JP4747624B2 - Print data generation apparatus and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a print data generation apparatus and program , and more particularly to a print data generation apparatus and program for generating print data for printing document data including encoded image data.

  Conventionally, when document data is printed by an image forming apparatus, the document data is expanded into print data such as bitmap data, and an image represented by the print data is formed on a recording sheet. This document data may include encoded image data. In this case, a decoding processing program for decoding the encoded image data is executed, and print data obtained by decoding the encoded image data is stored. Need to be generated.

  An image processing apparatus is known that performs processing by changing to a processable form such as single-sided printing when a designated printing method such as double-sided printing cannot be executed (Patent Document 1).

  Also, there is known a digital multi-function peripheral that automatically holds print data of a print job when printing cannot be performed according to the instruction of the print job, for example, when there is no paper having a designated paper size (Patent Document 2).

Also, the types of encoded image data encoding methods are increasing, and even when the decoding processing program provided in the image forming apparatus does not support the encoded image data encoding method, an appropriate countermeasure is taken. There is a need.
JP-A-9-191391 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-331466

  However, the image processing apparatus described in Patent Document 1 and the digital multi-function apparatus described in Patent Document 2 are assumed only when encoded image data can be processed, and encoded image data that cannot be decoded is input. In such a case, there is a problem that it cannot be properly processed.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and print data that can execute appropriate processing and generate print data when encoded image data that cannot be decoded is input. An object is to provide a generation device and a program .

In order to achieve the above object, the print data generation apparatus according to the first invention is that the encoded image data of the document data including the encoded image data is encoded by the predetermined encoding method. Determining means for determining whether or not the encoded image data is printed by decoding the encoded image data when it is determined that the encoded image data is encoded by the predetermined encoding method; a first image printing data generating means for generating data, when the coded image data is determined to the non-coded in a predetermined coding method, the storage means the coded image data a storage control unit to be stored, a partial document print data generating means for generating a partial document print data based on the document data excluding the coded image data, the image printing data and the partial document Generates print data by at least one of data of the printing data, and a file generating means for generating an intermediate file including at least one of data of the coded image data stored the print data, and said storage means, said intermediate file When the encoded image data not encoded by the predetermined encoding method is included in the image, a decoding processing program for decoding the encoded image data is obtained via a network, and the encoded image is acquired. A second image print data generation unit configured to decode the data to generate second image print data; And document print data generation means for generating document print data which is print data based on the above.

According to the print data generation apparatus of the first invention, whether or not the encoded image data of the document data including the input encoded image data is encoded by a predetermined encoding method by the determination unit. When the encoded image data is determined to have been encoded by a predetermined encoding method, the first image print data generation means decodes the encoded image data and uses the print data as the encoded image data. an image print data to generate, when the coded image data is judged not to be coded in a predetermined coding method, the storage control unit, and stores the encoded image data in the storage means.

Then, the partial document print data generation unit generates partial document print data based on the document data excluding the encoded image data, and the file generation unit generates at least one of the image print data and the partial document print data. Print data is generated, and an intermediate file including at least one of the print data and encoded image data stored in the storage unit is generated .
Then, when the second image print data generation means includes the encoded image data not encoded by the predetermined encoding method in the intermediate file, the encoded image data is converted via the network. A decoding processing program for decoding is acquired, and the encoded image data is decoded to generate second image print data. The document print data generation unit combines the second image print data and the print data included in the intermediate file to generate document print data that is print data based on the document data.

Therefore, it is possible to decrypt non coded image data also appropriate processing is input, generates print data.

The first inventions to such a print data generating device, when on the basis of the determination result of the determination means, encoded image data of the document data has not been encoded by a predetermined encoding method, decoding It is possible to further comprise notification means for notifying the user that the encoded image data that cannot be received is included in the document data. Thereby, the user can know that the encoded image data that cannot be decoded is included in the document data, and the user can take necessary measures.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for determining whether the encoded image data of document data including encoded image data is encoded by the predetermined encoding method, First image print data that decodes the encoded image data and generates image print data that is print data when it is determined that the encoded image data is encoded by the predetermined encoding method Generating means, storage control means for storing the encoded image data in a storage means when it is determined that the encoded image data is not encoded by the predetermined encoding method, and the encoded image data A partial document print data generating means for generating partial document print data based on the document data excluding the image data, at least one of the image print data and the partial document print data A file generation means for generating an intermediate file from at least one of the print data and encoded image data stored in the storage means, and the predetermined code for the intermediate file When encoded image data that is not encoded by the encoding method is included, a decoding processing program for decoding the encoded image data is acquired via the network, and the encoded image data is decoded to obtain the second Second image print data generating means for generating the image print data, and a document which is print data based on the document data by combining the second image print data and the print data included in the intermediate file It is a program for causing a document print data generating means for generating print data to function.

