JP2000066864A - Print controller and data processing method thereof, and computer-readable storage medium stored with program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain the print controller which can process, edit, and print arbitrary information obtained by making a direct connection with the information source without interposing a data processor etc., by making a direct connection with an information resource, obtaining and storing desired information, and laying out and outputting pieces of stored information. SOLUTION: The address of an arbitrary information source (servier) connected to a specific information source (Internet 13) is specified and inputted on a console panel 1014. Desired information is obtained by a network board 12 and various interfaces 8 by communicating with the arbitrary information source based upon the specified address. The obtained information is stored in a secondary storage device 5. A fixed format for combining and outputting pieces of stored information is selected. The pieces of stored information are read out and a CPU 1 executes control programs stored in a ROM 2 and the secondary storage device 5 to performs a layout process. The laid-out information is outputted from an engine part 7.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a print control apparatus capable of communicating with an arbitrary information source connected to a predetermined information network via a predetermined communication medium, a data processing method of the print control apparatus, and a computer readable program. The present invention relates to a storage medium storing various programs.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, as represented by the Internet environment, a data communication environment uses a browser of a data processing device to access a desired server, and obtains information (images, characters, etc.) from a desired homepage or the like. , Voices, programs, etc.) have been prepared, and the Internet has become freely available at the personal computer level.

When printing information obtained by surfing the Internet, a print command is selected on a browser, a print format is selected, and an instruction for printing is issued. It can be obtained as space information.

[0004]

As described above, in order to acquire and print information on the Internet, a data processing device must be interposed, and each information of a plurality of homepages is laid out and printed. It is necessary to perform a procedure of starting up a plurality of applications, performing an editing process, and outputting final print data to a printing device by a printer driver.
Accessing the information source directly from the printing device on the Internet, obtaining the desired information, and processing and editing the obtained information is impossible, and anyone can print the information obtained from the desired information source with a simple operation. There was a problem that it was not possible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to directly connect to an information source based on an Internet address specified by an operation panel or the like provided in a printing apparatus or the like. By acquiring and accumulating desired information, layout-editing and outputting the plurality of accumulated information, arbitrary information acquired by directly connecting to an information source without intervening a data processing device or the like can be obtained. An object of the present invention is to provide a print control device capable of processing, editing and printing, a data processing method of the print control device, and a storage medium storing a computer-readable program.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a specifying means for specifying an address of an arbitrary information source connected to a predetermined information network, and the specifying means via a predetermined communication medium. Acquiring means for acquiring desired information by communicating with an arbitrary information source based on an address designated by the user, accumulating means for accumulating desired information acquired by the acquiring means, and a plurality of information accumulated by the accumulating means. Selecting means for selecting a fixed format for outputting the combined information, a plurality of pieces of information stored in the storage means based on the fixed format selected by the selecting means, and a layout means for laying out the plurality of pieces of information. Output means for outputting the laid out information.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the fixed format is externally downloaded via the predetermined communication medium.

In a third aspect according to the present invention, the acquisition means connects to an arbitrary information source based on a plurality of addresses designated by the designation means via a predetermined communication medium to sequentially obtain desired information. What you get.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the layout unit processes the information acquired by the acquisition unit and lays out print data that can be output by the output unit.

[0010] A fifth invention according to the present invention is a data processing method of a print control device capable of communicating with an arbitrary information source connected to a predetermined information network via a predetermined communication medium. A designation step of designating an address of an arbitrary information source connected to the network, and obtaining a desired information by communicating with an arbitrary information source based on the address designated by the designation step via a predetermined communication medium A storage step of storing desired information obtained by the obtaining step in a memory resource; a selecting step of selecting a fixed format for outputting a combination of a plurality of pieces of information stored by the storing step; and the selecting step A layout step of reading and laying out a plurality of pieces of information stored in the memory resources based on the fixed format selected by the In which an output step of outputting the bets information.

