JP2019160231A - Information processing apparatus, image forming apparatus, system, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To reduce the time required for printing of a document file.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus comprises: a conversion unit that causes an image forming apparatus to print a plurality of copies of document files and generates a second document file having a different format from a first document file; a processing unit that transmits, to the image forming apparatus, the first document file, the second document file, and a print instruction; a measuring unit that measures the time required for printing of the first document file and the time required for printing of the second document file; and a determination unit that transmits, to the image forming apparatus, a print instruction with the document file in which the measured time required for printing is shorter.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an image forming apparatus, a system, and a program.

  An image forming apparatus such as an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral / Printer / Product) receives files created in various formats such as PCL (Printer Control Language), PS (PostScript), or PDF (Portable Document Format), and performs print processing. Execute. In sequential access format files such as PCL and PS, the data of each page is arranged in page order. For this reason, the image forming apparatus can sequentially read and print the data of each page while receiving the sequential access format file. On the other hand, for a document file recorded in a random access format such as a PDF file, the data of each page can be arranged without being in page order. Therefore, the image forming apparatus completes reception of the entire document file. Then, the data of each page is accessed and printed while referring to the structure information of the document file arranged behind the document file.

  Therefore, the PDF file is divided into a plurality of data blocks, the last data block is transferred to the image forming apparatus first, and a notification indicating that the image forming apparatus has received the mutual compatibility table is received from the image forming apparatus. Later, the first data block is transmitted. As a result, on the image forming apparatus side, conventionally, printing cannot be started unless it is received up to the end of the PDF file in order to acquire the mutual compatibility table. However, since the mutual compatibility table can be acquired first, A technique for starting and executing printing in parallel with data reception is known (for example, Patent Document 1).

  However, when a PDF file is converted into a format that can be sequentially processed and printing is performed, depending on the content of the PDF file, it may take time to print instead.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to reduce the time required for printing a document file.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the information processing apparatus causes the image forming apparatus to print a plurality of document files, and generates a second document file having a different format from the first document file; A processing unit that transmits a document file, the second document file, and a print instruction to the image forming apparatus, a time required for printing the first document file, and a time required for printing the second document file And a determination unit that transmits a print instruction for a document file with a shorter time required for the printing to the image forming apparatus.

  The time required for printing the document file can be reduced.

It is a figure which shows the example of the system 1 in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the hardware structural example of PC100 or the cloud 300 in embodiment of this invention. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of an MFP 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. It is a figure which shows the function structural example of PC100 or the cloud 300 in embodiment of this invention. 3 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of an MFP 200 in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the PDF file in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the example (1) of the data processing in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the example (2) of the data processing in embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the example of operation | movement of the system 1 in embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the example of the operation | movement which produces the conversion rule in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the conversion rule creation conditions in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the display screen of the list of conversion rule creation conditions in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the display screen which adds the conversion rule preparation conditions in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the conversion rule in embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the system 1 includes a PC 100, an MFP 200, and a cloud 300.

  The PC 100 is an information processing apparatus having a communication function, and may be, for example, a smart device such as a tablet or a smartphone, a notebook PC, a video conference terminal, an electronic blackboard, or a camera. The PC 100 may store a PDF (Portable Document Format) file in the cloud 300. Further, the PC 100 can transmit a PDF file to the MFP 200. Further, the PC 100 can instruct the MFP 200 to print a PDF file stored in the cloud 300. The PC 100 also has a document file conversion function, which will be described later.

  The cloud 300 includes an information processing apparatus having a communication function. Similar to the PC 100, the cloud 300 functions as a print server that stores and manages a document file such as a PDF file and transmits it to the MFP 200 based on a request from the PC 100 or the MFP 200. The cloud 300 also has a document file conversion function described later.

  The MFP 200 is an information processing apparatus having an image processing function and a communication function, and is, for example, an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral / Printer / Product), a facsimile, a scanner, or a printer. The MFP 200 shown in FIG. 1 may be, for example, an MFP having a facsimile, scanner, and printer function, or may be a printer. The MFP 200 can divide and print a PDF file in units of pages. A plurality of MFPs 200 may be included in the system 1.

  The PC 100, the MFP 200, and the cloud 300 are connected via a network. For example, the network may be a wired LAN, a wireless LAN, or the like, or may be a network that includes the Internet in part. That is, not all devices need to be connected to a single network.

