JPH06162008A - Page description language processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To automatically edit a page description language program given as an output request, so that it conforms to a characteristic and a function of a prescribed output device. CONSTITUTION:This page description language processor executes an editing processing to a page description language program in which document information to be outputted by an output device for outputting visibly the document information is described by page description language. Also, this processor is provided with a storage means 11 for storing attribute information (for instance, printer description data consisting of information related to a function peculiar to each printer and information related to an integrated font, etc.) of an output device (for instance, a printer), and an editing mans 12 for executing a processing for reading out the attribute information of its output device from the storage means and reflecting it in the page description language program.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is capable of performing a desired operation on an input page description language program in accordance with a description relating to a document structure in the program and editing parameters such as the output format of the program. Page description language processing device. Further, the present invention relates to a page description language processing device capable of selecting an output form of an input page description language program from various prepared output forms.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a page description language program created by a data processing device is often created by a creator or application program assuming a specific output device. For example, a conventional document processing apparatus that creates a page description language program has a configuration in which, when the output device is a printer, the program is created according to unique information subordinate to the printer. This is because assuming output from a page printer, it is necessary to reflect in the program the functional characteristics of the output device such as the types and colors of usable paper. However, in recent years, a usage pattern in which a plurality of users can use a plurality of output devices in a distributed environment using a network has become widespread. As an effective system in such an environment, a system that manages the characteristics of connected output devices and selects a suitable output device in response to a user's output request has been proposed (for example, a system). ,
JP-A-3-29019). Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 3
The system described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 29019 does not use the functions of the individual output devices to the maximum extent, but a means (printer environment setting menu) for restrictively selecting only the function that the user wants to use, and the system side is limited. By providing a means (virtual printer information control unit) for managing the information of the function that is used and controlling the function to be used based on the information, the user can output the desired output without being aware of the individual function of the output device in the usable environment. The result can be obtained.

Further, as another conventional example, in a document processing apparatus to which a plurality of types of printers can be connected, a format setting program unique to each printer is prepared, and format setting corresponding to a desired printer to be output is performed. It has been proposed that a program can be promptly executed even if the printer is changed by starting and executing the program (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-111160).

[0004]

However, the function of the output device in the environment that can be commonly used is limited by limiting the use of the function as in the above-mentioned conventional example (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-29019). Also manages the characteristics of the output device,
If the page description language program given as an output request is automatically and optimally operated so that a desired output result can be obtained with a specific output device, and it can be selectively and maximally utilized, resource efficiency can be improved. It will be used.

In addition, when a page description language program stored in a remote controllable storage device or a medium such as a floppy disk or an optical disk is output by a device different from the output device group assumed in the creation environment, it is desired. There may be a problem that the output cannot be obtained. In addition, a page description language program that is supposed to use a certain function or characteristic of a specific output device in a distributed environment using a network cannot obtain a desired output even when another output device is used. Inconvenience may occur.

Further, when it becomes necessary to change or modify the output format assumed by the page description language program once created, the user creates a page image by the application program in order to make the change or modification. There is a drawback in that the work efficiency is lowered because it requires a troublesome work such as repairing or modifying the page description language program itself by an editing means such as an editor.

[0007] In general, the output format is not always fixed at the time of document creation. For example,
When outputting a document created assuming A4 size output paper for proofreading or saving, two pages of document are output on one sheet (A4), or created in B4 or A3 size. The document may be output in A4. In the case of the above-mentioned processing, once the processing for setting the specific output format is performed, the complicated processing of performing the document processing suitable for the specific printer using the data subordinate to the printer is forced. Become. Also, when outputting a document created on the assumption that it will be output in a size other than the paper size used on a daily basis without paying attention to a specific output device, on the paper used on a daily basis. The image of each page may be too large for the paper and may be out of the printable area, or may be too small to be balanced with the size of the output paper. These problems cannot be solved even by the conventional example (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-111160).

[0008] Therefore, the present invention is intended to solve the problems of the prior art. That is,
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a page description language program processing device capable of automatically editing a page description language program given as an output request so as to match the characteristics and functions of a predetermined output device. Is.

Further, according to the present invention, a simple description for instructing a desired editing function is written in the input page description language program, and the function corresponding to the instruction is realized by a predetermined output device. It is another object of the present invention to provide a page description language program processing device capable of automatically editing the page description language program.

