JP2001277613A - Apparatus and method for image processing - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To process to print at a higher speed. SOLUTION: When data are being set to a primary buffer 3024, if the data have the same type and the same attribute as those of plotting data of the primary buffer 3024 and delivered data can be stored in the primary buffer 3024, the plotting data delivered to the present DDI function is delivered to a compressibility function for each data type and set to the primary buffer 3024. Although a head address of the primary buffer 3024 is not changed, a terminal pointer showing a data part added to the present data in the primary buffer 3024 is updated. When retention of the data on the primary buffer 3024 finishes, printing commands are generated from the data of the primary buffer 3024.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a printing system, generally, as shown in FIG. 11, a host computer 200 and a laser beam printer 100 are connected via parallel communication means such as a Centronics interface or network communication means. Are connected.

In the host computer 200, application software 201 such as a word processor or a spreadsheet operates on so-called basic software such as Windows (registered trademark). Printing from such an application is performed by using the function of the graphic subsystem 202 among several subsystems provided by the basic software from within the program. This graphics subsystem, for example on Windows,
It is called a GDI (Graphic Device Interface) 2021 and manages processing of image information for a display and a printer. In the GDI 2021, a module called a device driver is dynamically linked to perform output processing for each device in order to absorb the dependence of each device such as a display and a printer.

This module for a printer is called a printer driver 2023. In the printer driver 2023, a function group (DD) that is determined in advance to be installed in a device driver in accordance with the capability, function, and the like is set.
I (called Device Dreve Interface) 2022).

[0005] Application software AP1
(Application Programming Interface) call to GD
I2021 performs data conversion for the device driver,
The DDI 2022 is appropriately called from the GDI 2021 to execute a predetermined print process. As described above, the GDI 2021 sequentially processes a print request from an application via the printer driver 2023. Generally, the PDL (Page Description Language) is stored in the printer driver 2023 in the framework of the operating system (OS).
age) command is generated, and rendering processing is performed in the image mode.

The page handling processing such as reverse printing, which independently performs banding processing in the image mode, and the automatic switching of processing modes are functions that are not supported by the OS. In order to add such a function, the printer driver 2023 generates only an intermediate language file (PDF (portable document format) 2031) from the received drawing command, and the PDF 2031 is generated by the despooler 2032 of the spool subsystem 203 as an application.
There is a mechanism for reading.

The processing of the printer driver can be roughly classified into two types: a PDL mode translator 2033 and image mode translators 2034 to 2036.

The PDL mode translator 2033 is intended for a printer in which a controller capable of processing control commands called PDL is mounted on the printing apparatus side.
As soon as the command is converted from P.31 to PDL command, the command is sent to the printer via the interface (I / F) 2038.

The processing in the PDL mode is a light processing for the driver because it only generates commands sequentially from the data received by the DDI 2022. P
As a feature of the DL mode type, if the PDL command analysis capability of the printer is high, data with a high degree of abstraction received from the GDI 2021 is transmitted as it is, so that normal page printing centered on characters is fast regardless of the output gradation.

However, when attempting to output a complicated figure, high resolution, and high gradation image in a graphics application, the PDL command becomes large, and the transfer speed,
The processing speed of the printer decreases. In theory, there is no upper limit on the PDL command size.

On the other hand, in the image mode, a print image is developed on the band memory space secured by the printer driver 2023, converted into a form that can be directly printed by the printing apparatus, and sent to the printing apparatus for printing. .

As a feature of the image mode type, since the transfer data size is determined by the drawing area and the number of output gradations, the transfer speed and the processing time of the printer do not change even for a simple page or a complicated page. So, in PDL mode,
Although relatively high-speed printing is possible for pages that require processing time, it is difficult to operate the printer at engine throughput for simple text-only pages.

When despooling the PDF 2031, the despooler 2032 uses a band memory divided into appropriate heights and passes a drawing command related to a drawing position in a plurality of times to the image mode translators 2034 to 2036 for drawing processing. I do. The generated bitmap data is transmitted to the laser beam printer 100 via the interface 2038 for each band.

As a feature of the image mode, the drawing process of a high-resolution color image or complicated graphics data is performed at high speed. On the other hand, even for characters and simple figures,
Since image data of the entire drawing area is generated at an output resolution and an output gradation and transmitted as a print command, high-speed printing of a high-resolution and high-gradation page is not good. However, in the case of color printing, it is difficult to hold one page of drawing page memory, so banding processing is performed. There are some data that cannot be output on a host machine with few data.

In both modes, in order to perform a drawing process, a host machine in the image mode and a color printer in the PDL mode require a drawing memory area for one page. However, in a color printer, each of the RGB colors 8
In order to secure a memory of 600 dpi in bits and A4 full page, 96 MByte is required, and at present, it is difficult to secure even a host machine.

Therefore, the drawing process of the color printer uses a 1-bit, 2-bit or 4-bit color space for each color of YMCK as an output format, and further uses a band memory in which a page is divided into several areas. The memory for drawing processing is reduced.

Thus, dividing a page into a plurality of bands and performing drawing processing is called banding processing. The banding process is performed by the printer in the PDL mode and by the host machine in the image mode, and the drawing command of one page is held, and the printing process of each band is realized by processing only the print command necessary for each band. Is what you do.

[0018]

The drawing command passed through the DDI includes a one-line drawing function (Windows 9x).
(Registered trademark): Output function SCANLINE), rectangle fill function of several pixels (Windows 9x: Output function RECTANG)
LE) may be called many times to perform complex shapes.

In such a case, in the PDL mode, the speed decreases due to the enlargement of the print command size,
In the image mode, the spool data size increases and the speed decreases, or output becomes impossible.

An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus and an image processing method capable of solving such a problem and performing higher-speed printing processing.

[0021]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus for generating print data to be transmitted, which is to be transmitted. Conversion means for extracting attribute information and data type information; and spool for temporarily spooling a plurality of pieces of drawing data having the same drawing attribute and data type information of the drawing data in the intermediate data format obtained by the conversion means And print data generating means for generating print data based on the drawing data spooled by the spool means.

According to the first aspect, the print data can be image data developed by bitmap development.

