JP2004246803A - Data conversion device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To automatically start backup operation while maintaining high data conversion processing efficiency in a data conversion device for inputting page description data, storing the inputted page description data, converting the inputted page description data into raster image data, and outputting the raster image data to the outside. <P>SOLUTION: The data conversion device is provided with a timer part 105 for counting clocks of a prescribed period, a backup processing part 106 for backing up the stored page description data, and a setting part 107 for setting a condition for determining the start timing of backup by the backup processing part 106. When the count value of the timer part 105 satisfies the condition set by the setting part 107, the backup processing part 106 backs up the stored page description data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a data conversion apparatus that receives page description data, stores the input page description data, converts the page description data into raster image data, and outputs the raster image data to the outside.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, in a data processing apparatus that processes acquired electronic data, the acquired electronic data is often backed up (copied) in preparation for damage or disappearance of the apparatus or other unexpected situations (for example, non-patent literature) 1). This backup processing places a considerable load on the data processing apparatus. Therefore, the backup is usually performed in anticipation of a time when the operation rate of the data processing apparatus is low.
[0003]
By the way, as one of the data processing apparatuses, the data conversion apparatus as described above is known, and even with such a data conversion apparatus, backup is performed in anticipation of a time when the operation rate of the apparatus is low. For example, in a data converter that tends to receive page description data one after another from customers during the day and rarely input at night, backup is performed at night. In addition, in a data conversion device in which page description data is randomly input for 24 hours, but there is a tendency that time is required until the next page description data is input, the next page description data is not stored after the conversion process is completed. Backup is performed before input.
[0004]
[Non-Patent Document 1]
"News-OS System Workbook" by Asiya Ishida, Yuji Matsumae and Masahiro Takei, ASCII, Inc., December 21, 1988, p. 141-144
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, even when performing backup at night or when performing backup before the next page description data is input, the start operation of the backup is performed by the operator. Until it starts, the operator must be restrained, which increases labor costs.
[0006]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a data conversion device that can start backup without human intervention while maintaining high data conversion processing efficiency.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The data conversion apparatus of the present invention that achieves the above object receives page description data, stores the input page description data, converts it into raster image data, and outputs the raster image data to the outside In the conversion device,
A timer unit for counting clocks of a predetermined period;
A backup processing unit for backing up the stored page description data;
A setting unit for setting conditions for determining the timing at which the backup processing unit starts backup,
The backup processing unit backs up the stored page description data when a count value of the timer unit satisfies a condition set by the setting unit.
[0008]
According to the data conversion apparatus of the present invention, the backup processing unit automatically sets the condition for determining the timing excluding the timing that reduces the data conversion processing efficiency in the setting unit in advance. Since the backup is started, the backup can be started without human intervention while maintaining high data conversion processing efficiency.
[0009]
Further, in the data conversion device of the present invention, the timer unit indicates the current time,
The setting unit may set a time to start backup, or
The timer section indicates the elapsed time of the page description data input last, from the input time point.
The setting unit may set a waiting time from the input time of the last input page description data to the start time of backup.
[0010]
The former is suitable for performing backup at night, and the latter is suitable for performing backup between the end of the conversion process and the input of the next page description data.
[0011]
Furthermore, in the data conversion device of the present invention, the data conversion device stores the raster image data together with the input page description data,
The backup processing unit may back up the page description data stored at the time and also back up the output image data stored.
[0012]
Backing up the raster image data converted over time together with the page description data saves the trouble of the conversion process twice.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.
[0014]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system in which a data conversion apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is incorporated.
[0015]
FIG. 1 shows editing workstations 201, 202, and 203, the data conversion apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, and a printer 300.
[0016]
Editing workstations 201, 202, and 203 use page description language (PDL) for editing work that determines the layout of images, text, line drawings, etc. representing images using editing software (DTP application). Then, the result is output to the information processing apparatus 10 as PS (PostScript) data or PDF (Portable Document Format) data. These PS data and PDF data are data in which the contents of a page are described in a program language, and correspond to page description data referred to in the present invention.