  The PC 100 or the cloud 300 can convert a document file in a random access format such as a PDF file into a format that can be sequentially processed using an arbitrary application or driver. Details of the conversion of the document file will be described later. The PC 100 or the cloud 300 transmits a print request including the converted document file to the MFP 200. The MFP 200 receives the document file transmitted from the PC 100 or the cloud 300 and executes print processing.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the PC 100 or the cloud 300 according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the information processing apparatus that configures the PC 100 or the cloud 300 has the same configuration as a general information processing terminal, and includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, an input device 12, a RAM (Random Access). A storage device 13 and an output device 14 each including a memory (ROM), a read only memory (ROM), and a hard disk drive (HDD) are included.

  The CPU 11 is a calculation unit and controls the overall operation of the PC 100 or the cloud 300. The storage device 13 includes a volatile storage device that can read and write information at high speed, and is used as a work area when the CPU 11 processes information. The storage device 13 includes a read-only nonvolatile storage device, and stores programs such as firmware. The storage device 13 includes a non-volatile storage medium capable of reading and writing information such as an HDD, and stores an OS (Operating System), various control programs, application programs, and the like. The output device 14 communicates with the PC 100, the MFP 200, or the cloud 300 via a network. The output device 14 is a visual user interface that allows the user to check the state of the PC 100 or the cloud 300. The input device 12 is a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, or the like, and is a device that serves as a user interface for a user to input information to the PC 100 or the cloud 300.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the MFP 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the MFP 200 has a configuration in which a controller 20, a plotter engine 30, an operation panel 31, and a scanner engine 32 are connected via respective interfaces. The controller 20 includes a CPU 21, ROM 22, RAM 23, NVRAM (Non Volatile RAM) 24, HDD 25, network I / F 26, engine I / F 27, panel I / F 28, and scanner I / F 29.

  The controller 20 is a controller that controls the entire MFP 200 and controls and processes input from printing, communication, and a user interface. The plotter engine 30 prints an image on a sheet. The operation panel 31 acquires user input relating to setting of printing conditions and displays the state of the MFP 200 and the like. The scanner engine 32 scans an original with a pressure plate or a DF (Document Feeder).

  The CPU 21 controls the controller 20 by executing a program stored in the ROM 22. The ROM 22 is a nonvolatile storage device that stores programs and data necessary for controlling the controller 20. The RAM 23 is a volatile storage device used when the CPU 21 executes a program. The NVRAM 24 is a nonvolatile storage device for storing data that needs to be retained even when the power is turned off. The HDD 25 is a non-volatile storage device for storing drawn image data or received print data.

  The network I / F 26 is an interface for communicating with the PC 100 or the cloud 300. The engine I / F 27 is an interface for controlling the plotter engine 30 from the controller 20. The panel I / F 28 is an interface for controlling the operation panel 31 from the controller 20. The scanner I / F 29 is an interface for controlling the scanner engine 32 from the controller 20.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the PC 100 or the cloud 300 according to the embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the PC 100 or the cloud 300 includes a communication unit 101, a display unit 102, a PDF file storage unit 103, a data processing unit 104, a PDF conversion module 105, and a conversion rule DB 108. The PDF conversion module 105 includes a printing time determination unit 106 and a PDF conversion unit 107. Each of these functional units is realized by the CPU 11 executing a program stored in the storage device 13.

  The communication unit 101 transmits and receives print data. The display unit 102 receives an instruction from the user and notifies a message to the user. The PDF file storage unit 103 stores a print target PDF file. The data processing unit 104 determines whether or not to convert the PDF file stored in the PDF file storage unit 103. If it is determined to convert, the data processing unit 104 instructs the PDF conversion module 105 to perform conversion. The conversion of the PDF file is to convert the PDF file into a format that can be sequentially processed. In addition, the data processing unit 104 transmits a print instruction via the communication unit 101.

  The PDF conversion module 105 has a function of converting a PDF file into a format that can be sequentially processed. The printing time determination unit 106 prints the converted PDF file as the first copy and acquires the printing time, and prints the converted PDF file as the second copy for printing and acquires the printing time. The print time determination unit 106 determines which of the converted PDF file and the PDF file that is not converted can be printed earlier. The PDF conversion unit 107 converts the PDF file into a format that can be sequentially processed. Note that the PDF conversion module 105 may have the function of the data processing unit 104 described above.

  The conversion rule DB 108 is a database that stores information related to PDF file conversion rules. The conversion rule indicates one or more conditions that are applied to printing of all the copies of a PDF file and determine whether the PDF file is converted into a format that can be sequentially processed or not.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the MFP 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the MFP 200 includes a communication unit 201, a display unit 202, and a printing unit 203. The printing unit 203 includes a print data reception unit 204, a page data generation unit 205, a copy number printing determination unit 208, a data storage unit 209, a print data processing unit 210, and a transfer unit 211. The page data generation unit 205 includes a page-by-page data generation unit 206 and a division possibility determination unit 207. Each of these functional units is realized by the CPU 21 executing a program stored in the ROM 22.

  The communication unit 201 transmits and receives print data. The display unit 202 receives an instruction from the user and notifies a message to the user. The printing unit 203 executes print processing based on the print data and the print instruction received by the communication unit 101.

  The print data receiving unit 204 receives the print data transferred to the printing unit 203 among the data received by the communication unit 201 and instructs the page data generation unit 205 to perform printing. The page data generation unit 205 issues an instruction for dividing, generating, and storing the print data in the data storage unit 209. The page-by-page data generation unit 206 divides the print data into data for each page based on the determination result of the division possibility determination unit 207, and generates print data for each page by calculating and giving insufficient information. The division possibility determination unit 207 determines whether division is possible based on the identification information included in the print data or an instruction from the display unit 202, and notifies the page data generation unit 206 of the result. The number of copies determination unit 208 can store the pre-conversion PDF file and the post-conversion PDF file in the data storage unit 209 as a set. The copy number printing determination unit 208 can acquire both the pre-conversion PDF file and the post-conversion PDF file when the third and subsequent copies are printed. The data storage unit 209 stores print data and data divided for each page generated by the page data generation unit 205. The print data processing unit 210 interprets and draws a print data command and creates a print image. That is, the print data processing unit 210 has a RIP (Raster Image Processor) function. The transfer unit 211 outputs to the paper based on the print image created by the print data processing unit 210.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the data structure of the PDF file according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6 (A), in accordance with the open standard managed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the data structure of the PDF file has a header PH and a body PB in order from the top. , Cross reference table PR, trailer PT. The information included in the header PH, body PB, cross-reference table PR, or trailer PT shown in FIG. 6A is an example.

  The header PH includes PDF version information and the like.

  In the body PB, structural information such as the number of pages of a document and drawing information for drawing are defined as a set of PDF objects. The PDF object is assigned an identifier in the format of “XY obj” and is referred to based on the identifier. According to the language specification of PDF, the objects do not have to be arranged in the page order, and the reference number “X” for identifying the objects does not need to be a sequential number. For example, “5 0 obj” shown in FIG. 6A may be necessary for rendering the fifth page, and “18 0 obj” is necessary for rendering the first page. “7 0 obj” may be necessary to draw the third page. Therefore, it cannot be determined whether or not an arbitrary page can be drawn until all the objects are received.

  The cross-reference table PR includes address information (position information) of the object of each object number defined in the body PB. The address information is offset information indicating how many bytes the object is from the beginning of the header PH. The MFP 200 identifies and accesses the position of the object based on the cross reference table PR.

  The trailer PT includes address information (startxref) indicating the position of the cross-reference table PR, a document catalog object number “Root”, or a reference “Info” to the PDF file creation date and time.

  Also, the logical structure of the objects included in the PDF file shown in FIG. For description, an example of a page tree is described. However, as a language specification, a page tree can also have a hierarchical structure.

  At the top, there is a trailer dictionary included in the trailer PT, from which an object called a document catalog is defined that becomes the root “/ Root” of the logical structure included in the body PB. The document catalog has a page tree. The page tree “/ Pages” is “/ Parent”, and has a page object “/ Kids” indicating information of each page. Further, the page object includes a resource “/ Resources” object that defines a resource such as a font or an image, and a content stream “/ Contents” in which drawing information is described.

