Methods And Apparatus For Use In Controlling Scanning Operations In A Mobile Communication Device

• US 20110312308A1
• Filed: 08/26/2011
• Published: 12/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Willey, William Daniel
• Granted Patent: US 8,805,876 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/414.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72454 according to context-related or environment-related conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0241 where no transmission is received, e.g. out of range of the transmitter
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

Techniques for use in a mobile device for controlling scanning operations are described. A calendar application is stored in memory of the mobile device. The calendar application is configured to store calendar appointment data associated one or more appointments. In response to identifying an imminent appointment for a communication session when the mobile device is out-of-coverage, the mobile device performs a scanning operation for identifying a wireless network for communications.

Claims

1. A method for use in a mobile communication device for controlling scanning operations, the method comprising:

storing a calendar application in memory of the mobile communication device, the calendar application being configured to receive calendar appointment data which is associated one or more appointments; and

in response to identifying, via the calendar application, an imminent appointment for a communication session when the mobile communication device is out-of-coverage;

performing a scanning operation for identifying a wireless communication network for communications.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

refraining from performing the scanning operation when the mobile communication device identifies no imminent appointment for a communication session.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving, via a user interface, the calendar appointment data; and

storing the calendar appointment data in the memory, the calendar information including a date and time of the call appointment.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile communication device comprises a cellular telephone.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

performing scanning operations at a scan rate;

varying the scan rate to vary based on a duration of time over which repeated scanning operations fail to identify a suitable wireless communication network for communication.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

performing scanning operations at a scan rate;

varying the scan rate based on a predefined relationship with a duration of time over which repeated scanning operations fail to identify a suitable wireless communication network for communication, the predefined relationship being such that, as the duration of time increases, the scan rate decreases.

7. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

triggering the scanning operation in response to identifying the imminent appointment.

8. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

leaving the scan rate unchanged despite performing the scanning operation in response to identifying the imminent appointment.

9. The method of claim 1, which is performed in accordance with computer instructions stored in a computer readable medium and executable by one or more processors of the mobile communication device.

10. A mobile communication device, comprising:

one or more processors;

a radio frequency (RF) transceiver coupled to the one or more processors;

memory coupled to the one or more processors;

the memory being for storing a calendar application, the calendar application being configured to receive calendar appointment data which is associated one or more appointments; and

the one or more processors being configured to trigger a scanning operation with use of the RF transceiver for identifying a wireless communication network for communications in response to identifying, via the calendar application, an imminent appointment for a communication session when the mobile communication device is out-of-coverage.

11. The mobile communication device of claim 10, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:

refrain from triggering the scanning operation when no imminent appointment for a communication session is identified.

12. The mobile communication device of claim 10, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:

receive, via a user interface, the calendar appointment data; and

store the calendar appointment data in the memory, the calendar information including a date and time of the call appointment.

13. The mobile communication device of claim 10, comprising a cellular telephone.

14. The mobile communication device of claim 10, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:

cause scanning operations to be performed at a scan rate; and

varying the scan rate based on a duration of time over which repeated scanning operations fail to identify a suitable wireless communication network for communication.

15. The mobile communication device of claim 10, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:

cause scanning operations to be performed at a scan rate; and

varying the scan rate based on a predefined relationship with a duration of time over which repeated scanning operations fail to identify a suitable wireless communication network for communication, the predefined relationship being such that, as the duration of time increases, the scan rate decreases.

16. The mobile communication device of claim 14, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:

trigger the scanning operation in response to identifying the imminent appointment.

17. The mobile communication device of claim 14, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:

leave the scan rate unchanged despite performing the scanning operation in response to identifying the imminent appointment.

18. A method for use in a mobile communication device for controlling scanning operations, the method comprising:

storing a calendar application in memory of the mobile communication device, the calendar application being configured to receive calendar appointment data which is associated one or more appointments;

detecting an out-of-coverage condition;

identifying via the calendar application an imminent appointment for a communication session; and

in response to identifying the imminent appointment for the communication session when the mobile communication device is out-of-coverage;

performing a scanning operation for identifying a wireless communication network for communications.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

performing scanning operations at a scan rate; and

varying the scan rate based on a predefined relationship with a duration of time over which repeated scanning operations fail to identify a suitable wireless communication network for communication, the predefined relationship being such that, as the duration of time increases, the scan rate decreases.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

leaving the scan rate unchanged despite triggering the scanning operation in response to identifying the imminent appointment.