[0017]
As will be described in detail later, the data conversion apparatus 10 converts the PS data and PDF data into RIP (Raster Image Processor) data for printing and outputs the data to the printer 300.
[0018]
The printer 300 employs an electrophotographic method, and prints an image composed of raster image data on both sides or one side of a designated printing paper. A sublimation thermal transfer method may be employed instead of the electrophotographic method.
[0019]
FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the data conversion apparatus shown in FIG.
[0020]
The data conversion device 10 includes a CPU 1 that executes various programs, a main memory 2 that is read out from a program stored in the hard disk device 3 and developed for execution by the CPU 1, and a hard disk that stores various programs and data. The apparatus 3, a magneto-optical (MO) disk 4_1 are loaded, the MO disk drive 4 accessing the loaded MO disk 4_1, the CD-ROM drive 5 accessing the CD-ROM 5_1, and the editing workstation 201 shown in FIG. , 202, 203, an input interface 6 that receives PS / PDF data from the editing workstations 201, 202, 203, and an output interface 7 that is connected to the printer 300 and sends RIP data to the printer 300. Yes. Further, the data conversion device 10 includes an image display device 12 that displays an image according to an instruction from the CPU 1, a keyboard 13 that inputs various types of information according to key operations, and an arbitrary screen on the image display device 12. The mouse 14 is also provided for inputting an instruction corresponding to, for example, an icon or the like displayed at the position by designating the position. These various elements are connected to each other via a bus 15.
[0021]
FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the data conversion apparatus shown in FIG.
[0022]
The data conversion apparatus 10 includes an input unit 101, a PDF processing unit 102, a RIP unit 103, an output unit 104, a timer unit 105, a backup processing unit 106, and a setting unit 107. The input unit 101 shown in FIG. 3 receives the input PS file A storing PS data and the input PDF file B storing PDF data from the editing workstations 201, 202, and 203 shown in FIG. These input files A and B are temporarily stored (spooled) as an original PS file C and an original PDF file D, respectively. These original files C and D are sent to the RIP unit 103 or sent to the PDF processing unit 102. The RIP unit 103 converts the PS data and PDF data of the received original file into RIP data, generates a RIP file E storing the converted RIP data, and sends it to the output unit 104. The PDF processing unit 102 includes a PGF conversion unit 1021 and an image processing unit 1022. The PS data of the original PS file C may be sent to the PGF conversion unit 1021, and when the PS data is sent, the PGF conversion unit 1021 converts the received PS data into PDF data, and converts it. The converted PDF file F storing the PGF data is generated and sent to the image processing unit 1022. In addition, the PDF data of the original PDF file D may be sent to the image processing unit 1022. The image processing unit 1022 performs color conversion processing on the sent PDF data based on the ICC profile, and then an object for making the positional deviation of each color on the printing paper printed by the printer 300 inconspicuous. Trap processing such as fattening and thinning is performed. In addition, the image processing unit 1022 performs a font embedding process for embedding font data in the PDF data following the trap process, and finally performs an error check to store the processed PDF data finally. G is output. A report PDF file H representing the result of the error check is also output. When the processed PDF file G is used by the external device 400, even if the font is not incorporated in the external device 400, the preview (display) and editing are performed with the PDF application installed in the external device 400. (Edit) Trap specification is possible. Further, the processed PDF data stored in the processed PDF file G is converted into RIP data by the RIP unit 103 and sent to the output unit 104 as the RIP file E. The output unit 104 outputs the RIP file E to the printer.
[0023]
The timer unit 105 counts a clock having a predetermined period.