As described above, according to the print data generation apparatus and program of the present invention, also decrypt non coded image data is input to the appropriate processing, it is possible to generate print data, that the effect Is obtained.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a print data generation system 10 according to the first embodiment includes a document processing server 12 that processes document data, an image processing server 14 that processes encoded image data, and a plurality of clients. It is composed of a PC 20 and a printer 16 that forms an image on recording paper by an electrophotographic process. The document processing server 12 is connected to the client PC 20 via the LAN 54, and the image processing server 14 is connected to the document processing server 12 and the printer 16.

  The document processing server 12 includes a ROM 22 that stores various programs, parameters, and the like, a CPU 24 that executes various programs, a RAM 26 that is used as a work area when the CPU 24 executes various programs, and temporarily receives input document data. An HDD 28 as a spool to store, a network interface 30, an input / output interface 32, and a bus 34 for connecting them to each other are provided. Further, the image processing server 14 is provided with a CPU 36, a ROM 38, a RAM 40, an HDD 46, an input / output interface 42, a printer interface 48, and a bus 44 for connecting them together.

  The document processing server 12 performs RIP processing for creating print data such as bitmap data from document data, and the image processing server 14 performs bitmap data by various image processing such as decompression / compression processing of encoded image data. Is created.

  The printer 16 is connected to the printer interface 48 of the image processing server 14, and the input / output interface 32 of the document processing server 12 and the input / output interface 42 of the document processing server 12 are connected by a wiring 50. The printer 16 only needs to have a conventionally known general configuration, and the description of the general processing of the printer 16 is omitted in the present embodiment.

  Further, the document processing server 12 is connected to the client PC 20 via the network interface 30, and various applications are provided in the client PC 20, and image creation, processing, editing, etc. are performed using the applications. Image processing and document creation are performed. It should be noted that a personal computer having a conventionally known general configuration can be applied to such a client PC 20, and the detailed configuration of the client PC 20 is not described in the present embodiment. The document processing server 12, the image processing server 14, and the client PC 20 may be connected via a network such as the Internet.

  Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described. The client PC 20 performs processing such as creation, editing, and processing of data such as an image and a document using an application, and document data including encoded image data encoded by an encoding method that is a compression / decompression method. It is transmitted to the document processing server 12. The document data is code data described in a page description language, for example.

  Next, the document data expansion processing routine shown in FIG.

  First, in step 100, it is determined whether or not the document data from the client PC 20 has been input. If it is input, the determination is affirmed. In step 102, all the encoded image data included in the document data is extracted. Then, by analyzing the document data, an area of the encoded image data is specified, the specified area is set as a blank portion, and document data excluding the encoded image data is generated. Further, area data representing the extracted encoded image data and the area of the encoded image data on the bitmap data when the document data is expanded into a bitmap is generated.

  In the next step 104, the document data excluding the encoded image data is subjected to RIP processing to develop a bitmap, and partial document bitmap data based on the document data excluding the encoded image data is generated. The partial document bitmap data generated in step 104, the encoded image data extracted in step 102, and the region data are output to the image processing server 14 via the input / output interfaces 32 and 42, and the document data The expansion processing routine is terminated.

  Next, the image processing server 14 executes an image data expansion processing routine shown in FIG. First, in step 120, it is determined whether or not partial document bitmap data, encoded image data, and region data from the document processing server 12 have been input. The unprocessed flag provided in the RAM 40 is turned off. In step 124, it is determined whether or not the first encoded image data can be decoded. For example, a list of encoding methods that can be decoded is stored in the HDD 46, and it is determined whether or not the encoding method of the encoded image data is in the list by referring to the extension of the encoded image data. The determination is affirmative that the encoding method is decodable, and in step 126, the first encoded image data is decoded to generate image bitmap data of the encoded image data. Data corresponding to the encoded image data area of the eye is set as the image bitmap data.

  On the other hand, if the encoded image data is an undecodable encoding method, the determination in step 124 is negative, the unprocessed flag is turned on in step 128, and the first encoded image data area is determined in step 130. Are replaced with predetermined alternative bitmap data. For example, an x mark or a warning message “image data that cannot be processed” is displayed, and alternative bitmap data having the same size as the encoded image data area is generated. The data corresponding to the area of the encoded image data is replaced with the alternative bitmap data from the first encoded image data. In step 132, an undecodable error message including information on the encoded image data is created.

  In the next step 134, it is determined whether or not there is encoded image data that has not been subjected to the processing of steps 124 to 132 in the encoded image data input in step 120, and unprocessed encoding is performed. If there is image data, the determination is affirmed, the process returns to step 124, and the processes of steps 124 to 132 are repeated for the second and subsequent encoded image data. When the processing of steps 124 to 132 is executed for all the encoded image data, the determination of step 134 is affirmed, and in step 138, the partial document bitmap data input in step 120 is added to the partial document bitmap data based on the region data. Composite bitmap data is generated by synthesizing image bitmap data or alternative bitmap data. In step 140, it is determined whether or not the unprocessed flag is turned on. When all the encoded image data are decoded, the determination is negative, and the process proceeds to step 144, while the decoded image data is decoded. If there is no encoded image data, the determination is affirmed. In step 142, the undecodable error message created in step 132 is output to the document processing server 12, and the process proceeds to step 144.

  In step 144, the composite bitmap data is output to the printer 16, and the image data development processing routine is terminated. Further, the document processing server 12 displays the contents of the undecryptable error message on the monitor (not shown) of the client PC 20 based on the input undecryptable error message.

  As described above, according to the print data generation system according to the first embodiment, when document data including encoded image data that cannot be decoded is input, the encoded image data is replaced with alternative bitmap data. Since the bitmap data based on the document data can be generated by replacing with the above, even if encoded image data that cannot be decoded is input, appropriate processing can be performed to generate the bitmap data.

  Also, by displaying an error message on the monitor of the client PC based on the undecodable error message, the user knows that the encoded image data that cannot be decoded is included in the document data. And the user can take the necessary action.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Parts having the same configurations as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  In the print data generation system 60 according to the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, software upgrade information and the like are monitored on a LAN 54 to which the document processing server 12 and the client PC 20 are connected, and new software is displayed. Is different from the first embodiment in that a monitoring server 52 that acquires and stores the information is connected from the outside. The monitoring server 52 stores a program such as a decoding processing program for decoding the encoded image data. When a program is requested from the document processing server 12, the program is stored in the stored program. Search and output to the document processing server 12.

  Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described. In addition, about the process same as the process of 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  First, as in the first embodiment, document data is input from the client PC 20 to the document processing server 12, and the document data expansion processing routine shown in FIG.

  Next, the image processing server 14 executes an image data expansion processing routine shown in FIG. First, in step 120, it is determined whether or not partial document bitmap data, encoded image data, and area data are input from the document processing server 12. In step 122, initialization processing is performed, and an unprocessed flag is set. Turn off. In step 124, it is determined whether or not the first encoded image data can be decoded. If the determination is affirmative, in step 126, the first encoded image data is decoded. Image bitmap data is generated, data corresponding to the region of the first encoded image data is set in the image bitmap data for the region data, and the process proceeds to step 134.

  On the other hand, if the encoded image data is an undecodable encoding method, the determination in step 124 is negative. In step 128, the unprocessed flag is turned on. In step 150, the first encoded image data is stored in the RAM 40. Is stored in a data file that cannot be decrypted. In step 132, an undecodable error message including information on the encoded image data is created.

  In step 134, it is determined whether there is encoded image data that has not been subjected to the above processing among the encoded image data input in step 120. If there is unprocessed encoded image data, the determination is made. Is returned to step 124, and the above-described processing is repeatedly executed for the second and subsequent encoded image data. When the above processing is executed for all the encoded image data, the determination in step 134 is affirmed. In step 154, the corresponding region on the partial document bitmap data input in step 120 is based on the region data. Are combined with the image bitmap data to generate composite bitmap data. In step 140, it is determined whether or not the unprocessed flag is turned on. If the determination is affirmative, in step 154, the combined data file including the combined bitmap data generated in step 152 and step 150 are processed. An intermediate file composed of the unprocessed data file composed of the encoded image data stored in the undecodable data file is generated and stored in the HDD 46. In step 142, the undecodable error message created in step 132 is displayed. The data is output to the document processing server 12, and the image data development processing routine is terminated.

  The intermediate file is composed of a plurality of files as shown in FIG. 6, and a combined data file including combined bitmap data obtained by combining encoded image data and partial document bitmap data, and each encoding method. And an unprocessed data file composed of encoded image data that has been encoded. The file header of the unprocessed data file includes encoding method information and area data information.

  On the other hand, if the unprocessed flag is off, the determination in step 140 is negative, and in step 144, the composite bitmap data is output to the printer 16, and the image data development processing routine is terminated.

  Next, in the document processing server 12, an unprocessed data expansion processing routine shown in FIG. 7 is executed. First, in step 170, it is determined whether or not an undecodable error message from the image processing server 14 has been input, and if it is input, the determination is affirmed. The monitoring server 52 is requested to obtain a decoding processing program for decoding the encoded image data encoded by the encoding method. In the next step 173, based on the undecodable error message, it is displayed on the monitor of the client PC 20 that encoded image data that cannot be decoded is included and the decoding processing program is being acquired.

  In step 174, it is determined whether or not there is a response from the monitoring server 52. If there is a response, the determination is affirmed. In step 175, it is determined whether or not the decryption processing program is acquired from the monitoring server 52. It is determined that the decryption processing program requested by the server 52 is not present, and in step 190, an undecryptable error message is displayed on the monitor of the client PC 20, and the unprocessed data expansion processing routine is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the decryption processing program is acquired, the determination in step 175 is affirmed. In step 176, the decryption processing program is incorporated into the HDD 28 as an executable program. In the next step 178, an intermediate file corresponding to the undecryptable error message input in step 170 is requested to the image processing server 14, and in step 180, it is determined whether or not the intermediate file has been acquired from the image processing server 14. To do. If it is acquired, the determination is affirmed. In step 182, the raw data file is read from the acquired intermediate file, and in step 184, the encoded image data of the raw data file is decoded by the decoding processing program incorporated in step 196. Generate image bitmap data.

  In the next step 186, the image bitmap data obtained in step 184 is added on the composite bitmap data of the composite data file of the intermediate file based on the information of the area data stored in the file header of the unprocessed data file. In step 188, the combined bitmap data is output to the image processing server 14, and the unprocessed data expansion processing routine is terminated.

  Then, the image processing server 14 outputs the input bitmap data to the printer 16 and executes printing based on the bitmap data.

  As described above, according to the print data generation system according to the second embodiment, when document data including encoded image data that cannot be decoded is input, encoded image data that cannot be decoded is input. Since the document processing server obtains a decoding processing program for decoding and decodes the encoded image data, bitmap data based on the document data can be generated, so that encoded image data that cannot be decoded is input. However, it is possible to generate bitmap data by performing appropriate processing.

  In addition, by storing encoded image data and composite bitmap data that cannot be decoded in an intermediate file, a decoding processing program can be acquired and encoded image data can be decoded easily. Bitmap data based on document data can be generated.

  Although the case where the intermediate file is composed of a plurality of files has been described as an example, the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG. 8, the synthesized bitmap data and the encoded image data are combined into one. It may be collected as a data file. Further, instead of creating an unprocessed data file for each encoding method as shown in FIG. 5, an unprocessed data file may be created for each encoded image data that has not been decoded.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The third embodiment is different from the second embodiment in that decoding processing of all encoded image data is executed by the image processing server 14. Since the configuration of the print data generation system is the same as that of the second embodiment, the same reference numerals are given and description thereof is omitted.

  Next, the operation of the third embodiment will be described. Note that the same processes as those in the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  First, the document processing server 12 executes the above-described document data expansion processing routine shown in FIG. 2, and then the image processing server 14 executes the above-described image data expansion processing routine shown in FIG.

  Then, the document processing server 12 executes a decryption processing program acquisition processing routine shown in FIG. First, in step 170, it is determined whether or not an undecodable error message is input from the image processing server 14, and if it is input, the determination is affirmed, and in step 172, it is the target of the undecodable error message. The monitoring server 52 is requested to obtain a decoding processing program of the encoded image data encoding method. In the next step 173, it is displayed that the encoded image data that cannot be decoded is included in the monitor of the client PC 20 and the decoding processing program is being acquired. In step 174, whether there is a response from the monitoring server 52. If the determination is affirmative and the determination is affirmative, it is determined in step 175 whether or not the decryption processing program has been acquired from the monitoring server 52. If the determination is negative, the monitor of the client PC 20 is determined in step 190. An undecryptable error message is displayed and the decryption processing program acquisition processing routine is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the decoding processing program is acquired from the monitoring server 52, the determination is affirmed, and in step 200, the decoding processing program is output to the image processing server 14.

