Provisioning Single-Mode and Multimode System Selection Parameters and Service Management

• US 20110003590A1
• Filed: 05/12/2010
• Published: 01/06/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Wang, Jun, Yoon, Young Cheul, Qu, Carl, Ramachandran, Shyamal, Swaminathan, Arvind, Balasubramanian, Srinivasan
• Granted Patent: US 8,903,390 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/432.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/385 of the core network
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 Selecting a network or a communication service
• 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 8/22 Processing or transfer of terminal data, e.g. status or physical capabilities
• 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

Multi-mode system selection (MMSS) enables a mobile station (MS) to prioritize MS preference for selecting particular radio air-interfaces (AI) across multiple standards (e.g., 3GPP, 3GPP2, WiMAX). 3GPP2 is developing a scheme MMSS-3GPP2 which is usually referred to as simply ‘MMSS.’ Other schemes exist e.g., proprietary ones (e.g., internal ePRL), an MMSS-3GPP based on the PLMN with Access Technologies of non-3GPP systems. MMSS OTASP messages and parameters are being defined in 3GPP2 to allow the carriers to provision MMSS parameters to the mobile device. With MMSS, the mobile can select and hence acquire cdma2000 and non-cdma2000 systems (e.g., LTE, WiMAX) based on carrier'"'"'s preferences.

Claims

1. A method for provisioning mobile equipment or smart card for system selection of air-interface/access technologies, comprising:

accessing a multimode system selection scheme for selecting a radio access technology from a plurality of radio access technologies;

determining a capability constraint of a mobile device for using the plurality of radio access technologies; and

communicating with a radio access network using a selected radio access technology according to the multimode system selection scheme and the capability constraint.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the multimode system selection scheme defines priority between a 3GPP air interface, a 3GPP2 air interface, and a generalized preferred roaming list.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the capability constraint further comprises determining provisioning of a subscriber identifier of the mobile device for a mobile operator.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein determining provisioning of the subscriber identifier further comprises detecting one of a group consisting of a Removable User Identity Module (R-UIM), Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC) with CDMA Subscriber Identify Module (CSIM), UICC with Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM) and CSIM, and Subscriber Identity Module (SIM).

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

determining provisioning of a second one of the group of smart cards; and

selectively activating the one and the second one of the group.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the capability constraint further comprises determining a transceiver limitation of the mobile device associated with an air interface.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein determining the transceiver limitation further comprises communicating via a single mode or multimode.

8. The method of claim 6, further comprising storing the transceiver limitation and configuration information received from an operator for a subscriber on a smart card incorporated in the mobile device.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein determining the capability constraint further comprises determining a transceiver limitation of the mobile device being roaming or at home.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the capability constraint further comprises determining a transceiver limitation of the mobile device for communicating on at least one of a group consisting of CDMA2000, 3GPP, 3GPP2, GSM, and WiMAX air interfaces.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising performing handshaking between a computing platform of the mobile device and an integrated circuit card containing a subscriber identifier to a mobile network to determine the capability constraint.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising accessing a first multimode system selection scheme stored on the computing platform and accessing a second multimode system selection scheme stored on the integrated circuit card.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining an available plurality of radio access technologies that satisfy the multimode system selection scheme and the capability constraint; and

selecting one of the available plurality of radio access technologies in accordance to a priority setting.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein accessing the multimode system selection scheme further comprises receiving a network command to enable or disable a specified radio access technology.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein accessing the multimode system selection scheme further comprises accessing an elementary file on a smart card that is provisioned with the mobile device.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a command to modify a locally stored data structure for the multimode system selection scheme by over-the-air service provisioning.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a geographic location of the mobile device; and

accessing the capability constraint that specifies whether the selected radio access technology is available in the geographic location.

18. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a current calendar date; and

accessing the capability constraint that specifies whether the selected radio access technology is available on the current calendar date.

19. The method of claim 1, further comprising accessing the multimode system selection scheme in a generic service table contained in a smart card.

20. The method of claim 1, further comprising accessing the multimode system selection scheme to determine an anchor system that serves as a primary selection.

21. The method of claim 1, further comprising accessing the multimode system selection scheme that associates at least two air-interfaces.

22. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a geographic location of the mobile device; and

accessing the capability constraint that specifies whether manual selection of a radio access technology is available in the geographic location.

23. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining that the mobile device is in an out-of-service area; and

extending an interval between scans for service.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein extending the interval between scans for service further comprises determining that a threshold has been exceeded.

25. The method of claim 23, further comprising extending the interval between scans for service dependent upon a user preference for scanning in an out-of-service area.

26. The method of claim 23, further comprising extending the interval between scans for service dependent upon sensing a lack of user interaction with the mobile device.

27. The method of claim 23, further comprising extending the interval between scans for service dependent upon location.

28. The method of claim 27, further comprising determining location based upon a selected one of receiving a geographic positioning signal, detecting a wireless access transmission, matching radio frequency environment to a stored location description, and identifying a cellular pilot that indicates an out-of-service location.

29. At least one processor for provisioning mobile equipment or smart card for system selection of air-interface/access technologies, comprising:

a first module for accessing a multimode system selection scheme for selecting a radio access technology from a plurality of radio access technologies;

a second module for determining a capability constraint of a mobile device for using the plurality of radio access technologies; and

a third module for communicating with a radio access network using a selected radio access technology according to the multimode system selection scheme and the capability constraint.

30. A computer program product for provisioning mobile equipment or smart card for system selection of air-interface/access technologies, comprising:

a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising,

a first set of codes for causing a computer to access a multimode system selection scheme for selecting a radio access technology from a plurality of radio access technologies;

a second set of codes for causing the computer to determine a capability constraint of a mobile device for using the plurality of radio access technologies; and

a third set of codes for causing the computer to communicate with a radio access network using a selected radio access technology according to the multimode system selection scheme and the capability constraint.

31. An apparatus for provisioning mobile equipment or smart card for system selection of air-interface/access technologies, comprising:

means for accessing a multimode system selection scheme for selecting a radio access technology from a plurality of radio access technologies;

means for determining a capability constraint of a mobile device for using the plurality of radio access technologies; and

means for communicating with a radio access network using a selected radio access technology according to the multimode system selection scheme and the capability constraint.

32. An apparatus for provisioning mobile equipment or smart card for system selection of air-interface/access technologies, comprising:

a computing platform for accessing a multimode system selection scheme for selecting a radio access technology from a plurality of radio access technologies;

a smart card interfaced to the computing platform for determining a capability constraint of a mobile device for using the plurality of radio access technologies; and

a transceiver for communicating with a radio access network using a selected radio access technology according to the multimode system selection scheme and the capability constraint.

33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the multimode system selection scheme defines priority between a 3GPP air interface, a 3GPP2 air interface, and a generalized preferred roaming list.

34. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the smart card interfaced to the computing platform is further for determining the capability constraint by determining provisioning of a subscriber identifier of the mobile device for a mobile operator.

35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the smart card interfaced to the computing platform is further for determining provisioning of the subscriber identifier by detecting one of a group consisting of a Removable User Identity Module (R-UIM), Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC) with CDMA Subscriber Identify Module (CSIM), UICC with Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM) and CSIM, and Subscriber Identity Module (SIM).

36. The apparatus of claim 35, further comprising a second one of the group, the computing platform is further for determining provisioning of the second one of the group and for selectively activating the one and the second one of the group.

37. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the smart card interfaced to the computing platform is further for determining the capability constraint by determining a transceiver limitation of the mobile device associated with an air interface.

38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the smart card interfaced to the computing platform is further for determining the transceiver limitation by communicating via a single mode or multimode.

39. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the computing platform is further for storing the transceiver limitation on the smart card incorporated in the mobile device.

40. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the smart card interfaced to the computing platform is further for determining the capability constraint by determining a transceiver limitation of the mobile device being roaming or at home.

41. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the smart card interfaced to the computing platform is further for determining the capability constraint by determining a transceiver limitation of the mobile device for communicating on at least one of a group consisting of CDMA2000, 3GPP, 3GPP2, GSM, and WiMAX air interfaces.

42. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the computing platform is further for performing handshaking to determine the capability constraint with the smart card that is an integrated circuit card containing a subscriber identifier to a mobile network.

43. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the computing platform is further for accessing a first multimode system selection scheme stored on the computing platform and for accessing a second multimode system selection scheme stored on the smart card.

44. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the computing platform is further for determining an available plurality of radio access technologies that satisfy the multimode system selection scheme and the capability constraint, and for selecting one of the available plurality of radio access technologies in accordance to a priority setting.

45. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the computing platform is further for accessing the multimode system selection scheme further comprises receiving a network command to enable or disable a specified radio access technology.

46. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the computing platform is further for accessing the multimode system selection scheme further comprises accessing an elementary file on a smart card that is provisioned with the mobile device.

47. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the transceiver is further for receiving a command to modify a locally stored data structure for the multimode system selection scheme by over-the-air service provisioning.

48. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the computing platform is further for determining a geographic location of the mobile device, and for accessing the capability constraint that specifies whether the selected radio access technology is available in the geographic location.

49. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the computing platform is further for determining a current calendar date, and for accessing the capability constraint that specifies whether the selected radio access technology is available on the current calendar date.

50. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the computing platform is further for accessing the multimode system selection scheme in a generic service table contained in a smart card.

51. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the computing platform is further for determining a geographic location of the mobile device, and for accessing the capability constraint that specifies whether manual selection of a radio access technology is available in the geographic location.

52. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the computing platform is further for accessing the multimode system selection scheme to determine an anchor system that serves as a primary selection.

53. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the computing platform is further for accessing the multimode system selection scheme that associates two air-interfaces.

54. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the computing platform is further for determining that the mobile device is in an out-of-service area, and for extending an interval between scans for service.

55. The apparatus of claim 54, wherein the computing platform is further for extending the interval between scans for service further comprises determining that a threshold has been exceeded.

56. The apparatus of claim 54, wherein the computing platform is further for extending the interval between scans for service dependent upon a user preference for scanning in an out-of-service area.

57. The apparatus of claim 54, wherein the computing platform is further for extending the interval between scans for service dependent upon sensing a lack of user interaction with the mobile device.

58. The apparatus of claim 54, wherein the computing platform is further for extending the interval between scans for service dependent upon location.

59. The apparatus of claim 58, wherein the transceiver and the computing platform are further for determining location based upon a selected one of receiving a geographic positioning signal, detecting a wireless access transmission, matching radio frequency environment to a stored location description, and identifying a cellular pilot that indicates an out-of-service location.

60. A method for provisioning mobile equipment or smart card for system selection of air-interface/access technologies, comprising:

serving a mobile device from a host radio access network using a host radio access technology; and

transmitting a command to the mobile device for modifying a data structure containing a multimode system selection scheme for selecting a radio access technology from a plurality of radio access technologies,

wherein the mobile device determines a capability constraint based at least in part upon the command for using the plurality of radio access technologies.

61. The method of claim 60, wherein the multimode system selection scheme defines priority between a 3GPP air interface, a 3GPP2 air interface, and a generalized preferred roaming list.

62. The method of claim 60, wherein transmitting the command further comprises provisioning the mobile device in response to receiving a subscriber identifier from one of a group consisting of a Removable User Identity Module (R-UIM), Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC) with CDMA Subscriber Identify Module (CSIM), UICC with Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM) and CSIM, and Subscriber Identity Module (SIM).

63. The method of claim 60, wherein transmitting the command further comprises in response to a determining a transceiver limitation of the mobile device for communicating on at least one of a group consisting of CDMA2000, 3GPP, 3GPP2, GSM, and WiMAX air interfaces.

64. The method of claim 60, wherein transmitting the command further comprises to modify an elementary file on a smart card that is provisioned with the mobile device.

65. The method of claim 60, further comprising transmitting the command to modify a locally stored data structure for the multimode system selection scheme by over-the-air service provisioning.

66. The method of claim 60, wherein transmitting the command to modify the multimode system selection scheme in a generic service table contained in a smart card.

67. The method of claim 60, wherein transmitting the command further comprises provisioning a roaming preferred roaming list based upon a geographic location of the mobile device.

68. The method of claim 60, wherein transmitting the command in a binary form.

69. The method of claim 60, wherein transmitting the command in record form.

70. At least one processor for provisioning mobile equipment or smart card for system selection of air-interface/access technologies, comprising:

a first module for serving a mobile device from a host radio access network using a host radio access technology; and

a second module for transmitting a command to the mobile device for modifying a data structure containing a multimode system selection scheme for selecting a radio access technology from a plurality of radio access technologies,

wherein the mobile device determines a capability constraint based at least in part upon the command for using the plurality of radio access technologies.

71. A computer program product for provisioning mobile equipment or smart card for system selection of air-interface/access technologies, comprising:

a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising,

a first set of codes for causing a computer to serve a mobile device from a host radio access network using a host radio access technology; and

a second set of codes for causing the computer to transmit a command to the mobile device for modifying a data structure containing a multimode system selection scheme for selecting a radio access technology from a plurality of radio access technologies,

wherein the mobile device determines a capability constraint based at least in part upon the command for using the plurality of radio access technologies.

72. An apparatus for provisioning mobile equipment or smart card for system selection of air-interface/access technologies, comprising:

means for serving a mobile device from a host radio access network using a host radio access technology; and

means for transmitting a command to the mobile device for modifying a data structure containing a multimode system selection scheme for selecting a radio access technology from a plurality of radio access technologies,

wherein the mobile device determines a capability constraint based at least in part upon the command for using the plurality of radio access technologies.

73. An apparatus for provisioning mobile equipment or smart card for system selection of air-interface/access technologies, comprising:

a scheduler for serving a mobile device from a host radio access network using a host radio access technology; and

a transceiver for transmitting a command to the mobile device for modifying a data structure containing a multimode system selection scheme for selecting a radio access technology from a plurality of radio access technologies,

wherein the mobile device determines a capability constraint based at least in part upon the command for using the plurality of radio access technologies.

74. The apparatus of claim 73, wherein the multimode system selection scheme defines priority between a 3GPP air interface, a 3GPP2 air interface, and a generalized preferred roaming list.

75. The apparatus of claim 73, wherein the transceiver is further for transmitting the command further comprises provisioning the mobile device in response to receiving a subscriber identifier from one of a group consisting of a Removable User Identity Module (R-UIM), Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC) with CDMA Subscriber Identify Module (CSIM), UICC with Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM) and CSIM, and Subscriber Identity Module (SIM).

76. The apparatus of claim 73, wherein the transceiver is further for transmitting the command further comprises in response to a determining a transceiver limitation of the mobile device for communicating on at least one of a group consisting of CDMA2000, 3GPP, 3GPP2, GSM, and WiMAX air interfaces.

77. The apparatus of claim 73, wherein the transceiver is further for transmitting the command further comprises to modify an elementary file on a smart card that is provisioned with the mobile device.

78. The apparatus of claim 73, wherein the transceiver is further for transmitting the command to modify a locally stored data structure for the multimode system selection scheme by over-the-air service provisioning.

79. The apparatus of claim 73, wherein the transceiver is further for transmitting the command to modify the multimode system selection scheme in a generic service table contained in a smart card.

80. The apparatus of claim 73, wherein the transceiver is further for transmitting the command further comprises provisioning a roaming preferred roaming list based upon a geographic location of the mobile device.

81. The apparatus of claim 73, wherein the transceiver is further for transmitting the command in a binary form.

82. The apparatus of claim 73, wherein the transceiver is further for transmitting the command in record form.