In the first aspect, the spool means includes:
Holding means for holding the drawing data in the intermediate data format obtained by the conversion by the conversion means; drawing attribute information and data type information of the header of the drawing data in the intermediate data format obtained by the conversion by the conversion means But,
An identical determination unit that determines whether the header is the same as the rendering attribute information and the data type information of the header of the previously updated intermediate data format held in the holding unit, and an affirmative determination is made by the same determination unit. In this case, the data counter value of the header of the previously updated intermediate data format drawing data is incremented by one, and the end of the last updated intermediate data format drawing data is obtained by the conversion by the conversion means. A first updating unit that adds only the data field of the drawing data in the intermediate data format, and print data is generated from the drawing data in the intermediate data format in the holding unit after the holding unit finishes holding the drawing data in the intermediate data format. Print data generating means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, when the attribute of the header changes, when the attribute of the header cannot be accommodated, or when an instruction indicating the end of a page comes, Print data can be generated from the drawing data in the intermediate data format.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the drawing coordinates of the data field obtained by the conversion by the conversion means are expressed by relative coordinates with respect to the drawing coordinates of the last data field and the number of repetitions of the relative coordinates. Determining means for determining whether or not the command is possible; command code generating means for generating a command code representing the relative coordinates and the number of repetitions of the relative coordinates when the determination means makes an affirmative determination; Second updating means for overwriting the command code generated by the generating means in the last data field may be further provided.

In the third aspect, the header may have data size information instead of the data counter value information.

In the first aspect, the print data may be data described in a page description language.

[0028] The print data generating means according to claim 7, wherein the print data generating means changes the attribute of the header, becomes unable to fit in the holding means, or receives a command indicating the end of the page. The data described in the page description language can be generated based on the drawing data in the intermediate data format.

The drawing coordinates of the data field obtained by the conversion by the conversion means may be represented by relative coordinates with respect to the drawing coordinates of the last data field and the number of repetitions of the relative coordinates. Determining means for determining whether or not the command is possible; command code generating means for generating a command code representing the relative coordinates and the number of repetitions of the relative coordinates when the determination means makes an affirmative determination; Second updating means for overwriting the command code generated by the generating means in the last data field may be further provided.

[0030] In claim 7, the header may include data size information instead of the data counter value information.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing method for generating print data to be transmitted to be printed, wherein the print command is converted into rendering data in an intermediate data format, and rendering attribute information and data type information are converted. And a conversion step to extract
A spooling step of temporarily spooling a plurality of pieces of drawing data having the same drawing attribute and data type information of the drawing data in the intermediate data format obtained in the conversion step, and a step of spooling the drawing data spooled in the spooling step. And a print data generating step of generating print data based on the print data.

In the eleventh aspect, the print data may be bitmap-developed image data.

In the eleventh aspect, in the spooling step, the drawing attribute information and the data type information of the header included in the drawing data in the intermediate data format obtained in the conversion step are converted to the intermediate data format obtained in the conversion step. An identical determination step of determining whether the drawing attribute information and the data type information of the header of the previously updated intermediate data format held in the holding unit for holding the drawing data are the same, and the same determination If an affirmative determination is made in the step, the data counter value of the header of the previously updated intermediate data format drawing data is incremented by 1 and the last updated intermediate data format drawing data is transferred to the conversion step. A first updating step of adding only the data field of the drawing data in the intermediate data format obtained by After holding the drawing data in the intermediate data format ended lifting means can have a print data generation step of generating print data from the drawing data in the intermediate data format of the holding means.

The print data generating step according to claim 13, wherein, when the attribute of the header changes, the header cannot be accommodated, or an instruction indicating the end of the page comes, Print data can be generated from the drawing data in the intermediate data format.

According to a thirteenth aspect, the drawing coordinates of the data field obtained in the conversion step can be expressed by relative coordinates with respect to the drawing coordinates of the last data field and the number of repetitions of the relative coordinates. A command code generating step of generating a command code representing relative coordinates and the number of repetitions of the relative coordinates when an affirmative determination is made in the determining step; And a second updating step of overwriting the command code generated in step (1) in the last data field.

[0036] In claim 13, the header may have data size information instead of the data counter value information.

In the eleventh aspect, the print data may be data described in a page description language.

18. The print data generating method according to claim 17, wherein the print data generating step is performed when the attribute of the header changes, the print data cannot be stored in the storage means, or a command indicating the end of a page comes. The data described in the page description language can be generated based on the drawing data in the intermediate data format.

In another embodiment, the drawing coordinates of the data field obtained in the conversion step can be represented by relative coordinates with respect to the drawing coordinates of the last data field, and the number of repetitions of the relative coordinates. A command code generating step of generating a command code representing relative coordinates and the number of repetitions of the relative coordinates when an affirmative determination is made in the determining step; And a second updating step of overwriting the command code generated in step (1) in the last data field.

In the seventeenth aspect, the header can have data size information instead of the data counter value information.

The program stored in the computer-readable storage medium converts the print command into drawing data in the intermediate data format and extracts drawing attribute information and data type information, and is obtained by the conversion procedure. A spooling procedure for temporarily spooling a plurality of pieces of drawing data having the same drawing attribute and data type information of the drawing data in the intermediate data format, and generating print data based on the drawing data spooled by the spooling procedure. And causing the computer to execute the print data generation procedure.

The program stored in the computer-readable storage medium can be image data in which print data is bit-mapped.

The program stored in the computer-readable storage medium is such that the spooling procedure has a holding procedure for holding the drawing data in the intermediate data format obtained by the conversion by the conversion procedure, and a storage procedure by the conversion procedure. The drawing attribute information and the data type information of the header of the drawn data in the intermediate data format obtained are the drawing attribute information and the data type information of the header of the previously updated intermediate data format drawn data held in the holding procedure. The same determination procedure for determining whether or not they are the same, and when a positive determination is made in the same determination procedure, the data counter value of the header of the previously updated intermediate data format drawing data is incremented by one, and At the end of the rendered data in the intermediate data format, the intermediate data obtained by the conversion A first update procedure for adding only the data field of the drawing data in the format, and print data generation for generating print data from the rendering data in the intermediate data format in the holding procedure after the holding of the drawing data in the intermediate data format by the holding procedure And let the computer perform the steps.