In a sixth aspect according to the present invention, the fixed format is externally downloaded via the predetermined communication medium.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the obtaining step, the desired information is sequentially connected to an arbitrary information source based on a plurality of addresses specified in the specifying step via a predetermined communication medium. What you get.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the layout step, the information acquired in the acquisition step is processed and the print data output from the output step is layout-edited.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, a computer-readable program for controlling a printing apparatus capable of communicating with an arbitrary information source connected to a predetermined information network via a predetermined communication medium is stored. A specifying step of specifying an address of an arbitrary information source connected to a predetermined information network, and communicating with an arbitrary information source based on the address specified by the specifying step via a predetermined communication medium; An acquisition step of acquiring desired information, a storage step of storing the desired information acquired in the acquisition step in a memory resource, and a fixed format for combining and outputting a plurality of pieces of information accumulated in the accumulation step. A selection step of selecting, and a layout for reading and laying out a plurality of pieces of information stored in the memory resources based on the fixed format selected in the selection step. And out step, a computer and an output step of outputting the information laid by the layout process is obtained by storing the readable program storage medium.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, a computer readable program for downloading the fixed format from the outside via the predetermined communication medium is stored in a storage medium.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the acquiring step, desired information is sequentially connected to an arbitrary information source based on a plurality of addresses specified in the specifying step through a predetermined communication medium. This is a program in which a computer-readable program to be acquired is stored in a storage medium.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the layout step, a computer readable program for processing information obtained in the obtaining step and laying out and editing print data output from the output step is stored. It is stored on a medium.

[0018]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an example of an output device applicable to the present embodiment. The output device corresponds to, for example, a laser beam printer (hereinafter abbreviated as LBP).
Is provided with a non-volatile memory so that a character pattern can be registered and a fixed format (form data) can be registered from a data source (not shown).

Referring to FIG. 1, reference numeral 1000 denotes an LBP main body, which inputs and stores character information (character code), form information, macro instructions, and the like supplied from an externally connected host computer, and according to the information. A corresponding character pattern, form pattern, or the like is created, and an image is formed on recording paper, which is a recording medium.

Reference numeral 1014 denotes an operation panel on which switches for operation, an LED display, and the like are arranged. 100
A printer control unit 1 controls the entire LBP main body 1000 and analyzes character information and the like supplied from a host computer. This printer control unit 1001
Mainly converts character information into a video signal of a corresponding character pattern and outputs the video signal to the laser driver 1002. The laser driver 1002 is a circuit for driving the semiconductor laser 1003, and switches on and off a laser beam 1004 emitted from the semiconductor laser 1003 according to an input video signal. The laser beam 1004 is applied to the rotating polygon mirror 10
At 05, the image is swung right and left to scan on the electrostatic drum 1006. As a result, an electrostatic latent image of a character pattern is formed on the electrostatic drum 1006. This latent image is stored in the electrostatic drum 1
After the image is developed by the developing unit 1007 around the sheet 006, the image is transferred to a recording sheet. A cut sheet is used as the recording paper, and the cut sheet recording paper is stored in a paper cassette 1008 mounted on the
009, conveying roller 1010, and conveying roller 1011
And is supplied to the electrostatic drum 1006. Reference numeral 1012 denotes a fixing unit, which applies heat to the developing material developed by the developing unit 1007 and transferred to the cut sheet to form a permanent image. Reference numeral 1013 denotes a paper discharge roller that discharges the cut sheet on which the fixing process has been completed to a tray outside the apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a printing system to which a printing control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention can be applied. The same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals. .

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a CPU;
By executing the control program stored in the next storage device 5, the data communication with the host, the transfer of the image data to the engine unit, the Internet communication processing, and the like are comprehensively controlled. Three
Is a RAM, which mainly functions as a work memory of the CPU 1, and is configured so that its capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM. Reference numeral 4 denotes an input / output port, which is configured to be capable of data communication via any one of the interfaces 9 to 11 of the various interfaces 8.

