Background Art Conventionally, personal information of each user is stored in a PIM (Personal Information Manager) terminal, such as a so-called electronic note, and only a specific user (hereinafter called"host user") uses the information himself or herself.

Due to the recent progress of the technology, personal information sharing systems which allow other users (hereinafter called"client users") than a host user to share the personal information of the host user is becoming popular.

At the time a client user shares the personal information of a host user, this personal information sharing system enforces the client user to perform complicated processes with respect to a system manager, so that sharing the personal information is troublesome to the client user.

At the time of reserving a ticket on a Web, for example, a client user should perform a troublesome operation to reserve a seat next to a ticket which has been reserved by the host user.

Disclosure of Invention Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an e-mail transmitting system, an e-mail transmitting method and a program for transmitting an e-mail which allows a client user other than a host user to easily perform an operation designated by the host user, based on personal information of the host user.

To achieve the object, according to the first aspect of the invention, there is provided an e-mail transmitting system which has a control section and a personal information database where personal information is registered and transmits an e-mail

for allowing a client user terminal to execute an operation designated by a host user terminal. The control section has capabilities of receiving an e-mail address of the client user terminal from the host user terminal ; extracting items to be displayed on the e-mail from the personal information database; generating an e-mail based on the e- mail address and the items; appending information for designating the operation to the generated e-mail; transmitting the information-appended e-mail to the client user terminal ; and executing the operation upon reception of the information from the client user terminal.

The architecture can allow a client user other than a host user to easily perform an operation designated by the host user, based on personal information of the host user.

The control section may stop executing the operation when a predetermined time passes until acquisition of the information since transmission of the e-mail to the client user terminal.

The operation may be an operation for allowing the client user terminal to share personal information of the host user.

A share range of the personal information acquired by the client user terminal may be received from the host user terminal.

The share range of the personal information may cover reading of the personal information or writing of the personal information.

In the system of the first aspect, when a client user is not registered in a subscriber database where client users permitted to share the personal information are registered, a screen which prompts registration in the subscriber database may be transmitted to a client user terminal of that client user.

In the system of the first aspect, the personal information may be reservation information for a ticket booked through the host user terminal; the reservation information may have a seat number secured by the host user; and the operation may be an operation for booking a seat next to the seat number.

In the system of the first aspect, the personal information may be schedule information where a schedule of the host user is written; and the operation may be an operation for designating whether the schedule information is permitted to be read only

or both readable and writable.

The operation may be an operation for booking a next seat to the seat number over a Web.

The operation may be an operation for designating over a Web whether the schedule information is permitted to be read only or both readable and writable.

The next seat may be a seat to the right or left to, or in front of or at a back of the booked seat secured by the host user.

In the system of the first aspect, a URL (User Resource Locator) has information which designates the operation; and when a portion where the URL in the e-mail is appended is clicked, a URL transmitted from the client user terminal may be acquired.

According to a modification of the first aspect of the invention, there is provided an e-mail transmitting system for transmitting an e-mail which allows a client user terminal to execute an operation designated by a host user terminal and comprises a registration section which registers personal information of the host user; an address receiving section which receives an e-mail address of the client user terminal from the host user terminal ; an extraction section which extracts items to be displayed on the e- mail from the registration section; an e-mail generating section which generates an e- mail based on the e-mail address and the items; an information appending section which appends information for designating the operation to the generated e-mail ; an e- mail transmitting section which transmits the information-appended e-mail to the client user terminal; and an operation executing section which executes the operation upon reception of the information from the client user terminal.

According to the second aspect of the invention, there is provided an e-mail transmitting method which transmits an e-mail for allowing a client user terminal to execute an operation designated by a host user terminal and comprises the steps of receiving an e-mail address of the client user terminal from the host user terminal; extracting items to be displayed on the e-mail from a storage section for storing personal information; generating an e-mail based on the e-mail address and the items; appending information for designating the operation to the generated e-mail; transmitting the information-appended e-mail to the client user terminal; and executing

the operation upon reception of the information from the client user terminal.

The structure can allow a client user other than a host user to easily perform an operation designated by the host user, based on personal information of the host user.

In the e-mail transmitting method, execution of the operation may be stopped when a predetermined time passes until acquisition of the information since transmission of the e-mail to the client user terminal.

In the e-mail transmitting method, the operation may be an operation for allowing the client user terminal to share personal information of the host user.

In the e-mail transmitting method, a share range of the personal information acquired by the client user terminal from the host user terminal may be received from the host user terminal.

In the e-mail transmitting method, the share range of the personal information may cover reading of the personal information or writing of the personal information.

In the e-mail transmitting method of the second aspect, when a client user is not registered in a subscriber database where client users permitted to share the personal information are registered, a screen which prompts registration in the subscriber database may be transmitted to a client user terminal of that client user.

In the e-mail transmitting method of the second aspect, the personal information may be reservation information for a ticket booked through the host user terminal ; the reservation information may have a seat number secured by the host user; and the operation may be an operation for booking a seat next to the seat number.

In the e-mail transmitting method of the second aspect, the personal information may be schedule information where a schedule of the host user is written; and the operation may be an operation for designating whether the schedule information is permitted to be read only or both readable and writable.

In the e-mail transmitting method, the operation may be an operation for booking a next seat to the seat number over a Web.

In the e-mail transmitting method, the operation may be an operation for designating over a Web whether the schedule information is permitted to be read only or both readable and writable.

In the e-mail transmitting method, the next seat may be a seat to the right or left to, or in front of or at a back of the booked seat secured by the host user.

In the e-mail transmitting method of the second aspect, a URL may have information which designates the operation; and when a portion where the URL in the e-mail is appended is clicked, a URL transmitted from the client user terminal may be acquired.

According to the third aspect of the invention, there is provided a program e-mail transmitting method which allows a computer to execute a procedure of receiving an e- mail address of the client user terminal from the host user terminal; a procedure of extracting items to be displayed on the e-mail from a storage section for storing personal information; a procedure of generating an e-mail based on the e-mail address and the items; a procedure of appending information for designating the operation to the generated e-mail ; a procedure of transmitting the information-appended e-mail to the client user terminal; and a procedure of executing the operation upon reception of the information from the client user terminal.

The structure can allow a client user other than a host user to easily perform an operation designated by the host user, based on personal information of the host user.

Brief Description of Drawings FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the structure of an e-mail transmitting system according to a first embodiment of the invention; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the structure of a ticket reservation server in FIG.

1 ; FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrams showing reservation-request input screens; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the structure of individual reservation information data; FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a reservation check mail; FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a solicitation mail; FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams showing a introduction mail and a ticket- reservation end mail, respectively;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are a flowchart illustrating the operation of the ticket reservation server in FIG. 1; FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating the structure of a personal-information sharing system according to a second embodiment of the invention; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the structure of a personal-information sharing server in FIG. 9; FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a setting mail; FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a schedule disclosing screen; FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the schedule disclosing screen; FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a screen for selecting a share range; FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the screen for selecting a share range; FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an essential-item input screen; FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the essential-item input screen; FIG. 18 is a diagram of a client setting mail; FIG. 19 is a diagram of a share setting mail; FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a subscription suggesting screen; and FIGS. 21A and 21B are a flowchart illustrating the operation of the sharing system of the second embodiment.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention E-mail transmitting systems according to preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the structure of an e-mail transmitting system according to the first embodiment of the invention.

The e-mail transmitting system according to the embodiment will be discussed hereunder as an e-mail transmitting system capable of allowing a client user to reserve a seat next to the seat that has been secured by a host user in a ticket booked by the host user.

The e-mail transmitting system according to the embodiment comprises a

ticket reservation server 12 provided on a service providing site 11, a portable terminal to be used by a host user (hereinafter called"host terminal") 13, a portable terminal to be used by a client user (hereinafter called"client terminal") 14 and a router 15.

The ticket reservation server 12 and the router 15 are connected together by a LAN (Local Area Network) 16. The host terminal 13 and the client terminal 14 are connected to the LAN 16 by an Internet 17 and a public network 18.

The ticket reservation server 12 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 121, a storage section 122, a ticket reservation CGI 123, an individual reservation information DB (DataBase) 124, a seat information DB 125, a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) storage section 126 and a timer 127, as shown in FIG. 2. The components of the ticket reservation server 12, such as the CPU 121 and the storage section 122, are connected to an internal bus 128.

The CPU 121 executes processes based on a control program for first to seventh CGI scripts stored in the storage section 122, and a communication control program.

The storage section 122, which is constituted by a memory unit, such as ROM (Read Only Memory), stores a first CGI script 122a, a second CGI script 122b, a third CGI script 122c, a fourth CGI script 122d, a fifth CGI script 122e, a sixth CGI script 122f, a seventh CGI script 122g and a communication control program 122h.

The first CGI script 122a causes the CPU 121 to execute a process of generating a hypertext to generate a screen 200 as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B (hereinafter called"reservation-request input screen"). The reservation-request input screen 200 is used at the time a ticket is reserved.

The first CGI script 122a causes the CPU 121 to execute a process of selecting from the URL storage section 126 a URL which is to be appended to a tag which is located in the hypertext generated by the CPU 121 and where a"Search"button 226 in the reservation-request input screen 200 is described.

The first CGI script 122a also causes the CPU 121 to execute a process of

appending the URL selected by the CPU 121 to the tag in the hypertext where the "Search"button 226 is described.

The reservation-request input screen 200 has a first screen 210 as shown FIG.

3A and a second screen 220 as shown in FIG. 3B.

The second CGI script 122b causes the CPU 121 to execute a process of generating a hypertext to generate a reservation check mail 350 as shown in FIG. 4.

The reservation check mail 350 allows a user to check the contents of a reserved ticket.

The second CGI script 122b causes the CPU 121 to execute a process of selecting from the URL storage section 126 a URL which is to be appended to a tag which is located in the hypertext generated by the CPU 121 and where a "Reserve"button 351 in the reservation check mail 350 is described.

The second CGI script 122b also causes the CPU 121 to execute a process of appending the URL selected by the CPU 121 to the tag where the"Reserve"button 351 is described.

Further, the second CGI script 122b causes the CPU 121 to execute a process of selecting from the URL storage section 126 a URL which is to be appended to a tag which is located in the hypertext generated by the CPU 121 and where a "Solicit"button 352 in the reservation check mail 350 is described.

The second CGI script 122b causes the CPU 121 to execute a process of appending the URL selected by the CPU 121 to the tag where the"Solicit"button 352 is described.

The third CGI script 122c causes the CPU 121 to execute a process of updating individual reservation information data 300 of a reservation requesting person, as shown in FIG. 5, registered in the individual reservation information DB 124, by respectively writing a settled seat number and ticket price in a blank seat- number data item and a blank money data item in the individual reservation information data 300.

The fourth CGI script 122d causes the CPU 121 to execute a process of generating a hypertext to generate a solicitation mail 400 as shown in FIG. 6.

The fourth CGI script 122d causes the CPU 121 to execute a process of selecting from the URL storage section 126 a URL which is to be appended to a tag which is located in the hypertext generated by the CPU 121 and where a "Send"button 430 in the solicitation mail 400 is described.

Further, the first CGI script 122a causes the CPU 121 to execute a process of appending the URL selected by the CPU 121 to the tag in the hypertext where the "Send"button 430 is described.

The fifth CGI script 122e causes the CPU 121 to execute a process of generating a hypertext to generate an introduction mail 500 as shown in FIG. 7A.

The fifth CGI script 122e causes the CPU 121 to execute a process of selecting from the URL storage section 126 a URL which is to be appended to a tag which is located in the hypertext generated by the CPU 121 and where a"Respond"button 510 in the introduction mail 500 is described.

The fifth CGI script 122e also causes the CPU 121 to execute a process of appending the URL selected by the CPU 121 to the tag in the hypertext where the "Respond"button 510 is described.

Further, the fifth CGI script 122e causes the CPU 121 to execute a process of selecting from the URL storage section 126 a URL which is to be appended to a tag which is located in the hypertext generated by the CPU 121 and where a"Not Respond"button 520 in the introduction mail 500 is described.

