Methods and system for obtaining processing information relating to a communication

In a system serving a service area including a subscriber area and having the service area represented by a grid comprising a plurality of blocks with each block including a block identifier, at least one strip being defined within the subscriber area and within a block of the plurality of blocks, the system further providing a strip table with a strip entry corresponding respectively to each strip, and with each strip entry including a strip entry key (SEK) being associated with strip entry information and the SEK having a SEK block identifier and a SEK size indicator, and each strip entry information including a min offset and a max offset, a method for obtaining information based on a calling number and based on the subscriber area, the method comprising the steps of:

• A. identifying a calling number with the calling number representing a point within the service area;
• B. creating a key with respect to the point wherein the key comprises a point-block identifier and a size indicator, the point-block identifier representing a particular block encompassing the point and including an offset with respect to the point;
• and
• C. using the key with the strip table to determine whether the point is located within a strip defined within the particular block by
• 1. using the key in a search of a SEK of a strip entry for a matching SEK;
• 2. in response to finding the matching SEK in the strip table, comparing the offset of the point identifier of the key to the min offset of strip entry information corresponding to the matching SEK,
• 3. comparing the offset of the point identifier to the max offset of the strip entry information corresponding to the matching SEK, and
• 4. if the offset is between the min offset and the max offset, determining that the point is located in a matching strip corresponding to the matching SEK;
• and
• D. obtaining the information from matching strip entry information corresponding to the matching strip.

With respect to a service area, a method for obtaining information relating to a communication based on a calling number associated with the communication and 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 by
• 1. 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, and
• 5. providing that each strip entry be associated with strip entry information;
• B. receiving a communication including 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 make a determination that the point is located in a strip that encompasses the particular block in its entirety, and
• 3. defining the strip that encompasses the particular block in its entirety to be the encompassing strip;
• and
• E. based on finding the encompassing strip, obtaining information relating to the communication from the encompassing strip entry information.