Directory dialer name recognition

A directory dialer comprising:

• means for storing a directory of names, each name specifying a first name and second name;
• means for storing a first name grammar representing phonetic baseforms for at least all the first names specified in the directory and a second name grammar representing phonetic baseforms for at least all the second names specified in the directory;
• means for receiving voice data for a spoken name after requesting a user to speak the required name;
• means for extracting a set of phonetic baseforms the voice data;
• and
• means for finding a best match between the set of extracted phonetic baseforms and any combination of the phonetic baseforms from the first name grammar and the second name grammar;
• means for checking the best matches against the directory of names to determine whether or not at least one best match exists in the directory of names;
• and
• forwarding the call if at least one best match is determined to exist in the directory of names.

A computer-readable storage medium, having stored therein a computer program for an interactive voice response system, said interactive voice response system having a directory of telephone numbers and names, each name specifying a first name and second name, said computer program comprising a plurality of computer program instructions that, when loaded into a computer and executed, cause the computer to carry out the steps of:

• providing a first name grammar representing phonetic baseforms of at least all first names specified in the directory of names and a second name grammar representing phonetic baseforms of at least all second names specified in the directory of names;
• receiving voice data for a spoken name after requesting a user to speak the required name;
• extracting a set of phonetic baseforms from the voice data;
• finding a best match between the set of extracted phonetic baseforms and any combination of the phonetic baseforms from the first name grammar and the second name grammar;
• checking the best match against the directory of names to determine whether or not the best match exists in the directory of names;
• and
• forwarding the call if the best match is determined to exist in the directory of names.