Abstract: Authenticity output method and apparatus for outputting a verification result of authenticity based on digital data. An authenticity output method constructed by the steps of: registering information which is outputted together with the verification result of the authenticity based on the digital data into a personal table for verification; verifying the authenticity based on the digital data; and when the verification result of the authenticity based on the digital data is outputted, reading out the information registered in the personal table for verification and outputting it in accordance with the verification result. An apparatus for realizing those functions.

Abstract: A search service provided by an electronic data search system including a search center and at least one authorization center. The search center receives a search request from an information browsing apparatus and in response searches for URLs that are associated with a search condition included in the search request in a search database that registers URLs of Web pages, associating those URLs with respective search conditions. The search center presents the information browsing apparatus with link information to the detected URLs. When the search request also includes a condition that authorization by the authorization center be given, then URLs that are registered in the search database associated with the search condition, and registered in the authorization center are searched. Link information of detected URLs is presented to the information browsing apparatus and the authorization center registers URLs of Web pages opened by information disclosing persons who have been given authorization.

Abstract: A mark management server embeds a mark ID and so on in a specified mark image in response to a mark request from a WWW server, registers information related to a Web page corresponding to this mark ID in a mark management DB, and sends the mark embedded with the information to the server. The server attaches this mark to a created Web page, and registers the Web page in a Web page DB. A client terminal acquires a Web page from the server, reads information embedded in a mark, and issues a request for a search according to the mark to the server. The server references the DB, and sends information associated with a Web page corresponding to a specified mark ID to the terminal.

Abstract: Authenticity output method and apparatus for outputting a verification result of authenticity based on digital data. An authenticity output method constructed by the steps of: registering information which is outputted together with the verification result of the authenticity based on the digital data into a personal table for verification; verifying the authenticity based on the digital data; and when the verification result of the authenticity based on the digital data is outputted, reading out the information registered in the personal table for verification and outputting it in accordance with the verification result. An apparatus for realizing those functions.

Abstract: A search service that takes security into consideration is provided efficiently. When a search center 1 receives a search request from an information browsing apparatus 4, then, the search center 1 searches for URLs that are associated with a search condition included in the above-mentioned search request, from a search database that registers URLs of Web pages, associating those URLs with respective search conditions. Then, the search center 1 presents the information browsing apparatus 4 with link information to the detected URLs. At that time, when the search request includes not only the search condition but also a condition that authorization by an authorization center (or centers) 21-23 is given, then, URLs that are registered in the search database being associated with the above-mentioned search condition, and at the same time, registered in said authorization center (or centers) 21-23 are searched for, and link information to the detected URLs is presented to the information browsing apparatus 4.

Abstract: A mark management server embeds a mark ID and so on in a specified mark image in response to a mark request from a WWW server, registers information related to a Web page corresponding to this mark ID in a mark management DB, and sends the mark embedded with the information to the server. The server attaches this mark to a created Web page, and registers the Web page in a Web page DB. A client terminal acquires a Web page from the server, reads information embedded in a mark, and issues a request for a search according to the mark to the server. The server references the DB, and sends information associated with a Web page corresponding to a specified mark ID to the terminal.

Abstract: A method of managing an electronic mark using an agent includes the steps of filing an application of issuing the electronic mark together with user information to be buried in the electronic mark, entrusting generation of the electronic mark together with the information of the user who applied for issuance of the electronic mark and the original image information for representing original image data where the user information is to be buried; generating the electronic mark by burying the information of the user in the original image data represented by the original image information to be generated; and providing the generated electronic mark to a mark user who filed an application of issuing the electronic mark.

Abstract: In a method of aiding portal site making, a plurality of mount files are prepared, one of the plurality of mount files is displayed in accordance with selection by a user, a plurality of image/information files indicative of various services are prepared, and the image/information files are mounted on the displayed mount file in accordance with operation by the user. Each of the image/information files is made by embedding information indicative of the contents of the various services in images for identifying the various services through digital watermarking.