JP2003271324A - Printing system, printing method and printing program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a printer directly print various documents such as color documents by transmitting those documents to a remote place by relatively simple equipment and a simple operation. <P>SOLUTION: A transmission side terminal 4 generates print data in a format that print processing is executable as it is by using data received by a reception side printer 6. Print data 51 are added with the address of a server and an identification code 17. A server 5 acquires the IP address of a printer by using the identification code 17, and transmits the print data to a printer 6. The printer 6 receives the print data, and prints an image. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing system, a printing method and a printing program used for delivering a printed document to a remote place.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In order to send a document to a remote place sooner than by mail, a sending method such as facsimile sending or Internet mail is widely adopted. Recently, since the number of color documents has increased, the number of cases in which Internet mail is used rather than facsimile transmission is increasing for business use. It should be noted that an environment in which color documents can be transmitted by facsimile is being prepared by using facsimile machines of the same model manufactured by the same manufacturer. On the other hand, in an intranet environment, it is possible to select a network printer installed near the recipient to print a document and substantially transmit the document. If you use a network printer that can print in color, you can send and receive high quality color documents.

[0003]

By the way, the above conventional techniques have the following problems to be solved. Generally, facsimile transmission is most widely used for transmitting and receiving document images. However, the facsimile machines used by the sender and the receiver are often different in manufacturer and model, and can hardly be used for color document transmission. When using Internet mail, the recipient needs to call the document attached to the mail and print it using a printer.
Therefore, there is a problem that a long time and a very troublesome operation are required to receive and print only one photo. Moreover, there is a problem that an appropriate application program for displaying and printing the received document must be installed in the receiving computer.

On the other hand, the method of using a network printer does not cause the above problem, but it requires a fixed IP address to be allocated to the printer, which is suitable for communication between users of an intranet, There is no nature. With the spread of electronic cameras today, if you want to send an image taken with an electronic camera to your parents in the country immediately, you can't send colors with a fax machine, and email is too operable. After all, I can't find any convenient way other than mailing the developed photo.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and various documents such as a color document can be sent to a remote place and directly printed by a relatively simple facility and a simple operation. An object is to provide a printing system, a printing method, and a printing program.

[0006]

The present invention solves the above problems by the following configurations. <Structure 1> A means for holding image data, a means for generating print data for printing with a predetermined printer from the image data, and information for designating a network server to which the predetermined printer is connected. A printing system including a sending side terminal having print data sending means for adding the printer identification code recognizable by the server to the print data and sending the print data to the server through a network. .

The content and type of image data are arbitrary. It can be monochrome or color. What is a given printer?
A printer that transmits print data and prints image data. This printer is connected to any network. The network server to which the printer is connected is a server that controls the connection of the printer to the network. The printer identification code indicates the terminal or printer controlled by the server.
It is a code for the server to physically identify. This is different from the URL and only needs to be recognized by the server that controls the connection of the printer.

<Structure 2> In the printing system according to Structure 1, the transmission side terminal has an identification code acquisition means for acquiring the identification code of the predetermined printer and registering it in the storage device. Printing system.

The printer identification code is known to the user of the printer upon receiving a notification from the ISP. The identification code acquisition means receives the identification code by manual operation and registers it in the storage device.

<Structure 3> In the printing system according to Structure 1, the identification code acquisition means acquires the identification code of the predetermined printer from a server of a network to which the predetermined printer is connected. Printing system.

The identification code of the printer is held by the server that controls the network connection of the printer. The identification code acquisition means acquires the identification code of the printer in response to the user's request. The method for acquiring the identification code is arbitrary. If the identification code list is published, it will be automatically read. If a special inquiry procedure is required, perform that procedure.

<Structure 4> A server provided with means for connecting to a network, acquiring the network address of the receiving printer from the printer identification code added to the print data, and transferring the print data to the printer. A printing system characterized by having.

