Method for responding to channel pointers using channel bands

• US 5,884,182 A
• Filed: 05/29/1997
• Issued: 03/16/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Original Assignee: Ericsson, Inc. (Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson)
• Inventors: Hoover, David James
• Primary Examiner(s): TO, DORIS HA
• Application Number:
  US08/865,281
• Time in Patent Office: 656 Days
• Field of Search: 455/422, 455/434, 455/450, 455/454, 455/455, 455/426, 455/509, 455/512, 455/513, 455/514, 455/515, 455/516, 455/517, 455/62, 455/161.1-161.3 , 455/166.1-166.2, 455/168.1, 455/176.1, 455/179.1, 455/180.1, 455/182.1, 455/188.1, 455/186.1, 455/200.1
• US Class Current: 455/455
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/12 using downlink control channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/16 Discovering, processing access restriction or access information
• 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 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

An improved method is claimed for responding to channel pointers in a wireless communications system, such as a cellular telephone system, operating on a communications spectrum having channel bands. The method includes storing a band search list, receiving a channel to a pointer to a pointed-to control channel, and disregarding the channel pointer if the pointed-to is in a channel band not included on the band search list. The improved method improves system response time and more efficiently utilizes system resources.

Claims

1. In a wireless communication system operating on a communications spectrum having channel bands, a method for responding to a channel pointer comprising the steps of:

a) storing a band search list;

b) receiving a channel pointer to a pointed-to communications control channel;

c) determining whether said pointed-to channel is in a channel band that is included on said band search list; and

d) disregarding said channel pointer if said pointed-to channel is not in a channel band that is included on said band search list.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said band search list is stored local to a mobile unit.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said band search list is stored in semipermanent memory in said mobile unit.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of determining whether said pointed-to channel has acceptable signal strength if said pointed-to channel is in a channel band that is included on said band search list.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of determining whether said pointed-to channel has acceptable channel service provider information if said pointed-to channel is in a channel band that is included on said band search list.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising the step of establishing communications on said pointed-to channel if said pointed-to channel has acceptable service provider information.

7. In a wireless communication system operating on a communications spectrum having channel bands, a method of responding to a channel pointer comprising the steps of:

a) storing a band search list;

b) receiving a channel pointer to a pointed-to communications control channel;

c) determining whether said pointed-to channel is in a channel band that is included on said band search list;

d) thereafter and only if said pointed-to channel is in a channel band that is included on said band search list, determining whether said pointed-to channel has acceptable signal strength; and

e) if said pointed-to channel has acceptable signal strength, establishing control channel communications on said pointed-to channel.

8. The method of claim 7 further including the step of determining whether said pointed-to channel has acceptable channel service provider information before establishing control channel communications on said pointed-to channel and after determining that said pointed-to channel has acceptable signal strength.

9. In a wireless communication system operating on a communications spectrum having channel bands, a method of responding to a channel pointer comprising the steps of:

a) storing a band search list local to the mobile unit in semi-permanent memory;

b) receiving a channel pointer to a pointed-to communications control channel;

c) determining whether said pointed-to channel is in a channel band that is included on said band search list;

d) thereafter and only if said pointed-to channel is in a channel band that is included on said band search list, determining whether said pointed-to channel has acceptable signal strength;

e) determining whether said pointed-to channel has acceptable channel service provider information after determining that said pointed-to channel has acceptable signal strength;

f) if said pointed-to channel has acceptable signal strength and has acceptable service provider information, establishing control channel communications on said pointed-to channel; and

g) if said pointed-to channel is not in a channel band that is included on said band search list, or if the pointed-to channel does not have acceptable signal strength, or if the pointed-to channel does not have acceptable service provider information, disregarding said channel pointer.

10. In a wireless communication system operating on a communications spectrum having channel bands, a method for responding to a channel pointer comprising the steps of:

a) storing a band search list in semi-permanent memory of a mobile unit;

b) receiving, at said mobile unit, a channel pointer to a pointed-to communications control channel;

c) determining whether said pointed-to channel is in a channel band that is included on said band search list; and

d) thereafter measuring the received channel signal strength of said pointed-to channel if said pointed-to channel is in a channel band that is included on said band search list or generating a channel pointer failure if said pointed-to channel is not in a channel band that is included on said band search list.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising the step of determining whether said pointed-to channel has acceptable channel service provider information only if said pointed-to channel is in a channel band that is included on said band search list.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of establishing communications on said pointed-to channel if said pointed-to channel has acceptable service provider information.