Apparatus for and method of disambiguation of directory listing searches utilizing multiple selectable secondary search keys

Abstract

A telephone directory search method and system intelligently utilizes secondary information contained in subscriber listings to disambiguate search results and provide telephone number and other data associated with a desired party. Upon identification of more than one listing for a particular requested named party, the system searches through secondary information for each of the parties to identify distinguishing information which is solicited from the calling party. Thus, where there are multiple listings for a particular name, the system attempts to identify distinguishing categories of information such as location, department, terminal type, etc., helpful in refocusing the search and eliminating listings from further consideration. The system considers the size of the candidate list in providing prompts, enumerating secondary data for selection when there are few qualifying entries, while generally soliciting information pertaining to the identified category when there is a wide range of secondary information entries to be considered. To enhance user confidence in system understanding of name information, the system incorporates the name pronunciation used by the calling party in system formulation of prompts and announcements provided back to that caller.