Method for categorization of multiple providers in a wireless communications service environment

• US 20050113089A1
• Filed: 09/27/2004
• Published: 05/26/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/1996
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Wireless Services Incorporated (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Raffel, Michael Allen, Lawrence, Christopher Gregory, Daly, John J., Bamburak, Michael D., Prise, Michael Edward
• Granted Patent: US 7,409,213 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/435.200
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/16 Discovering, processing access restriction or access information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 Selecting a network or a communication service
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 60/00 Affiliation to network, e.g. registration; Terminating affiliation with the network, e.g. de-registration
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

A communication device locates a preferable wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment using a frequency band search schedule. Initially, the communications device registers with a less preferred service provider in a first frequency band. While remaining registered with the less preferred service provider, the device examines several frequency bands in the order specified by the frequency band search schedule. A frequency band is examined by dividing the frequency band into many sub-bands, and by locating the strongest signal above a threshold within the sub-band being examined. The examination continues until a second frequency band having a more preferred service provider is located. The communication device then registers with the more preferred service provider. The category of service provider may be identified and displayed on the communication device.

Claims

1. A method by which a communication device locates a wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment, comprising:

storing a frequency search schedule, the frequency search schedule having a plurality of channels in a predetermined order;

ordering at least some of the plurality of channels in the frequency search schedule based upon time-weighted counts of previous registrations with each channel; and

examining channels until a channel having an acceptable service provider is located by examining the plurality of channels in the order specified by the frequency search schedule.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of storing a plurality of counters representing the time-weighted counts of the previous registrations with each channel of the frequency search schedule.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

incrementing a counter corresponding to a channel of the frequency search schedule upon registration with that channel; and

adjusting the counter by a time-weighting factor to produce a time-weighted count corresponding to the channel.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising modifying the frequency search schedule using information transmitted over a wireless interface.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the examining channels includes first examining a channel last used by the communication device.

6. A method by which a communication device locates a wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment, comprising:

storing a frequency search schedule, the frequency search schedule having a plurality of channels in a predetermined order;

ordering at least some of the plurality of channels in the frequency search schedule based upon prior registrations with each channel; and

examining channels until a channel having an acceptable service provider is located by examining the plurality of channels in the order specified by the frequency search schedule, wherein the channels are categorized into priority categories that determine whether a service provider associated with the channel is unacceptable, irrespective of signal quality.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of storing a plurality of counters representing the time-weighted counts of the previous registrations with each channel of the frequency search schedule.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

incrementing a counter corresponding to a channel of the frequency search schedule upon registration with that channel; and

adjusting the counter by a time-weighting factor to produce a time-weighted count corresponding to the channel.

9. The method of claim 6, further comprising modifying the frequency search schedule using information transmitted over a wireless interface.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the examining channels includes first examining a channel last used by the communication device.

11. A method by which a communication device locates a wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment, comprising:

storing a frequency search schedule, the frequency search schedule having a plurality of channels in a predetermined order;

ordering at least some of the plurality of channels in the frequency search schedule based upon prior registrations with each channel; and

examining channels until a channel having an acceptable service provider is located by examining the plurality of channels in the order specified by the frequency search schedule, wherein the channel is determined to be one of an analog control channel, a digital traffic channel or a digital control channel.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of storing a plurality of counters representing the time-weighted counts of the previous registrations with each channel of the frequency search schedule.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

incrementing a counter corresponding to a channel of the frequency search schedule upon registration with that channel; and

adjusting the counter by a time-weighting factor to produce a time-weighted count corresponding to the channel.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising modifying the frequency search schedule using information transmitted over a wireless interface.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the examining channels includes first examining a channel last used by the communication device.