  Due to the data structure of the PDF file as described above, the MFP 200 specifies the object number of the document catalog from the trailer PT, and specifies the address information corresponding to the object number from the cross-reference table PR, thereby accessing the document catalog. . That is, in a normal operation by the MFP 200, the image processing related to the PDF file is started after reading up to the trailer PT of the PDF file.

  Here, in the prior art, the PDF file is transferred in a unique processing flow in which the PDF file is divided and transmitted from the tail, and the remainder is transmitted after receiving the reception notification of the cross-reference table PR. In this case, an MFP other than the MFP corresponding to the processing flow cannot receive the PDF file. Therefore, on the PDF file transmission side, it is necessary to change the PDF file transmission processing between the corresponding MFP and the non-compatible MFP.

  Further, since the objects are not necessarily arranged in the page order in the body PB included in the PDF file, even if the cross-reference table PR is received first, the object on the first page is arranged near the end. Has a problem that the start of printing is delayed.

  Also, when a PDF file is converted into a format that can be sequentially processed and printing is performed, depending on the content of the PDF file, the conversion sometimes takes time instead of converting.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an example of data processing according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7A, in a normal PDF file, objects necessary for drawing a page may not be arranged in the page order. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7B, the objects necessary for drawing are converted so as to be arranged in the page order so that they can be sequentially processed. The MFP 200 can sequentially process drawing for each page based on the PDF file converted so that objects necessary for drawing are arranged in page order.

  The PDF file objects are arranged in page order and converted into a format that can be sequentially processed, and information indicating that the PDF file has a format that can be sequentially processed is added to the header. The PC 100 or the cloud 300 transmits the converted PDF file to the MFP 200 from the top as usual. When the identification information is included in the header, the MFP 200 can start printing while receiving the page order from the top without relying on the cross reference table. On the other hand, even if the MFP 200 does not support the converted PDF, printing can be performed with reference to the cross-reference table after reception to the end as usual. There is no need to be aware of whether the MFP 200 corresponds to a PDF file that has been rearranged in order, that is, has a format that can be sequentially processed, or an incompatible MFP 200.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an example (2) of data processing in the embodiment of the present invention. An example of data processing will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 (1), (2), and (3). FIG. 8A shows the printing time required for printing 10 copies when it takes 5 seconds per copy until the RIP processes the converted PDF file and completes printing. As shown in FIG. 8A, the MFP 200 requires 50 seconds to print 10 copies.

  FIG. 8B shows the printing time required for printing 10 copies when it takes 10 seconds for each copy to be processed after the RIP processes a PDF file that has not been converted. As shown in FIG. 8B, the MFP 200 requires 100 seconds to print 10 copies.

  FIG. 8 (3) shows that the converted PDF file is printed in the first copy, the unconverted PDF file is printed in the second copy, and three converted PDF files are printed from the printing time required for each. Shows the printing time when printing is selected after the first print. As shown in FIG. 8 (3), it takes 5 seconds for the first copy, 10 seconds for the second copy, and 8 seconds for the third and subsequent copies. That is, the MFP 200 requires 55 seconds to print 10 copies.

  Another example of data processing will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 (4), (5), and (6). FIG. 8 (4) shows the printing time required for printing 10 copies when it takes 10 seconds per copy for the converted PDF file to be processed by the RIP. As shown in FIG. 8 (4), it takes 100 seconds to print 10 copies.

  FIG. 8 (5) shows the printing time required for printing 10 copies when it takes 5 seconds per copy until the RIP processes an unconverted PDF file and completes printing. As shown in FIG. 8 (52), it takes 50 seconds to print 10 copies.

  In FIG. 8 (6), the PDF file converted in the first copy is printed, the PDF file not converted in the second copy is printed, and the unconverted PDF file is printed 3 from the printing time required for each. Indicates the printing time when printing is selected for the second and subsequent copies. As shown in FIG. 8 (3), it takes 5 seconds for the first copy, 10 seconds for the second copy, and 8 seconds for the third and subsequent copies. That is, it takes 55 seconds to print 10 copies.

  As described with reference to FIGS. 8 (1) to (6), the PC 100 or the cloud 300 compares the print times of the converted PDF file and the unconverted PDF file, and the PDF having the shorter print time is used. Print the third and subsequent copies of the file.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of the system 1 in the embodiment of the present invention.

