JPH0981428A - Data processor and data processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently generate desired object data by converting the source data following a prescribed format into the object data following an other format by a selected format conversion means. SOLUTION: A CPU 1 executes the format conversion program stored in a ROM 2 or a hard disk 11 and performs a conversion for the program. In this case, the CPU 1 digitizes each of conversion required values which are required for the conversions into the data following from any format to each other format and estimates the values based on prescribed conversion information. Based on the estimated conversion required value, any format conversion program is selected for source data and the selected format conversion program is executed. From the source data following the prescribed format, the object data which is the source data following the other format and following a desired format is generated most efficiently and in short time.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data processing device and a data processing method capable of executing a plurality of conversion processes for converting image data according to a predetermined data format into image data according to another data format.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a data processing device or a data processing system for processing image data according to a plurality of formats processes image information according to many different image data file formats. The format conversion program is executed to perform format conversion processing between the formats.

[0003]

In such a data processing system, since conversion is performed between many data formats, for example, if a conversion program is simply prepared between n formats, then n * (n- 1) There was a problem that a very large number of programs were required.

In order to avoid this, a method of once converting any format into a common format and converting from this format to a target format is also adopted.

However, in this case, since this common format is at a lower level than the source and target formats, some information is lost in the conversion to the common format, and conversely, the common format is compared to the source and target formats. Is too high level and you have to do useless conversion.

Further, in the case where some programs are combined in the middle of the conversion and the conversion is performed, the combination method of these programs is directly written as the code of the program controlling it, and a new format is adopted. However, when a conversion program for converting a file to a certain format was added, the control had to be rewritten, and there were many problems.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the first to fourth inventions of the present invention is to provide source data according to a predetermined format with object data according to a predetermined format. If you have multiple conversion resources to convert to data, when converting source data according to a predetermined format to object data according to a desired format, without converting to a specific common format, the most efficient and shortest time An object of the present invention is to provide a data processing device and a data processing method that can perform conversion processing.

[0008]

A first aspect of the present invention is based on a plurality of format conversion means for converting source data according to a predetermined format into object data according to another format, and based on predetermined conversion information. An estimation means for numerically estimating a conversion required value required for conversion from one of these formats to data according to another format, and an object for conforming the source data to a desired format based on the conversion required value estimated by the estimating means. And a selecting means for selecting any format converting means capable of converting into data.

In a second aspect of the present invention, the selecting means minimizes each conversion required value estimated by the estimating means when converting the source data into object data in a desired format. The format conversion means is selected.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a plurality of format converting means for converting source data according to a predetermined format into object data according to another format, and one of the formats from other formats based on the predetermined conversion information. Constructing a conversion network showing the conversion path between the format conversion means based on the conversion required value estimated by the estimating means And a search means for searching the conversion network for a format conversion means having the minimum required conversion value based on the data format of the source data.

A fourth invention according to the present invention is a data processing method for converting the format of source data by a plurality of format conversion means for converting source data according to a predetermined format into object data according to another format. An estimation step of digitizing and estimating the required conversion values required for conversion from one of the formats to data according to the other format based on the conversion information, and between the respective format conversion means based on the estimated conversion required values. And a searching step of searching the conversion network for a format conversion means having a minimum required conversion value based on the data format of the source data.

[0012]

In the first aspect of the present invention, the estimating means digitizes and estimates the required conversion values required for conversion from one of the formats to the data according to the other format based on the predetermined conversion information, and then the estimated conversion is performed. Based on a required value, the selection means selects any format conversion means for the source data, and the selected format conversion means converts the source data according to a predetermined format into object data according to another format, It is possible to generate the source data according to a predetermined format most efficiently, and to generate the object data according to the desired format in a short time.

In the second invention, the selecting means is
When converting the source data into object data according to a desired format, a plurality of format converting means can be selected by selecting one of the format converting means that minimizes each conversion required value estimated by the estimating means. However, it is possible to always generate object data in a desired format with a small amount of conversion processing.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the estimation means estimates the required conversion values required for conversion from one of the formats to the data according to the other format on the basis of the predetermined conversion information. Based on the required conversion value, the constructing means constructs a converting network indicating the converting path between the respective format converting means, and the searching means determines that the required converting value is the minimum value from the converting network based on the data format of the source data. When the searched format conversion means is searched, the searched format conversion means converts the source data conforming to a predetermined format into object data conforming to another format, and the source data conforming to the predetermined format is converted into object data conforming to a desired format. Convert The shortest conversion path efficiently find and of making it possible to generate an object data according always less conversion to the desired format.

