Abstract: This invention discloses a server apparatus which can prevent direct reference to information that should be referred to only after a predetermined procedure, and a control method for the apparatus. The server apparatus of this invention analyzes address information contained in an information reference request and checks whether the address information contains system time added by the information server. If the system time is contained, it is compared with the current system time. Only when the difference between them has a predetermined value or less, the address information is determined as valid.

Abstract: A server apparatus which accepts the transfer of image data from a user who can access the apparatus through a network, and can limit image data whose transfer is accepted with various conditions is disclosed. The server apparatus according to this invention determines whether given image data is data that can be received, in accordance with the type of image input device contained in the additional information of the image data and the presence/absence of data such as photographing conditions and the like, thereby receiving only images photographed by specific input devices or rejecting images containing no information required for printing.

Abstract: A net database retains, for each user, information about a portable terminal and user information including designation of a destination of electronic mail. A determination module determines whether the contents of electronic mail received by a mail server are displayable at the portable terminal of a destination user. If it is determined that the contents are displayable, the electronic mail is sent to the portable terminal of the destination user. If it is determined that the contents are not displayable, the determination module determines the destination of the electronic mail in accordance with the user information. A conversion module converts the electronic mail data into a form outputtable at the destination. The converted data is provided to the destination apparatus, and a notification representing this is notified to the portable terminal.

Abstract: A net database holds, for each user, user information which contains information indicating a forwarding destination (FAX, Web, portable terminal, or the like) of a received e-mail message, and information indicating a destination to which a message indicating that an e-mail message is forwarded is to be sent. A site which includes a judgment module and conversion module converts a received e-mail message into a data format matching the forwarding destination designated by the user information using the self function or in collaboration with another site. The converted data is forwarded to a mail server, Web server, or FAX server in accordance with the designated forwarding destination. When the e-mail message is forwarded via the Web server or FAX server, a message indicating this is sent to a portable terminal via the mail server.

Abstract: A system for outputting electronic mail information, which cannot be fully displayed in a portable terminal in another terminal is provided. A mail server receives electronic mail information and determines whether or not the electronic mail information can be outputted in a destination (portable terminal) of the electronic mail information. If it is determined that the electronic mail information cannot be outputted, a P service server issues code information for outputting the electronic mail information in another terminal (P service terminal) and notifies the destination of that effect.

Abstract: A net database retains a user conversion setting table for designating the destination of electronic mail for each user. Based on the contents of the user conversion setting table of the user, a determination module determines the destination of electronic mail received via a mail server. The determination module uses an appropriate conversion module to convert the data of the electronic mail so as to match the output format of the destination. The determination module provides the converted data to the designated destination. Since the contents of the transmission information are converted into a data format corresponding to the capacity of a receiving-side terminal, appropriate information can be provided to the receiving-side terminal.

Abstract: This invention is a photosite which allows access from a cell phone to provide user-friendlier services. The photosite creates an ID (S6501) and creates a character string Str from the ID by combining numerals and alphabetical characters by using a storage unit which stores buttons 0 to 9 of the cell phone and the number of alphabetical characters assigned to the respective buttons in correspondence with each other (S6502-S6507). In this case, a character string is created such that any two consecutive characters are assigned to different keys.

Abstract: This invention is a photosite which allows access from a cell phone to provide user-friendlier services. The photosite creates an ID (S6501) and creates a character string Str from the ID by combining numerals and alphabetical characters by using a storage unit which stores buttons 0 to 9 of the cell phone and the number of alphabetical characters assigned to the respective buttons in correspondence with each other (S6502–S6507). In this case, a character string is created such that any two consecutive characters are assigned to different keys.

Abstract: In the present invention, a user allows a computer to execute application software to display an object on a display and to move the object by dragging and dropping it using a pointing device, thus providing instructions of insertion or replacement of the displayed object. When the user drags and drops an object on a screen displayed on the display in accordance with the application software, an area corresponding to a position where the object is dragged or dropped is emphasized. Accordingly, the user can easily see a position where the object is dragged and dropped. When the type of process to be performed on the object varies in accordance with the position where the object is dropped, the area is emphasized with an emphasis pattern corresponding to a process to be executed. Accordingly, the user can easily determine a position where the object is dragged or dropped.

