System and method for managing forbidden network lists on a wireless user equipment (UE) device

• US 20070004408A1
• Filed: 07/01/2005
• Published: 01/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Allen, Andrew, Buckley, Adrian
• Granted Patent: US 7,826,842 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/435.200
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/00 Access restriction access security to prevent unauthorised access H04W12/08; Network selection; Access point selection
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/18 Processing of user or subscriber data, e.g. subscribed services, user preferences or user profiles; Transfer of user or subscriber data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/183 Processing at user equipment or user record carrier

Abstract

A system and method for managing forbidden network lists on a wireless user equipment (UE) device. In one embodiment, a first database structure is provided that associates a plurality network selection control codes with a corresponding plurality of network selection criteria, the network selection criteria for defining different treatment options for networks identified in a network list associated with the wireless device. A second database structure is populated with a list of networks identified by corresponding network identifiers, wherein each network identifier is associated with a corresponding network selection control code identified in the first database structure. The contents of the database structures, which may be provisioned as part of removable storage module or within a memory of the wireless device, are operable to be updated only by a home network operator.

Claims

1. A method for managing application of a network list on a wireless device, comprising:

providing a first database structure that associates a plurality of network selection control codes with a corresponding plurality of network selection criteria, said network selection criteria for defining different treatment options for networks identified in a network list associated with said wireless device; and

providing a second database structure populated with a list of networks identified by corresponding network identifiers, wherein each network identifier is associated with a corresponding network selection control code identified in said first database structure.

2. The method for managing application of a network list on a wireless device as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of said first and second database structures is stored on a removable storage module operable to be coupled to said wireless device.

3. The method for managing application of a network list on a wireless device as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of said first and second database structures is stored in a memory module integrated within said wireless device.

4. The method for managing application of a network list on a wireless device as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of said first and second database structures is operable to be updated only by a home network operator associated with said wireless device.

5. The method for managing application of a network list on a wireless device as recited in claim 1, wherein said network list comprises a user-defined forbidden network list.

6. The method for managing application of a network list on a wireless device as recited in claim 1, wherein said network list comprises operator-defined forbidden network list.

7. The method for managing application of a network list on a wireless device as recited in claim 1, wherein said network list comprises enterprise-defined forbidden network list.

8. A network selection method modulated by application of a network list associated with a wireless device, comprising:

scanning by said wireless device for discovering at least one network;

determining a network identifier associated with said at least one network;

determining a selection control code associated with said network identifier; and

depending on said selection control code, applying a particular selection criterion with respect to said at least one network.

9. The network selection method modulated by application of a network list associated with a wireless device as recited in claim 8, wherein said scanning is performed as an initial scan procedure.

10. The network selection method modulated by application of a network list associated with a wireless device as recited in claim 8, wherein said scanning is performed as a background scan procedure.

11. The network selection method modulated by application of a network list associated with a wireless device as recited in claim 8, wherein said determining a selection control code associated with said network identifier comprises querying a database structure populated with a list of networks identified by corresponding network identifiers, each network identifier being associated with a corresponding network selection control code operable to identify a particular selection criterion.

12. The network selection method modulated by application of a network list associated with a wireless device as recited in claim 11, wherein said list of networks comprises at least one of a user-defined forbidden network list, an operator-defined forbidden network list, and an enterprise-defined forbidden network list.

13. The network selection method modulated by application of a network list associated with a wireless device as recited in claim 11, wherein said database structure is stored on a removable storage module operable to be coupled to said wireless device.

14. The network selection method modulated by application of a network list associated with a wireless device as recited in claim 11, wherein said database structure is stored in a memory module integrated within said wireless device.

15. A system for managing application of a network list on a wireless device, comprising:

a first database structure that associates a plurality of network selection control codes with a corresponding plurality of network selection criteria, said network selection criteria for defining different treatment options for networks identified in a network list associated with said wireless device; and

a second database structure populated with a list of networks identified by corresponding network identifiers, wherein each network identifier is associated with a corresponding network selection control code identified in said first database structure.

16. The system for managing application of a network list on a wireless device as recited in claim 15, wherein at least one of said first and second database structures is stored on a removable storage module operable to be coupled to said wireless device.

17. The system for managing application of a network list on a wireless device as recited in claim 15, wherein at least one of said first and second database structures is stored in a memory module integrated within said wireless device.

18. The system for managing application of a network list on a wireless device as recited in claim 15, wherein at least one of said first and second database structures is operable to be updated only by a home network operator associated with said wireless device.

19. The system for managing application of a network list on a wireless device as recited in claim 15, wherein said network list comprises a user-defined forbidden network list.

20. The system for managing application of a network list on a wireless device as recited in claim 15, wherein said network list comprises operator-defined forbidden network list.

21. The system for managing application of a network list on a wireless device as recited in claim 15, wherein said network list comprises enterprise-defined forbidden network list.