JP4110945B2 - Image processing apparatus, image forming apparatus, and program - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image forming apparatus, and a program, and more particularly, to an image processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus for transmitting a PDF file from an image processing apparatus to an image forming apparatus without printing, without converting the PDF file into print data. And related to the program.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as “PC”) can transmit a document file stored in a hard disk to a printer via a network such as a LAN for printing.
[0003]
In this case, the document file is usually stored in print data described in PDL (Page Description Language) such as PS (PostScript®) that can be analyzed by a printer by a printer driver installed in the PC. It is sent after being converted.
[0004]
On the other hand, as a document file distributed on the Internet, a PDF (Portable Document Format) file that can reproduce the same appearance as the original document regardless of the type of hardware or application has become widespread. This PDF file includes an object that can be arranged in the file in an order different from the page order, and reference information indicating the position of the object in the file, and defines a page composed of predetermined objects.
[0005]
By the way, a PDF file may have data of several hundred pages, for example. When such a PDF file having a particularly large data size is converted to print data on a PC, the conversion takes time, the processing becomes complicated, and the data size increases due to the conversion, resulting in an increase in data transfer time. For this reason, the load on the PC increases. In order to reduce the load on the PC, there has been proposed a printer capable of directly printing a PDF file transmitted from the PC to the printer without being converted to print data (hereinafter referred to as “PDF direct print”). .
[0006]
However, since print data described in PDL such as PS has data to be printed arranged in the page order in the file, the printer can print from the first page of the received print data. Since the data to be printed can be arranged in the file regardless of the page order, the printer can print only after receiving the entire PDF file. For this reason, the printer may not be able to receive the entire PDF file due to insufficient memory capacity (usable capacity or free capacity) and cannot execute printing.
[0007]
In relation to this problem, there is known an apparatus for reconfiguring the contents of a PDF file so that it can be displayed on the display in order from the received data without receiving the entire PDF file. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
[0008]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese National Patent Publication No. 11-502954
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, it is desirable that a PDF file distributed widely is exchanged on a network, for example, without much change or correction. However, in the apparatus described in Patent Document 1, as a result, a large change process for reconstructing the PDF file is performed on the transmission side such as a PC before file transfer. There is a problem that the file is completely different from the original PDF file.
[0010]
In addition, since the technology of the above-described device is merely a technology related to display on a display, sufficient consideration is not given to printing with a printer. Specifically, for example, when special printing conditions such as face-up indicating processing for printing in order from the last page to the first page are applied and printing needs to be performed in an order different from the page order of the file, Technology cannot respond.
[0011]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus with a small usable capacity of a storage unit while preventing a significant change of a file on the transmission side. On the other hand, it is an object to provide an image processing apparatus, an image forming apparatus, and a program capable of reliably printing a PDF file even if it is transmitted without being converted into print data.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The above object of the present invention is achieved by the following means.
[0013]
(1) An image processing apparatus that transmits a PDF file to an image forming apparatus without converting it to print data, and uses the size of the PDF file to be printed and the storage unit of the image forming apparatus to print the PDF file If the comparison unit compares the available capacity and the storage capacity required for printing the PDF file is larger than the usable capacity of the storage unit of the image forming apparatus as a result of the comparison by the comparison unit, the PDF file is linearized. An image processing apparatus having conversion processing means.
[0014]
(2) The image processing apparatus according to (1), further including a transmission unit that transmits head data including a hint table in the PDF file linearized by the conversion processing unit to the image forming apparatus.
[0015]
(3) A program used in an image processing apparatus that transmits a PDF file to an image forming apparatus without converting it into print data, the size of the PDF file to be printed, and the image forming apparatus to which the PDF file is to be printed If the comparison procedure for comparing the usable capacity of the storage unit and the storage capacity necessary for printing the PDF file is larger than the usable capacity of the storage unit of the image forming apparatus as a result of the comparison in the comparison procedure, the PDF file A program for causing the image processing apparatus to execute a conversion processing procedure for linearizing the image.
[0016]
(4) The above (3) for causing the image processing apparatus to further execute a transmission procedure for transmitting head data including a hint table in the PDF file linearized in the conversion processing procedure. ) Program.
[0017]
(5) An image forming apparatus that receives and prints a PDF file from an image processing apparatus without being converted into print data, and includes a hint table of the linearized PDF file from the image processing apparatus. A first receiving means for receiving data; a determining means for determining necessary data in the PDF file based on a result of analyzing the head data received by the first receiving means; and the image processing Transmitting means for transmitting a transmission request for the necessary data to the apparatus; second receiving means for receiving data transmitted from the image processing apparatus in response to the transmission request; and the second reception An image forming apparatus comprising: a printing unit that performs printing based on data received by the unit.
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0019]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a printing system to which a PC and a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention are applied.
[0020]
As shown in FIG. 1, the print system includes PCs 100A and 100B having functions as image processing apparatuses and a printer 200 as an image forming apparatus, which are connected to each other via a network 300 so as to communicate with each other. Yes. The network 300 includes a LAN according to a standard such as Ethernet (R), token ring, or FDDI, or a WAN in which LANs are connected by a dedicated line.
[0021]
The type and number of devices connected to the network are not limited to the example shown in FIG. Further, the printer 200 may be directly connected (locally connected) between the PC 100A or 100B and the device without going through the network 300.
[0022]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the PCs 100A and 100B shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the PCs 100A and 100B include a CPU 101 that controls the entire apparatus and various arithmetic processes, a ROM 102 that stores programs and data, a RAM 103 that temporarily stores programs and data as work areas, A hard disk 104 as an external storage device for storing various programs and data, a display unit 105 such as a liquid crystal display for displaying various information, an input unit 106 including a keyboard and a mouse for inputting various instructions, And a network interface 107 such as a LAN card for connecting to the network 300, which are connected to each other via a bus 108 for exchanging signals.
[0023]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the printer 200 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the printer 200 includes a CPU 201, a ROM 202, a RAM 203, an operation panel unit 204, a printing unit 205, and a network interface 206, which are connected to each other via a bus 207 for exchanging signals. ing. Of the components of the printer 200, duplicate descriptions of portions having functions similar to those of the components of the PCs 100A and 100B are omitted.
[0024]
The RAM 203 can temporarily store data received from the PC. The ROM 202 stores font data, which is data related to the typeface of characters. The printer 200 may have a hard disk as an external storage device for storing various programs and data. The operation panel unit 204 is used for displaying various information and inputting various instructions. The printing unit 205 prints various data on a recording material such as paper using a known image forming process such as an electrophotographic process.
[0025]
The PCs 100A and 100B and the printer 200 may include components other than the above-described components, or some of the above-described components may not be included. In the following, a case where data is transmitted from the PC 100A to the printer 200 and printing is performed will be described.
[0026]
In the printing system shown in FIG. 1, two types of printing, normal printing and PDF direct printing, can be executed. When executing normal printing, a predetermined file is converted to print data described in PDL such as PS by a printer driver installed in the hard disk 104 of the PC 100A, and then transmitted to the printer 200. On the other hand, when executing PDF direct printing, the PDF file is transmitted from the PC 100 </ b> A to the printer 200 without being converted into print data in accordance with a program described later installed in the hard disk 104.
[0027]
Here, with reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the structure and analysis method of a standard PDF file will be briefly described. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of a standard PDF file, and FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a sample standard PDF file. 4 and 5 are created with reference to “PDF Reference third edition Adobe Portable Document Format Version 1.4” (Adobe Systems).
[0028]
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the standard PDF file 500 includes a header 510, a body 520, a cross reference table 530, and a trailer 540.
[0029]
In the header 510, a comment starting with “%” is described. From the header 510 in FIG. 5, it can be seen that the file format is PDF and the version of the conforming PDF specification (here, 1.4).
[0030]
The body 520 includes objects (objects 1 to 6 in FIG. 5) constituting the document. An object is an individual element that constitutes a document, such as document structure, page information, font information, and color information. For example, the first object 1 is defined by the description from “1 0 obj” to “endobj”, and other objects are defined in the same manner. Here, for example, the first number and the next number in “1 0 obj” represent an object ID number and a generation number, respectively. In the body 520, various types of information such as file attributes, page attributes, character information, graphics information, and image information are configured by combinations of minimum units called objects.
[0031]
The cross reference table 530 is reference information indicating the position of the object in the file. In the cross-reference table 530, the position of each object having a specific ID number (1 to 6 in FIG. 5) is represented by the number of bytes (offset) from the beginning of the file to the beginning of the object. This makes it possible to randomly access the objects arranged in the body 520. The cross-reference table 530 starts with a line including the keyword “xref” in an actual file.
[0032]
The trailer 540 is information to be accessed at the start of file analysis. Specifically, the trailer 540 describes information indicating the position of the cross-reference table 530 in the file and the ID number of the object (root object that becomes the root of the hierarchical structure) to be referred to first. The number next to “startxref” is the number of bytes (offset) from the top of the file to the top of the cross reference table 530. The line including “Root” indicates the ID number of the root object. The line including “Size” indicates the number of objects existing in the file including the first entry of the cross-reference table 530 (the object ID number is “0”). This trailer 540 exists at the end of the file and begins with a line containing the keyword “trailer”.
