Patent ID: 6574003
Filing Date: 2003-06-03
Classification: G06K

Abstract:
A printer which converts print data to a first data format for each of a plurality of predetermined regions, stores the print data of the first data format into memory, reads from the memory the print data in the first data format for each of the regions, converts the read print data of the first data format to a second data format in response to a print request to thereby expand the print data in the memory, and transmits the print data of the second data format to a print engine, said printer comprising:a determiner which determines, for each of said plurality of predetermined regions, whether or not a processing criteria relating to an amount of processing required for converting the print data from the first data format to the second data format exceeds a predetermined threshold value; a sorter receiving an output from said determiner, wherein said sorter sorts only candidate regions having processing criteria determined to exceed the predetermined threshold value; and wherein said sorter sorts the candidate regions in descending order of the processing criteria after said determiner determines whether the threshold value has been exceeded for all of the predetermined regions; a converter which converts the print data from the first data format into the second data format in descending order of the processing criteria for each of the regions; and a print engine to print data based on the print data of the second data format.