Method for searching for data in at least two databases, and database system having at least two databases

The invention relates to a method for searching for data in at least two databases ( 18 ′- 23 ′), in particular for searching for telephone directory, address book or appointments diary entries or the like in at least two telephone directory, address book or appointments diary databases or the like, and also to a database system having at least two databases ( 18 ′- 23′ ) To allow simultaneous access to two or more databases, a search term is entered; on the basis of the entered search term, the predecessor or a plurality of predecessors and the successor or a plurality of successors to the search term and, if available, the search term itself from each of the databases ( 18 ′- 23 ′) are stored in a search table, and the search term, if stored in the search table, or that term from the successors stored in the search table which comes closest after the entered search term is displayed. For this purpose, the database system expediently comprises a database primary control apparatus ( 26 ) which can be connected to database control devices ( 18 ″- 23 ″) for the connected databases for the purposes of transmitting data and control commands to the database control devices ( 18 ″- 23 ″) and receiving them therefrom, and which has an associated search table memory ( 27 ) which is able to store data transmitted from the database control devices ( 18 ″- 23 ″), and also a user interface ( 28 ) which is connected to the database primary control apparatus ( 26 ) and via which search terms and control commands can be entered for the purpose of simultaneously searching for data in all the connected databases ( 18 ′- 23 ′), and via which terms and data found during the search in the connected databases ( 18 ′- 23 ′) can be output.