Telephone directory assistance method and telephone directory assistance system

This telephone directory assistance system accepts a request for a telephone number of a registrant, and judges whether the registrant is registered in a telephone number data base. When the registrant is registered in the telephone number data base, the telephone directory assistance system judges whether a message from the inquirer is transmitted to the registrant without informing the telephone number to the inquirer based on a telephone number disclosing condition registered in the telephone number data base. Then, in a case of transmission, the inquirer is caused to input a message and the inputted message is informed to the registrant.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a telephone directory assistance method and telephone directory assistance system that are applicable to, for example, a telephone directory assistance service that informs a telephone number by telling an operator of an address, a name, etc., or service that informs a new telephone number using an old telephone number as a clue.

BACKGROUND ART

In the telephone directory assistance service of this kind, a person, who owns his/her telephone number (registrant), can select disclosure or private. For example, when a certain registrant does not want to make his/her telephone number known to others, the registrant registers his/her telephone number as private and this prevents the telephone number from being known by others via the telephone directory assistance service, so that the registrant's privacy is protected.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

However, in such service, there is such a disadvantage that the registrant cannot make his/her telephone number known to even a person whom he/she wants to inform since all persons cannot know the telephone number of the registrant as well when the telephone number is registered as private. Particularly, in recent years, cellular phone replacements are frequently carried out and this extremely increases the opportunities of changing the telephone number, so that the aforementioned disadvantage becomes obvious.

As an actual problem, when his/her telephone number is changed, the aforementioned problem can be solved to some degree by individually telling only a person whom he/she wants to inform of his/her telephone number as private in the above directory service. However, the registrant cannot help feeling the annoyance of telling his/her telephone number individually in some cases. Moreover, communication with the person whom he/she has desired to inform originally cannot be carried out afterward by the leakage in some instances.

The present invention has been made with consideration given to the aforementioned problems and an object of the present invention is to provide a directory assistance method and telephone directory assistance system that are capable of surely informing his/her telephone number to a person whom he/she wants to inform without requiring time and labor in a directory assistance service.

In order to attain the above object, according to a first aspect of the present invention, in a method for informing a telephone number of a registrant to an inquirer, comprising the steps of accepting a request for a telephone number of the registrant from the inquirer, judging whether the registrant is registered in a telephone number data base, judging whether an information from the inquirer is transmitted to the registrant at least without informing the telephone number of the registrant to the inquirer, based on a disclosing condition registered in the data base when the registrant is registered in the telephone number data base, and causing the inquirer to input information and the registrant to be capable of being informed of the input information when informing the telephone number of the registrant.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in a system informing a telephone number of a registrant to an inquirer, comprising a data base in which at least a telephone number of a registrant and a disclosing condition on whether an information from the inquirer is transmitted to the registrant without informing the telephone number to the inquirer, are associated with each other, and means for informing the registrant of the information from the inquirer.

The present invention is applicable to a telephone directory assistance service that informs a telephone number by informing an address, a name and the like to an operator or service that informs a new telephone number using an old telephone number as a clue.

According to the present invention, once there is a request from the inquirer for a telephone number, whether an information from the inquirer is transmitted to the registrant without informing the telephone number of the registrant to the inquirer is judged, and causing the inquirer to input information and the registrant to be capable of being informed of the inputted information when informing the telephone number of the registrant. The registrant decides whether the telephone number is informed to the inquirer, based on the informed information. In a case of informing, for example, the registrant may inform it to the inquirer via a telephone and the like directly, so that he/she can be sure to inform a person who has informed his/her telephone number without requiring time and labor.

Here, the inquirer may be requested to input information and the inputted message may be caused to be capable of being played back to the registrant. In such case, when a terminal of the registrant is a conventional telephone set, the recorded message may be transmitted to the registrant and when a terminal of the registrant is a cellular phone, the registrant is informed that the message is recorded and he/she may be caused to gain access for the playback of the recorded message from the cellular phone.

In this way, the voice message is used as information to be transmitted to the registrant from the inquirer, so that burdensome operations may be reduced.

Moreover, the inquirer may be requested for a message with a character signal inputted by a push button operation as the information and the inputted message may be informed to the registrant. In such case the inputted message may be converted to a vocal sound and informed to the registrant. In addition, the inquirer may be requested to transmit an e-mail as the information and the registrant may be caused to receive the transmitted e-mail. With this, the telephone number of the inquirer and the like may be known without fail.

Furthermore, as the disclosing condition registered in the data base, in response to the request for the telephone number from the inquirer, the condition that always inform the telephone number and the condition that always refuses to inform the telephone number may be able to be set for each registrant and the request for the telephone number of the registrant may be accepted by accessing an old telephone number of the registrant, and the corresponding telephone number may be searched from the data base in which the old telephone number and the new telephone number of the registrant are associated with each other.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIG. 1is a view showing the schematic entire configuration of a first embodiment to which the present invention is applied.

InFIG. 1, reference numeral201indicates a public network, a conventional telephone set203is connected to the public network201via a station202. Moreover, a cellular phone205is wirelessly connected thereto via a radio base station204.

Furthermore, a telephone directory assistance service center206is connected to the public network201. As the telephone directory assistance service center206, for instance, in the case of Japan as an example, there is conventionally used a center, which is provided by NTT, offers serve by connection with a telephone number “104.” In addition to this, dedicated centers, which are provided separately therefrom, may be, of course, used.

In the telephone directory assistance service center206, an operator in the center basically informs the telephone number to a person, who desires to be informed about telephone number, (hereinafter referred to as “inquirer” in the first embodiment) by voice. Additionally, the service on telephone number may be automatically executed by access to the old telephone number from the inquirer.

In the telephone directory assistance service center206, there is provided a telephone directory assistance system207, which is used to provide service on the telephone number. The telephone directory assistance system207is mainly composed of an information processing unit209for performing processing such as telephone number searching, etc., a telephone number data base210in which various kinds of data on the telephone numbers are registered and a message box211.

FIG. 2is a view showing the configuration of telephone number data base210.

As shown inFIG. 2, the telephone number data base210stores at least registrant information217, which includes a telephone number212of a person, who has received the registration of the telephone number to be subjected to service by the telephone directory assistance service center206, (hereinafter referred to as “registrant” in the first embodiment) a name or title213, an address or residence214, an old telephone number215, an e-mail address216, and registrant attribute information244including an occupation and others, a telephone number disclosing condition218, a service refusal list219that stores a list of inquirers, who refuse service on the telephone number, and notifying method information220that stores notifying methods of information from inquirers to the registrants.

In the telephone number disclosing condition218, there are preregistered operator's response patterns occurred when the operator receives information indicating name of the registrant, address, old telephone number from the inquirer or patterns occurred when the system automatically responses. In this embodiment, the registrant can set by selecting one from the following three kinds of responses (1) to (3):

(1) “the telephone number of the registrant is always disclosed to all inquirers.” (221inFIG. 2).

This response pattern means that the telephone number of the registrant is always disclosed to all inquirers instead of the point that information from the inquirer is informed to the registrant without informing the inquirer of the telephone number. According to this embodiment, this item is selected, thereby the telephone number of the registrant is always disclosed to all inquirers unconditionally. However, a telephone number disclosure list is prepared so that the telephone number of the registrant may be disclosed to only inquirers that match this list.

(2) “The telephone number of the registrant is always refused to be disclosed to all inquirers.” (222inFIG. 2).

This response pattern means that the telephone number of the registrant is always rejected to be disclosed to all inquirers instead of the point that information from the inquirer is inform to the registrant without informing the inquirer of the telephone number. Additionally, similar to the aforementioned response, a telephone number non-disclosure list is prepared so that the telephone number of the registrant may be refused to be disclosed to only inquirers matching this list.

(3) “Information from the inquirer is notified the registrant without offering telephone directory service to the inquirer.” (223inFIG. 2).

This response pattern means that information from the inquirer is informed to the registrant without informing the inquirer of the telephone number. For example, as will be described later, this notification is one in which the inquirer is caused to input a voice message and the input voice message is informed to the registrant.

Meanwhile, in this embodiment, the inquirers, who are desirably refused to offer the service, are registered in the service refusal list219, making it possible to set to refuse the service to the inquirers registered in this service refusal list219even if the pattern (1) or (3) is selected.

In the service refusal list219, it is possible to register a person, who is desirably rejected to provide the service, in advance. However, in this embodiment, even if the registrant performs refusal registration by a terminal operation later according to the pattern (2), the inquirer is automatically registered in the service refusal list219.

In the notification method information220, there are stored notification methods of information when the response pattern is the aforementioned (3) (223inFIG. 2). In this embodiment, the registrant can set a method by selecting one from the following four kinds of notification methods (1) to (4). In addition, after such setting, the registrant can gain access to the telephone directory assistance service center206to change the setting. For example, a voice message is first set to be received at a designated telephone number. However, thereafter, the registrant may directly gain access to the telephone directory assistance service center206to provide a predetermined operation to the telephone directory assistance system207or directly request the operator of the telephone directory assistance service center206, thereby making it possible to change the setting such that reception is performed via an e-mail at the telephone number or reception is performed at another telephone number.

This notification method is particularly useful when the registrant is the general telephone user. The inquirer is requested to record a voice message, and a transmission is given to the registrant, so that the recorded voice message is informed from the message box211.

This notification method is particularly useful when the registrant is the cellular phone user. The inquirer is requested to record a voice message. The registrant is notified that the message has been recorded to cause him/her gain access for playback of the recorded message from the cellular phone. For example, when the message is recorded as mentioned above, the center side sends a signal “presence of message,” to the cellular phone of the registrant, and the registrant gains access to the center side and plays back the message from the message box211.

(3) Notification using character information via a tone signal (226inFIG. 2)

This notification method means that the inquirer is requested to make a message by inputting a character signal via a push button operation (tone signal) to inform the registrant of the input message. Regarding the notification method to the registrant, for example, the character signal may be directly transmitted to the terminal of the registrant in the same manner as the short mail and pocket bell (pager) or the character signal may be converted to voice to be transmitted to the terminal of the registrant.

This notification method means that the inquirer is requested to transmit an e-mail to cause the registrant to receive the transmitted e-mail. The e-mail may be once transmitted to the registrant via the center. Or, the e-mail address of the registrant is presented to the inquirer from the center so that the inquirer may directly transmit the e-mail to the registrant.

FIG. 3is a view showing the configuration of message box211.

As shown inFIG. 3, in the message box211, there are stored at least a telephone number of the inquirer228, a message229via voice or data inputted by the inquirer, a telephone number of the registrant230, and a notification method231to the registrant.

FIG. 4is a view showing the entire configuration of this telephone directory assistance system207including the information processing unit209.

In the telephone directory assistance system207, the information processing unit209, telephone number data base210and message box211are connected to a bus236to which a CPU232, a RAM233, a ROM234, and various kinds of communication interfaces235are connected.

As shown inFIG. 4, the information processing unit209is composed of at least a service request acceptor237that accepts a request for the telephone number of the registrant based on the old telephone number informed from the inquirer, a registration judge238that judges whether the registrant is registered in the telephone number data base210based on the old telephone number, name, address and the like, a disclosure judge239that judges whether service on the telephone number is offered or refused to the inquirer or the message from the inquirer is informed to the registrant without informing the inquirer of the telephone number based on the disclosing condition218registered in the telephone number data base210, a message storage processing unit240that performs processing for urging the inquirer to input the message to store the input message to the message box211, a message notification processing unit241that informs the registrant of the message stored in the message box211according to the notification method210, a telephone directory service unit242that informs the telephone number that is possible to be disclosed to the inquirer, and a service refusal processing unit243that performs registration processing and service refusal processing to the service refusal list219.

These elements237to243and the telephone number data base210, and the message box211are practically composed of computer programs installed in a storage medium of a computer system as shown inFIG. 4, and show various functions of this invention by being read and executed in the RAM223by means of the CPU232.

The explanation will be next given of the telephone directory service method using the above-configured telephone directory assistance system207.

As a telephone directory service method using the telephone directory assistance system207, for example, there are one case in which the inquirer gains access to the center206to receive serve via the operator and the other case in which the telephone directory assistance system207automatically accepts service when the inquirer (a person who simply makes a call) gains access to the old telephone number (this is a mere telephone number to the inquirer).

An explanation will be first given of an operation that is performed when the telephone directory assistance system207automatically accepts service based on the flowchart ofFIG. 5.

For example, when the inquirer originates a call to the registrant using the old telephone number via the cellular phone205, this call is transferred to the center206via, for example, the public network201.

When the telephone directory assistance system207of the center206receives the call (step501), the registration judge238searches whether the registrant is registered in the telephone number data base210based on the old telephone number included in the call in the telephone directory assistance system207(step502).

When it is registered in the telephone number data base210, the service request acceptor237accepts the call from the inquirer as a service request for the telephone number (step503). On the other hand, when it is not registered in the telephone number data base210, a message, for example, “This telephone is not available at present.” is sent to the inquirer (step504) and this process ends. In addition, when the need arises to select a target registration from a plurality of persons in a case in which there are registrations each having a person with the same family and personal name in the same residential area or a case in which there are registrations corresponding to the old telephone number because of time lag before and after the period of service, “registrant attribute information244including an occupation and others” relating to each registrant is presented to the inquirer, making it possible to assist the inquirer with his/her selection. In other words, the inquirer may select the target registrant based on the presented “registrant attribute information244including an occupation and others.”