It is an invention of a server that realizes the system of configuration 1. In a network such as the Internet, a predetermined identification code is used for transmitting print data to a network printer because the network address of the printer is not fixed and difficult to identify. The server that controls the connection of the printer to the network holds table data or the like showing the correspondence between the printer identification code and the network address, and uses this to obtain the network address from the identification code. It is only necessary that the correspondence between the printer identification code and the network address is clear, and the network address of the printer may be changed freely. The network address is identification data for identifying a terminal or the like connected to the network on the network, and is an IP address or the like.

<Structure 5> In the printing system described in Structure 4, the connection server has an identification code notifying unit for notifying the terminal of the transmission side of the identification code of the printer according to the request.

The identification code is managed by the ISP server. The identification code is used to identify the printer on the receiving side on the sending side of the print data. Therefore, the server has a function of notifying the printer identification code according to the request.

<Structure 6> A means for holding image data,
A transmission side terminal having means for generating print data for printing with a predetermined printer from the image data, and means for transmitting information with print data attached to the predetermined printer is provided. And printing system.

The printer automatically recognizes a mail or the like containing print data and executes printing. Therefore, on the sending side,
Information to which the print data is attached, such as e-mail, is transmitted. The format of this information is arbitrary. It may be included in the email text, or may be included in the name or extension of the attached file.

<Structure 7> A means for automatically receiving information including an attached file, a means for determining whether or not the attached file is print data, and when the attached file is print data, the print data is automatically used. A printing system comprising a receiving-side printer having means for executing printing.

If a specific mail address is assigned to the printer, a mail with print data attached to the mail post of the server can be received in the same manner as a normal electronic mail. The printer automatically receives this mail at any time. A means for determining whether the attached file is print data is provided so that data other than print data is not captured. When the attached file is print data,
By automatically executing printing using the print data, the image data can be automatically received just like a facsimile machine.

<Structure 8> Image data is held in the transmission side terminal, print data for printing with a predetermined printer is generated from the image data, and the network server to which the predetermined printer is connected And a printer identification code that can be recognized by the server are added to the print data and transmitted to the server through a network.

It is an invention of a printing method corresponding to the configuration 1.

<Structure 9> In the printing method according to Structure 8, the identification code of the predetermined printer is acquired and registered in the storage device.

The invention of the printing method corresponds to the configuration 2.

<Structure 10> In the printing method according to Structure 8, the identification code of the predetermined printer is obtained from a server of the network to which the predetermined printer is connected.

The invention of the printing method corresponds to the configuration 3.

<Configuration 11> A server connected to the network acquires the network address of the receiving printer from the printer identification code added to the print data, and transfers the print data to the printer. And how to print.

It is an invention of a printing method corresponding to the configuration 4.

<Structure 12> In the printing method according to Structure 11, the printer identification code is notified to the terminal on the transmission side in accordance with the request.

It is an invention of a printing method corresponding to the configuration 5.

<Structure 13> The terminal on the transmitting side holds the image data, generates print data for printing by a predetermined printer from the image data, and attaches the print data to the predetermined printer. A printing method, wherein the printed information is transmitted.

It is an invention of a printing method corresponding to the configuration 6.

<Structure 14> A printer connected to the network automatically receives information including an attached file, determines whether the attached file is print data, and uses the print data when the attached file is print data. The printing method is characterized by performing printing automatically.

It is an invention of a printing method corresponding to the configuration 7.

<Structure 15> A process of holding image data at the terminal on the transmitting side, a process of generating print data for printing by a predetermined printer from the image data, and the above predetermined printer are connected. Printing characterized by causing a computer to execute a process of adding information specifying a server of a network and an identification code of the printer that can be recognized by the server to the print data and transmitting the print data to the server via the network program.

It is an invention of a print program corresponding to the configuration 1.

<Structure 16> In the print program according to Structure 15, the print program is characterized by causing a computer to execute a process of acquiring the identification code of the predetermined printer and registering it in the storage device.

It is an invention of a print program corresponding to the configuration 2.