In the program stored in the computer-readable storage medium, the print data generation procedure receives an instruction indicating that the attribute of the header has changed, the storage procedure cannot be completed, or the end of the page has been received. In this case, print data can be generated from the drawing data in the intermediate data format in the holding procedure.

The program stored in the computer-readable storage medium is such that the drawing coordinates of the data field obtained by the conversion according to the conversion procedure are relative coordinates with respect to the drawing coordinates of the last data field. A determination procedure for determining whether or not it can be represented by the number of repetitions of, and when an affirmative determination is made by the determination procedure,
A command code generation procedure for generating a command code representing relative coordinates and the number of repetitions of the relative coordinates, and a second command for overwriting the command code generated by the command code generation procedure in the last data field.
And causing the computer to execute the update procedure.

In the program stored in the computer-readable storage medium, the header may have data size information instead of the data counter value information.

The program stored in the computer-readable storage medium may be print data described in a page description language.

In the program stored in the computer-readable storage medium, the print data generation procedure receives an instruction indicating that the attribute of the header has changed, the storage procedure cannot be completed, or the end of the page has been received. In this case, it is possible to generate data described in a page description language based on the drawing data in the intermediate data format in the holding procedure.

The program stored in the storage medium readable by the computer is such that the drawing coordinates of the data field obtained by the conversion according to the conversion procedure are relative to the drawing coordinates of the last data field. A determination procedure for determining whether or not it can be represented by the number of repetitions of, and when an affirmative determination is made by the determination procedure,
A command code generation procedure for generating a command code representing relative coordinates and the number of repetitions of the relative coordinates, and a second command for overwriting the command code generated by the command code generation procedure in the last data field.
And causing the computer to execute the update procedure.

In the program stored in the computer-readable storage medium, the header may have data size information instead of the data counter value information.

[0051]

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

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention. This is an example of a printing system, in which a color laser printer 1 and a host computer 3 are connected.

The color laser printer 1 will be described. The color laser beam printer 1 has a resolution of 600 dpi, and performs image recording based on multi-value data in which each pixel of each color component is represented by 8 bits. Further, the color laser beam printer 1 inputs and stores print data (character code, image data, etc.) and control information supplied from the host computer 3, and also stores a corresponding character pattern or image according to the information. To form an image on recording paper.

The color laser beam printer 1 has a formatter control section 110 and an operation panel 120.

The formatter control section 110 will be described. The formatter control unit 110 is a unit usually called a PDL controller or the like, and an interface unit (I / I /
F) 111, a reception buffer 1121 for temporarily holding and managing received data and the like, a transmission buffer 1122 for temporarily holding and managing transmission data and the like, and a command analysis unit 113 for analyzing print data. , A print control processing execution unit 114, a drawing processing execution unit 115, and a page memory 116.

The interface unit 111 is a communication unit for transmitting and receiving print data to and from the host computer 3, and enables communication conforming to IEEE-1284 as a communication protocol. However, in the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this communication means, and connection using various protocols via a network or IEEE-1
Communication means according to 394 may be used.

The print data received through the interface unit 111 is sequentially accumulated in the reception buffer 1121, and is read and processed by the command analysis unit 113 or the drawing processing execution unit 115 as necessary. The command analysis unit 113 is configured by a control program conforming to each PDL command system and the print job control language, and instructs the rendering processing execution unit 115 of the analysis result of print data relating to rendering of character printing, graphics, images, and the like. The processing is performed by giving an instruction to the print control processing execution unit 114 for a command other than drawing, such as a paper feed selection or a reset instruction.

The drawing processing execution unit 115 sequentially develops each drawing object such as a character or an image in the page memory 116.

It is necessary to send page data to the color laser beam printer 1 in the MCYK plane sequence so as to be ready for the engine rotation process. In a standard state, all the memory required for this is secured. Not 1 plane (lbit / pixel or 2bit / pixel)
The memory is secured as a band area of a fraction of the above, and the band area is reused to process the image in synchronization with the engine speed. Normally, the page memory 116 is managed by the development processing by the drawing processing execution unit 115 of YMCK and the shipping of the video signal to the printer engine 150, that is, the page memory 116 is managed by the banding control. In some cases, an area that can be expanded for one page may be secured.

Generally, the formatter control section 110
PU (central processing unit), ROM (read only)
memory), a computer system using a random access memory (RAM) and the like. The processing of each part is performed by a multitask monitor (real-time monitoring).
S (operating system)), processing may be performed by time sharing, or dedicated controller hardware may be prepared for each function and processed independently. Is also good.

The output control unit 130 converts the content of the page memory 116 into a video signal, and
0 is transferred. The output control unit 130 receives the final print image generated by the formatter control unit 110 as a video signal, and inputs the status from various sensors (not shown) of the color laser beam printer 1 together with the optical unit 140 (FIG. 2) A control signal is output to the drive system mechanism to control the printing process of the color laser beam printer 1.

The printer engine 150 forms a permanent visible image of the received video signal on recording paper. The operation panel 120 is for setting and displaying various states of the color laser beam printer 1 as described above.

Next, the host computer 3 will be described.
The host computer 3 outputs print information including print data and control codes to the color laser beam printer 1.

The host computer 3 is configured as a single computer system including a keyboard 310 as an input device, a mouse 311 as a pointing device, and a display monitor 320 as a display device. Host computer 3 is Wind
It is assumed that it is operated by a basic OS such as ows NT (registered trademark) and Windows 9x.

The host computer 3 roughly classifies the functions on the basic OS into application software 301, a graphic subsystem 302, a spool information subsystem 303 including a print information storage unit and a communication unit with the color laser beam printer 1. They are roughly divided into

The application software 301 is
This refers to application software that operates on the basic software, for example, a word processor or a spreadsheet. The graphic subsystem 302 has a GDI 3021 that is a part of the function of the basic OS, and a printer driver 3023 that is dynamically linked from the GDI 3021.

The printer driver 3023 is a GDI 302
1 is called via the DDI interface 3022, and performs processing according to the device for each drawing object. In this system, the printer driver 30
23 attaches a tag for each drawing object type to the information of the drawing command received via the DDI function, and buffers the information in the primary buffer 3024 together with attributes such as drawing position information, color information, pattern information, and drawing logic information. However, drawing objects (such as huge image data) that cannot be stored in the primary buffer 3024 are not stored.

When there is a drawing object already stored in the primary buffer 3024 or when the type and the drawing attribute are the same, the primary buffer 3024 is used.
To be added. If the type is different, the data cannot be completely stored in the primary buffer 3024, the drawing attribute is changed, or the page processing ends, the drawing object already in the primary buffer 3024 , A PDF 3031 (page data file) is generated and spooled.

The spool subsystem 303 is a subsystem specific to a printer device located downstream of the graphic subsystem 302. The despooler 3032 reads the PDF 3031, and converts the PDL mode translator 3033 and the image mode translator 303.
The despooling process is performed by a translator selected from 4 to 3036. If the selected translator is an image mode translator 3034-3
036, the image is developed using the band memory 3037. On the other hand, if the PDL mode translator 3033 is
Conversion processing into L commands is performed, and data is sent to the color laser beam printer 1 via the interface unit (I / F) 3038, respectively.

The above-mentioned names and functional frameworks may slightly differ depending on the basic OS. However, as long as the module can realize the components of the present invention, the names and frameworks are very important issues for the present invention. is not. For example, what is called a spooler or a spool file can also be realized by incorporating processing in a module called a print queue in another OS.

Generally, the host computer 3 including these functional modules includes a CPU, ROM,
AM, hard disk drive, various input / output control units (I
Under hardware such as (/ O), software called basic software controls the control, and under the basic software, each application software and subsystem process operate as a functional module. .

FIG. 2 shows the structure of the color laser beam printer 1 of FIG. In FIG. 2, reference numerals 110 and 130 correspond to those in FIG.
The same parts are shown. Reference numeral 120 denotes an operation panel unit, which is provided with a switch for operation by a user and notification of a state to the user, an LED display, and the like, and is provided as a part of the exterior of the color laser beam printer 1.

Reference numeral 161 denotes a paper feed cassette in which paper P is stored. Paper P fed from paper feed cassette 161
Is held at the outer periphery of the transfer drum 154 with its leading end held by a gripper 154f. Optical unit 140
The latent image of each color formed on the photosensitive drum 151 by
Each of the yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (B) color developing units Dy, Dm, Dc, and Db is developed, and is transferred to paper around the transfer drum 154 a plurality of times to form a multicolor image. It is formed. Thereafter, the sheet P is separated from the transfer drum 154, fixed by the fixing unit 155, and discharged from the sheet discharge unit 159 to the sheet discharge tray unit 160.

The developing units Dy, Dm, Dc and Db of the respective colors are:
It has a rotation support shaft at both ends, and is held by the developing device selection mechanism 152 so as to be rotatable around each shaft. As a result, each of the developing devices Dy, Dc, Db, and Dm is configured as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, the developing device selecting mechanism 1
Even if the 52 rotates about the rotation shaft 152a, the posture is maintained constant. After the selected developing device is moved to the developing position, the developing device selecting mechanism 152 is integrated with the developing device, and the selection mechanism holding frame 153 is pulled toward the photosensitive drum 151 by the solenoid 153a around the fulcrum 153b. It is configured to move in the direction of 151 and perform the development processing.

Reference numeral 156 denotes a charger, and the photosensitive drum 151
The surface is uniformly charged to a predetermined polarity. The print information developed as an image in the formatter control unit 110 is converted into a video signal of a corresponding pattern, output to the laser driver, and output to the laser driver.
Drive.

The laser light emitted from the semiconductor laser 141 based on the input video signal is turned on and off, and is further swung right and left by a polygon mirror 142 rotated at high speed by a scanner motor 143, and reflected by the polygon lens 134. Scanning exposure is performed on the photosensitive drum 151 via the mirror 144. By this scanning exposure, an electrostatic latent image of an image pattern is formed on the photosensitive drum 151. Then, for example, a magenta electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 151 is developed by a magenta developing device Dm, and a first magenta toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 151.

On the other hand, the transfer paper P is fed at a predetermined timing, a transfer bias voltage of the opposite polarity (for example, positive polarity) to the toner is applied to the transfer drum 154, and the first toner image on the photosensitive drum 151 is transferred. While being transferred to the paper P, the transfer paper P is electrostatically attracted to the surface of the transfer drum 154. Thereafter, the magenta toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 151 is removed by the cleaner 157 to prepare for a latent image forming and developing process of the next color.

Thereafter, the toner images of the second, third, and fourth colors are superimposed and transferred on the same transfer paper P in the order of cyan, yellow, and black by the same procedure. However, the difference is that a higher bias voltage is applied to the transfer drum 154 at the time of transfer of each color.

After the four color toner images are superimposed and transferred, when the leading end of the transfer paper P on which the four color toner images are superimposed and transferred approaches the separation position, the separation claw 158 approaches and the transfer paper P The leading end is brought into contact with the surface of the transfer drum 154 to separate the transfer paper P from the transfer drum 154. The separated transfer paper P is conveyed to the fixing unit 155,
5, the toner image on the transfer paper is fixed, and then discharged onto the discharge tray 160.

Through the above-described image forming process, the color laser beam printer 1 outputs an image at a resolution of 600 dpi.

The printer to which the present invention can be applied is not limited to a color laser beam printer, but may be a color printer of another printing system such as an ink jet printer or a thermal printer.

Next, the PDF data compression method using the primary buffer 3024 in FIG. 1 will be described in more detail. First,
The DDI of Windows 9x will be described. Output (LPPDEVICE lpDestDev, WORD wStyle, WORD wCount, LPPOINT lpPoints, LPPEN lpPPen, LPPBRUSH lpPBrush, LPDRAWMODE lpDrawMode, LPRECT lpClipRect) is prepared as one of the graphics functions in the DDI of Windows 9x.

This function is based on the value of wStyle of the second argument.
The meaning of the data passed changes. For example, OS_RECTANG
If LE is set, wCount is always set to 2. In this function, the first coordinate information (X, Y) indicated by the lpPoints of the fourth argument is expressed by the following coordinate information (X, Y) in the upper left corner of the rectangle.
Y) indicates the lower right point, and the inside of the diagonal rectangle is
It is required to perform drawing processing using the color and pattern indicated by lpPBrush and the frame line indicated by lpPPen.