After acceptation of the service request, the service rejection processing unit243judges whether the inquirer is listed based on the service refusal list219(step505). Then, when it is listed, a message, for example, “This telephone is not available at present.” is sent to the inquirer (step504) and this processing ends.

On the other hand, when the inquirer is not listed in the service refusal list219, the disclosure judge239judges the disclosing condition of the registrant corresponding to the old telephone number based on the disclosing condition218(step506).

Here, when the disclosing condition218is that “the telephone number of the registrant is always disclosed to all inquirers” (step507), the telephone directory service unit242informing the telephone number of the registrant (step508), and the processing ends. In the service on the telephone number, means such as voice, a tone signal, an e-mail, etc can be used.

When the disclosing condition218is that “the telephone number of the registrant is always refused to be disclosed to all inquirers” (step509), a message, for example, “This telephone is not available at present.” is sent to the inquirer (step504) and this processing ends.

When the disclosing condition218is that “information from the inquirer is informed to the registrant without informing the inquirer of the telephone number” (step510), the message storage processing unit240sends a message, for example, “This contractor's telephone number has been transferred. A message can be sent to the transfer. Input the message after the tone.” to the inquirer (step511). Then, a message of the inquirer, for example, “This is Paul. Please tell me John's new telephone number. Contact me at this telephone number: 090-0000-0000.” is stored in the message box211(step512). In the message box211, this message229is stored to be associated with the telephone number of the inquirer228, telephone number of the registrant230, and the notification method231to the registrant. In addition, the message may be input in the form of dialogue. For example, messages are exchanged between the center and the inquirer in such a form that “First of all, your name, please.” (Center), “This is Taro Shokai.” (Inquirer), “Next, your message, please” (Center), “I had a talk with you at the forum sponsored by . . . , previously. I want to talk with you over business.” (Inquirer), “Finally, your contact telephone number, please.” (Center), “My contact telephone number is 00?1111?2222. You can contact me between nine in the morning and eight in the evening.” (Inquirer). The center sends the registrant the voice message to which the above voice message of the inquirer are combined: “This is Taro Shokai. I had a talk with you at the forum sponsored by . . . , previously. I want to talk with you over business. You can contact me between nine in the morning and eight in the evening.” This obtains an effect that stops the inquirer from forgetting to record the telephone number for return or the name of the inquirer and further an effect that helps to prevent a prank telephone call.

When the messages are stored in this way, the message notification processing unit241provides notification to the registrant according to the notification method231(step513).

FIG. 6is a flowchart showing an operation of message notification to the registrant by the message notification processing unit241.

First of all, the message notification processing unit241judges the type of notification method231(step601). When the notification method is “notification via voice (No.1)” (step602), a transmission is given to the registrant and the recorded message is informed from the message box211(step603).

Moreover, when the notification method is “notification via voice (No.2) (step604), the registrant is informed that the message has been recorded in his/her cellular phone (step605). After that, as shown inFIG. 7, when the registrant gains access to the center206(step701), the message is played back from the message box211and sent to the registrant (step702). Thereafter, when, for example, the registrant presses a specific button on the cellular phone to input registration refusal (step703), the inquirer is listed in the service refusal list219(step704). As a result, even if the inquirer makes a telephone call using the old telephone number afterward, any message is not informed to the registrant.

From the message, the registrant can know that the inquirer has the will to take over via a telephone. Then, when the registrant desires to inform this inquirer of a new telephone number, the registrant may call the inquirer to tell the new telephone number. When the registrant does not desire to inform this inquirer of a new telephone number, the registrant does not have to make contact with the inquirer. Therefore, according to this embodiment, since confirmation is sent to the registrant using the message every time when an inquire is sent from such the inquirer, it is possible to surely inform his/her telephone number to a person who he/she desires to inform without requiring time and labor in the directory assistance service.

Additionally, in the aforementioned embodiment, the voice message is informed to the registrant from the inquirer via the center. However, in addition to such the message notification method, notification using character information via a tone signal (226inFIG. 2) may be used and notification via an e-mail (227inFIG. 2) may be used.

Moreover, the aforementioned embodiment explained the case in which the telephone directory assistance system207automatically accepted service when the inquirer gained access to the old telephone number. However, the present invention is applicable to a case in which, for example, the inquirer gains access to the center206and receives service via the operator.

In this case, when the inquirer gains access to the center206, the operator answers to the inquirer and asks him/her to tell an old telephone number, an address, a name and the like that correspond to a telephone number on which he/she desires to receive service, and inputs them to the telephone directory assistance system207. As a result, the same operations as the aforementioned embodiment (operations including step502inFIG. 5and afterward) are carried out as follows. More specifically, according to the aforementioned first embodiment, upon reception of the presentation of the old telephone number from the inquirer, the center informs the new telephone number, refuses to inform, and sends a message to the registrant. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Namely, the center receives the presentation, which is a so-called “clue”, which can specify the registrant, that is, any information relating to the registrant such as an address, a name and the like, from the inquirer as well as the presentation of the old telephone number from the inquirer. Then, the center informs the telephone number of the specified registrant, rejects the service, and sends the message to the registrant. Then, the service on the telephone number, rejection of the service, and notification of message to the registrant are left on the registrant's will. Thereby, the registrant can arbitrarily select whether he/she “tells/does not tell” his/her telephone number at his/her will with respect to the service request for the telephone number from a certain inquirer. Moreover, the present invention is intended to adaptively deal with such a way of selection in accordance with the registrant and inquirer circumstances (for example, the type of terminal they possess).

In addition, the aforementioned first embodiment implements the present invention using the public network. However, the present invention can be implemented even in the other network system such as the Internet and the like. In this case, it is possible to use a cellular phone, a personal computer and the like as terminals for the inquirer and registrant.

The respective elements of the second embodiment may be adopted to the system of this embodiment as much as possible. For example, a registration method, a changer authentication method and an inquirer authentication method to be described later may be, of course, applied to the system of this embodiment.

As shown inFIG. 8, an address inquiry system1according to this one embodiment is connected to an Internet2and structured to be able to bi-directionally communicate with a terminal (a changer terminal4) of a changer3and a terminal (an inquirer terminal6) of an inquirer5.

The changer3is defined here as an individual or a corporation (hereinafter defined as an individual in this embodiment) who has moved, for some reason, from an old address to a new address, has changed his or her own address from the old address to the new address, or has stopped the use of the old address. The inquirer5is defined here as an individual or a corporation (hereinafter defined as an individual in this embodiment) which inquires about the new address of the changer3since an access by the old address of the changer3is refused in transmitting e-mail, requesting data, and the like to the old address.

