth embodiment;

FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating another procedure of the data conversion process of the data conversion device according to the ninth embodiment;

FIG. 28 is a flowchart of a data conversion process performed by the data conversion apparatus according to the tenth embodiment;

FIG. 29 is a flowchart illustrating another procedure of the data conversion process of the data conversion device according to the tenth embodiment;

FIG. 30 is a flowchart of a data conversion process performed by the data conversion apparatus according to the eleventh embodiment;

FIG. 31 is a flowchart illustrating another procedure of the data conversion process of the data conversion device according to the eleventh embodiment;

And FIG. 32 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a printing process of the information processing apparatus according to the related art.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart illustrating another procedure of the printing process of the information processing apparatus according to the related art.

[Explanation of symbols]

101, 1101, 1701 Data conversion device (computer) 102, 1102, 1702 Display device (monitor) 103a, 103b, 103c, 1103, 1703
Output device (printer) 111, 131, 1111, 1131, 1711, 17
31 arithmetic processing unit 112, 132, 1112, 1132, 1712, 17
32 storage unit 113, 1113, 1713 transmission unit 133, 1133, 1733 reception unit 134, 1734 failure occurrence notification unit 301, 401 CPU 302, 402 ROM 303, 403 RAM 304, 404 HDD 305, 405 HD 306, 406 FDD 307, 407 FD 308, 408 Display 309, 409 I / F 310, 410 Communication line 311 Keyboard 312 Mouse 313, 413 Bus 411 Touch panel 412 Numeric keypad 501 Processing detection unit 502 Conversion instruction unit 503, 803, 1203, 1503, 1803 Advance conversion unit 504 Holding unit 505 Conversion instruction detection unit 506, 806, 1206, 1506, 1806 Output unit 807 Conversion unit 1207, 1507 Extraction unit 1508 Processing time detection unit

Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C087 AB01 AB05 AB08 BA03 BB02 BD13 BD40 BD46 CB20 DA02 5B021 AA01 BB02 BB12 CC06 5C078 BA21 CA02 CA31 DA01

Claims (31)

