Abstract:
In a data converting apparatus, a data converting part converts a set of input data into a set of image data that can be processed by an image forming apparatus forming an image on a medium in accordance with the set of image data and a superimposing part superimposes at least two sets of image data converted from at least two different sets of input data so as to generate a single set of superimposed image data. By sending the single set of superimposed image data to the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus can form an image on the medium based on the single set of superimposed image data.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention generally relates to data converting apparatuses, methods for converting data and computer-readable recording media recorded with a program for causing a computer to convert data, and more particularly to a data converting apparatus, a method for converting data and a computer-readable recording medium recorded with a program for causing a computer that can superimpose input data on a predetermined form so as to print superimposed data without a special application for superimposing data. 
   Recently, in a printing apparatus connecting to a computer, especially, in a case in which an overlay printing that superimposes data is required, it is desired that a user can realize the overlay printing by the same operation as a usual printing operation from the computer connecting to the printing apparatus, instead of using an overlaying printing application that limits usage. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   In a conventional overlay printing system, generally, the following methods are used. 
   In a case in which an Operating System (OS) has a function for superimposing data, a special computer application is used to generate an overlay data format (for example, a storage address) in accordance with the function of the OS. 
   In another case in which the OS does not have the function for superimposing data, another special application having a function (for example, a function superimposing a predetermined overlay form and a set of data for a page) corresponding to the function mentioned above of the OS is used or a user creates a document by merging a fixed overlay form with a set of data on the computer. 
   However, in the conventional overlay print system, there are some disadvantages. 
   In the case in which the OS has a function for the overlay print, the system requires a special application to make the most of the OS. In this case, there is a disadvantage limiting usage such that it always requires a user to use the special application to make the overlay form and information such as an input data or text data. Also, a variation for the overlay form and information to be superimposed is limited. Accordingly, it requires the user to learn how to use the special application and an installation expense is also required. 
   Moreover, in the case in which the OS does not include the function for the overlay print, for example, Microsoft© Windows© system achieves the overlay print as described below. 
   The overlay print on the Microsoft® Windows© system limits one document, that is, one file to print out. Thus, it is impossible to superimpose data of two different files and print out. Accordingly, it requires a special application that superimposes two different files per page so as to make one file. As a result, the special application creates a large amount of data while two different files are superimposed page by page. The created large amount of data reduces a print performance. In addition, when a remote user attempts the overlay print via a network, the large amount of data occupies the communication path and causes a decrease of throughput performance of a LAN or the like. Hence, these disadvantages effect operations of other systems or applications. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is a general object of the present invention to provide a data converting apparatus, a method for converting data and a computer-readable recording medium that can superimpose input data on a predetermined form so as to print superimposed data, instead of using a special application for superimposing data, in which the above-mentioned problems are eliminated. 
   A more specific object of the present invention is to provide a data converting apparatus, a method for converting data and a computer-readable recording medium such that a current OS can be utilized and a user can print superimposed data without using a special application. 
   The above objects of the present invention are achieved by a data converting apparatus including: a data converting part converting a set of input data into a set of image data that can be processed by an image forming apparatus forming an image on a medium in accordance with the set of image data; a superimposing part superimposing at least two sets of image data converted from at least two different sets of input data so as to generate a single set of superimposed image data; and a data sending part sending the single set of superimposed image data to the image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus forms a single image on the medium based on the single set of superimposed image data. 
   According to the present invention, it is possible for a user to print a set of superimposed data such that two different data files are superimposed to be one data file, without any special application. Also, no special operation is not required for the user to print the superimposed data. 
   The above objects of the present invention are achieved by a method for converting data including the steps of: (a) converting a set of input data into a set of image data that can be processed at an image forming apparatus forming an image on a medium in accordance with the set of image data; and (b) superimposing at least two sets of image data converted from at least two different sets of input data so as to generate a single set of superimposed image data, wherein the image forming apparatus forms a single image on the medium based on the single set of superimposed image data. 
   According to the present invention, the method for converting data can be provided so that a user can print a set of superimposed data such that two different data files are superimposed into one data file, without any special application. Also, no special operation is required for the user to print the set of superimposed data. 
   The above objects of the present invention are achieved by a computer-readable recording medium recorded with a program for causing a computer to convert data, said program including the steps of: (a) converting a set of input data into a set of image data that can be processed at an image forming apparatus forming an image on a medium in accordance with the set of image data; and (b) superimposing at least two sets of image data converted from at least two different sets of input data so as to generate a single set of superimposed image data, wherein the image forming apparatus forms a single image on the medium based on the single set of superimposed image data. 
   According to the present invention, the computer-readable recording medium recorded with a program for causing a computer to convert data can be provided so that a user can print a set of superimposed data such that two different data files are superimposed to be one data file, without any special application. Also, no special operation is required for the user to print the set of superimposed data. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a diagram showing a system construction according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a diagram showing a hardware construction according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a diagram showing a data structure of an overlay information according to the embodiment of the present information; 
       FIG. 4  is a diagram showing a data structure of an authorization information according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a flowchart for broadly explaining an overlay control process according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  is a flowchart for explaining an overlay registration according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 7  is a flowchart for explaining an overlay print according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 8  is a flowchart for explaining an overlay management according to the embodiment of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 9  is a diagram showing an example of an output superimposed a text data over an overlay form according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1  is a diagram showing a system construction according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
   In  FIG. 1 , a data converting apparatus  100  includes a printer driver  110 , an OS (Operating System) 1, a printer system  2  of the OS, an application processing part  3 , a data format converting part  4  for the printer driver  110 , a print control part  5  for the printer driver, an input processing part  6 , an output processing part  7 , a recording medium  8  and a working storage area  9 . 
   The printer driver  110 , the data format converting part  4  and print control part  5  execute an overlay control program that is described later. 
   The OS 1 is an operating system on a personal computer (hereinafter called PC). 
   The printer system  2  is a standard printer system provided by the OS 1. 
   The input processing  6  controls input information from a keyboard, a mouse or other input device operated by a user. 
   The output processing  7  controls output information in which the input information is super imposed over an overlay form in order to output to a printer or other output device. 
   Information needed by the overlay control program, which is described later, is written on or read from the working storage area  9  of the recording medium  8 . 
   A hardware configuration realizing the data converting apparatus  100  will now be described. 
     FIG. 2  is a diagram showing a hardware configuration according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
   In  FIG. 2 , the data converting apparatus  100  includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit)  11  to execute the overlay control program according to the present invention, RAM (Random Access Memory)  12  to temporarily store the overlay program and data, a HDD (Hard Disk Drive)  20  where the program is loaded and stored and needed tables are stored, a printer  14  to output superimposed information, a MODEM  15  and a LAN (Local Area Network)  16  through which other terminals access the data converting apparatus  100 , a mouse  17  and a keyboard  18  to operate the apparatus  100  or to input necessary information, and a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube)  19  or similar video display to display necessary information for a user as an interface between the user and the apparatus  100 . It should be noted that ROM (Read Only Memory)  13 , a FD (Floppy Drive)  21  or similar removable magnetic storage or a CD-ROM (Compact Disk-Rom)  22  or similar removable optical storage may be provided to store the program and data in the apparatus  100 , but any computer-readable medium that stores the program and data can be provided. 
   Information stored in the working storage area  9  in  FIG. 1  will now be described with reference to  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4   FIG. 3  is a diagram showing a data structure of overlay information according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
   In  FIG. 3 , an overlay file  30  corresponds to a file storing information concerning a single overlay form. The overlay file  30  includes three sections, an overlay registration information section  31 , an overlay management information section  32  and an overlay data section  33 . A plurality of overlay file  30  is required when a plurality of overlay form is required. 
   The overlay registration information section  31  further includes a printer name  311 , a resolution  312 , a sheet size  313 , a sheet orientation  314  and other information. 
   The overlay management information section  32  further includes editor information  321 , authorization information  322 , attribute information  323 , a management name  324 , specific information  325  and other information. 
     FIG. 4  is a diagram showing a data structure of the authorization information  322  according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
   In  FIG. 4 , the authorization information  322  includes a user list  43  and a management information table  40 . 
   In the user list  43 , any user  431  is for any user other than a registration manager and special users  432 ,  433  and other special users. The special users  432 ,  433  and others indicate user information such as a user ID, a user name or the like when those users are authorized as special users differently from the user  431 . Needed special users are listed after the user  431 . 
   The management information table  40  uses four bits of the authorization information  322 . 
   Each user record in the user list  43  includes management information. For example, the users  431 ,  432  and  433  correspond to management information  401 ,  402  and  403 , respectively. 
   Also, each management information table  40  includes a use authorization  41  and a management authorization  42 . 
   In the use authorization  41 , a bit  3  shows a use authorization indicating whether a user is permitted to use an overlay form and a bit  2  shows an change layout authorization indicating whether the user is permitted to change a layout of the overlay form. It is assumed that in any bit, a bit value ‘1’ indicates that a user is permitted and a bit value ‘0’ indicates that the user is not permitted. 
