Methods and apparatus for decoding data streams are provided. A computing device can receive a decoder-input data stream (DIDS) encoded in a decoder-input format, the DIDS including a page table for pages in the DIDS, resources of the pages in the DIDS, and commands related to the resources, where the commands are in a binary format. The page table can refer to the pages of the DIDS. The resources can include reusable resources that are used multiple times in the DIDS, where each reusable resource is stored only once in the DIDS. The resources can be stored in first-come, first-served fashion in the DIDS. The computing device can decode the DIDS by executing the commands to generate an output depicting the pages. The computing device can provide the output depicting the pages.

A converting apparatus includes a converter, an extractor, and a generating unit. The converter converts print data described in a first description language into print data described in a second description language. The extractor extracts command information related to an imposition process from the print data described in the first description language. The generating unit analyzes the command information extracted by the extractor so as to generate information for specifying print-layout definition information to be used from multiple pieces of print-layout definition information stored in a printer that is to execute a printing process. The multiple pieces of print-layout definition information have different imposition processes defined therein.

An image forming apparatus that executes hidden-surface elimination can output an image containing an undercoat desired by a user. The image forming apparatus includes an elimination unit that eliminates a region included in a region of a second drawing object in a layer below a first drawing object and overlapping the first drawing object. The first drawing object is contained in an intermediate data which is generated based on page description language data. In a case where the second drawing object is not a drawing object indicating an undercoat image, the elimination unit eliminates the region included in the region of the second drawing object and overlapping the first drawing object. In a case where the second drawing object is a drawing object indicating an undercoat image, the elimination unit does not eliminate the region included in the region of the second drawing object and overlapping the first drawing object.

Provided is an image forming apparatus for further speeding up an image forming process. A first rendering core of a rendering core module executes data analysis of an object of PDL format printing information. A second rendering core executes a speculative process for generating a Display List for an object. A third rendering core executes a rendering process for a printout or display output based on the Display List generated by the second rendering core. In addition, data analysis by the first rendering core and the speculative process by the second rendering core are executed in parallel processing. As a result, the second rendering core can execute the generation of a Display List by a speculative process even without receiving a rendering command from the first rendering core.

An image forming apparatus includes a communication interface unit to receives an XML paper specification (XPS) file, an XPS file processing unit which converts the XPS file into an output data corresponding to printing paper to print the XPS file using information regarding the height and width of a FixedPage in the XPS file, and a control unit which controls the image forming apparatus to print the output data. Accordingly, even when an XPS file does not include information regarding printing paper, a user can select and print printing paper suitable for the user's demand.

A converting apparatus includes a converter, an extractor, and a generating unit. The converter converts print data described in a first description language into print data described in a second description language. The extractor extracts command information related to an imposition process from the print data described in the first description language. The generating unit analyzes the command information extracted by the extractor so as to generate information for specifying print-layout definition information to be used from multiple pieces of print-layout definition information stored in a printer that is to execute a printing process. The multiple pieces of print-layout definition information have different imposition processes defined therein.

Provided is an image forming apparatus for further speeding up an image forming process. A first rendering core of a rendering core module executes data analysis of an object of PDL format printing information. A second rendering core executes a speculative process for generating a Display List for an object. A third rendering core executes a rendering process for a printout or display output based on the Display List generated by the second rendering core. In addition, data analysis by the first rendering core and the speculative process by the second rendering core are executed in parallel processing. As a result, the second rendering core can execute the generation of a Display List by a speculative process even without receiving a rendering command from the first rendering core.

In a case where image data for which brief spot color matching has been performed is stored by a BOX function, it is not possible to output the image data in correct color on a condition that the image data is transmitted to another device as it is. In a case where image data is stored by the BOX function, in a printer driver that generates PDL data therefor, a color matching method of type accompanied by the brief spot color matching is not allowed to be set.

In a method of storing record information in a document in which a record structure of the information is encoded in metadata, the document including attributes that specify how the information is to be rendered when the document is reproduced, the metadata are encoded in the form of printable and machine-readable objects with attributes that prevent these objects from being rendered.

A printing apparatus 100 performs print processing for a PDF file received via a communication unit 105. The printing apparatus 100 includes a CPU 101 and a HDD 104 storing the PDF file. The CPU 101 controls the HDD 104, secures a storage area corresponding to a maximum size of the PDF file that can be processed by the printing apparatus 100 each time reception of the PDF file is started, and sequentially stores PDF files received for each secured storage area. The CPU 101 updates a size of the secured storage area from the maximum size of the PDF file that can be processed by the printing apparatus 100 to an actual size of the PDF file having been received completely. The CPU 101 performs control so that the PDF files stored in the HDD 104 are processed in an order of reception start.