When a PDF is generated for each DDI function by the printer driver 3023, a data structure having a header 401 and a data part 402 in a format as shown in FIG. 3 is generated. The header 401 has data type information 403 at the top, and brush information 404
, Pen information 405, data size information 406, drawing mode information 407, and circumscribed rectangle information 408.

The data section 402 is composed of a POINT type structure array, and data is stored in an (x, y) array corresponding to the data size, that is, Count.

Since the data structure is configured as described above, when drawing and outputting a gradation in a graphics application, for example, in the case of a graphic as shown in FIG. 4, a RECTANGLE drawing command is issued for each pixel. publish. That is, a data structure of the format shown in FIG. 3 is generated for each pixel,
As a result, the spool data size and the PDL command size increase.

Since the same type of instruction is often called many times while changing the drawing position, the inventor of the present invention considers the continuity of data as the finely divided figure drawing instruction. We found that it was easy to compress the data using it.

Therefore, the printer driver 3023 sets the D
When the DI function is called, a PDF is not generated immediately, and the drawing command is temporarily stored using the primary buffer 3024,
The rendering command having continuity is compressed in the primary buffer 3024 to perform PDF compression processing. For that purpose, the primary buffer 3024 needs to be held in the page, and needs to be accessed from all the DDI functions provided by the driver to access the data being stored.

For all Windows 9x DDIs, LPPDEVICE
lpDestDev is included in the first argument, and indicates a pointer to a memory space held in one job. A pointer to the primary buffer 3024 is registered as a member in the extension of this structure. In addition, all DDI functions provided by the driver need to implement processing for checking the data stored in the primary buffer 3024, comparing the data with the data spooled last time, compressing the data, and creating a file.

The compression processing according to the present embodiment can be broadly divided and realized by a combination of two methods, such as reducing the size and the number of commands by using a common header and reducing the data size by compressing the data part.

First, the reduction of the size and the number of commands by sharing the header () will be described. The finely divided drawing commands having the same attribute can reduce the size of the PDF by sharing the header information. To compare with the previous drawing attribute, the following members are required.

Typedef struct {enum_ELEMTYPE lastDataType; // previous data type WORD lastPenIndex; // previous data pen information WORD lastBrushIndex; // previous data brush information DRAWMODE lastDrawMode; // previous data DrawMode RECT lastboundRect; // previous data // The circumscribed rectangle of the previous data RECT BoundRect; // The circumscribed rectangle of the entire previous data LPSTR lpstart; // The start pointer of the compressed data LPSTR lplast; // The current final pointer of the previous data WORD bufsize; // The primary buffer size} LASTDATA; Printer driver 3023 Provides the DDI function
The last data type set in LASTDATA is compared with the current data. If the lastDataType is the same, a compression processing function for each type is called, and if different, a PDF is generated from the data in the primary buffer 3024. .

Such a processing procedure will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. It is determined whether data is set in the primary buffer 3024 (S601). If it is determined that data is set, the primary buffer 3024 is set.
The type and attributes of the drawing data stored in the
(Pen, logical operation type) (S60)
2). If it is determined that they are not the same, the process proceeds to S604, and if it is determined that they are the same, it is determined whether or not the passed data has a size that can be stored in the primary buffer 3024 (S603). If the size is determined to be storable, S
The process moves to 605.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the size is not a storable size (S603), a PDF is created from the drawing data stored in the primary buffer 3024, and the size of the stored data portion is set in the Count 706 of the PDF header. L
ASTDATA is cleared (S604), and thereafter, the process proceeds to S605.

On the other hand, if it is determined that no data has been set in the primary buffer 3024 (S601), the process proceeds to S6.
Move to 05.

Then, the drawing data passed to the current DDI function is passed to the compression function for each data type and set in the primary buffer 3024 (S605), and LASTDATA is updated (S606). That is, lastDataType, lastPenInde
For x, lastBrushIndex, and lastDrawMode, set if there is a change, respectively. For lastboundRect, set the circumscribed rectangle of the current drawing instruction.
For ect, the previous BoundRect and the current bounding rectangle A
ND, and for lpstart, the primary buffer 302
Lplast is the primary buffer 3 without changing the start address of 4
A pointer indicating the data portion added to the current data in 024, that is, the last pointer, and bufsize indicates the result of adding the data size of the data added this time.

If all drawing commands have not been completed (S607), the process returns to S601.
If drawing data remains in the primary buffer 3024, a PDF is created from the remaining drawing data.

In this example, the total size of the data portion is put in the header 401. However, instead of the total size of the data portion, the number of data portions added to the header 401 is put in the header 401. In this way, the total size of the data part may be obtained by summing up the size of the data part for the number of data parts.

Next, the reduction of the data size by compressing the data part () will be described. Primary buffer 3024
When a rendering command of the same type as the rendering command already stored in the data type is called, the called compression function for each data type performs a compression process on the data portion by utilizing the continuity of the coordinate space. Here, as specific examples, Windows 9x,
The compression method of Ountput (Scanline) will be described. (Output (Scanline) Compression Algorithm) First, the Output (Scanline) function will be described with reference to FIG. DDI 1
When OS_SCANLINEST is set to the second argument of the Output function, the POINT structure array pointed to by lpPoints is: lpPoints [0]-> y: Y coordinate lpPoints [1]->: Left coordinate, lpPoints [1 ]->: Indicates the right coordinate.

WCount indicates the number of lpPoints arrays, and is 2 when the number of scan lines is 1 and 3 when the number of scan lines is 2.
.., N + 1 is set in the case of n lines.

FIG. 7 shows the Mountput function.
The movement when compression processing is not performed when a drawing instruction is received and the movement when the above two methods are combined are shown. When drawing the figure 802 in the drawing area 800, Wind
The ow 9x may use the Output function 801 to specify Scanline drawing in order from the smaller Y coordinate.

When a PDF 803 having one header for one Output function is created, duplicate data such as the same brush or pen is registered many times (see 803).

Further, the same brush,
The pen and drawing attributes treat these pieces of information as one header, so that the header size can be reduced (80).
4).

Further, when the Scanlines are in contact with each other (see 802), the data size can be reduced as compared with the case where all coordinate information is held by the following method.

When compressing Scanline data, the following members are required in addition to LASTDATA for managing the primary buffer 3024. That is, typedef struct {WORD repetcnt; // number of repetitions WORD lastY; // previous Y coordinate WORD lastLeftX; // previous left X coordinate WORD lastRightX; // previous right X coordinate WORD delLeftX; // previous left X Coordinate change amount WORD delRightX; // The previous right X coordinate change amount} CMPSCNLINES; The following command is generated by storing Scanline information using CMPSCNLINES.

Next, the command data structure will be described with reference to FIG. The command indicates a code (0 to 15) provided for identifying compressed data using the most significant 4-bit portion of the COMPSCANLINE data portion, and the compressed data structure differs depending on the value (see FIG. 8).

Since the Windows 9x printer driver operates in a 16-bit space, the minimum command unit uses 16 bits.

The command code 1 is a command indicating a difference from the previous scan line. The previous coordinate data is compared with the current coordinate data, and the Y coordinate change amount is +1; the left side coordinate is the same as the previous time; and the right side coordinate change amount is used when the change range can be expressed by 11 bits. (The bit length is 12, but one of the 12 bits is used for the sign.)

Command code 2 has a Y coordinate variation of +
1. Used when the right side coordinate is the same as the previous time and the left coordinate change amount can be represented by 11 bits.

The command code 3 is a command indicating a difference from the previous scan line. The previous coordinate data and the present coordinate data are compared, and the Y coordinate change amount is used when the change amount is +1 and the left and right coordinate changes are within a change range that can be expressed by 5 bits (the bit length is 6 but 6 One of the bits is used for the sign).

The command 15 is used when the command code number obtained by comparing the previous and current coordinate data is the same as that of the previous command, when the continuous number can be represented by 12 bits. When the number of bits becomes 12 bits or more, the initial coordinates are reset using command 0.

(Example of Command Use) A compression command is basically a sequence of [initial coordinates] and [change command].

Next, an example of command ejection will be described.

(1) Vertical straight line In the case of a vertical straight line, a SCANLINE with a continuous change of 0 for the length
Becomes Therefore, the command is [(No. 0) (initial coordinates)] [(No. 15) (continuous number = length)] [(No. 3) (left change = 0) (right change = 0)].

(2) 45-degree Oblique Line In the case of the 45-degree oblique line, the left-right change amount is almost always 1. Therefore, "SCAN of change 1 that is continuous for the length
LINE ", the command is [(No. 0) (initial coordinates)] [(No. 15) (Continuous number = length)] [(No. 3) (Left change = 1) (Right change = 1) )].

(3) Diagonal line In a general diagonal line, the variation for each SCANLINE varies. Therefore, a command is issued each time the change is changed. [(No. 0) (initial coordinates)] [(No. 3) (Left change) (Right change)] [(No. 3) (Left change) (Right change)] [(No. 3) (Left change Min) (change to the right)] ...

Next, FIG. 6 will be described. FIG. 6 shows the relationship between the header section described in the section and the command section described in the section.
In FIG. 6, reference numeral 701 denotes a header, and 702 denotes a compressed data part. The header 701 is composed of the same elements as the uncompressed data in FIG. A field 703 indicates that the data is Scanline compressed data by setting ELEM_CMPSCANLINES indicating that the data is SCANLINE compressed data.

The data section 702 always starts with a compression command, and Command-0 indicating initial coordinates is set in the field 70.
9. Field 7 following Command-0
Reference numerals 10, 711, and 712 indicate a Y coordinate, a left X coordinate, and a right X coordinate.

Command-15 in the field 713 is a command for specifying the number of repetitions of the next Command-3.

Next, the flow of the above-described compressed Scanline command generation processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
The following processing corresponds to the internal processing of S605 in FIG.

Previous Sc stored in primary cache
The difference delY between the Y coordinate LastY of the anline data and the Y coordinate of the current Scanline is obtained (S901). Here, delY = 0 when not stored in the primary cache. And delY = 0
If (S902), the left X and lastLe of this Scanline
ftX, find the difference between right X and lastRightX (S90
3). Next, left and right last difference lastLeftX, lastRig
If it is the same as htX (S904), repeat counter rep
tcnt is counted up (S910), lastLeftX and lastRightX are updated (S911), and then this processing is terminated.

On the other hand, if delY is not 0 (S90)
2), proceed to S905. And a repetition counter
It is determined whether or not reptcnt ≠ 0 (S905). And
When it is determined that the repetition counter is reptcnt ≠ 0, the new coordinate command (CmndNo.0) holds the Y coordinate and the left / right X coordinate in the primary buffer 3024 (S908), and sets the left and right X coordinates set in S907 in lastLeftX and lastRightX. Then, delLeftX and delRightX are initialized to 0 (S909). After that, this processing ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the repetition counter is reptcnt ≠ 0, the continuous command (CmndNo. 15) is buffered in the primary buffer 3024, and subsequently, commands indicating delLeftX and deltRightX are buffered (S9).
06), the size of the data part is set to Count (705) (S907). After that, the processing shifts to S908.

On the other hand, if any one of them is different (S9
04), the process proceeds to S905.

Next, a method of despooling (decompressing) compressed data will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Here, it is assumed that the despooler 3032 has already determined that the data is Scanline compressed data.

The drawing attribute parameters such as a brush, a pen, and a logical operation value are read from the header 701 (FIG. 6), and are registered as PDL commands in the PDL mode and as drawing attributes in the image mode ( S10
01). The value of Count 705 of the header 701 is set in the decompression processing variable Cnt (S1002). Here, Count7
In 05, the data size of the data section 702 is set at the time of compression processing. Then, the data of the data portion is read for one command (S1003), and it is determined whether or not the read data is an initial coordinate command (Command-0) (S1003).
1004).

If it is determined that the read data is the initial coordinate command (Command-0), the initial coordinate is set in a variable lastPos indicating the current position, and the next data in the data part is read (S1005). Then, it is determined whether the read data is a command (Command-15) indicating repetition (S1006).

If it is determined that the read data is a command indicating repetition (Command-15), the number of repetitions is set in a variable delY, and the next data is read (S1).
007). However, this data indicates the difference between the left and right X coordinate values from the previous time, and the command number and data size differ depending on the difference value.

Then, it is determined whether or not the difference between the left and right X coordinates is both 0 (S1008). If both are not 0, the lastPos is set to one side, the height delY, and the left and right change amount is fixed. It means trapezoidal drawing. In the image mode, a polygon drawing process is performed. In the PDL mode, a polygon drawing command is generated (S1010). LastPos is updated, and only the data size read by each processing system, Cnt
Is updated (S1012), and if Cnt is not 0, S10
Returning to 03, if Cnt is 0, this process ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the difference between the left and right X coordinates is 0 (S1008), it means a rectangular drawing with one side of lastPos and a height of delY. In the image mode, a rectangle drawing process is generated, and in the PDL mode, a rectangle drawing command is generated (S1009). Thereafter, the flow shifts to S1012.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the read data is not the initial coordinate command (Command-0) (S100
4), Scanline to draw this time from left / right x difference and lastPos
Calculate the coordinate values of
If the drawing process is in the PDL mode, a Scanline drawing command is generated (S1011), and then the process proceeds to S1012.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the read data is not a command (Command-15) indicating repetition, the process proceeds to S1.
011.

As described above, an embodiment of the present invention has been described. Even when the same graphic is drawn by the OS using another function, the number of spool objects and the spool data size can be suppressed, and higher-speed printing can be performed. Processing becomes possible.

Even if the present invention is applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), a device including one device (for example, a copying machine, a facsimile machine, etc.) ) May be applied.

Further, an object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing a software program code called a printer driver for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiment to a system or an apparatus, and to provide a computer (or CPU) of the system or the apparatus. And MPU) read out and execute the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code read out from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, C
A D-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (operator) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code.
Needless to say, a case where the functions of the above-described embodiments are implemented by performing a part or all of the actual processing by an operating system or the like is also included.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instructions of the program code, It goes without saying that the CPU included in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

When the present invention is applied to a storage medium, the storage medium stores program codes corresponding to the flowcharts described above.

[0141]

As described above, according to the present invention,
With the configuration described above, higher-speed printing processing can be performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the structure of the color laser beam printer 1 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a structure of an uncompressed PDF.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a gradation drawing method using a Rectangle drawing command.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure when a header of a drawing command having the same drawing attribute is shared.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a PDP obtained by compressing a Scanline data part passed by an Ooutput function of Windows 9x.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a figure is drawn by Scanline of Windows 9x and a difference between a conventional PDF and a PDF according to an embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a command code.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for compressing Scanline data sent by another function.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing method for expanding compressed Scanline data.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram for explaining a conventional drawing method.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 color laser beam printer 3 host computer 110 formatter control unit 111 interface unit 113 command analysis unit 114 print control processing execution unit 115 drawing processing execution unit 116 page memory 120 operation panel 130 output control unit 150 printer engine 301 application software 302 graphic sub System 303 Spool subsystem 310 Keyboard 311 Mouse 320 Display monitor 1121 Receive buffer 1122 Transmit buffer 3021 GDI 3022 DDI interface 3023 Printer driver 3024 Primary buffer 3031 PDF 3032 Despooler 3033 PDL mode translator 3034-3036 Image mode translator 30 7-band memory 3038 interface unit

Claims (30)

