Radio communication apparatus connected with a base station used in a service area prior to the others

• US 6,108,543 A
• Filed: 11/12/1998
• Issued: 08/22/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Fujitsu Mobile Communications Limited (Fujitsu Limited)
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation)
• Inventors: Takahashi, Shinya, Tomioka, Munehisa
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Lee
• Application Number:
  US09/190,018
• Time in Patent Office: 649 Days
• Field of Search: 455/434, 455/515, 455/450, 455/509, 455/510, 455/511, 455/512, 455/513, 455/514, 455/516, 370/324, 370/350
• US Class Current: 455/434
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/20 Selecting an access point
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 56/00 Synchronisation arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/183 Processing at user equipment or user record carrier

Abstract

A radio communication apparatus communicates with a base station in a home service area over a paging channel during a standby state for awaiting a call origination or a call reception. Responsive to the call origination or the call reception, the apparatus selects an access channel coincident with the paging channel and communicates with the base station over the access channel for the call origination or the call reception.

Claims

1. A radio communication apparatus for use in a radio communication system, wherein a plurality of radio channels in a predetermined band of frequencies include a first group of channels used while awaiting a call origination or a call reception and a second group of channels used in response to the call origination or the call reception, a plurality of signals each being transmitted over at least one of the radio channels, each of the signals including a system identification number, the system including a plurality of service areas, each of the service areas being assigned a system identification number which is broadcast by one or more base stations over at least one of the radio channels, the radio communication apparatus comprising:

storing means for storing at least one stored system identification number corresponding to at least one of the service areas;

listing means for listing channels of the first group, wherein the system identification number included in the signals transmitted over each channel listed by the listing means coincides with the stored system identification number; and

selecting means for selecting a channel of the second group either from channels listed by the listing means or from channels of the second group that are not listed by the listing means, the selecting means giving preference to the channels listed by the listing means over channels of the second group that are not listed by the listing means,

and wherein the channel selected by the selecting means is used for the call origination or the call reception.

2. The radio communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the signals received over each channel listed by the listing means have an electric field intensity greater than a predetermined electric field intensity.

3. A radio communication apparatus for use in a radio communication system, wherein a plurality of radio channels in a predetermined band of frequencies include a first group of channels used while awaiting a call origination or a call reception and a second group of channels used in response to the call origination or the call reception, a plurality of signals each being transmitted over at least one of the radio channels, each of the signals including a system identification number, the system including a plurality of service areas, each of the service areas being assigned a system identification number which is broadcast by one or more base stations over at least one of the radio channels, the radio communication apparatus comprising:

storing means for storing at least one stored system identification number corresponding to at least one of the service areas;

listing means for listing at least two of the channels of the first group, wherein the system identification number included in the signals transmitted over each channel listed by the listing means coincides with the stored system identification number;

first selecting means for selecting one of the channels of the first group, the channel selected by the first selecting means being used while awaiting the call origination or the call reception; and

second selecting means for selecting one of the channels of the second group either from the channels listed by the listing means or from channels of the second group that are not listed by the listing means, the second selecting means giving preference to the channels listed by the listing means over the channels of the second group that are not listed by the listing means,

and wherein the channel selected by the second selecting means is used for the call origination or the call reception.

4. The radio communication apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the signals received over each channel listed by the listing means have an electric field intensity greater than a predetermined electric field intensity.

