Patent ID: 7499194

Claim:
A data converter that converts image group data representing an image group consisting of a plurality of images into image data in a data format suitable for a predetermined output device that outputs an image, comprising: a data conversion section that produces plate data in the data format by converting the image group data into the plate data, each piece of plate data representing a plate image, and a plurality of pieces of plate images being overlapped each other to represent each of the images in the image group represented by the image group data; a data saving section that saves the plate data produced by the data conversion section in a predetermined retaining location; a sharing determination section that determines whether plate data saved by the data saving section can be shared or not before the production of the plate data by the data conversion section is completed; and a data sharing section that, if the sharing determination section determines that plate data can be shared, acquires the plate data from the data saving section while preventing the data conversion section from producing plate data.