Further, according to the present invention, a desired output style can be designated from various output styles of a document, and a page can be output so that the designated output style can be output by a predetermined output device. It is still another object to provide a page description language program processing device capable of automatically editing a description language program.

[0011]

As shown in FIG. 1, a page description language processing device of the present invention (claim 1) is a page description language program in which document information to be output by an output device is described in a page description language. A page description language processing device that performs edit processing on the output device (for example, printer) attribute information (for example, printer description data including information about functions unique to each printer and information about built-in fonts). Storage means 11 for storing
And an editing unit 12 for reading the attribute information of the output device from the storage unit and reflecting the attribute information in the page description language program in accordance with the output device to be used.

A page description language processing device of the present invention (claim 2) is a page description language processing device for performing edit processing on a page description language program in which document information to be output by an output device is described in a page description language. The output device attribute storage means (25 in FIG. 2) for storing the attribute information of the output device (28 in FIG. 2) and the auxiliary program created in advance to be added to the input page description language program are stored. Auxiliary program storage means (24 in FIG. 2),
Analyzing means (2 in FIG. 2) for analyzing the page description language program and selecting an auxiliary program according to the analysis result.
3), an auxiliary program editing means (27 in FIG. 2) for editing with the attribute information of the output device using the auxiliary program selected by the analyzing means, and the auxiliary program edited by the auxiliary program editing means and the output device. Page description language program editing means (26 in FIG. 2) for incorporating attribute information into the page description language program.

The page description language processing device of the present invention (claim 3) is a page description language processing device for performing edit processing on a page description language program in which document information to be output by an output device is described in a page description language. And an instructing means (FIG. 8) for instructing a desired output device and an output format to be output.
82), output device attribute storage means (83 in FIG. 8) for storing attribute information of the output device, and output style program storage means (84 in FIG. 8) for storing a program relating to a previously created output style, Output format program editing means (85 in FIG. 8) for extracting an output format program corresponding to the output format designated by the instructing means from the output format program storage means and editing it based on the attribute information of the designated output device; Output program editing means (8 in FIG. 8) for incorporating the output format program edited by the output format program editing means into the page description language program
5) and are provided.

[0014]

In the page description language processing apparatus according to the present invention (claim 1), the storage means 11 stores attribute information (for example, a function peculiar to each printer) of an output device that visually outputs document information such as a printer or a CRT display device. Printer description data), which includes information regarding information regarding embedded fonts and information regarding embedded fonts. Editing means 13
When the output device to be used is determined from the user's instruction or the function to be supported, the attribute information corresponding to the output device to be used is retrieved from the storage means, and the retrieved attribute information is incorporated into the page description language program. I do. By this editing process, the data depending on the output device is reflected in the program. In this way, the page description language program given as the output request can be automatically edited so as to fit the predetermined output device. Therefore, it is possible to solve the problem that the page description language program depends on the characteristics of the output device unlike the prior art.

In the page description language processing apparatus according to the present invention (claim 2), the analysis means analyzes the page description language program, and in the auxiliary program relating to the editing function and the like created and stored in advance based on the result. Select the one you need from. The auxiliary program editing means edits the selected auxiliary program using the attribute information of the output device to be used. The page description language program editing means incorporates attribute information (parameters and conditions of the output device, etc.) of the auxiliary program and the output device into a specific portion of the page description language program, or a part of the page description language program. Replace. According to the present invention, it is possible to insert / replace data depending on an output device in a page description language program that describes a page image, and edit the output format and the like according to the analysis result of the analysis means. It is possible to select a necessary one from various auxiliary programs describing the function and automatically incorporate it into a predetermined position of the page description language program.

In the page description language processing apparatus according to the present invention (claim 3), when the desired output device (eg, printer) and the output format to be output are instructed by the instructing means, the output format program editing means will The attribute information (printer description data) of the designated output device is searched for based on the instruction, and the output format program suitable for the instructed output format is read from the output format program storage means and edited by the attribute information. Next, the output program editing means edits the page description language program input from the obtained attribute information and output format program into a desired output program. Therefore, when outputting with a desired output device, when outputting with a different output device from the output device that was assumed at the time of creating the document, or when the output device was not specifically assumed when creating the document, and when specifying with the output device It is possible to automatically create a page description language program that realizes a desired output style by a desired output device without performing a complicated operation when outputting in the output style of.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of a page description language processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. This device includes an input device 21 for inputting control data 221 and a page description language program 222, a storage unit 22 for storing input data such as the control data 221 and the page description language program 222, a control data and a page. A page description language program structure analysis unit 23 that analyzes a description language program, an auxiliary program management unit 24 that stores and manages a prepared auxiliary program to be added to the page description language program, and information that stores and manages output devices. The output device description data management unit 25 and the auxiliary program edited by the auxiliary program editing unit 27 and the read information about the output device are incorporated in a predetermined position of the page description language program in the input data or a part of the program is replaced. The program editing unit 26 that performs processing, and Adding a desired operation as a result of the analysis to the auxiliary program to be added to di-description language program, and a supplementary program editing portion 27 capable of storing, and an output device 28 for a printing or display. The page description language program input by the input device 21 describes a page image in a format that can be added later by editing / manipulating parameters or functions depending on a specific output device. The control data is composed of parameters relating to the designation of the output device and the editing function.

Page description language program structure analysis unit 23
Analyzes the input data, that is, the control data 221 and the page description language program 222, and makes a request for the auxiliary program and a request for the data concerning the output device to the auxiliary program management unit 24 and the output device which manage the auxiliary program created in advance. It is sent to each of the output data management units 25 that manage the output device description data, which is data related to the above.

The auxiliary program management unit 24 checks whether the auxiliary program requested by the page description language program structure analysis unit 23 exists in the management unit 24, and if there is, the designated auxiliary program is designated as the page description language. Insert it in place in the program, or replace it with part of the page description language program. Here, when the requested auxiliary program requires a part of the output device description data, the auxiliary program management unit 24 outputs the output device description data regarding the output device designated by the control data to the output device description data management unit. 25 request. After inserting the returned data into the auxiliary program at a predetermined position, the page description language program is operated. The output device description data management unit 25 retrieves the data of the specified output device from the held data group and sends it to the request source.

After the above operation is performed, the page description language program structure analysis unit 23 sends the input data to the program editing unit 26. The program editing unit 26 requests the auxiliary program editing unit 27 to edit a necessary auxiliary program and insert or replace a part of the page description language program with a parameter such as an editing function specified by the control data. The auxiliary program editor 27 checks whether or not there is a necessary auxiliary program under the control of the auxiliary program manager 24. If there is necessary output device description data, it is read from the data managed by the output device description data management unit 25. Then, the given parameters and output device description data are inserted into a predetermined place of the auxiliary program or replaced with a part of the page description language program. As a result, the input page description language program 222 can use only the function of a specific output device and output in the output format according to the specified editing method.

FIG. 3 is a structural example of a data processing system in which the page description language processing device according to the embodiment of the present invention is used. In FIG. 3, 31 is an input device, 32 is a storage device, 33 is an output device, 34 is a page description language processing device, and 35 is a system bus. The data processing system here includes an input device 31, a storage device 32, and an output device 3.
3. The page description language processing unit 34 is interconnected by the system bus 35 to form a system. Here, the output device 33 includes an image display device, a laser beam printer, and the like, and includes at least one output device. Also,
The page description language processing device 34 is similar to the above-mentioned 22 to 22 in FIG.
It is composed of functional units such as 27.

Next, as a page description language, PostScript language (PostScript is Adobe System)
A more specific description will be given by taking as an example the case of using an ems Incorporated registered trademark) and outputting to a laser beam printer compatible with the PostScript language. FIG. 4 shows a processing flow of the embodiment of the present invention when the Postscript language is used as the page description language. The PostScript language can hold information about document syntax described as comment statements in a program describing page images. This is Docu
mens Structured Convent
It is based on a document structuring convention called “ions” (hereinafter referred to as DSC), and it is recommended that the creator of the Postscript language create a program based on this convention. Also, the data regarding each output device is the PostScript Printer De
It is stored as a file described in Postscript language called script (hereinafter, PPD). Further, the auxiliary program used in this embodiment is provided as a resource.

Here, as a concrete example, an example will be described in which the processing apparatus of the present embodiment outputs four pages for one sheet to a program that is originally output on four sheets of paper. In the case of this example, the page description language program structure analysis unit 23 shown in FIG. 2 uses the program 222 described in the Postscript language given as input data.
The comment sentence according to the DSC described in (4) is analyzed (step 41). Then, it is determined whether or not the resource is necessary (step 42). When it is determined that the resource is necessary, the resource is requested. For example, if the DSC comment has a comment of %% IncludeResource, the page description language program structure analysis unit 23 requests the auxiliary program management unit 24 for the resource designated by the comment.