   In the management authorization  42 , a bit  1  shows a modification authorization indicating whether the user is permitted to modify information of the overlay form and a bit  0  shows a delete authorization indicating whether the user is permitted to delete the overlay form. It is assumed that in any bit, a bit value ‘1’ indicates that a user is permitted and a bit value ‘0’ indicates that the user is not permitted. 
   It is also assumed that the management information  401  for any user  431  is defined as a default such that any user is allowed to use and change a layout of the overlay form but not allowed to modify and delete the overlay form. In this case, the bit  3  is set to a value ‘1’, the bit  2  is set to a value ‘1’, the bit  1  is set to a value ‘0’ and the bit  0  is set to a value ‘0’. If there is no special user in the user list, the management information  401  as a default is always used. 
   When management information for a special user is defined to authorize differently from the default, for example, the special user  432  is allowed to use but not change, modify or delete the overlay form. In this case, the bit  3  is set to a value ‘1’, the bit  2  is set to a value ‘0’, the bit  1  is set to a value ‘0’ and the bit  0  is set to a value ‘0’. 
   The authorization information  322  and the management information table  40  are updated when an overlay form is registered or is managed. 
   An overlay control process executed by the overlay control program will now be described. 
     FIG. 5  is a flowchart for broadly explaining the overlay control process according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
   In  FIG. 5 , a user selects “print” from a menu provided in an application to create a new overlay form in step S 1 . 
   In step S 11 , a print window is displayed when “print” is selected from the menu. When the user desires a process concerning an overlay printing for superimposing input data or a document over an overlay form, the user selects “overlay print” from the print window and then selects either “overlay registration”, “overlay print start” or “overlay management”. The printer system  2  of the OS 1 in  FIG. 1  indicates the process selected by the user to the print control part  5 . 
   In step S 11 , the user may register the new overlay form by selecting a printer for overlay printing. 
   In step S 2 , the print control part  5  checks whether the user selects the “overlay print” or not. When the “overlay print” is not selected, the process goes to step S 7  for a normal printing. When the “overlay print” is selected, the overlay control process goes to step S 3 . 
   In step S 3 , the print control part  5  checks which sub-process is selected. The overlay control process includes three sub-processes, mainly, an overlay registration, an overlay print start and an overlay management. In the case in which the overlay registration is selected, the overlay control process goes to step S 4  to register the new overlay form. In the case in which the overlay print start is selected, the overlay control process goes to step S 5 . In the case in which the overlay management is selected, the overlay control process goes to step S 6 . 
   When the overlay registration is selected, in step S 4 , in order to create a new overlay file  30  in  FIG. 3 , the user sets information for the overlay registration information section  31  and the overlay management information section  32  shown in  FIG. 3 . The information set by the user and the new overlay form are stored in the new overlay file  30  in the working storage area  9  of the recording medium  8  in  FIG. 1 . After overlay registration is completed, the overlay control process is terminated. 
   When the user selects the overlay print start, in step S 5 , the user selects one of the overlay forms registered before, that is, one overlay file  30  of the overlay files  30  stored in the working storage area  9  is retrieved. Subsequently, information such as input data or text data is superimposed over the overlay form indicated by the overlay data  33  of the retrieved overlay file  30  as shown in  FIG. 3 . After the overlay print is completed, the overlay control process is terminated. 
   When the user selects the overlay management, in step S 6 , the selected overlay file  30  is retrieved from the working storage area  9  in order to modify or delete it. After the overlay management is completed, the overlay control process is terminated. 
   When in step S 2  the user selects the normal print process, the overlay print goes to step S 7 . The printer system  2  as shown in  FIG. 1  executes the data format converting part  4  to convert the data format. After the data conversion, the printer system  2  executes the print control  5  to print out from the printer  14  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) based on the converted data format. 
   The overlay registration as a sub-process in the overlay control process will now be described. 
     FIG. 6  is a flowchart for explaining the overlay registration according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
   In step S 42 , the print control part  5  in  FIG. 1  stores a new overlay file  30  including a new overlay form that a user creates and information thereof in the working storage area  9 . 
   In step S 43 , the print control part  5  displays a window where the user sets information for the overlay registration information section  31 , including the printer name  311 , the resolution  312 , the sheet size  313 , the sheet orientation  314  and any additional information. Then, the print control part  5  stores the above information in the working storage area  9 . 