[0024]
In the data conversion apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1, original files C, D, etc. are stored in the hard disk apparatus 3 shown in FIG. 2, and a backup process for copying to the MO disk loaded in the MO disk drive 4 is performed. The setting unit 107 sets conditions for determining the timing for starting the backup process, specifies a file to be backed up, and the like, and corresponds to the keyboard 13 and the mouse 14 shown in FIG. The backup processing unit 106 copies the file stored in the hard disk device 3 to the MO disk when the count value of the timer unit 105 satisfies the condition set by the setting unit 107. The CPU 1 shown in FIG. Therefore, according to the data conversion apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1, the setting unit 107 is set in advance with conditions for determining timings excluding timings that would reduce the data conversion processing efficiency, so that the backup process Since automatic backup is started by the unit 106, it is possible to start backup without human intervention while maintaining high data conversion processing efficiency.
The backup destination is not limited to the MO disk, but may be various external storage media, or may be the hard disk device of the server if the data conversion apparatus 10 is connected to the server.
[0025]
The backup process in the data conversion apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 will be described below using the GUI screen related to the backup process displayed on the image display apparatus 12 shown in FIG.
[0026]
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a GUI screen when the backup tool is activated.
[0027]
The backup tool is activated from a startup menu displayed by clicking the start button 30 shown in the lower left of FIG. A job ticket is included in the original PS file C and the original PDF file D shown in FIG. 3, and the user first performs job registration according to the job ticket. Upon receiving this job registration, the data conversion apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 executes conversion processing by the PDF conversion unit 1021 and conversion processing by the RIP unit 103 shown in FIG. 3 in units of jobs, and backup processing also in units of jobs. Process.
[0028]
When the backup tool is activated, the archiver screen 40 shown in FIG. 4 is opened. The archiver screen 40 is vertically divided into two parts. The upper half of the archive job field 41 shows a list of jobs being archived, that is, the backup process, and the lower half of the queue job field 42 shows a queue. , That is, a list of jobs waiting for processing by the RIP unit 103 and processing by the PDF processing unit 102 shown in FIG. Here, there are no jobs being archived, and there are a total of four jobs in the queue.
[0029]
When the icon 431 at the right end of the tool bar 43 displayed on the archiver screen 40 is clicked, the backup setting tool is activated.
[0030]
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a GUI screen when the backup setting tool is activated.
[0031]
When the backup setting tool is activated, an archive task schedule reservation screen 50 shown in FIG. 5 is opened. The archive task schedule reservation screen 50 is closed by clicking the “Close” button in the lower right.
[0032]
On the schedule reservation screen 50 of the archive task shown in FIG. 5, the backup processing (tasks) that have already been set are shown in a list format in a horizontal row. Here, one backup process named “Test” is shown. When changing the contents of this backup processing, the mouse pointer 141 is placed on the backup processing column and the mouse 14 shown in FIG. 2 is clicked. By doing so, the backup process to be changed is designated. Next, when the leftmost icon 511 of the tool bar 51 shown on this screen is clicked, a correction window for changing the contents of the backup processing is opened. Further, when setting a new backup process, the designation of the backup process by the mouse operation may be omitted, and the leftmost icon 511 on the toolbar 51 may be clicked. In this case, a new setting window for setting a new backup process is opened. Since the correction window and the new setting window are the same except that the display of the title bar is different, the new setting window will be described here, and the description of the correction window will be omitted.
[0033]
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a default display mode of the new setting window.
[0034]
The new setting window 60 shown in FIG. 6 is provided with three panels such as “task setting”, “setting”, and “schedule reservation”, and each of these panels is provided with a tab. Here, a “task setting” panel 61 is displayed. This panel 61 is provided with a name input field 611 for inputting the name of the backup process (task) and a content input field 612 for inputting simple contents of the backup process. Further, two check boxes 613 and 614 arranged in the vertical direction are prepared under the content input field 612. When the upper check box 613 is checked, backup is not executed if the free space of the MO disk that is the backup destination is insufficient. Even when the free capacity of the MO disk is insufficient, if the check box 613 is not entered, backup is performed until the free capacity of the MO disk becomes zero. When the lower check box 614 is checked, backup processing is performed according to the schedule set in the “schedule reservation” panel described later. On the contrary, if the check box 614 below is not checked, the backup process is not executed.
