Abstract

A compact telephone directory system that integrates a subscriber's telephone with a local on-line telephone directory database system and with a central directory service provider that maintains the local on-line telephone directory database. The telephone directory database system comprises an electronically stored equivalent of a telephone book. The telephone directory database can, for example, store local residential directories, local business directories, local and federal government directories, and a user specific directory. The user specific directory contains telephone numbers and other information that is particular to a subscriber, or a group of subscribers as in the case of a business. This information can be grouped into various lists as determined by the subscriber. All of the directories, excluding the user specific directory, are maintained by a Central Telephone Directory Service Provider (CTDSP), that down-loads the directories to the subscriber's telephone directory system. The subscriber can select the frequency at which updates to his directories are received from the CTDSP via the public telephone network. The compact telephone directory system is secured from non-authorized users, i.e. hackers. This system provides advantages over current telephone directory systems, including books and CD-ROMS for example, by automating the maintenance of the various directories by a central service provider and eliminating the mailing of updated directories to the subscriber.