  In step S101, the user instructs the PC 100 or the cloud 300 to execute printing. Subsequently, the PDF conversion module 105 requests the conversion rule DB 108 for a conversion rule corresponding to the PDF file to be printed (S102). If the conversion rule corresponding to the PDF file exists in the conversion rule DB 108, the conversion rule DB 108 transmits the conversion rule to the PDF conversion module 105 (S103).

  In step S104, when the PDF conversion module 105 acquires the conversion rule in step S103, the PDF conversion module 105 transmits print instructions for all copies to the MFP 200 in the format of the PDF file specified by the conversion rule. Subsequently, the MFP 200 executes printing based on the print instruction (S105).

  On the other hand, when the conversion rule is not acquired, the PDF conversion module 105 converts the PDF file into a format that can be sequentially processed (S106). Subsequently, the PDF conversion module 105 transmits a print instruction for the converted PDF file to the MFP 200 as the first print (S107). Further, the PDF conversion module 105 may start measuring the printing time of the first copy from step S107. Subsequently, the MFP 200 completes reception of the converted PDF file, stores it (S108), and executes printing (S109). In step S110, the PDF conversion module 105 measures and stores the printing time for the first copy. The printing time may be measured based on information regarding the printing time transmitted from the MFP 200.

  In step S <b> 111, the PDF conversion module 105 transmits, to the MFP 200, a print instruction for a PDF file that has not been converted as the second copy. Further, the PDF conversion module 105 may start measuring the printing time of the second copy from step S111. Subsequently, the MFP 200 completes reception and saves the PDF file without conversion (S112), and executes printing (S113). In step S114, the PDF conversion module 105 measures and stores the printing time for the second copy. The printing time may be measured based on information regarding the printing time transmitted from the MFP 200.

  In step S115, the PDF conversion module 105 creates a conversion rule. Subsequently, the PDF conversion module 105 transmits the created conversion rule registration instruction to the conversion rule DB 108 (S116). Subsequently, the conversion rule DB 108 registers the conversion rule in the database (S117). Details regarding the creation of the conversion rule will be described later. Note that it may be possible to set whether to execute step S115 to step S117 as necessary.

  In step S <b> 118, the PDF conversion module 105 determines a format with a shorter print time for the first and second copies, and transmits a print instruction for the third and subsequent copies of the PDF file having the format to the MFP 200. Subsequently, the MFP 200 prints a PDF file in a designated format.

  Note that the order of execution from step S107 to step S110 and from step S111 to step S114 may be reversed. That is, the printing time of a PDF file converted into a format that can be processed sequentially may be measured before the printing time of a PDF file that has not been converted into a format that can be processed sequentially, or converted into a format that can be processed sequentially. The printing time of a PDF file that has not been converted may be measured before the printing time of a PDF file that has been converted into a format that can be sequentially processed.

Note that the following two printing operations of the MFP 200 are possible.
1) Print the first copy, print the second copy, print as the third job, and print after the third copy. 2) Print all the copies as one job. It is necessary to save the PDF file at the time of printing and at the time of printing the second copy. Furthermore, in the case of 1), it is necessary to perform printing using a PDF file having a format designated by the PDF conversion module 105 when the third and subsequent copies are printed. Three jobs are executed in succession. When the third job is printed for the third and subsequent copies, the first copy job or the PDF file saved by the second copy job is used. You need to be able to use and print. In the case of 2), it is necessary to receive two PDF files in one print job. Furthermore, it is necessary to print using the PDF file specified by the print instruction for the third and subsequent copies.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining an example of an operation for creating a conversion rule in the embodiment of the present invention. As a method for creating a conversion rule, the PDF conversion module 105 sets a setting value (hereinafter referred to as “conversion rule creation”) as to which of the items included in the conversion rule is to be set and how to create the conversion rule. It is held in advance as “condition”. For example, the conversion rule creation condition may be a condition for creating a conversion rule when the PDF file names match and the MFP / printer IP addresses match. Based on the conversion rule creation conditions, the PDF conversion module 105 creates a conversion rule at the time of printing.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining conditions for creating a conversion rule in the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 11, the conversion rule creation condition has the following items.
“Enabled?”: Conversion rule is valid or invalid. “Convert?”: Whether to convert a PDF file when the conversion rule is satisfied. The conversion rule creation condition includes the following items regarding the PDF file.
“Name”: File name “Size”: File size “Objects”: Number of objects “Hash”: File hash value The conversion rule creation condition includes the following items regarding the MFP 200.
“IP”: IP address “MAC”: MAC address “CPU”: CPU clock number “HDD”: HDD capacity “Memory”: Memory capacity The conversion rule creation condition 1 is valid, and when printing is executed, if the PDF file names match and the IP of the MFP 200 matches, a conversion rule for creating a PDF file is created. That is, when printing is executed, the PDF file name related to printing and the IP of the MFP 200 are acquired and stored in the conversion rule DB 108, and a conversion rule as shown in FIG. 14 is created.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a display screen for a list of conversion rule creation conditions in the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 12, conversion rule creation conditions are displayed in a list on the PC 100 or the cloud 300. In FIG. 12, three conversion rule creation conditions are registered. 1 is valid, 2 and no. 3 is set to invalid.