In the fourth aspect of the invention, the required conversion values required for conversion from any format to data according to the other format are digitized and estimated based on predetermined conversion information, and the estimated required conversion values are calculated. A conversion network showing a conversion path between the respective format conversion means is constructed based on the above, and the format conversion means having the minimum required conversion value is searched from the conversion network based on the data format of the source data, It is possible to efficiently search the shortest conversion path for converting the source data conforming to the format to the object data conforming to the desired format, and automate the process of always generating the object data conforming to the desired format with less conversion processing. And

[0016]

【Example】

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of an information processing system to which a data processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention can be applied. For example, a host computer and a printing device can communicate with each other. If it is.

In the figure, reference numeral 100 is a host computer, which is provided with a CPU 1 for executing document processing in which graphics, images, characters, tables (including spreadsheets, etc.) are mixed based on a document processing program stored in ROM 2. The CPU 1 comprehensively controls each device connected to the system bus 4.

The ROM 2 or a hard disk described later stores a plurality of control programs for the CPU 1, modules required for data conversion described later, and the like. 3
Is a RAM, which functions as a main memory and a work area of the CPU 1. 5 is a keyboard controller (KBC)
Then, the key input from the keyboard 9 is controlled. 6 is CR
The display of the CRT display (CRT) 10 is controlled by a T controller (CRTC).

Reference numeral 7 is a disk controller (DKC),
Hard disk (HD) 11 for storing boot programs, various applications, font data, user files, edit files, etc., floppy disk (F
D) Control access to 12. Various application programs (not shown) are stored in the HD 11. A printer controller (PRTC) 8 is connected to the printer 1500 via a predetermined bidirectional interface (interface) 13, and the printer 1500
And communication control processing with. Interface circuits 8a and 18a are provided for the printer 1 via the interface 13.
It controls various command communication processes between 500 and the host computer 100, and recording information processing.

The CPU 1 executes the rasterizing process of the outline font in the display information RAM set in the RAM 3, and the W on the CRT 10 is executed.
It enables YSIWYG. Further, the CPU 1
Various windows registered based on commands designated by the mouse cursor or the like on the RT 10 are opened, and various data processes are executed.

In the printer 1500, a printer CPU 14 generally controls access to various devices connected to the system bus 17 based on a control program or the like stored in the ROM 15, and through a printing unit interface 19. Connected printing unit (printer engine)
An image signal as print data is output to 20. The ROM 15 also stores a control program for the CPU 14, which is not shown. The CPU 14 is capable of performing communication processing with the host computer 100 via the input unit 18, and is configured to be able to notify the host computer 100 of memory information, resource data, etc. regarding the RAM 16.

A RAM 16 functions as a main memory, a work area, etc. of the CPU 14, and is constructed so that the memory capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM connected to an expansion port (not shown). Note that RAM1
6 is a recording data expansion area, an environment data storage area, NV
Used for RAM and the like. Hard disk (HD) 22
Are controlled by a disk controller (DKC) 21. The hard disk 22 is connected as an option and stores downloaded fonts and the like.

Further, at least one card slot (not shown) is provided so that an optional font card in addition to a built-in font and a card (emulation card) storing a program for interpreting a printer control language of a different language system can be connected. Has been done. Further, it has an NVRAM (not shown) and stores printer mode setting information from the operation panel 1501.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the data conversion program module stored in the memory resource of the host computer 100 shown in FIG. 1. In this embodiment, a plurality of conversion programs for converting data are specified. It is registered in the conversion program list of.

In the figure, 101 is a conversion program list in which a list of conversion programs used for data conversion is described. Reference numeral 102 denotes a conversion program network, which connects the conversion programs to each other in respective conversion source and conversion destination formats.

A conversion cost coefficient list 103 describes the conversion cost coefficient for each conversion program. Reference numeral 104 denotes a conversion execution module, which performs conversion processing of the image data format along the actually obtained path. A search module 105 searches the conversion program network 102 and the conversion cost coefficient list 103 for an optimum and most efficient conversion path.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the conversion program list 101 shown in FIG.

In the figure, 301 is a section header of the file, and indicates that the module of the conversion program is described in the part following this header 301.

