JP2002112245A - Distribution method and distribution system or transfer system for image information - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system by which a user can easily confirm a state of an elderly person living alone, a state of a person requiring nursing and a state of an absent home from a visit place. SOLUTION: In the distribution method for image information, a terminal automatically transfers still picture data or moving picture data for a prescribed time to a specific site 2 configured to able to send/receive data to/from a network 1 and causes the site 2 to store the data when a predetermined condition is satisfied and the data are distributed via the network 1 to a terminal requesting data to the site via the network 1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for automatically transferring still image data or moving image data taken in a house to a server provided on a network, and viewing the data stored in the server. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a system that allows the user to know the indoor state from a distance.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a declining birth rate and an aging population are expected to continue. Along with this,
It is becoming an issue how to provide support and care for the elderly living alone, and the demand for services for providing support and care for the elderly is increasing year by year.

A conventional home security service handled by a security company (JP-A-11-232567)
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. HEI 10-101, in which various sensors are provided in the home of the administrator who has made a contract with the security company to receive the security service, and information detected by each sensor is online sent to the management center of the security company. If an error is found in the information received at the above management center, a security officer or the like belonging to the security company or contracting with the security company must be dispatched to the site. , Such as checking the situation.

[0004] In addition, if there is a person who needs care at home, at least regular observation is required depending on the degree of care, and when going out, the person can only walk near the house and the range of action is restricted. Was to be done.

[0005] Further, individual stress tends to increase as the number of households living alone and the social structure change, and cases of keeping various pets for "healing" are increasing. In such a case, it is worried about the appearance of the pet when leaving the house for going out or working, but it is not supported by the security company, and the daily expenses at the pet hotel are enormous, They could only return home early.

[0006] In addition, the number of dual-income households and single-parent households is also increasing, but the only way to confirm the child's returning status or staying home at home is by telephone. Was.

[0007]

In such a conventional technique, desired management / observation is possible by requesting a third party, but the cost is increased by the request of the third party, which is inconsistent with the current situation. Was something.

[0008] In most cases, these problems do not occur even if concessions are made to intermittent management / observation instead of continuous management / observation. In view of this point, the present invention takes into account intermittent management from outside. It is intended to provide a method and an apparatus for monitoring the inside of an absence house.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, there is provided a specific image processing apparatus capable of exchanging still image data or moving image data for a predetermined time with a network when a predetermined condition is satisfied. It is automatically transferred to the server and stored, and the data is distributed via the network to the terminal that requested the data via the network, and the data transferred to the server can be viewed via the network. is there.

[0010] Further, when predetermined conditions are satisfied, still image data or moving image data for a predetermined time taken by an electronic camera arranged at a predetermined position in a house is exchanged with a network. Automatically transfers and saves the data to a specific server that is configured to be able to determine whether or not the target data can be distributed based on a predetermined database in response to a data request made via the network When it is determined that distribution is possible, data is distributed, and the still image or moving image in the house transferred to the server can be viewed via the network.

When data is transferred to a specific server, the data is transferred via at least one of a telephone line and a network, and the data can be easily transferred to the server.

Further, the data is automatically photographed according to the set conditions, and is automatically transferred to the server according to a predetermined procedure, so that a still image or a moving image can be easily transferred. Things.

[0013] Further, the data stored in the server is determined based on a predetermined database, so that the third party cannot arbitrarily view the data.

Still image data or moving image data for a predetermined time is photographed at a predetermined time, at a predetermined time, or in conjunction with a switch operation, so that a still image or a moving image can be intermittently transferred.

[0015] Further, a server connected so as to be accessible to the network receives and saves still image data or moving image data for a predetermined time automatically transferred from a pre-registered user, and stores the data via the network. The server distributes data selected in accordance with a predetermined access right of a user who has requested the data, and allows the data transferred to the server to be viewed via a network.

Further, the server determines for each user a capacity for storing still image data or moving image data for a predetermined time which is transferred from a pre-registered user, and when the data transferred from this user exceeds the capacity. The old data is automatically deleted so that the data does not become too large on the server.

Also, an image photographing unit for photographing a still image or a moving image and converting the photographed image into data of a predetermined format is provided. When a predetermined condition is satisfied, the data converted by the image photographing unit is transmitted to a server existing on a network. At least one of which has an access right to transfer data via a telephone line or a network and is automatically transferred and stored in a server.

Also, an image photographing unit for photographing a still image or a moving image and converting the photographed image into data of a predetermined format is provided. When the predetermined condition is satisfied, the data converted by the image photographing unit is attached to an e-mail and The data is automatically transmitted to the set e-mail address to distribute the data.

Still further, when predetermined conditions are satisfied, still image data or moving image data for a predetermined time taken by an electronic camera arranged at a predetermined position in a house is attached to an e-mail and set in advance. Automatic transmission to the specified e-mail address, and whether the mail server specified by the e-mail address can distribute the target data based on a predetermined database in response to the data request made via the network Is determined and distribution is performed when it is determined that distribution is possible, so that a still image or a moving image can be viewed via a mail server.

Further, when predetermined conditions are satisfied, still image data or moving image data for a predetermined time taken by an electronic camera arranged at a predetermined position in a house is attached to an e-mail and set in advance. Automatically sent to the designated e-mail address, obtain data from the e-mail server specified by the e-mail address, publish the homepage arranged at a predetermined location on the network, and download the data made via this network. Able to view still images or moving images via a website that determines whether or not the target data can be distributed based on a predetermined database in response to the request and distributes the data when it is determined that distribution is possible It is.

Further, the predetermined condition is a predetermined time, a predetermined time, or a switch operation, and data is transferred intermittently.

[0022]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes the Internet, which indicates a network. Reference numeral 2 denotes a site on the Internet (Internet server), which is configured to be able to exchange data via the Internet 1.

Storage devices 3, 4, and 5 are connected to this site. For example, the storage device 3 stores information (name, address, contact information, settlement account,
The storage device 4 stores a database showing items such as a user ID, a password, a mail address, an access right, and the presence or absence of an option. Mail and outgoing mail) are stored in the allocated capacity range (the capacity can be expanded by adding an option), and the storage device 5 stores a predetermined capacity (capacity by adding an option) for each user ID. Can be expanded) and the user I
It stores the data transferred from the user identified by D.

Incidentally, these storage devices may be constituted by a single storage device, and the storage device 5 is actually
The total capacity of data stored in the storage device 5 for each user ID is calculated using a file system instead of being physically separated for each D, and this total capacity is set in advance for each user ID. When the transfer of data exceeding the capacity is configured to be refused, or when the total capacity of the transferred data exceeds the capacity set in advance for each user ID, the oldest data associated with this user ID Is configured to be automatically deleted.

Reference numeral 6 denotes a provider, which is used when a user having a terminal not directly connected to the Internet connects his / her own terminal to the Internet 1, and the user connects the terminal 8 via a modem and a telephone line. To a vacant port 6c of the provider 6 (a vacant port is automatically selected and may be another port), and a terminal (a device such as a personal computer that can be connected to the Internet) 8 is connected to the Internet 1 Is to be connected. Therefore, the terminal 8 can connect to the site 2. In order to use the service of this site 2, a user ID and a password for this site are required.

At this time, in order to confirm that the user is a contractor, the provider 6 requests a user ID and a password for the provider 6 according to a predetermined procedure, confirms the user, and then confirms the user. It allows login. When the provider 6 also operates the site 2, the service of the site 2 can be received with the access right established by the provider 6.

Reference numeral 9 denotes a provider intended for a wireless terminal such as a mobile phone, to which a mobile phone 10 having a function of connecting to the Internet is connected. The difference from the terminal 8 is that the screen area when displaying the site 2 via the Internet 1 is small (it cannot be too large because it is a telephone).
Can be treated in the same way as For a screen having a large screen area, a mobile personal computer combined with a mobile phone, a portable information device that can be connected to the Internet, or the like can be used.

Reference numeral 7 denotes an image information distribution device, which comprises an electronic camera unit 7a and a control unit 7b connected to the electronic camera unit 7a by signal lines and power lines. As the electronic camera unit 7a, a general-purpose type that converts the output of the CCD into an electric signal can be used, and the output of the CCD is sent to the control unit 7b via a signal line. The control unit 7b converts a signal sent from the camera unit 7a into image data of a predetermined format, and temporarily stores the image data in the storage unit 22.

