Patent ID: 6154535
Filing Date: 2000-11-28
Classification: H04Q

Abstract:
With respect to a service area, a method for obtaining information relating to a calling number and the information being based on a subscriber area defined within the service area, the method comprising the steps of:A. providing a grid/block/strip system with respect to the service area by1. providing a grid representing the service area with the grid comprising a plurality of blocks,2. defining the subscriber area within the service area,3. defining at least one strip within the subscriber area and within a block of the plurality of blocks,4. providing a strip table with a strip entry corresponding respectively to each strip, and5. providing that each strip entry be associated with strip entry information;B. identifying a calling number with the calling number representing a point within the service area;C. creating a key with respect to the point with the key identifying a particular block encompassing the point;D. finding an encompassing strip, the encompassing strip being defined within the particular block that encompasses the point, the encompassing strip having an encompassing strip entry in the strip table, and the encompassing strip entry being associated with encompassing strip entry information, the finding of the encompassing strip comprising the sub-steps of:1. using the key with the strip table to look for the encompassing strip by checking only particular strip entries, the particular strip entries corresponding respectively to strips within the particular block,2. using the key with the strip table to find the encompassing strip by making a check of the particular strip entries to determine that the point is located in an N-strip in the particular block, the N-strip being a strip of size N, and3. defining the N-strip in the particular block to be the encompassing strip; andE. based on finding the encompassing strip, obtaining information from the encompassing strip entry information.