PURPOSE: To permit the read-in of a picture data directly from an image scanner without passing through a host computer.

CONSTITUTION: A program for controlling the operation of a printer 11 itself is stored previously into the ROM 23 of a printer 11 while a program, wherein the printer 11 becomes a printer having a target function, and a program, wherein the printer 11 becomes a printer having initiator function, which are in SCSI protocol programs, are stored previously in the ROM 23. On the other hand, a program, which controls the operation of a scanner 9 itself, is stored previously in the ROM 33 of the scanner 9 and a program, wherein the scanner 9 becomes a scanner having target function among the SCSI protocol programs, are stored. Accordingly, a picture data can be read into the printer 11 directly from the scanner 9 through the SCSI path 6 without passing through the host computer.