[0035]
The content input to the “task setting” panel 61 is confirmed by clicking the application button 615 in the lower right with a mouse operation. The panel 61 is returned to a non-input state by clicking a cancel button 616 and is closed by clicking an OK button 617. Note that these buttons have the same function in each screen used in the following description.
[0036]
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a display mode when a tab labeled “Setting” is clicked in the new setting window.
[0037]
In FIG. 7, a “setting” panel 71 is displayed. In this panel 71, three fields of a destination selection field 711, an archive job selection field 712, and a selected job display field 713 are prepared on the left half, and a data type selection field 714, a compression method selection are displayed on the right half. Three columns, a column 715 and an option setting column 716, are prepared.
[0038]
In the destination selection column 711, a column 7111 for designating a backup destination is provided. Here, the F drive proportionate to the MO disk device shown in FIG. 2 is selected. The destination selection column 711 is provided with a radio button 7112 for selecting a data storage mode at the backup destination. When the radio button labeled “Folder” is clicked, a file is created for each job, and the created files are stored in one folder. On the other hand, when the radio button labeled “File” is clicked, a single file containing all jobs is created.
[0039]
In the archive job selection field 712, three radio buttons 7121 to 7123 for selecting the type of job to be backed up are provided in a vertical row.
When the top radio button 7121 is clicked, the job selection button 7124 next to it is activated, and a list of jobs already selected is displayed in the selected job display field 713. FIG. 7 shows a state when the top radio button 7121 is clicked. If job selection button 7124 that has become active is clicked, the display in selected job display field 713 is switched to the content displayed in queue job field 42 shown in FIG. That is, the selected job display field 713 displays a list of jobs that currently exist in the queue. A selection button (not shown) is added in the selected job display field 713 in accordance with the display switching in the selected job display field 713. The user can designate a desired job as a backup job by clicking a selection button (not shown) from among jobs currently existing in the queue. Here, in the data conversion apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1, when the user registers a job, it is possible to make a temporary reservation to set the backup processing by setting an archive flag for the job to be registered. . When the center radio button 7122 is clicked, a flag confirmation button 7125 next to it is activated, and a list of jobs already selected is displayed in the selected job display field 713. When the activated flag confirmation button 7125 is clicked, the display in the selected job display field 713 is switched to a list of jobs for which the archive flag is set among jobs currently existing in the queue. Also in this case, a selection button (not shown) is added in the selected job display field 713 in accordance with the display switching, and the user clicks this selection button to select the backup processing setting from the temporarily reserved jobs. A job to perform backup processing can be finally specified. When the lowest radio button 7123 is clicked, the number of days designation column 7126 and the refresh button 7127 next to it are both activated. The day designation column 7126 is a column in which any one of a plurality of days can be designated in the hop-up menu format. The selected job display column 713 contains the number of days designated in the day designation column 7126. A list of jobs completed within is displayed. Although the new setting window is described here, the refresh button 7127 is a button used when the correction window is opened to change the content of the backup process. When the same panel as the “setting” panel 71 shown in FIG. 7 is opened from a correction window (not shown) and the bottom radio button 7123 is clicked, a new setting is made in the selected job display field 713. A list of jobs that have been completed within the number of days specified in the number-of-days specification field 7126 from the time point is displayed. In other words, the selected job display field 713 displays a list of jobs based on the time when the new setting is made. When the refresh button 7127 is clicked, the list of jobs displayed in the selected job display field 713 is updated to the one based on the point in time when this button is clicked.
