METHOD FOR CATEGORIZATION OF MULTIPLE PROVIDERS IN A WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SERVICE ENVIRONMENT
First Claim
1. A method by which a wireless 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 frequency bands in a predetermined order;
ordering at least one of the plurality of frequency bands in the frequency search schedule based upon time-weighted counts of previous registrations within each frequency bands; and
examining the plurality of frequency bands until an acceptable service provider is located by examining the plurality of frequency bands in the predetermined order specified by the frequency search schedule.
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Accused Products
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.
66 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method by which a wireless communication device locates a wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment, comprising:
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storing a frequency search schedule, the frequency search schedule having a plurality of frequency bands in a predetermined order; ordering at least one of the plurality of frequency bands in the frequency search schedule based upon time-weighted counts of previous registrations within each frequency bands; and examining the plurality of frequency bands until an acceptable service provider is located by examining the plurality of frequency bands in the predetermined order specified by the frequency search schedule. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method by which a wireless communication device locates a wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment, comprising:
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storing a frequency search schedule, where the frequency search schedule comprises a listing of a plurality of frequency bands in a predetermined order; performing a global search for an acceptable service provider, including searching the plurality of frequency bands in the predetermined order specified by the frequency search schedule; while searching the plurality of frequency bands, if an optimal service provider is found, then halting the search and then registering with the optimal service provider; and after searching the plurality of frequency bands, if the optimal service provider has not been found, then registering with a best preferred service provider, where the best preferred service provider has a highest priority of all service providers found while searching the plurality of frequency bands. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method by which a wireless communication device locates a wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment, comprising:
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searching for an optimal service provider in a last used frequency band that was last used by the wireless communication device for a last used service provider; registering with the optimal service provider, if the optimal service provider was found in the last used frequency band; if the optimal service provider was not found in the last used frequency band, then performing a search for an acceptable service provider, where said search searches in a plurality of frequency bands listed in a search schedule in an order specified by the search schedule; while performing the search, if the optimal service provider is found, then halting the search and registering with the optimal service provider; and after performing the search, if the optimal service provider has not been found, then registering with a service provider having a highest priority. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification