Image transfer device, control method, and program

Abstract

To reduce the time and effort required by a user when associating sorting conditions with the transfer destination of an image.SOLUTION: An image transfer device for transferring received images to a transfer destination includes management means for managing first information that stores sorting conditions used to sort the received images, association means for associating a sorting condition selected by a user from among the sorting conditions included in the first information with a transfer destination selected by the user, and transfer means for transferring the received images to a predetermined transfer destination.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 20

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to processing related to image transfer. [Background technology]

[0002] There is a method for automatically sorting images captured by a photographing device.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a method of assigning tag information corresponding to a sub-theme to images that match the sub-theme and classifying the images into folders using the tag information. However, the method in Patent Document 1 does not allow the user to select the folder into which the images are classified.

[0004] Patent document 2 describes a method in which conditions (sorting conditions) for images to be sent to an external web service are registered, and if a received image matches a certain sorting condition, the received image is sent to the external service corresponding to that sorting condition. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-5843 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-45352 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] It may be desirable to use the sorting conditions registered for sending images to one external service when sending images to another external service. For example, if an image that meets the sorting condition of including a person is registered to be sent to a backup service for backup purposes, the user may also want to send images that meet the same sorting condition to an editing service for image editing. However, with the method of Patent Document 2, even when registering the same sorting conditions as previously registered sorting conditions, the user must enter the sorting conditions from scratch, which is time-consuming. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The image transfer device disclosed herein is an image transfer device for transferring received images to a transfer destination, and is characterized by having a management means for managing first information in which sorting conditions used to sort the received images are stored, an association means for associating a sorting condition selected by a user from among the sorting conditions included in the first information with a transfer destination selected by the user, and a transfer means for transferring the received images to a predetermined transfer destination. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the technology of the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce the effort required of a user when associating sorting conditions with image transfer destinations. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an image transfer system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of an image transfer device and an image capturing device. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a functional configuration included in an apparatus that configures the image transfer system. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram of an image transfer system. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram of an image transfer system. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing examples of various types of information. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing examples of various types of information. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing examples of various types of information. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a main screen. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a sorting condition setting screen. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process for generating a sorting condition creation screen. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a sorting condition creation screen based on an object category. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a sorting condition generation process. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a sorting condition creation screen using blur and exposure correction. [Figure 15] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a sorting condition generation process. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a sorting condition creation screen based on photographic information. [Figure 17] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a sorting condition generation process. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a sorting condition creation screen that allows free combinations. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a main screen. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a related information generation screen. [Figure 21] 10 is a flowchart for explaining a generation process of a related information generation screen. [Figure 22] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process for generating related information. [Figure 23] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a sorting process. [Figure 24A] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a match determination process. [Figure 24B] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a match determination process. [Figure 25] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a transfer process. [Figure 26] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing examples of various types of information. [Figure 27]FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of an image transfer device. [Figure 28] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a main screen. [Figure 29] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a starting point selection history generation process. [Figure 30] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a related information generation screen. [Figure 31] 10 is a flowchart for explaining a generation process of a related information generation screen. [Figure 32] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process for generating related information. [Figure 33] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a sorting condition creation screen based on an object category. [Figure 34] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a sorting condition generation process. [Figure 35] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a sorting process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, the technology of the present disclosure will be described in detail based on embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the configurations shown in the following embodiments are merely examples, and the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to the configurations shown in the drawings.

[0011] <Embodiment 1> [Image transfer system configuration] FIG. 1(a) is a diagram showing an overview of an image transfer system 100 according to this embodiment. The image transfer system 100 includes a terminal group 101, an image capture and transfer system 102, an external service group 103, and a viewing terminal group 104. The terminal group 101 includes, for example, a terminal 107 and a mobile terminal 108. The image capture and transfer system 102 includes, for example, an image capture device group 109 and an image transfer service 112. The image capture device group 109 includes image capture devices 110 and 111. The external service group 103 includes one or more external services. An external service refers to a service such as a cloud service that is different from the image transfer service. The external service group 103 includes, for example, a storage service 113, an editing service 114, a microblog service 115, and other external services. The viewing terminal group 104 includes, for example, a PC 116 and mobile terminals 117 and 118.

[0012] A user 105 can use the image transfer service 112 and the external service group 103 via a terminal 107 or an image capturing device 110. The user 105 can perform various settings for the image transfer service 112 via the terminal 107, such as user registration, camera link settings, link settings with external services, and sorting settings. A user 106 uses the image transfer service 112 and the external service group 103 via a mobile terminal 108 and an image capturing device 111. The user 106 can perform various settings for the image transfer service 112, such as those described above, via the mobile terminal 108. An image 121 captured by the user 105 operating the image capturing device 110 and an image 122 captured by the user 106 operating the image capturing device 111 are transmitted to the image transfer service 112. The image transfer service 112 transfers images 123 and 124 to the external services with which the link setting is set. The images 121 and 123, or the images 122 and 124, may be the same image or may be different images.

[0013] Users 119 and 129 are users who use external services included in external service group 103. User 119 accesses an external service included in external service group 103 via terminal 116 or mobile terminal 117, and views images and information provided by the accessed external service. User 129 accesses an external service included in external service group 103 via mobile terminal 118, and views images and information provided by the accessed external service.

[0014] FIG. 1(b) is a diagram showing the configuration of the devices in the image transfer system 100. FIG. 1(b) shows the configuration of the image transfer system 100 related to, for example, a user 105. The image processing system includes a terminal 107, a photographing device 110, an image transfer device 120, image storage devices 130, 140, and 150, and a network 160. The image transfer device 120 is a device that provides an image transfer service 112. The image storage device 130 is a device that provides a storage service 113. The image storage device 140 is a device that provides an editing service 114. The image storage device 150 is a device that provides a microblog service 115. The terminal 107, the photographing device 110, the image transfer device 120, and the image storage devices 130, 140, and 150 are connected via a network 160. The network 160 is realized by, for example, a local area network (LAN) or the Internet, and enables mutual communication between the connected devices. The terminal 107 is, for example, a PC with a communication function, but is not limited to a PC. The terminal 107 may be any device capable of transmitting files to the image transfer device 120, such as a digital camera with an interchangeable lens, a compact digital camera, a smartphone, or a tablet with a communication function. The photographing device 110 is, for example, a digital camera with an interchangeable lens or a compact digital camera, but is not limited to these, and may also be a smartphone or tablet terminal with a camera function.

[0015] [Hardware configuration of image transfer device] FIG. 2(a) is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the image transfer device 120. The image transfer device 120 includes a CPU 201, a ROM 202, a RAM 203, a display 204, a keyboard 205, a secondary storage device 206, a network I / F 207, and a pointing device 208, and these components are interconnected via a bus 209. The CPU 201 is an arithmetic processing unit that executes programs stored in the ROM 202 or the secondary storage device 206 to control the components connected via the bus 209. The ROM 202 is a read-only memory that stores an OS and the like. The RAM 203 is a memory that temporarily stores data used when the CPU 201 executes arithmetic processing. The display 204 is a display unit that displays a UI screen and the like. The keyboard 205 and the pointing device 208 are input units that allow a user to perform various input operations. The secondary storage device 206 stores various programs, setting value data, a database (DB), captured image data, and the like. The network I / F 207 is an interface for connecting to a network such as a local area network (LAN), an intranet, the Internet, etc. The hardware configurations of the terminal 107, the mobile terminal 108, the image storage device 130, and the image storage device 140 are also similar to those shown in Fig. 2(a), and therefore a description of the hardware configurations of these devices will be omitted.

[0016] FIG. 2B illustrates an example of the hardware configuration of the photographing device 110. The photographing device 110 includes a CPU 211, a ROM 212, a RAM 213, a display 214, an input unit 215, a secondary storage device 216, a network I / F 217, and a photographing unit 218, all of which are interconnected via a bus 219. The CPU 211 is a processor that executes programs stored in the ROM 212 or the secondary storage device 216 to control the components connected via the bus 219. The ROM 212 is a read-only memory (ROM) that stores an OS and other information. The RAM 213 is a memory that temporarily stores data used when the CPU 211 executes arithmetic processing. The display 214 is a display unit that displays captured images, various UI screens, and other information required by the user. The input unit 215 is implemented by buttons, a touch panel, a microphone, and the like, and accepts user operations such as photographing instructions and various setting instructions. The secondary storage device 216 stores various programs, photographed image data, and photographing setting values ​​included in the accompanying information. The shooting settings include ISO sensitivity, shutter speed, exposure compensation, F-number, etc. The network I / F 217 is an interface for connecting to a network such as a local area network (LAN), an intranet, or the Internet. The shooting unit 218 is a module that converts light received by a shooting element such as a CCD or CMOS into an electrical signal and records it as an image.

[0017] [Device Functionality Configuration] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the functional configuration of each device constituting the image transfer system 100 of this embodiment. The terminal 107 has, as functional units, a control unit 301, a reception unit 302, a storage unit 303, an output unit 304, and a communication unit 305. The control unit 301 controls each component of the terminal 107. The reception unit 302 receives input from a user. The storage unit 303 stores in memory a program for transmitting a file to the image transfer device 120, data to be transmitted to the image transfer device 120, and input from the user. The output unit 304 performs display control for displaying an input screen for the program for transmitting data to the image transfer device 120, transmission results, summary information of the data on the image transfer device 120, and the like. The communication unit 305 communicates with the image transfer device 120 via a program for transmitting data to the image transfer device 120. The communication unit 305 transmits data specified by the user, receives list information of data managed by the image transfer device 120, transmits operations on data managed by the image transfer device 120, and receives operation results. Each functional unit of the terminal 107 is realized by the CPU of the terminal 107 expanding a program stored in the ROM into the RAM and executing processing in accordance with a sequence diagram described later. The execution results of each processing are stored in the RAM of the terminal 107.

[0018] [Functional configuration of the imaging device] The photographing device 110 has a control unit 311, a reception unit 312, a storage unit 313, an output unit 314, and a communication unit 315. The control unit 311 controls each component of the photographing device 110. The reception unit 312 receives input from a user. The storage unit 313 stores photographed images, a program for transmitting data to the image transfer device 120, data to be transmitted to the image transfer device 120, and input from the user. The output unit 314 displays an input screen for the program for transmitting data to the image transfer device 120, transmission results, summary information of the data on the image transfer device 120, and the like. The communication unit 315 communicates with the image transfer device 120 via a program for transmitting data to the image transfer device 120. The communication unit 315 transmits data specified by the user, receives list information of data managed by the image transfer device 120, transmits operations on data managed by the image transfer device 120, receives operation results, and the like. Each functional unit of the image capturing device 110 is realized by the CPU 211 of the image capturing device 110 loading a program stored in the ROM 212 into the RAM 213 and executing processing in accordance with a sequence diagram described later. The execution results of each processing are stored in the RAM 213.

[0019] [Functional configuration of image transfer device] The image transfer device 120 includes a reception unit 321, a receiving unit 322, a management unit 323, an image analysis unit 324, a screen generation unit 325, a sorting condition generation unit 326, a related information generation unit 327, a sorting unit 328, an image management unit 329, a transfer unit 330, and an output unit 331. Each functional unit will be described below. The reception unit 321 receives user input via the terminal 107 and the image capture device 110. The reception unit 322 receives images, information, etc. from the terminal 107 and the image capture device 110. The management unit 323 stores and manages information required for processing static resources and various tables, etc., in a storage unit. The tables managed by the management unit 323 are the tables illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 8. The image analysis unit 324 performs analysis processing on the received images. Details of the analysis processing will be described later. The screen generation unit 325 performs processing to display a screen, such as a sorting condition creation screen, on the terminal 107. Details will be described later. The sorting condition generation unit 326 generates sorting conditions based on user input via the sorting condition creation screen. Details will be described later. The related information generation unit 327 associates sorting conditions with transfer destinations based on user input. Details will be described later. The sorting unit 328 performs sorting processing on received images based on the sorting conditions. Details will be described later. The image management unit 329 stores and manages images transmitted from the imaging device 110 in a memory unit. The transfer unit 330 transfers images that match the sorting conditions to the transfer destination. Details will be described later. The output unit 331 outputs various information. Each functional unit of the image transfer device 120 is realized by the CPU 201 of the image transfer device 120 expanding a program stored in the ROM 202 into the RAM 203 and executing processing in accordance with the flowcharts described later. The execution results of each process are stored in the RAM 203 of the image transfer device 120.

[0020] [Functional configuration of the image archiving device] Each of the image storage devices 130, 140, and 150 has, as functional units, a control unit 341, a reception unit 342, a storage unit 343, and an output unit 344. The control unit 341 controls various types of information. The reception unit 342 receives input of various types of information. The storage unit 343 stores various types of information. The output unit 344 outputs various types of information. These functional units are realized by the CPU of each of the image storage devices 130, 140, and 150 expanding a program stored in ROM into RAM and executing processing in accordance with the sequence diagram described below. The execution results of each process are stored in the RAM of each of the image storage devices 130, 140, and 150.

[0021] The functional units of the terminal 107, the photographing device 110, the image transfer device 120, and the image storage devices 130, 140, and 150 may be distributed among multiple terminals or information processing devices. When the functions are distributed among multiple information processing devices, they are connected by a LAN or the like so as to be able to communicate with each other, and cooperate to perform a series of processes described below.

[0022] [Sequence for generating sorting conditions] 4 is a sequence diagram for explaining the flow of processing in each device of the image transfer system 100 when generating sorting conditions. The symbol "S" in the following explanation of each process in the sequence diagram or flowchart refers to each process (step) in the sequence diagram or flowchart. For convenience of explanation, user operations will also be explained as steps.

[0023] In S401, the user 105 operates the terminal 107 to issue an instruction to log in to the image transfer device 120. It is assumed that the user 105 has completed user registration with the image transfer device 120 and is able to use the image transfer device 120. To log in, the user 105 inputs the login information (login ID and password) registered during user registration into the terminal 107. The login ID is, for example, an email address used by the user. Note that the login ID is not limited to an email address, and may be a character string issued by the image transfer device 120 or a character string set by the user. In these cases, the login ID is a unique character string that does not overlap with other users so that the user can be uniquely identified. The password is an arbitrary character string set by the user. Of course, the password is not limited to a character string, and biometric information such as a fingerprint or iris, or a physical key may also be used as the password.

[0024] In S402, the terminal 107 transmits the accepted login information to the image transfer device 120, and requests information for displaying the main screen 901 (see FIG. 9). Details of the main screen 901 will be described later.

[0025] In S 403 , the image transfer device 120 generates information for displaying the main screen 901 based on a request from the terminal 107 .

[0026] In S404, the image transfer device 120 transmits information for displaying the generated main screen 901 to the terminal 107. As a result, the main screen 901 is displayed on the terminal 107.

[0027] In S405, the user 105 operates the terminal 107 to instruct the display of the sorting condition setting screen 1001 (see FIG. 10). The instruction to display the sorting condition setting screen corresponds to the operation of pressing the sorting condition setting screen call button 924 (see FIG. 9) included in the main screen 901 displayed on the terminal 107.

[0028] In S406, the terminal 107 requests information for displaying the sorting condition setting screen 1001 from the image transfer device 120.

[0029] In S407, the image transfer device 120 generates information for displaying the sorting condition setting screen 1001 based on the request from the terminal 107.

[0030] In S408, the image transfer device 120 transmits information for displaying the generated sorting condition setting screen 1001 to the terminal 107. As a result, the sorting condition setting screen 1001 is displayed on the terminal 107. Details of the sorting condition setting screen 1001 will be described later.

[0031] In S409, the terminal 107 receives an instruction to display the sorting condition creation screen selected by the user 105. The instruction to display the sorting condition creation screen corresponds to an operation of pressing any button included in the sorting condition setting screen 1001 displayed on the terminal 107.

[0032] In S410, the terminal 107 transmits a request for transmitting information to display a screen for generating sorting conditions based on a template designated by the user to the image transfer device 120. The request includes the value of the ID corresponding to the pressed button.

[0033] In S411, the image transfer device 120 receives a request sent from the terminal 107 and generates information for a sorting condition creation screen corresponding to the ID value included in the request. If the screen information is stored in advance, the information for the sorting condition creation screen corresponding to the ID value may be acquired from the management unit 323. Details of the processing of S411 will be described later using the flowchart in Fig. 11. The next processing is switched depending on the generated sorting condition creation screen.

[0034] S412 to S415 are processes performed when the object category sorting condition creation screen 1201 (see FIG. 12) is generated in S411. In S412, the image transfer device 120 transmits information for displaying the object category sorting condition creation screen 1201 to the terminal 107. The object category sorting condition creation screen 1201 is displayed on the terminal 107. In S413, the terminal 107 accepts the contents of the sorting conditions generated by the user 105 via the object category sorting condition creation screen 1201. In S414, the terminal 107 transmits the accepted contents of the sorting conditions to the image transfer device 120. In S415, the image transfer device 120 generates an entry to be added to the sorting condition table 702 (see FIG. 7(b)) based on the received sorting condition information. Details of S415 will be described later using the flowchart in FIG. 13.

[0035] S416 to S419 are processes performed when the sorting condition creation screen 1401 (see FIG. 14) for blur and exposure compensation is generated in S411. In S416, the image transfer device 120 transmits information for displaying the sorting condition creation screen 1401 for blur and exposure compensation to the terminal 107. The sorting condition creation screen 1401 for blur and exposure compensation is displayed on the terminal 107. In S417, the terminal 107 accepts the contents of the sorting conditions generated by the user 105 via the sorting condition creation screen 1401 for blur and exposure compensation. In S418, the terminal 107 transmits the contents of the accepted sorting conditions to the image transfer device 120. In S419, the image transfer device 120 generates an entry to be added to the sorting condition table 702 based on the received sorting condition information. Details of S419 will be described later using the flowchart in FIG. 15.

[0036] S420 to S423 are processes performed when the sorting condition creation screen 1601 (see FIG. 16) based on imaging information is generated in S411. In S420, the image transfer device 120 transmits information for displaying the sorting condition creation screen 1601 based on imaging information to the terminal 107. The sorting condition creation screen 1601 based on imaging information is displayed on the terminal 107. In S421, the terminal 107 accepts the contents of the sorting conditions generated by the user 105 via the sorting condition creation screen 1601 based on imaging information. In S422, the terminal 107 transmits the contents of the accepted sorting conditions to the image transfer device 120. In S423, the image transfer device 120 generates an entry to be added to the sorting condition table 702 based on the received sorting condition information. Details of the process of S423 will be described later using the flowchart in FIG. 17.