Reference numeral 302 denotes a module name. In this embodiment, all modules are described as ModuleXX (XX is a unique number). Further, although the name of the module itself may be anything, in this embodiment, the name of the data format of the conversion source and the data format of the conversion destination are connected with an underscore as the module name so that the meaning of the conversion can be understood.

The two numbers following each module name are the intercept 303 and slope 304 of the approximate linear function of the cost function, which is measured and described in advance.

For example, the first module EPS_
TIFF. In the DLL, if the data amount of the original data file is approximately D, the conversion cost C is "1" +
It shows that it can be approximated by "2D".

The latter two numbers represent coefficients for estimating the converted data amount from the conversion source data amount. That is, the above EPS_TIFF. In the case of DLL, the amount of EPS format data before conversion is S, and the amount D of TIFF format data after conversion is “3” + “2S”.
It is shown that can be approximated by.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the conversion program network 102 shown in FIG.

In the figure, reference numerals 401 to 405 denote formats of image data to be a conversion source and a conversion destination.

As shown in this figure, which format can be converted to which format by the arrow connecting each of them, and some coefficients of the cost function and the data amount estimation function in that case are described. ing.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a method of searching for an optimum path from the conversion program network 102 and the cost function and data amount estimation function shown in FIG.

As shown in this figure, this embodiment corresponds to the case where the conversion source is designated as EPS and the conversion destination is designated as PCX.

In this embodiment, based on the network shown in FIG. 4, all paths from EPS to PCX are listed, and the cost function and the data amount estimation function are used for each of the paths to reach the final point one after another. The cost is calculated and finally the smallest of them is the optimal solution.

As a result, in the illustrated example, EPS → TIF
F → PCX is the smallest with the total cost of “85”.

Correspondence and operation of this embodiment and each means of the first to third inventions will be described below with reference to FIGS.

A first aspect of the present invention is a plurality of format conversion means (CPU 1 is R which converts R source data according to a predetermined format (for example, EPS, TIFF, PCX, BMP) into object data according to another format.
OM2 or the format conversion program stored in the hard disk 11 is executed for conversion), and the required conversion values required for conversion from any format to data according to the other format are digitized based on predetermined conversion information. Estimating means (CPU1
Executes an estimation program stored in the ROM 2 or the hard disk 11 for conversion) and any format capable of converting the source data into object data according to a desired format based on the conversion required value estimated by the estimating means. Selection means for selecting the conversion means (C
PU1 selects a format conversion program stored in the ROM 2 or the hard disk 11),
Based on the predetermined conversion information, the CPU 1 digitizes and estimates the required conversion values required for conversion from one of the formats to the data according to the other format. Then, based on the estimated required conversion values, the source data is compared with the source data. Select one of the format conversion programs and execute the selected format conversion program to convert the source data conforming to a predetermined format into object data conforming to another format so that the source data conforming to the predetermined format is most efficiently converted. It is possible to generate object data that conforms to a desired format well and in a short time.

In a second aspect of the present invention, the selecting means (by the CPU 1) converts any one of the format conversion programs that minimizes each estimated conversion required value when converting the source data into object data in a desired format. Even when a plurality of format conversion means can be selected by selecting, the object data according to the desired format can always be generated with a small number of conversion processes.

In a third aspect of the invention, a plurality of format conversion means (CPU 1 converts R into a plurality of format conversion means for converting source data according to a predetermined format (for example, EPS, TIFF, PCX, BMP) into object data according to another format).
OM2 or the format conversion program stored in the hard disk 11 is executed for conversion), and the required conversion values required for conversion from any format to data according to the other format are digitized based on predetermined conversion information. Estimating means (CPU1
Executes an estimation program stored in the ROM 2 or the hard disk 11 for conversion, and a construction means for constructing a conversion network showing a conversion path between the format conversion means based on the required conversion value estimated by the estimation means. (CPU 1 executes the construction program stored in the ROM 2 or the hard disk 11 for construction) and a retrieval means for retrieving the format conversion means having the minimum required conversion value from the conversion network based on the data format of the source data. (CPU 1 executes a search program stored in the ROM 2 or the hard disk 11 to perform a search), and the CPU 1 needs to convert from one format to data in another format based on predetermined conversion information. Digitize each conversion required value Then, the construction means constructs a conversion network (see FIG. 4) indicating a conversion path between the format conversion means based on the estimated required conversion value, and the CPU 1 based on the data format of the source data. Retrieves the format conversion program having the minimum required value from the conversion network, executes the retrieved format conversion program, and converts the source data conforming to a predetermined format into object data conforming to another format. , It is possible to efficiently search the shortest conversion path for converting source data in a predetermined format into object data in a desired format, and always generate object data in a desired format with a small amount of conversion processing. To do.

The data format conversion processing method in the data processing system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing an embodiment of the data processing method according to the present invention. In addition, (1)-
(7) shows each step.

First, the conversion program list is read (1), and then for each program registered in the list 101, the data format of the conversion source and conversion destination of each program is checked (2). In the present embodiment, this is also written in the conversion program list 101.

Next, a coefficient relating to a cost that approximates the cost required for conversion is calculated for each program (3).

In this embodiment, a linear function is used as an approximation. That is, the intercept and the slope of the linear function are obtained by actually converting two data having different data amounts with respect to one conversion program.

Next, with respect to each of the conversion programs, the coefficient of the estimation function for estimating the converted data amount from the conversion source data amount is checked (4). In the present embodiment, these coefficients are also described in the conversion program list 101.

Next, the conversion cost and the coefficient of the data amount estimation function are registered in the conversion program network using the conversion source and conversion destination data formats as keys (5).

In this embodiment, this conversion program network is implemented by a dictionary structure having a conversion source data type as a primary key and a conversion destination data type as a secondary key.

In this way, that is, when the conversion program network 102 is generated by performing the above steps for all the entries of the conversion program list 101, the conversion source data type passed as the command parameter of the actual data conversion is used. , The optimum conversion path is searched from the conversion destination data type (6). In this embodiment, it is assumed that this search is performed by the simplest exhaustive crushing method.
Next, the data is converted according to the obtained optimum path (7), and the process is terminated.

Correspondence between the present embodiment and each step of the fourth invention and its action will be described below with reference to FIG.

In a fourth aspect of the invention, a plurality of format conversion means (the CPU 1 is R) for converting source data in a predetermined format (for example, EPS, TIFF, PCX, BMP) into object data in another format.
In the data processing method of performing the format conversion of the source data by executing the format conversion program stored in the OM2 or the hard disk 11 for conversion, data according to any one of the formats based on predetermined conversion information. Of the conversion required values required for the conversion into numerical values and estimating them ((1) to (4) in FIG. 6) and a conversion path between the format conversion means based on the estimated conversion required values. A construction step for constructing the conversion network shown (step (5) in FIG. 6 and a search step for searching the format conversion means having the minimum required conversion value from the conversion network based on the data format of the source data (see FIG. 6). Sources that follow step (6)) and follow the given format It is possible to efficiently search the shortest conversion path for converting the object data according to the desired format to the data and automate the process of always generating the object data according to the desired format with less conversion processing. .

[Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment, the case where the registration file is used as the conversion program list has been described, but the registration database (Registry) of the entire system may be used.

[Third Embodiment] In the first embodiment, the case of writing in the conversion program list in order to check the formats of the conversion source and the conversion destination of the conversion program has been described, but the conversion program itself has a specific name,
The prototype may be configured to export the function and read it to examine the data format.

[Fourth Embodiment] In the first embodiment, the case where the linear function is used for the approximation of the conversion cost function has been described. However, when the conversion cost is better than the linear function, another function is preferable. Other functions such as a quadratic function, an exponential function, and a logarithmic function may be used.

[Fifth Embodiment] In the first embodiment, the case where the conversion program network is implemented by a dictionary structure composed of two keys has been described, but it may be configured by a simpler bidirectional link. Good.

[Sixth Embodiment] In the first embodiment, the case where the simple path crushing method is used for the search processing of the optimum path has been described, but this may be replaced with another shortest path search algorithm.

[Seventh Embodiment] In the first embodiment, the case where the CPU time required for conversion (calculation) is used as the cost function has been described, but other costs (such as the amount of work memory necessary for conversion) are used. It may be configured as follows.

According to each of the above-mentioned embodiments, while utilizing a plurality of data conversion programs, these data conversion programs are combined in an optimum manner from a source format to a target format without fixing a specific common format. It became possible to perform data conversion.

In the first embodiment, when it is desired to minimize the final data amount, the cost function and the data amount estimating function have the same structure.

The present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of a single device. Further, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to the case where it is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus. In this case, by reading a storage medium storing a program represented by software for achieving the present invention into the system or apparatus, the system or apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention. .

Furthermore, by downloading and reading a program represented by software for achieving the present invention from a database on a network by a communication program, the system or apparatus can be
It is possible to enjoy the effects of the present invention.

[0065]

As described above, the first aspect of the present invention
According to the invention, the estimating means digitizes and estimates the conversion required values required for conversion from one of the formats to the data according to the other format based on the predetermined conversion information, and then estimates the conversion required values to the estimated conversion required values. Based on the selection means, the selection means selects one of the format conversion means for the source data, and the selected format conversion means converts the source data according to a predetermined format into object data according to another format. It is possible to generate the object data according to the desired format most efficiently and in a short time from the source data according to.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the selecting means, when converting the source data into object data in a desired format, has a format that minimizes each conversion required value estimated by the estimating means. Since the conversion means is selected, even when a plurality of format conversion means can be selected, it is possible to always generate object data according to a desired format with a small amount of conversion processing.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the estimating means numerically estimates the conversion required values required for conversion from one of the formats to the data according to the other format based on the predetermined conversion information, the estimation is performed. Based on the required conversion value, the construction means constructs a conversion network indicating a conversion path between the respective format conversion means, and the retrieval means minimizes the required conversion value from the conversion network based on the data format of the source data. Then, the searched format conversion means converts the source data conforming to the predetermined format into object data conforming to another format, and the object data conforming to the desired format for the source data conforming to the predetermined format. To convert to Since the shortest conversion path efficiency better search, always less conversion process can generate object data according to the desired format.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the required conversion values required for conversion from any format to data according to the other format are digitized and estimated based on the predetermined conversion information, and the estimated conversion requirement is calculated. Based on the value, a conversion network indicating a conversion path between the respective format conversion means is constructed, and based on the data format of the source data, the conversion network is searched for the format conversion means having the minimum required value, and the predetermined value is obtained. Since the shortest conversion path for converting the source data conforming to the desired format to the object data conforming to the desired format is efficiently searched, it is possible to automate the process of generating the object data conforming to the desired format with a constant conversion process. it can.

Therefore, when a plurality of conversion resources are provided for converting the source data according to the predetermined format into the object data according to the predetermined format, when converting the source data according to the predetermined format into the object data according to the desired format, The effect that the conversion processing can be performed most efficiently and in a short time without conversion to the common format is achieved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an information processing system to which a data processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a data conversion program module stored in a memory resource of the host computer shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a conversion program list shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the conversion program network shown in FIG.

5 is a diagram for explaining a method for searching for an optimum path from the conversion program network shown in FIG. 1 and a cost function and a data amount estimation function.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of a data processing method according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 CPU 2 ROM 3 RAM 11 Hard disk 12 Floppy disk

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of format conversion means for converting source data according to a predetermined format into object data according to another format, and conversion from any one of the formats to data according to another format based on predetermined conversion information. Estimating means for numerically estimating the required conversion values, and selecting any format converting means capable of converting the source data into object data in a desired format based on the conversion required values estimated by the estimating means. A data processing apparatus comprising: a selection unit. 2. The selecting means, when converting the source data into object data in a desired format, selects one of the format converting means that minimizes each conversion required value estimated by the estimating means. The data processing device according to claim 1, wherein 3. A plurality of format conversion means for converting source data according to a predetermined format into object data according to another format, and conversion from any format to data according to another format based on predetermined conversion information. Estimating means for numerically estimating the required conversion values, and estimating means for constructing a conversion network showing conversion paths between the respective format converting means based on the conversion required values estimated by the estimating means; and the source data. And a search unit that searches the conversion network for a format conversion unit that minimizes a conversion required value, based on the data format of FIG. 4. A data processing method for performing format conversion of source data according to a predetermined format by a plurality of format conversion means for converting source data according to a predetermined format into object data according to another format. An estimation step of digitizing and estimating the required conversion values required for conversion from each format to data according to another format,
A construction step of constructing a conversion network showing a conversion path between the respective format conversion means based on the estimated conversion required value, and a format in which the conversion required value from the conversion network becomes the minimum based on the data format of the source data. A data processing method, comprising: a search step of searching a conversion means.