<Structure 17> In the print program according to Structure 15, the computer is caused to execute a process of acquiring an identification code of the predetermined printer from a server of a network to which the predetermined printer is connected. Print program to do.

The invention of the printing program corresponds to the configuration 3.

<Structure 18> A server connected to the network acquires the network address of the receiving printer from the printer identification code added to the print data and transfers the print data to the printer.
A printing program characterized by being executed by a computer.

The invention of the printing program corresponds to the configuration 4.

<Structure 19> In the print program according to Structure 18, the print program is characterized by causing a computer to execute a process of notifying the terminal of the transmission side of the printer identification code in accordance with a request.

It is an invention of a print program corresponding to the configuration 5.

<Structure 20> A process of holding image data at the transmission side terminal, a process of generating print data for printing by a predetermined printer from the image data, and printing at the predetermined printer. A printing program that causes a computer to execute a process of transmitting information to which data is attached.

It is an invention of a print program corresponding to the configuration 6.

<Structure 21> A printer connected to the network automatically receives information including an attached file, determines whether the attached file is print data, and prints the attached file when it is print data. A printing program that causes a computer to execute a process of automatically printing using data.

It is an invention of a print program corresponding to the configuration 7.

[0048]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to specific examples. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a specific example of the printing system of the present invention. In the system shown in the figure, the transmission side terminal 4 and the server 5 are connected to the network 1,
The image data is transmitted from the terminal 4 on the transmitting side to the printer 6 on the receiving side connected to the server 5 just like a facsimile apparatus. The image data is taken into the terminal 4 on the transmitting side by the scanner 2 and the electronic camera 3. The transmission side terminal 4 is provided with a storage device 10 for capturing image data. Further, the terminal 4 on the transmitting side is provided with a print data generating means 11, a print data transmitting means 12, and an identification code acquiring means 13.

The terminal 4 on the transmitting side is a personal computer, a mobile computer, a portable telephone terminal, a general telephone terminal, or any other communication terminal having an information processing function and a communication function. The scanner 2 and the electronic camera 3 are devices that take in arbitrary image data to be transmitted to the printer 6 on the receiving side through the network 1. Of course, the image data generated by the application program installed in the transmission-side terminal 4 may be transmitted.

The print data generation means 11, the print data transmission means 12, and the identification code acquisition means 13 are all computer programs that cause the computer of the terminal 4 on the transmission side to execute predetermined processing. In addition to the image data 16, the storage device 10 stores an identification code 17 described later.

The print data generating means 11 is a storage device 10.
The image data 16 is read from the printer 6 on the receiving side.
It has a function to generate data for printing. The print data transmitting unit 12 has a function of adding the identification code 17 and the like to the print data generated by the print data generating unit 11 and transmitting the print data to the network 1. The identification code acquisition means 13 has a function of acquiring the identification code 17 from the server 5.

The server 5 is provided with a storage device 20 for storing management data. Further, the server 5 is provided with a print data transmission destination determination means 21, a print data transfer means 22, and an identification code notification means 23.
A printer 6 and a terminal device 7 on the receiving side are connected to the network 1 via a network 8. The print data transmission destination determination means 21, the print data transfer means 22, and the identification code notification means 23 are all computer programs that cause the computer of the server 5 to execute predetermined processing. The print data transmission destination determination unit 21 has a function of determining the transmission destination of the print data transmitted from the transmission-side terminal 4 to the server 5.

For this determination, the storage device 20 stores an identification code list 24 and an IP address list 25. The print data transfer unit 22 has a function of transferring the print data to the printer 6 on the receiving side based on the determination result of the print data destination determination unit 21. The identification code notifying means 23 has a function of receiving a request from the identification code acquiring means 13 of the terminal 4 on the transmitting side and notifying the identification code 17 to the terminal 4 on the transmitting side. Receiving side printer 6
Has a function of receiving the print data transmitted from the terminal 4 on the transmission side in this system and printing the print data on the printing paper 29. The print buffer 28 is a storage device for temporarily storing the received print data. Network 8
The terminal device 7 connected to is a personal computer or the like other than the receiving printer 6.