Further, an address is defined here as information for specifying a position of his or her own in communication by the use of existing communication means, and an e-mail address, an IP address, a URL, a telephone number, a mail address, and the like are given as its examples. When these addresses are unknown or incorrect, it is impossible to communicate with the other party through the use of their corresponding communication systems.

An object of the present is to provide the address inquiry system1capable of flexibly coping with an intention of the changer3when the inquirer5inquires about the new address based on the old address of the changer3.

Elements of this embodiment will be explained below in detail.

This address inquiry system1is mainly composed of a changer data base10storing information about the changer3, an inquirer data base11storing information about the inquirer5who inquires about the new address, and an information processing unit12processing the inquiry from the inquirer5based on the information stored in these data bases10and11.

These elements will be explained below.

As shown inFIG. 9, the changer data base10stores a changer authenticating information14including a changer ID21and a changer password22for specifying the changer3, change information15including one, or two or more old addresses23and a new address24, a changer attribute information16storing the property of the changer3, a changer profile information33for characterizing the changer3, an address disclosing condition17storing responses depending on the inquirers5, an inquiry refusal list18storing a list of the inquirers5who are refused an inquiry, a confirmation form format19which is sent to the changer3to confirm whether the new address24is disclosed or not, and a changer reference address20(an e-mail address) provisionally assigned to the changer3.

The changer authenticating information14such as the changer ID21and the changer password22is information required for security when information is registered or changed in the changer data base10and issued to the changer3who has registered the new address24and the like in the address inquiry system1.

The change information15is composed of a disclosure rule25in addition to the old address23and the new address24described above. The sorts of addresses which can be registered in this embodiment are four sorts such as an e-mail address, a home page URL, a telephone number, and an address, and the changer3is requested to register the old address23and the new address24concerning at least one or more sorts out of the aforesaid sorts. In this embodiment, after the old address23and the new address24, codes26and27denoting the sorts of these addresses are given (FIG. 9). Incidentally, two or more old addresses23or new addresses24may be registered per one sort.

Moreover, by setting the disclosure rule25, the changer3can freely set the sort of the new address24to be disclosed when receiving an inquiry with the presentation of each old address23. Namely, when any of the aforesaid four sorts of old addresses23is presented, the new address24different from the presented old address23in sort can be disclosed or a plurality of new addresses24can be disclosed. For example, such setting that a new e-mail address is disclosed when an inquiry with the presentation of an old telephone number is received, or a new e-mail address and a new home page URL are disclosed when an inquiry with the presentation of an old mail address is received can be performed.

The changer attribute information16is one in which the changer3previously registers information other than the old address23such as a name and an address capable of distinguishing and specifying the changer3himself or herself. The changer profile information33is one in which the changer3previously registers a profile other than the changer attribute information16such as a self-introduction capable of characterizing the changer3. For example, in many cases, an e-mail address is composed by a combination of alphabets, numbers and symbols, and the like, and the owner thereof cannot be specified by this e-mail address only. Therefore, the changer attribute information16and the changer profile information33are useful information for confirming whether the owner of the address is the changer3of whom the inquirer5wishes to inquire.

Response patterns (the numerals28to30inFIG. 9) of this address inquiry system1in the case where an inquiry with the presentation of the old address23is received from the inquirer5are previously registered in the address disclosing condition17. In this embodiment, the changer3can set a response by selecting one from the following three sorts of responses (1) to (3).

This response pattern means that the new address24is disclosed to the specific inquirer5or the inquirer5which fulfills a fixed condition without making the changer3confirm whether the new address24is disclosed or not. In this embodiment, the new address24is disclosed to all the inquirers5unconditionally by the selection of this item. Incidentally, it is suitable that a new address disclosure list is prepared and that the new address4is disclosed only to the inquirers5included in this list without the confirmation of the changer3.

(2) “Make the changer3judge whether to disclose a new address by transmitting information about the inquirer5without disclosing the new address Instantly.” (the numeral29inFIG. 9)

This response pattern means that when the inquirer5which inquires about an address fulfills or does not fulfill a specific condition, the information of this inquirer5is transmitted to the changer3for confirmation. In this case, the changer5can judge whether to give permission to disclose the new address24after confirming who the inquirer5is, for what purpose the inquirer5requests the disclosure of the new address24, and the like from the information about the inquirer5.

(3) “Refuse an inquiry about a new address instantly.” (the numeral30inFIG. 9)

This response pattern means that when the inquirer5which is going to inquire about an address fulfills or does not fulfill a specific condition, the inquiry about the address is automatically refused. Incidentally, in this embodiment, when this item is selected, inquiries from all the inquirers5are refused unconditionally.

Meanwhile, in this embodiment, by registering the inquirers5, inquiries from whom the changer3wishes to refuse, in the inquiry refusal list18, setting such that inquiries from the inquires5registered in this inquiry refusal list18are refused even when the pattern (1) or the pattern (2) is selected is possible.

It is possible to previously register the other parties, inquiries from whom the changer3wishes to refuse, in the inquiry refusal list18. In this embodiment, however, also when the response of “Do not disclose new address, and refuse inquiry from this inquirer hereafter” (See the hyperlink112inFIG. 30) is selected when the changer3makes a judgment in the pattern (2), an e-mail address of this inquirer5is automatically registered in the inquiry refusal list18.

In this embodiment, the respective responses of the patterns (1) to (3) can be set in each of the registered old addresses23. For example, it is possible that when an inquiry about the new address24with the presentation of an old home page URL is received, “Disclose a new address instantly” (the pattern (1)) is selected, and that when an inquiry with the presentation of an old telephone number is received, the response of “Make a changer judge whether to disclose a new address by transmitting information about an inquirer without disclosing the new address instantly.” (the pattern (2)) is sent through the address inquiry system1.

Meanwhile, in the confirmation form format19, the format of the confirmation form for the permission of disclosure sent from the address inquiry system1to the changer3can be set in the case of the response pattern (2). Namely, in this embodiment, as will be explained later, the inquirer5first makes out an inquiry message for the address inquiry system1, and the address inquiry system1draws up the confirmation form for the changer3based on this inquiry message. It is possible to include an important matter (a message text and the like) from the inquirer5in this confirmation form. In the confirmation form format19, “with message text”31or “without message text”32, which means that a message text included in an inquiry message from the inquirer5is included or not included in the confirmation form for the changer3, can be selected.

As will be explained later, even if the “without message text”32is set in the confirmation form format19, the changer3can obtain the message text from the inquirer5by e-mail later.

The changer reference address20is an e-mail address issued by the address inquiry system1to exchange communications including the confirmation form with the changer3, and issued when the changer3has no e-mail address or does not want to use its own e-mail address even if he or she has the address, or issued for ensuring security.

