 receiving method, an input operation may be performed by a single input operation unit or a number of input operation units, each having an ID number. Upon selecting the information concerning the presence of the displayed data by the input operation unit, the ID number of the operated input operation unit may be identified, and the management information registered in the management table in correspondence with the identified ID number may be checked. If there is no management information registered in the checked management table and if the information concerning the presence of the displayed data is selected by the input operation unit, the management information representing the information concerning the presence of the selected data may be registered in the management table in correspondence with the identified ID number. In contrast, if the management information representing the information concerning the presence of the data is registered in the checked management table, a request may be provided to the device on the network indicated by the management information registered in the management table in correspondence with the identified ID number to transmit data corresponding to the management information. In this data trans