[0037] S424 to S427 are processes performed when the free combination sorting condition creation screen 1801 (see FIG. 18) is generated in S411. In S424, the image transfer device 120 transmits information for displaying the free combination sorting condition creation screen 1801 (see FIG. 18) to the terminal 107. The free combination sorting condition creation screen 1801 (see FIG. 18) is displayed on the terminal 107. In S425, the terminal 107 accepts the contents of the sorting conditions generated by the user 105 via the free combination sorting condition creation screen 1801. In S426, the terminal 107 transmits the contents of the accepted sorting conditions to the image transfer device 120. In S427, the image transfer device 120 generates an entry to be added to the sorting condition table 702 based on the received sorting condition information.

[0038] [Associating sorting conditions with forwarding destinations] FIG. 5A is a sequence diagram for explaining the flow of processing in each device of the image transfer system 100 during processing to associate an image transfer destination with a sorting condition. In S501, the terminal 107 receives an instruction from the user 105 to display the related information generation screen 2001 (see FIG. 20). Details of the related information generation screen 2001 will be described later. In S502, the terminal 107 transmits a request to the image transfer device 120 to display the related information generation screen 2001. In S503, the image transfer device 120 generates information for displaying the related information generation screen 2001. Details of the processing of S503 will be described later using the flowchart of FIG. 21. In S504, the image transfer device 120 transmits information for displaying the generated related information generation screen 2001 to the terminal 107. The related information generation screen 2001 is displayed on the terminal 107. In S505, the terminal 107 receives the sorting condition to be associated with the transfer destination, selected by the user 105 via the related information generation screen 2001. In S506, the terminal 107 transmits a request to associate the sorting conditions selected by the user with the transfer destination to the image transfer device 120. In S507, the image transfer device 120 generates an entry (related information) to be added to the related information table 803 based on the request received from the terminal 107. Details of S507 will be described later using the flowchart in Fig. 22.

[0039] [About transferring images taken with the imaging device] Figures 5(b) and 5(c) are sequence diagrams for explaining the processing flow from transferring the images captured by the photographing device 110 registered in the image transfer device 120 to an external service until the user can view the images registered in the external service.

[0040] In S511, the photographing device 110 receives a photographing instruction from the user 105. In S512, the photographing device 110 photographs based on the photographing instruction from the user 105. In S513, the photographing device 110 receives a transmission instruction from the user 105 to transmit the photographed image obtained by photographing to the image transfer device 120. In S514, the photographing device 110 transmits the photographed image to the image transfer device 120 based on the transmission instruction from the user. The image transfer device 120 receives the photographed image transmitted from the photographing device 110. In S515 to S519, processing is performed on the received photographed image.

[0041] In S515, the image transfer device 120 performs analysis processing on the received captured image. The analysis processing will be described in detail later. The result of the analysis processing (analysis result) is associated with the value of the ID (image ID) of the received image and managed by the management unit 323.

[0042] In S516, the image transfer device 120 executes a sorting process for determining sorting conditions that match the analysis results for the received photographed images. Details of the sorting process will be described later using the flowchart in FIG.

[0043] In S517, the image transfer device 120 determines the external service to which the received image is to be transferred based on the state of cooperation with the external service, the results of the sorting process, and related information. As a result, it is assumed that the image storage device 130 and the image storage device 140 are determined as the transfer destinations of the received photographed images. In S518, the image transfer device 120 transfers the received photographed images to the image storage device 130. The received photographed images are registered in the image storage device 130. In S519, the image transfer device 120 transfers the received photographed images to the image storage device 140. The received photographed images are registered in the image storage device 140. S517 to S519 are transfer processing for the received photographed images. Details of the transfer processing will be described later using the flowchart in FIG. 25.

[0044] In S521, the terminal 107 receives from the user 105 an instruction to display images registered in the image storage device 130. In S522, the terminal 107 issues an instruction to the image storage device 130 to display an image list screen. The image list screen is a screen that displays a list of images of users registered in the target image storage device. In S523, the image storage device 130 transmits information for displaying the image list screen to the terminal 107. In S524, the terminal 107 receives from the user 105 an instruction to display images registered in the image storage device 140. In S525, the terminal 107 issues an instruction to the image storage device 140 to display the image list screen. In S526, the image storage device 140 transmits information for displaying the image list screen to the terminal 107.

[0045] [About the analysis process] 5B, the analysis process executed in step S515 includes, for example, a shooting information extraction process, a subject classification process, and a failure determination process. The failure determination process includes a blur determination process and an exposure determination process.

[0046] The photographic information extraction process is a process for extracting information from an image to be analyzed, and in this embodiment, it is a process for extracting tag values ​​from Exif data attached to the image. However, the extracted information is not limited to Exif tag values; additional information may be embedded in the image as watermark information and extracted. Furthermore, the extracted information may be any information as long as it is metadata attached to the image.

[0047] Object classification processing is a process of extracting objects from an image to be analyzed and determining the classification (category) of the extracted object. When a person is included in the image, the processing results include information indicating that the extracted object is a person, a real number indicating the likelihood that the extracted object is a person, and coordinate information in the image coordinate system of a bounding box surrounding the extracted object. The likelihood is not limited to a real number and may be an integer corresponding to 0 to 100 or an identifier corresponding to A to J. The coordinate information of the bounding box is the upper left and lower right coordinates in the image coordinate system, but is not limited to this. It may also be the upper right and lower left coordinates, the upper left coordinate and the width and height of the bounding box, the center coordinate in the image coordinate system of the object, and the radius of the circle surrounding the object. It may also be the focal coordinate in the image coordinate system of an ellipse surrounding the object, the major axis length, minor axis length, and the intersection coordinates of the major and minor axes of the ellipse surrounding the object, or any other information that can identify the position of the object.

[0048] The blur determination process determines whether or not the entire image being analyzed is blurred. In the blur determination process, a process for detecting blur in the image being analyzed is performed, and a value indicating the presence or absence of blur is output. The result of the blur determination process is referred to as the blur determination result. If blur is detected, a false result is output as the blur determination result, and if blur is not detected, a true result is output as the blur determination result. Any method capable of detecting blur may be used as the blur detection process. For example, the spatial frequency of the image may be calculated, and blur may be determined to exist if the intensity of the low-frequency components is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold. Alternatively, a method may be used that takes into account not only the intensity of the low-frequency components but also the intensity of the high-frequency components, and determine blur to exist if the intensity of the high-frequency components is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. Alternatively, blur may be determined using machine learning. The blur determination result is not limited to a true / false value. Alternatively, the blur determination result may be a real number representing the degree of blur, an integer corresponding to 0 to 100, or an identifier corresponding to a predetermined string such as A to J.

[0049] The exposure determination process determines whether the exposure of an image being analyzed is appropriate. If the average luminance of the image is greater than or equal to a first threshold or less than or equal to a second threshold, the image is determined to be improperly exposed and the result is output. This determination result is referred to as the exposure determination result. If the image is determined to be improperly exposed, a false result is output as the exposure determination result, and if the image is determined to be appropriate, a true result is output as the exposure determination result. For example, the exposure determination process may involve converting the pixel values ​​of the image into L values ​​in the CIELAB color space and determining that the image is improperly exposed if the number of pixels with an L value of 90 or greater is 20% or more of the total number of pixels. Alternatively, the exposure may be determined to be improperly exposed if the number of pixels with an L value of 10 or less is 20% or more of the total number of pixels. Alternatively, the exposure may be determined to be improperly exposed using machine learning, or any method capable of determining the degree of exposure may be used. Note that while a true / false value is output as the exposure determination result, this is not limited to this. The degree of exposure appropriateness may be output as a real number, an integer corresponding to 0 to 100, or an identifier corresponding to a predetermined string such as A to J.

[0050] The failure determination process is not limited to the blur determination process and the exposure determination process, and may include, for example, a tilt determination process for determining whether a subject in an image is tilted. The tilt determination process may involve performing a line detection process such as a Hough transform on the image, and determining that the image is tilted if the number of detected lines with a tilt within a predetermined range is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. Alternatively, the image may be extracted, and an object that is expected to be positioned approximately horizontal, such as an eye, may be determined to be tilted if it is tilted within a predetermined range, such as at a 45-degree angle. Alternatively, a method of determining whether or not the image is tilted may be used, such as machine learning, or any method capable of determining the degree of tilt. The output value may be a boolean value, or the likelihood may be a real number or a normalized integer, or may be output as an identifier associated with the likelihood.

[0051] [Information managed by the image transfer device] 6, 7, and 8 are diagrams showing an example of information managed by the management unit 323 of the image transfer device 120 according to this embodiment. The values ​​held in each table in Fig. 6, 7, and 8 are examples, and values ​​other than those shown in Fig. 6, 7, and 8 may be held in each table.

[0052] [[User Information]] The user table 601 in Fig. 6(a) represents, in table format, user information for users who use the image transfer device 120. In the user table 601, the value of a user ID that uniquely identifies a user, the registration date of the user, and the value of a login ID for logging in by the user are stored in the same entry (row), thereby correlating these values. The registration date is the date on which the user completed user registration in the image transfer device 120. In the image transfer device 120, the value of the user ID that identifies a certain user can be used as a key to refer to each value of the user, such as the registration date and login ID of the user.

[0053] [[Image Information]] The image table 602 in FIG. 6(b) represents, in table format, information about images managed by the image transfer device 120. In the image table 602, the values ​​of an image ID that uniquely identifies an image, the user ID of the image owner, the upload date and time of the image, and the reference destination of the image are held in the same entry and associated with each other. The upload date and time is the date and time when the image was uploaded to the image transfer device 120. The image reference destination is the path to the storage destination of the image. In the image transfer device 120, the image ID value of a certain image can be used as a key to reference each value of the user ID, upload date and time, image reference destination, etc. of the image.

[0054] [[Module Information]] The device table 603 in FIG. 6(c) represents information about the image capturing devices managed by the image transfer device 120 in table format. In the device table 603, the device ID value that uniquely identifies an image capturing device registered by a user in the image transfer device 120, the user ID indicating the user, and the model ID value of the image capturing device are held in the same entry and associated with each other. The model ID value is a value for uniquely identifying the model of the image capturing device. The image transfer device 120 can refer to the user ID indicating the user of the image capturing device and the model ID values ​​of the image capturing device using the device ID value of a certain image capturing device as a key.

[0055] 6(d) is a table showing information on the models of the image capturing devices managed by the image transfer device 120. In the model table 604, the model ID value and the model name of the image capturing device corresponding to the model ID are held in the same entry and are associated with each other. In the image transfer device 120, the name of the model (model name) indicated by a certain model ID can be referenced using the value of the model ID as a key.

[0056] [[Information about external services]] The external service table 605 in Fig. 6(e) is a table showing information about external services registered in the image transfer device 120. In the external service table 605, the value of an external service ID for uniquely identifying an external service, the name of the external service (external service name), and the URL of the external service are stored in the same record and associated with each other. The image transfer device 120 can refer to the external service name and URL of a certain external service by using the value of the external service ID indicating the external service as a key.

[0057] [[Sorting Condition Information]] The sorting condition table 702 in FIG. 7(a) represents the "sorting conditions" managed by the image transfer device 120 in table format. In this embodiment, as shown in the sequence diagram in FIG. 4, the user can create various sorting conditions, and the sorting conditions created by the user are managed in the sorting condition table 702. An entry (row) in the sorting condition table 702 is added for each value of the sorting condition ID that uniquely identifies the sorting condition. The value of the user ID, the sorting condition name, the value of the sorting item (sorting item value), and the true / false value of the sorting condition name embedded flag, which are associated with the value of the sorting condition ID, are held in the same entry. The sorting condition name is the name of the sorting condition. The image transfer device 120 can reference the user ID, sorting condition name, each sorting item value, and each value of the sorting condition name embedded flag from the sorting condition table 702 using the value of the sorting condition ID as a key.

[0058] The sorting items included in the sorting condition table 702 are roughly divided into sorting items of subject classification information, sorting items of failure classification information, and sorting items of shooting information.

[0059] The sorting items of the object classification information are sorting items related to the classification of objects contained in an image. For example, the "object category" included in the sorting condition table 702 is an example of a sorting item of the object classification information. The sorting item value that can be stored in the "object category" column in the sorting condition table 702 is an ID value (object category ID) that indicates the category of the object. Examples of object categories include people, living things, animals, dogs, cats, birds, plants, vehicles, automobiles, trains, airplanes, food, sports, buildings, mountains, oceans, night views, and still objects. When a value is stored in the "object category" column, the entry indicates a sorting condition for sorting images that include the object indicated by the object category. The value of the object category ID that indicates the object category selected by the user is stored in the "object category" column of the sorting condition table 702. In the sorting process by object category, images that include the object indicated by the value stored in the "object category" column are sorted.

[0060] The classification items of failure classification information are classification items that indicate the state of an image that would be evaluated as a failure image when viewed by the photographer or viewer. For example, "image blur removal" and "irregular exposure removal" included in the classification condition table 702 are examples of classification items of failure classification information. Although not included in the classification condition table 702, image tilt and the like are also classification items of failure classification information. The classification item value of "image blur removal" is a true / false value indicating whether or not the image is blurred, but may also be a continuous value indicating the degree of blur. The classification item value of "irregular exposure removal" is a true / false value indicating whether or not the image exposure is appropriate, but may also be a continuous value indicating the appropriateness of the exposure.

[0061] The shooting information sorting items are sorting items related to shooting. For example, the "shooting date and time range," "shooting device," "rating," and "recording format" included in the sorting condition table 702 are examples of shooting information sorting items. Although not included in the sorting condition table 702, shooting information sorting items include multiple exposure shooting, continuous shooting, lens used, scene mode, shooting mode, flash status, recording quality, DPRAW, aspect ratio, metering mode, white balance, and color reproduction parameters. The "shooting device" is an item used to sort images by the shooting device that captured them. The sorting item value for the "shooting device" is the device ID value. If the sorting item value is "DEV001," images taken with the EOS R10 are determined to be sorted. If the sorting item value is "DEV002," images taken with the IXY 100 are determined to be sorted. The "shooting device" holds a list of device IDs (shooting device list). The "recording format" is an item used to sort images by the image type of the captured image. The sorting item value for "Recording Format" is a string indicating the recording format. If the sorting item value is "JPEG", images recorded in JPEG format are determined to be sorted. If the sorting item value is "HEIF", images recorded in HEIF format are determined to be sorted. If the sorting item value is "RAW", images recorded in RAW format are determined to be sorted. "Rating" is an item for sorting images according to the rating assigned to the image. The sorting item for "Rating" is the rating value. If the sorting item value is "5", images with a rating value of 5 are determined to be sorted. If it is "4", images with a rating value of 4 are determined to be sorted. If it is "3", images with a rating value of 3 are determined to be sorted. If it is "2", images with a rating value of 2 are determined to be sorted. If it is "1", images with a rating value of 1 are determined to be sorted. If it is "NA", images with no rating assigned are determined to be sorted. The "Rating" column holds a list of rating values ​​(rating list). The "Photography Date Range" is an item for sorting images according to the photographing date and time of the image.The sorting item value for "Photo Date Range" is the start date and time and the end date and time that specify the photo date and time range. For example, if the sorting item value is "start:2023 / 1 / 1", images with a photo date and time after 2023-1-1 00:00 will be determined to be sorted. If the sorting item value is "end:2023 / 12 / 20", images with a photo date and time before 2023-12-20 23:59 will be determined to be sorted.

[0062] The "Classification Case Name Embed Flag" column of the classification condition table 702 holds true if the matching classification condition name is written to the image metadata, and false if the classification condition name is not written to the image metadata.

[0063] [[Subject Category Information]] The object category table 802 in FIG. 8B represents object categories managed by the image transfer device 120 in table format. In the object category table 802, the display names of object categories in each language are stored in the same entry and associated with the value of an object category ID for uniquely identifying the object category. The image transfer device 120 can reference the display names of object categories in each language using the value of the object category ID as a key. For example, the image transfer device 120 acquires the language setting set by the user in the image transfer device 120. Then, from the display names referenced using the value of the object category ID as a key, the display names of object categories in the language set by the user can be acquired. Note that, although the sorting condition table 702 has been described as storing the value of the object category ID as the sorting item value of "object category," this is not limited thereto. The sorting item value of "object category" may also be other display names such as "person" or "dog." This configuration eliminates the need to acquire the corresponding display names from the value of the object category ID, and allows the display names to be acquired directly. This allows the display names of object categories to be acquired quickly.

[0064] [[Forwarding Information]] The transfer destination table 801 in Fig. 8(a) represents information on external services that serve as transfer destinations managed by the image transfer device 120 in table format. In the transfer destination table 801, the values ​​of a transfer destination ID that uniquely identifies a transfer destination, a user ID, and an external service ID that indicates the external service that is the transfer destination are held in the same entry and are associated with each other. The image transfer device 120 can obtain each value of the user ID, external service ID, etc. using the value of the transfer destination ID as a key. Also, the value of the transfer destination ID corresponding to the external service can be obtained using the value of the external service ID as a key.

[0065] [[Related Information]] The related information table 803 in FIG. 8(c) represents related information managed by the image transfer device 120 in table format. Related information is information combining a transfer destination ID, which indicates an external service to which images are transferred, with a sorting condition ID associated with the transfer destination ID. When transferring images to a certain transfer destination, if the user wishes to transfer only images that meet certain sorting conditions, the user issues an instruction to associate the transfer destination ID indicating the transfer destination with the sorting condition ID indicating the sorting conditions. As a result, related information is generated. In the related information table 803, the values ​​of the user ID, transfer destination ID, and sorting condition ID are stored in the same entry for the related information ID, which uniquely identifies the related information, and are associated with each other. The image transfer device 120 can reference each value of the user ID, transfer destination ID, sorting condition ID, etc. using the value of the related information ID as a key. The "sorting condition" column in the related information table 803 stores a list of sorting condition ID values ​​indicating the sorting conditions associated with the transfer destination by the user.

[0066] The related information table 803 in Figure 8(d) is an example of a related information table when a new entry is added to the related information table 803 in Figure 8(c). The entry with the related information ID "REL004" shown in a bold frame is the related information newly added to the last row. The bold frame entry in Figure 8(d) shows the related information added when a user with the user ID "USR001" instructs to associate a transfer destination (external service) with the transfer destination ID "TRN002" with a sorting condition with the sorting condition ID "SRT002".

[0067] Although the leftmost column of each table has been described as being used as the search key, other columns may also be used as keys for searches. Alternatively, as shown in the sorting condition table 702 in Figure 7(b), the user ID may be used as the partition key and the sorting condition ID as the sort key. By using such a configuration, in a configuration using a NoSQL database, it is possible to speed up the process of extracting the sorting conditions registered by the logged-in user.