[0033]
When analyzing a standard PDF file, an apparatus for analyzing a PDF file first analyzes the trailer 540 at the end of the file, and then analyzes the cross-reference table 530. Then, based on the information obtained by these analyzes, the contents of the page described in the body 520 can be analyzed. The object includes an ID number of another object in which data required next is described. Therefore, the entire analysis of the PDF file can be performed by tracing the ID number of the next necessary object. Since the ID number of the object to be referred to next is indicated, the objects do not need to be arranged in the analysis order in the body of the PDF file. Therefore, the objects can be described in an arbitrary order for each object in the body of the PDF file, and as a result, the objects can be arranged in the file in an order different from the page order.
[0034]
As described above, when analyzing a standard PDF file, an apparatus that analyzes a PDF file first analyzes the trailer 540 and the cross-reference table 530 near the end of the file, and then does not necessarily have an order that is not related to the page order. To access the objects in the file. For this reason, a device for analyzing a PDF file can usually be analyzed only after the entire PDF file is held in a storage device such as a memory. As will be described later, the present invention uses a linearized PDF file so that an image forming apparatus such as a printer can reliably print even if the entire PDF file cannot be held in a storage device such as a memory. If possible.
[0035]
Next, processing performed in the PC 100A will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8 is stored as a program in a storage device such as the hard disk 104 of the PC 100A, and is executed by the CPU 101.
[0036]
Here, a case where PDF direct printing is executed on a PDF file instead of normal printing using a printer driver, and the PDF file is printed by the printer 200 will be described.
[0037]
On the desktop of PC 100A, an icon of an application program file for PDF direct printing is displayed in advance. The user can instruct execution of PDF direct printing by starting the application program by dragging and dropping the PDF file onto the icon. The instruction to execute PDF direct printing may be performed by other methods.
[0038]
Further, for example, the printing conditions are designated through the input unit 106 before the user issues an instruction to execute PDF direct printing. Here, the printing condition refers to an attribute related to the printing order for a page. The printing conditions include, for example, whether or not booklet binding is applied, and whether or not face-up is applied to indicate processing for printing in order from the last page to the first page. Multiple pages (N pages) are reduced on one sheet. Whether or not Nin1 for printing is applied, the number of copies to be printed, and whether or not to apply collation for output in units of copies. However, the printing conditions may include other attributes related to printing. Note that the printing conditions may be set through the operation panel unit 204 in the printer 200.
[0039]
First, the PC 100A accepts an instruction to execute PDF direct printing on the PDF file by the user (S101).
[0040]
Subsequently, the size of the PDF file to be printed is compared with the usable capacity of the memory (RAM 203) of the printer 200 to which the PDF file is to be printed. As a result of comparison, the storage capacity necessary for printing the PDF file is determined by the printer. It is determined whether or not it is larger than the usable capacity of 200 memories (S102).
[0041]
Here, the PC 100A obtains printer-specific information from the printer 200 by making a request to, for example, the printer 200 as an output destination. However, the printer specific information may be acquired by requesting the printer 100 from the PC 100A when the PC 100A or the printer 200 is started. The unique information of the printer includes the usable capacity of the memory mounted on the printer, the presence / absence of a hard disk, and the usable capacity of the hard disk when the printer is equipped with a hard disk. Note that the usable memory capacity of the printer used in the determination in step S102 (same in S104) is preferably a dynamic value corresponding to the memory usage status. However, a fixed value may be used as the usable capacity of the printer memory, and a certain effect can be expected. In the PC 100A, the unique information of the printer 200 may be manually set in advance.
[0042]
If the storage capacity necessary for printing the PDF file is less than or equal to the usable capacity of the memory of the printer 200 (NO in S102), the entire PDF file can be held in the memory of the printer 200, so the PDF file transmission process is executed as it is. (S106).
[0043]
On the other hand, if the storage capacity required for printing the PDF file is larger than the usable capacity of the printer memory (YES in S102), it is determined whether the printer 200 is equipped with a hard disk (S103). When making such a determination, the unique information of the printer is referred to.
[0044]
In step S103, if the printer 200 is equipped with a hard disk (YES in S103), the size of the PDF file to be printed is compared with the usable capacity of the hard disk of the printer 200 to print the PDF file. As a result, it is determined whether the storage capacity necessary for printing the PDF file is larger than the usable capacity of the hard disk of the printer 200 (S104).
[0045]
If the storage capacity required for printing the PDF file is less than or equal to the usable capacity of the hard disk of the printer 200 (NO in S104), the entire PDF file can be held on the hard disk of the printer 200, so the PDF file transmission process is executed as it is. (S106).
[0046]
If it is determined in step S103 that the printer 200 is not equipped with a hard disk (NO in S103), or in step S104, the storage capacity required for printing the PDF file is greater than the usable capacity of the hard disk of the printer 200. If it is determined that the file size is large (YES in S104), PDF file analysis processing is performed (S105). After the PDF file analysis process is completed, a PDF file transmission process is performed (S106).
[0047]
Here, with reference to FIG. 7, the PDF file analysis processing in step S105 of FIG. 6 will be described.