5. A radio communication apparatus for use in a radio communication system, wherein a plurality of radio channels in a predetermined band of frequencies include a first group of channels used while awaiting a call origination or a call reception and a second group of channels used in response to the call origination or the call reception, the system including a plurality of service areas, each of the service areas being assigned a system identification number which is broadcast by one or more base stations over at least one of the radio channels, the radio communication apparatus comprising:

storing means for storing at least one stored system identification number corresponding to at least one of the service areas;

receiving means for receiving a plurality of signals, each of the signals being transmitted over at least one of the radio channels, each of the signals including a system identification number;

first listing means for listing at least two of the channels of the first group, wherein the system identification number included in the signals transmitted over each channel listed by the first listing means coincides with the stored system identification number;

first selecting means for selecting one of the channels of the first group, the channel selected by the selecting means being used while awaiting the call origination or the call reception;

second listing means for listing at least two of the channels of the second group, the channels listed by the second listing means being coincident with the channels listed by the first listing means;

comparing means for comparing the channel selected by the first selecting means with the channels listed by the second listing means;

second selecting means for selecting one of the channels listed by the second listing means when the comparing means determines a coincidence between the channel selected by the first selecting means and one of the channels listed by the second listing means; and

synchronizing means for establishing word synchronization on the signals received over at least one of the channels listed by the second listing means,

and wherein the channels over which the signals are synchronized are used for the call origination or the call reception.

6. The radio communication apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the signals received over the channels listed by the first listing means have an electric field intensity greater than a first predetermined electric field intensity.

7. The radio communication apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the first listing means lists the channels listed by the first listing means in descending order according to electric field intensity of the signals received over the channels listed by the first listing means.

8. The radio communication apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the signals received over each channel listed by the second listing means have an electric field intensity greater than a second predetermined electric field intensity.

9. The radio communication apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the second listing means lists the channels listed by the second listing means in descending order according to electric field intensity of the signals received over the channels listed by the second listing means.

10. The radio communication apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising informing means for informing a user of at least one of the service areas having the system identification number which coincides with the system identification number included in the signals transmitted over the channel selected by the selecting means.

11. The radio communication apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising informing means for informing a user of at least one of the service areas having the system identification number which coincides with the system identification number included in the signals synchronized by the synchronizing means.

12. A radio communication apparatus for use in a radio communication system, wherein a plurality of radio channels in a predetermined band of frequencies includes a first group of channels used while awaiting a call origination or a call reception and a second group of channels used in response to the call origination or the call reception, a plurality of signals each being transmitted over at least one of the radio channels, each of the signals including a system identification number, the system including a plurality of service areas, each of the service areas being assigned a system identification number which is broadcast by one or more base stations over at least one of the radio channels, the radio communication apparatus comprising:

a storing device for storing at least one stored system identification number corresponding to a service area;

a listing device for listing at least two of the channels of the first group, wherein the system identification number included in each signal transmitted over each channel listed by the listing device coincides with the stored system identification number;

a first selecting circuit for selecting one of the channels of the first group, the channel selected by the first selecting device being used while awaiting the call origination or the call reception; and

a second selecting circuit for selecting one of the channels of the second group either from the channels listed by the listing device or from channels of the second group that are not listed by the listing device, the second selecting circuit preferring the channels listed by the listing device over the channels of the second group that are not listed by the listing device,

and wherein the channel selected by the second selecting circuit is used for the call origination or the call reception.

13. A radio communication apparatus for use in a radio communication system, wherein a plurality of radio channels in a predetermined band of frequencies include a first group of channels used while awaiting a call origination or a call reception and a second group of channels used in response to the call origination or the call reception, a plurality of signals each being transmitted over at least one of the radio channels, each of the signals including a system identification number, the system including a plurality of service areas, each of the service areas being assigned a system identification number which is broadcast by one or more base stations over at least one of the radio channels, the radio communication apparatus comprising:

a storage device for storing at least one stored system identification number corresponding to at least one of the service areas;

a processor connected to the storage device and configured to;

list channels of the first group, wherein the system identification number included in the signals transmitted over each channel of the first group that is listed coincides with the stored system identification number, and

select a channel of the second group either from channels of the first group that are listed or from channels of the second group that are not listed, the processor selecting the channel of the second group based on a preference of the channels listed over the channels of the second group that are not listed,

and wherein the channel selected is used for the call origination or the call reception.

14. The radio communication apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the processor is further configured to list channels of the first group based on whether the signals received over the channels of the first group have an electric field intensity greater than a predetermined electric field intensity.

15. A radio communication apparatus for use in a radio communication system, wherein a plurality of radio channels in a predetermined band of frequencies include a first group of channels used while awaiting a call origination or a call reception and a second group of channels used in response to the call origination or the call reception, a plurality of signals each being transmitted over at least one of the radio channels, each of the signals including a system identification number, the system including a plurality of service areas, each of the service areas being assigned a system identification number which is broadcast by one or more base stations over at least one of the radio channels, the radio communication apparatus comprising:

a storage device for storing at least one stored system identification number corresponding to at least one of the service areas; and

a processor connected to the storage device and the receiver and configured to;

list at least two of the channels of the first group, wherein the system identification number included in the signals transmitted over each channel of the first group that is listed coincides with the stored system identification number,

select one of the channels of the first group over which the signals are received by the receiver, the channel of the first group that is selected being used while awaiting the call origination or the call reception, and

select one of the channels of the second group either from the channels of the first group that are listed or from the channels of the second group that are not listed, the processor selecting the one of the channels of the second group based on a preference of the channels listed over the channels of the second group that are not listed,

and wherein the channel of the second group that is selected is used for the call origination or the call reception.

16. The radio communication apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the processor is further configured to list channels of the first group based on whether the signals received over the channels of the first group have an electric field intensity greater than a predetermined electric field intensity.

17. A radio communication apparatus for use in a radio communication system, wherein a plurality of radio channels in a predetermined band of frequencies include a first group of channels used while awaiting a call origination or a call reception and a second group of channels used in response to the call origination or the call reception, the system including a plurality of service areas, each of the service areas being assigned a system identification number which is broadcast by one or more base stations over at least one of the radio channels, the radio communication apparatus comprising:

a storage device for storing at least one stored system identification number corresponding to at least one of the service areas;

a receiver for receiving a plurality of signals, each of the signals being transmitted over at least one of the radio channels, each of the signals including a system identification number;

a processor connected to the storage device and the receiver configured to;

list at least two of the channels of the first group, wherein the system identification number included in the signals transmitted over each channel of the first group that is listed coincides with the stored system identification number,

select one of the channels of the first group over which the signals are received by the receiver, the channel of the first group that is selected being used while awaiting the call origination or the call reception,

list at least two of the channels of the second group, the channels of the second group that are listed being coincident with the channels of the first group that are listed,

compare the channel of the first group selected with the at least two channels of the second group listed, and

select one of the channels of the second group listed responsive to a coincidence between the channel of the first group selected and one of the channels of the second group listed; and

a synchronizing circuit connected to the processor for establishing word synchronization on the signals received over at least one of the channels of the second group that are listed,

and wherein the channels over which the signals are synchronized are used for the call origination or the call reception.

18. The radio communication apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the processor is further configured to list channels of the first group based on whether the signals received over the channels of the first group have an electric field intensity greater than a predetermined electric field intensity.

19. The radio communication apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the processor is further configured to list the channels of the first group that are listed in descending order according to electric field intensity of the signals received over the channels of the first group that are listed.

20. The radio communication apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the processor is further configured to list the channels of the second group that are listed in descending order according to electric field intensity of the signals received over the channels of the second group that are listed.

21. The radio communication apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the processor is further configured to list channels of the second group based on whether the signals received over the channels of the second group have an electric field intensity greater than a predetermined electric field intensity.

22. In a radio communication apparatus for use in a radio communication system, wherein a plurality of radio channels in a predetermined band of frequencies include a first group of channels used while awaiting a call origination or a call reception and a second group of channels used in response to the call origination or the call reception, a plurality of signals each being transmitted over at least one of the radio channels, each of the signals including a system identification number, the system including a plurality of service areas, each of the service areas being assigned a system identification number which is broadcast by one or more base stations over at least one of the radio channels, a method comprising the steps of:

storing at least one stored system identification number corresponding to at least one of the service areas;

listing channels of the first group, wherein the system identification number included in the signals transmitted over each channel of the first group that is listed coincides with the stored system identification number; and

selecting a channel of the second group either from channels of the first group that are listed or from channels of the second group that are not listed, the step of selecting including selecting the channel of the second group based on a preference for the channels that are listed over the channels of the second group that are not listed,

and wherein the channel selected is used for the call origination or the call reception.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the step of listing includes listing channels of the first group based on whether the signals received over the channels of the first group have an electric field intensity greater than a predetermined electric field intensity.

24. In a radio communication apparatus for use in a radio communication system, wherein a plurality of radio channels in a predetermined band of frequencies include a first group of channels used while awaiting a call origination or a call reception and a second group of channels used in response to the call origination or the call reception, a plurality of signals each being transmitted over at least one of the radio channels, each of the signals including a system identification number, the system including a plurality of service areas, each of the service areas being assigned a system identification number which is broadcast by one or more base stations over at least one of the radio channels, a method comprising the steps of:

storing at least one stored system identification number corresponding to at least one of the service areas;

listing at least two of the channels of the first group, wherein the system identification number included in the signals transmitted over each channel of the first group that is listed coincides with the stored system identification number;

first selecting one of the channels of the first group, the channel of the first group that is selected being used while awaiting the call origination or the call reception; and

second selecting one of the channels of the second group from either the channels of the first group that are listed or the channels of the second group that are not listed, the step of second selecting including selecting one of the channels of the second group based on a preference of the channels that are listed over the channels of the second group that are not listed,

and wherein the channel of the second group that is selected is used for the call origination or the call reception.

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein the step of listing includes listing channels of the first group based on whether the signals received over the channels of the first group have an electric field intensity greater than a predetermined electric field intensity.

26. In a radio communication apparatus for use in a radio communication system, wherein a plurality of radio channels in a predetermined band of frequencies include a first group of channels used while awaiting a call origination or a call reception and a second group of channels used in response to the call origination or the call reception, the system including a plurality of service areas, each of the service areas being assigned a system identification number which is broadcast by one or more base stations over at least one of the radio channels, a method comprising the steps of:

storing at least one stored system identification number corresponding to at least one of the service areas;

receiving a plurality of signals, each of the signals being transmitted over at least one of the radio channels, each of the signals including a system identification number;

first listing at least two of the channels of the first group, wherein the system identification number included in the signals transmitted over each channel of the first group that is listed coincides with the stored system identification number;

first selecting one of the channels of the first group over which the signals are received by the receiver, the channel of the first group that is selected being used while awaiting the call origination or the call reception;

second listing at least two of the channels of the second group, the channels of the second group that are listed being coincident with the channels of the first group that are listed;

comparing the channel selected in the step of first selecting with the channels listed in the step of second listing;

second selecting one of the channels listed in the step of the second listing responsive to a determination of a coincidence in the step of comparing between the channel selected in the step of first selecting and one of the channels listed in the step of second listing; and

establishing word synchronization on the signals received over at least one of the channels of the second group that are listed,

and wherein the channels over which the signals are synchronized are used for the call origination or the call reception.

27. The method according to claim 26, wherein the step of first listing includes listing channels of the first group based on whether the signals received over the channels of the first group have an electric field intensity greater than a predetermined electric field intensity.

28. The method according to claim 27, wherein the step of first listing further includes listing the channels of the first group that are listed in descending order according to electric field intensity of the signals received over the channels of the first group that are listed.

29. The method according to claim 27, wherein the step of second listing further includes listing the channels of the second group that are listed in descending order according to electric field intensity of the signals received over the channels of the second group that are listed.

30. The method according to claim 26, wherein the step of second listing includes listing channels of the second group based on whether the signals received over the channels of the second group have an electric field intensity greater than a predetermined electric field intensity.