The auxiliary program management unit 24, which has been requested various resources by such DSC comments, searches for the requested resource from the file environment managed by the auxiliary program management unit 24 and is described in the PostScript language given as the input data. The requested resource is inserted at a predetermined position in the program (step 43). FIG. 5 shows a processing flow of the auxiliary program management unit 24 requested for a resource. Upon receiving the resource request, the auxiliary program management unit 24 searches for the requested resource from the file of the managed resource storage unit (not shown) (steps 51 and 52). If the requested resource exists, it is read from the resource storage (step 5).
3). Then, the requested resource is inserted into a predetermined position of the program described in the Postscript language given as the input data (step 54). If the requested resource does not exist, the fact is notified to the page description language program structure analysis unit 23 (step 5).
5).

In FIG. 4, if it is determined in step 42 that the resource is not required, it is determined whether PPD data is required (step 44). When it is determined that the PPD data is necessary, the page description language program structure analysis unit 23 requests the output device description data management unit 25 for the PPD data. For example, if there is a comment %% IncludeFeature, the page description language program structure analysis unit 23 is unique to each output device described in the PPD file of the output device specified to the output device description data management unit 25. Data (eg Bounding
Box data).

The output device description data management unit 25 requested for data by such a DSC comment searches the requested data from the file environment (PPD data storage unit) and describes it in the Postscript language given as input data. The requested data is inserted at a predetermined position of the executed program (step 45). FIG. 6 shows a flow of processing of the output device description data management unit 25 requested for data. Output device description data management unit 25
When the page description language program structure analysis unit 23 requests data, the file is searched for in the managed PPD data storage unit file (step 6).
1, 62). If there is requested data, it is read from the PPD data storage (step 63). And
The requested data is inserted into a predetermined position of the program described in the Postscript language given as the input data (step 64). If there is no requested data, the fact is notified to the page description language program structure analysis unit 23 (step 65).

The DSC analysis process of steps 41 to 45 is repeated until all DSC comments are completed (step 46).

When the processing according to the above DSC is completed,
The Postscript language program in which the input data, that is, the resources and the data are inserted is passed to the program editing unit 26. The program editing unit 26 analyzes the parameters such as the function designation regarding the output format, which are given by the control data (step 47). As a result of the analysis, it is determined whether or not there is an edit function request (step 48), and if there is an edit function request, the auxiliary program editing section 27 is requested to perform an operation using necessary resources and data from the PPD file. If not, the whole process ends.

The auxiliary program editing unit 27 searches for a resource relating to the specified function, and when data contained in the PPD file is needed, edits the resource using the data and edits the page description language program of the input data. Or replace part of it (step 4
9). FIG. 7 shows a detailed processing flow of step 49. A resource related to the designated function is searched (step 71), and if the resource exists, it is read from the resource storage unit (steps 72, 73). It is checked whether the read resource requires PPD data (step 74). As a result, if PPD data is required, it is checked whether or not the PPD data is present (step 7
5) If there is, it is read from the PPD data storage section (step 76). The read value is inserted or rewritten in a predetermined place of the resource (step 77). The program editing unit 26 inserts the auxiliary program edited by the auxiliary program editing unit 27 at a predetermined position of the PostScript language program (step 78). If there is no requested resource as a result of the determination in step 72 and if there is no PPD data as a result of the determination in step 75, it is notified that the operation related to the requested resource cannot be performed (step 79).

For example, it is assumed that the editing function n-up (where n = 4) for outputting the output of four pages on one sheet is designated. In this case, some of the resources related to the editing function read from the resource storage unit are:% BeginInsertProc: before S
etup 400% * & 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 nuptup% EndInsertProc% & 1 & 2 = DSx DSy (Document
Size (unit: 1/72 inch)% & 3 = n (2 ^ n-up Mode)% & 4 = Document Page Number.