[0048]
First, it is determined whether or not the PDF file to be printed is a linearized PDF file (Linearized PDF) (S301). Details of the linearized PDF file will be described later. In the case of a linearized PDF file (YES in S301), the PDF file analysis process ends.
[0049]
If it is not a linearized PDF file, that is, if the PDF file to be printed is a standard PDF file (NO in S301), the PDF file is linearized (S302). The linearization of the PDF file is automatically performed using an application having a linearization function. The linearized PDF file is stored in a storage device such as a memory (RAM 103), and the analysis process of the PDF file ends.
[0050]
FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 are diagrams showing a first half portion and a second half portion of a sample of a linearized PDF file, respectively. 9 and 10 are created with reference to “PDF Reference third edition Adobe Portable Document Format Version 1.4” (Adobe Systems).
[0051]
A linearized PDF file refers to a PDF file optimized to enable efficient access under a network environment. As shown in FIG. 9, a linearized PDF file 600 includes a header (part 1) 601, a linearization parameter (part 2) 602, a first page cross-reference table and trailer (part 3) 603, a document catalog. And a document level object (part 4) 604, a hint table (part 5) 605, a first page part (part 6) 606, and a remaining page (part 7) 607.
[0052]
The linearization parameter 602 is arranged next to the header 601 and is stored within 1024 bytes from the top of the PDF file. The linearization parameter 602 includes a description indicating a linearized version of “Linearized 1.0”. Therefore, the PC 100A can determine whether the PDF file to be printed is a standard PDF file or a linearized PDF file by analyzing 1024-byte data from the top of the PDF file. it can.
[0053]
The hint table 605 is arranged in front of or behind the first page portion 606, and is stored within 1024 bytes from the top of the PDF file. The hint table 605 includes a description indicating information on the remaining pages, such as reference information indicating the positions of objects related to data on and after the second page. In other words, the linearized PDF file is obtained by analyzing the top data including the hint table 605 (specifically, data from the top of the file to, for example, 1024 bytes), so that necessary page data can be freely acquired. It is a structure to obtain. Therefore, an apparatus for analyzing a linearized PDF file can immediately access data on an arbitrary page by referring to the hint table 605 included in the head data.
[0054]
Next, referring to FIG. 8, the PDF file transmission processing in step S106 of FIG. 6 will be described.
[0055]
First, it is determined whether or not the PDF file to be transmitted is a linearized PDF file (S401).
[0056]
If the PDF file to be transmitted is not a linearized PDF file, that is, a standard file (NO in S401), for example, the printer 200 designated when instructing execution of PDF direct printing by the user is sent to the printer 200, for example. On the other hand, the entire PDF file is transmitted (S407). At this time, the printing conditions are also transmitted from the PC 100A to the printer 200 (the same applies to S402). After the entire PDF file is transmitted, the process returns to the flowchart of FIG. 6 and the execution of the process shown in FIG. 6 is terminated.
[0057]
On the other hand, if the PDF file to be transmitted is a linearized PDF file (YES in S401), the top data including the hint table 605 is transmitted to the printer 200 (S402).
[0058]
In step S403, it is determined whether or not a transmission request for predetermined data in the PDF file has been received from the printer 200. Here, the predetermined data is data (for example, a predetermined object) that is sequentially required in accordance with printing in the printer 200.
[0059]
When a transmission request for predetermined data is received (YES in S403), the requested data is extracted from the PDF file (S404) and transmitted to the printer 200 (S405). On the other hand, when the transmission request for the predetermined data is not received (NO in S403), the process proceeds to step S406.
[0060]
As a method of transmitting a PDF file from the PC 100A to the printer 200, a method of establishing a session between the PC and the printer by executing an application program and transferring a specified PDF file is employed. Therefore, the user is not burdened with operations. However, it is also possible to realize PDF file transfer using the function of the OS (basic software).
[0061]
Data (for example, an object) requested to be transmitted can be specified by the number of bytes (offset) from the beginning of the file to the beginning of the data and the data length represented by the number of bytes. Various protocols such as HTTP and FTP can be used as the transfer protocol.
[0062]
In step S406, it is determined whether printing of all PDF files in the printer 200 has been completed. Here, the end of printing can be determined based on, for example, whether a notification indicating the end of printing has been received from the printer 200.
[0063]
If printing of the PDF file has not ended (NO in S406), the process returns to step S403, and the processes in steps S403 to S406 are repeated. That is, whenever there is a request for transmission of predetermined data from the printer 200, the PC 100A extracts data requested from the printer 200 and transmits the extracted data to the printer 200. If the printing of the PDF file has been completed (YES in S406), the process returns to the flowchart of FIG. 6, and the execution of the process shown in FIG.
[0064]
Next, processing performed by the printer 200 will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that the algorithm shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 11 to 13 is stored as a program in a storage device such as the ROM 202 of the printer 200 and is executed by the CPU 201.
