JP2003015994A - Printing system and method thereof information processing apparatus and method thereof, recording medium and information processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To browse and obtain contents, which have been obtained only by a personal computer, with printing media by using a FAX machine installed in a house. SOLUTION: When a user selects the link to printing contents, the printing contents are not processed by displaying but printing.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus capable of browsing information on the Internet and printing the information displayed by browsing, such as HTML (Hyper).
Printing on the Internet performed by a server / client system using a printing device capable of displaying WWW (World Wide Web) information described in Text Markup Language) on a display unit and performing printing based on the information. Regarding service.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An information providing service using display data described in a markup language such as compact HTML and HDML is provided as a service for mobile terminals (mobile terminals) such as mobile phones.

[0003]

However, in the conventional method, the information displayed on the mobile terminal is simplified information, and the browsing software (hereinafter, referred to as a browser) for browsing the display is also stored in the device. Only simple operations can be performed due to restrictions such as memory.

Therefore, it is not possible to view or obtain detailed information that can be browsed by a personal computer or the like, or content information that is finely designed with these mobile terminals. Further, in order to print and obtain the information, if the information of the desired homepage is received by FAX, it is necessary to disconnect the communication by the browser once and re-establish the FAX transmission / reception connection. Also, when using the Internet FAX, there is no choice but to exchange by sending and receiving mail.
Since there is no cooperation between the Internet FAX service and the information providing service, the operation is complicated and necessary equipment is expensive.

In view of such a problem, the present invention provides display contents (for example, HTML data) for providing information,
Hyperlink to print content (eg URL)
And the server converts the print content into a markup language for printing, thereby enabling the printer to print the converted markup language. This enables users to obtain detailed information by printing using a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone, a FAX terminal, a printer connectable to a telephone, etc. without using an expensive information processing device such as a personal computer. It is a thing.

[0006]

In order to solve the above problems, a printing system according to the present invention is a printing system in which a server device and an information processing device capable of communicating with the server device are connected. Based on the data transmitted from the server device, the display control means for displaying information on the display unit of the information processing device, and the link destination based on the link information embedded in the data indicating a link to other data. Requesting means for requesting the data from the information processing device to the server device, conversion means for acquiring the data of the link destination in response to the request, and converting the data of the link destination to printing data, and the data is transmitted from the server device. Based on the print data
A print control unit that causes the print unit of the information processing apparatus to print.

Further, this printing system has a detecting means for detecting the position information in which the data of the link destination is stored based on the link information, and the requesting means sends the position information from the information processing device to the server device. It is characterized in that it is transmitted to.

Further, in this printing system, the server device is characterized in that the linked data is obtained from another server device.

Further, in this printing system, the conversion means does not perform conversion when the link destination data does not need to be converted.

In this printing system, the data is
It is described in HTML format or XML format, and the link information is characterized by including a URL.

In order to solve the above problems, an information processing apparatus according to the present invention is an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with an external device, and displays information on a display unit based on data transmitted from the external device. Display control means for displaying, based on the link information indicating a link to another data included in the data, request means for requesting the external device for the data of the link destination, and based on the link information, Determining means for determining whether or not the linked data is print data, and the data transmitted in response to the request in response to the linked data being determined to be print data. And a print control unit that causes the printing unit to print.

Further, in this information processing apparatus, when it is determined that the linked data is not print data, the display control means displays the data based on the data transmitted in response to the request. It is characterized in that information is displayed on the section.

Further, in this information processing apparatus, the link information includes information indicating a position where data of a link destination is stored.

Further, the information processing apparatus has an operating means for the user to select the information indicating the link displayed on the display unit, and the requesting means is such that the information indicating the link indicates the operating means. It is characterized in that the data of the selected link destination is requested according to the selection via the link.

In this information processing apparatus, the link information in which the linked data is the printing data includes the information indicating the position where the printing data is stored and the information indicating the printing data. It is characterized by including.

In this information processing apparatus, the data is H
It is described in the TML format or the XML format, and the link information includes a URL.

This information processing apparatus is a fax machine,
It is characterized by being either an information portable terminal or a mobile phone.