The format of the image data is GIF format, JPEG (JFIF) format for a still image,
TIFF format, PNG format, AVI format for movie, M
A format that can be viewed with a general-purpose Internet browser such as a PEG format and a QuickTime format may be adopted, and there is no particular limitation. For example, a still image generally has a JPEG format, and a moving image has an MPEG format.

The electronic camera unit 7a has, for example, 10 pixels.
If it is about 10,000, still image data of 352 × 288 pixels can be obtained, and if it is a still image of 120 × 120 pixels, the size becomes suitable for a small device such as a mobile phone.

The image information distribution device 7 is a provider 11
(Automatically connected to a vacant port like the provider 6), and can be connected to the site 2. This provider 1
1 is directly connected to site 2 and provider 1
By logging in to 1, the user is simultaneously logged in to the site 2, and can transfer still image data or moving image data to the area corresponding to the user ID of the storage device 5 via the site 2. (In the case where an access right for permitting data transfer is set in the database of user information and an area is secured in the storage device 5) The distribution device 7 is a site via the provider 6 and the Internet 1 2, the data may be transferred to an area corresponding to the user ID of the storage device 5.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the outline of the image information distribution apparatus. In this figure, the camera unit 7a is a general-purpose CC.
The D module is housed in a case and can be separated from the control unit (body) 7b via a signal line and a power supply.
It is configured to be attachable to any position of the user.

The mounting position (arrangement) is such that the entire living room can be photographed for confirming the safety of the elderly living alone. A location where you can take a picture, a location where you can go out once a day and take a picture of the entrance, such as a location that does not extremely infringe on privacy, a location where you can take a picture of a caregiver for observation of a caregiver, A position where a person can be photographed, such as a position where a pet can be photographed, a position where a person entering the entrance can be photographed for crime prevention, and a position where a person / thing as a subject can be photographed are suitable.

The control section (main body) 7b is mainly composed of the microcomputer 21, and the still image data or the moving image data obtained from the camera section 7a is stored in the storage section 22 after erasing.
The new data is stored in the storage unit 22 via the microcomputer 21. The storage of the still image data or the moving image data is controlled by the microcomputer 21. In the case of the still image data, the data of one screen is stored. Store. For example, when storing a movie at 10 screens / sec, 50
The moving image data for one screen is 100 seconds of moving image data for 10 seconds, but the number of screens per second and the shooting time are not limited to this.

Reference numerals 22 and 23 denote telephone modular jacks. The modular jack 23 is connected to the telephone line of NTT, and a telephone is connected to the modular jack 24.
The control unit 7b is interrupted by the telephone line. Reference numeral 25 denotes a modem unit, which performs control and data transmission / reception when connecting to the provider 11 via a telephone line in accordance with a signal from the microcomputer 21.

That is, the state (voltage change) of the telephone line is detected, and when the telephone connected to the modular jack 23 is not in use (when the telephone is in use, after the telephone is not in use) After a predetermined time, a signal is sent from the microcomputer to the access point selected by the provider 11, and after the line is connected, a user ID, a password, and the like are transmitted to establish a connection (login). Next, a series of operations for transferring still image data or moving image data stored in the storage unit 22 are automatically performed by the microcomputer 21. The site 2 that has received this data adds the necessary information such as the data of the user ID and the data of the reception date and time, and transfers the data to the storage unit 5 for storage.

When data is transferred to the site 2 via the provider 6, after the connection to the provider 6 (connection to the Internet 1) is established, the still image data or the moving image data stored in the storage unit 22 is stored. Is similarly transferred. When logging in (accessing) to the site 2, the user ID and password stored for the site 2 are automatically transmitted to confirm the user and the access right.

Reference numerals 26 and 27 denote input terminals of an external trigger. When the terminals 26 and 27 are short-circuited,
The voltage applied to the input terminal of the microcomputer 21 changes, and the microcomputer 21 starts fetching still image data or moving image data from the camera unit 7a (storage in the storage unit 22) based on the change in the voltage. Following the completion of the import of the data, the process of transferring the data to the site 2 is automatically performed as described above.