[0068] 6 to 8, in this embodiment, for simplicity, the information is managed in a table format. However, the method of managing information is not limited to the table format, and it may also be managed in other formats, such as JSON. For example, when sorting conditions are managed in JSON format, if there is a sorting item for which no sorting item value is set for a certain sorting condition, that sorting item may not be included in the configuration of the sorting condition.

[0069] [Main screen configuration] 9 is a diagram showing a main screen of this embodiment. The main screen 901 is the main screen of the application displayed on the terminal 107 of the user 105 who has logged in to the image transfer device 120. The main screen 901 is generated by the image transfer device 120 in S403 of FIG. 4 and is displayed on the terminal 107. A close button 902 is a button that closes the main screen 901 when pressed by the user. A call button 903 is a button that displays an image list screen (not shown) that displays a list of uploaded images when pressed by the user.

[0070] The photographic device management area 910 is an area for registering a new photographic device to the image transfer device 120 and managing the photographic devices registered in the image transfer device 120. The model name display areas 911 and 913 are areas for displaying the model names of the photographic devices registered in the image transfer device 120. The model names displayed in the model name display areas 911 and 913 are the model names of the registered photographic devices. FIG. 9 shows that photographic devices with the model names "EOS R5" and "IXY 100" have already been registered. The release buttons 912 and 914 are buttons that, when pressed by the user, cause the image transfer device 120 to release the link with the corresponding photographic device. The release button 912 corresponds to the photographic device corresponding to the model name displayed in the model name display area 911, and the release button 914 corresponds to the photographic device corresponding to the model name displayed in the model name display area 913. The photographing device registration screen call button 915 is a button that, when pressed by the user, displays a photographing device registration screen (not shown) for registering a new photographing device in the image transfer device 120.

[0071] The sorting condition management area 920 is an area for registering new sorting conditions to the image transfer device 120 and managing the sorting conditions registered in the image transfer device 120. The sorting condition name display area 921 is an area for displaying the names of sorting conditions already registered in the image transfer device 120. The condition editing screen call button 922 is a button for calling up a sorting condition generation screen to edit the sorting conditions corresponding to the sorting condition names displayed in the sorting condition name display area 921. The condition deletion button 923 is a button for deleting the sorting conditions corresponding to the sorting condition names displayed in the sorting condition name display area 921. The sorting condition setting screen call button 924 is a button for calling up a sorting condition setting screen 1001 (see FIG. 10) for selecting a sorting condition template.

[0072] The external service setting area 930 is an area for configuring settings for each external service. The external service setting area 930 includes setting areas 940, 950, and 960 corresponding to each registered external service, and each setting area displays the name of the external service that indicates the external service to be configured. For example, the setting area 940 is an area for configuring settings for a "storage service" operated by the image storage device 130. The setting area 950 is an area for configuring settings for an "editing service" operated by the image storage device 140. The setting area 960 is an area for configuring settings for a "microblog service" operated by the image storage device 150. The external services corresponding to the setting areas 940, 950, and 960 are referred to as "target external services." For example, the target external service for the setting area 940 is a storage service.

[0073] The link buttons 941, 951, and 961 are buttons for switching the link status with the target external service. If the service is currently linked with the target external service, "Cancel" is displayed on the link button, indicating that the link will be disabled. If the service is not currently linked with the target external service, "Connect" is displayed on the link button, indicating that the link will be enabled.

[0074] The still image transfer setting buttons 942, 952, and 962 are buttons for setting whether or not to transfer still images transmitted from the imaging device to a target external service. If the transfer of still images transmitted from the imaging device to a target external service is enabled, "Enabled" is displayed on the still image transfer setting button. When the user presses the still image transfer setting button 942 displaying "Enabled," the setting for transfer to the target external service is changed to disabled. On the other hand, if the transfer of still images transmitted from the imaging device to a target external service is disabled, "Disabled" is displayed on the still image transfer setting button. When the user presses the still image transfer setting button 962 displaying "Disabled," the setting for transfer to the target external service is changed to enabled.

[0075] The sorting condition application buttons 943, 953, and 963 are buttons for selecting whether or not to execute a sorting process based on the sorting conditions when transferring still images transmitted from the imaging device to a target external service. If it is selected to execute the sorting process, "Apply" is displayed on the button, as in the sorting condition application button 943. On the other hand, if it is selected not to execute the sorting process, "Do not apply" is displayed on the button, as in the sorting condition application button 953. When the user presses the sorting condition application button 943, 953, or 963, processing in the screen generation unit 325 is invoked. Details will be described later.

[0076] The video transfer setting buttons 944, 954, and 964 are buttons for selecting whether or not to transfer videos transmitted from the imaging device to the target external service. If the transfer of videos transmitted from the imaging device to the target external service is enabled, "Enabled" is displayed on the video transfer setting button. When the user presses the video transfer setting button 944 displaying "Enabled," the setting for transferring videos to the target external service is changed to disabled. On the other hand, if the transfer of videos transmitted from the imaging device to the target external service is disabled, "Disabled" is displayed on the video transfer setting button. When the user presses the video transfer setting button 964 displaying "Disabled," the setting for transferring videos to the target external service is changed to enabled. The transfer video type setting buttons 945, 955, and 965 are buttons for setting the type of video to be transferred. Each time the button is pressed, the setting is switched between three types: main video only, proxy video only, and both main video and proxy video. The selected setting is displayed on the transfer video type setting buttons 945, 955, and 965.

[0077] [New sorting condition generation process] Next, a process for generating new sorting conditions and adding entries (rows) corresponding to the new sorting conditions to the sorting condition table 702 will be described.

[0078] [[Configuration of sorting condition setting screen]] Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a sorting condition setting screen, which is a screen on which a user selects a sorting condition template. Pressing of the sorting condition setting screen call button 924 on the main screen 901 of Fig. 9 is accepted (S405). Then, information for displaying the screen is generated by the image transfer device 120 (S407), and the sorting condition setting screen 1001 of Fig. 10 is displayed on the terminal 107 (S408).

[0079] From the sorting condition setting screen 1001 in FIG. 10, it is possible to transition to a screen for generating sorting conditions based on sorting condition templates pre-registered in the image transfer device 120. Furthermore, from the sorting condition setting screen 1001, it is also possible to transition to a screen for creating arbitrary sorting conditions. In this embodiment, three pre-registered templates are sorting conditions based on object category, sorting conditions based on blur and exposure judgment, and sorting conditions based on shooting conditions. Therefore, the sorting condition setting screen 1001 in FIG. 10 displays sorting condition creation screen call buttons 1003 to 1005 corresponding to each of the three sorting condition templates. When pressed by the user, the back button 1002 closes the condition setting screen 1001 and transitions to the main screen 901 from which it was called. The first call button 1003 transitions to a sorting condition creation screen 1201 based on object category (see FIG. 12). The second call button 1004 is a button for transitioning to a sorting condition creation screen 1401 (see FIG. 14) based on blur and exposure judgment. The third call button 1005 is a button for transitioning to a sorting condition creation screen 1601 (see FIG. 16) based on shooting conditions. The fourth call button 1006 is a button for transitioning to a sorting condition creation screen 1801 (see FIG. 18) based on free combinations.

[0080] [[Process flow until transition to sorting condition creation screen]] Fig. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the details of S411 in Fig. 4. The flowchart in Fig. 11 starts when one of the call buttons 1003 to 1006 in Fig. 10 is pressed and a request is received from the terminal 107. Note that the series of processes shown in the flowchart below are performed by the CPU of the image transfer device 120 expanding program code stored in the ROM or HDD into RAM and executing it. Also, some or all of the functions of the steps in the flowchart below may be realized by hardware such as ASIC or electronic circuits.

[0081] The request sent from the terminal 107 in S410 of FIG. 4 includes at least the values ​​of the user ID and the sorting condition generation method ID, and each value is stored in the RAM 203 of the image transfer device 120. The sorting condition generation method ID is a value corresponding to one of the call buttons 1003 to 1006 selected by the user on the sorting condition setting screen 1001. When the first call button 1003 is pressed, the request includes "ID_CATEGORY" as the value of the sorting condition generation method ID. When the second call button 1004 is pressed, the request includes "ID_FAILURE" as the value of the sorting condition generation method ID. When the third call button 1005 is pressed, the request includes "ID_SHOOTING" as the value of the sorting condition generation method ID. When the fourth call button 1006 is pressed, the request includes "ID_FREE" as the value of the sorting condition generation method ID.

[0082] In S1101, the sorting condition generation unit 326 acquires the value of the user ID included in the received request.

[0083] In S1102, the sorting condition generation unit 326 acquires the value of the sorting condition generation method ID included in the received request.

[0084] In S1103, the sorting condition generation unit 326 switches processing depending on the value of the sorting condition generation method ID acquired in S1102. If the sorting condition generation method ID is "ID_CATEGORY", proceed to S1104. If the sorting condition generation method ID is "ID_FAILURE", proceed to S1105. If the sorting condition generation method ID is "ID_SHOOTING", proceed to S1106. If the sorting condition generation method ID is "ID_FREE", proceed to S1107.

[0085] In S1104, the sorting condition generation unit 326 generates information for displaying a sorting condition creation screen 1201 (see FIG. 12) based on object category.

[0086] In S1105, the sorting condition generating unit 326 generates information for displaying a sorting condition creation screen 1401 (see FIG. 14) based on blur / exposure determination.

[0087] In S1106, the sorting condition generation unit 326 generates information for displaying a sorting condition creation screen 1601 (see FIG. 16) based on image capture information.

[0088] In S1107, the sorting condition generation unit 326 generates information for displaying a sorting condition creation screen 1801 (see FIG. 18) for freely combining sorting conditions.

[0089] [[About creating sorting conditions by subject category]] 12 is a diagram showing an example of a sorting condition creation screen by object category, which is a screen based on the screen information generated in S411 (S1104) and transmitted in S412. The sorting condition creation screen by object category 1201 in FIG. 12 is also referred to as a first sorting condition creation screen 1201. A back button 1202, when pressed by the user, closes the displayed screen and transitions to the sorting condition setting screen 1001 that called it.

[0090] A user can create new sorting conditions based on a template of sorting conditions by object category via the first sorting condition creation screen 1201. Sorting conditions by object category are sorting conditions that include the sorting item value of "object category."

[0091] The sorting condition name display area 1203 is an area where the sorting condition name indicating the sorting condition created on the first sorting condition creation screen 1201 is displayed. Initially, a default string is displayed, but the user can change the sorting condition name by entering a new name. The check box 1204 is a check box for setting the value of the "sorting case name embedding flag" in the sorting condition table 702.

[0092] The setting area title 1211 displays the title of the area for selecting the sorting item value of "object category." The open / close button 1212 is a button for switching between displaying and hiding the area (accordion menu) indicated by the setting area title 1211. By pressing this button when the accordion menu is closed, the accordion menu can be expanded. Conversely, by pressing this button when the accordion menu is expanded, the accordion menu can be closed. With this configuration, areas that the user is not interested in or areas for which settings have been completed can be hidden, thereby simplifying the screen display. The same applies to the open / close buttons included in other sorting condition creation screens.

[0093] Checkboxes 1205 to 1207 are checkboxes that the user uses to select the sorting item value of the "object category" to be included in the new sorting condition. An "object category list" whose elements are the object categories corresponding to the checked checkboxes of checkboxes 1205 to 1207 will be included in the request described below. In the following description, it is assumed that the object categories that the user can select are "people," "dogs," and "cats." When checkbox 1205 is checked, "people" is included as an element in the object category list. When checkbox 1206 is checked, the category "dogs" is included as an element in the object category list. When checkbox 1207 is checked, the category "cats" is included as an element in the object category list.

[0094] The setting area title 1213 displays the title of the area for setting the classification item value for blur / exposure judgment. The open / close button 1214 is a button for switching between displaying and hiding the setting area indicated by the setting area title 1213. The setting button 1208 is a button for setting the classification item value for "image blur removal". The setting button 1209 is a button for setting the classification item value for "irregular exposure removal". When the setting buttons 1208 and 1209 are pressed, the display switches between enabled and disabled.

[0095] When the completion button 1210 is pressed, a request to generate sorting conditions is sent to the image transfer device 120 using the content displayed on the first sorting condition creation screen 1201 (S414). The request includes the value of the user ID indicating the user who logged in from the terminal 107, the condition name displayed in the sorting condition name display area 1203, and the subject category list described above. The request also includes the value of the "blur determination flag." If the setting button 1208 is enabled, the value of the "blur determination flag" is true; if the setting button 1208 is disabled, the value of the "blur determination flag" is false. The request also includes the value of the "exposure determination flag." If the setting button 1209 is enabled, the value of the "exposure determination flag" is true; if the setting button 1209 is disabled, the value of the "exposure determination flag" is false. The request also includes the value of the "recording flag." If the checkbox 1204 is checked, the value of the "recording flag" is true; if the checkbox 1204 is not checked, the value of the "recording flag" is false.

[0096] Fig. 13 is a flowchart for explaining the details of the sorting condition generation process of S415 in Fig. 4. The flowchart in Fig. 13 starts when the request sent in S414 is received as a result of pressing the Complete button 1210 on the first sorting condition creation screen 1201. Information included in the request is stored in RAM 203. This request is generated, for example, when the terminal 107 calls a REST API provided by the image transfer device 120.

[0097] In S1301, the sorting condition generation unit 326 acquires the value of the user ID included in the received request. The following steps will be explained assuming that the value of the user ID acquired in S1301 is "USRID0."

[0098] In S1302, the sorting condition generation unit 326 generates an object for adding an entry (row) to the sorting condition table 702. This object is called a temporary entry.

[0099] In S1303, the sorting condition generation unit 326 stores the user ID "USRID0" acquired in S1301 in the "user ID" column of the temporary entry.

[0100] In S1304, the sorting condition generation unit 326 stores the character string of the "sorting condition name" included in the received request in the "sorting condition name" column of the temporary entry.

[0101] In S1305, the sorting condition generation unit 326 stores the value of the "record flag" included in the request in the "sorting condition name embedded flag" column of the temporary entry.

[0102] In S1306, the sorting condition generating unit 326 initializes the object category counter.

[0103] The next steps S1307 to S1309 are loop processes for processing elements (object categories) corresponding to the value of the object category counter in the object category list included in the request received from the terminal 107. The object category counter is initialized so that the object category list is processed starting from the first element.

[0104] In S1307, the sorting condition generation unit 326 determines whether all elements included in the object category list included in the request have been processed. If it is determined that all elements have not been processed (NO in S1307), the process proceeds to S1308.

[0105] In S1308, the sorting condition generation unit 326 adds the value of the object category ID corresponding to the element currently being processed among the elements of the object category list included in the request to the "object category" column of the temporary entry. For example, the first element in the object category list is numbered 0. If the object category counter is 0 and the first element in the object category list is "person", the object category ID "CATEGORY_ID_PERSON" corresponding to "person" is added to the "object category" column of the temporary entry. In this way, if the element in the object category list is the name of a subject category, the object category table 802 is referenced and the value of the object category ID corresponding to the element being processed is added to the "object category" column of the temporary entry.

[0106] In S1309, the sorting condition generation unit 326 increments the object category counter, and the process returns to S1307.

[0107] If it is determined in S1307 that all elements have been processed (YES in S1307), the process proceeds to S1310.

[0108] In S1310, the sorting condition generation unit 326 stores the value of the "blur determination flag" included in the request in the "image blur removal" column of the temporary entry.

[0109] In S1311, the sorting condition generation unit 326 stores the value of the "exposure determination flag" included in the request in the "improper exposure removal" column of the temporary entry.

[0110] In S1312, the sorting condition generation unit 326 registers the temporary entry in which the value is held as a new entry in the last row of the sorting condition table 702.

[0111] For example, when the Complete button 1210 is pressed on the screen shown in Fig. 12, the request will contain the sorting condition name "Portrait Shooting," the "Recording Flag" set to true, the "Blur Determination Flag" set to true, and the "Exposure Determination Flag" set to false. The subject category list included in the request will also contain "Portrait" as an element. In this case, the sorting conditions generated as a result of executing the flowchart shown in Fig. 13 will be as shown in entry 711 in Fig. 7(c).

[0112] In this embodiment, a temporary entry is generated, a value is set in the temporary entry, and then the temporary entry is registered in the sorting condition table, but the method of registering new sorting conditions in the sorting condition table is not limited to this method. For example, an entry may be generated in the sorting condition table, and then a value may be set in the entry, or any method that can register a value in the sorting condition table may be used.

[0113] [[Generating sorting conditions based on blur and exposure judgment]] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a sorting condition creation screen based on blur / exposure determination, which is a screen based on the screen information generated in S411 (S1105) and transmitted in S416. The sorting condition creation screen based on blur / exposure determination 1401 in FIG. 14 is also referred to as a second sorting condition creation screen 1401. Components that are the same as those included in the first sorting condition creation screen 1201 are given the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are omitted. A sorting condition name display area 1403 displays the sorting condition name indicating the sorting condition created in the second sorting condition creation screen 1401. When a completion button 1402 is pressed, a request to create sorting conditions based on the content displayed on the second sorting condition creation screen 1401 is transmitted to the image transfer device 120 (S418). The request includes the user ID, the condition name displayed in the sorting condition name display area 1403, the value of the "blur determination flag," the value of the "exposure determination flag," and the value of the "recording flag."

[0114] FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining the details of the sorting condition generation process of S419 in FIG. 4. The flowchart of FIG. 15 starts when the request transmitted in S418 in response to pressing the Complete button 1402 on the second sorting condition creation screen 1401 in FIG. 14 is received by the image transfer device 120. In the flowchart of FIG. 15, steps that are the same as those in the flowchart of FIG. 13 are assigned the same numbers. The request transmitted in response to pressing the Complete button 1402 on the second sorting condition creation screen 1401 in FIG. 14 includes, at most, the values ​​of the sorting condition name, recording flag, blur determination flag, and exposure determination flag. Therefore, the flowchart of FIG. 15 corresponds to a subset of the processing of the flowchart of FIG. 13, which is initiated in response to a request in response to pressing the Complete button 1210 on the first sorting condition creation screen 1201. Therefore, a description of the flowchart of FIG. 15 will be omitted. For example, when the Finish button 1210 is pressed on the screen shown in FIG. 14 and the flow chart shown in FIG. 15 is executed, the sorting conditions generated will be as shown in entry 712 in FIG. 7(c).

[0115] [[Creating sorting conditions based on shooting conditions]] 16 is a diagram showing an example of a sorting condition creation screen based on photographing conditions, which is a screen based on the screen information generated in S411 (S1106) and transmitted in S420. The sorting condition creation screen based on photographing conditions 1601 in FIG. 16 is also referred to as the third sorting condition creation screen 1601. Parts that are the same as those included in the first sorting condition creation screen 1201 are given the same reference numerals and their explanations are omitted. The sorting condition name display area 1602 displays the sorting condition name indicating the sorting conditions created in the third sorting condition creation screen 1601.

[0116] Setting area titles 1603, 1607, 1612, and 1620 display the titles of setting areas realized by accordion menus. Open / close buttons 1604, 1608, 1613, and 1621 are buttons for switching between displaying and hiding the accordion menus indicated by the setting area titles 1603, 1607, 1612, and 1620, respectively.

[0117] The accordion menu indicated by the setting area title 1603 is an area for setting the sorting item value of "photography device," and includes check boxes 1605 and 1606 corresponding to the model names of the photography devices that the user has registered in the image transfer device 120. A photography camera list indicating that the model name of the photography device corresponding to a checked check box among the check boxes 1605 and 1606 is in a selected state is included in the request, which will be described later. For example, when the check box 1605 is checked, a photography camera list indicating that "EOS R10" is in a selected state is included in the request.

[0118] The accordion menu indicated by setting area title 1607 is an area for setting the sorting item value of "Image Format," and includes check boxes 1609 to 1611 corresponding to the recording formats. An image type list indicating that the image type name corresponding to a checked check box among check boxes 1609 to 1611 is selected will be included in the request. For example, when check box 1609 is checked, an image type list indicating that "JPEG" is selected will be included in the request.

[0119] The accordion menu indicated by setting area title 1612 is an area for setting the sorting item value of "Rating," and includes check boxes 1614-1619 corresponding to each rating value. A rating list indicating that the rating value corresponding to a checked check box among check boxes 1614-1619 is selected will be included in the request. For example, when check box 1614 is checked, an image type list indicating that "5" is selected will be included in the request.

[0120] The accordion menu indicated by setting area title 1620 is an area for setting the sorting item value for "Photography Date and Time Range." Start date setting box 1623 is an area for inputting the start date of the photography date and time range. Start time setting box 1624 is an area for inputting the start time of the photography date and time range. End date setting box 1626 is an area for inputting the end date of the photography date and time range. End time setting box 1627 is an area for inputting the end time of the photography date and time range. If at least one of check boxes 1622 and 1625 is checked, the request includes the value of "Photography Date and Time Range." Specifically, if check box 1622 is checked, the request includes a value indicating that the start date and time of the photography date and time range is valid, as well as the date and time displayed in start date setting box 1623 and start time setting box 1624. If check box 1625 is checked, the request includes a value indicating that the end date and time of the shooting date and time range is valid, as well as the year, month, day, and time displayed in end date setting box 1626 and end time setting box 1627.

[0121] When the completion button 1628 is pressed, a request to generate sorting conditions is sent to the image transfer device 120 based on the content entered by the user and displayed on the third sorting condition creation screen 1601 .

[0122] FIG. 17 is a flowchart for explaining the details of the sorting condition generation process of S423 in FIG. 4. In FIG. 17, steps in which the same processing as in the flowchart in FIG. 13 is performed are assigned the same numbers in FIG. 17. Therefore, in explaining the flowchart in FIG. 17, steps that differ from the flowchart in FIG. 13 will be explained. The flowchart in FIG. 17 starts when the image transfer device 120 receives a request transmitted in S422 in response to pressing the Complete button 1628 in FIG. 16. The request includes the value of the user ID, the condition name displayed in the sorting condition name display area 1602, and the value of the "recording flag." The request may include the values ​​of the shooting camera list, image type list, rating list, and shooting date and time range described above. The information included in the request is stored in the RAM 203 of the image transfer device 120.

[0123] In S1701, the sorting condition generation unit 326 initializes the shooting camera counter. The following S1702 to S1705 are loop processes that process elements corresponding to the value of the shooting camera counter among the elements of the shooting camera list included in the request.

[0124] In S1702, the sorting condition generation unit 326 determines whether all of the camera devices in the camera list included in the request have been processed as processing targets. If it is determined that there are any unprocessed camera devices (NO in S1702), the process proceeds to S1703.

[0125] In S1703, the sorting condition generation unit 326 determines whether the selection status of the current processing target camera is valid. That is, it determines whether the current processing target camera is checked on the third sorting condition creation screen 1601. If it is determined that the selection status of the current processing target camera is valid (YES in S1703), the process proceeds to S1704. If it is determined that the selection status of the current processing target camera is invalid (NO in S1703), the process skips S1704 and proceeds to S1705.

[0126] In S1704, the sorting condition generation unit 326 adds the value of the device ID corresponding to the imaging device to be processed to the "imaging device" column of the temporary entry. For example, assume that the imaging camera counter is 0, and the first element in the imaging camera list is "EOS R5," indicating a selected state. In this case, the device ID "DEV001" corresponding to "EOS R5" is obtained from the model table 604 and device table 603 and added to the "imaging device" column of the temporary entry.

[0127] In S1705, the sorting condition generation unit 326 increments the photographing camera counter and returns to S1702. If it is determined in S1702 that all photographing devices have been processed (YES in S1702), the process proceeds to S1706.

[0128] In S1706, the sorting condition generation unit 326 initializes the value of the image type counter. The next steps S1707 to S1710 are a loop process that processes the image type corresponding to the value of the image type counter, among the image types in the image type list included in the request.

[0129] In S1707, the sorting condition generation unit 326 determines whether all image types in the image type list included in the request have been processed as processing targets. If it is determined that there are image types that have not been processed (NO in S1707), the process proceeds to S1708.

[0130] In S1708, the sorting condition generation unit 326 determines whether the selection status of the image type currently being processed is valid. That is, it determines whether the image type currently being processed is checked on the third sorting condition creation screen 1601. If it is determined that the selection status of the image type currently being processed is valid (YES in S1708), the process proceeds to S1709. If it is determined that the selection status of the image type currently being processed is invalid (NO in S1708), the process skips S1709 and proceeds to S1710.

[0131] In S1709, the sorting condition generation unit 326 adds a value corresponding to the image type to be processed to the "recording format" column of the temporary entry. For example, suppose the image type counter is 0, and the first element in the image type list is "JEPG," indicating a selected state. In this case, "JEPG" is added to the "recording format" column of the temporary entry.

[0132] In S1710, the sorting condition generation unit 326 increments the image type counter and returns to S1707. If it is determined in S1707 that all image types have been processed (YES in S1707), the process proceeds to S1711.

[0133] In S1711, the sorting condition generation unit 326 initializes the rating counter. The following steps S1712 to S1715 are loop processing that processes the rating corresponding to the value of the rating counter, among the ratings in the rating list included in the request.

[0134] In S1712, the sorting condition generation unit 326 determines whether all ratings in the rating list included in the request have been processed as processing targets. If it is determined that there are ratings that have not been processed (NO in S1712), the process proceeds to S1713.

[0135] In S1713, the sorting condition generation unit 326 determines whether the selection status of the rating of the current processing target is valid. That is, it determines whether the rating of the current processing target is checked on the third sorting condition creation screen 1601. If it is determined that the selection status of the rating of the current processing target is valid (YES in S1713), the process proceeds to S1714. If it is determined that the selection status of the rating of the current processing target is invalid (NO in S1713), the process skips S1714 and proceeds to S1715.

[0136] In S1714, the sorting condition generation unit 326 adds a value corresponding to the rating of the target item to the "Rating" column of the temporary entry. For example, suppose the rating counter is 0 and the first element in the rating list is "5," indicating a selected state. In this case, "5" is added to the "Rating" column of the temporary entry.

[0137] In S1715, the sorting condition generation unit 326 increments the rating counter and returns to S1712. If it is determined in S1712 that all ratings have been processed (YES in S1712), the process proceeds to S1716.

[0138] In S1716, the sorting condition generation unit 326 determines whether the selection state of the start date and time of the shooting date and time range is valid based on the request. If it is determined that the selection state of the start date and time of the shooting date and time range is valid (YES in S1716), proceed to S1717. If it is determined that the selection state of the start date and time of the shooting date and time range is not valid (NO in S1716), skip S1717 and proceed to S1718.

[0139] In S1717, the sorting condition generation unit 326 stores the value indicating the start date and time of the shooting date and time range included in the request in the "Shooting Date and Time Range" column of the temporary entry so that it can be determined that the value corresponds to the start date and time. For example, the start date and time are stored in dictionary format with the character string "start" as the key.

[0140] In S1718, the sorting condition generation unit 326 determines whether the selection state of the end date and time of the shooting date and time range is valid based on the request. If it is determined that the selection state of the end date and time of the shooting date and time range is valid (YES in S1718), proceed to S1719. If it is determined that the selection state of the end date and time of the shooting date and time range is not valid (NO in S1718), skip S1719 and proceed to S1312.

[0141] In S1719, the sorting condition generation unit 326 stores the value indicating the end date and time of the shooting date and time range included in the request in the "Shooting Date and Time Range" column of the temporary entry so that it can be determined that the value corresponds to the end date and time. For example, in dictionary format, the character string "end" is stored as the key and the end date and time as the value. Then, processing proceeds to S1312.

[0142] For example, when the Finish button 1628 is pressed on the screen shown in FIG. 16 and the flow chart shown in FIG. 17 is executed, the sorting conditions generated will be as shown in entry 714 in FIG. 7(c).

[0143] [Generating sorting conditions through free combinations] Figure 18 is a diagram showing an example of a sorting condition creation screen based on free combinations, which is a screen based on the screen information generated in S411 (S1107) and transmitted in S424. The sorting condition creation screen based on free combinations 1801 in Figure 18 is also referred to as the fourth sorting condition creation screen 1801. Parts that are the same as those included in the first sorting condition creation screen 1201, the second sorting condition creation screen 1401, and the third sorting condition creation screen 1601 are given the same reference numerals and will not be described again. The sorting condition name display area 1803 displays the sorting condition name indicating the sorting conditions generated in the fourth sorting condition creation screen 1801.

[0144] The fourth sorting condition creation screen 1801 includes the accordion menus that are setting areas for the subject category, blur / exposure judgment, shooting camera, image type, rating, and shooting date / time range, as described above. Fig. 18 shows a state in which all accordion menus are closed. For example, when the open / close button 1212 is pressed, check boxes 1205 to 1207 for sorting by subject category are displayed. Furthermore, when the open / close button 1214 is pressed, the blurred image sorting setting button 1208 is displayed. When the complete button 1807 is pressed, a request to generate sorting conditions is sent to the image transfer device 120 using the content entered by the user and displayed on the fourth sorting condition creation screen 1801 (S426).

[0145] When the request sent in S426 is received by the image transfer device 120 by pressing the complete button 1807 in Fig. 18, the sorting condition generation process in S427 in Fig. 4 is started. The sorting condition generation process by free combination in S427 in Fig. 4 corresponds to sequentially executing the generation of sorting conditions by subject category in Fig. 13, the generation of sorting conditions by blur and exposure compensation in Fig. 15, and the generation of sorting conditions for sorting by shooting information in Fig. 17. For this reason, a detailed description of the process will be omitted. It goes without saying that in the sorting condition generation process by free combination, common processes such as obtaining a user ID, saving the sorting condition name, and saving the embedded flag for the sorting condition name are not executed redundantly.

[0146] [[About the main screen after adding sorting conditions]] FIG. 19(a) shows the main screen 901 after new sorting conditions have been generated based on user instructions via the sorting condition creation screens of FIGS. 12, 14, 16, and 18. Assume that the complete button 1402 on the second sorting condition creation screen 1401 of FIG. 14 is pressed, and the flowchart of FIG. 15 is executed, thereby generating a new sorting condition with the sorting condition name "Portrait Shooting." In this case, as shown in FIG. 19(a), the sorting condition management area 920 displays a new sorting condition name display area 1901 with "Portrait Shooting," which indicates the newly generated sorting condition. The sorting condition edit screen call button 1902 is a button that calls a sorting condition edit screen for editing the newly added sorting condition for "Portrait Shooting." The sorting condition delete button 1903 is a button for deleting the newly added sorting condition for "Portrait Shooting."

[0147] [Regarding the generation of related information] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of a related information generation screen generated in S503 of FIG. 5. In this embodiment, the related information generation screen 2001 is generated for each external service registered as a transfer destination. The related information generation screen is a screen for adding a new entry (related information) to the related information table 803 by associating the target transfer destination with the sorting conditions selected by the user on the screen, or for editing the related information. For example, when the sorting condition application button 953 displaying "Do not apply" is pressed on the main screen 901 of FIG. 9, the related information generation screen for the target external service corresponding to the button is displayed. Alternatively, when editing generated related information, it is possible to transition to the related information generation screen 2001 from a screen not shown.

[0148] 20(a) shows a related information generation screen 2001 that is displayed when one or more sorting conditions are registered in the image transfer device 120. A back button 2002 is a button for closing the related information generation screen 2001 and returning to the main screen 901 that called it.

[0149] The destination external service name display area 2003 is an area that displays the name of the external service (destination) to which the sorting conditions are associated. When the sorting condition application button 953, which indicates that the target external service is "editing service," is pressed on the main screen 901 to transition to the related information generation screen 2001, the destination external service name display area 2003 displays "editing service."

[0150] Radio button 2004 is a radio button that the user uses to instruct not to associate sorting conditions with the external service displayed in destination external service name display area 2003. Radio button 2004 is also called a sorting condition non-application radio button. Radio button 2005 is a radio button that the user uses to instruct not to associate sorting conditions with the external service displayed in destination external service name display area 2003. Radio button 2005 is also called a sorting condition application radio button. Radio buttons 2004 and 2005 are controlled so that their selection states are mutually exclusive, so that when the other is selected, one is in a non-selected state.

[0151] Check boxes 2006 to 2008 are check boxes for selecting sorting conditions to be associated with external services. Check boxes 2006 to 2008 correspond to candidate sorting conditions to be associated with external services. It is assumed that two sorting conditions have been generated by the above-mentioned sorting condition generation process, and that the two sorting conditions are registered in the sorting condition table 702. In this case, the two check boxes 2006 to 2007 correspond to one of the generated sorting conditions. The first check box 2006 corresponds to the first sorting condition registered in the sorting condition table, and the second check box 2007 corresponds to the second sorting condition registered in the sorting condition table.

[0152] The first check box 2006 is a check box for associating a first sorting condition with the external service displayed in the destination external service name display area 2003. If the first check box 2006 is checked, an entry is generated in the related information table 803 so that images matching the first sorting condition are transferred to the external service displayed in the destination external service name display area 2003. On the other hand, if the first check box 2006 is not checked, the first sorting condition is not applied. In the example of FIG. 20( a), the first sorting condition is a sorting condition whose sorting condition name is "Pet Records." The second check box 2007 is a check box for associating a second sorting condition with the external service displayed in the destination external service name display area 2003. If the second check box 2007 is checked, an entry is generated in the related information table 803 so that images matching the second sorting condition are transferred to the external service displayed in the destination external service name display area 2003. On the other hand, if the check box is not checked, the second sorting condition is not applied. In the example of Fig. 20(a), the second sorting condition is the sorting condition whose name is "Portrait Photography".

[0153] The third check box 2008 is a check box for associating "outside the sorting conditions" with the external service displayed in the destination external service name display area 2003. When the third check box 2008 is checked, an entry is generated in the related information table 803 so that an image that does not meet the sorting conditions is transferred to the external service displayed in the destination external service name display area 2003. An image that does not meet the sorting conditions refers to an image that does not match any of the sorting conditions registered in the sorting condition table 702. In the case of Figure 20(a), an image that does not meet either the first sorting condition or the second sorting condition is an image that does not meet the sorting conditions. In this embodiment, the value of the sorting condition ID indicating "outside the sorting conditions" is "SRT999".

[0154] The check boxes 2006 to 2008 are controlled so that the user's check selection is valid when the radio button 2005 is selected. Furthermore, when the third check box 2008 is checked, the screen is controlled so that the first check box 2006 and the second check box 2007 are unchecked. Furthermore, when either the first check box 2006 or the second check box 2007 is checked, the screen is controlled so that the third check box 2008 is unchecked. In this embodiment, the third check box 2008 is unchecked in the above case, but the check may not be unchecked. The OK button 2009 is a button for accepting the settings input by the user.

[0155] 20(b) is an example of the related information generation screen 2021 that is displayed when the sorting condition generation process has not yet been executed and the image transfer device 120 does not store the sorting condition table 702. The related information generation screen 2021 displays a message 2022 that prompts the user to generate sorting conditions, and is displayed to prompt the user to generate sorting conditions. The back button 2023 is a button that closes the related information generation screen and returns to the main screen 901 that called it.

[0156] FIG. 21 is a flowchart for explaining the details of S503 in FIG. 5. Using the flowchart in FIG. 21, the process of generating the related information generation screen 2001 as shown in FIG. 20(a) will be described. The flowchart in FIG. 21 explains a method of generating the related information generation screen 2001 so as to reproduce the state of the related information registered by the user. In other words, the flowchart explains a method of displaying the related information generation screen in a state in which the sorting conditions associated with the target external service are checked. Therefore, according to the flowchart in FIG. 21, it is possible to provide a related information generation screen that allows the user to check the current settings and at the same time makes it easy to edit the related information.

[0157] The flowchart of FIG. 21 starts when the image transfer device 120 receives a request transmitted from the terminal 107 in response to a user's pressing of a sorting condition application button displaying "Do not apply," such as the sorting condition application button 953 on the main screen 901. Alternatively, the flowchart starts when the image transfer device 120 receives a request transmitted from the terminal 107 in response to a user's instruction to edit generated external service-related information from a screen (not shown). Alternatively, the flowchart may start when a "button for editing generated related information" is provided on the main screen 901 and the process is started by pressing the button. The request transmitted from the terminal 107 includes a user ID, an external service ID indicating the external service of the transfer destination, and an application status flag, and each piece of information is stored in the RAM 203 of the image transfer device 120. The application status flag indicates whether or not the sorting conditions are to be applied when transferring images to the transfer destination. The application status flag is set to true if the sorting conditions are to be applied when transferring images to the transfer destination, and set to false if the sorting conditions are not to be applied.

[0158] In S2101, the screen generation unit 325 acquires the value of the user ID to be processed in this flowchart, which is included in the request. The following steps will be explained assuming that the acquired user ID is "USR001."

