SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MULTI-NETWORK COVERAGE

• US 20100110993A1
• Filed: 01/13/2010
• Published: 05/06/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Horn, Gavin Bernard, Jain, Nikhil
• Granted Patent: US 9,345,063 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/328
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/10 using broadcasted information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 Selecting a network or a communication service
• 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 system and method are provided for a multi-network wireless communications access terminal (AT) to access multi-network coverage. The method registers a multi-network AT in a first communications network. In response to registering with the first network, the AT receives information via the first network that is required for accessing a second communications network (e.g., an IEEE 802.20 or 1xEV-DO network). The AT obtains services accessed via the second network, in response to the access information received via the first network. For example, the second network access information may be system information, channel information, or access point parameters. The AT retains the option of obtaining services accessed via the first network if the second network cannot be accessing the second network.

Claims

1. (canceled)

2. A method for providing wireless communications multi-network coverage, the method, comprising:

a first network access point (AP) receiving access information for a second network AP operating in a second communications network, the first network AP operating in a first communications network; and

the first network AP broadcasting the access information to an access terminal (AT), the access information providing information to the AT for accessing the second communication network via the second network AP independent of the first communications network.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the access information is selected from a group consisting of system information, channel information, and access point parameters.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

the first network AP receiving a request for the access information from the AT; and

broadcasting the access information to the AT in response to the request.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the request for the access information from the AT includes an AP identifier referencing the second AP.

6. The method of claim 3, further comprising the first network AP broadcasting a second AP paging message.

7. An apparatus for wireless communications, comprising:

a first network access point (AP) operating in a first communications network, the first network AP including;

a first communications subsystem with a wireless interface for receiving access information for a second network AP operating in a second communications network; and

a second communications subsystem with a wireless interface for broadcasting the access information to an access terminal (AT), the access information providing information to the AT for accessing the second communication network via the second network AP independent of the first communications network.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the access information is selected from a group consisting of system information, channel information, and access point parameters.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the second communications subsystem receives a request for the access information from the AT and broadcasts the second network access information in response to the request.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the request for the access information from the AT includes an AP identifier referencing the second network AP.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the second communications subsystem broadcasts a second AP paging message.

12. An apparatus providing wireless communications multi-network coverage, the apparatus comprising:

means for a first network access point (AP) receiving access information for a second network AP operating in a second communications network, the first network AP operating in a first communications network; and

means for the first network AP broadcasting the access information to an access terminal (AT), the access information providing information to the AT for accessing the second communication network via the second network AP independent of the first communications network.

13. A computer-readable medium encoded with a computer program of machine-readable instructions executable to perform operations for providing wireless communications multi-network coverage, the operations comprising:

a first network access point (AP) receiving access information for a second network AP operating in a second communications network, the first network AP operating in a first communications network; and

the first network AP broadcasting the access information to an access terminal (AT), the access information providing information to the AT for accessing the second communication network via the second network AP independent of the first communications network.