Nearest known person directory function

Abstract

A system for matching nearest contacts in a logical contact hierarchy can include a logical contact hierarchy disposed in a database; and, a hierarchical query processor coupled to the logical contact hierarchy. The hierarchical query processor can be configured to produce a closest matching contact from among contacts in the logical contact hierarchy based upon a specified anchor contact in the logical contact hierarchy. A boolean operator further can be programmed to select a closest matching contact based upon a boolean expression operating upon multiple closest matching contacts produced by the hierarchical query processor.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method for matching nearest contacts in a logical contact hierarchy, the method comprising the steps of:
 establishing an anchor contact in the logical contact hierarchy;   computing a distance within the logical contact hierarchy between said anchor contact and a selected contact, for each contact in the logical contact hierarchy; and,   selecting as a nearest matching contact, a contact from among contacts in said logical contact hierarchy having a shortest computed distance within the logical contact hierarchy.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
 repeating said establishing, computing and selecting steps for at least one additional anchor contact in the logical contact hierarchy; and,   performing at least one boolean operation on each closest matching contact produced by said repeating step for each anchor contact to compute a boolean closest matching contact in the logical contact hierarchy.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the logical contact hierarchy defines a hierarchical structure of seniority of employees in an organization. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the logical contact hierarchy defines office locations of contacts in an organization. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the logical contact hierarchy defines a hierarchical structure of seniority of employees in an organization. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the logical contact hierarchy defines office locations of contacts in an organization. 
     
     
         7 . A system for matching nearest contacts in a logical contact hierarchy, comprising:
 a logical contact hierarchy disposed in a database; and,   a hierarchical query processor coupled to said logical contact hierarchy and configured to produce a closest matching contact from among contacts in said logical contact hierarchy based upon a specified anchor contact in said logical contact hierarchy.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , further comprising a boolean operator programmed to select a closest matching contact based upon a boolean expression operating upon multiple closest matching contacts produced by said hierarchical query processor. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein said logical contact hierarchy defines a hierarchical structure of seniority of employees in an organization. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein said logical contact hierarchy defines office locations of contacts in an organization. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein said logical contact hierarchy defines a hierarchical structure of seniority of employees in an organization. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein said logical contact hierarchy defines office locations of contacts in an organization. 
     
     
         13 . A machine readable storage having stored thereon a computer program for matching nearest contacts in a logical contact hierarchy, said computer program comprising a routine set of instructions for causing the machine to perform the steps of:
 establishing an anchor contact in the logical contact hierarchy;   computing a distance within the logical contact hierarchy between said anchor contact and a selected contact, for each contact in the logical contact hierarchy; and,   selecting as a closest matching contact, a contact from among said logical contact hierarchy having a shortest computed distance in the logical contact hierarchy.   
     
     
         14 . The machine readable storage of  claim 13 , further comprising the steps of:
 repeating said establishing, computing and selecting steps for at least one additional anchor contact in the logical contact hierarchy; and,   performing at least one boolean operation on each closest matching contact produced by said repeating step for each anchor contact to compute a boolean closest matching contact in the logical contact hierarchy.   
     
     
         15 . The machine readable storage of  claim 13 , wherein the logical contact hierarchy defines a hierarchical structure of seniority of employees in an organization. 
     
     
         16 . The machine readable storage of  claim 13 , wherein the logical contact hierarchy defines office locations of contacts in an organization. 
     
     
         17 . The machine readable storage of  claim 14 , wherein the logical contact hierarchy defines a hierarchical structure of seniority of employees in an organization. 
     
     
         18 . The machine readable storage of  claim 14 , wherein the logical contact hierarchy defines office locations of contacts in an organization.