[0065]
Here, a case where the printer 200 receives a PDF file to be printed transmitted from the PC 100A and executes PDF direct printing on the received PDF file will be described below.
[0066]
First, the printer 200 starts receiving a PDF file transmitted from the PC 100A (S501). Note that the reception of the data is continued after the reception is started until the data transmitted from the PC 100A is received.
[0067]
Then, it waits until the top data of the PDF file (data from the top of the file to 1024 bytes, for example) is received (S502). Here, when the PDF file to be printed is a linearized PDF file, the head data includes a hint table 605. The received head data is stored in the memory (RAM 203).
[0068]
Subsequently, it is determined from the linearization parameter 602 included in the received head data whether the PDF file to be printed is a linearized PDF file (S503).
[0069]
If the PDF file to be printed is a linearized PDF file (YES in S503), the linearized PDF file is printed (S504). Details of this processing will be described later.
[0070]
On the other hand, if the PDF file to be printed is not a linearized PDF file, that is, a standard file (NO in S503), a standard file printing process is performed (S505). Details of this processing will be described later.
[0071]
Next, the linearized PDF file printing process in step S504 in FIG. 11 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0072]
First, the printer 200 analyzes head data including the received hint table 605 (S601).
[0073]
The head data of the linearized PDF file includes a hint table 605 and a first page portion 606 having data of the first page. Here, the hint table 605 is stored in the memory after being analyzed. When the hint table 605 is arranged behind the first page portion 606, it may be analyzed and stored in the memory after printing based on the data of one page is performed as necessary.
[0074]
In step S602, necessary data for each page is requested to the PC 100A, and data corresponding to the request is received from the PC 100A. However, the process of step S602 is executed when a PDF file having a plurality of pages is printed in units of pages and is not in the order of printing the first page. The data required for the PC 100A may be one object or a group of appropriate data such as a plurality of objects. Further, a plurality of pages of the PDF file may be requested from the PC 100A according to the margin of the usable capacity of the memory in the printer 200.
[0075]
Here, the printer 200 refers to the hint table 605 stored in the memory, determines data necessary for performing appropriate printing, and requests the PC 100A for the necessary data. At this time, the printing conditions are also referred to. For example, when face-up is applied to printing of a PDF file, transmission of page data is requested in order from the last page of the file toward the first page. When face down is applied, transmission of page data is requested in the same order as the page order of the file. That is, even when the same PDF file is printed, the printing order for the pages varies depending on the printing conditions. Therefore, the data requested to be transmitted from the printer to the PC is determined with reference to the printing conditions. As described above, since the hint table 605 includes the reference information indicating the position of the object relating to the data on and after the second page, the printer 200 designates the data of an arbitrary page and receives the data from the PC 100A. Is possible to get.
[0076]
If it is the order of printing the first page, no processing is performed in step S602, and the process proceeds to step S603. This is because all the data of the first page is described in the head data of the linearized PDF file. However, based on the analysis result of the cross-reference table of the first page and the trailer 603, the data of the first page is requested to the PC 100A in the same manner as the data of the second and subsequent pages in step S602. The data corresponding to may be received from the PC 100A.
[0077]
In step S603, an intermediate language in a format that can be internally processed by the printer is created for the data to be printed, that is, the received predetermined page data or the first page data.
[0078]
Subsequently, raster data in bitmap format is created from the created intermediate language (S604). The created raster data is transferred to the printing unit 205 (S605), and printing processing is executed (S606).
[0079]
In the printing process in step S606, when an output page which is all data to be output on one sheet is completed, the output page is printed on the sheet. For example, in a general case where one page of a PDF file is printed on one sheet of paper, when raster data for one page is created, it is determined that the output page is complete, and the output page Is printed on the paper. However, for example, when Nin1 (N = 2) is applied to the printing of the PDF file, since data for two pages must be printed on the first sheet, raster data for one page is stored. The output page is not completed just by being created. In this case, after obtaining raster data for further necessary pages (S602 to S605), printing for the completed output page is performed.
[0080]
In step S607, it is determined whether printing of all pages of the PDF file has been completed. If printing for all pages has not been completed (NO in step S607), the process returns to step S602, and the processes in steps S602 to S607 are repeated.
[0081]
When printing of all pages of the PDF file to be printed is completed (YES in step S607), the process returns to the flowchart of FIG. 11 and the execution of the process shown in FIG.
[0082]
In the processing of FIG. 12, when the storage capacity required for printing the rasterized PDF file is less than the usable capacity of the memory or hard disk of the printer 200, after the entire rasterized PDF file is received at once. It is also possible to perform print processing while referring to the hint table 605.
[0083]
Next, a standard PDF file printing process in step S505 of FIG. 11 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0084]
The PC 100A transmits a standard PDF file to the printer 200 because the memory of the printer 200 (memory or hard disk in the case of a printer equipped with a hard disk) has a storage capacity necessary for printing the standard PDF file. It has shown that it has the usable capacity | capacitance only to ensure.
[0085]
Accordingly, the entire received standard PDF file is collectively stored in the memory (S701). In the case of a printer equipped with a hard disk, the entire PDF file is stored in the memory when there is sufficient free space in the memory, and is stored in the hard disk when there is not enough free space in the memory. If there is not enough free space in the memory while the file is stored in the memory, the data stored in the memory is swapped to the hard disk, and the file storage location is changed to the hard disk.
[0086]
The printer 200 analyzes the PDF file based on the analysis result of the trailer 540 and the cross-reference table 530 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) and the printing conditions, and acquires data to be printed on a page basis. Then, an intermediate language for the acquired data of the predetermined page is created (S702).
[0087]
Subsequently, raster data in bitmap format is created from the created intermediate language (S703). The created raster data is transferred to the printing unit 205 (S704), and printing processing is executed (S705).
[0088]
In step S706, it is determined whether printing of all pages of the PDF file has been completed. If printing for all pages has not been completed (NO in step S706), the process returns to step S702, and the processes in steps S702 to S706 are repeated.
[0089]
Then, when printing of all pages of the PDF file to be printed is completed (YES in step S706), the process returns to the flowchart of FIG. 11, and the execution of the process shown in FIG.
[0090]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the PC transmits the PDF file to the printer without converting it into print data described in PDL such as PS, the storage capacity necessary for printing the PDF file to be printed. Is larger than the usable capacity of the storage unit of the printer, the PDF file can be linearized.
[0091]
Therefore, by transmitting the head data including the hint table in the linearized PDF file to the printer, the printer can sequentially request data necessary for printing from the PC. Can be extracted and sent to the printer each time it is requested by the printer.
[0092]
As a result, even if a PDF file is transmitted without being converted into print data, it can be reliably printed to a printer having a small usable memory capacity. Moreover, the PC on the PDF file transmission side only needs to linearize the PDF file, and there is no need to perform a large change process for reconstructing the file.
[0093]
Further, by determining the data requested to be transmitted from the printer to the PC with reference to the printing conditions, special printing conditions such as booklet binding or face-up are applied, and printing is performed in an order different from the page order of the file. Even if it is necessary, it is possible to cope with it without any trouble.
[0094]
FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining another embodiment of the PDF file analysis processing in step S105 of FIG. Since points other than the processing shown in FIG. 14 are the same as those in the above embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.
[0095]
In this embodiment, Adobe (R) Acrobat (R) or an application having a linearization function for a PDF file similar to this is installed in a storage device such as the hard disk 104 of the PC.
[0096]
First, it is determined whether the PDF file to be printed is a linearized PDF file (S801). In the case of a linearized PDF file (YES in S801), the PDF file analysis process ends.
[0097]
If the PDF file is not a linearized PDF file, that is, if the PDF file to be printed is a standard PDF file (NO in S801), a linearization application for linearizing the standard PDF file (for example, Adobe (R ) Acrobat (R)) is activated (S802).
[0098]
In step S803, the PDF file to be printed is linearized by the activated linearization application (S803). The linearized PDF file is stored in a storage device such as a memory (RAM 103), and the analysis process of the PDF file ends. Also in this embodiment, it is possible to obtain the same effect as the above-described embodiment.
[0099]
It should be noted that a user's extra operation can be eliminated by incorporating processing for instructing execution of linearization into Adobe (R) Acrobat (R) in advance as a plug-in. At the same time, the plug-in includes a function for transmitting a linearized PDF file to the printer, thereby simplifying a series of processes from linearization of the PDF file to transmission of the linearized PDF file to the printer. It can be executed.
[0100]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.
[0101]
For example, as a device having a function as an image processing device, a computer such as a workstation or a server may be used instead of a PC. Further, instead of the printer, an image forming apparatus such as a facsimile machine, a copier, and a multi-function peripheral (MFP) having a combined function may be used.
[0102]
In the present invention, means and method for performing various processes for transmitting a PDF file from an image processing apparatus to an image forming apparatus for printing without converting the PDF file into print data are provided by a dedicated hardware circuit or a programmed computer. It can be realized by either. The program may be provided by a computer-readable recording medium such as a flexible disk or a CD-ROM, or may be provided online via a network such as the Internet. In this case, the program recorded on the computer-readable recording medium is normally transferred to and stored in a storage device such as a hard disk. The program may be provided as a single application software, or may be incorporated into the software of the device as one function of the device.
[0103]
The embodiments of the present invention described above include the inventions as shown in the following supplementary notes 1 to 10 in addition to the inventions described in claims 1 to 5 of the claims.