  For example, no. 1 is valid, and when printing is executed, the PDF file name and the IP address of the MFP 200 are acquired, and if the PDF file name is the same and the IP address of the MFP 200 matches, the PDF file is converted. A conversion rule is created.

  For example, No. 3 is set to invalid in FIG. 12, but when valid, when printing is executed, the PDF file size, the number of pages, the number of objects, and the MAC address of the MFP 200 are acquired to obtain the PDF file. Conversion rule that does not convert a PDF file when the size of the file is within ± 10%, the number of pages is within ± 30%, the number of objects is within ± 10%, and the MAC address of the MFP 200 matches Is created.

  There is a check box on the leftmost of each line shown in FIG. 12, and the user checks the check box and then presses “Modify” (change) and “Delete” (delete) to convert the target line. Rule creation conditions can be changed or deleted. Note that a conversion rule creation condition can be newly added by pressing “Add” (add).

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display screen for adding a condition for creating a conversion rule in the embodiment of the present invention. The user can add conversion rule creation conditions on the display screen shown in FIG. The user checks a check box of an item used for creating the conversion rule, and selects a desired value from the pull-down list options. In the pull-down list, the following options are provided for each item.
“Name”: matching, “mismatching” “Size”: ± 10%, ± 20%, ± 30%,...
“Pages”: ± 10%, ± 20%, ± 30%,...
“Objects”: ± 10%, ± 20%, ± 30%,...
“Hash”: matched, mismatched “IP”: matched, mismatched “MAC”: matched, mismatched “CPU”: ± 10%, ± 20%, ± 30%,...
"HDD": ± 10%, ± 20%, ± 30%, ...
“Memory”: ± 10%, ± 20%, ± 30%,...
“Conversion”: A necessary item to be set is set using a pull-down list, and a conversion rule creation condition is added by pressing “Add”.

  For example, with the setting shown in FIG. 13, the PDF file size is within ± 10%, the number of pages is within ± 30%, the number of objects is within ± 10%, and the MAC addresses match. Conversion rule creation conditions to be converted in case are added.

FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the conversion rule in the embodiment of the present invention. The conversion rules are managed as shown in FIG. 14 and have the following items.
“Enabled?”: Conversion rule is valid or invalid? “Convert?”: Whether the PDF file is converted when the conversion rule is satisfied “Name”: PDF file name “Size”: PDF file size “Objects”: PDF file object number “Hash”: PDF file hash value “IP”: MFP 200 IP address “MAC”: MFP 200 MAC address “CPU”: MFP 200 CPU clock number “HDD”: MFP 200 HDD capacity “ “Memory”: The capacity of the memory of the MFP 200 is set to a value and a conditional expression, for example, = (match), ± 10% (take a value within the range), and the like.

  For example, the conversion rule No. 1 shown in FIG. 1 is valid, and if the file name matches “xxx” and the IP matches “1.2.3.4”, the PDF file is converted. The conversion rule No. shown in FIG. 2 is invalid. Conversion rule No. When 2 is enabled, the hash value is “@@@”, the number of CPU clocks is within ± 10% of 100 MHz, and the HDD capacity is within ± 20% of “500 GB”. When the memory capacity is within ± 10% of “4 GB”, the PDF file is converted.

  The conversion rule No. shown in FIG. 3 is valid, the file size is within ± 10% of “1024 bytes”, the number of pages is within ± 30% of “100 pages”, and the number of objects is within ± 10% of “256”. If the MAC address is “0: 1: 2: 3: 4: 5”, the PDF file is not converted.