[0018]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A service system to which the present invention is applied is shown in FIG. In the figure, 101 is a telephone with a fax function corresponding to this service (hereinafter referred to as a fax device)
Is. 102 is a public line network. A service server device 103 provides this service to the telephone. A storage unit 104 stores service contents provided by the service and accessible by the service server apparatus 103. 105 is a service server device 10
3 is a print content storage unit that stores print content different from accessible service content. A dedicated line 106 is connected to the service server apparatus 103.

The service content is a general term for various information provided by this service, and is information that is processed and displayed by a telephone corresponding to this service. For example, HTML data written in HTML, J
Image data in PEG format, BITMAP format, TE
For example, character data in XT format. Further, the print content is information for printing corresponding to the service content, and based on this, highly detailed and beautiful print can be performed. For example, it may be data described in a markup language for printing. These print contents are converted into print data such as print data described in a print description language or page description language or image data in a bitmap format, and used for print processing.

A content server device 107 is connected to the dedicated line 106 and can communicate with the service server device 103. A service content storage unit 108 stores service content accessible by the content server device 107. A print content storage unit 109 stores print content that can be accessed by the content server device. Reference numeral 111 denotes the Internet, and the Internet 110 allows the service server apparatus 103, the content server apparatus 107, the Web server apparatus 113, and the like to communicate with each other.

Reference numeral 113 denotes a We that provides service contents corresponding to a home page so that a mobile terminal or a telephone compatible with the service can browse the home page.
b server device. A service content storage unit 114 stores service content accessible from the Web server device. A print content storage unit 115 stores print content that can be accessed from the Web server device.

The FAX apparatus 101 according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to a facsimile device, and a portable terminal to which a printer can be connected, a mobile phone to which a printer can be connected, and other OA equipment such as a copying machine, a multifunction peripheral, a laser beam printer, an inkjet printer. It can also be applied to a printer.

FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration example of the FAX machine 101. In FIG. 11, 10 is a central processing unit (CPU) for controlling the entire apparatus. 11 is
A ROM for storing programs and data. A non-volatile RAM 12 stores personal data, backup data such as a telephone directory. 13 is C
It is a storage unit (DRAM) that stores PU work data (data in use while the CPU is executing processing), HTML data, display data, recording data, and the like.
The processing executed by the FAX machine 101 is performed by the CPU 10
Is controlled by executing a program stored in the ROM 11 or the DRAM 13.

Reference numeral 14 is an HTML conversion unit that analyzes HTML data received via the Internet and divides it into image data and text data, and converts the divided data into display data or recording data.
The HTML conversion unit 14 analyzes HTML data, acquires image data linked from the HTML data as necessary, and generates display data or recording data.

Reference numeral 15 is a display unit for displaying the contents of the received data, the state of the device, and the like. Reference numeral 16 denotes an operation unit including a numeric keypad and the like. Reference numeral 18 is a communication unit including a modem or the like for communicating with the outside via a telephone line 19. Here, each processing unit is a system bus 20.
Are connected to each other via.

Reference numeral 17 denotes a recording unit (printing unit) such as a printer for printing an image or text on a recording sheet based on image data or text data. The recording section (printing section)
Examples include inkjet printers and laser beam printers. The recording unit (printing unit) may be removable, and in that case, it is connected by a predetermined cable or wireless communication.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of the operation unit 16 of this apparatus. The operation unit 16 includes a display unit 15 such as an LCD, a numeric keypad 50 for inputting a telephone number, a URL, etc., a function key 51 that can activate function settings by pressing, a function key 52 used for multiple inputs.
a, 52b, 52c, 52d, left and right up and down arrow keys 53a, 53b, 53 used for moving the cursor on the display unit
c, 53d, and a set key 54 which is a setting input key. The display unit 15 actually corresponds to a dot matrix LCD.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing software modules required for this service. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 200 denotes a software module group of the FAX machine 101.
201 is a service server device 1 via a public line network.
03 is a communication module for communicating. A display module 202 displays the received service content on the display unit. Reference numeral 203 denotes a URL (Unif) indicating the storage destination of the print content from the service content.
This is a URL extraction module that extracts an orm Resource Locator). By designating this URL, the designated data can be acquired from the designated server device. A print instruction module 204 transmits the extracted URL to the server device to receive the print data. A print module 205 causes the print unit to print the received print data. Reference numeral 231 is a public line network.

Reference numeral 210 denotes a software module group of the service server device 103 that provides a service.
Reference numeral 211 is a communication module for communicating with the server device (107 or 113) or the service-compatible terminal device via a public line, a dedicated line, or the Internet. Reference numeral 212 is a receiving module that receives a request from the FAX apparatus 101. An acquisition module 213 acquires the requested print content. 214
Is a conversion module that converts the acquired print content into print data. Reference numeral 215 denotes a transmission module that transmits the converted print data to the FAX apparatus 101 that has made a request. 232 is a private line or the Internet.

Further, 220 is the content server device 10.
7 or the software module group of the Web server apparatus 113. A communication module 221 communicates with the service server apparatus 103 via a dedicated line or communicates with the service server apparatus 103 via the Internet. A receiving module 222 receives a content request. A transmission module 223 transmits the requested content.

In the system including the apparatus of FIG. 1 and the software module of FIG. 2, the operation flow when the service content is in the service server apparatus 103 and the print content is in the content server apparatus 107 will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the processes performed by the FAX machine 101, the service server machine 103, and the content server machine 107. The operation of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 3, steps S301 and S30 are performed.
4, S305, S313, S314, S317, S31
8 is executed by the FAX machine 101. Also, steps S302, S303, S306, S307, S3.
10, S311, S312, S315, and S316 are executed by the service server apparatus 103. Also,
The steps S308 and S309 are executed by the content server device 107.

First, when the user gives an instruction to start a service, the FAX machine 101 operates the service server machine 103.
After performing the connection process to the service server, a request to transmit the service content is transmitted to the service server apparatus 103 (step S301). Service server device 10
3 receives the transmission request from the FAX apparatus 101 (step S302), and the service content storage unit 10
4 to acquire the service content and transmit the service content to the FAX machine 101 (step S3).
03).

The FAX apparatus 101 receives the service content and displays the content of the service content (step S304). At this time, the fax machine 101
Analyzes the service content and displays an image or a character on the display unit according to the content described therein.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a display based on service contents described in HTML, for example. Four
Reference numeral 01 is a display screen of the FAX apparatus 101. In 402, a text-formatted sentence is displayed. In 403, an image based on the image data is displayed.

Reference numeral 404 is a link to another service content. Since the URL corresponding to 404 is designated in the service content, when the user selects or designates 404, new service content is acquired based on the designated URL. For example, in the case where there is a description as shown in FIG. 5, when 404 is selected or designated, “http://www.xxx.xxx.
co. jp / next. service server device 103 so that the service content “html” is transmitted.
To request. Then, the acquired content is displayed on the display unit.

Reference numeral 405 is a link to the print content. UR corresponding to 405 for service contents
Since L is specified, when the user selects or specifies 405, the print content is requested based on the specified URL, and the print data converted from the print content is acquired. For example, FIG. 6 and FIG.
Is a description example showing a link to print content. In the case where the description as shown in FIG. 6 is made and when 405 is selected or designated, "printto: // www.
xxx. co. jp / print. request print content "html". Alternatively, if there is a description as shown in FIG. 7, “http: //www.xxx.c.
o. jp / print. request print content "html".

The FAX apparatus determines whether to request the service content or the print content according to the description content. For example, in the case of FIG. 6, “printt
According to the description "o", it is determined that the link is to the print content, and the print content is requested. Also,
In the case of FIG. 7, it is determined that the link is to the print content according to the description “media =“ printto ””.

Here, when the user selects or specifies a link on the display, the FAX apparatus determines whether the selected link or the selected URL is a link to the print content. If the link is to the print content, the designated print content is requested to the service server apparatus 103 (step S305).

The selection or designation of the link is made by the user by pressing the left / right up / down arrow keys 53a, 53b, 53c, 53d to select a link on the display screen of the display unit 15 and pressing the set key 54. For example, by pressing the left, right, up, and down arrow keys 53a, 53b, 53c, 53d to move the link indicating one after another,
The set key 54 may be pressed to determine the link to be selected.

At this time, in order to reconfirm the intention of printing to the user of the FAX machine 101, a message such as "Are you sure you want to print?" May be issued. If the link is to the service content, the process returns to step S301 to request the service content from the service server apparatus 103.

When the FAX apparatus 101 requests the print content, the service server apparatus 103 receives the print content transmission request (step S306), and the requested print content is the content server apparatus 10.
If it is determined to be 7, the content server apparatus 107 is requested to print content (step S307).

The content server device 103 receives the transmission request (step S308), reads the requested printing content from the printing content storage unit 109, and transmits it (step S309).

The service server apparatus 103 converts the received print content into print data printable by the FAX apparatus (step S311). The converted print data may be, for example, XML (eXtensible M).
It is expressed in the arkup Language format, and is composed of an index part to which the page structure of the printed matter and a brief description for each page are added, and a data part indicating the content of the printed matter. These converted data may be described as a plurality of files.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the printing data described above. Reference numeral 801 is HTML data described in HTML before conversion. Reference numerals 802 and 803 denote index portions of print data, which are expressed in XML format. Further, the page structure of the printed matter and a brief explanation for each page are described in the index portion.

A data portion 804 of the print data is divided for each page. Reference numeral 805 is an example in which the data portion of the print data is also divided for each page and for each band. Thus, more detailed division may be performed. In this embodiment, the data part is X
It is written in HTML and the FAX machine 101 is XHT.
It is assumed that the data described in ML can be interpreted and printed. The data unit is the FAX machine 10.
1 may be described in a data format that can be interpreted and printed, and may be described in another XML format data such as SVG.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a description example of the index part. Reference numeral 901 is an example of an index file when the index part is described as a file. The index file is described in the XML format as shown in the figure, and as information necessary for printing, a list of data for each page is described as tags together with page information and printer information. The tag representing each page has, as its attributes, a URL that specifies the data section (a URL required to acquire data corresponding to the data section) and a title that briefly describes the page.

Reference numeral 902 is a portion where page information and printer information are described. In FIG. 9, the paper size is “A
4 ”, the scale is“ 1 ”, the scale font size is“ 10 points ”, the resolution is“ 96 dpi ”, and the designated font is“ Gothic ”.

Reference numeral 903 is a portion in which information about one page of the data portion is described. The title of the first page is "Map", and the print data is "ht
tp: // www. can. co. jp / IAPrin
ting / 93234343 / Report_p1. x
stored in "ml". Therefore, step S3 in FIG.
By specifying this path at 14, the print data for the first page can be acquired.

Similarly, 904 is a portion in which information about two pages of the data portion is described. The title of the second page is "Price List", and the print data is
"Http://www.can.co.jp/IAP
printing / 93234343 / Report_p
2. xml ”.

After generating the print data as described above in step S311, the service server apparatus 103 first transmits the index portion to the FAX apparatus 101 (step S312). The FAX machine 101 analyzes the index portion and displays page information based on the analysis result.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of display when the contents of the index portion are displayed on the display screen. 100
A screen 1 is drawn on the display unit of the FAX machine 101. Upon receiving the index section, the FAX machine 101 extracts page information from the index section and displays a list of title values assigned to each page information as shown in the figure. If no title is given,
You may display only the number of pages.

The user confirms the number of pages to be printed, which is the display content, and a brief description of each page, confirms the print content, and continues the printing operation. It is also possible to cancel printing at the time of this confirmation. It is also possible to specify the page to be printed by checking the print contents.

When there is a print instruction, the FAX machine 101
Requests the transmission of the print data section from the service server device 10.
3 is sent (step S314). At this time, when a predetermined page is designated, a request for transmitting the print data section corresponding to the designated page is issued.

The service server apparatus 103 receives the transmission request (step S315) and returns the data section (step S316). The FAX apparatus 101 receives the data section and prints based on the print data (step S317).

As a result, when all the printing is completed, the series of processes is completed, and when all the printing is not completed, the process returns to step S314 to continue the printing process (step S318).

In the above embodiment, step S
After sending the index portion at 312, step S31
At 6, the data section was sent. However, the index section and the data section may be sent from the service server apparatus 103 to the FAX apparatus 101 at the same time. In that case, the FAX apparatus 10
1 receives the index part and the data part first, and performs the display of FIG. 10 based on the contents of the index part. Then, the data portion corresponding to the page designated by the user in the display of FIG. 10 is processed and printing is performed.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, only one FAX machine has been described, but other FAX machines, mobile phones and portable information terminals can communicate with the service server machine, and these are shown in FIG. The service can be received by executing the processing.

