Method for selecting a wireless communications service provider in a multi-service provider environment

• US 6,282,420 B1
• Filed: 09/15/1998
• Issued: 08/28/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Wireless Services Incorporated (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Raffel, Michael Allen, Lawrence, Christopher Gregory, Daly, John J., Bamburak, Michael D., Prise, Michael Edward
• Primary Examiner(s): Hunter, Daniel
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHOW, CHARLES CHIANG
• Application Number:
  US09/152,927
• Time in Patent Office: 1,078 Days
• Field of Search: 455/62, 455/454, 455/434, 455/168.1, 455/67.1, 455/466, 455/464
• US Class Current: 455/434
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/2621 using frequency division multiple access [FDMA] H04B7/2615 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/16 Discovering, processing access restriction or access information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 Selecting a network or a communication service
• 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

A communication device locates a wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment using a frequency band search schedule. The frequency band search schedule has a first or home band and a several other frequency bands in a predetermined order. The order of the frequency bands may be programmed by the user or by a home service provider over the air. The communication device searches for an acceptable service provider by examining the home band and then the other bands listed in the frequency band search schedule. The bands are examined in the order specified by the frequency band search schedule. An acceptable service provider is identified by comparing the identity of a service provider specified by an identifier received from a band being examined with a list of acceptable service providers.

Claims

1. A method by which a communication device locates a wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment, the communication device storing a frequency band search schedule having a plurality of bands in a predetermined order, the method comprising:

determining whether a last frequency band used by the communication device has an acceptable service provider;

if the last frequency band used does not have an acceptable service provider, examining each of the frequency bands in the frequency band search schedule until a frequency band is located having an acceptable service provider; and

stopping the examination of frequency bands as soon as an acceptable service provider is located.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the last frequency band is a frequency band that the communication device used for service registration when the communication device was last deactivated.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the last frequency band is a frequency band that the communication device used for service registration when the communication device was last powered up.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of modifying the frequency band search schedule using information transmitted over a wireless interface.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of modifying the frequency band search schedule using information from a keypad of the communications device.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

terminating said step of examining prior to examining all frequency bands in said frequency band search schedule when an optimal service provider is found.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein a first frequency band in the plurality of frequency bands in the frequency band search schedule is a home frequency band for the communication device.

8. A method by which a communication device locates a wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment, the communication device storing a frequency band search schedule having a plurality of bands in a predetermined order, the method comprising:

determining whether a last frequency band used by the communication device has an acceptable service provider;

if the last frequency band used does not have an acceptable service provider, examining each of the frequency bands in the frequency band search schedule until a frequency band is located having an acceptable service provider;

stopping the examination of frequency bands as soon as an acceptable service provider is located; and

identifying an acceptable service provider by comparing the identity of a service provider specified by an identifier received from a band being examined with a prioritized list of acceptable service providers.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the last frequency band is a frequency band that the communication device used for service registration when the communication device was last deactivated.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein the last frequency band is a frequency band that the communication device used for service registration when the communication device was last powered up.

11. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of modifying the frequency band search schedule using information transmitted over a wireless interface.

12. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of modifying the frequency band search schedule using information from a keypad of the communication device.

13. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of:

terminating said step of examining prior to examining all frequency bands in said frequency band search schedule when an optimal service provider is found.

14. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of modifying the prioritized list of service providers using information transmitted over a wireless interface.

15. The method of claim 8, wherein a first frequency band in the plurality of frequency bands in the frequency band search schedule is a home frequency band for the communication device.

16. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of modifying the prioritized list of service providers using information from a keypad of the communication device.

17. A communication device that locates a wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment using a stored frequency band search schedule, the frequency band search schedule having a plurality of frequency bands in a predetermined order, the communication device comprising:

a transceiver that receives the plurality of frequency bands; and

a controller that determines whether a last frequency band used by the communication device has an acceptable service provider, and if the last frequency band used does not have an acceptable service provider, examines each of the frequency bands in the frequency band search schedule until a frequency band is located having an acceptable service provider, and stops the examination of frequency bands as soon as an acceptable service provider is located.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the last frequency band is a frequency band that the communication device used for service registration when the communication device was last deactivated.

19. The device of claim 17, wherein the last frequency band is a frequency band that the communication device used for service registration when the communication device was last powered up.

20. The device of claim 17, wherein the frequency band search schedule is modified using information transmitted over a wireless interface.

21. The device of claim 17, wherein the frequency band search schedule is modified using information from a keypad of the communications device.

22. The device of claim 17, wherein the controller terminates the examination prior to examining all frequency bands in said frequency band search schedule when an optimal service provider is found.

23. The device of claim 17, wherein the first frequency band in the plurality of frequency bands in the frequency band search schedule is a home frequency band for the communication device.

24. A communication device that locates a wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment using a stored frequency band search schedule, the frequency band search schedule having a plurality of bands in a predetermined order, the communication device comprising:

a transceiver that receives the plurality of frequency bands; and

a controller that;

(1) determines whether a last frequency band used by the communication device has an acceptable service provider, and if the last frequency band used does not have an acceptable service provider, examines each of the frequency bands in the frequency band search schedule until a frequency band is located having an acceptable service provider, and stops the examination of frequency bands as soon as an acceptable service provider is located, and (2) identifies an acceptable service provider by comparing the identity of a service provider specified by an identifier received from a band being examined with a prioritized list of acceptable service providers.

25. The device of claim 24, wherein the last frequency band is a frequency band that the communication device used for service registration when the communication device was last deactivated.

26. The device of claim 24, wherein the last frequency band is a frequency band that the communication device used for service registration when the communication device was last powered up.

27. The device of claim 24, wherein the frequency band search schedule is modified using information transmitted over a wireless interface.

28. The device of claim 24, wherein the frequency band search schedule is modified using information from a keypad of the communication device.

29. The device of claim 24, wherein the controller terminates the examination prior to examining all frequency bands in said frequency band search schedule when an optimal service provider is found.

30. The device of claim 24, wherein the prioritized list of service providers is modified using information transmitted over a wireless interface.

31. The device of claim 24, wherein the first frequency band in the plurality of frequency bands in the frequency band search schedule is a home frequency band for the communication device.

32. The device of claim 24, wherein the prioritized list of service providers is modified using information from a keypad of the communication device.

33. A method of communicating between a communication device and a wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment using a frequency band search schedule that is stored in the communication device and specifies a predetermined order of a plurality of plurality frequency bands, the communication device:

1) examining a last frequency band used during a preceding period of communication device activity and

     2) if the last frequency band used is not a frequency band corresponding to a best available service provider, examining the plurality of frequency bands in the order specified by the frequency band search schedule but skipping examination in the frequency band search schedule of the last frequency band used that has been previously examined and found not to have a best available service provider, the method comprising;

transmitting a code from the wireless service provider to the communication device, the code enabling identification of the wireless service provider as a wireless service provider permitted to transmit modification information; and

transmitting modification information from the permitted wireless service provider to the communication device for modifying the frequency band search schedule.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the frequency band used is a last frequency band that the communication device last used for service registration when the communication device was deactivated.

35. The method of claim 33, wherein the last frequency band used is a frequency band that the communication device used for service registration when the communication device was last powered up.

36. The method of claim 33, wherein the transmitted modification information for modifying the frequency band search schedule is transmitted over a wireless interface.

37. The method of claim 33, further comprising modifying the frequency band search schedule using information from a keypad of the communication device.

38. The method of claim 33, wherein the communication device terminates examination of the plurality of frequency bands prior to examining all frequency bands in the frequency band search schedule when one of the frequency bands corresponding to an optimal service provider is found.

39. The method of claim 33, wherein the communication device registers with the best available service provider.

40. A method of communicating between a communication device and a wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment using a frequency band search schedule that is stored in the communication device and specifies a predetermined order of a plurality of frequency bands, the communication device:

1) examining a last frequency band used during a preceding period of communication device activity and

     2) if the last frequency band used is not a frequency band corresponding to a best available service provider, examining the plurality of frequency bands in the order specified by the frequency band search schedule but skipping examination in the frequency band search schedule of the last frequency band used that has been previously examined and found not to have a best available service provider, the method comprising;

transmitting modification information from the wireless service provider to the communication device for modifying the frequency band search schedule,

receiving confirmation information from the communication device at the wireless service provider that the modification information has been transmitted.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein the last frequency band used is a last frequency band that the communication device last used for service registration when the communication device was deactivated.

42. The method of claim 40, wherein the last frequency band used is a frequency band that the communication device used for service registration when the communication device was last powered up.

43. The method of claim 40, wherein the transmitted modification information for modifying the frequency band search schedule is transmitted over a wireless interface.

44. The method of claim 40, further comprising modifying the frequency band search schedule using information from a keypad of the communication device.

45. The method of claim 40, wherein the communication device terminates examination of the plurality of frequency bands prior to examining all frequency bands in the frequency band search schedule when one of the frequency bands corresponding to an optimal service provider is found.

