Receiving apparatus for signals containing printing data and a printing apparatus for printing data received by the receiving apparatus

The receiving apparatus for receiving signals containing printing data comprising:

• a printing data receiving unit operable to receive printing data contained in the signals;
• an external memory writing unit operable to send or receive the data to or from the detachable external memory device and write the printing data in the external memory device;
• an output destination determination unit operable to select a printing apparatus or the external memory device as an output destination of the printing data based on information on the external memory device;
• and
• a printing data output unit operable to output the printing data to an output destination determined by the output destination determination unit.

A printing apparatus for printing data stored in a detachable external memory device,

• wherein the external memory device has a write-protect indication unit operable to show whether data writing is permitted or not, and
• the printing apparatus comprises:
• a printing data reading unit operable to read the printing data stored in the external memory device;
• a printing unit operable to print the read printing data;
• an identifier information memory in which identifier information of the printing data is stored;
• a printing data deletion unit operable to delete the printed printing data and the printing data identified by the identifier information stored in the identifier information memory from the external memory device;
• and
• a storage unit operable to store the identifier information of the undeleted printing data in the identifier information memory when the printed printing data cannot be deleted from the external memory device.

A printing apparatus for printing data stored in a detachable external memory device,

• wherein in the external memory device, printing data and an identifier indicating whether the printing data is printed or not are stored, and
• the printing apparatus comprises:
• a printing data reading unit operable to read the printing data and the identifier stored in the external memory device;
• a printing unit operable to print the unprinted printing data with reference to the identifier;
• and
• an identifier value change unit operable to change an identifier value of the printed printing data to a value showing that said printing data is printed.

A printing apparatus for printing data stored in a detachable external write-once memory device,

• wherein in the external memory device, printing data and an identifier showing that the printing data is printed are stored, and
• the printing apparatus comprises:
• a printing data reading unit operable to read the printing data and the identifier stored in the external memory device;
• a printing unit operable to print the printing data without the associated identifier;
• and
• an identifier writing unit operable to write the identifier associated with the printed printing data in the external memory device.

A printing system for printing printing data contained in a signal, comprising:

• a receiving apparatus for receiving the signal;
• and
• a printing apparatus for printing the printing data received by the receiving apparatus,
• wherein the receiving apparatus includes:
• a printing data receiving unit operable to receive printing data contained in the signals;
• an output destination determination unit operable to selectively determine whether to output the printing data to a printing apparatus or not based on information on the printing apparatus for printing the printing data;
• and
• a printing data output unit operable to output the printing data to the printing apparatus when the output destination determination unit determines to output the printing data to the printing apparatus.

A method for outputting printing data contained in a signal, comprising the steps of:

• receiving the printing data contained in the signal;
• selecting one of a printing apparatus and a detachable external memory device as an output destination of the printing data based on information on the printing apparatus for printing the printing data;
• and
• outputting the printing data to the selected output destination.

A method for printing printing data stored in a detachable external memory device in a printing apparatus,

• wherein the external memory device comprises a write-protect indication unit operable to show whether data writing is permitted or not, and
• the printing apparatus comprises an identifier information memory in which identifier information of the printing data is stored, and
• the picture printing method comprises the steps of:
• reading the printing data stored in the external memory device,
• printing the read printing data;
• judging whether data can be written in the external memory device is permitted or not;
• deleting the printed printing only data and the printing data specified by the identifier information stored in the identifier information memory from the external memory device when the write-protect indication unit permits data writing;
• and
• storing the identifier information of the printed printing data in the identifier information memory when the write-protect indication unit does not permit data writing.

A method for printing printing data stored in a detachable external memory device,

• wherein in the external memory device, printing data and an identifier showing whether the printing data is printed or not is stored,
• the picture printing methods comprises the steps of:
• reading the printing data and the identifiers stored in the external memory device;
• displaying the unprinted printing data to a user with reference to the identifier;
• receiving the printing data which requires to be printed out of the unprinted printing data from a user;
• printing the unprinted printing data received from the user with reference to the identifiers;
• and
• changing a value of the identifier associated with printed printing data.

A picture printing method for printing printing data stored in a detachable external write-once memory device,

• wherein in the external memory device, printing data and an identifier showing that the printing data is printed is stored, and
• the picture printing methods comprises the steps of:
• reading the printing data and the identifiers stored in the external memory device;
• printing data without the associated identifiers;
• and
• writing the identifiers associated with the printed printing data in the external memory device.