In the above embodiment, for example, when the content server device 107 has a conversion module, the service server device 103 does not receive the request for the print content from the FAX device 101, but the content server device 107 directly receives the request. It is also possible to receive requests for print content. Similarly, on the Internet
If the server device 113 has a conversion module,
It is also possible for the server device 113 to receive it.

The print contents can be viewed on a PC.
It may be a home page written in TML or a document file written in XML format. In the conversion module, it is possible to perform processing suitable for the device that performs printing, and it is possible to perform conversion of information without damaging the information of the content.

The program and related data according to the present invention are stored on a floppy (registered trademark) disk (FD) or C
It is stored in the D-ROM and is supplied to the computer from there. Further, an object of the present invention is to supply a computer with a storage medium recording a program code (for example, a program code corresponding to each step of FIG. 3) of software (control program) for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiment. Device of the computer (for example, CPU1
0) is achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium.

As a method of supplying the software and data to the computer, a method of storing the software or data in a floppy disk FD and supplying it to the computer main body (via a floppy disk drive or the like) is general. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, in addition to a floppy disk or a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-RO, etc.
M, CD-R, magnetic tape, non-volatile memory card,
A ROM or the like can be used. Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) or the like running on the computer is executed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where some or all of the actual processing is performed and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing is also included. Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in the memory provided in the function expansion board inserted in the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that this also includes the case where the CPU provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs a part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

[0064]

As described above, according to the present invention,
When the user selects a link to the print content, the FAX apparatus can perform print processing of the print content instead of displaying the print content, and clean the content generated in advance for printing. Can be printed in high detail.

Further, by using the FAX machine installed at home, it becomes possible to browse / obtain the contents obtained only by the personal computer on the print medium. Further, the print data converted from the print content is composed of an index part and a data part, and the index part can supply the contents of various contents as a list, and the user obtains only necessary information. It also becomes possible.

Furthermore, it becomes possible to provide the user with not only the content which is supposed to be displayed on the Internet but also the content which is specialized for the printing purpose.
The user can easily obtain even a printed matter such as a leaflet or a coupon that must wait for delivery.

Further, it is possible to expand the business field of printing or print service on the Internet.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a system that provides a service.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing software modules necessary for a service.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing processing performed by a FAX device, a service server device, and a content server device, respectively.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a display based on a service content described in HTML.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a description example of a link of service contents.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a description example of a link of print content.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a description example of a link of print content.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing print data.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an index portion of print data.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display example of contents of an index portion.

FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of a FAX apparatus.

FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram of an operation unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

101 FAX machine 102 public network 103 Service server device 104 service content storage 105 Content storage for printing 106 dedicated line 107 content server device 108 service content storage 109 Content storage for printing 110 Internet 111 Internet 112 Internet 113 Web server device 114 Service Content Storage 115 print content storage unit

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) H04N 1/387 H04N 1/387 (72) Inventor Hirohisa Suzuki 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Kyano In-house F-term (Reference) 2C061 AP01 AP03 AP04 AP07 AQ05 AQ06 CQ24 CQ33 CQ34 CQ38 2C087 AA03 AA09 AB01 AB05 AC07 AC08 CA05 CB03 CB17 5C062 AA02 AA13 AA29 AB20 AB22 AB23 AB38 AC29 AF02 BA25 511C075 AB

Claims (27)