The interface 9 is a parallel interface, performs bidirectional communication with a host (not shown), the interface 10 is a serial interface, performs serial communication with a host (not shown), the interface 11 is a network interface, and the network board 12 has a predetermined protocol. Internet 13 connected via
Get information from.

Reference numeral 14 denotes an Internet connection device, which comprises, for example, a provider's net server.

It should be noted that a uniform resource locator (U
RL), for example, WWW. .. Can be designated and input. The network board 12 is connected to the operation panel 1.
Internet 1 according to the specified URL from 014
3 accesses the homepage (HP), acquires the specified information (htm format data (characters, graphics, images) based on the hypertext language),
Is converted into print data that can be printed and written into the secondary storage device 5.

A plurality of print layout patterns are stored in the secondary storage device 5.
The intended layout can be specified by a selection instruction from the user.

Hereinafter, a characteristic configuration of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

A designating means (designated and inputted from the operation panel 1014) for designating an address of an arbitrary information source (server) connected to the prescribed information network (Internet) configured as described above, and a prescribed communication medium Acquiring means for acquiring desired information by communicating with an arbitrary information source based on the address designated by the designating means via the network board (acquired by the network board 12 and various interfaces 8);
Accumulating means (secondary storage device 5) for accumulating desired information acquired by the acquiring means, and selecting means (operation panel 1014) for selecting a fixed format for combining and outputting a plurality of pieces of information accumulated by the accumulating means. And a layout means for reading out and laying out a plurality of pieces of information stored in the storage means based on the fixed format selected by the selection means (the CPU 1 has the ROM 2, the secondary storage device 5). And the output unit (engine unit 7) for outputting the information laid out by the layout unit, so that the printing device can be used without the intervention of a data processing device. With the simpler operation above, the Internet location according to the specified address Of connecting the information source to obtain the desired information, it outputs the information laid out according standard format by processing the acquired information. Note that the output means is not limited to the printer engine,
The display may be an external display device (including various displays such as an LCD and a CRT) via the PC.

Also, since the fixed format is externally downloaded via the predetermined communication medium (network, interface), it is possible to output the acquired information on the Internet in a layout according to various fixed formats.

Further, the obtaining means sequentially obtains desired information by connecting to an arbitrary information source based on a plurality of addresses specified by the specifying means via a predetermined communication medium. By connecting one after another, the intended information can be collectively acquired.

Further, the layout means processes the information acquired by the acquisition means and edits the layout of the print data which can be output from the output means, so that the information format on the information source is automatically converted into the print data format. And the obtained information can be output normally.

Hereinafter, the Internet information printing process in the print control apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a first data processing procedure in the print control apparatus according to the present invention, and corresponds to a procedure for acquiring Internet information and performing printing processing in a designated layout. In addition, (1)-
(6) shows each step.

First, in step (1), the operation panel 10
Based on the address information, such as the URL, designated from the Internet connection device 14, various information designated by the Internet connection device 14 is extracted via the network board 12, and in step (2), the extracted information is downloaded and the secondary storage device is downloaded. 5 as a temporary file.

Next, in step (3), information (htm1 format) stored as a temporary file is subjected to a predetermined image processing (including a process of converting the data into data printable by the engine unit 7). It is stored in a predetermined area of the next storage device 5. Then, in step (4), the processed print data is embedded and developed in the RAM 3 in accordance with the specified layout, and in step (5), the embedded print data is transferred to the engine unit 7, Perform print processing.

Next, in step (6), step (2)
Then, the extracted information stored as a temporary file is deleted, and the process is terminated.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the second data processing procedure in the print control apparatus according to the present invention, and corresponds to the detailed procedure of the print processing shown in FIG. Note that (1) to (4) show each step. The downloaded information is recorded as a file in the secondary storage device 5. Further, a fixed format is specified in advance, and at the same time, information on an area to be laid out is specified.

First, in step (1), information in a fixed format referenced from the layout to be printed is checked, and in step (2), the linked information is extracted from the secondary storage device 5. Next, in step (3), the link information is expanded in the format on the RAM 3 in a format, and in step (4), the data is printed as print data by the engine unit 7, and the process ends.

The fixed format may be selectable from a plurality of fixed formats, or the fixed formats may be further combined. Although the fixed format is usually stored in the secondary storage device 5 in the printing apparatus, the fixed format may be downloadable from outside. At this time, the download format is pre-loaded, but can be downloaded at the time of printing.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the downloaded information from the Internet is laid out and printed has been described. However, when setting the layout, sample output is performed so that the printing effect can be known in advance. You may comprise so that it can be performed.

Specifically, a fixed format as a layout is interactively created by application software on a connected host computer,
The process of downloading to the printing device, selecting and combining fixed formatants on the printing device, executing a new layout, and the printing control device can access the created format as a plurality of files. The host computer can know the information of the file on the print control device.

On the other hand, when creating a new layout, when it is desired to output a layout sample, for example, when it is desired to approximate the actual print processing so that it is as easy to see as possible, an information file in an appropriate print control device is stored. Instead, embed it, lay it out, print a sample,
The host computer may be configured not to perform this processing.

In the above embodiment, the information file in the print control device is used. However, a layout with an appropriate figure / pattern is also possible. You may comprise.

Further, in the case of printing with the created layout, it is possible to add search information and store it in the secondary storage device 5, and designate the stored information later for printing. .

Further, in the above embodiment, the case where the layout result is stored in the secondary storage device 5 has been described, but the present invention can also be applied to the storage of information extracted from the Internet in the secondary storage device 5.

Further, in the step (4) shown in FIG. 4, the designated layout may be further enlarged / reduced and printed, or a plurality of copies may be outputted and printed. Good.

In the layout processing, the print result can be easily viewed by putting the address of the information source, the date of the file of the information source, and the date from which the information was extracted in a part or outside of the layout frame.

Hereinafter, a characteristic configuration of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

A data processing method of a print control apparatus capable of communicating with an arbitrary information source connected to a predetermined information network (Internet) configured as described above via a predetermined communication medium (interface, network). Or a storage medium storing a computer readable program for controlling a printing apparatus capable of communicating with an arbitrary information source connected to a predetermined information network via a predetermined communication medium, For designating the address of an arbitrary information source connected to the server (the process before step (1) in FIG. 3)
An acquisition step of communicating with an arbitrary information source based on the address designated by the designation step via a predetermined communication medium to acquire desired information (step (1) in FIG. 3); An accumulation step of accumulating desired information to be acquired in a memory resource (step (2) in FIG. 3) and a selection step of selecting a fixed format for outputting a combination of a plurality of pieces of information accumulated in the accumulation step (FIG. 3) (3), step (1) in FIG. 4) and a layout step (step (FIG. 3) in which a plurality of pieces of information stored in the memory resources are read out and laid out based on the fixed format selected in the selection step. 4), step (3) in FIG. 4) and an output step (step (5) in FIG. 3) for outputting information laid out by the layout step. Connect to a desired information source on the Internet according to the specified address, obtain the desired information, process the obtained information, and format the obtained information with a simpler operation on the printing device without the intervention of the data processing device. Information laid out according to the format can be output.

Further, since the fixed format is externally downloaded via the predetermined communication medium, the obtained information on the Internet can be output in a layout according to various fixed formats.

Further, in the acquiring step, desired information is acquired by sequentially connecting to an arbitrary information source based on a plurality of addresses specified in the specifying step via a predetermined communication medium. By connecting one after another, the intended information can be collectively acquired.

In the layout step, the information obtained in the obtaining step is processed and the print data that can be output from the output step is layout edited, so that the information format on the information source is automatically converted to the print data format. And the obtained information can be output normally.

Hereinafter, the configuration of a data processing program that can be read by a printing system to which the print control apparatus according to the present invention can be applied will be described with reference to a memory map shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a view for explaining a memory map of a storage medium for storing various data processing programs which can be read by a printing system to which the print control apparatus according to the present invention can be applied.