[0104]
[Supplementary Note 1] As a result of the comparison by the comparison unit, the conversion processing unit has a case where the storage capacity required for printing the PDF file is larger than the usable capacity of the storage unit of the image forming apparatus. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the PDF file is linearized when it has not been linearized yet.
[0105]
[Supplementary Note 2] As a result of the comparison by the comparison unit, when the storage capacity necessary for printing the PDF file is less than or equal to the usable capacity of the storage unit of the image forming apparatus, the conversion processing unit linearizes the PDF file. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the transmission unit transmits the entire PDF file to the image forming apparatus.
[0106]
[Supplementary Note 3] Receiving means for receiving a transmission request for predetermined data of the PDF file from the image forming apparatus;
Extraction means for extracting data corresponding to the transmission request from the PDF file;
A second transmission unit configured to transmit the data extracted from the PDF file by the extraction unit to the image forming apparatus;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising:
[0107]
[Supplementary Note 4] The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the determining unit determines the necessary data with reference to a printing condition related to a printing order for a page.
[0108]
[Supplementary Note 5] A program used in an image forming apparatus that receives and prints a PDF file from an image processing apparatus without being converted into print data,
A first reception procedure for receiving head data including a hint table in the linearized PDF file from the image processing device;
A determination procedure for determining necessary data of the PDF file based on a result of analyzing the top data received in the first reception procedure;
A transmission procedure for transmitting a transmission request for the necessary data to the image processing apparatus;
A second reception procedure for receiving data transmitted from the image processing device in response to the transmission request;
A printing procedure for performing printing based on the data received in the second receiving procedure;
For causing the image forming apparatus to execute.
[0109]
[Appendix 6] An image processing method for transmitting a PDF file to an image forming apparatus without converting it into print data,
A comparison step of comparing the size of the PDF file to be printed with the usable capacity of the storage unit of the image forming apparatus to which the PDF file is to be printed;
A conversion processing step for linearizing the PDF file when the storage capacity required for printing the PDF file is larger than the usable capacity of the storage unit of the image forming apparatus as a result of the comparison in the comparison step;
An image processing method.
[0110]
[Supplementary Note 7] The image processing method according to Supplementary Note 6, further comprising a transmission step of transmitting head data including a hint table in the PDF file linearized in the conversion processing step to the image forming apparatus.
[0111]
[Appendix 8] An image forming method for receiving and printing a PDF file from an image processing apparatus without being converted into print data,
A first receiving step of receiving, from the image processing device, leading data including a hint table in a linearized PDF file;
A determination step of determining necessary data of the PDF file based on a result of analyzing the head data received in the first reception step;
A transmission step of transmitting a transmission request for the necessary data to the image processing apparatus;
A second receiving step of receiving data transmitted from the image processing apparatus in response to the transmission request;
A printing step for performing printing based on the data received in the second receiving step;
An image forming method comprising:
[0112]
[Supplementary Note 9] A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 3 or 4 is recorded.
[0113]
[Supplementary Note 10] A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to Supplementary Note 5 is recorded.
[0114]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, when the storage capacity necessary for printing the PDF file to be printed is larger than the usable capacity of the storage unit of the printer, the PDF file can be linearized. Therefore, by transmitting the head data including the hint table in the linearized PDF file to the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus can sequentially request data necessary for printing from the image processing apparatus. The image processing apparatus can extract predetermined data in the PDF file each time it is requested by the image forming apparatus and transmit it to the image forming apparatus.
[0115]
As a result, even if the PDF file is transmitted without being converted into print data to an image forming apparatus having a small usable capacity in the storage unit, it is possible to perform printing reliably. Moreover, the PDF file transmission side only needs to linearize the PDF file, and there is no need to perform a large change process for reconstructing the file.
[0116]
Also, by determining the data requested to be transmitted from the image forming apparatus to the image processing apparatus with reference to the printing conditions, special printing conditions such as booklet binding or face-up are applied, and the file order is different. Even when it is necessary to print in order, it is possible to cope with it without any trouble.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system to which a PC and a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention are applied.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a PC shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the printer illustrated in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the structure of a standard PDF file.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a sample standard PDF file.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining processing performed on a PC.
7 is a flowchart for explaining a PDF file analysis process shown in FIG. 6; FIG.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining a PDF file transmission process shown in FIG. 6;
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a first half of a sample of a linearized PDF file.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a second half portion of a sample of a linearized PDF file.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining processing performed by the printer.
12 is a flowchart for explaining a printing process of the linearized PDF file shown in FIG. 11. FIG.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining a standard PDF file printing process shown in FIG. 11;
FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining another embodiment of the PDF file analysis processing shown in FIG. 6;
[Explanation of symbols]
1-21 ... object,
100A, 100B ... PC,
101, 201 ... CPU,
102, 202 ... ROM,
103, 203 ... RAM,
104 ... Hard disk,
105 ... display section,
106 ... input section,
107, 206 ... network interface,
108,207 ... Bus,
200 ... printer,
204 ... operation panel section,
205 ... printing section,
300 ... Network,
500 ... Standard PDF file,
510 ... header,
520 ... Body,
530 ... cross reference table,
540 ... trailer,
600 ... Linearized PDF file,
601 ... header,
602 ... Linearization parameter,
605 ... Hint table,
606 ... First page,
607 ... remaining pages.