Meanwhile, as shown inFIG. 10, the inquirer data base11stores an inquirer authenticating information35composed of an inquirer ID41and an inquirer password42for authenticating the inquirer5, an inquiry log36, an inquirer attribute information37, an inquirer profile information38, an inquirer reference address39, and the like.

The inquirer authenticating information35such as the inquirer ID41and the inquirer password42is necessary information in terms of security when a demand for the search for the new address24from the inquirer5is executed and its result is confirmed.

The inquiry log36is information for monitoring an inquiry process by the inquirer5, and for example, utilized for confirming whether a response from the changer3to the confirmation is within a predetermined period.

The inquirer attribute information37is information about the inquirer5presented to the changer3for making the changer3confirm whether the new address24is disclosed to the inquirer5. In this embodiment, this inquirer attribute information37is composed of a name, an address (an e-mail address, a telephone number) and the like of the inquirer5.

The inquirer profile information38is a brief composition of introduction for characterizing the inquirer5and registered to characterize the inquirer5in making the changer3confirm whether to disclose the new address24. The registration of the inquirer profile information38is left to the discretion of the inquirer5, but it is desirable to persuade the inquirer5to register it as much as possible since there is a case where the changer3refuses the disclosure of the new address24since the inquirer5is not identified only by an e-mail address and the like.

The inquirer reference address39is an e-mail address issued by the address inquiry system1to exchange communications including the inquiry message with the inquirer5, and issued when the inquirer5has no e-mail address or does not want to use its own e-mail address even if he or she has the address, or issued for ensuring security.

Next, the information processing unit12will be explained.

FIG. 11is a diagram showing the entire configuration of the address inquiry system1including this information processing unit12. The information processing unit12, the changer data base10, and the inquirer data base11are connected to a bus59to which a CPU55, a RAM56, a ROM56, and communication interfaces58of various kinds are connected.

As shown inFIG. 11, the information processing unit12of the address inquiry system1is composed of a changer authenticator45authenticating the changer3, a changer register46receiving the change information15such as the new address24inputted by the changer3and storing it in the changer data base10, an inquirer authenticator47authenticating the inquirer5, an inquirer register48registering information about the inquirer5in the inquirer data base11, a changer searcher49searching the changer data base10with the old address23of the changer3when the inquirer5inquires about the new address24of the changer3, a changer selector50making the inquirer5select from the changers3on whom the inquiry about the new address24is executed when there exist plural changers3who fulfill the condition in the search, a new address disclosure judge51judging whether to disclose the new address24to the inquirer5based on the address disclosing condition17for the new address24of the changer3, a changer confirmer52making the changer3confirm whether the new address24is disclosed or not, an inquiry process monitor53administering the period of each inquiry process, and a discloser54disclosing an inquiry result to the inquirer5.

These elements45to54, the changer data base10, and the inquirer data base11are practically composed of computer programs installed in a storage medium of a computer system as shown inFIG. 11and show various functions of the present invention by being read and executed in the RAM56by means of the CPU55.

The detailed configurations and functions of the elements (45to54) will be explained below with reference to flowcharts and interface examples.

FIG. 12is a flowchart showing the registration process of changer information by the changer register46and the like.

The changer register46first judges whether the changer3concerned in an access has already registered changer information or not by inquiring of the changer data base10about it (step S1). When the changer information is registered for the first time, the changer register46receives the information, registers it in the changer data base10(step S2), and thereafter issues the changer ID21and the changer password22to the changer3(step S3).

Meanwhile, when the changer3wishes to changes information which has been already registered, the changer authenticator45authenticates an access through the use of the changer ID21and the changer password22by making inquiries at the changer data base10(step S4), and thus a change and a renewal of information in the changer data base10are permitted (step S5).

FIG. 13toFIG. 17show examples of an interface screen when changer information (SeeFIG. 9) in the changer data base10is registered. Although a series of registration processes are executed in connection with a Web site offered by the address inquiry system1in this example, registration may be performed by transmitting and receiving necessary information to/from the address inquiry system1by e-mail.

FIG. 13is an example of an interface screen for registering the changer attribute information16. The changer3inputs basic information such as a name60, a present address61, a telephone number62, a FAX number63, on this screen. The changer register46registers this information as the changer attribute information16(SeeFIG. 9). If the changer3wishes, the changer reference address20for receiving notice from the address inquiry system1is set and acquired through this screen. Incidentally, in registering basic information about the changer3, individual registration or corporate registration can be selected, and an example of the individual registration is shown here.

When the registration of the basic information is completed, the changer register46displays an interface screen shown inFIG. 14. This screen is an interface for registering the old address23and the new address24to be disclosed based on the old address23from the change information15, andFIG. 14shows an example of a screen for an e-mail address.

The changer3registers an address before change (the old address23) necessary for receiving an inquiry and an address after change (the new address24) which is disclosed when there is an inquiry on this screen. In this embodiment, a plurality of (three in this embodiment) old addresses23can be registered and renewed at any time by the aforesaid process. When the new address24to be disclosed is the same as that in the basic information (the changer attribute information16) registered in the interface inFIG. 13, a button of “Same as basic information”67is pressed, whereby the basic information is transferred and repeated input can be avoided.

The changer register46also accepts the changer profile information33in an input section shown by the numeral68in this screen. This changer profile information33is information given to the inquirer5to confirm and specify the other party (the changer3) about whose address the inquirer5wishes to inquire as described above.

Subsequently, the changer register46displays an interface screen shown inFIG. 15. This interface screen is to register and set the address disclosing condition17, the disclosure rule25, and the confirmation form format19from the information in the changer data base10shown inFIG. 9.

Namely, on this screen, the changer3registers the sort of the new address24to be disclosed to the inquirer5out of the registered new addresses24such as a new e-mail address and a new address, a condition of disclosure (including unconditional disclosure and unconditional non-disclosure) in the case where an inquiry is sent from the inquirer5. The example inFIG. 8shows the setting of the address disclosing condition17, the disclosure rule25, and the like when an inquiry with the presentation of an e-mail address as the old address23is sent.

In this example, “Make changer judge whether to disclose address to inquirer after acquisition of inquiry information (information about the inquirer5).” (the pattern (2) shown by the numeral29inFIG. 9) is registered as the address disclosing condition17, “New e-mail address” is registered as the sort of the new address24to be disclosed based on the e-mail address (the disclosure rule25), and “Exclude message text (from the inquirer5) from inquiry information (information about the inquirer5)” is registered as the confirmation form format19. The above information is registered in the changer data base10by the changer register46.

Meanwhile,FIG. 16is an example of a registration screen of the inquiry refusal list18(SeeFIG. 9).

On this screen, the changer3inputs conditions such as e-mail addresses of the inquirers from whom the changer3wishes to refuse inquiries. By pressing a “Registration” button69on this screen, these addresses are registered in the inquiry refusal list18, and stored in the changer data base10. Incidentally, this inquiry refusal list18can be renewed (added, deleted) at any time by the aforesaid process.

