Patent ID: 7912202

Claim:
A method for operating a directory assistance system comprising the steps of: receiving and storing a plurality of directory listings, said directory listings being received from a plurality of different service providers, said directory listings include, among other contact listings, contact information for connecting to Voice over IP devices said directory listings stored in a database accessible by said directory assistance system; receiving a directory assistance request from a requester for one of said directory listings, said requester being connected to said system via a first service provider; retrieving a response to said requester's request from said accessible database; generating a request completion record for delivery to said requester responsive to said directory assistance request, said request completion record including information relating to at least one of said Voice over IP devices in a case wherein the requested information relates to a Voice over IP device, said request completion record including information relating to a mobile phone device in a case wherein the requested information relates to a mobile phone device, and said request completion record including information relating to landline device in a case wherein the requested information relates to a landline device, wherein said request completion record, in each instance, contains information necessary for said first service provider to initiate a communication between said requester and said requested listing.