In the present invention, an arbitrary document is transmitted from the transmitting side to the receiving side using the Internet. The document to be transmitted may be a color document or anything. On the receiving side,
A printer 6 is provided. The printer 6, just like a facsimile machine, is preferably connected directly to the network in a standby state. If printing can be performed without using a personal computer, standby power consumption is reduced, and operation and maintenance are greatly simplified.

The network 8 connecting the printer 6 is
Telephone lines and CATV networks are suitable. It may be a wired network or a wireless network. In the case of a telephone line, the printer is connected via a modem or terminal adapter. In the case of the CATV network, the printer is connected via a cable modem. In either case, a personal computer or the like is unnecessary. If the printer is in the standby state, it can be maintained with low power consumption just like a facsimile machine.

The general Internet is used by connecting a terminal device to an access point provided by an ISP (Internet service provider). Normally, an IP address is assigned to a terminal device connected to the Internet via a proxy server of an ISP at the start of connection. Generally, this IP address is temporary, and the same IP address is not always assigned at the next connection. On the other hand, the printer 6 is provided with a terminal code for identifying the printer 6, and this terminal code is used for identifying each terminal by the proxy server. Therefore, the proxy server generates reference data in which the terminal code for identifying the printer 6 is associated with the IP address when the terminal connection is started. This reference data is used for transfer by printing to the printer. Note that the proxy server will be simply described as the server 5 here.

When the personal computer is used as a terminal, when the browser is started on the personal computer connected to the network, the web control is performed so that the browser browses the web page of the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) designated by the user. Request to the server for. When the mail software is activated, the mail software requests the mail control server to download the mail. As described above, when the personal computer is used as a terminal, a predetermined application program operates to download the requested data from the server.

On the other hand, in the case of the printer 6, it is not preferable in consideration of operability that the application program is started and the user requests the printer to download print data from the printer side. . I want to be able to automatically download print data to a terminal specified by the sender, such as a facsimile machine. Therefore, the following system is used.

The terminal 4 on the transmitting side is connected to the Internet by any known means. On the transmission side, the printer 6 on the reception side uses the received data to generate print data in a format that allows the print processing to be performed as it is. The format of the print data may be the same as the existing data used to control the network printer in the related art using the intranet. Further, the transmission side uses the identification code 17 of the reception side printer in order to specify the reception side printer.

In general, the identification code 17 for identifying the terminal connected to the network is provided independently for each ISP separately from the mail address. The email address can be freely set for each user. Normally, you can access from any access point on any terminal using the same email address. Therefore, when viewed from the server 5, which terminal uses which mail address cannot be known without access from the terminal. on the other hand,
The identification code 17 is for physically identifying each terminal connected to the network 8.

The identification code 17 is assigned to each terminal (for example,
Given for each personal computer). Further, it is given for each connection terminal and network adapter for the user to use the network 8. In any case, the terminals connected to the terminals controlled by the server 5 are all distinguished by a specific identification code, which is invariant data. An identification code is used for login, and the server 5 recognizes the identification code 17 and performs authentication processing. At the time of this login, a new IP address is assigned to the terminal. Information indicating the relationship between the identification code 17 and the IP address is managed by the ISP. The identification code list 24 and the IP address list 25 stored in the storage device 10 correspond to this. Similar to the network printer, in order to physically specify the terminal and send the print data to the terminal, the identification code is acquired from the ISP.

To obtain the identification code of the printer 6 from the ISP in advance, it is easiest to obtain the ISP used by the terminal 4 on the transmitting side and the ISP used by the printer in common, for example. If the ISPs are not common, a predetermined procedure for acquiring the identification code of the printer 6 from the ISP may be determined in advance, and the procedure for acquiring the identification code 17 may be executed immediately before transmitting the print data.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the screen displayed on the display of the terminal 4 on the transmitting side and the operations of the print data generating means 11 and the print data transmitting means 12. The processing on the transmission side may be similar to the control of the conventional network printer. However, a special process is required for transmission. For example, open a dialog box to print a document opened in any application.
In this example, a dedicated application program for transmitting print data to the printer is prepared. This application program displays a screen 31 as shown in the figure. Image data 32 is displayed on the screen 31.