When the changer3finishes inputting changer information on each of the above screens, the changer register46displays a confirmation screen such as shown inFIG. 17. Incidentally, in order to confirm that the e-mail address registered by the changer3is owned by the changer himself or herself, it is suitable that the issued changer ID21is not displayed on this screen and that an e-mail notifying the completion of changer registration is separately transmitted from the address inquiry system1to the changer3to notify the changer ID21by this e-mail. Moreover, an e-mail in which the same contents are described may be transmitted to the changer3without displaying this confirmation screen (FIG. 17).

Next, the registration of inquirer information by the inquirer register48will be explained with reference to a flowchart shown inFIG. 18and examples of an interface screen shown inFIG. 19toFIG. 22. This registration of inquirer information is executed as a part of the process of an inquiry about the new address24from the inquirer5.

Namely, the inquiry from this inquirer5is executed when the inquirer5cannot get access to the changer3when he or she sends an e-mail to the old address23without knowing the change thereof or tries to refer to a home page by an old URL address without knowing the change thereof.

The inquirer register48first judges whether an inquiry from the said inquirer5is his or her initial inquiry by inquiring of the inquirer data base11about it (step S6). When the inquirer5uses the address inquiry system1for the first time, that is, when the inquirer5inquires about an address for the first time, the inquirer register48accepts the registration of this inquirer5(step S7).

FIG. 19andFIG. 20are examples of screens for accepting the registration of information about the inquirer5.

FIG. 19is an example of a screen in which the inquirer register48accepts the registration of attribute information of the inquirer5, and the inquirer5registers basic information such as a name70, an address71, a telephone number72, a FAX number73and sets and acquires the inquirer reference address39for receiving an inquiry result if he or she wishes. Incidentally, in registering the basic information about the inquirer5, individual registration or corporate registration can be selected, and an example of the individual registration is shown here. The information inputted on this screen is registered as the inquirer attribute information37and the inquirer reference address39in the inquirer data base11(SeeFIG. 10).

Then, the changer selector50performs setting on receipt of a response to a search result on a screen shown inFIG. 20. Specifically, when the matching changers3are searched as a result of the search of the change information, it is selected that the inquiry is immediately made for (all) the matching changers3(a pattern shown by the numeral76inFIG. 20), that an inquiry is made after the selection of the changer3when a plurality of matching changers3are searched (a pattern shown by the numeral77inFIG. 20), or that the inquiry is made after a memo, a profile, or the like which characterizes the changer3is confirmed (a pattern shown by the numeral78inFIG. 20).

Thereafter, the inquirer register48displays a screen shown inFIG. 21for the inquirer5which has acquired the inquirer reference address39on the registration screen of inquirer information inFIG. 19, and notifies him or her of account information.

After the completion of the aforesaid registration operations, the inquirer register48displays a screen of the completion of inquirer registration shown inFIG. 22. This screen shows a list of information contents inputted or selected by the inquirer5in order that the inquirer5confirms registration contents. Incidentally, an e-mail in which the same contents are described may be sent to the inquirer5.

Thereafter, the address inquiry system1makes the inquirer5judge whether to download special-purpose software for assisting the inquiry about the address (step S8-1). When this special-purpose software is downloaded, the download and set-up thereof is executed in step S8-2.

Namely, after this special-purpose software is downloaded in the computer system of the inquirer5, an installer is automatically started, and this software is installed in the inquirer terminal6at the request of the inquirer5(step S8-2). This special-purpose software is automatically started by recognizing that e-mail is returned because its destination is unknown or that a URL address is not found as will be explained later (step S9), and has a function of assisting an access to the address inquiry system1and the search for the new address24.

Even if the inquirer5is not a person who sends an inquiry to the address inquiry system1for the first time (No in step S6), the special-purpose software is downloaded when it has not been downloaded yet (step S10). When the special software is not downloaded in the aforesaid step S8-1, subsequent processes are executed on Web page provided by the address inquiry system1(step S8-3). The inquiry process on this Web page is almost the same as the under-mentioned inquiry process by the use of the special-purpose software, and thus the explanation thereof is omitted.

Next, the process of an inquiry about the new address24by the use of the special-purpose software will be explained.

FIG. 23is a schematic block diagram showing the inquirer terminal6in which the special-purpose software is installed in a storage medium such as a hard disk.FIG. 23shows the configuration of only a software program related to the present invention, and the illustration of hardware such as a CPU and basic software such as an OS is omitted.

In the inquirer terminal6in which this software is installed, a browser80for browsing an Internet home page and a mailer81for transmitting and receiving e-mail are set up in advance. The aforesaid software has e-mail account setter82setting e-mail account of the inquirer reference address39in the mailer81, a starter83starting this software based on the receipt of a notice that an address is unknown by the browser80and the mailer81, an inquiry message maker84making out an inquiry message for the address inquiry system1based on information from the browser80and the mailer81, an inquiry executor85logging in the address inquiry system1and registering the inquiry message, and a new location displayer86displaying a new location (for example, a home page) based on the acquisition of the new address24of the new location as the result of the inquiry.

The starter83and the inquiry message maker84operate based on starting conditions stored in a starting condition storage shown by the numeral87inFIG. 23. Namely, in the starting condition storage87, starting conditions such that the browser80and the mailer81automatically starts this software based on the receipt of a notice that an access with presentation of the old address23is refused are stored depending on the sort of the browser80and the mailer81as described above.

Moreover, this software has an inquirer authenticating information storage88storing the inquirer authenticating information35. The inquiry message maker84automatically takes in the inquirer authenticating information35from this inquirer authenticating information storage88, and the inquiry executor85logs in the address inquiry system1by using the inquirer authenticating information35.

The inquiry process of the new address24will be explained below by means of flowcharts inFIG. 24andFIG. 29and interface screen examples inFIG. 25and the following figures.

When the aforesaid special-purpose software is used, the starter83starts the inquiry message maker84based on the receipt of an e-mail of a non-delivery notice, in which a message that a destination is unknown is described, by the mailer81(steps S11-1and S11-2inFIG. 17). Incidentally, manual starting is also possible by changing starting conditions stored in the starting condition storage87.

FIG. 25is a conceptual diagram showing operations at the time of the starting of inquiry software. The inquiry message maker84has functions of displaying an input screen for an inquiry message such as shown by the numeral90inFIG. 25in the inquirer terminal6and transferring a sender93, a destination94, a subject95, a message text96, and the like out of the contents of original e-mail92attached to the non-delivery notice e-mail to the input screen in response to the click of a “Incorporate e-mail information” button91on this screen (step S12). It is possible to directly amend the inputted matters on this screen90when the inquirer5wants to supplement the information. Thus, the inquiry message to be sent to the address inquiry system1is made out.