The above description applies to the page description language program 222 in% BeginInsertProc and% En.
This indicates that a part between dInsertProc, that is, a line in which the head starts with% * is inserted. & 1, & 2, &
3 and 4 are variables. & 1 and & 2 indicate the size of the document, and these data corresponding to the paper size designated by the resource such as the PPD file can be acquired. & 3 is the numerical value of n of n-up, and the data designated by the input device is used. &
4 is the number of pages of the document, and this value can be obtained from the comment sentence of DSC. By using this value, it is possible to perform the process when only the pages of n or less are printed on the sheet that is finally discharged. The first two parameters after% BeginInsertProc :, before and Setup, represent the insertion position in the program. First, the keywords that express context,
There are either before or after. After that, SetUp and Tra that represent the position in the program structure
iler, PageSetUp, PageTrail
Any keyword of r follows. before Se
If tUp, it is inserted before the document setup section. The last parameter 400 represents the priority of the insertion order.

Explaining the above-mentioned example with reference to the flow of FIG. 7, when the portion of the line where the beginning of the insertion target starts with% * is examined, variables & 1, & required for setup relating to n-up printing are set.
PPD data is required because it contains 2, & 3 and & 4 (step 74). It is checked in the PPD data storage unit whether the designated paper size is in the designated output device (step 75), and if there is, the corresponding parameter is read (step 76) and used as & 1 and & 2 values. As described above, the data designated by the input device is used, and & 4 is the value obtained from the DSC comment sentence as described above (step 77). Variables &
By substituting values for 1, & 2, & 3, & 4 respectively, the line beginning with% * is added to the page description language program 222.
It becomes the form that can be inserted into. As described above, keywords indicating the insertion position into the page description language program 222, the position on the program structure, etc. are described in the resource. In the above example, the parameters after% BeginInsertProc: correspond to this, and the line starting with% * is inserted into a predetermined position of the page description language program 222 using these parameters (step 78).

Here, when some resources are requested to be inserted, when they are close to the program 22 written in the PostScript language, side effects (desired effects can be obtained) depending on the combination of resources. Therefore, the program editing unit 26 may have a means for determining the priority of the additional program, and the insertion position may be determined depending on the result.

The page description program edited as described above is sent to an output device compatible with Postscript language, and is output in an output format designated by parameters and the like.

As described above, according to the page description language processing apparatus of the first embodiment, it is possible to reduce the harmful effects of the page description language program depending on the output device. In addition, various document editing functions are automatically added to the document program for operations related to output styles without the need for the user to directly edit the document program or reconstruct the document image with a document creation application. However, the desired output method can be easily realized. Furthermore, since the additional program group used in this embodiment can be managed independently of the page description language processing device, maintenance and management such as program version upgrade becomes easy.

Second Embodiment The page description language program editing device of the second embodiment considers the functional characteristics of the output device (printer) and various output formats of the input page description language program. It was made editable. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a page description language processing apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention. This page description language editing device includes an input device 81 for inputting a page description language program and an instruction device 8 for instructing a desired printer to be output and an output format.
2, a printer description data management unit 83 which stores in advance printer description data including information regarding functions peculiar to each printer and information regarding built-in fonts, and a program regarding a previously created output format. Output format program storage unit 8
4, an output format program editing unit 85 for editing a program related to the output format based on the instruction, an output program editing unit 86 for editing the input page description language program based on the program related to the output format, and the like. An output device 87, such as a printer or a CRT display, which performs a visual output based on the completed page description language program;
A storage device 88 for storing the edited page description language program is provided. The editing unit 80 includes the output format program storage unit 84 and the output program editing unit 8.
It consists of 6 and 6.

From the instruction device 82, the editing device 80 is provided with the input of the page description language program, the designation of the printer to output the program, and the designation of the output format. The editing device 80 receives the specified page description language program from the input device 81. Next, the editing device 80 uses the output format program editing section 85 to perform processing relating to the designated output format. The output format program editing unit 85 searches the output format program storage unit 84 for an output format program in which the output format designated by the instruction device 82 is described. The programs stored in the output format program storage unit 84 often do not use numerical values or function specifications depending on individual output devices in order to be applicable to various output devices. Therefore, the output format program editing unit 85 requests the printer description data management unit 83 for data dependent on the designated printer. The output form program editing unit 85, which has received the necessary data from the printer description data management unit 83, performs processing such as inserting those data into necessary parts of the output form program, and outputs the data according to the output format designated by the instruction device 82. Edit the output format program to enable output.