[Claims] 1. An image processing apparatus for generating print data to be transmitted to be printed, comprising: a conversion unit configured to convert a print command into rendering data in an intermediate data format and to extract rendering attribute information and data type information. Spooling means for temporarily spooling a plurality of pieces of drawing data having the same drawing attribute and data type information of the drawing data in the intermediate data format obtained by the converting means; and drawing spooled by the spooling means. An image processing apparatus, comprising: print data generation means for generating print data based on data. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print data is bitmap-developed image data. 3. The storage device according to claim 1, wherein the spooling unit holds a drawing data in an intermediate data format obtained by the conversion by the conversion unit, and the intermediate data obtained by the conversion by the conversion unit. Whether the drawing attribute information and data type information of the header of the drawing data in the format are the same as the drawing attribute information and data type information of the header of the previously updated intermediate data format drawing data held in the holding unit And a data counter value of a header of the previously updated intermediate data format drawing data is incremented by 1 when the same determination unit makes an affirmative determination, and the previously updated intermediate data At the end of the drawing data in the format, a data feed of the drawing data in the intermediate data format obtained by the conversion by the conversion means is provided. First update means for adding only fields, and print data generating means for generating print data from the intermediate data format drawing data of the holding means after the holding means finishes holding the intermediate data format drawing data. Characteristic image processing device. 4. The print data generating unit according to claim 3, wherein the print data generating unit changes the attribute of the header, becomes unable to fit in the holding unit, or receives an instruction indicating the end of a page. An image processing apparatus for generating print data from drawing data in an intermediate data format in a holding unit. 5. The drawing coordinate system according to claim 3, wherein the drawing coordinates of the data field obtained by the conversion by the conversion unit are relative coordinates with respect to the drawing coordinates of the last data field, and the number of repetitions of the relative coordinates. Determining means for determining whether or not it can be represented; and when the determination means makes an affirmative determination, relative coordinates;
Command code generating means for generating a command code representing the number of repetitions of the relative coordinates, and second updating means for overwriting the command code generated by the command code generating means on the last data field. An image processing apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the header has data size information instead of the data counter value information. 7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print data is data described in a page description language. 8. The print data generating unit according to claim 7, wherein the print data generating unit changes the attribute of the header, becomes unable to fit in the holding unit, or receives a command indicating the end of a page. An image processing apparatus for generating data described in a page description language based on drawing data in an intermediate data format of a holding unit. 9. The drawing coordinate system according to claim 7, wherein the drawing coordinates of the data field obtained by the conversion by the conversion unit are relative coordinates with respect to the drawing coordinates of the last data field, and the number of repetitions of the relative coordinates. Determining means for determining whether or not it can be represented; and when the determination means makes an affirmative determination, relative coordinates;
Command code generating means for generating a command code representing the number of repetitions of the relative coordinates, and second updating means for overwriting the command code generated by the command code generating means on the last data field. An image processing apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. 10. The image processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the header has data size information instead of the data counter value information. 11. An image processing method for generating print data to be transmitted and to be transmitted, the method comprising: converting a print command into drawing data in an intermediate data format, and extracting drawing attribute information and data type information. A spooling step of temporarily spooling together a plurality of pieces of drawing data having the same drawing attribute and data type information of the drawing data in the intermediate data format obtained in the conversion step; and a drawing spooled in the spooling step. A print data generating step of generating print data based on the data. 12. The image processing method according to claim 11, wherein the print data is bitmap-decompressed image data. 13. The spooling step according to claim 11, wherein the rendering attribute information and the data type information of the header of the rendering data in the intermediate data format obtained in the conversion step are obtained by the intermediate data obtained in the conversion step. A determination step of determining whether or not the drawing attribute information and data type information of the header of the previously updated intermediate data format held in the holding unit for storing the format drawing data are the same as the drawing data; If an affirmative determination is made in the same determination step, the data counter value of the header of the previously updated intermediate data format drawing data is incremented by one, and the conversion data is added to the end of the last updated intermediate data format drawing data. A first updating step of adding only the data field of the drawing data in the intermediate data format obtained in the step, A print data generating step of generating print data from the intermediate data format drawing data of the holding unit after the holding unit finishes holding the intermediate data format drawing data. 14. The print data generating step according to claim 13, wherein the print data generation step is performed when the attribute of the header is changed, cannot be stored in the storage unit, or when a command indicating the end of the page is received. An image processing method, wherein print data is generated from drawing data in an intermediate data format. 15. The drawing coordinate according to claim 13, wherein the drawing coordinates of the data field obtained in the conversion step are expressed by relative coordinates with respect to the drawing coordinates of the last data field and the number of repetitions of the relative coordinates. A determining step of determining whether or not the above is possible; and, when a positive determination is made in the determining step, relative coordinates;
A command code generating step of generating a command code representing the number of repetitions of the relative coordinates; and a second updating step of overwriting the command code generated in the command code generating step to the last data field. An image processing method comprising: 16. The image processing method according to claim 13, wherein said header has data size information instead of said data counter value information. 17. The image processing method according to claim 11, wherein the print data is data described in a page description language. 18. The print data processing step according to claim 17, wherein the print data processing step is performed when the attribute of the header changes, the header cannot be stored, or a command indicating the end of a page comes. An image processing method for generating data described in a page description language based on drawing data in an intermediate data format of a holding unit. 19. The drawing method according to claim 17, wherein the drawing coordinates of the data field obtained in the conversion step are expressed by relative coordinates with respect to the drawing coordinates of the last data field and the number of repetitions of the relative coordinates. A determining step of determining whether or not the above is possible; and, when a positive determination is made in the determining step, relative coordinates;
A command code generating step of generating a command code representing the number of repetitions of the relative coordinates; and a second updating step of overwriting the command code generated in the command code generating step to the last data field. An image processing method comprising: 20. The image processing method according to claim 17, wherein said header has data size information instead of said data counter value information. 21. A conversion procedure for converting a print command into rendering data in an intermediate data format and extracting rendering attribute information and data type information, and a rendering attribute of the rendering data in the intermediate data format obtained by the conversion procedure. And executing a spooling procedure for temporarily spooling a plurality of drawing data having the same data type information collectively and a print data generating procedure for generating print data based on the drawing data spooled by the spooling procedure. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute the program. 22. A computer-readable storage medium according to claim 21, wherein the print data is a program which is bitmap-developed image data. 23. The spooling procedure according to claim 21, wherein the spooling procedure comprises: a holding procedure for holding rendering data in an intermediate data format obtained by the conversion by the conversion procedure; and an intermediate data obtained by the conversion by the conversion procedure. Whether the drawing attribute information and data type information of the header of the drawing data in the format are the same as the drawing attribute information and data type information of the header of the previously updated intermediate data format drawing data held in the holding procedure And when the affirmative determination is made by the same determination procedure, the data counter value of the header of the previously updated intermediate data format drawing data is incremented by one, and the previously updated intermediate data is updated. At the end of the drawing data in the format, the data file of the drawing data in the intermediate data format obtained by the conversion according to the conversion procedure is added. And executing a first update procedure for adding only a field and a print data generation procedure for generating print data from the intermediate data format drawing data in the holding procedure after the holding of the intermediate data format drawing data in the holding procedure. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute the program. 24. The print data generation procedure according to claim 23, wherein the print data generation procedure is executed when the attribute of the header changes, the storage procedure cannot be completed, or an instruction indicating the end of a page comes. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for generating print data from drawing data in an intermediate data format in a holding procedure. 25. The drawing method according to claim 23, wherein the drawing coordinates of the data field obtained by the conversion according to the conversion procedure are relative coordinates with respect to the drawing coordinates of the last data field, and the number of repetitions of the relative coordinates. A determination procedure for determining whether or not it can be represented; and, when an affirmative determination is made in the determination procedure, relative coordinates;
Further comprising: a command code generating step of generating a command code representing the number of repetitions of the relative coordinates; and a second updating step of overwriting the command code generated by the command code generating step in the last data field. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program to be executed by a computer. 26. A computer-readable storage medium according to claim 23, wherein said header stores a program having data size information instead of said data counter value information. 27. A computer-readable storage medium according to claim 23, wherein said print data is a program described in a page description language. 28. The print data generation procedure according to claim 27, wherein the print data generation procedure is performed when an attribute of the header changes, the storage procedure cannot be completed, or an instruction indicating the end of a page comes. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for generating data described in a page description language based on drawing data in an intermediate data format of a holding procedure. 29. The drawing method according to claim 27, wherein the drawing coordinates of the data field obtained by the conversion according to the conversion procedure are relative to the drawing coordinates of the last data field, and the number of repetitions of the relative coordinates. A determination procedure for determining whether or not it can be represented; and, when an affirmative determination is made in the determination procedure, relative coordinates;
Further comprising: a command code generating step of generating a command code representing the number of repetitions of the relative coordinates; and a second updating step of overwriting the command code generated by the command code generating step in the last data field. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program to be executed by a computer. 30. A computer-readable storage medium according to claim 27, wherein said header stores a program having data size information instead of said data counter value information.