  Returning to FIG. Items are sequentially extracted from the conversion rule creation conditions, and it is checked whether the items are currently valid or invalid. If it is invalid, the next conversion rule creation condition is checked. If the conversion rule creation conditions are valid, the PDF file name, file size, number of pages, number of objects, hash value, MFP 200 IP address, MAC address, number of CPU clocks, HDD size, memory size, etc. are converted rule creation conditions. If it is specified, the corresponding value is saved. A conversion rule is created from the last stored values and the corresponding conditions (=, ± 10%, etc.). FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the processing in the PDF conversion module 105 described above.

  In step S200, one item of the conversion rule creation condition is acquired. Subsequently, when the item is valid, the process proceeds to step S202, and when the item is invalid, the process proceeds to step S223.

  In step S202, it is determined whether Name is designated. If it is designated, the process proceeds to step S203, and if it is not designated, the process proceeds to step S204. In step S203, the name of the PDF file is saved.

  In step S204, it is determined whether Size is designated. If it is designated, the process proceeds to step S205, and if it is not designated, the process proceeds to step S206. In step S205, the size of the PDF file is saved.

  In step S206, it is determined whether or not Pages is specified. If it is designated, the process proceeds to step S207, and if it is not designated, the process proceeds to step S208. In step S207, the number of pages of the PDF file is stored.

  In step S208, it is determined whether Objects is designated. If it is designated, the process proceeds to step S209, and if it is not designated, the process proceeds to step S210. In step S209, the number of objects in the PDF file is saved.

  In step S210, it is determined whether Hash is designated. If it is designated, the process proceeds to step S211, and if it is not designated, the process proceeds to step S212. In step S211, the hash value of the PDF file is stored.

  In step S212, it is determined whether IP is designated. If it is designated, the process proceeds to step S213, and if it is not designated, the process proceeds to step S214. In step S213, the IP address of MFP 200 is stored.

  In step S214, it is determined whether or not MAC is designated. If it is designated, the process proceeds to step S215, and if it is not designated, the process proceeds to step S216. In step S215, the MAC address of MFP 200 is saved.

  In step S216, it is determined whether a CPU is designated. If it is designated, the process proceeds to step S217, and if it is not designated, the process proceeds to step S218. In step S217, the CPU clock number of MFP 200 is stored.

  In step S218, it is determined whether an HDD is designated. If it is designated, the process proceeds to step S219, and if it is not designated, the process proceeds to step S220. In step S219, the HDD capacity of the MFP 200 is saved.

  In step S220, it is determined whether Memory is designated. If it is specified, the process proceeds to step S221. If it is not specified, the process proceeds to step S222. In step S221, the memory capacity of MFP 200 is saved.

  In step S222, a conversion rule is created with the stored value and the specified condition. In step S223, it is determined whether there is an unprocessed conversion rule creation condition. If there is an unprocessed conversion rule creation condition, the process returns to step S200, and if there is no unprocessed conversion rule creation condition, the flow ends.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the process of converting a PDF file into a format that can be sequentially processed has been described. However, if a document file is configured in a random access format, the sequential processing in the embodiment of the present invention is performed. Processing to convert to a possible format is applicable.

  As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, in the system 1, the PC 100 or the cloud 300 allows the MFP 200 to print the PDF file converted into the sequentially processable format and the sequentially processable format. It is possible to measure the printing time for causing the MFP 200 to print the PDF file that has not been converted to the file, and to cause the MFP 200 to print using a PDF file having a shorter printing time for the third and subsequent copies. In addition, the PC 100 or the cloud 300 creates a rule for designating a format used for printing a PDF file that satisfies a predetermined condition based on the PDF file attribute or the MFP 200 attribute at the time of printing. The format used to print a compatible PDF file can be specified.

  That is, the time required for printing the document file can be reduced.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the PDF file is an example of a document file. The PC 100 or the cloud 300 is an example of an information processing apparatus. MFP 200 is an example of an image forming apparatus. The PDF conversion module 105 is an example of a conversion unit, a measurement unit, a determination unit, or a creation unit. The data processing unit 104 is an example of a processing unit. The communication unit 201 is an example of a reception unit or a transmission unit.

