Universal directory service

Claim 3

The method of claim 1 wherein said step of searching at least one data source comprises transmitting a query to at least one server.

Claim 4

The method of claim 2 wherein said step of transmitting a query to at least one server comprises transmitting a query to each of a local directory server, an on-line corporate server, a local database server, and a white pages server.

Claim 5

The method of claim 2 wherein said at least one server comprises a local directory server.

Claim 6

The method of claim 4 wherein said local directory server includes communication address information relating to the directory provider and institutions hosted by the directory provider.

Claim 7

The method of claim 2 wherein said at least one server comprises an on-line corporate server.

Claim 8

The method of claim 2 wherein said at least one server comprises a local database server.

Claim 9

The method of claim 2 wherein said at least one server comprises a white pages server.

Claim 10

The method of claim 1 further comprising, before said searching step, the step of processing said identifying information in order to identify at least one of a plurality of data sources as appropriate for searching, and wherein said searching step comprises: searching said identified at least one of said plurality of data sources using said identifying information in order to retrieve communication address information useful contacting said individual.

Claim 11

The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of permitting said plurality of individuals listed on the directory service to update their communication address information.

Claim 12

The method of claim 1 wherein said different entities comprise corporations, institutions, individuals, and universities.

Claim 13

The method of claim 1 wherein said searching step further comprises retrieving supplemental information relating to said individual.

Claim 14

The method of claim 12 wherein said supplemental information comprises a type of business, a specialty, business hours, prices, an organizational chart, a map, and a logo.

Claim 15

The method of claim 1 wherein said a plurality of communication channels comprise an internet communication channel, an on-line service provider communication channel, a wireless communication channel, a dedicated communication channel, and an attendant communication channel, and a speech recognition and synthesis system communication channel.

Claim 16

A directory service for providing directory information to a user of said service comprising: a server; a plurality of communication channels for accessing said server; and at least two data sources which communicate with said server, wherein at least one of said at least two data sources is maintained by an entity distinct from the entity providing the directory service, and which contain information relating to a plurality of individuals listed on the directory service, said plurality of individuals being associated with different entities, and wherein: when identifying information relating to an individual is received by said server from the user via one of said plurality of communication channels, said server searches at least one of said at least two data sources using said identifying information in order to retrieve communication address information useful for contacting said individual, and then transmits said communication address information useful for contacting said individual to the user via said one of said communication channels.

Claim 17

A directory service for providing directory information to a user of said service comprising: a server; a plurality of communication channels for accessing said server; and at least two data sources which communicate with said server, wherein at least one of said at least two data sources is maintained by an entity distinct from the entity providing the directory service, and which contain information relating to a plurality of individuals listed on the directory service, said plurality of individuals being associated with different entities, and wherein: when identifying information relating to an individual is received by said server from the user via one of said plurality of communication channels, said server searches at least one of said at least two data sources using said identifying information in order to retrieve communication address information useful for contacting said individual, and then transmits said communication address information useful for contacting said individual to the user via said one of said communication channels.

Claim 18

The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said server searches at least one of said at least one data source by transmitting a query to at least one data server when identifying information is received by said server from the user via one of said plurality of communication channels.

Claim 19

The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said at least one data server comprises a local directory server.

Claim 20

The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said local directory server includes communication address information relating to the directory service provider and institutions hosted by the directory provider.

Claim 21

The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said at least one data server comprises a corporate on-line server.

Claim 22

The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said at least one data server comprises a local database server.

Claim 23

The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said at least one data server comprises a white pages server.

Claim 24

The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said server transmits a query to each of a local directory server, a corporate on-line server, a local database server, and a white pages server when identifying information is received by said server from the user via one of said plurality of communication channels.

Claim 25

The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said different entities comprise corporations, institutions, individuals, and universities.

Claim 26

The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said server retrieves from said at least one of said at least two data sources supplemental information with said communication address information.

Claim 27

The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said supplemental information comprises a type of business, a specialty, business hours, prices, an organizational chart, a map, and a logo.

Claim 28

The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said a plurality of communication channels comprises an internet communication channel, an on-line service provider communication channel, a wireless communication channel, a dedicated communication channel, and an attendant communication channel, and a speech recognition and synthesis system communication channel.

Claim 29

The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said at least one of said at least two data sources comprises a plurality of data servers, and wherein said server processes said identifying information in order to identify at least one of said plurality of data servers as appropriate for searching, and then searches said identified at least one of said plurality of data servers using said identifying information in order to retrieve communications address information useful for contacting said individual when identifying information is received by said server from the user via one of said plurality of communication channels.

Claim 30

The apparatus of claim 27 wherein said plurality of data servers comprise a local directory server, a plurality of on-line corporate servers, a local database server, and a white pages server.

Claim 33

The method of claim 28 wherein said steps of receiving and transmitting are accomplished via a computer network.

Claim 34

The method of claim 29 wherein said steps of receiving and transmitting are accomplished via wireless communication.

Claim 35

The method of claim 29 wherein said steps of receiving and transmitting are accomplished via a telephone connection to an attendant.

Claim 36

The method of claim 29 wherein said steps of receiving and transmitting are accomplished via a telephone connection to a speech recognition and synthesis system.

Claim 37

The method of claim 29 wherein said entity is a corporation, institution, individual, or university.