[0040]
In the upper right data type selection field 714, two radio buttons 7141 and 7142 for selecting the type of data to be backed up are provided. In this data converter 10, in addition to the PS data stored in the original PS file C shown in FIG. 3 and the PDF data stored in the original PDF file D (hereinafter referred to as original data), It is possible to select to back up data of processing results by the RIP unit 103 and the PDF processing unit 102. That is, three data (RIP data stored in the RIP file E shown in FIG. 3, processed PDF data stored in the processed PDF file G, and report PDF data stored in the report PDF file H ( Hereinafter, these three data are collectively referred to as developed data). When radio button 7141 marked “original only” is clicked, the developed data is not backed up, and only the original data is backed up. On the other hand, when radio button 7142 labeled “original and expanded” is clicked, both the original data and the expanded data are backed up. Note that the expanded data is also backed up in units of jobs in which the data is generated, and various selections described above and various selections described later can be performed. Even if an unforeseen situation occurs and it is necessary to generate the expanded data again, it is preferable to back up the expanded data so that the generation process is saved twice.
[0041]
The compression method selection column 715 is a column for selecting whether or not to back up the data to be backed up using two radio buttons. Here, compression is selected.
[0042]
In the option setting field 716, two check boxes 7161 and 7162 are provided. By checking one check box 7161, when the backup source data that has been backed up is backed up again, the data to be backed up again is overwritten on the backup destination backup data created during the previous backup. On the contrary, if this check box 7161 is not checked, the data to be backed up again is not backed up when the backup source data that has been backed up is backed up again.
Also, by checking the other check box 7162, the backup is completed even when only the original data is backed up or when both the original data and the expanded data are backed up. The expanded data is deleted from the backup source. On the contrary, if the check box 7162 is not checked, the expanded data is saved in the backup source in any case.
[0043]
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display mode when the tab marked “Schedule reservation” is clicked in the new setting window.
[0044]
FIG. 8 shows a “schedule reservation” panel 81. A date / time designation field 811 and a frequency designation field 812 are provided above the panel 81, and a waiting time designation field 813 is provided below. In the data conversion apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1, the backup start timing is set by time designation, or the elapsed time since the last input file of the PS file or PDF file input so far is input. Set by time. If the former, PS files and PDF files are input one after another by customers during the day, and it is suitable for backup when there is a tendency that they are rarely input at night. It is suitable for backup when a PDF file or a PDF file is input, but there is a tendency that time is required until the next file is input. In the present invention, it is not always necessary to set the backup start timing based on both the time and the elapsed time, and may be set based on either one or other conditions.
[0045]
When setting the backup start timing by specifying the time, the radio button 8110 provided at the left corner of the date / time specifying column 811 is turned on. Then, the two fields of the date / time designation field 811 and the frequency designation field 812 become active, and the waiting time designation field 813 below them becomes sleep. The date / time designation column 811 is a column for designating the start date / time of the backup processing. When the radio button 8110 is turned on, the timer unit 105 shown in FIG. 3 functions as indicating the current time. The backup processing unit 106 shown in FIG. 3 starts backup at the date and time designated in the date and time designation field 811. In the date / time designation field 811, a start date field 8111 marked with a start date, a time field 8112 marked with a start time, and an end date field 8113 marked with an end date are prepared. In any of these fields 8111, 8112, and 8113, the current date and time are displayed as default settings, respectively.
[0046]
The frequency designation column 812 next to it is a column for designating the backup frequency. Here, the radio button 8121 displayed as “once” is turned on, and once backup is performed, it is specified that the backup source data that has been backed up is not backed up again. When the radio button 8121 displayed as “once” is turned on, two fields of the date / time designation field 811, a start date field 8111 and a time field 8112, become active. When the hop-up button 8111a in the start date column 8111 that has become active is clicked, a calendar is displayed.
[0047]
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state when a calendar is displayed on the “schedule reservation” panel.
[0048]
In FIG. 9, the calendar 8111b of the year and month displayed in the start date column 8111 is displayed, and the current day is marked with a circle. To specify the desired day on which to start the backup, click on the desired day on the calendar. The specified date is highlighted. Here, the 25th is specified.