   After step S 43 , in step S 44 , the print control part  5  displays another window where the user sets information for the overlay management information section  32 , including the editor information  321 , the authorization information  322 , the attribute information  323 , the management name  324 , the specific information  325  and any additional information. Then, the print control part  5  stores the above information in the working storage area  9 . The user may set information including the user list  43  and management information table  40  shown in  FIG. 4  for the authorization information  322 . 
   In step S 45 , the print control part  5  notifies the printer system  2  that all information is set, that is, the registration for the new overlay form is complete. 
   In step S 46 , the printer system  2  executes the data converting part  4  to convert the data format of the overlay form into another data format which a printer can process. After the conversion, the data converting part  4  notifies the printer system  2  that the conversion is complete. 
   The printer system  2  signals the print control part  5  to print out in step S 47 . 
   The print control part  5  checks whether the user selects the overlay registration in step S 48 . When the overlay registration is selected, the sub-process goes to step S 49 . When the overlay registration is not selected, the sub-process goes to step S 481 . 
   In step S 481 , the print control part  5  signals the output processing  7  for the normal print. 
   In step S 49 , when the print control part  5  judges that the overlay registration is selected in step S 48 , the overlay form converted by the data converting part  4  is stored in the overlay data  33  of the overlay file  30 . The print control part  5  notifies the printer system  2  that the overlay registration is complete. 
   The overlay print sub-process will now be described. 
     FIG. 7  is a flowchart for explaining the overlay print according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
   When the user selects the overlay print, an overlay form list window where the user selects one of overlay forms is displayed in step S 51 . 
   When the user selects one overlay form from the overlay form list window, the use authorization of the selected overlay form is checked in step S 52 . When the bit  3  of the use authorization  41  shown in  FIG. 4  indicates a value ‘1’, that is, the user is permitted to use the selected overlay form, the sub-process goes to step S 53 . When the bit  3  indicates a value ‘0’, the user is not permitted, the sub-process is terminated. 
   In step S 53 , the printer system  2  signals the data converting part  4  to convert data to be printed by the printer  14 . 
   In step S 54 , the data converting part  4  checks whether the overlay print is selected. When the overlay print is selected, the sub-process goes to step S 55 . When the overlay print is not selected, the sub-process goes to step S 517 . 
   In step S 55 , the data converting part  4  converts a data format into another data format to be printed and sends the printer system  2  the converted data format with the overlay form selected by the user. 
   The printer system  2  indicates the print control part  5  to print from the printer  14  in step S 56 . 
   The print control part  5  checks whether overlay print is indicated by information of the received data to be printed in step S 57 . When the information does not indicate the overlay print, the sub-process goes to step S 517  for the normal print. When the additional information indicates the overlay print, the sub-process goes to step S 58 . 
   When the overlay print is indicated, the overlay data  33  of the selected overlay file  30  stored in the working storage area  9  is retrieved in step S 58 . 
   The overlay control part  5  checks whether it is permitted to change a layout of the selected overlay form on a sheet in step S 59 . When the bit  2  for the change layout authorization in the management table  40  of the overlay file  30  indicates a value ‘1’, that is, when the user is permitted to change the layout, the sub-process goes to step S 510 . When the bit  2  indicates a value ‘0’, that is, when the user is not permitted to change the layout, the sub-process goes to step S 515 . 
   When it is judged in step S 59  that the user is permitted to change the layout, the print preview is displayed in step S 510 , which allows the user to change the layout. 
   The user selects to save, replace or cancel the overlay form whose layout is changed to a different overlay form, in step S 511 . When the user selects to save the changed overlay form as a different overlay form, the sub-process goes to step S 512  to create another overlay form. When the user selects to replace the changed overlay form, the sub-process goes to step S 513 . When the user selects to cancel to store the changed overlay form, the sub-process goes to step S 514  to start to print. 
   In step S 512 , in order to save as a different overlay form, another overlay file  30  for the changed overlay form is created and stored in the working storage area  9 . 
   In step S 513 , in order to replace with the changed overlay form, the overlay data  33  of the overlay file  30  is replaced with data of the changed overlay form and stored in the working storage area  9 . 
   In step S 514 , the print control part  5  controls to superimpose data on the overlay form, that is, the overlay data  33  of the overlay file  30 . 
   In step S 515 , the print control part  5  controls the output processing part  7  in  FIG. 1  to print out superimposed data. 
   In step S 516 , when it is judged in step S 59  that the user is not permitted to change the layout of the overlay form on a sheet, the print preview which is protected not to change any data of the layout is displayed. 