  As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was explained in full detail, this invention is not limited to such specific embodiment, In the range of the summary of this invention described in the claim, various deformation | transformation・ Change is possible.

1 System 100 PC
200 Image forming apparatus 300 Cloud 11 CPU
12 Input device 13 Storage device 14 Output device 20 Controller 21 CPU
22 ROM
23 RAM
24 NVRAM
25 HDD
26 Network I / F
27 Engine I / F
28 Panel I / F
29 Scanner I / F
30 Plotter engine 31 Operation panel 32 Scanner engine 101 Communication unit 102 Display unit 103 PDF file storage unit 104 Data processing unit 105 PDF conversion module 106 Print time determination unit 107 PDF conversion unit 201 Communication unit 202 Display unit 203 Printing unit 204 Receive print data Unit 205 page data generation unit 206 page-by-page data generation unit 207 division possibility determination unit 208 number print determination unit 209 data storage unit 210 print data processing unit 211 transfer unit

JP 2004-348423 A

Claims (10)

An information processing apparatus that causes an image forming apparatus to print a plurality of document files,
A conversion unit that generates a second document file having a different format from the first document file;
A processing unit that transmits the first document file, the second document file, and a print instruction to the image forming apparatus;
A measuring unit for measuring a time required for printing the first document file and a time required for printing the second document file;
An information processing apparatus comprising: a determination unit that transmits a print instruction for a document file having a shorter time required for the measured printing to the image forming apparatus. The conversion unit generates the second document file in which data of each page in the plurality of pages is arranged in order of pages from the first document file including data of a plurality of pages.
Of the plurality of copies, the first copy to be printed uses the second document file, the second copy to be printed uses the first document file, and the third and subsequent copies to be printed are the prints. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a document file having a shorter time is used.   Based on a conversion rule that defines one or more conditions for the conversion unit to generate a second document file from the first document file, the processing unit instructs to print the first document file or the second document file. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the information processing apparatus transmits the information to the image forming apparatus.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the one or more conditions defined by the conversion rule are conditions for a document file attribute or an image forming apparatus attribute. The attribute of the document file includes a file name, a file size, a document page number, a document object number, or a file hash value.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the attribute of the image forming apparatus includes an IP address, a MAC address, a CPU clock number, an HDD capacity, or a memory capacity.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a creation unit that creates the conversion rule based on an attribute of a document file used for printing or an attribute of an image forming apparatus when printing is performed.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the condition for creating the conversion rule is a condition for an attribute of a document file or an attribute of an image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus that prints a plurality of document files transmitted from an information processing apparatus,
A receiving unit that receives a first document file, a second document file having a format different from that of the first document file, and a print instruction from the information processing apparatus;
A printing unit for printing the first document file and the second document file;
A transmission unit that transmits information related to the time required to print the first document file and the time required to print the second document file to the information processing apparatus;
The image forming apparatus that prints a document file with a shorter time required for the printing based on a print instruction received from the information processing apparatus. A system having an information processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus and printing a plurality of document files,
The information processing apparatus includes:
A conversion unit that generates a second document file having a different format from the first document file;
A processing unit that transmits the first document file, the second document file, and a print instruction to the image forming apparatus;
A measuring unit for measuring a time required for printing the first document file and a time required for printing the second document file;
A determination unit that transmits a print instruction by a document file having a shorter time required for the measured printing to the image forming apparatus,
The image forming apparatus includes:
A receiving unit that receives a first document file, a second document file having a format different from that of the first document file, and a print instruction from the information processing apparatus;
A printing unit for printing the first document file and the second document file;
A transmission unit that transmits information related to the time required to print the first document file and the time required to print the second document file to the information processing apparatus;
The printing unit is a system for printing a document file having a shorter time required for the printing based on a printing instruction received from the information processing apparatus. A program executable by an information processing apparatus for causing an image forming apparatus to print a plurality of document files,
A conversion procedure for generating a second document file having a different format from the first document file;
A processing procedure for transmitting the first document file, the second document file, and a print instruction to the image forming apparatus;
A measurement procedure for measuring a time required for printing the first document file and a time required for printing the second document file;
A program for causing the information processing apparatus to execute a determination procedure for transmitting a print instruction for a document file having a shorter time required for the measured printing to the image forming apparatus.

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