[Claims] When converting document information into data for an output device in a compressed form, after a point in time at which conversion of the document information to the data becomes possible, an explicit conversion command from a user is provided. A data conversion apparatus for acquiring data included in the document prior to the data conversion, and selecting a compression method to be applied to data included in the document from a plurality of compression methods. . 2. When an original document information is converted into data for an output device in a compressed form, an explicit conversion command from a user is issued after the time when the conversion of the original information into the data becomes possible. Acquiring all the image data included in the original prior to, selecting a compression method to be applied to each image from among a plurality of compression methods, and comparing the compression method to each image with the selected compression method. A data conversion device characterized by holding a correspondence result. 3. After the document information can be converted into the data, the document information is converted into intermediate format data of an OS prior to an explicit conversion command from a user. 3. The data conversion apparatus according to claim 1, wherein data included in the document is obtained from data. 4. The data conversion apparatus according to claim 1, wherein data for an output device compressed by the selected compression method is held. 5. When a document information is converted into data for an output device in a compressed form, an explicit conversion command from a user is issued after the point at which the conversion of the document information to the data becomes possible. Performing the data conversion prior to, performing the data conversion using a plurality of compression methods,
A data conversion device for holding data for a plurality of compressed output devices. 6. The method according to claim 5, wherein a transfer speed between the data conversion device and the output device is detected, and any one of the compressed data is transmitted based on the transfer speed. Data converter. 7. The data conversion device according to claim 5, further comprising means for detecting a decompression speed of the output device and transmitting one compressed data based on the decompression speed. 8. When the document information is converted into data for an output device in a compressed form, an explicit conversion command from a user is issued after the point at which the conversion of the document information to the data becomes possible. A data conversion including the compression prior to the data conversion, wherein the compression is performed at a plurality of compression ratios. 9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising: detecting a transfer rate with the output device, and transmitting data of any compression ratio to the output device based on the transfer speed. Data conversion device as described. 10. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein a decompression speed of a decompression device of the output device is detected, and data of any compression ratio is transmitted to the output device based on the decompression speed.
2. The data conversion device according to 1. 11. When a document information is converted into data for an output device in a compressed form, an explicit conversion command from a user is issued after the point at which the conversion of the document information to the data becomes possible. A data conversion method comprising: acquiring data included in the document prior to the data processing; and selecting a compression method to be applied to data included in the document from a plurality of compression methods. . 12. When converting document information into data for an output device in a compressed form, after a point in time at which conversion of the document information to the data becomes possible, an explicit conversion command from a user is provided. Acquiring all the image data included in the original prior to, selecting a compression method to be applied to each image from among a plurality of compression methods, and comparing the compression method to each image with the selected compression method. A data conversion method characterized by holding a correspondence result. 13. After the document information can be converted into the data, the document information is converted into intermediate format data of an OS prior to an explicit conversion command from a user. 13. The data conversion method according to claim 11, wherein data included in the document is obtained from data. 14. The data conversion method according to claim 11, wherein data for an output device compressed by the selected compression method is held. 15. When a document information is converted into data for an output device in a compressed form, an explicit conversion command from a user is issued after the point at which the conversion of the document information to the data becomes possible. Performing the data conversion prior to, performing the data conversion using a plurality of compression methods,
A data conversion method, wherein data for the plurality of compressed output devices is held. 16. The data conversion method according to claim 15, wherein a transfer speed between the output device and the output device is detected, and any one of the compressed data is transmitted based on the transfer speed. . 17. The data conversion method according to claim 15, further comprising means for detecting a decompression speed of the output device and transmitting one compressed data based on the decompression speed. 18. When a document information is converted into data for an output device in a compressed form, an explicit conversion command from a user is issued after the time when the conversion of the document information to the data becomes possible. A data conversion including the compression prior to the compression, and the compression is performed at a plurality of compression ratios. 19. The method according to claim 18, wherein a transfer speed between the output device and the output device is detected, and data of any compression ratio is transmitted to the output device based on the transfer speed. Data conversion method described. 20. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a decompression speed of a decompression device of the output device is detected, and data of any compression ratio is transmitted to the output device based on the decompression speed.
9. The data conversion method according to 8. 21. When converting document information into data for an output device in a compressed form, after a point in time at which conversion of the document information to the data becomes possible, an explicit conversion command from a user is provided. A data conversion program for acquiring data included in the document prior to the data compression, and selecting a compression method to be applied to data included in the document from a plurality of compression methods. . 22. When converting document information into data for an output device in a compressed form, after a point in time at which conversion of the document information to the data becomes possible, an explicit conversion command from a user is provided. Acquiring all the image data included in the original prior to, selecting a compression method to be applied to each image from among a plurality of compression methods, and comparing the compression method to each image with the selected compression method. A data conversion program characterized by holding a correspondence result. 23. After the document information can be converted into the data, the document information is converted into intermediate format data of an OS prior to an explicit conversion command from a user. 23. The data conversion program according to claim 21, wherein data included in the document is obtained from data. 24. The data conversion program according to claim 21, wherein data for an output device compressed by the selected compression method is held. 25. When converting document information into data for an output device in a compressed form, after a point in time at which conversion of the document information to the data becomes possible, an explicit conversion command from a user Performing the data conversion prior to, performing the data conversion using a plurality of compression methods,
A data conversion program for storing data for the plurality of compressed output devices. 26. The data conversion program according to claim 25, further comprising detecting a transfer rate with the output device, and transmitting any one of the compressed data based on the transfer rate. . 27. The data conversion program according to claim 25, further comprising means for detecting a decompression speed of the output device and transmitting one compressed data based on the decompression speed. 28. When converting document information into data for an output device in a compressed form, after a point in time at which conversion of the document information to the data becomes possible, an explicit conversion command from a user A data conversion including the compression prior to the data conversion, wherein the compression is performed at a plurality of compression ratios. 29. The method according to claim 28, further comprising: detecting a transfer speed with the output device, and transmitting data of any compression ratio to the output device based on the transfer speed. Data conversion program as described. 30. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a decompression speed of a decompression device of the output device is detected, and data of any compression ratio is transmitted to the output device based on the decompression speed.
9. The data conversion program according to 8. 31. A computer readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 21 is recorded.