Multi-mode mobile terminal and methods for operating the same
First Claim
1. A multi-mode mobile terminal having a subscriber identity, comprising:
- transceiver means for communicating over a first and a second wireless communication network;
means for determining if the first network allows access without a valid subscriber identity;
means for determining if the second network allows access without a valid subscriber identity;
means for determining if the subscriber identity is valid for the first network;
means for determining if the subscriber identity is valid for the second network;
means responsive to the means for determining if the first network allows access and the means for determining if the second network allows access for controlling the transceiver means so as to communicate over a selected one of the first or the second network which allows access without a valid subscriber identity if the subscriber identity of the mobile terminal is invalid in both the first network and the second network.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A multi-mode mobile terminal having a subscriber identity is provided which uses knowledge of communications network supported service levels to navigate to a communication mode allowing the greatest possible service availability when the subscriber identity in at least one of the network modes is invalid. The mobile terminal may not only provide the ability to switch communication service from a current mode to an alternative mode to process emergency calls but may also restrict user operations on a communications network based on the services available without a valid subscriber identity. Operations of the mobile terminal invention may be supported by service level information on various communication service providers contained in memory within the mobile terminal or be obtained by the mobile terminal from the networks. Based on services availability information for each communications network available to the mobile terminal, the mobile terminal selects an appropriate network to utilize for a call initiated while the mobile terminal has no valid subscriber identification. An example of such a call would be an emergency call such as a 911 call.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A multi-mode mobile terminal having a subscriber identity, comprising:
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transceiver means for communicating over a first and a second wireless communication network; means for determining if the first network allows access without a valid subscriber identity; means for determining if the second network allows access without a valid subscriber identity; means for determining if the subscriber identity is valid for the first network; means for determining if the subscriber identity is valid for the second network; means responsive to the means for determining if the first network allows access and the means for determining if the second network allows access for controlling the transceiver means so as to communicate over a selected one of the first or the second network which allows access without a valid subscriber identity if the subscriber identity of the mobile terminal is invalid in both the first network and the second network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for dual-mode operations of a mobile terminal in a first communication network which allows a first level of access without a valid subscriber identity and a second communication network which allows a second level of access lower than the first level of access without a valid subscriber identity, the mobile terminal having a subscriber identity, the method comprising the steps of:
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determining the first level of access and the second level of access; determining if the subscriber identity of the mobile terminal is valid; and automatically selecting operations in the first communication network when the subscriber identity is determined to be invalid for the second communication network. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A multi-mode mobile terminal having a subscriber identity, comprising:
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a transceiver configured to communicate over a first and a second wireless communication network; a memory containing an indication of whether at least one of the first network and the second network allow access without a valid subscriber identity; a detection circuit that determines if the subscriber identity is valid for at least one of the first network and the second network; a controller operatively coupled to the memory and responsive to the detection circuit that controls the transceiver to communicate over a selected one of the first or the second network which allows access without a valid subscriber identity if the subscriber identity of the mobile terminal is invalid in both the first network and the second network.
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Specification