Claims (15)

An image processing apparatus that transmits a PDF file to an image forming apparatus without converting it into print data,
Comparing means for comparing the size of the PDF file to be printed with the usable capacity of the storage unit of the image forming apparatus to which the PDF file is to be printed;
An image processing apparatus comprising: a conversion processing unit that linearizes the PDF file when the storage capacity required for printing the PDF file is larger than the usable capacity of the storage unit of the image forming apparatus as a result of the comparison by the comparison unit.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a transmission unit configured to transmit leading data including a hint table in the PDF file linearized by the conversion processing unit to the image forming apparatus. A program used in an image processing apparatus that transmits a PDF file to an image forming apparatus without converting it into print data,
A comparison procedure for comparing the size of the PDF file to be printed with the usable capacity of the storage unit of the image forming apparatus to which the PDF file is to be printed;
As a result of comparison in the comparison procedure, when the storage capacity necessary for printing the PDF file is larger than the usable capacity of the storage unit of the image forming apparatus, a conversion processing procedure for linearizing the PDF file is given to the image processing apparatus. A program to be executed.   4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, further causing the image processing apparatus to execute a transmission procedure of transmitting head data including a hint table in the PDF file linearized in the conversion processing procedure. 5. program. An image forming apparatus that receives and prints a PDF file from an image processing apparatus without being converted into print data,
First receiving means for receiving head data including a hint table in a linearized PDF file from the image processing apparatus;
Determining means for determining necessary data of the PDF file based on the result of analyzing the top data received by the first receiving means;
Transmitting means for transmitting a transmission request for the necessary data to the image processing apparatus;
Second receiving means for receiving data transmitted from the image processing apparatus in response to the transmission request;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a printing unit that performs printing based on the data received by the second receiving unit.   The conversion processing unit has a case where the storage capacity necessary for printing the PDF file is larger than the usable capacity of the storage unit of the image forming apparatus as a result of the comparison by the comparison unit, and the PDF file is still linearized. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the PDF file is linearized when not.   As a result of the comparison by the comparison unit, if the storage capacity necessary for printing the PDF file is less than or equal to the usable capacity of the storage unit of the image forming apparatus, the conversion processing unit does not linearize the PDF file and transmits the transmission The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the unit transmits the entire PDF file to the image forming apparatus. Receiving means for receiving a transmission request for predetermined data of the PDF file from the image forming apparatus;
Extraction means for extracting data corresponding to the transmission request from the PDF file;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a second transmission unit configured to transmit data extracted from the PDF file by the extraction unit to the image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the determining unit determines the necessary data with reference to a printing condition related to a printing order for a page. A program used in an image forming apparatus that receives and prints a PDF file from an image processing apparatus without being converted into print data,
A first reception procedure for receiving head data including a hint table in the linearized PDF file from the image processing device;
A determination procedure for determining necessary data of the PDF file based on a result of analyzing the top data received in the first reception procedure;
A transmission procedure for transmitting a transmission request for the necessary data to the image processing apparatus;
A second reception procedure for receiving data transmitted from the image processing device in response to the transmission request;
A program for causing the image forming apparatus to execute a printing procedure for performing printing based on data received in the second receiving procedure. An image processing method for transmitting a PDF file to an image forming apparatus without converting it into print data,
A comparison step of comparing the size of the PDF file to be printed with the usable capacity of the storage unit of the image forming apparatus to which the PDF file is to be printed;
And a conversion processing step for linearizing the PDF file when the storage capacity necessary for printing the PDF file is larger than the usable capacity of the storage unit of the image forming apparatus as a result of the comparison in the comparison step.   12. The image processing method according to claim 11, further comprising a transmission step of transmitting head data including a hint table in the PDF file linearized in the conversion processing step to the image forming apparatus. An image forming method for receiving and printing a PDF file from an image processing apparatus without being converted into print data,
A first receiving step of receiving, from the image processing device, leading data including a hint table in a linearized PDF file;
A determination step of determining necessary data of the PDF file based on a result of analyzing the head data received in the first reception step;
A transmission step of transmitting a transmission request for the necessary data to the image processing apparatus;
A second receiving step of receiving data transmitted from the image processing apparatus in response to the transmission request;
And a printing step for performing printing based on the data received in the second receiving step.   A computer-readable recording medium in which the program according to claim 3 or 4 is recorded.   The computer-readable recording medium which recorded the program of Claim 10.

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