  Next, in the image processing server 14, an unprocessed data expansion processing routine shown in FIG. 10 is executed. First, in step 202, it is determined whether or not a decryption processing program from the document processing server 12 has been input. If it has been input, the determination is affirmed. In step 204, the decryption processing program is incorporated into the HDD 46 as an executable program. . In the next step 206, the unprocessed data file is read from the intermediate file stored in the HDD 46, and in step 208, the encoded image data of the unprocessed data file is decoded and encoded by the decoding processing program incorporated in step 204. Image bitmap data of image data is generated.

  In the next step 210, based on the area data information of the file header of the unprocessed data file, the image bitmap data obtained in step 208 is synthesized on the synthesized bitmap data of the synthesized data file of the intermediate file, In step 212, the combined bitmap data is output to the printer 16, printing is executed based on the bitmap data, and the unprocessed data expansion processing routine is terminated.

  As described above, the print data generation system according to the third embodiment of the present invention encodes encoded image data when document data including encoded image data that cannot be decoded is input. The document processing server obtains a decoding processing program corresponding to the method, incorporates the decoding processing program into the image processing server, and the image processing server decodes the encoded image data, thereby generating bitmap data based on the document data. Therefore, even if encoded image data that cannot be decoded is input, appropriate processing can be performed to generate bitmap data.

  Although the case where the print data generation apparatus according to the present invention is realized by a print data generation system including a document processing server and an image processing server has been described as an example, the print data generation apparatus is realized by either the document processing server or the image processing server. You may comprise as follows.

  Moreover, although the case where the decoding processing program for decoding the encoded image data is acquired from the monitoring server connected via the LAN has been described as an example, the decoding processing program is searched and acquired via the Internet. Also good.

  Further, the case where a warning message is displayed on the monitor of the client PC based on the undecryptable error message has been introduced as an example, but the warning message may be printed by a printer.

1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a print data generation system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the document data expansion | deployment processing routine of the document processing server which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the image data expansion | deployment processing routine of the image processing server which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic which shows the structure of the print data generation system which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the image data expansion | deployment processing routine of the image processing server which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is an image figure of the intermediate file which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the unprocessed data expansion | deployment processing routine of the document processing server which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is another image figure of the intermediate file which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the decoding process program acquisition process routine of the document processing server which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the unprocessed data expansion | deployment processing routine of the image processing server which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

10, 60 Print data generation system 12 Document processing server 14 Image processing server 16 Printer 20 Client PC
52 Monitoring server 54 LAN

Claims (3)

Determining means for determining whether or not the encoded image data of the document data including the encoded image data is encoded by the predetermined encoding method;
First image printing that decodes the encoded image data to generate image print data that is print data when it is determined that the encoded image data is encoded by the predetermined encoding method Data generation means;
When the encoded image data is determined to the non-coded in a predetermined coding method, and storage control means for storing the coded image data in the storage means,
Partial document print data generating means for generating partial document print data based on document data excluding the encoded image data;
Print data is generated from at least one of the image print data and the partial document print data , and an intermediate file including the print data and at least one of the encoded image data stored in the storage unit is generated. File generation means;
When the intermediate file includes encoded image data not encoded by the predetermined encoding method, obtains a decoding processing program for decoding the encoded image data via a network; Second image print data generation means for decoding the encoded image data and generating second image print data;
Document print data generation means for combining the second image print data and the print data included in the intermediate file to generate document print data that is print data based on the document data;
A print data generation apparatus including: Based on the determination result of the determination means, the document data includes encoded image data that cannot be decoded when the encoded image data is not encoded by the predetermined encoding method. print data generating apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a notification means for notifying the user that are. Computer
Determination means for determining whether or not the encoded image data of the document data including the encoded image data is encoded by the predetermined encoding method;
First image printing that decodes the encoded image data to generate image print data that is print data when it is determined that the encoded image data is encoded by the predetermined encoding method Data generation means,
When the encoded image data is determined to the non-coded in a predetermined coding method, the storage control means for storing the coded image data in the storage means,
Partial document print data generating means for generating partial document print data based on document data excluding the encoded image data;
A file that generates print data from at least one of the image print data and the partial document print data , and generates an intermediate file from at least one of the print data and encoded image data stored in the storage unit Generating means,
When the intermediate file includes encoded image data not encoded by the predetermined encoding method, obtains a decoding processing program for decoding the encoded image data via a network; Second image print data generation means for decoding the encoded image data and generating second image print data; and
Document print data generation means for generating document print data which is print data based on the document data by combining the second image print data and the print data included in the intermediate file
Program to function as.

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