Patent ID: 8325904

Claim:
A method for providing directory assistance by a directory assistance system, said method comprising the steps of: receiving at said directory assistance system at least one request from a requester for an un-listed contact information, said un-listed contact information being separately stored in one of a plurality of carrier databases; generating a request to a third party for said un-listed contact information, wherein said third party is separate from said directory assistance system and from said plurality of carrier databases, and is in contact with said plurality of carrier databases, one of which has said un-listed contact information, wherein said third party is configured to send a search request to one or more of said plurality of carrier databases to determine which of said plurality of carrier databases has said un-listed contact information; receiving a notification from said third party indicating that said un-listed contact information has been located in said carrier databases that has said un-listed contact information by said third party; and sending a message to said un-listed contact information, through said third party, indicating that said requester is trying to contact them and including contact data of said requester sufficient for a user of said un-listed contact information to contact said requester.