The input terminal 26 is connected to a power supply via a resistor 28, and the terminal 27 is connected to a diode 29 connected in the forward direction.
The voltage is connected to the microcomputer 21 via the voltage dividing resistors 30 and 31, and the input terminals 26 and 27 are short-circuited, so that a voltage appears at the input terminal of the microcomputer 21.

Between the input terminals 26 and 27, for example, a switch that closes a contact when photographing is to be performed in response to opening and closing of a door, a switch that can be operated to close the contact when one himself wants to photograph, A switch configured to close contacts with the output of a human sensor (heat sensor) that responds to heat transfer of animals, etc., a remote control device using a telephone (for example, provided as an extension of an answering machine, A signal that is output to control devices such as an air conditioner), a switch that closes a contact, such as a switch that closes a contact, is connected to a switch that closes between the input terminals 26 and 27 in response to a timing at which shooting is to be started.

It is also possible to connect a device requiring power to the input terminals 26 and 27, and use a signal sent from the device (such as a signal obtained by superimposing a modulation signal on power) instead of a switch. is there. In this case, the microcomputer 2
In the first method, the modulated signal can be demodulated by software, or an external demodulation circuit can be added to a terminal to perform signal conversion.

Reference numeral 32 denotes a service outlet provided in the control device 7b, and an outlet 3 connected to a commercial power supply.
3, the power is branched. The C.I. T. An output corresponding to the power consumption of the electrical equipment connected to the service outlet 32 is provided to the microcomputer 21, and the microcomputer 21 determines the service outlet 32 based on the magnitude of this output. The operation / stop of the device connected to the CPU is determined, and the capture and transfer start of still image data and moving image data as described above are controlled. This threshold can be arbitrarily adjusted according to the electric equipment to be connected.

For example, when a television is connected to the service outlet 32, a series of operations of photographing and transferring still image data / moving image data are started by turning on the television.

Reference numeral 35 denotes a power supply circuit connected to the plug 33.

Reference numeral 36 denotes a display unit for performing display based on an output from the microcomputer 21. Reference numeral 37 denotes a group of switches connected in a matrix, and the operation state of each switch is detected by the microcomputer 21.

By operating the switch 37, the following operation settings are made while viewing the display 36. Environment setting: The telephone line connected to the modular jack 24 is an ISDN (digital) line / analog line, the telephone number of the house where the telephone number (image information distribution device) specified for this telephone line is installed, and the site to be connected (Fig. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the IP address / user ID of the site 2), the password / connection conditions (protocol to be used, etc.), the user ID / password / connection of the provider (provider 6 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1) when passing through the site. Conditions, time setting of internal clock, connection conditions: telephone number for access (phone number of provider), direct connection to site 2 / connection via provider, number of redials during talking (3 to 10), shooting Conditions: shooting trigger (short circuit of input terminals 26 and 27 / output of CT 34 / selection of specified time / setting interval),
Selection of still image / movie Setting of designated time: Set the start time of shooting in one day to 1
Set in units of 0 minutes. The set number can be plural, and the set time is set in units of 10 minutes in consideration of the total time required for one photographing / data transfer, but is not limited to this. Accordingly, the maximum number of times of photography per day (the number of times set) is the number of times obtained by dividing 24 hours by 10 minutes.

Setting of the setting interval: As in the case of the above, if the shooting is performed in units of 10 minutes, the minimum value of the shooting interval is 10 minutes, if the shooting interval is 24 hours, every other day, and if the shooting interval is 48 hours, 2 minutes. In this embodiment, the shooting is performed every other day, and the shooting interval can be set up to 99 hours and 50 minutes because of the display. The timing of the photographing interval is started when the photographing condition is switched to the set interval.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation when the photographing condition (photographing trigger) is set to "short circuit of the input terminals 26 and 27". The switch between the input terminals 26 and 27 is connected to this terminal. When shorted by
For example, when the human sensor detects a person (step S1)
The process proceeds to step S2.

In step S3, the microcomputer 21 starts photographing of the camera unit 7a, and stores photographed image data / moving image data in the storage unit 22. Next, the modem unit 25
A connection with the site 2 is established via the. This procedure detects the availability of the telephone line, and when the telephone line is free, automatically switches to the telephone number of the provider 11 set in the connection conditions (when the direct connection to the site 2 is selected). After confirming the communication conditions when the line is connected, the user ID and password of the site 2 set in the environment settings are transferred, and the user ID, password and access right are stored in the storage device 3 of the site 2.
The connection is established by matching the user information stored in the. When the connection is established, the process proceeds to step 4.

When passing through the provider 6, the user dials the provider 6, and similarly, the provider 6
After transferring the user ID and password used to establish the connection, the user moves to the site 2 of the address stored in the environment setting via the Internet 1 and transfers the user ID and password for this site, and transfers the same as above. A connection to site 2 is established.

In step S4, the still image data / moving image data stored in the storage unit 22 is transferred to the site 2.
At the site 2, information of a user ID and a reception date and time is added to this data and stored in the storage device 5.

When the data transfer is completed, the process proceeds to step S5, in which connection disconnection processing (logoff from site 2 and telephone disconnection) is performed to prepare for the next human feeling.

The input of the trigger in step S1 is the same as that of C.I. T. The same operation can be performed with the output of 34. When the designated time is selected, the set time is used as a trigger, and when the set interval is selected, the trigger is used at each set interval.

When viewing the still image / moving image transferred to the site 2 as described above, a terminal connected to the Internet (the terminal 8 shown in FIG. 1, the mobile phone 10, a personal computer, etc. Access to Site 2 with

The procedure for connecting these terminals to the Internet 1 is different for each individual device, and the description is omitted. However, in the terminal 8 in FIG. Provider 6 using password
To enable access to the Internet 1.

FIG. 4 shows that the terminal 8 receives the user ID from the site 2.
4 is a screen of an Internet browser when the user has moved to the user area using a password and a password, in which a list of still image data / moving image data stored in the storage device 5 and extracted by the user ID is arranged in chronological order.

Radio buttons 41 and 42 are used to select one of them. When the radio button 42 is selected, a function of adjusting data to an optimal size for viewing on a mobile phone becomes effective. The date and time when the data was received is sorted with new data on the upper side. The number of data is 10, but this number is changed by changing the setting of site 2 (adding an option).

This list of data is obtained when "specified time" is selected as a trigger for photographing for easy explanation. The current time is assumed to be around 13:00 on April 3, 2000, and the designated times are assumed to be 8:00, 12:00, 15:00, and 18:00. Up to the hour and minute are stored.

In this state, when the time is 15:00 and the photographing data at 15:00 is transmitted, the oldest "2000/2000"
The data of "04/01 08:00" is automatically deleted.

The user can select desired data, for example, "2000
By clicking "/ 04/03 08:00", data is downloaded to the terminal 8 and displayed on the browser of the terminal. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the data of the received moving image is displayed. The start screen 52 of the moving image data developed by dividing the area on the display unit 52 of the terminal 8 clicks the command button 53 (or the touch panel). Is pressed with a pen or the like in the case of adoption of a moving image), thereby reproducing the moving image.

In the above embodiment, the embodiment in which the still image data / moving image data is stored in the storage device 5 of the site 2 has been described. In the following embodiment, the image is attached to the e-mail and automatically distributed. An information transfer device will be described. The configuration of the image information transfer device can be substantially the same as the image information distribution device shown in FIG. The difference is that the connection destination is any provider that provides an e-mail service, and the connection is to a mail server of this provider. FIG.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the connection to the e-mail server of the site 2 is made via the provider 11.

When the connection to the site 2 is established, the control unit 7b automatically sends the e-mail to the preset e-mail address (the e-mail address set in the environment setting) via the e-mail service of the site 2. And still image data / moving image data are attached to the mail.

When viewing this data, the device can view general-purpose electronic mail and can reproduce and view still image data / moving image data attached to the electronic mail.

When the destination of the e-mail is transmitted by attaching a specific command to its own e-mail address (the same source and destination of the e-mail) set in the mail service of the site 2, The mail server automatically transfers the still image data / moving image data attached to the mail to an area based on the user ID of the storage device 5 and distributes the data in response to the data request via the Internet as described above. Is something that can be made possible.