This image data 32 is transmitted to the printer 6 on the receiving side. Here, when the send button 38 is clicked, the dialog box 33 is displayed. The dialog box 33 includes a dropdown list 34, a dropdown list 35, and a send button 36. The drop-down list 34 is used to specify the destination printer. A print page is specified using the drop-down list 35. The properties of the destination printer can be confirmed using the screen 41. The screen 41 includes a mail address 42, an identification code 43, and a printer driver name 44. The mail address 42 is the mail address of the destination printer. The address of the server included in this address is the destination. After being transmitted to the server, the identification code 43 is referred to and the print data is transferred to the corresponding printer.

The print data for causing the destination printer to execute printing is generated by a printer driver suitable for the destination printer. Printer driver name 4
Reference numeral 4 designates the printer driver. When the send button 36 of the dialog box 33 is clicked, the printer driver 50 operates and print data is generated. The print data 51 includes a mail address 42
And the identification code 43 are added. This is transferred to the server 5. The server 5 uses the identification code 43
The address is acquired and the print data is transmitted to the printer 6.

The printer 6 receives the print data and stores it in the print buffer 28. If the transfer is not possible at a time, it may be divided and transferred in several times. After that, printing is executed on the printer side. If the printer has an existing network printer function, these processes are realized. The image data included in the print data may be, for example, a bitmap (Bitmap) format or GIF (Gr
aphics Interchange Format) format, such as image data in any format for processing images by a computer.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the procedure of print data transmission processing by the system of the present invention. Steps S1 to S9 are processing procedures of the terminal 4 on the transmission side. Steps S10 to S12 are the processing procedure of the printer 6 on the receiving side. In step S1, the terminal 4 on the transmission side acquires image data. Next, step S
At 2, the application program for transmitting print data is started. In step S3, the transmission image is selected and edited in the manner described with reference to FIG. You can edit the sent image by inserting characters or trimming the sent image. Open the dialog box as described in Figure 2,
In step S4, the receiving printer 6 is selected.

When the send button is clicked in step S5, the server address is acquired in step S6, and the identification code is added in step S7. Further, print data is generated in step S8, an identification code is added to the print data in step S9, and the print data is transmitted to the designated server. The designated server receives the print data in step S10, and determines the destination terminal in step S11. When the IP address of the destination terminal is acquired, print data is sent to this terminal. The system shown in FIG. 1 operates as described above.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a modification of the printing system of the present invention. The sending side terminal 4 shown in this figure is provided with a mail generating means 61 and a mail transmitting means 62 in addition to the storage device 10 and the print data generating means 11 described with reference to FIG. The means 61 is
Has a function to generate an email with print data attached. The mail transmitting means 62 has a function of transmitting the mail generated by the mail generating means 61 to the receiving-side printer 70. The mail transmitted from the terminal 4 on the transmission side includes information that allows the mail to be distinguished from other mail when the print data is an attached file. If there is a file transfer method other than mail, it is sufficient to perform processing according to that method.

A mail post 65 is provided in the storage device 20 of the server 5. Here, the mail transmitted from the terminal 4 on the transmission side is stored. Receiving printer 70
Is an automatic mail receiving means 71 and an attached file determination means 7
2, an attached file decompressing unit 73 and a print control unit 74. The mail automatic receiving means 71 has a function of automatically receiving a mail sent to itself from the storage device 20 of the server 5. For example, the mail post 65 is accessed at regular intervals to receive mail addressed to itself. These functions are included in existing mail application programs.

The attached file determination means 72 has a function of determining whether the attached file of the mail is print data. For example, whether the attached file is printable print data can be determined based on the extension of the attached file. Alternatively, the judgment can be made by displaying the fact included in the mail text. This depends on the function of the mail generation means 61 of the terminal 4 on the transmission side.

When it is determined that the attached file of the mail is print data, the attached file decompression means 73 decompresses the attached file. Generally, a data file such as image data is compressed and then attached to a mail. Therefore, the attached file decompression means 73 is provided. Therefore, in the case of uncompressed data, the attached file decompression means 73 does not need to operate. The print data is temporarily stored in the print buffer 28. afterwards,
The printer 70 on the receiving side is controlled by the print control unit 74.
Executes the printing process.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the procedure of print data transmission processing according to a modification of the system of the present invention. Steps S21 to S23 are processes in the terminal 4 on the transmitting side. Step S24 is processing by the server 5. The processes of step S25 and thereafter are processes of the printer 70 on the receiving side. First, in step S21, the print data generation means 11 generates print data. Next, in step S22, the mail generation means 61 generates a mail text. Mail sending means 62 in step S23
Sends the print data to the network with the print data attached.

In step S24, the server 5 stores the print data in the mail post 65. Receiving printer 70
The e-mail automatic reception means 71 performs an automatic e-mail reception process for accessing the mail post 65 at regular intervals. That is, when the time is counted in step S25 and the timer is turned on, the mail is automatically received from the mail post 65 in step S26. Next, in step S27, the attached file determination means 72 determines the type of attached file of the mail. If it is determined that the attached file of the mail is print data, the process proceeds from step S28 to step S29.
In step S29, the attached file decompressing unit 73 decompresses the attached file.

The decompressed attached file is processed in step S3.
When it is 0, it is stored in the print buffer 28. Step S3
In step 1, it is determined whether or not the process of decompressing the attached file is completed. If this process is completed, the process proceeds to step S32. In step S32, the print control unit 74 interprets the print data and starts printing. Then, printing is executed in step S33. According to the above process, the receiving-side printer 70 directly connected to the network 8 automatically receives the mail and prints the attached print data automatically by using the normal mail system. Can be executed. As a result, the image data can be received at the same intervals as the facsimile machine.

In the case of a user who uses a broadband constant connection network such as ADSL or CATV, the time required for data transmission / reception does not matter. Therefore, according to the method of the present invention, even if a high-quality color photograph is transmitted, the communication cost can be extremely reduced. In the case of the e-mail method, the size of data that can be sent is limited due to problems such as the storage capacity and data processing capacity of the mail control server. Since the data is transferred to the buffer memory of the printer, there is no such limitation.

On the receiving side, if the printer is connected to the network and the power is turned on, the document received through the network can be printed as it is by the printer. In this case, it is preferable that the receiving operation is unnecessary. It should be noted that printing may be started when an indicator that print data has been received is displayed in the reception buffer and a predetermined button is pressed. When the present invention is compared with the transmission / reception by the facsimile apparatus, the communication speed is high, so that the print data can be transmitted / received in a very short time. Further, since the print data is held on the receiving side, it is possible to repeatedly print any number of sheets, or to perform enlargement or reduction printing.

The computer program installed in the above-mentioned arithmetic processing unit may be configured by combining independent program modules,
You may comprise by the program which integrated the whole. All or part of the processing controlled by the computer program may be configured by hardware having an equivalent function. Further, the above computer program may be incorporated into an existing application program for use. The computer program for implementing the present invention as described above can be recorded in a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM and installed in any information processing device for use.
It can also be downloaded and used in the memory of any computer via a network.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a specific example of a printing system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a screen displayed on a display of a terminal 4 on the transmitting side, a print data generating means 11 and a print data transmitting means 1.
It is explanatory drawing explaining operation | movement of 2.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure of print data transmission processing by the system of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a modified example of the printing system of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure of print data transmission processing according to a modified example of the system of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 network 4 Sending side terminal 5 servers 10 storage device 11 Print data generation means 16 image data 20 storage 28 print buffer 61 Email generation means 62 E-mail sending method 65 Mail Post 71 Automatic mail receiving means 72 Attachment file determination means 73 Attachment file decompression means 74 Printing control means

