JP2001293925A - Column setting printer, column setting printing method and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a column setting printer, a column setting printing method and a recording medium in which beautiful column setting print results can be obtained at all times without requiring an intricate operation or an extra time by automating an intricate manual selecting operation required in prior art. SOLUTION: An internet unit having a column setting print function comprises a CPU 1 which identifies the background color of HTML data, selects a column setting outer frame background pattern having a color tone suitable for the identified HTML background color among a plurality of column setting outer frame background patterns printable in the outer region of the HTML data, and selects a page number pattern having a color tone suitable for the selected column setting outer frame background pattern among a plurality of page number patterns printable between the HTML data and the column setting outer region before executing print operation.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a multi-column printing apparatus, a multi-column printing method and a storage medium, and more particularly to an HTML (Hype).
r Text Markup Language) Column printing of data (document 1
The present invention relates to a multi-column printing apparatus, a multi-column printing method, and a storage medium that have a function of (printing a page into several columns) and are suitable for application to an information processing apparatus or the like that can communicate with an external device on the Internet.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an Internet device such as an information processing device capable of communicating with an external device on the Internet, HTML data is printed in columns and a background is added to the outside of the column area and printed. There were few devices to do. Also, there have been few devices that print by adding a page number to a background area outside the column area. Alternatively, even if the above-described apparatus exists, the background pattern and the page number pattern outside the column area are selected and determined by the operator from many types of patterns by manual operation.

[0003]

In the above-described prior art, when a background is added outside the column area of HTML data and a page number is further added on the background for printing, the operator has to use a large number of patterns. Must select a pattern that matches the background pattern color of the HTML data. Therefore, it is time-consuming to set the colors of the three patterns of the HTML background color, the background color of the non-column area, and the page number in a well-balanced manner, and it is difficult to obtain a beautiful column printing result. .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and by automating a complicated manual selection operation required in the prior art, a beautiful multi-column printing result can be obtained without complicated operation and time. It is a first object of the present invention to provide a multi-column printing apparatus, a multi-column printing method, and a storage medium, which can always obtain.

Further, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned points, and is intended for an HT to be printed by an operator.
Provided is a column printing apparatus, a column printing method, and a storage medium which can eliminate the need to manually set an outside-column background pattern and a page number each time ML data is changed. For the second purpose.

Further, the present invention has been made in view of the above points, and has been made in consideration of the above-described problems, and has been made in consideration of the above circumstances. A third object is to provide a set printing apparatus, a column printing method, and a storage medium.

[0007]

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a multi-column printing apparatus having a function of multi-column printing HTML data.
The background color of the data is identified, and from the plurality of column outer frame background patterns that can be printed in the external area of the HTML data, a column outer frame background pattern having an appropriate hue for the identified HTML background color is generated. It is characterized by having control means for selecting and executing printing.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 2, wherein the control means selects the selected column from a plurality of page number patterns that can be printed between the HTML data and a column external region. It is characterized in that a printing is executed by selecting a page number pattern having an appropriate hue for the outer frame background pattern.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that the control means sets the background color of the HTML data to a simple background color in the HTML data.
OLOR> tag is referred to as the first priority, and a column-based outer frame background pattern having an appropriate hue is determined.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that the control means, when the <BGCOLOR> tag does not exist in the HTML data, sets a background image in the HTML data as a second priority. Analyzing the image file linked by the <BACKGROUND> tag indicating that the image has the representative color, the representative color of the image file is determined, and the column outer frame background pattern having an appropriate tint for the representative color is determined. .

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that the control means is configured to control the <BACKGROUND
> As a result of analyzing the image file linked by the tag, if the representative color cannot be determined, a dialog window in which a column outer frame background pattern and a page number pattern can be manually selected is displayed, and an external input based on the display is performed. It is characterized in that each pattern is selected.

In order to achieve the above object, according to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the control means includes the step of setting the <BGCOLOR> tag and the <BACKGROUN> in the HTML data.
D> When neither tag exists, a dialog window is displayed in which a column outer frame background pattern and a page number pattern can be manually selected, and each pattern is selected by an external input based on the display.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 7, wherein the control means sets the HTML as the selected column outer frame background pattern or page number pattern.
It is characterized in that a pattern of a similar color to the color of the data or the column outer frame background and a dark color pattern with a predetermined magnification increase is selected.

In order to achieve the above object, according to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the control means narrows down the selected pattern to several types, not limited to one type, and can manually select the narrowed-down pattern. A dialog window is displayed, and each pattern is selected by an external input based on the display.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 9 is characterized in that the control means sets the pattern narrowing method to a color similar to the color of the HTML data or the color of the column outer frame background and to a predetermined color. It is characterized in that several types of dark color patterns with a predetermined magnification increase are selected in order from the closest one.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 10 is a storage means for storing the plurality of column outer frame background patterns and the plurality of page number patterns, and a display means for displaying the dialog window. A printing unit for performing the column printing, and a communication unit for receiving the HTML data from an external device on the Internet.

To achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 11 is a column printing method applied to a column printing apparatus having a function of column printing HTML data, wherein a background color of the HTML data is provided. And the HTM
A control step of selecting a column outer frame background pattern having an appropriate hue for the identified HTML background color from a plurality of column outer frame background patterns that can be printed in an external region of the L data and executing printing. It is characterized by having.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the control step, the selected column is selected from a plurality of page number patterns printable between the HTML data and a column external region. It is characterized in that a printing is executed by selecting a page number pattern having an appropriate hue for the outer frame background pattern.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the control step, the background color of the HTML data represents a simple background color in the HTML data.
The GCOLOR> tag is referred to as the first priority, and a multi-column outer frame background pattern having an appropriate hue is determined.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 14 is characterized in that in the control step, if the <BGCOLOR> tag does not exist in the HTML data, the background image in the HTML data is given second priority. Analyzing the image file linked by the <BACKGROUND> tag indicating that the image has the representative color, the representative color of the image file is determined, and the column outer frame background pattern having an appropriate tint for the representative color is determined. .