Abstract: The object of this invention is to make both a user who saves contents data and a user who is permitted to browse the contents data can easily determine whether the contents data is an original without determining in each environment using a dedicated device or application. The user determines whether the contents data uploaded from a user terminal via a network is an original, and the determination result is stored in a memory. In response to an acquisition request of the contents data from the user terminal which uploaded the contents data or the other user terminal, the contents data is transmitted to the user terminal together with the corresponding determination result. Even if the terminal which uploads the contents data is different from the terminal which sends the contents data acquisition request, the user can determine only once whether the contents data is an original.

Abstract: This invention allows to control archive of data without any load on the operator of a service by automatically changing the archive condition in correspondence with product information related to the service. When data is to be archived in an apparatus connected to a network, the data archive period is changed on the basis of the information of a product related to the service, which is sent from the user. For example, when the archive condition is the archive period, control is executed to delete data that has expired.

Abstract: Disclosed is an information providing system for disclosing images by an Internet photo site. Disclosure of the images by the Internet photo site is reported to a third party allowed to view the images. If a change is made to a setting regarding viewing after the images have been disclosed, the third party for which the notification setting has been made is notified of the change of the setting regarding viewing.

Abstract: This invention discloses a server apparatus which can prevent direct reference to information that should be referred to only after a predetermined procedure, and a control method for the apparatus. The server apparatus of this invention analyzes address information contained in an information reference request and checks whether the address information contains system time added by the information server. If the system time is contained, it is compared with the current system time. Only when the difference between them has a predetermined value or less, the address information is determined as valid.

Abstract: A server apparatus which retains a data file transferred from a predetermined user through a network and provides an access service for the data file through the network is disclosed, in which unauthorized access to the data file can be prevented with a low processing load. When the third party is permitted to access the data file, the server apparatus according to this invention encrypts and generates an access code required for access on the basis of information managed in the server apparatus to specify the data file.

Abstract: This invention is a photosite which allows access from a cell phone to provide user-friendlier services. The photosite creates an ID (S6501) and creates a character string Str from the ID by combining numerals and alphabetical characters by using a storage unit which stores buttons 0 to 9 of the cell phone and the number of alphabetical characters assigned to the respective buttons in correspondence with each other (S6502-S6507). In this case, a character string is created such that any two consecutive characters are assigned to different keys.

Abstract: An information providing server is disclosed, which can protect information, provides excellent usability for users, and requires only a small processing load for user authentication. According to this invention, a communication device used by a properly authenticated user is caused to store cookie information as authentication information indicating that the user has been properly authenticated. If a direct browse request that directly designates browse information is generated, it is checked whether cookie information corresponding to the user is stored in the user PC which has transmitted this direct browse request. Control information for controlling to present information is transmitted only when the cookie information indicates that user authentication was properly performed in the past.

Abstract: A server apparatus which accepts the transfer of image data from a user who can access the apparatus through a network, and can limit image data whose transfer is accepted with various conditions is disclosed. The server apparatus according to this invention determines whether given image data is data that can be received, in accordance with the type of image input device contained in the additional information of the image data and the presence/absence of data such as photographing conditions and the like, thereby receiving only images photographed by specific input devices or rejecting images containing no information required for printing.

Abstract: A net database holds, for each user, user information which contains information indicating a forwarding destination (FAX, Web, portable terminal, or the like) of a received e-mail message, and information indicating a destination to which a message indicating that an e-mail message is forwarded is to be sent. A site which includes a judgment module and conversion module converts a received e-mail message into a data format matching the forwarding destination designated by the user information using the self function or in collaboration with another site. The converted data is forwarded to a mail server, Web server, or FAX server in accordance with the designated forwarding destination. When the e-mail message is forwarded via the Web server or FAX server, a message indicating this is sent to a portable terminal via the mail server.

Abstract: A net database retains, for each user, information about a portable terminal and user information including designation of a destination of electronic mail. A determination module determines whether the contents of electronic mail received by a mail server are displayable at the portable terminal of a destination user. If it is determined that the contents are displayable, the electronic mail is sent to the portable terminal of the destination user. If it is determined that the contents are not displayable, the determination module determines the destination of the electronic mail in accordance with the user information. A conversion module converts the electronic mail data into a form outputtable at the destination. The converted data is provided to the destination apparatus, and a notification representing this is notified to the portable terminal.

Abstract: A system for outputting electronic mail information, which cannot be fully displayed in a portable terminal in another terminal is provided. A mail server receives electronic mail information and determines whether or not the electronic mail information can be outputted in a destination (portable terminal) of the electronic mail information. If it is determined that the electronic mail information cannot be outputted, a P service server issues code information for outputting the electronic mail information in another terminal (P service terminal) and notifies the destination of that effect.