The fifth CGI script 122e also causes the CPU 121 to execute a process of appending the URL selected by the CPU 121 to the tag in the hypertext where the "Not Respond"button 520 is described.

The sixth CGI script 122f causes the CPU 121 to execute a process of updating the individual reservation information data 300 by respectively writing a seat number and a ticket price, both assigned to the reservation requester, in a blank seat-number data item and blank money data item of the reservation requester, and respectively writing the mail address of a solicitor, the type of a desired seat, a seat number, and a ticket price in blank data items on the mail address of the solicitor, the type of the desired seat, the seat number, and the ticket price in the individual

reservation information data 300.

After causing the CPU 121 to update the individual reservation information data 300, the sixth CGI script 122f causes the CPU 121 to execute a process of generating a hypertext to generate a ticket-reservation end mail 600 as shown in FIG. 7B.

The seventh CGI script 122g causes the CPU 121 to execute a process of updating the individual reservation information data 300 by respectively writing the seat number and ticket price, both assigned to the reservation requester, in a blank seat-number data item and blank money data item of the reservation requester.

After causing the CPU 121 to update the individual reservation information data 300, the seventh CGI script 122g causes the CPU 121 to execute a process of generating a hypertext to generate the ticket-reservation end mail 600 as shown in FIG. 7B.

The communication control program 122h causes the CPU 121 to execute a process of sending the client terminal 14 the reservation-request input screen 200, the reservation check mail 350, the solicitation mail 400, the introduction mail 500 and the ticket-reservation end mail 600 that have been generated by the CPU 121.

The communication control program 122h causes the CPU 121 to execute a process of receiving responses to the reservation-request input screen 200, the reservation check mail 350, the solicitation mail 400, the introduction mail 500, etc. from the host terminal 13 or the client terminal 14.

When receiving a URL from the reservation-request input screen 200, the introduction mail 500 or the like received from the host terminal 13 or the client terminal 14, the ticket reservation CGI 123 sends the CPU 121 an instruction to execute a CGI script to designate the received URL.

The individual reservation information DB 124 stores the individual reservation information data 300.

The seat information DB 125 stores vacant information on seats.

The aforementioned URL is stored in the URL storage section 126.

The timer 127 clocks the time and outputs time information to the CPU 121.

The host terminal 13 shown in FIG. 1 has a browser function and has a display section 131 and an input section 132. The display section 131 displays the reservation-request input screen 200, the reservation check mail 350, the solicitation mail 400 and the ticket-reservation end mail 600. The input section 132 comprises ten keys, etc.

The client terminal 14 shown in FIG. 1 has a browser function and has a display section 141 and an input section 142. The display section 141 displays the introduction mail 500 and the ticket-reservation end mail 600. The input section 142 comprises ten keys, etc.

The operation of the e-mail transmitting system of the embodiment will be discussed below with reference to a flowchart in FIGS. 8A and 8B.

When the ticket reservation server 12 receives a ticket reservation request from the host terminal 13, the CPU 121 executes the first CGI script 122a that has been designated by the ticket reservation CGI 123.

Then, the CPU 121 generates the reservation-request input screen 200 on a Web and sends the generated reservation-request input screen 200 to the host terminal 13.

When the ticket reservation server 12 receives a response to the reservation- request input screen 200 from the host terminal 13 thereafter (step S1), the CPU 121 executes the second CGI script 122b designated by the ticket reservation CGI 123.

Then, the CPU 121 reads personal information consisting of the name of the reservation requester, etc., and reservation request information consisting of a game card, etc., generates the individual reservation information data 300 and registers the individual reservation information data 300 in the individual reservation information DB 124 (step S2).

In the individual reservation information data 300 registered in the individual reservation information DB 124, the seat-number and money data items of the reservation requester and data item on the mail address, the type of the desired seat, the seat number and the money of the solicitor are left blank.

Then, the CPU 121 extracts the individual reservation information data 300 from

the individual reservation information DB 124 (step S3). The CPU 121 reads the seat number that matches the reservation request from the seat information DB 125 and extracts information for preparing the reservation check mail 350, such as a game card (Giants vs. Dragons), date and seat number (step S4).

The CPU 121 prepares the reservation check mail 350 based on the extracted information and sends the reservation check mail 350 to the host terminal 13 (step S5).

When the ticket reservation server 12 receives a response to the reservation check mail 350 through a mail server (step S10), the ticket reservation server 12 executes the following processes.

When the response from the host terminal 13 is"Reserve" (Reserve in step S7), the CPU 121 executes the third CGI script 122c designated by the ticket reservation CGI 123.

Specifically, the CPU 121 respectively writes the settled seat number and ticket price in the blank seat-number and money data items in the individual reservation information data 300 of the reservation requester, registered in the individual reservation information DB 124, thereby updating the individual reservation information data 300 (step S8).

When the response from the host terminal 13 is"Solicit" (Solicit in step S7), on the other hand, the CPU 121 executes the fourth CGI script 122d designated by the ticket reservation CGI 123 to prepare the solicitation mail 400 and sends the mail 400 to the host terminal 13 (step S9).

Thereafter, the ticket reservation server 12 executes the following processes when receiving a response to the solicitation mail 400 (step S10).

Specifically, the CPU 121 executes the fifth CGI script 122e designated by the ticket reservation CGI 123, and respectively writes the mail address of the solicitor and the type of the desired seat in the blank data items on the mail address of the solicitor and the type of the desired seat in the individual reservation information data 300 of the reservation requester, registered in the individual reservation information DB 124, thereby updating the individual reservation information data 300 (step Sll).

Next, the CPU 121 prepares the introduction mail 500 and sends the mail 500 to

the client terminal 14 of the solicitor (step S12).

Then, the CPU 121 activates the timer 127 (step S13). The CPU 121 determines if a predetermined time has passed (step S14), and terminates the process when determining that the predetermined time has passed (YES in step S14).

When the predetermined time has not passed yet (NO in step S14), on the other hand, the ticket reservation server 12 performs the following processes when receiving a response to the introduction mail 500 from the client terminal 14 (step S15).

Specifically, when the response from the client terminal 14 is"Respond", the CPU 121 executes the sixth CGI script 122f designated by the ticket reservation CGI 123.

Then, the CPU 121 respectively writes the ticket price of the reservation requester and the ticket price of the solicitor in the blank money data item of the reservation requester and the money data item of the solicitor in the individual reservation information data 300, thereby updating the individual reservation information data 300 (step S16).

When the response from the client terminal 14 is"Not Respond", on the other hand, the CPU 121 executes the seventh CGI script 122g designated by the ticket reservation CGI 123.

Then, the CPU 121 writes the ticket price of the reservation requester in the blank money data item of the reservation requester, thereby updating the individual reservation information data 300 (step S17).

Thereafter, the CPU 121 prepares the ticket-reservation end mail 600 and sends the mail 600 to the host terminal 13 or the client terminal 14 (step S17) after which the CPU 121 terminates the process.

According to the e-mail transmitting system of the embodiment, after an e- mail appended with information which designates a predetermined operation is sent to a client terminal, the ticket reservation server 12 acquires the information which designates the predetermined operation and executes the designated operation based on the acquired information. This can allow a client user to reserve a ticket for a seat next to the one that has been secured by the host user.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating the structure of an e-mail transmitting system according to the second embodiment of the invention.

The e-mail transmitting system according to the embodiment will be discussed hereunder as an e-mail transmitting system capable of allowing a client (user B other than a host user) to share personal information of the host user (user A).

The e-mail transmitting system according to the embodiment comprises a personal-information sharing server 21, a browser terminal to be used by the user A (hereinafter called"host terminal") 22a, and a browser terminal to be used by the user B (hereinafter called"client terminal") 22b.

The personal-information sharing server 21, the host terminal 22a and the client terminal 22b are connected together by a portable base station 23 and an Internet 24.

The personal-information sharing server 21 has a CPU 211, a storage section 212, a personal-information-sharing-server CGI 213, a personal information DB 214 for the user A, a subscriber DB 215, a URL storage section 216 and a timer 217, as shown in FIG. 10. The components of the personal-information sharing server 21, such as the CPU 211 and the storage section 212, are connected to an internal bus 218.

The CPU 211 executes processes based on a control program for first CGI scrip 212a to tenth CGI scripts 212j stored in the storage section 212, and a communication control program 212k.

The storage section 212, which is constituted by a memory unit, such as ROM, stores the first CGI script 212a, the second CGI script 212b, the third CGI script 212c, the fourth CGI script 212d, the fifth CGI script 212e, the sixth CGI script 212f, the seventh CGI script 212g, the eighth CGI script 212h, the ninth CGI script 212i, the tenth CGI script 212j and the communication control program 212k.

The first CGI script 212a causes the CPU 211 to execute a process of generating a hypertext to generate a setting mail 700 as shown in FIG. 11.

The first CGI script 212a causes the CPU 211 to execute a process of selecting from the URL storage section 216 a URL which is to be appended to a tag which is located in the hypertext generated by the CPU 211 and where a"Share schedule by Xmail"in the setting mail is described in the hypertext.

The first CGI script 212a causes the CPU 211 to execute a process of appending the URL selected by the CPU 211 to the tag in the hypertext where the"Share schedule by Xmail"is described.

The URL that has been appended to the tag where the"Share schedule by Xmail" is described designates the second CGI script 212b stored in the storage section 212.

The second CGI script 212b causes the CPU 211 to execute a process of generating a hypertext to generate a schedule disclosing screen 710 that shows information in the personal information of the host user which is to be disclosed as shown in FIG. 12.

The second CGI script 212b causes the CPU 211 to execute a process of selecting from the URL storage section 216 a URL which is to be appended to a tag which describes"schedule name to be disclosed"button 711 in the schedule disclosing screen 710.

The second CGI script 212b also causes the CPU 211 to execute a process of appending the URL selected by the CPU 211 to the tag that describes the"schedule name to be disclosed"button 711 in the hypertext.

The URL that is described in the"schedule name to be disclosed"button 711 designates the third CGI script 212c stored in the storage section 212.

The schedule disclosing screen 710 has a pull-down button 712 to shows schedule names to be displayed in the"schedule name to be disclosed"button 711, one after another.

For example,"schedule A job"is shown in the"schedule name to be disclosed" button 711 in FIG. 13.

As shown in FIG. 14, the third CGI script 212c causes the CPU 211 to execute a process of generating a hypertext for forming a screen to select a share range for the personal information of the host user.

The third CGI script 212c causes the CPU 211 to execute a process of selecting from the URL storage section 216 a URL which is to be appended to a tag which describes"Yes"on the underline in the screen to select the share range.

The third CGI script 212c causes the CPU 211 to execute a process of appending

the URL selected by the CPU 211 to the tag that describes"Yes"in the hypertext.

The third CGI script 212c causes the CPU 211 to execute a process of selecting from the URL storage section 216 a URL which is to be appended to a tag which describes"No"on the underline in the screen to select the share range.

The third CGI script 212c causes the CPU 211 to execute a process of appending the URL selected by the CPU 211 to the tag that describes"No"in the hypertext.

For example, FIG. 15 shows a case where"Yes"is selected.

The URL appended to the tag that describes"Yes"designates the fourth CGI script 212d stored in the storage section 212.

The URL appended to the tag that describes"No"designates the fifth CGI script 212e stored in the storage section 212.

As shown in FIG. 16, the fourth CGI script 212d causes the CPU 211 to execute a process of generating a hypertext for forming an essential-item input screen 730 which shows essential items to be input by the host user.

The fourth CGI script 212d and fifth CGI script 212e cause the CPU 211 to execute a process of selecting from the URL storage section 216 a URL which is to be appended to a tag which describes a"Send"button 735 in the essential-item input screen 730.

The fourth CGI script 212d and fifth CGI script 212e cause the CPU 211 to execute a process of appending the URL selected by the CPU 211 to the tag that describes the"Send"button 735 in the hypertext.

The URL appended to the tag that describes the"Send"button 735 designates the sixth CGI script 212f stored in the storage section 212.

FIG. 17 shows"disclose schedule A job"in a message column.

The sixth CGI script 212f causes the CPU 211 to execute a process of reading input contents of a"Mail address"button 731, a"User name"button 732 and a "Message"button 733 in the essential-item input screen 730 and registering those contents in the personal information DB 214 for the user A.

As shown in FIG. 18, the seventh CGI script 212g causes the CPU 211 to execute a process of generating a hypertext for forming a client setting mail 740 which is

needed at the time of sharing the personal information of the host user.

The seventh CGI script 212g causes the CPU 211 to execute a process of selecting from the URL storage section 216 a URL which is to be appended to a tag describing "http ://104. com/ifdkdkf' displayed on the underline in the client setting mail 740.

The seventh CGI script 212g causes the CPU 211 to execute a process of appending the URL selected by the CPU 211 to the tag describing "http://104. com/ifdkdkf in the hypertext.

The URL appended to the tag that describes"http://104. com/ifdkdkf' designates the eighth CGI script 212h stored in the storage section 212.

The eighth CGI script 212h causes the CPU 211 to execute a process of generating a hypertext for forming a share setting mail 750 as shown in FIG. 19.

The eighth CGI script 212h causes the CPU 211 to execute a process of selecting from the URL storage section 216 a URL which is appended to a"Share"button 752 in the share setting mail 750.

The ninth CGI script 212i causes the CPU 211 to execute a process of appending the URL selected by the CPU 211 to the"Share"button 752 in the hypertext.

When a predetermined time has passed for a response to the share setting mail 750 that has been sent to the client terminal 22b, the ninth CGI script 212i terminates the process of sharing the personal information of the host user.

The ninth CGI script 212i checks if the client user is registered in the subscriber DB 215. When the registration is not confirmed, the ninth CGI script 212i may generate a subscription suggesting screen as shown in FIG. 20, which suggests the client user to subscribe for the sharing of the personal information of the user A, and send the screen to the associated client terminal 22b.

The tenth CGI script 212j causes the CPU 211 to execute a process of selecting from the URL storage section 216 a URL which is appended to a"Not Share"button 753 in the share setting mail 750.

The tenth CGI script 212j causes the CPU 211 to execute a process of appending the URL selected by the CPU 211 to the"Not Share"button 753 in the hypertext.

The share setting mail 750 shown in FIG. 19 is an e-mail indicating whether or not

sharing should take place for the"schedule A job".

When receiving a URL from a screen 720 for selecting a share range, the share setting mail 750 or the like received from the host terminal 22a or the client terminal 22b, the personal-information-sharing-server CGI 213 sends the CPU 211 an instruction to execute a CGI script which designates the received URL.

The personal information DB 214 for the user A registers personal information of the user A to be shared and the aforementioned input essential items sent from the host user.

The subscriber DB 215 is a database where information of a subscriber who shares the personal information of the user A is registered.

The aforementioned URL is stored in the URL storage section 216.

The timer 217 clocks the time and outputs time information to the CPU 211.

The host terminal 22a shown in FIG. 10 has a browser function and has a display section 22a-1 and an input section 22a-2. The display section 22a-1 displays the aforementioned screens, mails, etc.

The input section 22a-2 comprises ten keys, etc.

The client terminal 22b shown in FIG. 10 has a browser function and has a display section 22b-1 and an input section 22b-2. The display section 22b-1 displays the screens, mails, etc.

The input section 22b-2 comprises ten keys, etc.

The operation of the personal-information sharing system of the embodiment will be discussed below with reference to a flowchart in FIGS. 21A and 21B.

When the personal-information sharing server 21 receives a request to send the setting mail 700 for sharing personal information from the host terminal 22a (step S21), the CPU 211 executes the first CGI script 212a, designated by the personal- information-sharing-server CGI 213, to prepare the setting mail 700 and sends the mail 700 to the host terminal 22a (step S22).

When the personal-information sharing server 21 receives a URL appended to the tag describing"Share schedule by Xmail"in the setting mail 700 (step S23), the CPU 211 executes the second CGI script 212b designated by the personal-information-

sharing-server CGI 213.

That is, the CPU 211 prepare the schedule disclosing screen 710 and sends the screen 710 to the host terminal 22a (step S24).

When receiving a response to the e-mail 720 wherein the share range for the "schedule A job"has been selected (step S25), the personal-information sharing server 21 performs the following processes.

The CPU 211 executes the third CGI script 212c designated by the personal- information-sharing-server CGI 213 to thereby generate the e-mail 720 having the screen to select the share range for which the schedule name is"schedule A job"as shown in FIG. 14 and sends the e-mail 720 to the host terminal 22a (step S25).

When the personal-information sharing server 21 receives a response to the e-mail 720 having the screen to select the share range, the CPU 211 registers the received response in the personal information DB 214 for the user A (step S26).

Subsequently, the CPU 211 executes the fourth CGI script 212d or fifth CGI script 212e designated by the personal-information-sharing-server CGI 213 to thereby generate the e-mail that has the essential-item input screen 730 as shown in FIG. 16, and sends the e-mail to the host terminal 22a (step S27).

When the personal-information sharing server 21 receives a response to the e-mail thereafter, the CPU 211 registers the received response or the e-mail address of the client terminal that is permitted to share the personal information, the local e-mail address that should be notified to the destination, and, if needed, the contents of the message, in the personal information DB 214 for the user A (step S28).

Thereafter, the CPU 211 executes the seventh CGI script 212g designated by the personal-information-sharing-server CGI 213 to thereby generate the client setting mail 740 having the client setting screen as shown in FIG. 18, and sends the e-mail 740 to the client terminal 22b (step S29).

When the personal-information sharing server 21 receives a response to the e-mail thereafter, the CPU 211 executes the eighth CGI script 212h designated by the personal-information-sharing-server CGI 213 to thereby generate the share setting mail 750 as shown in FIG. 19, sends the e-mail 750 to the client terminal 22b (step S30) and

activates the timer 217 (step S31).

Then, the CPU 211 determines if a predetermined time has passed (step S32), and terminates the process when determining that the predetermined time has passed (YES in step S32).

In the case where the predetermined time has not passed yet (NO in step S32), on the other hand, when the personal-information sharing server 21 receives a response to the share setting mail 750 from the client terminal 22b (step S33), the CPU 211 permits the client terminal 22b to share the personal information of the user A (step S34) and then terminates the process.

Thereafter, the client user can share the personal information of the host user based on the set contents.

According to the e-mail transmitting system of the embodiment, an e-mail having a share-setting capability is generated without performing complicated share setting in the case where a plurality of users share personal information, the generated e-mail is sent to the client terminal 22b, and when the button displayed on the display unit is clicked, the browser terminal 22b of the user B that has received the share-setting capable e-mail accesses the personal information DB 214 for the user A provided in the server 23. This system can therefore allow other users than the host user to easily share the personal information of the host user.

The e-mail transmitting system of the second embodiment is applicable to the case where the schedule of the user A is made open to the user B and the user B can write data in this schedule. This system is not however limited to this particular case, but may be adapted to making the schedule of the user B open to the user A. The process target of the system is not limited to a schedule, but may be information such as, address/telephone book information, memo information or list information (To Do list) that should be done.

The e-mail that is sent to the host terminal or the client terminal in the e-mail transmitting system of the embodiment is not encrypted. But, the invention is not limited to this particular case and necessary portions may be encrypted before transmission and may be decrypted after reception.

In short, the invention can allow a client user other than a host user to easily perform an operation designated by the host user, based on the personal information of the host user.

Various embodiments and changes may be made thereunto without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the invention. The above-described embodiments are intended to illustrate the present invention, not to limit the scope of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is shown by the attached claims rather than the embodiments. Various modifications made within the meaning of an equivalent of the claims of the invention and within the claims are to be regarded to be in the scope of the present invention.

This application is based on Japanese Patent Application Nos. 2000-142069 filed on May 15,2000 and 2000-388203 filed on December 21,2000, and including specification, claims, drawings and summary. The disclosure of the above Japanese Patent Application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.