Method for selecting a wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment using a geographic database
First Claim
1. A method by which a communication device locates a wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment, comprising the steps of:
- tuning to a first frequency band;
receiving a received geographic identifier from a service provider in the first frequency band;
comparing the received geographic identifier to a listing of stored geographic identifiers to attempt locate a matching stored geographic identifier, each of the stored geographic identifiers being associated with a desirable frequency band having a desirable service provider;
examining additional frequency bands according to a frequency band search schedule until a second frequency band having the desirable service provider is located, the examination being carried out if the step of comparing the received geographic identifier does not locate a matching stored geographic identifier; and
modifying the listing of stored geographic identifiers so that the second frequency band is associated with the received geographic identifier, after the step of examining additional frequency bands.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A communication device locates a wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment by tuning to a first frequency band and receiving a geographic identifier from the service provider operating in the first frequency band. The received geographic identifier is compared to a listing of stored geographic identifiers in order to attempt to locate a matching stored geographic identifier. Each of the stored geographic identifiers are associated with a desirable frequency band having a desirable service provider. If comparing the received geographic identifier with the matching stored geographic identifiers does not produce a match, frequency bands are examined until a second frequency band having a desirable service provider is located. The listing of stored geographic identifiers is then updated so that the second frequency band is associated with the received geographic identifier.
71 Citations
7 Claims
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1. A method by which a communication device locates a wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment, comprising the steps of:
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tuning to a first frequency band; receiving a received geographic identifier from a service provider in the first frequency band; comparing the received geographic identifier to a listing of stored geographic identifiers to attempt locate a matching stored geographic identifier, each of the stored geographic identifiers being associated with a desirable frequency band having a desirable service provider; examining additional frequency bands according to a frequency band search schedule until a second frequency band having the desirable service provider is located, the examination being carried out if the step of comparing the received geographic identifier does not locate a matching stored geographic identifier; and modifying the listing of stored geographic identifiers so that the second frequency band is associated with the received geographic identifier, after the step of examining additional frequency bands. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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Specification