Claims (21)

[Claims] 1. A means for holding image data, a means for generating print data for printing with a predetermined printer from the image data, and information for specifying a network server to which the predetermined printer is connected. And an identification code of the printer that can be recognized by the server, added to the print data,
A printing system, comprising: a transmission side terminal having print data transmission means for transmitting to the server via a network. 2. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the transmission-side terminal has an identification code acquisition unit that acquires an identification code of the predetermined printer and registers it in a storage device. system. 3. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the identification code acquisition unit acquires the identification code of the predetermined printer from a server of a network to which the predetermined printer is connected. Printing system. 4. A server, which is connected to a network and has a means for acquiring the network address of the printer on the receiving side from the identification code of the printer added to the print data and transferring the print data to the printer. A printing system characterized by. 5. The printing system according to claim 4, wherein the connection server has an identification code notifying means for notifying the terminal on the transmitting side of the identification code of the printer in response to a request. 6. A unit for holding image data, a unit for generating print data for printing on a predetermined printer from the image data, and information for attaching the print data to the predetermined printer. A printing system comprising: a transmission side terminal having a means. 7. A means for automatically receiving information including an attached file, a means for determining whether or not the attached file is print data, and when the attached file is print data, the print data is automatically used for printing. A printing system comprising a receiving-side printer having a means for executing. 8. The transmission side terminal holds image data, generates print data for printing with a predetermined printer from the image data, and specifies a network server to which the predetermined printer is connected. And the identification code of the printer that can be recognized by the server are added to the print data,
A printing method comprising transmitting to the server via a network. 9. The printing method according to claim 8, wherein the identification code of the predetermined printer is acquired and registered in a storage device. 10. The printing method according to claim 8, wherein the identification code of the predetermined printer is acquired from a server of a network to which the predetermined printer is connected. 11. A server connected to a network,
A printing method comprising: acquiring a network address of a receiving printer from a printer identification code added to the print data and transferring the print data to the printer. 12. The printing method according to claim 11, wherein the identification code of the printer is notified to the terminal on the transmission side according to the request. 13. A terminal on the transmitting side holds image data, generates print data for printing with a predetermined printer from the image data, and attaches the print data to the predetermined printer. A printing method characterized by transmitting. 14. A printer connected to a network automatically receives information including an attached file, determines whether the attached file is print data, and uses the print data when the attached file is print data. A printing method characterized by automatically executing printing. 15. A process of holding image data in a terminal on the transmitting side, a process of generating print data for printing with a predetermined printer from the image data, and a process of a network to which the predetermined printer is connected. Information specifying a server and an identification code of the printer that can be recognized by the server are added to the print data,
A print program that causes a computer to execute a process of transmitting to the server via a network. 16. The printing program according to claim 15, wherein the computer is caused to execute a process of acquiring the identification code of the predetermined printer and registering it in a storage device. 17. The print program according to claim 15, wherein the computer is caused to execute a process of acquiring an identification code of the predetermined printer from a server of a network to which the predetermined printer is connected. Print program. 18. A server connected to a network,
A printing program for causing a computer to execute a process of acquiring a network address of a receiving printer from a printer identification code added to the print data and transferring the print data to the printer. 19. The print program according to claim 18, wherein the computer is caused to execute a process of notifying the terminal on the transmission side of the printer identification code in accordance with a request. 20. A process of holding image data in a terminal on the transmitting side, a process of generating print data for printing with a predetermined printer from the image data, and print data with the predetermined printer. A print program that causes a computer to execute a process of transmitting attached information. 21. A printer connected to a network automatically receives information including an attached file, determines whether the attached file is print data, and when the attached file is print data, prints the print data. A printing program that causes a computer to execute a process of automatically performing printing by using the computer.