[Claims] 1. In a printing system in which a server device and an information processing device capable of communicating with the server device are connected, information is displayed on a display unit of the information processing device based on data transmitted from the server device. Display control means, requesting means for requesting the server device to send the data of the link destination from the information processing device based on the link information indicating the link to other data, which is embedded in the data, and the link destination of the link destination in response to the request. It has a conversion unit that acquires data and converts the linked data into printing data, and a printing control unit that causes the printing unit of the information processing device to print based on the printing data transmitted from the server device. A printing system characterized by the above. 2. A detection means for detecting the position information in which the linked data is stored based on the link information, wherein the requesting means transmits the position information from the information processing device to the server device. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the printing system is a printing system. 3. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the server device acquires the linked data from another server device. 4. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the conversion unit does not perform conversion when the linked data does not need to be converted. 5. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the data is described in HTML format or XML format, and the link information includes a URL. 6. A printing method executed by a printing system in which a server device and an information processing device capable of communicating with the server device are connected, wherein the information processing device is based on data transmitted from the server device. Then, the information is displayed on the display unit of the information processing device, and the information processing device requests the server device for the linked data based on the link information indicating the link to the other data, which is embedded in the data. The server device acquires the data of the link destination in response to the request, converts the data of the link destination into print data, and the information processing device processes the information based on the print data transmitted from the server device. A printing method, wherein printing is performed on a printing unit of the device. 7. The information processing device detects position information in which data of a link destination is stored, based on the link information, and the information processing device transmits the position information to the server device. Item 7. The printing method according to Item 6. 8. The printing method according to claim 6, wherein the server apparatus acquires the link destination data from another server apparatus. 9. The printing method according to claim 6, wherein the server device does not perform conversion when the linked data does not need to be converted. 10. The data is in HTML format or XML.
10. The printing method according to claim 6, wherein the link information is described in a format and the link information includes a URL. 11. An information processing device capable of communicating with an external device, comprising display control means for displaying information on a display unit based on data transmitted from the external device, and included in the data. Requesting means for requesting the external device for the data of the link destination based on the link information indicating the link to the other data, and determining whether or not the data of the link destination is print data based on the link information. And a print control unit that causes the printing unit to print the data transmitted in response to the request when it is determined that the linked data is print data. Information processing device. 12. The display control means causes information to be displayed on a display unit based on the data transmitted in response to the request when it is determined that the linked data is not print data. The information processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein: 13. The information processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the link information includes information indicating a position where data of a link destination is stored. 14. The operation means is provided for a user to select information indicating a link, which is displayed on the display unit, and the requesting means is operable to select the information indicating the link via the operation means. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the requested data of the selected link destination is requested accordingly. 15. The link information in which the linked data is print data includes information indicating a position where the print data is stored and information indicating that the print data is print data. The information processing apparatus according to claim 11. 16. The information processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the data is described in HTML format or XML format, and the link information includes a URL. 17. The information processing apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising the printing unit. 18. The information processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the information processing apparatus is any one of a fax machine, a portable information terminal, and a mobile phone. 19. An information processing method executed by an information processing device communicable with an external device, comprising displaying information on a display unit based on data transmitted from the external device, the information being included in the data. The link destination data is requested to the external device based on link information indicating a link to another data, and it is determined whether the link destination data is print data based on the link information. Then, when the link destination data is determined to be print data, the printing unit prints the data transmitted in response to the request. 20. A computer-readable recording medium storing an information processing program for controlling an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with an external apparatus, wherein the information processing program is data transmitted from the external apparatus. Based on the link information indicating a link to another data included in the data, the step of requesting the external device for the linked data, and the link information. Based on the step of determining whether the linked data is print data, and when the linked data is determined to be print data, it is transmitted in response to the request. A recording medium that causes the information processing apparatus to execute the step of causing the printing unit to print the data. 21. An information processing program for controlling an information processing device communicable with an external device, comprising: displaying information on a display unit based on data transmitted from the external device; Based on the link information indicating a link to other data, the step of requesting the external device for the linked data and whether the linked data is print data based on the link information. And causing the information processing device to execute the step of causing the printing unit to print the data transmitted in response to the request when it is determined that the linked data is print data. An information processing program characterized by the above. 22. The information processing program is displayed on the display unit based on the data transmitted in response to the request when the information processing apparatus determines that the linked data is not print data. The information processing program according to claim 21, wherein the information is displayed on the screen. 23. The information processing program according to claim 21, wherein the link information includes information indicating a position where data of a link destination is stored. 24. The information processing apparatus includes an operation unit for allowing a user to select information indicating a link, which is displayed on a display unit, and the information processing program indicates a link to the information processing apparatus. 24. The information processing program according to claim 21, wherein the information processing program requests data of the selected link destination in response to information being selected via the operation unit. 25. The link information in which the linked data is print data includes information indicating a position where the print data is stored and information indicating that the print data is print data. The information processing program according to any one of claims 21 to 24. 26. The information processing program according to claim 21, wherein the data is described in HTML format or XML format, and the link information includes a URL. 27. The information processing program according to claim 21, wherein the information processing program is executed by any one of a fax machine, a portable information terminal, and a mobile phone.