[0065]

As described above, the image information distribution method and the distribution apparatus or the transmission apparatus configured as described above provide still image data or moving image data for a predetermined time based on a trigger generated when a predetermined condition is satisfied. Automatically transfer the data to a specific server that is configured to be able to exchange data with the network, store it, and send the data via the network to the terminal that requested the data to the server via the network. In this way, the still image data / moving image data can be viewed by receiving the distribution of the stored data from any place at a desired time.

In other words, it is possible to check the situation in the house at a desired time from whereabouts, and to check the situation of the elderly living alone, the state of the care recipient, and the state of the pet who is answering. And the like can be checked at an arbitrary timing from whereabouts.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the image information distribution device shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure for transferring still image data / moving image data.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a screen showing a list of data stored in a storage device.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram when reproducing moving image data on a terminal.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Internet 2 Site 3, 4, 5 Storage device 6, 11 Provider 7 Image information distribution device

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Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. When a predetermined condition is satisfied, still image data or moving image data for a predetermined time is automatically transferred to a specific server configured to be able to exchange data with a network. A method for distributing image information, comprising storing the data and distributing the data via the network to a terminal that has requested the data from the server via the network. 2. Transfer of still image data or moving image data for a predetermined period of time taken by an electronic camera disposed at a predetermined position in a house when a predetermined condition is satisfied, to and from a network. It is possible to automatically transfer and save the data to a specific server that is configured to be able to transmit and receive the target data based on a predetermined database in response to the data request made via the network. A method for distributing image information, comprising: distributing data when it is determined that distribution is possible. 3. The image information delivery method according to claim 1, wherein the data is transferred to the specific server via at least one of a telephone line and a network. . 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data is automatically photographed according to a set condition, and is automatically transferred to the server according to a predetermined procedure. 3. The method for distributing image information described in 3. 5. The image information according to claim 1, wherein distribution of the data stored in the server is determined based on a predetermined database. Delivery method. 6. The still image data according to claim 1, wherein the still image data or the moving image data for a predetermined time is photographed every predetermined time, at a predetermined time, or in conjunction with a switch operation. Distribution method of image information. 7. A server connected so as to be accessible to a network, receives and saves still image data or moving image data for a predetermined time automatically transferred from a pre-registered user and stores the data via the network. An image information distribution apparatus for distributing data selected according to a predetermined access right of a user who has requested data. 8. The server determines a capacity for storing still image data or moving image data for a predetermined time which is transferred from the pre-registered user for each user,
8. The image information distribution apparatus according to claim 7, wherein when the data transferred from the user exceeds the capacity in the previous period, old data is automatically deleted. 9. A server, comprising: an image photographing unit for photographing a still image or a moving image and converting the photographed image into data of a predetermined format, wherein the server converts data converted by the image photographing unit when a predetermined condition is satisfied on a network. An image information transfer apparatus which has an access right to transfer data via at least one of a telephone line and a network and automatically transfers the image data. 10. An image photographing unit for photographing a still image or a moving image and converting the photographed image into data of a predetermined format, wherein the data converted by the image photographing unit when a predetermined condition is satisfied is attached to an e-mail. A transfer device for image information that is automatically transmitted to a preset mail address. 11. A method in which still image data or moving image data for a predetermined period of time taken by an electronic camera arranged at a predetermined position in a house when predetermined conditions are satisfied is attached to an e-mail and set in advance. Automatically sending the data to the specified mail address, and distributing the target data based on a predetermined database in response to the data request made by the mail server specified by the mail address via the network. A method for distributing image information, characterized in that data is distributed when it is determined whether or not distribution is possible and distribution is possible. 12. A method in which still image data or moving image data for a predetermined period of time taken by an electronic camera arranged at a predetermined position in a house when predetermined conditions are satisfied is attached to an e-mail and set in advance. Is automatically transmitted to the designated e-mail address, the data is obtained from the e-mail server designated by the e-mail address, and a home page arranged at a predetermined position is made public on the network, and is made via this network. A method for distributing image information, comprising determining whether or not distribution of target data is possible based on a predetermined database in response to the data request, and distributing the data when it is determined that distribution is possible. 13. The image information transfer device or image information distribution method according to claim 9, wherein the predetermined condition is every predetermined time, at a predetermined time, or when a switch is operated.