[0159] In S2102, the screen generation unit 325 acquires the value of the external service ID of the processing target of this flowchart, which was included in the request. For example, when the sorting condition application button 953 is pressed, the request includes the external service ID "SVC002" corresponding to the editing service, so "SVC002" is acquired in S2102. However, in the following explanation of the steps, it is assumed that the external service ID acquired in S2102 is "SVC001."

[0160] In S2103, the screen generation unit 325 acquires from the external service table 605 the external service name associated with the value of the external service ID to be processed.

[0161] In S2104, the screen generation unit 325 sets the external service name acquired in S2103 to be displayed in the transfer destination external service name display area 2003 of the related information generation screen 2001.

[0162] In S2105, the screen generation unit 325 retrieves from the sorting condition table 702 the values ​​of all sorting condition IDs associated with the value of the user ID to be processed and lists them. Specifically, the sorting condition table 702 is scanned to generate a list whose elements are the values ​​of the sorting condition IDs included in the entry in the sorting condition table 702 in which the user ID "USR001" to be processed is held. This list is referred to as the sorting condition list in this flowchart. The sorting condition list in this flowchart further includes values ​​of sorting condition IDs that indicate items outside the sorting conditions. For example, in the case of the sorting condition table 702 in Figure 7(a), "SRT001" and "SRT002" are retrieved from the "sorting condition ID" column of the entry in which "USR001" is held in the user ID column. Furthermore, the sorting condition ID that indicates items outside the sorting conditions is assumed to be "SRT999". In this case, in S2105, a sorting condition list with three elements, "SRT001," "SRT002," and "SRT999," will be obtained. Note that by setting an ID indicating a different sorting condition to the value of the sorting condition in the related information table 803, "SRT999" may be substituted.

[0163] In S2106, the screen generation unit 325 acquires the value of the application status flag included in the request.

[0164] In S2107, the screen generation unit 325 determines whether the user has specified that the sorting conditions be applied to the external service indicated by the value of the external service ID to be processed. Specifically, it determines whether the value of the application status flag acquired in S2106 is true, and switches subsequent processing depending on the value of the application status flag. If it is determined that the application status flag is false (NO in S2107), proceed to S2123.

[0165] In S2123, the screen generation unit 325 makes settings so that the related information generation screen 2001 is displayed with the radio button 2004 in a selected state and the radio button 2005 in a non-selected state, and then the process proceeds to S2124.

[0166] If the application status flag is determined to be true (YES in S2107), the process proceeds to S2108. In S2108, the screen generation unit 325 sets the related information generation screen 2001 to be displayed with the radio button 2004 in a non-selected state and the radio button 2005 in a selected state. Then, the process proceeds to S2109.

[0167] In S2109, the screen generation unit 325 obtains the value of the transfer destination ID associated with the value of the user ID to be processed and the value of the external service ID to be processed from the transfer destination table 801. That is, the value of the transfer destination ID associated with the user ID "USR001" and the external service ID "SVC001" in the transfer destination table 801 is obtained. The obtained value is set as the value of the transfer destination ID to be processed in this flowchart. The following steps will be explained assuming that the obtained transfer destination ID is "TRN001".

[0168] In S2110, the screen generation unit 325 acquires the value of the related information ID associated with the value of the user ID to be processed and the value of the transfer destination ID to be processed. That is, in the related information table 803, the value of the related information ID associated with the user ID "USR001" and the transfer destination ID "TRN001" is acquired. The acquired value is set as the value of the related information ID to be processed in this flowchart. The following steps will be explained assuming that the acquired related information ID is "REL001".

[0169] In S2111, the screen generation unit 325 acquires all the values ​​of the sorting condition IDs associated with the related information ID "REL001" to be processed in this flowchart in the related information table 803 and creates a list. The list whose elements are the sorting condition ID values ​​acquired in S2111 is referred to as the "related sorting condition list." In addition, the sorting condition IDs that are elements of the related sorting condition list are also referred to as related sorting condition IDs. For example, if the related information table 803 is in the state shown in Figure 8(c), the sorting condition ID "SRT002" held in the "sorting condition" column of the entry in which "REL001" is held in the related information ID column is acquired as the related sorting condition ID. In other words, a "related sorting condition list" having "SRT002" as an element is acquired.

[0170] In S2112, the screen generation unit 325 initializes the sorting condition counter. The next steps S2113 to S2121 are loop processing for processing elements (values ​​of sorting condition IDs) corresponding to the value of the sorting condition counter, among the elements of the sorting condition list acquired in S2105.

[0171] In S2113, the screen generation unit 325 determines whether all elements included in the sorting condition list acquired in S2105 have been processed as processing targets. If there are elements in the sorting condition list that have not been processed as processing targets (NO in S2113), the process proceeds to S2114.

[0172] In S2114, the screen generation unit 325 initializes the related sorting condition counter. The next steps S2115 to S2119 are loop processing that processes elements (values ​​of related sorting condition IDs) from the related sorting condition list acquired in S2111 that correspond to the value of the related sorting condition counter.

[0173] In S2115, the screen generation unit 325 determines whether all elements included in the related sorting condition list acquired in S2111 have been processed as processing targets. If there are any elements among the elements constituting the related sorting condition list that have not been processed as processing targets (NO in S2115), proceed to S2116.

[0174] In S2116, the screen generation unit 325 obtains the element of the related sorting condition list corresponding to the current value of the related sorting condition counter as the element to be processed. For example, if the related sorting condition counter is 0, the value of the related sorting condition ID that is the first element in the related sorting condition list is obtained. Then, it determines whether the value of the related sorting condition ID of the current object to be processed is the value of the sorting condition ID that represents "out of sorting condition", "SRT999". If it is determined that the element to be processed is the value of the sorting condition ID that represents "out of sorting condition" (S2116 is YES), the loop processing is exited and the process proceeds to S2122.

[0175] In S2122, the screen generation unit 325 sets the related information generation screen 2001 so that options other than the sorting conditions are selected. That is, the related information generation screen 2001 is set so that the third check box 2008 is checked. At this time, the first check box 2006 and the second check box 2007 may be set so that they are not checked. Then, the process proceeds to S2124.

[0176] On the other hand, if it is determined that the value of the related sorting condition ID of the current processing target does not match the value of the sorting condition ID representing "outside sorting conditions" (NO in S2116), the process proceeds to S2117.

[0177] In S2117, the screen generation unit 325 determines whether the value of the sorting condition ID of the current processing target in the sorting condition list matches the value of the related sorting condition ID of the current processing target in the related sorting condition list. If the values ​​match, the value of the sorting condition ID of the current processing target in the sorting condition list obtained in S2105 is already associated with the value of the transfer destination ID of the processing target in this flowchart. In this case (S2117 is YES), proceed to S2118.

[0178] In S2118, the screen generation unit 325 obtains from the sorting condition table 702 the sorting condition name corresponding to the value of the sorting condition ID of the currently processed item in the sorting condition list obtained in S2105. The screen generation unit 325 then sets the related information generation screen 2001 to be displayed with the check box corresponding to the obtained sorting condition name checked. The loop processing of S2115 to S2119 is then exited, and processing proceeds to S2121.

[0179] On the other hand, if it is determined that the values ​​do not match (NO in S2117), the value of the sorting condition ID of the current processing target is not associated with the value of the transfer destination ID of the processing target, so S2118 is skipped and the process proceeds to S2119.

[0180] In S2119, the screen generation unit 325 increments the value of the associated sorting condition counter. Then, the process returns to S2115. If it is determined in S2115 that all elements included in the associated sorting condition list have been processed as processing targets (YES in S2115), the process proceeds to S2120.

[0181] In S2120, the screen generation unit 325 obtains the sorting condition name corresponding to the value of the sorting condition ID of the currently processed item in the sorting condition list obtained in S2105 from the sorting condition table 702. The screen generation unit 325 then sets the related information generation screen 2001 to be displayed with the check box corresponding to the obtained sorting condition name unchecked.

[0182] For example, it is assumed that the sorting condition table 702 holds sorting condition ID values ​​corresponding to the sorting condition names "Pet Record" and "Portrait Photo" as sorting conditions associated with the user to be processed. In this case, the sorting condition list acquired in S2105 will include three sorting condition ID values ​​corresponding to "Pet Record", "Portrait Photo", and "Out of Sorting Condition" as elements. Also, it is assumed that in the related information table 803, only the sorting condition ID value of "Portrait Photo" is associated with the transfer destination ID value of the processing target. In this case, the related sorting condition list acquired in S2111 will include only the sorting condition ID value of "Portrait Photo" as an element. Then, when the sorting condition ID value of "Portrait Photo" in the sorting condition list is processed in the loop processing of S2113 to S2121, it is determined in S2117 that the sorting condition ID value of "Portrait Photo" matches the sorting condition ID value of "Portrait Photo" in the related sorting condition list. In this case, the process proceeds to S2118, and settings are made to display the related information generation screen 2001 with the second check box 2007 corresponding to "Portrait Photography" checked, as shown in FIG. 20. Meanwhile, in the loop processing of S2113 to S2121, the value of the sorting condition ID of "Pet Record" in the sorting condition list is assumed to be the processing target. In this case, since it is not determined in S2117 that the value matches an element included in the related sorting condition list, the process does not transition from S2118 to S2120. In this case, settings are made to display the related information generation screen 2001 with the first check box 2006 corresponding to "Pet Record" unchecked, as shown in FIG. 20. Similarly, settings are made to display the related information generation screen 2001 with the third check box 2008 unchecked.

[0183] In S2121, the screen generation unit 325 increments the sorting condition counter, and then returns to S2113.

[0184] If it is determined in S2113 that all elements in the sorting condition list have been processed as processing targets (YES in S2113), the process proceeds to S2124.

[0185] In S2124, the screen generation unit 325 sets the OK button on the related information generation screen 2001. Then, this flowchart ends, and the information on the set related information generation screen 2001 is sent to the terminal 107. Then, the related information generation screen 2001 is displayed on the terminal 107. When the OK button 2009 on the related information generation screen 2001 is pressed, a request to generate related information with the content displayed on the related information generation screen 2001 is sent to the image transfer device 120.

[0186] Fig. 22 is a flowchart for explaining the details of S507 in Fig. 5. Using Fig. 22, the process of associating the sorting conditions selected by the user via the related information generation screen 2001 with the transfer destination, or the process of deleting related information from the related information table 803, will be explained. The flowchart in Fig. 22 is started when the image transfer device 120 receives a request transmitted from the terminal 107 in response to pressing the OK button 2009 on the related information generation screen 2001 in Fig. 20. Alternatively, the flowchart in Fig. 22 is started when the image transfer device 120 receives a request transmitted from the terminal 107 by pressing the sorting condition application button 943 button, which displays "Apply," on the main screen 901 in Fig. 9.

[0187] A request transmitted from the terminal 107 includes a user ID value indicating the logged-in user, an external service ID value, and a sorting condition application flag value. A request transmitted by pressing the OK button 2009 on the related information generation screen 2001 shown in FIG. 20(a) further includes a sorting condition list whose elements are the sorting condition ID values ​​corresponding to the sorting conditions selected by the user on the related information generation screen 2001. The external service ID value included in the request is the ID value of the external service to be processed. A request transmitted by pressing the sorting condition application button 943 on the main screen 901 shown in FIG. 9, which displays "Apply," includes an external service ID value corresponding to the setting area including the sorting condition application button 943. A request transmitted by pressing the OK button 2009 on the related information generation screen 2001 shown in FIG. 20(a) includes an external service ID value corresponding to the external service name displayed in the transfer destination external service name display area 2003 on the related information generation screen 2001. Each piece of information included in the request is stored in the RAM 203 of the image transfer device 120.

[0188] The value of the application status flag indicates whether or not the sorting conditions are applied when transferring an image to the destination indicated by the value of the external service ID included in the request. The value of the "sorting condition application flag" included in a request sent by pressing the sorting condition application button 943, which displays "Apply," on the main screen 901 in Figure 9, will be false. The value of the "sorting condition application flag" included in a request sent by pressing the OK button 2009 on the related information generation screen 2001 shown in Figure 20(a) will be true.

[0189] In S2201, the related information generation unit 327 acquires the value of the user ID of the processing target included in the request. The following steps will be explained assuming that the user ID of the processing target is "USR001."

[0190] In S2202, the related information generation unit 327 acquires the value of the external service ID to be processed that was included in the request. For example, when the OK button 2009 on the related information generation screen 2001 for "editing service" in Fig. 20(a) is pressed, the external service ID "SVC002" corresponding to "editing service" is acquired as shown in Fig. 6(e). The following steps will be explained assuming that the external service ID to be processed is "SVC002".

[0191] In S2203, the related information generation unit 327 acquires the value of the transfer destination ID associated with the value of the user ID of the processing target and the value of the external service ID of the processing target from the transfer destination table 801. For example, from the transfer destination table 801 in FIG. 8(a), "TRN002" is acquired as the value of the transfer destination ID associated with the user ID "USR001" of the processing target and the external service ID "SVC002" of the processing target. The acquired transfer destination ID is set as the value of the transfer destination ID of the processing target in this flowchart. S2204 to S2210 will be explained assuming that the transfer destination ID of the processing target is "TRN002".

[0192] In S2204, the related information generation unit 327 determines whether or not the application of the sorting conditions has been specified. Specifically, the related information generation unit 327 determines whether or not the value of the "sorting condition application flag" included in the request received from the terminal 107 is true. If it is determined that the sorting condition application flag is true (YES in S2204), the process proceeds to S2205.

[0193] In S2205, the related information generation unit 327 initializes the sorting condition counter. The next steps S2206 to S2210 are a loop process that processes elements of the sorting condition list included in the received request that correspond to the value of the sorting condition counter.

[0194] In S2206, the related information generation unit 327 determines whether all elements constituting the sorting condition list included in the request have been processed. Specifically, this determination is made by comparing the value of the sorting condition counter with the list length of the sorting condition list. If there are unprocessed elements in the sorting condition list (NO in S2206), proceed to S2207. If all elements constituting the sorting condition list have been processed (YES in S2206), this flowchart ends.

[0195] In S2207, the related information generation unit 327 acquires the value of the sorting condition ID of the processing target corresponding to the sorting condition counter from the sorting condition list.

[0196] In S2208, the related information generation unit 327 generates an entry (related information) that associates the value of the user ID acquired in S2201, the value of the transfer destination ID acquired in S2203, and the value of the sorting condition ID of the current processing target. If the value of the sorting condition ID of the current processing target is "SRT002," an entry (related information) is generated by associating "USR001," "SRT002," and "TRN002."

[0197] In S2209, the related information generation unit 327 adds the entry (related information) generated in S2208 to the related information table 803. At this time, the entry holds the value of the related information ID. As a result, a new entry is added to the last row as shown in FIG. 8(d).

[0198] In S2210, the related information generating unit 327 increments the sorting condition counter so that the next element in the sorting condition list becomes the processing target, and then the process returns to S2206.

[0199] Figure 19(b) is a diagram showing a portion of the main screen. Figure 19(b) shows the main screen after the sorting conditions have been associated with the editing service by pressing the OK button 2009 on the related information generation screen 2001, which is transitioned to by pressing the sorting condition application button 953 on the main screen 901 in Figure 9, and executing Figure 22. Since the sorting conditions have been associated, the sorting condition application button 1910 in Figure 19(b) differs from the sorting condition application button 953 in Figure 9 in that the word on the button has changed to "Apply," indicating that the sorting conditions have been associated.

[0200] In addition, a transfer destination selected by a user may be associated with sorting conditions created by other users. For example, sorting conditions created by a user belonging to a certain group may be shared by users belonging to the group.

[0201] On the other hand, if it is determined in S2204 that the sorting condition application flag is false (S2204: NO), the process proceeds to S2211.

[0202] In S2211, related information generation unit 327 initializes a related information counter. The following steps S2212 to S2215 are loop processes for processing entries corresponding to the value of the related information counter among the entries in related information table 803. The related information counter is initialized so that the processing target is the first entry in related information table 803.

[0203] In S2212, the related information generation unit 327 determines whether or not all entries in the related information table 803 have been processed as processing targets. If it is determined that an unprocessed entry exists (NO in S2212), the process proceeds to S2213.

[0204] In S2213, the related information generation unit 327 acquires the user ID value and the transfer destination ID value included in the entry to be processed in the related information table 803. Then, it is determined whether the acquired user ID value matches the user ID value "USR001" acquired in S2201 and whether the acquired transfer destination ID value matches the transfer ID value "TRN002" acquired in S2203. If they match, it means that the entry to be deleted has been found, and if they do not match, it means that the entry to be deleted has not been found. If it is determined that they match (YES in S2213), proceed to S2214.

[0205] In S2214, the related information generation unit 327 deletes the entry for the current processing target from the related information table 803. That is, the association between the transfer destination of the processing target and the sorting conditions for the user of the processing target is released. Then, this flowchart ends. As a result, sorting processing will no longer be performed for image transfers to the external service indicated by the transfer destination ID of the processing target.

[0206] On the other hand, if it is determined in S2213 that there is no match (NO in S2213), the process proceeds to S2215. In S2215, the related information generation unit 327 increments the related information counter so that the entry to be processed becomes the next entry in the related information table. Then, the process returns to S2212. If it is determined in S2212 that all entries have been processed (YES in S2212), the process ends this flowchart.

[0207] [About sorting processing] Fig. 23 is a flowchart for explaining the details of the sorting process of S516 in Fig. 5. The flowchart of Fig. 23 starts when the analysis process (S515) for the image transmitted from the photographing device 110 is completed. The request received by the image transfer device 120 together with the image contains at least the value of the user ID indicating the user of the photographing device 110 and the value of the image ID indicating the image transmitted from the photographing device in S514. It is assumed that each piece of information contained in the request is stored in the RAM 203 of the image transfer device 120.

[0208] In S2301, the classification unit 328 acquires the value of the user ID included in the request. The value of the user ID acquired in this step is the value of the user ID to be processed in this flowchart.

[0209] In S2302, the sorting unit 328 acquires the value of the image ID included in the request. The value of the image ID acquired in this step is set as the value of the image ID to be processed in this flowchart. In other words, the image transmitted from the image capture device in S514 is the image to be processed.

[0210] In S2303, the sorting unit 328 initializes an object that records the results of the sorting process for the image indicated by the value of the image ID to be processed. This object will be called the "sorting result" for the value of the image ID to be processed.

[0211] In S2304, the sorting unit 328 retrieves all sorting condition IDs associated with the user ID of the target user from the sorting condition table 702, and generates a list whose elements are the retrieved sorting condition IDs. In this flowchart, this list is referred to as the sorting condition list.