Although not shown, information for managing a group of programs stored in the storage medium, such as version information and a creator, is also stored, and information dependent on the OS or the like on the program reading side, such as a program, An icon or the like for identification display may also be stored.

Further, data dependent on various programs is also managed in the directory. In addition, a program for installing various programs on a computer or a program for decompressing a program to be installed when the program to be installed is compressed may be stored.

The functions shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 in this embodiment may be performed by a host computer by a program installed from the outside. And in that case, CD-ROM, flash memory, FD
The present invention is applicable even when a group of information including a program is supplied to an output device from a storage medium such as the above or from an external storage medium via a network.

As described above, the storage medium storing the program code of the software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiment is supplied to the system or the apparatus, and the computer (or the CPU or the MP) of the system or the apparatus is supplied.
It goes without saying that the object of the present invention is also achieved when U) reads and executes the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, C
DR, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, RO
M, EEPROM and the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) And the like perform part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, The CPU provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing,
It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing is also included.

[0063]

As described above, the first embodiment according to the present invention is described.
According to the invention, a designation unit for designating an address of an arbitrary information source connected to a predetermined information network, and communication with an arbitrary information source based on the address designated by the designation unit via a predetermined communication medium Acquiring means for acquiring desired information, storing means for accumulating desired information acquired by the acquiring means, and selecting to select a fixed format for combining and outputting a plurality of pieces of information accumulated by the accumulating means. Means, a layout means for reading and laying out a plurality of pieces of information stored in the storage means based on the fixed format selected by the selection means, and an output means for outputting the information laid out by the layout means. In accordance with the specified address, the operation is simpler on the printing device without the intervention of the data processing device. Connect the desired sources of Tsu bets to obtain the desired information, it outputs the information laid out according standard format by processing the acquired information.

According to the second aspect, since the fixed format is downloaded from the outside via the predetermined communication medium, the obtained information on the Internet can be output in a layout according to various fixed formats.

[0065] According to the third aspect, the obtaining means obtains desired information by sequentially connecting to an arbitrary information source based on a plurality of addresses specified by the specifying means via a predetermined communication medium. Therefore, different information sources can be connected one after another to collectively acquire intended information.

According to the fourth aspect, the layout means processes the information acquired by the acquisition means and edits the layout of the print data that can be output from the output means, so that the information format on the information source is printed. It can be automatically converted to the data format and processed, and the obtained information can be output normally.

According to the fifth and ninth aspects of the present invention, there is provided a data processing method of a print control device capable of communicating with an arbitrary information source connected to a predetermined information network via a predetermined communication medium. A storage medium storing a computer readable program for controlling a printing apparatus capable of communicating with an arbitrary information source connected to an information network via a predetermined communication medium, and connected to the predetermined information network A designation step of designating an address of an arbitrary information source; an acquisition step of communicating with an arbitrary information source based on the address designated by the designation step via a predetermined communication medium to acquire desired information; A storage step of storing desired information acquired by the step in a memory resource, and a selection step of selecting a fixed format for outputting a combination of a plurality of pieces of information stored by the storage step, The data processing includes a layout step of reading out and laying out a plurality of pieces of information stored in the memory resources based on the fixed format selected by the selection step, and an output step of outputting the information laid out by the layout step. Without any intervening device, with a simpler operation on the printing device, connect to the desired information source on the Internet according to the specified address, obtain the desired information, process the obtained information and follow the fixed format Layouted information can be output.

According to the sixth and tenth aspects, since the fixed format is externally downloaded via the predetermined communication medium, the acquired information on the Internet can be output in a layout according to various fixed formats. .

According to the seventh and eleventh inventions, the obtaining step includes connecting to an arbitrary information source based on a plurality of addresses specified by the specifying step via a predetermined communication medium to sequentially obtain desired information. Therefore, different information sources can be connected one after another to collectively obtain intended information.

According to the eighth and twelfth aspects, in the layout step, the information obtained in the obtaining step is processed and the print data output from the output step is layout-edited. The format can be automatically converted to the format of the print data for processing, and the acquired information can be output normally.