When the output format program editing unit 85 finishes the necessary program editing work, it passes each generated program to the output program editing unit 86. The output program editing unit 86 inserts the output format program into a predetermined position of the page description language program input from the input device 81, and reads data dependent on the output device from the printer description data management unit 83. Perform editing work such as inserting into a page description language program.
In accordance with the instruction given from the instruction device, the page description language program that has been finally edited is sent to the output device 87 such as a printer or stored in the storage device 88 as a file.
The process ends.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing an example of a program editing procedure in the page description language editing apparatus of this embodiment. Reference numerals 91 to 102 indicate each step. Here, the editing unit 80, which describes the flow of processing when a specific output format is designated,
It is determined whether or not the instruction given by the user includes the designation of the output format (step 91). When the output format is specified, the output format program describing the output format is read from the output format program storage unit 84 (step 9).
2). It is determined whether the read output format program requires printer description data (PDD) (step 93). When the printer description data is required, it is judged whether the required printer description data exists in the printer description data management unit 83 (step 94), and if there is, the data is read (step 95).

Next, the output form program editor 85 adjusts the output form program to the instructed output form,
Edit using PDD as needed (step 9)
6). Since the output format instructed by the indicating device 82 may be realized by combining two or more output format programs, all the instructed output format programs are edited after the editing of the specific output format program is completed. It is determined whether the process has ended (step 97). If any unedited items remain, the process returns to step 92 to perform the necessary editing work.

When all editing of the output format program is completed, it is judged whether or not it is necessary to add specific data of the PDD to the page description language program given from the input device 81 (step 98). If necessary, the printer description data management unit 83 is inquired whether or not predetermined data is registered (step 99). If it is registered, the necessary data is read (step 100), and the output program editing section 86 performs editing such as incorporating it in the above page description language program together with all the output style programs edited in step 96, and makes the desired settings. A page description language program that takes into account the output format of is generated, and the processing ends.

If the output format is not specified in step 91, the process proceeds to step 98. In step 94 and step 99, if there is no designated data or output format program, the process proceeds to step 12, and the instructed editing process cannot be performed using the output device 87 such as a CRT display. The user is notified of the cause, etc., and the process ends (step 10).
2).

Next, in the present embodiment, the case of using Postscript as the page description language will be described again with reference to the flowchart of FIG. A page description program described in the Postscript language is input to the editing unit 80. The editing unit 80 determines whether or not there is an instruction from the instruction device 82. Here, to add the function that all the markings on the paper size are put in the imaging area of the gist size specified in the output,
It is assumed that the instruction is given by the instruction device 82.

When the above-mentioned instruction is given from the instruction device 82, the output format program editing section 8 in the editing section 80.
Step 5 checks whether the output format program in which the designated output format is described as a resource of PostScript language is in the managed file environment (step 91). If there is a desired program, that program is loaded (step 92). For the sake of convenience, the program relating to the above output format will be referred to as a fitting program.

When the fitting program is loaded from the output format program storage section 24, the output format program editing section 85 determines whether or not the loaded output format program requires printer description data (step 93). In the PostScript language, such printer description data is posted in PostScript Print.
r Description (PPD) is described in the PostScript language. Further, the program stored in the output format program storage unit 84 is assumed to be a program in the resource format in the Postscript language.

Here, the current output format program editing section 8
It is assumed that a part of the fitting program loaded in 5 is described as follows. % BeginInsertProc: before S
etUp B500% * & 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 5 & 6 mFIAs
setup% EndInsertProc & 1, & 2 is a parameter of the set paper size, & 3, & 4, & 5, & 6 are parameters relating to the imaging area of the output device.

The output format program editing unit 85 assigns a necessary numerical value to each variable and inserts it into the program. Here, & 3, & 4, & 5, & 6 need to refer to the data described in the PPD.
At this time, the output format program editing unit 85 reads the data regarding the size of the imaging area of the output device instructed from the printer description data management unit 84, and reads it.
Insert at 3, & 4, & 5, & 6.

Inside the fitting program, a conversion matrix is created from the size of the paper and the size of the imaging area given at the time of execution, and all the markings on the paper are placed in the imaging area of the paper specified for output. Automatically build a procedure to convert to.

When the editing of the fitting program in the output form program editing device 85 is completed, the output program editing portion 86 receives the edited fitting program and inserts it into a predetermined portion of the page description program input from the input device 81. Also, it is judged whether the page description program itself needs the PPD data (step 98). Boundin basically
Since data regarding gBox and the like depends on the output device, such data is read from the PPD (step 100) and inserted into a predetermined portion (step 101).

When all editing work is completed, the editing unit 8
0 stores the program file in the storage device 88 or transfers it to the output device 87 according to the instruction of the instruction device 82, and ends the process.

As described above, the page description language program editing apparatus of this embodiment holds the printer description data for each connectable printer and the editable program for the output format, and designates the printer to be output and the output format. By providing the instructing device 82, the output format program editing unit 85, and the output program editing unit 86 that can be used, it is possible not only to output from a desired printer whether or not a printer to output at the time of document creation is assumed. , It is possible to automatically operate the output mode in consideration of the characteristics of the printer so that the output can be performed in the output mode which was not assumed when the document was created. Therefore, when outputting to the desired printer,
Perform complicated operations when outputting to a printer that is different from the output device that was assumed when the document was created, when the output device was not specifically designed when creating the document, and when outputting in a specific output format when outputting. It is possible to create a page description language program for automatically outputting in a desired output format using a desired printer without performing.

[0051]

According to the present invention (claims 1 to 3), the page description language program given as the output request is edited by using the attribute information of the output device so that the page description language program is adapted to the predetermined output device. Since the page description language program depends on the output device, it is possible to solve the problems of the conventional technology.

According to the present invention (Claim 2), the input page description language program is analyzed, and the necessary one is selected from various auxiliary programs which describe the output editing function such as the output format according to the analysis result. Since it can be selected and automatically incorporated into a predetermined position of the input page description language program, it is possible to easily specify the editing function in the page description language program input as the output request. Further, since the auxiliary program group of the present invention can be managed independently of the page description language processing device, there is an effect that maintenance and management such as version upgrade of the program is easy.

Further, according to the present invention (Claim 3), when the desired output format desired to be output is instructed by the instructing means, the output format program suitable for the instructed output format is taken out from the storage means therefor. , Is incorporated in a predetermined position of the input page description language program. Therefore, a page description language program that automatically realizes a desired output format can be created without performing a complicated operation when outputting in a specific output format at the time of output.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the present invention (claim 1);

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a page description language processing device according to a first embodiment,

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a configuration example of a data processing system in which the page description language processing device according to the first embodiment is used,

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the first embodiment when the Postscript language is used as a page description language;

5 is a diagram showing a detailed processing flow of a functional block (resource management block) of FIG. 4;

6 is a diagram showing a detailed processing flow of a functional block (PPD data management block) of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a detailed processing flow of the functional block (resource editing block) of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a page description language processing device according to a second embodiment,

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a program editing procedure of the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]  21 ... Input device, 22 ... Storage unit, 222 ... Page description
Word program, 221 ... Control data, 23 ... Page description
Language program structure analysis unit, 24 ... Auxiliary program management
Section, 25 ... Output device description data management section, 26 ... Program
Program editing section 27 ... auxiliary program editing section 28 ... output device
Device, 81 ... input device, 82 ... instruction device, 83 ... printer
Descriptive data management unit, 84 ... Output form program storage unit,
85 ... Output style program editor, 86 ... Output program
An editing unit, 87 ... an output device, 88 ... a storage unit.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A page description language processing device for performing edit processing on a page description language program in which document information to be output by an output device is described in a page description language, the storage device storing attribute information of the output device. And a page description language processing for performing a process of reading attribute information of the output device from the storage means and reflecting the attribute information in the page description language program according to an output device to be used. apparatus. 2. A page description language processing device for performing edit processing on a page description language program in which document information to be output by an output device is described in a page description language, the output device attribute storing attribute information of the output device. Storage means, auxiliary program storage means for storing an auxiliary program created in advance to be added to the input page description language program, and analysis for analyzing the page description language program and selecting an auxiliary program according to the analysis result. Means, an auxiliary program editing means for editing with the attribute information of the output device using the auxiliary program selected by the analyzing means, and the auxiliary program edited by the auxiliary program editing means and the attribute information of the output device with the page description language. Page description language that performs processing to be incorporated in the program Page description language processing apparatus characterized by comprising a program editing means. 3. A page description language processing device for performing edit processing on a page description language program in which document information to be output by an output device is described in a page description language, wherein a desired output device and output format to be output are specified. Specifying means, an output device attribute storage means for storing attribute information of the output device, an output style program storage means for storing a program relating to a previously created output style, and an output style program specified by the indicating means Output format program editing means for editing based on the attribute information of the output device created, and output program editing means for performing processing for incorporating the output format program edited by the output format program editing means into the page description language program A page description language processing device comprising: