Abstract: There are provided a first section for acquiring image data; a second section for storing the acquired image data; a third section for acquiring accessory information; a fourth section for storing the accessory information; a fifth section for generating an image ID and an accessory information ID; a sixth section for embedding the image ID and the accessory information ID in the image data; a seventh section for extracting an image ID and an accessory information ID from a result of scanning of the index sheet; an eighth section for reading accessory information on the basis of the accessory information ID; a ninth section for selecting image data through use of accessory information; a tenth section for reading selected image data; an eleventh section for arranging the image data; and a twelfth section for sending index sheet images having the information embedded therein and the arranged album images.

Abstract: A system includes an image formation apparatus, an image retrieval server, and image storage servers, and a network for connecting them. The image formation apparatus forms an image based on image data, records the image data in a predetermined storing location on the image storage servers, converts the image data under a predetermined rule to generate an image identification information as a key in order to read the image data from the storing location, and outputs the image identification information. Upon reception of an image data retrieval request together with an image identification information, the image retrieval server determines that the image data whose result of conversion under the predetermined rule is equal to the image identification information, among at least one image data stored in a predetermined storing location on the image storage servers, is the image data to be retrieved, and outputs its information.

Abstract: There are provided a first section for acquiring image data; a second section for storing the acquired image data; a third section for acquiring accessory information; a fourth section for storing the accessory information; a fifth section for generating an image ID and an accessory information ID; a sixth section for embedding the image ID and the accessory information ID in the image data; a seventh section for extracting an image ID and an accessory information ID from a result of scanning of the index sheet; an eighth section for reading accessory information on the basis of the accessory information ID; a ninth section for selecting image data through use of accessory information; a tenth section for reading selected image data; an eleventh section for arranging the image data; and a twelfth section for sending index sheet images having the information embedded therein and the arranged album images.