[0212] In S2305, the sorting unit 328 initializes the sorting condition counter. The next steps S2306 to S2315 are a loop process in which elements (sorting condition ID values) corresponding to the value of the sorting condition counter are processed from among the elements of the sorting condition list acquired in S2304. The sorting condition counter is initialized so that the first element in the sorting condition list is processed first.

[0213] In S2306, the sorting unit 328 determines whether all elements included in the sorting condition list acquired in S2304 have been processed as processing targets. If it is determined that there are elements that have not been processed (NO in S2306), the process proceeds to S2307.

[0214] In S2307, the sorting unit 328 acquires the value of the sorting condition ID of the element to be processed, which is the element to be processed, from among the elements in the sorting condition list.

[0215] In S2308, the sorting unit 328 obtains, from the sorting condition table 702, the sorting item value associated with the value of the sorting condition ID of the processing target obtained in S2307.

[0216] In S2309, the sorting unit 328 acquires the analysis result associated with the value of the image ID of the processing target acquired in S2302 from the management unit 323. That is, the result of the analysis process executed in S515 on the image indicated by the image ID of the processing target is acquired.

[0217] In S2310, the sorting unit 328 performs a match determination process in which if the analysis results acquired in S2309 match all of the sorting item values ​​associated with the sorting condition ID being processed, true is output, and if they do not match, false is output. Details of the match determination process in S2310 will be described later using Figures 24A and 24B.

[0218] In S2311, the sorting unit 328 determines whether true was output in the match determination process. If it is determined that true was output in the match determination process (YES in S2311), the process proceeds to S2312. If it is determined that false was output in the match determination process, the process skips S2312 to 2314 and proceeds to S2315.

[0219] In S2312, the sorting unit 328 stores the value of the sorting condition ID of the current processing target in the sorting result acquired in S2303. Let's assume that the value of the sorting condition ID of the current processing target is "SRT001." In this case, "SRT001" is stored in the sorting result.

[0220] In S2313, the sorting unit 328 obtains the value of the sorting condition name embedding flag associated with the value of the sorting condition ID to be processed from the sorting condition table 702. Then, it determines whether the obtained value is true. If it is determined that the obtained value is true (YES in S2313), it proceeds to S2314. On the other hand, if the obtained value is false (NO in S2313), it skips S2314 and proceeds to S2315.

[0221] In S2314, the sorting unit 328 writes the name of the sorting condition corresponding to the value of the sorting condition ID of the processing target into the metadata such as Exif of the image indicated by the image ID of the processing target.Then, the process proceeds to S2315.

[0222] In S2315, the sorting unit 328 increments the sorting condition counter, and the process returns to S2306.

[0223] On the other hand, if it is determined in S2306 that all elements in the sorting condition list have been processed as processing targets (YES in S2306), the process proceeds to S2316.

[0224] In S2316, the sorting unit 328 determines whether the sorting result contains a value for the sorting condition ID. If it is determined that the sorting result contains a value for the sorting condition ID (YES in S2316), the process skips S2317 to S2319 and proceeds to S2320. If it is determined that the sorting result does not contain a value for the sorting condition ID (NO in S2316), the process proceeds to S2317.

[0225] In S2317, the sorting unit 328 stores the value of the sorting condition ID corresponding to the out-of-sorting condition in the sorting result acquired in S2303. If the value of the sorting condition ID is not stored in the sorting result as a result of the loop processing of S2306 to S2315, this means that the image indicated by the image ID being processed does not match any of the sorting conditions registered in the sorting condition table 702. Therefore, the image indicated by the image ID being processed is processed so that it can be determined that it does not match the sorting condition. For example, if the value of the sorting condition ID corresponding to the out-of-sorting condition is "SRT999," "SRT999" is stored in the sorting result. The reason for storing the value of the sorting condition ID corresponding to the out-of-sorting condition in the sorting result is so that, if a setting is made to transfer images that do not match the sorting condition to an external service, the images that do not match the sorting condition can be transferred to the specified transfer destination in the subsequent transfer determination process.

[0226] In S2318, the sorting unit 328 obtains the value of the sorting condition name embedding flag associated with the value of the sorting condition ID to be processed from the sorting condition table 702. Then, it determines whether the obtained value is true. If it is determined that the obtained value is true (YES in S2318), it proceeds to S2319. On the other hand, if the obtained value is false (NO in S2318), it skips S2319 and proceeds to S2320.

[0227] In S2319, the sorting unit 328 performs processing to write a value indicating that the image falls outside the sorting conditions into metadata such as Exif for the image indicated by the image ID of the processing target. For example, a character string such as "out of sorting conditions" is written to the metadata. The processing then proceeds to S2320.

[0228] In S2320, the management unit 323 stores the sorting results generated in this flowchart in the storage unit in association with the value of the image ID of the image to be processed in this flowchart. That is, the sorting results are stored in a format that can be referenced by the value of the image ID. For example, the value of the image ID of the image to be processed may be included as part of the file path or file name. Alternatively, the value of the image ID of the image to be processed may be associated with the file path, and the file path may be stored so that the file path can be searched using the image ID value as a key.

[0229] [S2310 match determination process flow] FIG. 24 is a flowchart for explaining the details of the match determination process executed in S2310.

[0230] In S2400, the sorting unit 328 initializes a match flag. The match flag is a flag that indicates whether the analysis result associated with the value of the image ID to be processed in the flowchart of FIG. 23 satisfies the sorting conditions for the current processing target. If the value of the match flag is true, it indicates that the analysis result and the sorting conditions match. If the value of the match flag is false, it indicates that the analysis result and the sorting conditions do not match. The initial value of the match flag is false.

[0231] In S2401, the sorting unit 328 determines whether the value of the sorting condition ID to be processed is associated with the value of the object category ID in the sorting condition table 702. If the object category ID value is held in the object category column, as in entry 711 in Figure 7(b), it is determined that the value of the object category ID is associated with the value of the sorting condition ID to be processed. In this case (YES in S2401), the process proceeds to S2402.

[0232] In S2402, the sorting unit 328 initializes the object category counter. The sorting unit 328 acquires an object category list whose elements are the object category ID values ​​associated with the value of the sorting condition ID to be processed in the sorting condition table 702. The following steps S2403 to S2407 are loop processes for processing elements (object category ID values) corresponding to the value of the object category counter, among the elements of the acquired object category list.

[0233] In S2403, the sorting unit 328 determines whether all elements included in the object category list have been processed. If it is determined that there are elements that have not been processed (NO in S2403), the process proceeds to S2404.

[0234] In S2404, the sorting unit 328 acquires the value of the object category ID from the analysis result associated with the value of the image ID to be processed in the flowchart of Fig. 23. The acquired value of the object category ID is referred to as CATi. That is, CATi is a value that represents the category of the object included in the image indicated by the value of the image ID to be processed.

[0235] In S2405, the sorting unit 328 determines whether the acquired CATi matches the value of the object category ID of the current processing target. If it is determined that they match, the object in the image indicated by the value of the image ID of the processing target includes the object to be sorted. In this case (YES in S2405), the process proceeds to S2406.

[0236] In S2406, the sorting unit 328 sets the match flag to true, and then proceeds to S2407.

[0237] On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no match (NO in S2405), S2406 is skipped and the process proceeds to S2407. In S2407, the sorting unit 328 increments the object category counter. Then, the process returns to S2403. If it is determined in S2403 that all elements in the object category list have been processed (YES in S2403), the process proceeds to S2409.

[0238] On the other hand, if the object category ID value is not held in the object category column, as in entries 712 and 714 in Figure 7(b), it is determined that the object category ID value is not associated with the value of the sorting condition ID to be processed. In this case (NO in S2401), the process proceeds to S2408. In S2408, the sorting unit 328 changes the match flag to true. The process then proceeds to S2409.

[0239] In S2409, the sorting unit 328 determines whether the image blur removal value associated with the value of the sorting condition ID of the processing target is true and whether the blur determination result in the analysis result associated with the value of the image ID of the processing target is false. That is, the sorting unit 328 determines whether the current sorting conditions of the processing target are for sorting images without blur and whether the image indicated by the value of the image ID of the processing target is a blurred image. If the determination in S2409 is YES, the processing proceeds to S2411. In S2411, the sorting unit 328 outputs a message indicating that the blur determination results did not match. Then, in S2412, the sorting unit 328 changes the match flag to false. Then, the processing proceeds to S2413.

[0240] On the other hand, if S2409 returns NO, the process proceeds to S2410. However, if no value is stored in the image blur removal column, or if the value of the image blur removal column associated with the value of the sorting condition ID to be processed is false, as in entry 714 in Figure 7(b), S2410 is skipped and the process proceeds to S2413. In S2410, the sorting unit 328 outputs that the blur determination results match.

[0241] In S2413, the sorting unit 328 determines whether the value of the exposure irregularity removal associated with the value of the sorting condition ID of the processing target is true and whether the exposure determination result in the analysis result associated with the value of the image ID of the processing target is false. That is, the sorting unit 328 determines whether the current sorting condition of the processing target is for sorting images without exposure irregularities and whether the image indicated by the value of the image ID of the processing target is an image with exposure irregularities. If the determination in S2413 is YES, the processing proceeds to S2415. In S2415, the sorting unit 328 outputs a message indicating that the exposure determination results did not match. Then, in S2416, the sorting unit 328 changes the match flag to false. Then, the processing proceeds to S2417.

[0242] On the other hand, if S2413 is judged as NO, the process proceeds to S2414. However, if no value is held in the exposure fraud elimination column, or if the value of the exposure fraud elimination column associated with the value of the sorting condition ID to be processed is false, as in entry 714 in Figure 7(b), S2414 is skipped and the process proceeds to S2417. In S2414, the sorting unit 328 outputs that the exposure determination results match.

[0243] In S2417, the sorting unit 328 determines whether the shooting date and time is within the shooting date and time range of the sorting condition being processed. Specifically, it determines whether the shooting date and time of the image indicated by the image ID being processed is within the shooting date and time range associated with the value of the sorting condition ID being processed in the sorting condition table 702. If it is determined that the shooting date and time is within the shooting date and time range of the sorting condition (YES in S2417), the process proceeds to S2418. In S2418, the sorting unit 328 outputs a match in the shooting date and time determination result. The process then proceeds to S2421. If no value is held in the shooting date and time range column, as in entry 711 in FIG. 7(b), S2418 to S2420 are skipped and the process proceeds to S2421.

[0244] On the other hand, if it is determined that the shooting date and time is not within the shooting date and time range of the sorting conditions (NO in S2417), the processing proceeds to S2419. In S2419, the sorting unit 328 outputs a message indicating that the shooting date and time determination result does not match. In S2420, the sorting unit 328 changes the match flag to false. Then, the processing proceeds to S2421.

[0245] In S2421, the sorting unit 328 determines whether the imaging device that captured the image is included in the sorting conditions of the processing target. Specifically, it determines whether the imaging device that captured the image indicated by the image ID of the processing target is included in the imaging devices associated with the value of the sorting condition ID of the current processing target in the sorting condition table 702. If it is determined that the imaging device that captured the image is included in the sorting conditions (YES in S2421), the process proceeds to S2422. In S2422, the sorting unit 328 outputs that the imaging device determination result matches. Then, the process proceeds to S2425. If no value is held in the imaging device column, as in entry 711 in FIG. 7(b), S2422 to S2424 are skipped and the process proceeds to S2425.

[0246] On the other hand, if it is determined that the imaging device that captured the image does not fall under the sorting conditions (NO in S2421), the process proceeds to S2423. In S2423, the sorting unit 328 outputs that the imaging device determination result did not match. In S2424, the sorting unit 328 changes the match flag to false. Then, the process proceeds to S2425.

[0247] In S2425, the sorting unit 328 determines whether the rating of the image is included in the sorting conditions of the processing target. Specifically, it determines whether the rating of the image indicated by the image ID of the processing target is included in the ratings associated with the value of the sorting condition ID of the current processing target in the sorting condition table 702. If it is determined that the rating of the image is included in the sorting conditions (YES in S2425), the process proceeds to S2426. In S2426, the sorting unit 328 outputs that the rating determination result matches. Then, the process proceeds to S2429. If no value is held in the rating column, as in entry 711 in FIG. 7(b), S2426 to S2428 are skipped and the process proceeds to S2429.

[0248] On the other hand, if it is determined that the rating of the image does not fall within the classification conditions (NO in S2425), the process proceeds to S2427. In S2427, the classification unit 328 outputs to the classification result that the rating determination result did not match. In S2428, the classification unit 328 changes the match flag to false. Then, the process proceeds to S2429.

[0249] In S2429, the sorting unit 328 determines whether the image type of the image is included in the sorting conditions of the processing target. Specifically, it determines whether the image type of the image indicated by the image ID of the processing target is included in the recording format associated with the value of the sorting condition ID of the current processing target in the sorting condition table 702. If it is determined that the image type of the image is included in the sorting conditions (YES in S2429), the process proceeds to S2430. In S2430, the sorting unit 328 outputs a match in the recording format determination result. The process then proceeds to S2433. If no value is held in the recording format column, as in entry 711 in FIG. 7(b), S2430 to S2432 are skipped and the process proceeds to S2433.

[0250] On the other hand, if it is determined that the image type of the image does not fall within the classification conditions (NO in S2429), the process proceeds to S2431. In S2431, the classification unit 328 outputs that the recording format determination result did not match. In S2432, the classification unit 328 changes the match flag to false. Then, the process proceeds to S2433.

[0251] In S2433, the sorting unit 328 determines whether the match flag is true. If the match flag is true, the image indicated by the image ID of the processing target matches the sorting conditions indicated by the sorting condition ID of the current processing target. If the match flag is determined to be true (YES in S2433), the sorting unit 328 outputs true in S2434, indicating that there is a match as a result of the match determination process. The process then proceeds to S2311 of FIG. 23. In this case, the determination in S2311 is YES. On the other hand, if the match flag is false, the image indicated by the image ID of the processing target does not match the sorting conditions indicated by the sorting condition ID of the processing target. If the match flag is determined to be false (NO in S2433), the sorting unit 328 outputs false in S2435, indicating that there is no match as a result of the match determination process. The process then proceeds to S2311 of FIG. 23. In this case, the determination in S2311 is NO.

[0252] [About forwarding process] Fig. 25 is a flowchart for explaining the details of the transfer processing of S517 to S519 in Fig. 5. The flowchart in Fig. 25 starts when the image transfer device 120 receives the images and requests transmitted from the photographing device 110 and the sorting processing of S516 ends. The requests in this flowchart are the same as the requests for the sorting processing, and each piece of information included in the request is stored in the RAM 203 of the image transfer device 120.

[0253] In S2501, the transfer unit 330 acquires the user ID of the processing target included in the request. The following steps will be explained assuming that the user ID of the processing target is "USR001."

[0254] In S2502, the transfer unit 330 acquires the value of the image ID to be processed for this transfer determination, which is included in the request. That is, the image sent from the imaging device in S514 is to be processed. The following steps will be explained assuming that the image ID to be processed is "IMGID0."

[0255] In S2503, the forwarding unit 330 obtains the value of the forwarding destination ID associated with the value of the user ID to be processed from the forwarding destination table 801. Then, a forwarding destination list is generated, which is a list whose elements are the values ​​of the obtained forwarding destination IDs. Specifically, the forwarding destination list is a list whose elements are the values ​​of the forwarding destination IDs held in the "forwarding destination ID" column included in the entry group in which "USR001" is held in the "user ID" column in the forwarding destination table 801. This forwarding destination list can be said to be a list of the values ​​of the forwarding destination IDs corresponding to the external services linked with the user to be processed. For example, in the case of the forwarding destination table 801 in FIG. 8(a), a forwarding destination list whose elements are "TRN001" and "TRN002," which are the values ​​of the forwarding destination IDs associated with "USR001" is obtained.

[0256] In S2504, the transfer unit 330 initializes the transfer destination counter. The next steps S2505 to S2514 are loop processes for processing elements (values ​​of transfer destination IDs) corresponding to the value of the transfer destination counter, among the elements of the transfer destination list acquired in S2503. The transfer destination counter is initialized so that the element to be processed starts from the top of the transfer destination list.

[0257] In S2505, the transfer unit 330 determines whether all elements included in the transfer destination list have been processed as processing targets. If it is determined that there is an element in the transfer destination list that has not been processed as processing targets (NO in S2505), the process proceeds to S2506.

[0258] In S2506, the transfer unit 330 acquires the value of the transfer destination ID of the processing target, which is the element to be processed included in the transfer destination list.

[0259] In S2507, the transfer unit 330 obtains the value of the sorting condition ID associated with the value of the transfer destination ID of the current processing target from the related information table 803, and generates a list whose element is the value of the obtained sorting condition ID. This list is a sorting condition list corresponding to the value of the transfer destination ID of the current processing target. For example, assume that the transfer destination ID of the current processing target is "TRN001." In this case, an entry in the related information table 803 of FIG. 8(d) that has "USR001" in the "User ID" column and "TRN001" in the "Transfer Destination ID" column is obtained. Then, a list whose element is the sorting condition ID "SRT002" included in the "Sort Condition" column of the obtained entry is generated as a sorting condition list corresponding to the transfer destination ID "TRN001." The sorting condition list in this flowchart can be said to be a list whose elements are sorting conditions associated with the user of the processing target and the transfer destination of the current processing target.

[0260] In S2508, the transfer unit 330 initializes the sorting condition counter. The next steps S2509 to S2513 are loop processes that process elements (values ​​of sorting condition IDs) corresponding to the value of the sorting condition counter from among the elements of the sorting condition list corresponding to the value of the transfer destination ID of the current processing target, obtained in S2507. The sorting conditions indicated by the value of the sorting condition ID of the processing target are sometimes called the sorting conditions of the processing target. The sorting condition counter is initialized so that the processing target is the first element in the sorting condition list.

[0261] In S2509, the transfer unit 330 determines whether all elements included in the sorting condition list corresponding to the value of the transfer destination ID of the current processing target have been processed. If it is determined that there are elements that have not been processed as processing targets (NO in S2509), the process proceeds to S2510.

[0262] In S2510, the transfer unit 330 acquires the sorting result associated with the value of the image ID of the target image from among the sorting results managed by the management unit 323. The transfer unit 330 then acquires the value of the sorting condition ID held in the acquired sorting result. Specifically, the sorting result associated with the image ID "IMGID0" is acquired, and the value of the sorting condition ID is acquired from that sorting result. The value of the sorting condition ID held in the sorting result indicates the sorting condition that matches the analysis result of the image indicated by the value of the image ID of the target image.

[0263] In S2511, the transfer unit 330 determines whether the value of the sorting condition ID acquired in S2510 matches the value of the sorting condition ID of the current processing target. If it is determined that the values ​​match, this indicates that the image corresponding to the image ID of the processing target matches the sorting conditions associated with the transfer destination (external service) of the processing target. In this case (YES in S2511), the process proceeds to S2512.

[0264] In S2512, the transfer unit 330 transfers the image indicated by the image ID of the processing target to the external service corresponding to the value of the transfer destination ID of the current processing target. If the transfer destination ID of the processing target is "TRN002", the external service ID corresponding to "TRN002" is "SVC001". Since the URL of the external service "editing service" corresponding to "SVC001" can be obtained according to the external service table 605, the image indicated by the image ID of the processing target is transferred to the transfer destination indicated by the transfer destination ID of the processing target. Then, the process proceeds to S2513.

[0265] On the other hand, if it is determined in S2511 that the values ​​do not match, the image indicated by the image ID of the processing target is an image that does not match the sorting conditions of the current processing target. In this embodiment, images that do not match the sorting conditions associated with the transfer destination are controlled so as not to be transferred to the transfer destination. Therefore, if it is determined in S2511 that the values ​​do not match (NO in S2511), S2512 is skipped and the process proceeds to S2513. In this way, in this embodiment, only images that match the sorting conditions associated with the transfer destination can be transferred to the transfer destination.

[0266] In S2513, the transfer unit 330 increments the sorting condition counter, and the process returns to S2509.

[0267] If it is determined in S2509 that all elements in the sorting condition list corresponding to the value of the transfer destination ID of the current processing target have been processed as processing targets (YES in S2509), the loop processing of S2509 to S2513 is exited and the process proceeds to S2514. In S2514, the transfer unit 330 increments the transfer destination counter and returns to S2505. If it is determined in S2505 that all elements in the transfer destination list have been processed as processing targets (YES in S2505), this flowchart ends.

[0268] As described above, according to this embodiment, the sorting conditions created by the user are managed in association with identifiers using first information such as the sorting condition table 702. Then, as shown in Fig. 20, the user can select the sorting conditions to be associated with the transfer destination from among the sorting conditions already created and included in the sorting condition table 702. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the sorting conditions created once can be associated with various transfer destinations.

[0269] In this embodiment, on the related information generation screen 2001 of Fig. 20, candidates for sorting conditions to be associated with the transfer destination are displayed in the order of the first sorting condition and the second sorting condition. The display order of the candidates for sorting conditions on the related information generation screen 2001 is not limited to this method. They may be displayed in order starting from the sorting condition that the user is most likely to select.

[0270] Figure 26(a) is an example of a sorting condition selection history table. The management unit 323 of the image transfer device 120 may further manage a sorting condition selection history table 2610. In the sorting condition selection history table 2610, the value of the sorting condition selection history ID by transfer destination is associated with each value of the user ID, transfer destination ID, sorting condition ID, association date and time, etc. The value of the sorting condition selection history ID by transfer destination is a value for uniquely identifying the sorting condition selection history by transfer destination. The "sorting condition ID" column holds the value of the sorting condition ID corresponding to the sorting condition currently or previously associated with each transfer destination. Each value of the user ID, transfer destination ID, sorting condition ID, association date and time, etc. can be referenced from the sorting condition selection history table 2610. Therefore, the sorting condition selection history table 2610 may be referenced to display the related information generation screen 2001, in which sorting condition candidates are displayed in order of the most frequently associated sorting condition. By displaying such related information generation screen 2001, the user can easily select the sorting conditions that are frequently used for each transfer destination. In particular, when a large number of sorting conditions have been registered, it can be said that displaying the related information generation screen in such a display order is effective.

[0271] <Embodiment 2> This embodiment describes a method for associating sorting conditions with transfer destinations by first selecting the sorting conditions to be associated with the transfer destination, and then selecting the transfer destination to associate the selected sorting conditions with, thereby generating associated information. This embodiment will be described focusing on the differences from embodiment 1. Unless otherwise specified, the configuration and processing are the same as embodiment 1.

[0272] [Functional configuration of image transfer device] FIG. 27(a) is a diagram showing the functional configuration of the image transfer device 120 of this embodiment. The same configurations and functions as those of embodiment 1 are assigned the same reference numerals and descriptions thereof will be omitted. The image transfer device 120 of this embodiment further includes a start point selection history generation unit 2706. The start point selection history generation unit 2706 records the history of whether the sorting condition start point or the transfer destination start point was selected when associating the sorting conditions with the transfer destination. The information managed by the management unit 323 of this embodiment differs from that of embodiment 1 described above, and the related information generation unit 327 of this embodiment differs from that of embodiment 1, but the differences will be described later.

[0273] [Main screen configuration] 28(a) is a diagram showing the configuration of a main screen 901 in this embodiment. In place of the external service setting area 930, the main screen 901 in this embodiment displays an associated information generation area 2801. The associated information generation area 2801 includes a start association button 2803. As indicated by the comment in the comment display area 2802, when the start association button 2803 is pressed, a start point selection screen 2811 is displayed to start the setting of associating the sorting conditions with the transfer destination.

[0274] 28(b) is a diagram showing an example of a start point selection screen 2811 displayed on the terminal 107 when the association start button 2803 is pressed. The back button 2812 is a button for closing the start point selection screen 2811 and returning to the main screen 901 from which it was called. The comment display area 2813 is an area for explaining the function of the start point selection screen 2811. The transfer destination start point button 2814 is a button for sending an instruction to the image transfer device 120 to display a screen on which the sorting conditions are selected after selecting the transfer destination in the association between the sorting conditions and the transfer destination. When the transfer destination start point button 2814 is pressed, the identifier "transfer" for calling the transfer destination start point setting screen is transmitted to the image transfer device 120 as the "type of selection result." As a result, a screen including the external service setting area 930 of FIG. 9 is displayed on the terminal 107. The sorting condition start button 2815 is a button that sends an instruction to the image transfer device 120 to display a screen on which sorting conditions are selected and then a transfer destination is selected when setting up an association between the sorting conditions and the transfer destination. When the sorting condition start button 2815 is pressed, the identifier "sortation" for calling up the sorting condition start setting screen is sent to the image transfer device 120 as the "type of selection result." As a result, the sorting condition selection screen 3001 (see FIG. 30(a)) is displayed on the terminal 107. The "type of selection result" is included in the "starting point selection result" and sent to the image transfer device 120.

[0275] [About the starting point selection history generation process] FIG. 29 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the start point selection history generation process, which is started when either the transfer destination start point button 2814 or the sorting condition start point button 2815 is pressed.

[0276] In S2901, the start point selection history generation unit 2706 acquires the start point selection result sent from the terminal 107. The start point selection result includes the user ID of the logged-in user, the type of selection result, and the selection date and time. The selection date and time is the date and time when the start point selection was made by the user pressing the transfer destination start point button 2814 or the sorting condition start point button 2815.

[0277] In S2902, the start point selection history generating unit 2706 acquires the value of the user ID included in the start point selection result.

[0278] In S2903, the starting point selection history generating unit 2706 acquires a value (identifier) ​​indicating the type of the selection result included in the starting point selection result.

[0279] In S2904, the starting point selection history generating unit 2706 acquires the value of the selection date and time included in the starting point selection result.

[0280] In S2905, the start point selection history generation unit 2706 generates an entry (start point selection history) that holds the values ​​of the user ID, the type of selection result, and the selection date and time. That is, an entry is generated in which the values ​​of the user ID, the type of selection result, and the selection date and time acquired in S2902 to S2904 are associated with each other.

[0281] In S2906, the starting point selection history generation unit 2706 registers the entry generated in S2905 in the starting point selection history table.

[0282] FIG. 26(d) is a diagram showing an example of a start point selection history table. The start point selection history table 2640 is managed by the management unit 323 of this embodiment. The start point selection history table 2640 holds a start point selection history ID value for uniquely identifying the start point selection history, and each entry (row) holds values ​​such as a user ID, selection result, and selection date and time associated with the value of the start point selection history ID. The image transfer device 120 can reference values ​​such as the user ID, selection result, and selection date and time using the value of the start point selection history ID as a key. The value of the "selection result" indicates whether, when associating the sorting conditions with the transfer destination, the user specified the sorting conditions and then the transfer destination, or whether the user specified the transfer destination and then the sorting conditions, when associating the sorting conditions with the transfer destination. The value of the "selection date and time" indicates the date and time when the user specified the sorting conditions or the transfer destination.

[0283] In S2907, the start point selection history generation unit 2706 determines whether the screen specified by the user is the transfer destination start point screen or the sorting condition start point screen. In other words, it determines whether the value (identifier) ​​of the type of the selection result acquired in S2903 is transfer, which indicates the transfer destination start point. If the value indicating the type of the selection result is transfer (YES in S2907), proceed to S2908.

[0284] In S2908, the origin selection history generation unit 2706 transmits information for displaying a screen including the external service setting area 930 to the terminal 107. Then, the screen including the external service setting area 930 in Fig. 9 is displayed on the terminal 107. That is, if the same processing as in the first embodiment is to be performed, the transfer destination origin button 2814 is pressed.

[0285] On the other hand, if the value of the type of the selection result is determined to be sortation, which indicates the sorting condition starting point (NO in S2907), the process proceeds to S2909.

[0286] In S2909, the starting point selection history generation unit 2706 transmits information for displaying the sorting condition selection screen 3001 (see FIG. 30(a)) to the terminal 107. Then, the sorting condition selection screen 3001 (see FIG. 30(a)) is displayed on the terminal 107.

[0287] [About the sorting condition selection screen] Figure 30(a) is a diagram showing an example of a sorting condition selection screen that is called up on the terminal 107 by pressing the sorting condition start button 2815. The sorting condition selection screen 3001 in Figure 30(a) is an example of a sorting condition selection screen that is displayed when one or more sorting conditions are registered in the image transfer device 120. The sorting condition selection screen 3001 is a screen that allows the user to select the sorting conditions to be associated with the transfer destination that the user will subsequently select. The back button 3002 is a button for closing the sorting condition selection screen 3001 and transitioning to the start point selection screen 2811 that was called up.

[0288] Check boxes 3003 to 3005 are check boxes for selecting sorting conditions to be associated with a transfer destination to be selected later. Assume that two sorting conditions are registered in the sorting condition table 702. In this case, the two check boxes 3003 and 3004 correspond to one of the generated sorting conditions. The first check box 3003 is a check box for associating the first sorting condition with a transfer destination to be selected later by the user. In the example of FIG. 30(a), the first sorting condition is "Pet Record." The second check box 3004 is a check box for associating the second sorting condition with a transfer destination to be selected later by the user. In the example of FIG. 30(a), the second sorting condition is "Portrait Photography." The third check box 3005 is a check box for associating "Outside of sorting conditions" with a transfer destination to be selected later by the user. When the third check box 3005 is checked, the screen is controlled so that the checks in the first check box 3003 and the second check box 3004 are cleared. Furthermore, when either the first check box 3003 or the second check box 3004 is checked, the screen is controlled so that the check in the third check box 3005 is cleared. When the OK button 3006 is pressed, a request to display the related information generation screen 3011 (see FIG. 30(b)) of this embodiment is transmitted to the image transfer device 120.

[0289] [Generation process for related information generation screen] FIG. 31 is a flowchart for explaining the generation process of the related information generation screen of this embodiment. The flowchart of FIG. 31 starts when a request sent from the terminal 107 in response to pressing the OK button 3006 on the sorting condition selection screen 3001 of FIG. 30(a) is received. The request includes a user ID value indicating the logged-in user and a sorting condition selection list. The sorting condition selection list includes all sorting condition ID values ​​associated with the user ID value in the sorting condition table 702 and the value of a "sorting condition selection flag" associated with each sorting condition ID value. The value of the sorting condition selection flag indicates true if the sorting condition is selected by the user on the sorting condition selection screen 3001, and indicates false if the sorting condition is not selected by the user. The information included in the request is stored in the RAM 203 of the image transfer device 120.

[0290] In S3101, the related information generation unit 327 acquires the value of the user ID included in the received request.

[0291] In S3102, the related information generation unit 327 acquires the sorting condition selection list included in the received request.

[0292] In S3103, the related information generating unit 327 initializes the "selected sorting condition list." The "selected sorting condition list" will be described later.

[0293] In S3104, the related information generation unit 327 initializes the sorting condition counter. The following steps S3105 to S3109 are a loop process that processes the value of the sorting condition ID corresponding to the value of the sorting condition counter from the sorting condition selection list included in the received request.

[0294] In S3105, the related information generation unit 327 determines whether all the sorting condition ID values ​​included in the sorting condition selection list have been processed. If it is determined that there are any sorting condition ID values ​​that have not been processed (NO in S3105), the process proceeds to S3106.

[0295] In S3106, the related information generation unit 327 acquires the value of the sorting condition selection flag associated with the value of the sorting condition ID of the processing target from the sorting condition selection list.

[0296] In S3107, the related information generation unit 327 switches processing based on the value of the sorting condition selection flag acquired in S3106. If the value of the sorting condition selection flag is determined to be true, the sorting condition indicated by the value of the sorting condition ID of the current processing target is selected by the user on the sorting condition selection screen 3001. In this case (YES in S3107), proceed to S3108. In S3108, the related information generation unit 327 adds the value of the sorting condition ID of the current processing target as an element of the "selected sorting condition list." Then, proceed to S3109.

[0297] On the other hand, if the value of the sorting condition selection flag is false, the sorting condition indicated by the value of the sorting condition ID of the current processing target has not been selected by the user on the sorting condition selection screen 3001. In this case (NO in S3107), S3108 is skipped and the process proceeds to S3109.

[0298] In S3109, the related information generation unit 327 increments the value of the sorting condition counter, and the process returns to S3105.

[0299] If it is determined in S3105 that all sorting condition ID values ​​included in the sorting condition selection list have been processed as processing targets (YES in S3105), the process proceeds to S3110.

[0300] In S3110, the related information generating unit 327 stores the "selected sorting condition list."

[0301] In S3111, the related information generation unit 327 generates information for displaying a related information generation screen corresponding to the "selected sorting condition list" and transmits the generated information to the terminal 107. On the terminal 107, the related information generation screen 3011 (see FIG. 30(b)) is displayed.

[0302] [About the related information generation screen] 30(b) is a diagram showing an example of the related information generation screen 3011 of this embodiment that is displayed as a result of S3111. The related information generation screen 3011 of this embodiment is a screen on which the user selects a transfer destination to be associated with the sorting conditions selected by the user on the sorting condition selection screen 3001. The back button 3012 is a button that closes the related information generation screen 3011 and returns to the sorting condition selection screen 3001 that was called.

[0303] Display areas 3013 to 3015 are areas that display which sorting condition the user selected on sorting condition selection screen 3001. Display area 3013 is an area that displays the selection status of the first sorting condition. Display area 3014 is an area that displays the selection status of the second sorting condition. Display area 3015 is an area that displays the selection status of other sorting conditions. For example, suppose that the first check box 3003 corresponding to the first sorting condition is checked on sorting condition selection screen 3001 and the OK button 3006 is pressed. In this case, display area 3013 corresponding to the first sorting condition is displayed in a checked state. On the other hand, if the OK button 3006 is pressed on sorting condition selection screen 3001 and the first check box 3003 is not checked, display area 3013 corresponding to the first sorting condition is displayed in an unchecked state. The related information generation screen 3011 is generated with only the display areas of the sorting conditions corresponding to the elements included in the selected sorting condition list checked among the display areas 3013 to 3015. The display areas 3013 to 3015 may be displayed in gray so that the checked state cannot be changed, or the checked state may be made changeable.

[0304] Check boxes 3016 to 3018 are check boxes for the user to select a transfer destination to be associated with the sorting conditions checked in the display areas 3013 to 3015. The check boxes 3016 to 3018 correspond to any of the external services registered in the image transfer device 120 as transfer destinations. The check box 3016 corresponds to a storage service, which is a first external service. The check box 3017 corresponds to an editing service, which is a second external service. The check box 3018 corresponds to a microblog service, which is a third external service. When the OK button 3019 is pressed, a request to generate related information based on the input settings is sent to the image transfer device 120.

[0305] [Related information generation process] FIG. 32 is a flowchart for explaining the process of associating a sorting condition selected by a user via the related information generation screen 3011 with a transfer destination. The flowchart in FIG. 32 starts when the image transfer device 120 receives a request transmitted from the terminal 107 in response to pressing the OK button 3019 on the related information generation screen 3011. The request includes a user ID value indicating the logged-in user, a selected sorting condition list stored in S3110 of FIG. 31, and a transfer destination selection list. The transfer destination selection list includes all external service names associated with the user ID value of the processing target in the external service table 605 and the value of a "transfer destination selection flag" associated with each external service name. The value of the "transfer destination selection flag" indicates true if the external service name is associated with the external service name selected by the user on the related information generation screen 3011, and indicates false if the external service name is associated with an external service name not selected by the user. The information included in the request is stored in the RAM 203 of the image transfer device 120.

[0306] In S3201, the related information generation unit 327 acquires the value of the user ID of the processing target included in the request. The following steps will be explained assuming that the value of the user ID of the processing target is "USR001."

[0307] In S3202, the related information generation unit 327 acquires the selected sorting condition list stored in S3110 of FIG.

[0308] In S3203, the related information generation unit 327 initializes the selected sorting condition counter. The next steps S3204 to S3215 are a loop process that processes elements (sorting condition ID values) corresponding to the value of the selected sorting condition counter from among the elements of the sorting condition selection list acquired in S3202.

[0309] In S3204, the related information generation unit 327 determines whether all elements constituting the selected sorting condition list have been processed as processing targets. If it is determined that there are elements that have not been processed (NO in S3204), the process proceeds to S3205.

[0310] In S3205, the related information generation unit 327 acquires the value of the sorting condition ID of the target element among the elements in the selected sorting condition list. For example, "SRT002" corresponding to the sorting condition "portrait photography" is acquired as the value of the sorting condition ID.

[0311] In S3206, the related information generation unit 327 initializes the forwarding destination counter. The following steps S3207 to S3214 are loop processes for processing the external service name corresponding to the value of the forwarding destination counter, among the external service names included in the forwarding destination selection list included in the received request.

[0312] In S3207, the related information generation unit 327 determines whether all external service names included in the transfer destination selection list have been processed as processing targets. If it is determined that there are external service names that have not been processed as processing targets (NO in S3207), the process proceeds to S3208.

[0313] In S3208, the related information generating unit 327 acquires the value of the transfer destination selection flag associated with the external service name currently being processed from the transfer destination selection list.

[0314] In S3209, the related information generation unit 327 switches processing based on the value of the transfer destination selection flag acquired in S3208. If it is determined that the value of the transfer destination selection flag is true, the external service name to be processed is the external service name selected by the user on the related information generation screen 3011. In this case (YES in S3209), the process proceeds to S3210.

[0315] In S3210, the related information generation unit 327 obtains the value of the external service ID corresponding to the name of the external service currently being processed from the external service table 605. For example, if the processing target is "editing service," "editing service" is checked in Fig. 30(b), so the process proceeds to this step and the external service ID "SVC002" corresponding to "editing service" is obtained.

[0316] In S3211, the related information generation unit 327 obtains the value of the transfer destination ID corresponding to the value of the external service ID obtained in S3210 from the transfer destination table 801. For example, "TRN002" is obtained as the value of the transfer destination ID corresponding to the external service ID "SVC002".

[0317] In S3212, the related information generation unit 327 generates an entry that holds the value of the user ID acquired in S3201, the value of the sorting condition ID of the current processing target acquired in S3205, and the value of the transfer destination ID of the current processing target acquired in S3211. Specifically, the entry (related information) is generated by associating "USR001," "SRT002," and "TRN002."

[0318] In S3213, the related information generation unit 327 adds the entry (related information) generated in S3212 to the related information table 2630. At this time, the entry holds the value of the related information ID. As a result, a new entry is added to the last row, as shown in Figure 26(c). Then, the process proceeds to S3214.

[0319] On the other hand, if it is determined in S3209 that the value of the transfer destination selection flag is false, it means that the external service name currently being processed was not selected on the related information generation screen 3011. In this case (NO in S3209), S3210 to S3213 are skipped and the process proceeds to S3214.

[0320] In S3214, the related information generation unit 327 increments the transfer destination counter, and the process returns to S3207.

[0321] If it is determined in S3207 that all external service names included in the transfer destination selection list have been processed (YES in S3207), the loop processing of S3207 to S3214 is exited and the process proceeds to S3215.

[0322] In S3215, the related information generation unit 327 increments the selected sorting condition counter, and the process returns to S3204.

[0323] If it is determined in S3204 that all elements constituting the selected sorting condition list have been processed as processing targets (YES in S3204), this flowchart ends.

[0324] The related information table 2630 in Fig. 26(c) is an example of a related information table generated as a result of the related information generation process of this embodiment. An entry (row) holds a related information ID value for uniquely identifying related information. Each entry holds values ​​such as a user ID, sorting condition ID, and transfer destination ID associated with the respective related information ID value. The image transfer device 120 can refer to the user ID, sorting condition ID, transfer destination ID, etc. using the related information ID as a key.

[0325] As described above, this embodiment provides a UI screen that generates related information based on the sorting conditions. This allows the user to specify all the transfer destinations to which the selected sorting conditions are to be associated. This reduces the user's effort in selecting the sorting conditions for each transfer destination.

[0326] In FIG. 28(b), the start point selection screen 2811 is described as displaying the transfer destination start button 2814 and the sorting condition start button 2815 in this order, but the order in which the buttons are displayed is not limited to this. The buttons may be displayed in order starting with the sorting conditions that the user is most likely to select. For example, by referring to the start point selection history table 2640, if the number of times a transfer destination has been specified after specifying a sorting condition in the past is large, the sorting condition start button 2815 may be displayed first. Alternatively, if the number of times a transfer destination has been specified after specifying a sorting condition in the past is large, the sorting condition selection screen 3001 may be displayed instead of displaying the start point selection screen 2811. Conversely, if the number of times a sorting condition has been specified after specifying a transfer destination in the past is large, the transfer destination start button 2814 may be displayed first. Alternatively, if the number of times a sorting condition has been specified after specifying a transfer destination in the past is large, a screen including the external service setting area 930 may be displayed instead of displaying the start point selection screen 2811.

[0327] <Embodiment 3> This embodiment describes a method for writing classification information into image metadata. The description of this embodiment will focus on the differences from the first embodiment. Unless otherwise specified, the configuration and processing are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0328] [Functional configuration of image transfer device] FIG. 27(b) is a diagram showing the functional configuration of the image transfer device 120 of this embodiment. Functions that are the same as those in embodiment 1 are assigned the same reference numerals and descriptions thereof will be omitted. The image transfer device 120 of this embodiment further includes an assignment necessity setting unit 2705. The assignment necessity setting unit 2705 accepts a setting regarding whether or not to write sorting information to the metadata of an image. The information managed by the management unit 323 of this embodiment is different from that of embodiment 1. Furthermore, the sorting condition generation unit 326 and the sorting unit 328 of this embodiment perform different processing from those of the sorting condition generation unit 326 and the sorting unit 328 of embodiment 1, but the differences will be described later.

[0329] [Configuration of sorting condition table] Fig. 26(b) is a diagram showing an example of a sorting condition table according to this embodiment. The sorting condition table 702 in Fig. 7(a) differs from the sorting condition table 2620 in Fig. 26(b) in that the sorting condition table 2620 includes a "sorting information embedding flag" column 2621. The "sorting information embedding flag" column holds true if sorting information is to be written into the image metadata, and holds false if sorting information is not to be written into the image metadata.

[0330] [Configuration of sorting condition creation screen] FIG. 33 is a diagram showing an example of a sorting condition creation screen by object category according to this embodiment. That is, in this embodiment, a sorting condition creation screen 3301 shown in FIG. 33 is displayed instead of the sorting condition creation screen by object category shown in FIG. 12. The difference from FIG. 12 is that a check box 3302 is further included in FIG. 33. Although not shown, the sorting condition creation screen by blur / exposure determination, the sorting condition creation screen by shooting information, and the sorting condition creation screen by free combination according to this embodiment also include the check box 3302. The check box 3302 is a check box for accepting a setting regarding whether or not to write the sorting information into the metadata of the image. When the OK button 3303 shown in FIG. 33 is pressed, the request transmitted to the image transfer device 120 further includes the value of a sorting information recording flag in addition to the information included in the request transmitted in the first embodiment. If the check box 3302 is checked, the value of the sorting information recording flag is set to true; if the check box 3302 is not checked, the value of the sorting information recording flag is set to false.

[0331] [Flow of sorting condition generation process] Fig. 34 is a flowchart of the sorting condition generation process of the image transfer device 120, which starts when a request transmitted by pressing the OK button 3303 on the sorting condition creation screen 3301 in Fig. 33 is received. In the flowchart of Fig. 34, steps in which the same processing as in the flowchart of Fig. 13 is performed are assigned the same numbers in Fig. 34. The flowchart of Fig. 34 is a flowchart in which step S3401 is added to the flowchart of Fig. 13. Although not shown, step S3401 is similarly added to the flowcharts of Figs. 15 and 17.

[0332] In S3401, the sorting condition generation unit 326 stores the value of the sorting condition recording flag included in the request in the "sorting information embedding flag" column of the temporary entry.

[0333] [Sorting process flow] Fig. 35 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of the sorting process of this embodiment. That is, in this embodiment, the flowchart of Fig. 35 is executed instead of the flowchart of Fig. 23. In Fig. 35, steps in which the same processing as in the flowchart of Fig. 23 is performed are assigned the same numbers in Fig. 35.

[0334] If it is determined in S2311 that the analysis results match the sorting conditions of the current processing target (YES in S2311), S2312 to S2314 are executed, and then processing proceeds to S3501 in this embodiment. In S3501, the sorting unit 328 obtains the value of the sorting condition information embedding flag associated with the value of the sorting condition ID of the current processing target from the sorting condition table 2620. It then determines whether the obtained value is true. If it is determined that the obtained value is true (YES in S3501), processing proceeds to S3502. On the other hand, if the obtained value is false (NO in S3501), processing skips S3502 and proceeds to S2315. If it is determined in S2311 that the analysis results do not match the sorting conditions of the current processing target (NO in S2311), processing skips S2312 to S2314 and S3501 to S3502 and proceeds to S2315.

[0335] In S3502, the sorting unit 328 writes information about the sorting conditions (sorting information) corresponding to the value of the sorting condition ID of the current processing target to metadata such as Exif of the image indicated by the image ID of the processing target. Then, the process proceeds to S2315. The sorting information is, for example, at least one of the sorting items and sorting item values ​​that make up the sorting conditions.

[0336] As described above, according to this embodiment, information on the sorting conditions that match the analysis results can be written to the metadata of the image that was the subject of the analysis. Note that the third embodiment may be applied to the second embodiment.

[0337] <Other embodiments> The above-described embodiment can be implemented as, for example, a system, an apparatus, a method, a program, a recording medium (storage medium), etc. Specifically, the embodiment can be applied to a system configured from multiple devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, an image capture device, a Web application, etc.), or can be applied to an apparatus consisting of a single device.

[0338] Needless to say, the above-described embodiments can be achieved by the following: A recording medium (or storage medium) on which software program code (computer program) that realizes the functions of the embodiments is recorded is supplied to a system or device. Needless to say, such a storage medium is a computer-readable storage medium. Then, a computer (or a CPU or MPU) of the system or device reads and executes the program code stored on the recording medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the recording medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the recording medium on which the program code is recorded constitutes the technology of the present disclosure.

[0339] In the above-described embodiment, the information received by the image transfer device is an image, but this is not limited to this and any content may be received, such as video, email, files, etc. The related information generation unit may also be configured to accept input regarding pre-registered sorting conditions and arbitrary sorting conditions.

[0340] The present disclosure can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0341] The disclosure of the above-described embodiment includes the following configurations.

[0342] (Configuration 1) An image transfer device for transferring a received image to a transfer destination, a management means for managing first information in which sorting conditions used to sort the received images are stored; an associating means for associating a sorting condition selected by a user from among the sorting conditions included in the first information with a transfer destination selected by the user; a transfer means for transferring the received image to a predetermined transfer destination; An image transfer device comprising:

[0343] (Configuration 2) The transfer means If the received image matches a sorting condition associated with the predetermined transfer destination, the received image is transferred to the predetermined transfer destination; If the received image does not match the sorting conditions associated with the predetermined transfer destination, the received image is not transferred to the predetermined transfer destination. 2. The image transfer device according to configuration 1.

[0344] (Configuration 3) the management means further manages second information that holds a value indicating a transfer destination; The associating means Associating a sorting condition selected by a user from among the sorting conditions included in the first information with a value indicating a transfer destination selected by the user from among values ​​indicating transfer destinations included in the second information. 3. The image transfer device according to configuration 1 or 2.

[0345] (Configuration 4) The management means further manages third information in which related information is held that is a combination of a sorting condition selected by the user from among the sorting conditions held in the first information and a transfer destination selected by the user. 4. The image transfer device according to any one of configurations 1 to 3.

[0346] (Configuration 5) the management means further manages a value indicating a user who uses the image transfer device; The third information is further associated with the related information and a value indicating the user. 5. The image transfer device according to configuration 4.

[0347] (Configuration 6) The sorting conditions are made up of at least one sorting item, An image that matches the sorting conditions is an image in which the values ​​of the sorting items that make up the sorting conditions match the results of analyzing the image. 3. The image transfer device according to configuration 2.

[0348] (Configuration 7) The sorting items constituting the sorting conditions include at least one of an item for sorting images containing a predetermined category of subject, an item related to photographing information, and an item related to the condition of the image. 7. The image transfer device according to configuration 6.

[0349] (Configuration 8) The image condition category includes categories related to at least one of the following: image blur, exposure, and image tilt. 8. The image transfer device according to configuration 7.

[0350] (Configuration 9) Items related to shooting information include the type of shooting device, type of image, rating information, start date and time of shooting date and time range, end date and time of shooting date and time range, multiple exposure shooting, continuous shooting, lens used, scene mode, shooting mode, flash firing status, recording quality, DPRAW, Includes categories related to at least one of the following: aspect ratio, metering mode, white balance, and color reproduction parameters. 9. The image transfer device according to configuration 7 or 8.

[0351] (Configuration 10) The predetermined classification includes at least one of people, living things, animals, dogs, cats, birds, plants, vehicles, automobiles, trains, airplanes, food, sports, buildings, mountains, oceans, night views, and still objects. 10. The image transfer device according to any one of configurations 7 to 9.

[0352] (Configuration 11) The apparatus further includes a generating means for generating sorting conditions based on an input from a user, The first information holds sorting conditions generated based on the input of the user. 11. The image transfer device according to any one of configurations 1 to 10.

[0353] (Configuration 12) The apparatus further includes a control means for controlling a display unit to display a first screen for receiving an input from a user in order to generate the sorting conditions, The first screen is a screen on which a user can input values ​​of a predetermined part of the predetermined sorting items, or a screen on which a user can input values ​​of a sorting item selected by the user from the predetermined sorting items. 12. The image transfer device according to configuration 11.

[0354] (Configuration 13) The predetermined sorting items include items for sorting images containing a predetermined category of subject, items related to shooting information, and items related to the condition of the image. 13. The image transfer device according to configuration 12.

[0355] (Configuration 14) Further comprising a sorting means for determining whether the received image meets the sorting conditions stored in the first information. 3. The image transfer device according to configuration 2.

[0356] (Configuration 15) The method further includes a means for writing information for identifying a sorting condition that matches the received image into metadata of the received image. 3. The image transfer device according to configuration 2.

[0357] (Configuration 16) The method further includes a means for writing information on the sorting items that constitute the sorting conditions that match the received image into metadata of the received image. 3. The image transfer device according to configuration 2.

[0358] (Configuration 17) The device further includes a display control means for displaying a second screen on a display unit for the user to select a sorting condition to be associated with the transfer destination selected by the user, On the second screen, the sorting conditions displayed for selection by the user are displayed in an order based on a history of the sorting conditions that may be associated with the transfer destination selected by the user. 17. The image transfer device according to any one of configurations 1 to 16.

[0359] (Configuration 18) The image is a still image or a video image. 18. The image transfer device according to any one of configurations 1 to 17.

[0360] (Configuration 19) A method for controlling an image transfer device for transferring information for transferring received images to a transfer destination, comprising: managing first information in which sorting conditions used to sort the received images are stored; a step of associating a sorting condition selected by a user from among the sorting conditions included in the first information with a transfer destination selected by the user; transferring the received image to a predetermined destination; A control method comprising:

[0361] (Configuration 20) 19. A program for causing a computer to execute each means of the image transfer device according to any one of configurations 1 to 18. [Explanation of symbols]

[0362] 120 Image transfer device 323 Management Department 327 Related Information Generation Unit

Claims

1. An image transfer device for transferring a received image to a transfer destination, a management means for managing first information in which sorting conditions used to sort the received images are stored; an associating means for associating a sorting condition selected by a user from among the sorting conditions included in the first information with a transfer destination selected by the user; a transfer means for transferring the received image to a predetermined transfer destination; An image transfer device comprising:

2. The transfer means If the received image matches the sorting conditions associated with the predetermined transfer destination, the received image is transferred to the predetermined transfer destination, and if the received image does not match the sorting conditions associated with the predetermined transfer destination, the received image is not transferred to the predetermined transfer destination.

2. The image transfer device according to claim 1.

3. the management means further manages second information that holds a value indicating a transfer destination; The associating means A sorting condition selected by a user from among the sorting conditions included in the first information is associated with a value indicating a transfer destination selected by the user from among values ​​indicating transfer destinations included in the second information.

2. The image transfer device according to claim 1.

4. The management means further manages third information in which related information is held that is a combination of a sorting condition selected by the user from among the sorting conditions held in the first information and a transfer destination selected by the user.

2. The image transfer device according to claim 1.

5. the management means further manages a value indicating a user who uses the image transfer device; The third information is further associated with the related information and a value indicating the user.

5. The image transfer device according to claim 4.

6. The sorting conditions are made up of at least one sorting item, An image that matches the sorting conditions is an image in which the values ​​of the sorting items that make up the sorting conditions match the results of analyzing the image.

3. The image transfer device according to claim 2.

7. The sorting items constituting the sorting conditions include at least one of an item for sorting images containing a predetermined category of subject, an item related to photographing information, and an item related to the condition of the image.

7. The image transfer device according to claim 6.

8. The items related to the image condition include items related to at least one of image blur, exposure level, and image tilt.

8. The image transfer device according to claim 7.

9. The items related to the shooting information include classification items related to at least one of the following: type of shooting device, type of image, rating information, start date and time of shooting date range, end date and time of shooting date range, multiple exposure shooting, continuous shooting, lens used, scene mode, shooting mode, flash firing status, recording image quality, DPRAW, aspect ratio, photometric mode, white balance, and color reproduction parameters.

8. The image transfer device according to claim 7.

10. The predetermined classification includes at least one of people, living things, animals, dogs, cats, birds, plants, vehicles, automobiles, trains, airplanes, food, sports, buildings, mountains, oceans, night views, and still objects.

8. The image transfer device according to claim 7.

11. The apparatus further includes a generating means for generating sorting conditions based on an input from a user, The first information holds sorting conditions generated based on the input of the user.

2. The image transfer device according to claim 1.

12. The apparatus further includes a control unit for controlling a display unit to display a first screen for receiving an input from a user in order to generate the sorting conditions, The first screen is a screen on which a user can input values ​​of a predetermined part of the predetermined sorting items, or a screen on which a user can input values ​​of a sorting item selected by the user from the predetermined sorting items.

12. The image transfer device according to claim 11.

13. The predetermined sorting items include items for sorting images containing a predetermined category of subject, items related to shooting information, and items related to the condition of the image.

13. The image transfer device according to claim 12.

14. The apparatus further includes a sorting unit that determines whether the received image matches the sorting conditions stored in the first information.

3. The image transfer device according to claim 2.

15. The method further includes a means for writing information for identifying a sorting condition that matches the received image into metadata of the received image.

3. The image transfer device according to claim 2.

16. The method further includes a means for writing information on the sorting items that constitute the sorting conditions that match the received image into metadata of the received image.

3. The image transfer device according to claim 2.

17. The device further includes a display control means for displaying a second screen on a display unit for the user to select a sorting condition to be associated with the transfer destination selected by the user, On the second screen, the sorting conditions displayed for selection by the user are displayed in an order based on a history of the sorting conditions that may be associated with the transfer destination selected by the user.

2. The image transfer device according to claim 1.

18. The image is a still image or a video image.

2. The image transfer device according to claim 1.

19. A control method for an image transfer device for transferring a received image to a transfer destination, comprising: managing first information in which sorting conditions used to sort the received images are stored; a step of associating a sorting condition selected by a user from among the sorting conditions included in the first information with a transfer destination selected by the user; transferring the received image to a predetermined destination; A control method comprising:

20. A program for causing a computer to execute each means of the image transfer device according to any one of claims 1 to 18.

Images