   In step S 517 , when it is judged in step S 57  that the overlay print is not indicated, the print control part  5  indicates the output processing part  7  to process the normal print. 
   The overlay management process will now be described. 
     FIG. 8  is a flowchart for explaining the overlay management according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
   In  FIG. 8 , the overlay management window is displayed in step S 61 . 
   In step S 62 , the user selects one of the overlay forms registered before. 
   In step S 63 , the user selects to modify or delete the overlay form selected in step S 62 . 
   It is ascertained whether the user selects to modify the overlay form in step S 64 . When the user selects to modify, the sub-process goes to step S 65  to check whether the user is permitted to modify. When the user selects to delete, the sub-process goes to step S 67  to check whether the user is permitted to delete. 
   In step S 65 , it is ascertained whether the bit  1  indicating the modification authorization in the management table  42  indicate a value ‘1’, that is, whether the user is permitted to modify the overlay form. When the bit  1  indicates a value ‘1’, that is, when the user is permitted to modify the overlay form, the sub-process goes to step S 66 . When the bit  1  indicates a value ‘0’, that is, when the user is not permitted to modify, the sub-process goes to step S 651 . 
   When it is judged in step S 65  that the user is not permitted to modify the overlay form, information of the overlay file  30  is protected from modification in step S 651 . 
   When it is judged in step S 65  that the user is permitted to modify, the user is allowed to modify information of the overlay file  30  in step S 66 . 
   In step S 661 , the user selects to save the changed management information as a different overlay form, replace with the management information changed by the user, or cancel. When the user selects to save as a different overlay form, the sub-process goes to step S 662  to create another overlay file  30 . When the user selects to replace, the sub-process goes to step S 663 . When the user selects to cancel, the sub-process is terminated. 
   When the user selects to save as a different overlay form, the current working overlay file  30  is copied and the copied overlay file  30  where information has been modified is saved as a different overlay file  30  in the working storage area  9  in step S 662 . 
   When the user selects to replace the overlay form, the overlay data  33  of the current working overlay file  30  is modified and saved as the same overlay file  30  in the working storage area  9 . 
   When the user desires to delete the overlay form selected in step S 64 , it is ascertained whether the bit  0  of the management authorization  42  in  FIG. 4  indicates a value ‘1’ in step S 67 . When the bit  0  indicates a value ‘1’, that is, when the user is permitted to delete the selected overlay form the sub-process goes to step S 68 . When the bit  0  indicates a value ‘0’, that is, when the user is not permitted to delete the selected overlay form, the sub-process goes to step S 671 . 
   When it is judged in step S 67  that the user is not permitted to delete, information concerning the selected overlay file  30  is protected from deletion in step S 671 . The sub-process is terminated. 
   When it is judged in step S 67  that the user is permitted to delete, the selected overlay file  30  is deleted in step S 68 . The sub-process is terminated. 
     FIG. 9  is a diagram showing an example of an output of data superimposed text data over an overlay form according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
   By processing the overlay registration and the overlay print, for example, when the user makes an address book, a new overlay file  30  which stores information concerning a form  9   a  for the address book as shown in  FIG. 9  is created and stored in the working storage area  9  of  FIG. 5  in step S 4  of  FIG. 1  so as to complete the overlay registration. The user may make address information  9   b  including name, zip code, address and other information as text data or a document by using an application and then the user may attempt the overlay print to superimpose the address information  9   b  over the form  9   a . After the overlay print, such a superimposed output  9   c  may be printed out from the printer  14 . 
   The printer driver  110  in  FIG. 1  includes the overlay control process mentioned above. Therefore, any special application for the overlay print is not required. In addition, a printer is not required to have a storage area to store overlay forms. Furthermore, as mentioned above, any printer system having special functions other than the printer system  2  which is a part of the OS 1 is not required to operate the overlay registration, the overlay management, the overlay print and the normal print. 
   Moreover, by the authorization information  322 , it is possible to manage user accesses via a network so that the data converting apparatus according to the present invention can be connected to the network via the modem  15  and the LAN  16  and remote users can be allowed to use the overlay print. 
   Therefore, it is possible for user to print superimposed data such that two different data files are superimposed to be one data file, without any special application. Also, no special operation is required for the user to print the superimposed data. 
   The present invention is not limited to the specifically disclosed embodiments, variations and modifications, and other variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
   The present application is based on Japanese Priority Application No. 11-180229 filed Jun. 25, 1999, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.