[0049]
In addition, in the time column 8112 shown in FIG. 8, in order to specify a desired time, an up / down button on the right side is clicked. The backup process starts at the date and time specified in the two fields of the start date column 8111 and the time column 8112 in the date / time specification column 811, and here, the radio button displayed as “once” in the frequency specification column 812 When 8121 is turned on, the process ends in one backup process.
[0050]
The frequency designation field 812 is also provided with radio buttons 8122 to 8124 respectively displaying “Monthly”, “Once a week”, and “Once a month”. These radio buttons 8122 to 8124 are for designating that the backup source data once backed up is backed up again at a predetermined cycle, and any one of these radio buttons 8122 to 8124 When is turned on, the end date field 8113 of the date / time designation field 811 becomes active. When the hop-up button 8113a in the activated end date column 8113 is clicked, a calendar 8111b shown in FIG. 9 is displayed as in the start date column 8111. The month of this calendar 8111b is changed by clicking the left and right feed buttons 8111c. The day is specified by the same operation as the start date. When a date is specified in the end date column 8113, the backup processing unit 106 shown in FIG. 3 does not perform re-backup processing after the specified date. Therefore, for example, if once a month is specified as the frequency, September 25, 2002 is specified as the backup start date, and December 31, 2002 is specified as the backup end date, from September 25, 2002, The backup process is executed on the 25th of every month, and the series of backup processes ends after the backup process on December 25, 2002.
[0051]
On the other hand, when the backup start timing is set according to the elapsed time, the radio button 8130 provided at the left corner of the waiting time designation field 813 is turned on.
This time, the waiting time designation field 813 becomes active, and the two fields, the date / time designation field 811 and the frequency designation field 812, go to sleep. The waiting time designation field 813 is a field for designating the waiting time from the input time of the last input file to the start time of backup by clicking the up / down button 8131 on the right side. This radio button When 8130 is turned on, the timer unit 105 shown in FIG. 3 functions to indicate the elapsed time from the input time of the last input file. The backup processing unit 106 shown in FIG. 3 starts the backup processing when the waiting time specified in the waiting time specification field 813 has elapsed.
[0052]
In any of the start date column 8111, the time column 8112, the end date column 8113, and the waiting time designation column 813, direct input from the keyboard 13 shown in FIG. 2 is possible.
[0053]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the data conversion apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to start backup without human intervention while maintaining high data conversion processing efficiency.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system in which a data conversion apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is incorporated.
FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the data conversion apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
3 is a functional block diagram of the data conversion apparatus shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a GUI screen when a backup tool is activated.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a GUI screen when a backup setting tool is activated.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a default display mode of a new setting window.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a display mode when a tab marked “Setting” is clicked in a new setting window;
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display mode when a tab marked “schedule reservation” is clicked in a new setting window;
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state when a calendar is displayed in the “schedule reservation” panel.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Data converter
1 CPU
2 Main memory
3 Hard disk devices
4 MO disk drive
13 Keyboard
14 mouse
101 Input section
102 PDF processing part
103 RIP section
104 Output section
105 Timer section
106 Backup processing unit
107 Setting section

Claims (4)

In a data conversion apparatus that receives page description data, stores the input page description data, converts the page description data into raster image data, and outputs the raster image data to the outside.
A timer unit for counting clocks of a predetermined period;
A backup processing unit for backing up the stored page description data;
A setting unit for setting conditions for determining the timing at which the backup processing unit starts backup,
The data conversion device, wherein the backup processing unit backs up the stored page description data when a count value of the timer unit satisfies a condition set by the setting unit. The timer unit indicates the current time,
The data conversion apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit sets a time to start backup. The timer unit indicates the elapsed time from the input time of the page description data input last,
2. The data conversion apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit sets a waiting time from the time when the page description data input last is input to the time when backup is started. The data converter stores the raster image data together with the input page description data,
2. The data conversion apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the backup processing unit backs up the page description data stored at the time and also backs up the output image data stored therein.

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