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 15 is characterized in that, in the control step, the <BACKGROU
If the representative color cannot be determined as a result of analyzing the inside of the image file linked by ND> tag, a dialog window in which a column outer frame background pattern and a page number pattern can be manually selected is displayed, and an external input based on the display is performed. Is used to select each pattern.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to a sixteenth aspect is characterized in that in the control step, the <BGCOLOR> tag and the <BACKGRO> are included in the HTML data.
When both UND> tags do not exist, a dialog window in which a column outer frame background pattern and a page number pattern can be manually selected is displayed, and each pattern is selected by an external input based on the display.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 17 is characterized in that in the control step, the HT is selected as the selected column outer frame background pattern or page number pattern.
It is characterized in that a pattern of a similar color to the color of the ML data or the column outer frame background and a dark color pattern with a predetermined magnification increase is selected.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 18 is characterized in that in the control step, the pattern to be selected is narrowed down to several types without being limited to one type, and the narrowed-down pattern can be manually selected. A dialog window is displayed, and each pattern is selected by an external input based on the display.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 19 is characterized in that, in the control step, the pattern narrowing-down method has a color similar to the color of the HTML data or the color of the column outer frame background and is predetermined. It is characterized in that several types of dark color patterns with a predetermined magnification increase are selected in order from the closest one.

In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to a twentieth aspect includes a storage step of storing the plurality of column outer frame background patterns and the plurality of page number patterns, and a display step of displaying the dialog window. A printing process for performing the column printing, and a communication process for receiving the HTML data from an external device on the Internet.

In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 21 is a computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing a column printing method applied to a column printing apparatus having a function of printing HTML data in columns. A possible storage medium, wherein the column printing method comprises: identifying a background color of the HTML data; and identifying the identification from a plurality of column outer frame background patterns printable in an external area of the HTML data. And a control step of selecting a column outer frame background pattern having an appropriate hue for the HTML background color and performing printing.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 22, wherein in the control step, the selected column is selected from a plurality of page number patterns printable between the HTML data and the column external region. It is characterized in that control is performed such that a page number pattern having an appropriate hue is selected for the outer frame background pattern and printing is performed.

According to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention, in the control step, the background color of the HTML data is given first priority by a <BGCOLOR> tag representing a simple background color in the HTML data. Referencing and controlling to determine an appropriate column outer frame background pattern of a hue.

To achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 24 is characterized in that, in the control step, if the <BGCOLOR> tag does not exist in the HTML data, the background image in the HTML data is given second priority. Analyzing the image file linked by the <BACKGROUND> tag indicating that the image has the representative color, determining the representative color of the image file, and controlling to determine an appropriate column-type outer frame background pattern having a hue corresponding to the representative color. It is characterized by.

According to a twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, in the control step, the <BACKGR
If the representative color cannot be determined as a result of analyzing the inside of the image file linked by the OUND> tag, a dialog window in which a column outer frame background pattern and a page number pattern can be manually selected is displayed, and external input based on the display is performed. Is controlled so as to select each pattern.

According to a twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention, in the control step, the <BGCOLOR> tag and the <BACKKG> are included in the HTML data.
When both the ROUND> tag does not exist, a dialog window is displayed in which a column outer frame background pattern and a page number pattern can be manually selected, and control is performed so that each pattern can be selected by an external input based on the display. And

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 27 is characterized in that in the control step, the HTML data or the color of the column outer frame background is used as the selected column outer frame background pattern or page number pattern. It is characterized in that control is performed so as to select a pattern of a similar color and a dark color with a predetermined increase in magnification.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, in the control step, the pattern to be selected is narrowed down to several types without being limited to one type, and the narrowed-down pattern can be manually selected. A dialog window is displayed, and control is performed so that each pattern is selected by an external input based on the display.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 29 is characterized in that, in the control step, the pattern narrowing-down method has a color similar to the color of the HTML data or the color of the column outer frame background and is predetermined. It is characterized in that control is performed such that several types of dark color patterns with a predetermined magnification increase are selected in order from the closest one.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 30 provides a storage step for controlling to store the plurality of column outer frame background patterns and the plurality of page number patterns, and displaying the dialog window. And a communication step of controlling to receive the HTML data from an external device on the Internet.

[0037]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an Internet device with a column printing function according to an embodiment of the present invention. An Internet device with a column printing function according to an embodiment of the present invention has a CPU (microprocessor).
1, ROM 2, RAM 3, keyboard (KB) 4, keyboard controller (KBC) 5, mouse (MS) 6,
Mouse controller (MSC) 7, buffer memory (A
BF) 8, a display device (CRT) 9, a display device controller (CRTC) 10, a printing device (PRT) 11, a printing device controller (PRTC) 12, a modem 13, and a modem controller 14. In the figure, reference numeral 15 denotes a bus.

More specifically, the CPU 1 is a central processing unit for performing various operations and logical judgments.
4 to 24 are executed. R
OM2 is a read-only memory used as a control memory, and has an input waiting process, a branching process, and a URL (Uniform Resource Loc) of an Internet device having a column printing function.
ator: address of the WWW server) a control program according to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 14 to 24 for various processes such as an input process, a multi-column print setting process, a multi-column print process, a normal print process, and an end process; Control procedures,
In addition, a management table and pattern data prepared by the present system are stored in advance. The RAM 3 is a writable random access memory, and is used when executing the control procedure stored in the ROM 2. The RAM 3 is used as a temporary storage of various data from each component and as a work memory and a variable area in arithmetic and logical judgment of the CPU 1. Used.

The keyboard 4 is for inputting characters, and has a CPU 1 on the keyboard 4 as shown in FIG.
Are provided. The keyboard controller 5 executes a key code conversion process (conversion to an internal code) for an input symbol from the keyboard 4. The mouse 6 is a device for indicating an operation target position. The mouse controller 7 is a device that drives the mouse 6, and controls mouse cursor coordinates, button press control, and the like. The buffer memory 8 stores HTML data and HT
GIF (Graphic Interchange Format:
This is a storage device for temporarily storing image data such as a color still image compression method) image.

The display device 9 is a device using a cathode ray tube (CRT) and using a liquid crystal, a light emitting diode and the like.
A GIF image and the like attached to the TML and a mouse cursor and the like are displayed. The display device controller 10 is a device for driving the display device 9. The display device controller 10 controls the positioning of a character string to be displayed at the cursor position on the screen, and converts the character string into dot pattern data by referring to an internal character generator to display characters. Display control or icon information,
It performs display control of image information and the like.

The printing device 11 is a device that prints HTML data displayed on the screen of the display device 9 and is configured as, for example, a bubble jet (registered trademark) full color printer equipped with a printing device controller 12. The printing device controller 12 is a device that controls the printing device 11, analyzes the image data, character data, control data, and the like transmitted from the CPU 1 through the bus 15, and drives the printing device 11. The modem 13 receives the HTML data of the specified URL on the server via the telephone line. The modem controller 14 controls the modem 13 for command setting and data transmission / reception.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of a key arrangement on the keyboard 4 of the Internet device with a column printing function according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, KB1 is a group of character keys used for inputting ordinary characters, numbers or symbols, and has, for example, a keyboard arrangement of the JIS standard.
Hiragana input from a kana key or the like, and kanji can be input by a kana kanji conversion function. The details are not directly related to the present invention and will not be described. A function key used to move the cursor (operation instruction position) and issue an instruction to execute a function is arranged on the KB 2. Four direction cursor movement keys "←""→" to instruct the operation of moving the target photo position
There are "↑" and "↓". There is an "execute" key for instructing confirmation of the operation, and a "cancel" key used for canceling the operation.

The function keys include a "URL input" key for instructing the start of inputting a URL, and a key used for manually setting a non-column background pattern and a page number pattern required for column printing. "Multi-column print setting" key, "Multi-column print" key for instructing start of multi-column print, "Print" key for instructing start of normal one-column print, "Exit" for instructing to end the Internet There is a key.

FIG. 26 is an explanatory view showing a conceptual example in which the program and related data of the present invention are supplied from a storage medium to the apparatus. The program and related data of the present invention are stored in a storage medium 261 such as a floppy disk or CD-ROM in the device 2.
It is supplied by being inserted into the storage medium drive insertion slot 263 provided at 62. Thereafter, the program and related data of the present invention are temporarily installed on the hard disk from the storage medium 261 and loaded into the RAM from the storage medium 261, or directly loaded into the RAM without being installed on the hard disk, so that the program and the related data of the present invention are stored. It is possible to execute.

In this case, when the program of the present invention is executed in the Internet device with the column printing function according to the embodiment of the present invention, the program of the present invention and related data are stored in the Internet device with the column printing function in advance. Alternatively, the program can be executed by supplying the program of the present invention and the related data to the Internet device having the column printing function according to the procedure shown in FIG.

FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of the storage contents of the storage medium storing the program and related data of the present invention. The storage medium of the present invention is, for example, volume information 2
51, directory information 252, a program execution file 253, a program-related data file 254, and the like. The program of the present invention is program-coded based on the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

The correspondence between the components in the claims of the present invention and the respective units in the Internet device with a column printing function according to the embodiment of the present invention is as follows. The control means corresponds to the CPU 1 and the program of the present invention executed by the CPU 1, and the storage means corresponds to the ROM 2.
, The display means corresponds to the display device 9, the printing means corresponds to the printing device 11, and the communication means corresponds to the modem 13.

Next, the operation of the Internet device having the multi-column printing function according to the embodiment of the present invention configured as described above will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 2 and FIGS. .

First, the difference between the multi-column printing result of Internet data according to the embodiment of the present invention and the multi-column printing result of Internet data according to the prior art will be described.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a printing result when HTML data with a background is printed in a multi-column printing by a conventional apparatus. On the other hand, FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a printing result when HTML data with a background is printed in a multi-column format on the Internet device with a multi-column printing function according to the embodiment of the present invention.

In the embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 4, in addition to the HTML data with a light pink background, a slightly dark pink outer column background is printed, A dark pink page number is printed below (shown in black and white in the illustrated example). In the embodiment of the present invention, the Internet device C
Under the control of PU1, it can be seen that the out-of-column background pattern and the page number pattern are automatically selected based on the background color of the HTML data, and as a result, a beautiful print result can be obtained without complicated operations.

FIGS. 5 to 7 are explanatory diagrams showing three examples in which the background color of the HTML data is focused on the Internet device with the column printing function according to the embodiment of the present invention.
The automatic pattern selection method differs depending on the format of the HTML data.

FIG. 5 shows a simple background color <BGCOLO
This is an example in the case of HTML data including an R> tag. In the embodiment of the present invention, a method is adopted in which the background color outside the column and the page number color are determined based on the color of the <BGCOLOR> tag, and a pattern having a color close thereto is automatically selected.

FIG. 6 shows having a background image <B
ACKROUND> is an example of HTML data including a tag. In the embodiment of the present invention, <BGCOLO
A search is performed within the image file indicated by the R> tag, and a representative color of the image file is obtained. Then, a method of determining a background color outside the column and a page number color based on the representative color and automatically selecting a pattern having a color close to the background color and the page number color is adopted.

FIG. 7 shows the <BGCOLOR> tag and the <BAC
This is an example in the case of HTML data including both KGROUND> tag. In the embodiment of the present invention, in this case, <
BGCOLOR> is used as a reference to determine the pattern of the background outside the column and the page number. This is because even when the background image is complex data and the representative color cannot be determined by the image analysis processing, the HTML data is <
This is a method devised to obtain a beautiful print result by intentionally defining a representative color with a BGCOLOR> tag.

FIG. 8 shows a dialog displayed on the screen of the display device 9 when the operator presses the column printing setting key of the keyboard 4 in the Internet device with the column printing function according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows a window. Two items can be set in the dialog window. One is the background setting outside the □ column, which can be selected from three types: "automatic", "manual setting", and "no".

The page number setting can be similarly selected from three types. The automatic selection of the out-of-column background pattern and the page number pattern according to the embodiment of the present invention is performed when the operator has selected "automatic" of this item. In the case of "manual", the operator absolutely decides the pattern by a complicated operation by himself / herself, and in the case of "none", the background outside the column and the page number are not printed.

FIG. 9 shows an example of the Internet device with a column printing function according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a non-column background manual setting dialog window displayed on the screen. In this example, 50 types of various colors and patterns are displayed in the dialog window. The operator finds out of the 50 types that match the background of the currently displayed HTML data and manually sets it. If good results cannot be obtained by display or printing, this manual setting will be performed again.

FIG. 10 shows the screen of the display device 9 when the cursor of the page number setting is moved to the manual setting in the dialog window of FIG. 8 in the Internet device with the column printing function according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a page number manual setting dialog window displayed in FIG. In this example, 18 types of various colors and patterns are displayed in the dialog window. The operator searches among the 18 types and finds one that matches the background of the currently displayed HTML data and the non-column background pattern, and manually sets it. If good results cannot be obtained by display or printing, this manual setting will be performed again.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory view showing a dialog window displayed on the display device 9 after narrowing down patterns in an Internet device with a column printing function according to another embodiment of the present invention. In the above embodiment, only one type of the pattern outside the column and the page number is automatically selected, whereas in another embodiment, the narrowed candidate patterns are displayed as a narrowed pattern dialog, and the In addition, it is possible to reduce the operation burden on the user and add intention, and obtain an appropriate result. It should be noted that the candidate pattern has a feature in which both the background outside the column structure and the page number candidate are simultaneously displayed and can be selected.

The patterns shown in FIGS. 9 to 11 are actually colored in blue, red, green, purple, yellow, pink, etc., but are shown in the drawings for convenience. Shall be represented by a simple pattern.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing constituent elements of each table required on the ROM 2 to realize the present invention in the Internet device with a column printing function according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is composed of two patterns, a pattern storage table that stores the actual data and a management table that manages them. The management table includes a variable for storing the head address of the pattern and a variable for storing color information of the pattern. Further, the management table and the pattern storage table are provided in two types, one for the background outside the column and the one for the page number. Specifically, these automatic selections are performed by referring to the color information in the management table, and the pattern data at the time of printing is obtained by referring to the pattern storage address.

FIG. 13 shows a variable group provided on the RAM 3 and a method of using a buffer memory stored on the RAM 3 for realizing the present invention in the Internet device having a column printing function according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
The variable group includes an HTML background color, a non-column background color, a number of a non-column background pattern having a non-column background color, a variable for storing the page number pattern number, and each address variable for managing the buffer memory. Have been. The buffer memory caches and holds the HTML data of the designated URL and the image data accompanying the HTML data.

Next, the main control method (input waiting processing, URL input processing, column printing setting processing, and the like) in the Internet device with the column printing function according to the embodiment of the present invention.
The out-of-column background automatic setting process, the page number automatic setting process, the automatic pattern selection process, the multi-column printing process, and the automatic pattern selection process (another embodiment) will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a browser main process (input waiting process) in the Internet device with a column printing function according to the embodiment of the present invention. First, when the power of the present apparatus is turned on, the present processing is started. After the initialization process is performed, the process enters a state of waiting for input of keys or the like of the keyboard 4 in step S1. When a key operation is performed by the operator, the content is determined in step S2, and distribution is performed to appropriate processing. Step S3 ~
Step S7 is the function processing group that has been allocated in step S2.

When the URL input key has been operated, the URL input process of step S3 is started. When the column printing setting key is operated, the column printing setting process of step S4 is started. When the column printing key is operated, the column printing process of step S5 is started. When the print key is operated, the print processing of step S6 is started. After the processing of steps S3 to S6, the above-described step S6
It is in a state of waiting for input of 1. Then, when the end key is operated, the end process of step S7 is started, and after the process, the present system ends and the power is turned off.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a URL input process in the Internet device with a column printing function according to the embodiment of the present invention. First, step S
The HTML data of the URL name input in step 11 is received from the server. To explain in more detail, a communication program is stored in the ROM 2, and TCP / IP (Tran
The reception process is performed via the modem 13 according to a protocol such as a smission control protocol / Internet protocol.

Next, at step S12, the received H
The TML data and the accompanying image data are stored in the buffer memory, and the storage addresses are stored on the management RAM provided in the RAM 3. Then, in step S13, the stored HTML data is rendered using the pixel width of the screen size of the display device 9 (coloring and shading).
The result of the rendering process is displayed as a character string and image data on the screen of the display device 9 in step S14, and control is returned to the caller.

FIGS. 16 and 17 are flowcharts showing the procedure of the multi-column print setting process in the Internet device with the multi-column print function according to the embodiment of the present invention. When this process is started, first, in step S21, the dialog window shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the display device 9, and the operation waits for a key operation from the keyboard 4. When a key operation is performed, a process corresponding to the key operation is performed in step S22.
Start with When the operation of moving the cursor outside the column to manual setting is performed, the processing of step S23 and step S24 is performed. In step S23, the outside-column background manual setting dialog window shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the display device 9, and the number of the background pattern selected by the operator on the dialog window is managed.
The process of saving to mltBgPatNumber in AM is step S2
4 is performed.

Similarly, when the operation of moving the cursor of the page number to the manual setting is performed, step S2
5. The process of step S26 is performed. Step S25
In step S26, the page number manual setting dialog window shown in FIG. 10 is displayed on the display device 9, and the page number pattern number selected by the operator on the dialog window is stored in mltPageNumber in the management RAM in step S26. Will be

If the execution key is pressed in the column setting dialog window, steps S27 to S2
9 is executed. First, in step S27, the position outside the column and the cursor designated position of the page number are acquired. If the non-column background has been designated as automatic, the non-column background automatic setting processing function is called in step S28 to perform the automatic setting process of the non-column background pattern. Similarly, if the page number has been set to automatic, the page number pattern automatic setting processing function is called in step S29, and the page number pattern automatic setting processing is performed.

Although not described in this flowchart,
If "None" was selected, mltBgPatNumber and ml
In “tPageNumber”, “0” is stored as a value indicating that the background outside the column and the page number of the column are not printed. Finally, the number for which the cancel key is pressed in the column setting dialog window invalidates all operations performed in the dialog window and returns control to the caller.

FIGS. 18 and 19 are flowcharts showing the procedure of the automatic setting process of the background outside the column in the Internet device with the column printing function according to the embodiment of the present invention.
This process is started when the non-column background is automatically designated by the column printing setting process of FIGS. 16 and 17 and the execution key is pressed. First, in step S40, a search is made in the HTML data currently displayed on the screen and stored in the buffer memory. In step S41, <BGCOLOR
It is determined whether or not there is a> tag. If there is a <BGCOLOR> tag, the processing of steps S42 to S45 is performed.

At step S42, the color of the <BGCOLOR> tag is stored in bgColor of the management RAM, and at step S43
Executes the pattern automatic setting processing function in the non-column background mode. Since the selected color and pattern number are returned from the pattern automatic setting processing function, the selected color and pattern number are returned to the variables mltBgColor and mltBgPatNu in step S44 and step S45.
Store in mber and return control to caller.

In the above step S41, <BGCOLOR>
If it is determined that there is no tag, then in step S46, <
A search is performed to determine whether there is a BACKGROUND> tag. <B
If the <ACKGROUND> tag exists, <BAC
The inside of the image file indicated by the KGROUND> tag is analyzed to obtain a representative color. When a plurality of colors are used in a mixed manner, the color having the highest frequency is determined as the representative color. However, the frequency may be uniform and the representative color may not be determined in some cases. For this purpose, it is determined in step S48 whether or not the representative color has been obtained. Based on the result, the process is branched into two and the process is performed. If the representative color has been determined, the representative color is stored in the variable bgColor in step S49, the processing in steps S43 to S45 described above is performed, and control is returned to the caller.

If the representative color has not been determined in step S48, the processing in steps S50 to S52 is performed. Since the representative color of the reference HTML background is not determined, the non-column background pattern and the page number pattern cannot be automatically selected. In this case, the manual setting process is started. That is, the outside-column background manual setting dialog window is started in step S50, and the outside-column background color and pattern number manually selected by the operator in steps S51 and S52 are stored in the color variables mltBgColor and mltBgPatNumber. Return control to

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a page number pattern automatic setting process in the Internet device having a column printing function according to the embodiment of the present invention.
In step S60, the pattern automatic setting processing function is executed in the page number mode. Since the selected pattern numbers are returned from the pattern automatic setting processing function, they are stored in a variable mltPagePatNumber in step S61.
Return control to caller.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the pattern automatic setting process in the Internet device having the column printing function according to the embodiment of the present invention. This processing has two functions, that is, a function for obtaining an out-of-column background pattern and a function for obtaining a page number pattern. The processing branches depending on the input mode. The branch is determined in step S70,
In the case of the out-of-column background pattern selection mode, step S71
Step S72 is performed. In step S70, the value color of the variable bgColor is referred to, and a background pattern outside the column of 10% darker color similar to the value color, for example, is searched from the background management table (FIG. 12) of the ROM 2, and the color and the pattern number are determined. The process of returning in step S72 as a return value is performed.

In the case of the page number pattern selection mode in step S70, step S73, step S72
Are executed in this order. In step S73, the variable mltB
Refer to the value color of gColor, and use a color similar to that value color, for example, 10
A page number pattern of% dark color is searched from the page number management table (FIG. 12) of the ROM 2, and a process of returning the pattern number as a return value in step S72 is performed.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a column printing process in the Internet device with a column printing function according to the embodiment of the present invention. As described with reference to FIG. 14 above, when the column printing key is pressed in the browser main process, this process is started, and the processes in steps S80 to S83 are performed. The multi-column printing result subjected to the printing process is output.

First, in step S80, a bitmap drawing of a background pattern outside a column is performed on the printing page memory with reference to the variable mltBgPatNumber. Next, in step S81, similarly, the variable
Draw column number page number pattern by referring to mltPagePatNumber. Then, in step S82, the HTML data and the accompanying image file are rendered in a column format with respect to the paper size, and the actual HTML data is drawn on the print page memory in the overwrite mode.

The drawing in the page memory for printing is completed, and the creation of bit map data for one page is completed. In step S83, these are cut out in raster units, a printer command is added, and the printing device 9 ( In this embodiment, output to a bubble jet full color printer)
Finally, the printing apparatus 9 outputs the result of the column printing that has been subjected to the column printing processing of the present invention.

FIG. 23 and FIG. 24 are flowcharts showing the procedure of the automatic pattern selection processing in the Internet device with the column printing function according to another embodiment of the present invention. The method according to the above-described embodiment of the present invention is to determine one type of pattern in the automatic selection process. On the other hand, another embodiment is a method to narrow down to several types of patterns by the automatic selection process. . The description will be made in order. First, the input mode is determined in step S90. There are three input modes: a mode for automatically selecting both the non-column background pattern and the page number pattern, a mode for automatically selecting only the non-column background pattern, and a mode for automatically selecting only the page number pattern.

In step S90, which of the above three modes is determined, if it is determined that both the non-column background pattern and the page number pattern are to be automatically selected, the processing in steps S91 to S94 is executed. In step S91, five out-of-column background patterns of a similar color to bgColor, for example, 10% or more, are selected from the closest ones by referring to the background management table (FIG. 12) of the ROM 2 and the RAM.
3 temporarily stores the pattern number. At this time, the closest column background color is stored in mltBgColor. next,
In step S92, five ROIs of similar page number patterns similar to mltBgColor, for example, 10% or more,
The pattern number is selected with reference to the M2 page number management table (FIG. 12), and the pattern number is temporarily stored in the RAM 3.

Each of the five patterns selected in steps S91 and S92 is divided into steps S93 and S93.
Then, the dialog window shown in FIG. Then, in step S94, the numbers of the column background pattern and the page number pattern determined by the operator in the narrowing down dialog window are stored in mltBgPatNumber and mltPagePatNumber, and control is returned to the caller.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S90 that the mode is such that only the background pattern outside the column is automatically selected, then in step S95, the background pattern outside the column with a similar color to bgColor, for example, 10% or more dark color is selected. 5 ROM2
With reference to the background management table of FIG.
The pattern number is temporarily stored on M3, and step S9
In step 3, a narrow-down dialog window is displayed on the display device 9, and the determined out-of-column background color is stored in mltBgColor, and the pattern number is stored in mltBgPatNumber. In this case, control is performed so that only the background pattern outside the column is displayed in the narrowing-down dialog window on the display device 9.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S90 that the mode is a mode in which only the page number pattern is automatically selected, then in step S95, the five ROM numbers which are similar to the mltBgColor and are, for example, 10% or more darker in color are read from the ROM.
2 is selected with reference to the page number management table (FIG. 12), the pattern number is temporarily stored in the RAM 3, and a narrowing-down dialog window is displayed on the display device 9 in step S93, and the determined page number pattern number is displayed. Is stored in mltPageNumber. In this case, control is performed so that only the page number pattern is displayed in the narrowing-down dialog window on the display device 9.

As described above, according to the Internet device with the column printing function according to the embodiment of the present invention,
ROM 2 for storing a plurality of column outer frame background patterns and a plurality of page number patterns, a display device 9 for displaying a dialog window, a printing device 11 for performing column printing, and a URL of a specified URL on an Internet server. HTML
The modem 13 that receives the data and the background color of the HTML data are identified, and the identified HT is selected from a plurality of multi-column outer frame background patterns that can be printed in the external area of the HTML data.
A column outer frame background pattern having an appropriate tint for the ML background color is selected, and the selected column outer frame background is selected from a plurality of page number patterns printable between the HTML data and the column outer region. Since the CPU 1 for controlling the selection of a page number pattern having an appropriate color for the pattern and the execution of printing is provided, the following operations and effects are achieved.

C of Internet device with column printing function
PU1 uses the HTML data for the background color of the HTML data.
The <BGCOLOR> tag indicating a simple background color in the L data is referred to as the first priority, and a column-based outer frame background pattern having an appropriate hue is determined.

Also, <BGCOLO> is included in the HTML data.
<BACKGR> indicates that the tag has the background image in the HTML data as the second priority when the tag does not exist.
The representative color of the image file is determined by analyzing the inside of the image file linked by the OUND> tag, and the column outer frame background pattern appropriate for the representative color is determined.

If the representative color cannot be determined as a result of analyzing the image file linked by the <BACKGROUND> tag, a dialog window allowing manual selection of a column outer frame background pattern and a page number pattern is displayed. Each pattern is selected by an external input based on the display.

Also, <BGCOLO> is included in the HTML data.
If neither the <R> tag nor the <BACKGROUND> tag is present, a dialog window is displayed in which a column outer frame background pattern and a page number pattern can be manually selected, and each pattern is selected by external input based on the display.

As the column outer frame background pattern or page number pattern to be selected, a pattern of a similar color to the HTML data or the color of the column outer frame background and a darker color with a predetermined magnification increase is selected.

Further, the number of patterns to be selected is not limited to one but is narrowed down to several types, and a dialog window in which the narrowed-down patterns can be manually selected is displayed, and each pattern is selected by an external input based on the display. In this case, as a pattern narrowing-down method, several kinds of patterns of similar colors to the colors of the HTML data and the color of the column outer frame background and having a predetermined predetermined magnification and a darker color are selected in order from the closest one.

Therefore, in an Internet device with a column printing function, when HTML data is column-printed and a background pattern or page number is added to a background region outside the column printing, a complicated selection operation is not required. It is possible to automatically determine an appropriate color pattern and obtain a beautiful print result. In addition, even if the background color of the HTML data itself changes each time it is automated, it is possible to provide an apparatus that does not require an operation of selecting a matching non-column background pattern or page number pattern each time. Becomes That is, the effect is described as follows for each item.

(1) The background color and the background image data of the HTML data are automatically searched, and the background pattern and the page number pattern outside the column are automatically selected based on the contents thereof, thereby obtaining the complicated data required in the prior art. The effect is that the manual selection operation is automated, and the operator can always obtain a beautiful HTML data column printing result without complicated operation or time.

(2) By automatically selecting a non-column background pattern and a page number pattern based on the background color of the HTML data and the contents of the background image data, even if the operator changes the HTML data to be printed, for example. In this case, it is not necessary to manually set the background pattern outside the column and the page number each time.

(3) The background color and background image data of the HTML data are automatically searched, and the background pattern outside the column and the page number pattern are narrowed down to several types based on the contents thereof.
By displaying a dialog as a candidate, it is possible to reduce the number of complicated manual operations performed by the operator and to determine the multi-column printing result with the intention of the operator.

[Other Embodiments] In the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the case of an Internet device having a column printing function having the configuration shown in FIG. 1 has been described as an example. It is not limited to FIG.
Can be applied to the case where, for example, an external storage device (hard disk), an image reading device (scanner), a complex copying device with a printer function (multi-copying machine) and the like are connected.

Further, in the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the case of an Internet device with a column printing function alone has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and is provided with a column printing function. Internet equipment in company LA
The present invention can also be applied to a case where a plurality of devices are connected via a communication medium such as N.

Further, in the above-described embodiment of the present invention, a bubble jet printer has been described as an example of a printing device provided in an Internet device having a multi-column printing function, but the present invention is not limited to this. Instead, laser beam printers, electrostatic printers, electric discharge printers,
It can be applied to various printers such as a thermal transfer printer and a thermal printer.

The present invention may be applied to a system constituted by a plurality of devices or to an apparatus constituted by a single device. A storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or an apparatus, and a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or the apparatus executes the program code stored in the storage medium. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by executing the reading.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the functions of the above-described embodiment, 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, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk,
A CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, or the like can be used.

The functions of the above-described embodiments are implemented when the computer executes the readout program codes, and the OS or the like running on the computer is actually executed based on the instructions of the program codes. It goes without saying that a part or all of the above-described processing is performed, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in the memory provided in the function expansion board inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

[0106]

As described above, according to the column printing apparatus according to claims 1 to 7, the column printing method according to claims 11 to 17, and the storage medium according to claims 21 to 27, the HTM
Automatically search for background color and background image data of L data,
By automatically selecting the out-of-column background pattern and page number pattern based on the contents, the complicated manual selection operation required in the conventional technology can be automated, and the operator can perform beautiful HTML without complicated operation and time. An effect is obtained that a column printing result of data can always be obtained. Further, by automatically selecting the out-of-column background pattern and the page number pattern based on the background color of the HTML data and the contents of the background image data, even if the operator changes the HTML data to be printed, every time the operator changes the HTML data to be printed. The effect is obtained that the operation of manually setting the background pattern outside the column and the page number becomes unnecessary.

A column printing apparatus according to claims 8 and 9,
A column printing method according to claims 18 to 19, and claims 28 to 2.
9, the background color of the HTML data,
By automatically searching for background image data, narrowing down several types of out-of-column background patterns and page number patterns based on the contents, and displaying a dialog as a candidate, it is possible to reduce the complicated manual operation by the operator and add the will of the operator. Thus, the effect that the multi-column printing result can be determined is obtained.

Also, in the column printing apparatus according to the tenth aspect, the column printing method according to the twentieth aspect, and the storage medium according to the thirtieth aspect, the operator does not need to perform complicated operations and time, as described above. It is possible to always obtain beautifully printed columns of HTML data, and even if the HTML data is changed, there is no need to manually set the background pattern and page number outside the columns each time. The effect is obtained that the number of operations can be reduced and the result of multi-column printing can be determined by adding the intention of the operator.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an Internet device with a multi-column printing function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of a key arrangement in a keyboard of an Internet device with a multi-column printing function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a multi-column printing result of Internet data in a conventional device for comparison with a multi-column printing result of Internet data in an Internet device with a multi-column printing function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a multi-column printing result of Internet data in the Internet device with a multi-column printing function according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a case where a format focused on a background color of HTML data is dumped according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a case where a format focused on a background color of HTML data is dumped according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a case where a format focusing on a background color of HTML data is dumped according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a dialog window for operating column printing settings according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a dialog window for operating a manual out-of-column background setting according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a dialog window for operating manual page number setting according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a dialog window displayed after narrowing down patterns according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a background pattern entity and a page number pattern entity stored on a ROM of the Internet device with a multi-column printing function according to the embodiment of the present invention, and a state of a management table for managing them; is there.

FIG. 13 shows a buffer memory stored on a RAM of an Internet device with a multi-column printing function according to an embodiment of the present invention, and a variable for managing an address of data stored in the buffer memory and a color / pattern number. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the state of variables to be changed.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an input waiting process of the Internet device with a column printing function according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a URL input process of the Internet device with a multi-column printing function according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a multi-column print setting process of the Internet device with a multi-column print function according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a multi-column print setting process of the Internet device with a multi-column print function according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a non-column background automatic setting process of the Internet device with a column printing function according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a non-column background automatic setting process of the Internet device with a column printing function according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a page number automatic setting process of the Internet device with a column printing function according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing an automatic pattern selection process of the Internet device with a column printing function according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating a multi-column printing process of the Internet device with a multi-column printing function according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a pattern automatic selection process of an Internet device with a multi-column printing function according to a modification of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing an automatic pattern selection process of an Internet device with a multi-column printing function according to a modification of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of storage contents of a storage medium storing a program and related data of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram showing a conceptual example in which a program and related data of the present invention are supplied from a storage medium to an apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 CPU 2 ROM 9 Display device 11 Printer 13 Modem

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C087 AA09 AA15 AB01 AC05 AC07 AC08 BA06 BA07 BA14 BD31 CA02 CB20 2C262 AA24 AB13 CA01 CA04 CA07 EA02 EA04 EA08 5B009 QA11 RB21 RC01 RC13 TB03 5B021 AA01 LE01 LE001 LE09 LG09 LG09 KK42

Claims (30)

[Claims] 1. A multi-column printing apparatus having a function of multi-column printing HTML data, comprising: identifying a background color of the HTML data;
A control means for selecting a column outer frame background pattern having an appropriate hue for the identified HTML background color from a plurality of column outer frame background patterns printable in an external region of the TML data and executing printing. A multi-column printing apparatus, comprising: 2. The control unit according to claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of page number patterns printable between the HTML data and the column outside area, the page number having an appropriate color for the selected column outside frame background pattern. 2. The multi-column printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing is performed by selecting a pattern. 3. The control means according to claim 1, wherein the background color of the HTML data represents a simple background color in the HTML data.
2. The multi-column printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the BGCOLOR> tag is referred to as a first priority, and a multi-column outer frame background pattern having an appropriate hue is determined. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to determine whether the <BGCOLOR> tag does not exist in the HTML data.
A representative color of the image file is determined by analyzing the image file linked with a <BACKGROUND> tag indicating that the HTML image has a background image in the HTML data, and an appropriate column outer frame having a hue corresponding to the representative color. The multi-column printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the background pattern is determined. 5. The control means according to claim 1, wherein
If the representative color cannot be determined as a result of analyzing the inside of the image file linked by the UND> tag, a dialog window in which a column outer frame background pattern and a page number pattern can be manually selected is displayed, and an external input based on the display is performed. The multi-column printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein each of the patterns is selected by the following. 6. The control means according to claim 1, wherein said <BGCOLOR> tag and said <BACKGR
If both the OUND> tag does not exist, a dialog window that allows manual selection of a column outer frame background pattern and a page number pattern is displayed, and each pattern is selected by an external input based on the display. 6. The column printing apparatus according to any one of items 3 to 5. 7. The control means according to claim 1, wherein said selected column-outer frame background pattern or page number pattern is
3. The multi-column printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a color pattern similar to the color of the TML data or the multi-column outer frame background and a dark color pattern with a predetermined increase in magnification is selected. 8. The control means narrows down the pattern to be selected to several types without limiting to one type, and displays a dialog window in which the narrowed-down pattern can be manually selected, and receives an external input based on the display. 3. The multi-column printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the patterns is selected. 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the pattern narrowing method includes selecting a pattern having a similar color to a color of the HTML data or a color of a column outer frame background and a darker color with a predetermined magnification increase from a closer one. 9. The multi-column printing device according to claim 8, wherein several types are selected in order. 10. A storage unit for storing the plurality of column outer frame background patterns and the plurality of page number patterns; a display unit for displaying the dialog window; a printing unit for performing the column printing; 10. The multi-column printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising communication means for receiving the HTML data from an external device. 11. A multi-column printing method applied to a multi-column printing apparatus having a function of multi-column printing HTML data, comprising: identifying a background color of the HTML data;
A control step of selecting a column outer frame background pattern having an appropriate hue for the identified HTML background color from a plurality of column outer frame background patterns that can be printed in an external region of the TML data, and executing printing. A multi-column printing method, comprising: 12. In the control step, a page number having an appropriate hue for the selected column outer frame background pattern is selected from a plurality of page number patterns printable between the HTML data and the column outer area. The multi-column printing method according to claim 11, wherein the printing is performed by selecting a pattern. 13. In the control step, a background color of the HTML data refers to a <BGCOLOR> tag representing a simple background color in the HTML data as a first priority, and a column outer frame background pattern having an appropriate hue. The multi-column printing method according to claim 11, wherein is determined. 14. In the control step, when the <BGCOLOR> tag does not exist in the HTML data,
As a second priority, a representative color of the image file is determined by analyzing the inside of the image file linked by a <BACKGROUND> tag indicating that a background image in the HTML data is present, and an appropriate column with a hue corresponding to the representative color The outer frame background pattern is determined.
Column printing method as described. 15. In the control step, the <BACKKG
If the representative color cannot be determined as a result of analyzing the inside of the image file linked by the ROUND> tag, a dialog window in which a column outer frame background pattern and a page number pattern can be manually selected is displayed, and an external input based on the display is performed. The multi-column printing method according to claim 14, wherein each pattern is selected by the following. 16. In the control step, the <BGCOLOR> tag and the <BACK> tag are included in the HTML data.
If no GROUND> tag exists, a dialog window is displayed in which a column outer frame background pattern and a page number pattern can be manually selected, and each pattern is selected by an external input based on the display. 16. The column printing method according to any one of 13 to 15. 17. In the control step, as the selected column outer frame background pattern or page number pattern, a color similar to the color of the HTML data or the column outer frame background and a dark color having a predetermined magnification increase. 13. The multi-column printing method according to claim 11, wherein the following pattern is selected. 18. In the control step, the pattern to be selected is narrowed down to several types without being limited to one type, and a dialog window capable of manually selecting the narrowed-down pattern is displayed, and an external input based on the display is performed. 13. The multi-column printing method according to claim 11, wherein each pattern is selected. 19. In the control step, as the pattern narrowing-down method, a pattern of a similar color to the color of the HTML data or the color of the column outer frame background and a darker color with a predetermined magnification increase from a closer one. 19. The multi-column printing method according to claim 18, wherein several types are selected in order. 20. A storage step of storing the plurality of column outer frame background patterns and the plurality of page number patterns; a display step of displaying the dialog window; a printing step of performing the column printing; 20. The multi-column printing method according to claim 11, further comprising: a communication step of receiving the HTML data from an external device. 21. A storage medium readable by a computer storing a program for executing a column printing method applied to a column printing apparatus having a function of printing HTML data in a column format, wherein the column printing method is provided. Is used to identify the background color of the HTML data and to select, from among a plurality of multi-column outer frame background patterns printable in an external region of the HTML data, a column having an appropriate hue for the identified HTML background color. A storage medium having a control step of controlling to select a frame background pattern and execute printing. 22. The method as set forth in claim 22, wherein the controlling step comprises:
Control is performed so that a page number pattern having an appropriate hue for the selected column outer frame background pattern is selected from a plurality of page number patterns that can be printed between the data and the column outer area, and printing is performed. 22. The storage medium according to claim 21, wherein: 23. In the control step, the HTML
The background color of the data is controlled such that a <BGCOLOR> tag representing a simple background color in the HTML data is referred to as a first priority, and an appropriate column outer frame background pattern having a proper tint is determined. The storage medium according to claim 21. 24. In the control step, the HTML
If the <BGCOLOR> tag does not exist in the data, the image file linked with the <BACKGROUND> tag indicating that the HTML image has a background image is analyzed as the second priority, and the representative color of the image file is analyzed. 24. The storage medium according to claim 23, wherein the storage medium is determined so as to determine an appropriate column outer frame background pattern having an appropriate hue for the representative color. 25. In the control step, the <BAC
If the representative color cannot be determined as a result of analyzing the inside of the image file linked by the KGROUND> tag, a dialog window in which a column outer frame background pattern and a page number pattern can be manually selected is displayed, and an external input based on the display is performed. 25. The storage medium according to claim 24, wherein control is performed such that each pattern is selected by the following. 26. The method according to claim 26, wherein the controlling step comprises:
The <BGCOLOR> tag and the <BA
If both the CKROUND> tag do not exist, a dialog window is displayed in which a column background frame pattern and a page number pattern can be manually selected, and control is performed so that each pattern can be selected by an external input based on the display. The storage medium according to any one of claims 23 to 25. 27. In the control step, as the selected column outer frame background pattern or page number pattern, a color similar to the color of the HTML data or column outer frame background and a predetermined predetermined density increased dark color 23. The storage medium according to claim 21, wherein control is performed so as to select the pattern of (1). 28. In the control step, the pattern to be selected is narrowed down to several types without being limited to one type, and a dialog window in which the narrowed-down pattern can be manually selected is displayed, and an external input based on the display is performed. 23. The storage medium according to claim 21, wherein control is performed to select each pattern. 29. In the control step, as the pattern narrowing-down method, a pattern of a similar color to the color of the HTML data or the color of the column outer frame background, and a darker color pattern with a predetermined magnification increased from a closer one. 29. The storage medium according to claim 28, wherein control is performed such that several types are selected in order. 30. A storage step of controlling to store the plurality of column outer frame background patterns and the plurality of page number patterns, a display step of controlling to display the dialog window, and the column printing. The storage medium according to any one of claims 21 to 29, further comprising: a printing step of performing control so as to perform the control; and a communication step of controlling to receive the HTML data from an external device on the Internet.