Patent ID: 7412717

Claim:
An access control method for controlling an access to an image signal through a network, the method comprising steps of: receiving additional information indicating photographic conditions for the image signal through the network; comparing the additional information indicating the photographic conditions for said received image signal with additional information indicating photographic conditions for an access target image signal, and determining whether the photographic conditions for said received image signal and the photographic conditions for said access target image signal satisfy a predetermined relationship; granting the access to said access target image signal if a comparison result shows that the photographic conditions for said received image signal and the photographic conditions for said access target image signal satisfy the predetermined relationship; receiving the access target image signal and the additional information indicating the photographic conditions for the access target image signal; receiving a selection as to whether to restrict the access to said access target image signal; storing said access target image signal, said additional information on the access target image signal, and information as to whether the access to the image signal is restricted while relating the access target image signal, the additional information, and the information as to whether the access to the image signal is restricted to one another; receiving a request of the access to a stored image signal; determining whether the access to the access-requested image signal is restricted; and requesting transmission of an image signal including the additional information through said network to an access requester if the access to the access-requested image signal is restricted, and granting the access to the access-requested image signal if the access is not restricted.