Accordingly, there is an effect that arbitrary information obtained by directly connecting to the information source can be processed, edited, and printed by a simple operation without intervening a data processing device or the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of an output device applicable to the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system to which a print control device according to an embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a first data processing procedure in the print control apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a second data processing procedure in the print control apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by a printing system to which the print control device according to the present invention can be applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 CPU 2 ROM 3 RAM 5 Secondary storage device 7 Engine part 12 Network board 13 Internet 14 Internet connection equipment

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A designating means for designating an address of an arbitrary information source connected to a predetermined information network, and communicating with an arbitrary information source based on the address designated by the specifying means via a predetermined communication medium. Acquiring means for acquiring desired information by means of a storage means, accumulating means for accumulating desired information acquired by the acquiring means, and selecting means for selecting a fixed format for combining and outputting a plurality of pieces of information accumulated by the accumulating means. A layout unit that reads out a plurality of pieces of information stored in the storage unit based on the fixed format selected by the selection unit and lays out the information, and an output unit that outputs the information laid out by the layout unit. A print control device characterized by the above-mentioned. 2. The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fixed format is downloaded from the outside via the predetermined communication medium. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the acquiring unit sequentially connects to an arbitrary information source based on a plurality of addresses specified by the specifying unit via a predetermined communication medium to obtain desired information. Item 2. The print control device according to Item 1. 4. The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the layout unit processes the information acquired by the acquisition unit and lays out print data that can be output from the output unit. 5. A data processing method for a print control device capable of communicating with an arbitrary information source connected to a predetermined information network via a predetermined communication medium, wherein the arbitrary information connected to the predetermined information network is provided. A designation step of designating a source address; an acquisition step of communicating with an arbitrary information source based on the address designated by the designation step via a predetermined communication medium to acquire desired information; and acquiring by the acquisition step. A storage step of storing desired information to be stored in a memory resource, a selection step of selecting a fixed format for combining and outputting a plurality of pieces of information stored by the storage step, and a selection step of selecting a fixed format based on the fixed format selected by the selection step. A layout step of reading and laying out a plurality of pieces of information stored in the memory resources; and outputting the information laid out by the layout step. And a data processing method of the print control device. 6. The data processing method for a print control device according to claim 5, wherein the fixed format is downloaded from the outside via the predetermined communication medium. 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the acquiring step is to sequentially connect to an arbitrary information source based on a plurality of addresses specified by the specifying step via a predetermined communication medium to obtain desired information. Item 6. The data processing method of the print control device according to Item 5. 8. The data processing of the print control apparatus according to claim 5, wherein in the layout step, the information acquired in the acquisition step is processed and the print data output from the output step is layout edited. Method. 9. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program for controlling a printing apparatus capable of communicating with an arbitrary information source connected to a predetermined information network via a predetermined communication medium, the storage medium comprising: A specifying step of specifying an address of an arbitrary information source connected to the information network; and communicating with an arbitrary information source based on the address specified by the specifying step via a predetermined communication medium to obtain desired information. An acquiring step, an accumulating step of accumulating desired information acquired by the acquiring step in a memory resource, a selecting step of selecting a fixed format for outputting a combination of a plurality of pieces of information accumulated by the accumulating step, and the selecting A layout step of reading and laying out a plurality of pieces of information stored in the memory resources based on the fixed format selected in the step; An output step of outputting information laid out by the layout step. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program. 10. The storage medium storing a computer-readable program according to claim 9, wherein said fixed format is externally downloaded via said predetermined communication medium. 11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the acquiring step acquires desired information by sequentially connecting to an arbitrary information source based on a plurality of addresses specified in the specifying step via a predetermined communication medium. Item 10. A storage medium storing the computer-readable program according to Item 9. 12. The computer-readable program according to claim 9, wherein in the layout step, the information acquired in the acquisition step is processed and the print data output from the output step is layout-edited. Storage medium storing.