If the making of the inquiry message is completed, the inquiry executor85is started by pressing a “Search change information” button97on the screen90, and gets access to the address inquiry system1, and logs in the system1using the inquirer authenticating information35. Authentication on this occasion is executed by the inquirer authenticator47(SeeFIG. 11) of the system.

When the authentication by the inquirer authenticator47is completed, the destination94, that is, the old address23of the changer3out of the inquiry information is sent to the changer searcher49. The changer searcher49searches the changer data base10by means of the received old address23(step S14).FIG. 26toFIG. 28show examples of interface screens for showing search results by the changer searcher49on the inquirer terminal6.

FIG. 26shows an example of a screen of a Web page for informing the inquirer5that as the result of a search of the changer data base10in the address inquiry system1for the old address23of the changer3, the said address is not found (step S15). In this case, the inquiry about the corresponding new address24comes to an end at this stage (step S16).

Meanwhile,FIG. 27shows an example of a screen of a Web page for informing the inquirer5that only one matching address is found as the result of the search of the change information15. The changer searcher49displays the changer profile information33together with the old address23of the changer3, whereby the inquirer5can judge whether the owner of this old address23is the changer3about whose new address24the inquirer5wishes to inquire. When he wishes an inquiry, a “Start inquiry” button100is pressed (steps S17and S19).

FIG. 28shows an example of a screen of a Web page of the address inquiry system1informing the inquirer5that a plurality of matching addresses are found as the result of the search of the change information15. In this case, the inquirer5can select the changer3about whose new address24the inquirer5wishes to inquire with reference to the changer profile information33(the changer attribute information16) of the changer3. By pressing a “Start inquiry” button103after the selection of the changer3by the use of check boxes101and102, an inquiry about the new address24of the changer3can be started (step S17to S19).

Incidentally, the communication between the changer3and the inquirer5, and the address inquiry system1can be performed by e-mail, in which case it is possible to use the changer reference address20and the inquirer reference address39which are assigned by the address inquiry system1.

Based on the press of the “Start inquiry” buttons100and103by the inquirer5, the new address disclosure judge51takes the address disclosing condition17out of the changer data base10and confirms which pattern out of the numerals28to30shown inFIG. 9the address disclosing condition17of the changer3imposed on the inquiry about the new address24is (step S20inFIG. 29).

When the address disclosing condition17is “Disclose new address instantly” (the numeral28inFIG. 9), the inquiry refusal list18is then checked in this embodiment, and only when the inquirers5are not registered in the inquiry refusal list18, the new address24is disclosed unconditionally to all the inquirers5(steps S21, S22-1, and S22-2). In this case, the address disclosure judge51and the discloser54in the address inquiry system1display a screen shown inFIG. 26in the inquirer terminal6and disclose the new address24of the changer3to the inquirer5. In this example, only an e-mail address is disclosed as the new address24, but other sorts of new addresses24, that is, a URL address, an address, a telephone number, and the like can be displayed according to the disclosure rule25.

When the address disclosing condition17registered by the changer3is “Make changer judge whether to disclose new address without disclosing new address instantly” (the numeral29inFIG. 9), the inquiry refusal list18is then checked in this embodiment, and only when the inquirer5is not registered in the inquiry refusal list18, the process advances to the next step (steps S23and S24).

FIG. 34shows an example of a notice screen in the inquirer terminal6by the new address disclosure judge51and the discloser54when the inquirer5is not registered in the inquiry refusal list18. This example shows a notice of the inquiry result when the plural changers3(a changer A and a changer B) are selected on the screen shown inFIG. 28, and the new address24regarding the changer A is disclosed by the pattern shown by the numeral28inFIG. 9. Meanwhile, regarding the changer B, the inquirer5is informed that the changer3judges whether to disclose the new address24according to the pattern shown by the numeral29inFIG. 9.

Incidentally, even when this pattern is selected, if the inquirer5is registered in the inquiry refusal list18, his or her inquiry is refused (step S25). In this case, the screen shown inFIG. 32is displayed in the inquirer terminal6.

Further, when the address disclosing condition17registered by the changer3is “Refuse inquiry about new address instantly” (the numeral30inFIG. 9), inquiries from all the inquirers5are refused unconditionally in this embodiment (steps S26and S25). Also in this case, the same screen shown inFIG. 32is displayed in the inquirer terminal6.

Next, the process of the confirmation of the changer3in step S27and the following steps will be explained.

In this case, the new address disclosure judge51sends an e-mail of a confirmation form105with contents shown inFIG. 30to the changer3to confirm whether the new address24is disclosed or not (step S27inFIG. 29). In the confirmation form105, a notice106that an inquiry about the new address24is sent, a date and time of the inquiry107, an address108of the inquirer5, a profile109of the inquirer5, and a subject110are displayed. When “without message text” (the pattern shown by32inFIG. 9) is set in the confirmation form format19, the message text in the inquiry message90shown inFIG. 25received from the inquirer5is not displayed as described above. However, by selecting a link111for obtaining and displaying the message text, an e-mail in which the message text is described can be received as shown inFIG. 31(step S28).

Meanwhile, in the confirmation form105, as shown inFIG. 30, the changer3who receives it can select a response to this inquiry among hyperlinks shown by the numeral112to114inFIG. 30, that is, in this embodiment, can select a response from “Do not disclose new address, and refuse inquiry from this inquirer hereafter” (the hyperlink shown by the numeral112inFIG. 30), “Disclose new address” (the hyperlink shown by the numeral113inFIG. 30), or “Do not disclose new address this time, but receive inquiries from this inquirer hereafter” (the hyperlink shown by the numeral114inFIG. 30).

FIG. 38is an example of a notice to the inquirer5when “Do not disclose new address, and refuse inquiry from this inquirer hereafter” (the hyperlink shown by the numeral112inFIG. 30) is selected. In this case, the inquirer5is registered to the inquiry refusal list18, and hereafter inquiries from the said inquirer5are automatically refused until the changer3changes the setting (steps S30and S31).

FIG. 39is an example of a notice to the inquirer5when “Disclose new address” (the hyperlink shown by the numeral113inFIG. 30) is selected (step S32). Via this screen, the inquirer5can know the new address24of the changer3and get access to the said changer3by e-mail or the like.

FIG. 35shows an example of the contents of an e-mail received when the changer3selects “Do not disclose new address this time, but receive inquiries from this inquirer hereafter” (the hyperlink shown by the numeral114inFIG. 30) in the confirmation form105shown inFIG. 30. In this example, the changer3refuses an inquiry about the new address24from the inquirer5but does not register this inquirer in the inquiry refusal list18, and thereby a notice that the similar inquiries can be made hereafter is given (step S33). Moreover, when the changer3selects nothing within a predetermined period, an e-mail shown inFIG. 36is transmitted, the inquiry is refused, and the processing is completed (steps S34and S35).

Incidentally, the display screens inFIGS. 35,36,38, and39show examples in the case where the changer3who discloses the new address is singular. When an inquiry is made about a plurality of changers3at the same time, a list of results of responses to the permission of disclosure of new addresses of the plurality of changers3may be displayed all at once by the same screens. Further, the display screens inFIGS. 35,36,38, and39are notice screens when a notice from the address inquiry system1is received by e-mail. Meanwhile, the inquirer5can confirm this notice through a Web page by being authenticated by the address inquiry system1and logging therein.

A notice of the inquiry result to the inquirer5is executed by the discloser54, and the monitoring of the aforesaid predetermined period is executed by the inquiry process monitor53. If the new address24obtained as the result of the inquiry is a home page address, the new location displayer86operates to make the browser80display a home page of the new location automatically.

According to the configuration explained above, the following effects can be obtained.

(1) In most of conventional services, the inquirer5is informed about the new address of the changer3unconditionally if the inquirer5inquires about the old address23and the said old address is registered. Namely, in such services, it is impossible to selectively inform the inquirers5about the new address24depending on the inquirers5.

Contrary to this, according to the aforesaid embodiment, the changer3can freely set the address disclosing condition17of the new address24and judge whether to disclose the new address24after checking the profile of the inquirer5, thereby producing an effect that flexible responses to meet the situation of the changer3can be made with regard to the disclosure of the new address24.

(2) In conventional services, the changer3side cannot know when or to whom the new address24is disclosed.

Contrary to this, according to the aforesaid embodiment, the changer3can receive a confirmation form to confirm whether the new address24is disclosed to the inquirer5, and the changer3can determine when and to whom the new address24is disclosed by controlling his or her response to the confirmation form.

(3) Conventionally, to notify a third party of the change information15of a URL of a home page, it is necessary to notify him or her of a URL (the new address24) of a new home page on the old home page. Therefore, a domain name of the old home page and a contract with an Internet service provider need to be maintained, which causes a problem that the cost thereof needs to be borne during the notification of the change information15.

Contrary to this, according to the aforesaid embodiment, the address inquiry system1can provide an inquiry about the URL (the new address24) of the new home page, so that a domain server of the old home page or the contract with the Internet service provider does not need to be maintained. Thus, to the changer3, server administration becomes easier, and the cost of maintaining servers can be reduced.

(4) When the change information15about a telephone number or a mail address is given, there is a limit in terms of a period to the present service of a telephone office or a post office.

Contrary to this, according to the aforesaid embodiment, the new address24can be disclosed regardless of the service of the telephone office or the post office.

(5) In the case of mail service, the receiver needs to inform a sender of mail delivered to the old address about the new address on another occasion by himself or herself as described above.

Contrary to this, according to the aforesaid embodiment, the system can respond to an inquiry about a new mail address (the new address24) in place of the receiver of the mail, thereby eliminating such a trouble.

(6) Meanwhile, in transport by the majority of private companies, it is impracticable to make a forwarding request to all of transport companies, and moreover, some private companies do not accept such a request.

Contrary to this, if the address inquiry system1is used, a private transporter can be used after the new address24of the changer3is known, which makes it possible to ensure the delivery of a load and the like by such transporter.

(7) Addresses sometimes cease to be used for some reason. Namely, the use of the addresses themselves is sometimes stopped without the telephone number being changed. In this case, since the conventional service handles only addresses of the same sort, some who know only the telephone number cannot know other addresses of the changer3.

Contrary to this, according to this embodiment, by setting the disclosure rule25, inquiries about the new addresses24of different sorts can be made, for example, a new telephone number (the new address24) is detected based on the e-mail address (the old address23), whereby the aforesaid trouble is eliminated.

It should be mentioned that the present invention is not limited to the aforesaid embodiment, and various changes may be made therein without changing the spirit of the present invention.

For example, it is already described that processing can be executed by the same process as above also in the case of an inquiry about a new home page URL as the new address24. The home page, however, aims at being opened to the public, and hence the permission of disclosure of a URL at a new location is often given unconditionally. In this case, it is imagined that it is troublesome to follow the same steps as that of the e-mail address, which is sometimes unbecoming for the purpose of the home page.

To cope with this, in the aforesaid special-purpose software, based on the detection of “An access destination is unknown” by the browser80, the inquiry message maker84and the inquiry executor85may automatically make out an inquiry message and transmit it to the address inquiry system1without obtaining confirmation from the inquirer5.

If the changer searcher49finds the new address24(new location URL), the discloser54or the new location displayer86may give a command to the inquirer terminal6to display a Web page concerned in the new address24.

Such a configuration enables the automatic display of a new home page116at the new location in the inquirer terminal6based on the detection of “An access destination to a desired home page is unknown” by the browser80as shown inFIG. 37. In this case, it is preferable to display also a screen117for persuading the inquirer5to renew the access destination in order to call the attention of the inquirer5. Further, it is more preferable to display the new home page116at the new location without displaying an error display screen of “An access destination is unknown” by the browser80.

Furthermore, in the aforesaid embodiment, the confirmation form (the screen shown by the numeral105inFIG. 30) from the address inquiry system1to the changer3is sent only when the response pattern (2) is selected (step S23) as shown in step S27inFIG. 29, but the present invention is not limited to this.

For example, even when the response pattern (1) or (3) is selected (step S21or S26), it is possible to send the changer3this form as an general notice in which information such that about which address, from what sort of the inquirer5, and on what sort of matter an address inquiry is received is described when the inquiry about the new address24is received from the inquirer5. Moreover, it is possible to include a message text to the changer in this notice.

In this case, however, it is preferable that only in the notice when the response pattern (2) is selected, the hyperlinks (the hyperlinks shown by the numeral112to114inFIG. 30) for confirming whether to disclosed the new address to the inquirer exist and that a response to the permission of disclosure of the new address is given with reference to the information about the inquirer5displayed in this notice.

Moreover, in the aforesaid embodiment, a registrant is explained with the changer3who has changed his or her own address from the old address23to the new address24as an example, but the registrant in the present invention is not limited to the changer3like this. For example, the registrant may be one who registers his or her own e-mail address or the like only to disclose it to others (the inquirer5). Furthermore, based on the old address23of the changer3, the new address24thereof is searched and disclosed in the aforesaid embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to this. The new address24may be searched by using information except the old address23, for example, some attribute information of the changer3.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As explained above, according to the present invention, it is possible to surely inform his/her telephone number to a person who he/she desires to inform surely without requiring time and labor in the directory assistance service.