Methods And Apparatus For Use In Switching Communication Operations Between A Wireless Wide Area Network And A Wireless Local Area Network
First Claim
1. A method for use by a mobile communication device in switching operation for communications from a wireless wide area network to a wireless local area network, the method comprising the acts of:
- providing operation for communications in a wireless wide area network;
continually maintaining, in memory, visited cell site history information which is indicative of one or more visited cell sites of the wireless wide area network that served the mobile communication device over a moving time period of operation of the mobile communication device; and
determining whether the mobile communication device is permitted to operate for communications in a wireless local area network based on the visited cell site history information.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for use by a mobile communication device in switching operation for communications from a wireless wide area network (WWAN) to a wireless local area network (WLAN) are disclosed. While providing operation for communications in the WWAN, the mobile device continually maintains visited cell site history information in its memory. The visited cell site history information is indicative of one or more visited cell sites of the WWAN that served the mobile device over a moving time period of its operation. The mobile device continually monitors the visited cell site history information to identify whether it has been contained within a local geographic region over the moving time period. When the mobile device is identified to have been contained within the local geographic region, it is permitted to operate for communications with the WLAN. In response to such permission, the mobile device may enable its WLAN radio transceiver and select the WLAN for communications. Advantageously, switching operation for communications from the WWAN to the WLAN is performed only when appropriate. The WLAN radio transceiver may be enabled only when needed, which reduces power consumption and saves battery life in mobile device.
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Citations
1 Claim
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1. A method for use by a mobile communication device in switching operation for communications from a wireless wide area network to a wireless local area network, the method comprising the acts of:
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providing operation for communications in a wireless wide area network; continually maintaining, in memory, visited cell site history information which is indicative of one or more visited cell sites of the wireless wide area network that served the mobile communication device over a moving time period of operation of the mobile communication device; and determining whether the mobile communication device is permitted to operate for communications in a wireless local area network based on the visited cell site history information.
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Specification