Network printer for printing edited contents on a network and method for printing contents on the network

Abstract

The invention makes use of that fact that the layout of a web page providing a variety of contents is rarely modified but only the contents in the layout is modified. A network printer stores in advance a network address (for example URL) where contents are retained, location information of the necessary contents in the contents retained at an address site and described in a predetermined language (for example HTML) and the print layout information of the contents. The network printer accesses the site on the network with a preset timing, receives the retained contents, extracts the necessary contents from the received contents according to the contents location information, and prints the necessary contents according to the print layout information.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a network printer for automatically receiving, editing and printing contents on a network such as the internet and a method for printing contents on the network. [0003] The present application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-148548, which is incorporated herein by reference. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] A related art network printer is connected to a network such as a LAN and shared by a plurality of host computers. The main feature of such a network printer is limited to receiving a print job from the host computer connected to the network and printing images corresponding to the print job. [0006] ON the other hand, contents retained by a server on a network such as the internet are generally described in the HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language), obtained by using a browser installed in a host computer and displayed on the host computer screen. Neces...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention is a network printer that can print only necessary sections of content on a network in a customized layout. The printer stores in advance a network address, location information of the necessary content, and the print layout information of the content. The printer accesses the network at a predetermined timing, receives the necessary content, extracts the necessary content from the received content, and prints the necessary content according to the print layout information. This invention eliminates the need for accessing multiple web pages, selecting necessary content, and printing it every morning. It allows for a customized internet newspaper with multiple content sections in a desired layout. The printer can also automatically print specified content in a customized layout without requiring operation on the host computer. The invention provides a more efficient and efficient way to print network content.

Problems solved by technology

The main feature of such a network printer is limited to receiving a print job from the host computer connected to the network and printing images corresponding to the print job.

In case a plurality of web sites must be visited, it is necessary to perform a cumbersome operation of accessing each web site and select necessary contents on the host computer.

Further, contents retained in a web site may not always be composed of necessary information alone.

Images