46. The method of claim 40, wherein the communication device registers with the best available service provider.

47. A communication device that locates a wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment using a frequency band search schedule that is stored in the communication device and specifies a predetermined order of a plurality of frequency bands, the communication device comprising:

a controller that;

     1) examines a last frequency band used during a preceding period of communication device activity, and

     2) if the last frequency band used is not a frequency band corresponding to a best available service provider, examines the plurality of frequency bands in the order specified by the frequency band search schedule but skips examination in the frequency band search schedule of the last frequency band used that has been previously examined and found not to have a best available service provider.

48. The communication device of claim 47, wherein the last frequency band used is a frequency band that the communication device last used for service registration when the communication device was deactivated.

49. The communication device of claim 47, wherein the last frequency band used is a frequency band that the communication device used for service registration when the communication device was last powered up.

50. The communication device of claim 47, wherein the frequency band search schedule is modified using information transmitted over a wireless interface.

51. The communication device of claim 47, wherein the frequency band search schedule is modified using information from a keypad of the communication device.

52. The communication device of claim 47, wherein the controller terminates examination of the plurality of frequency bands prior to examining all frequency bands in the frequency band search schedule when one of the frequency bands corresponding to an optimal service provider is found.

53. The communication device of claim 47, wherein the controller registers with the best available service provider.

54. A method by which a communication device locates a wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment, the communication device storing a search schedule having a plurality of frequencies in a predetermined order, the method comprising:

determining whether a last frequency used by the communication device has an acceptable service provider;

if the last frequency used does not have an acceptable service provider, examining one of the frequencies in the search schedule until a frequency is located having an acceptable service provider; and

stopping the examination of frequencies as soon as an acceptable service provider is located.

55. The method of claim 54, wherein the last frequency is a frequency that the communication device used for service registration when the communication device was last deactivated.

56. The method of claim 54, wherein the last frequency is a frequency that the communication device used for service registration when the communication device was last powered up.

57. The method of claim 54, further comprising the step of modifying the search schedule using information transmitted over a wireless interface.

58. The method of claim 54, further comprising the step of modifying the search schedule using information from a keypad of the communications device.

59. The method of claim 54, further comprising the step of:

terminating said step of examining prior to examining all frequencies in said search schedule when an optimal service provider is found.

60. The method of claim 54, wherein a first frequency in the plurality of frequencies in the search schedule is a home frequency for the communication device.

61. The method of claim 54, wherein a first frequency in the plurality of frequencies in the search schedule is a home frequency for the communication device.

62. A method by which a communication device locates a wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment, the communication device storing a search schedule having a plurality of frequencies in a predetermined order, the method comprising:

determining whether a last frequency used by the communication device has an acceptable service provider;

if the last frequency used does not have an acceptable service provider, examining one of the frequencies in the search schedule until a frequency is located having an acceptable service provider;

stopping the examination of frequencies as soon as an acceptable service provider is located; and

identifying an acceptable service provider by comparing the identity of a service provider specified by an identifier received from a frequency being examined with a prioritized list of acceptable service providers.

63. The method of claim 62, wherein the last frequency is a frequency that the communication device used for service registration when the communication device was last deactivated.

64. The method of claim 62, wherein the last frequency is a frequency that the communication device used for service registration when the communication device was last powered up.

65. The method of claims 62, further comprising the step of modifying the search schedule using information transmitted over a wireless interface.

66. The method of claim 62, further comprising the step of modifying the search schedule using information from a keypad of the communication device.

67. The method of claim 62, further comprising the step of:

terminating said step of examining prior to examining all frequencies in said search schedule when an optimal service provider is found.

68. The method of claim 62, further comprising the step of modifying the prioritized list of service providers using information transmitted over a wireless interface.

69. The method of claim 62, further comprising the step of modifying the prioritized list of service providers using information from a keypad of the communication device.

70. A communication device that locates a wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment using a stored search schedule, the search schedule having a plurality of frequencies in a predetermined order, the communication device comprising:

a transceiver that receives the plurality of frequencies; and

a controller that determines whether a last frequency used by the communication device has an acceptable service provider, and if the last frequency used does not have an acceptable service provider, examines each of the frequencies in the search schedule until a frequency is located having an acceptable service provider, and stops the examination of frequencies as soon as an acceptable service provider is located.

71. The device of claim 70, wherein the last frequency is a frequency that the communication device used for service registration when the communication device was last deactivated.

72. The device of claim 70, wherein the last frequency is a frequency that the communication device used for service registration when the communication device was last powered up.

73. The device of claim 70, wherein the search schedule is modified using information transmitted over a wireless interface.

74. The device of claim 70, wherein the frequency band search schedule is modified using information from a keypad of the communications device.

75. The device of claim 70, wherein the controller terminates the examination prior to examining all frequencies in the search schedule when an optimal service provider is found.

76. The device of claim 70, wherein the a first frequency in the plurality of frequencies in the search schedule is a home frequency for the communication device.

77. A communication device that locates a wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment using a stored search schedule, the search schedule having a plurality of frequencies in a predetermined order, the communication device comprising:

a transceiver that receives the plurality of frequencies; and

a controller that;

(1) determines whether a last frequency used by the communication device has an acceptable service provider, and if the last frequency used does not have an acceptable service provider, examines each of the frequencies in the search schedule until a frequency is located having an acceptable service provider, and stops the examination of frequencies as soon as an acceptable service provider is located; and

(2) identifies an acceptable service provider by comparing the identity of a service provider specified by an identifier received from a frequency being examined with a prioritized list of acceptable service providers.

78. The device of claim 77, wherein the last frequency is a frequency that the communication device used for service registration when the communication device was last deactivated.

79. The device of claim 77, wherein the last frequency is a frequency that the communication device used for service registration when the communication device was last powered up.

80. The device of claim 77, wherein the search schedule is modified using information transmitted over a wireless interface.

81. The device of claim 77, wherein the search schedule is modified using information from a keypad of the communication device.

82. The device of claim 77, wherein the controller terminates the examination prior to examining all frequencies in the search schedule when an optimal service provider is found.

83. The device of claim 77, wherein the prioritized list of service providers is modified using information transmitted over a wireless interface.

84. The device of claim 77, wherein a first frequency in the plurality of frequencies in the search schedule is a home frequency for the communication device.

85. The device of claim 77, wherein the prioritized list of service providers is modified using information from a keypad of the communication device.

86. A method of communicating between a communication device and a wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment using a search schedule that is stored in the communication device and specifies a predetermined order of a plurality of frequencies, the communication device:

1) examining a last frequency used during a preceding period of communication device activity and

     2) if the last frequency used is not a frequency corresponding to a best available service provider, examining the plurality of frequencies in the order specified by the search schedule but skipping examination in the search schedule of the last frequency used that has been previously examined and found not to have a best available service provider, the method comprising;

transmitting a code from the wireless service provider to the communication device, the code enabling identification of the wireless service provider as a wireless service provider permitted to transmit modification information; and

transmitting modification information from the permitted wireless service provider to the communication device for modifying the search schedule.

87. The method of claim 86, wherein the last frequency used is a frequency that the communication device last used for service registration when the communication device was deactivated.

88. The method of claim 86, wherein the last frequency used is a frequency that the communication device used for service registration when the communication device was last powered up.

89. The method of claim 86, wherein the transmitted modification information for modifying the search schedule is transmitted over a wireless interface.

90. The method of claim 86, further comprising modifying the search schedule using information from a keypad of the communication device.

91. The method of claim 86, wherein the communication device terminates examination of the plurality of frequencies prior to examining all frequencies in the search schedule when one of the frequencies corresponding to an optimal service provider is found.

92. The method of claim 86, wherein the communication device registers with the best available service provider.

93. A method of communicating between a communication device and a wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment using a search schedule that is stored in the communication device and specifies a predetermined order of a plurality of frequencies, the communication device:

1) examining a last frequency used during a preceding period of communication device activity and

     2) if the last frequency used is not a frequency corresponding to a best available service provider, examining the plurality of frequencies in the order specified by the search schedule but skipping examination in the search schedule of the last frequency used that has been previously examined and found not to have a best available service provider, the method comprising;

transmitting modification information from the wireless service provider to the communication device for modifying the search schedule,

receiving confirmation information from the communication device at the wireless service provider that the modification information has been transmitted.

94. The method of claim 93, wherein the last frequency used is a frequency that the communication device last used for service registration when the communication device was deactivated.

95. The method of claim 93, wherein the last frequency used is a frequency that the communication device used for service registration when the communication device was last powered up.

96. The method of claim 93, wherein the transmitted modification information for modifying the search schedule is transmitted over a wireless interface.

97. The method of claim 93, further comprising modifying the search schedule using information from a keypad of the communication device.

98. The method of claim 93, wherein the communication device terminates examination of the plurality of frequencies prior to examining all frequencies in the search schedule when one of the frequencies corresponding to an optimal service provider is found.

99. The method of claim 93, wherein the communication device registers with the best available service provider.

100. A communication device that locates a wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment using a search schedule that is stored in the communication device and specifies a predetermined order of a plurality of frequencies, the communication device comprising:

a controller that;

     1) examines a last frequency used during a preceding period of communication device activity, and

     2) if the last frequency used is not a frequency corresponding to a best available service provider, examines the plurality of frequencies in the order specified by the search schedule but skips examination in the search schedule of the last frequency used that has been previously examined and found not to have a best available service provider.

101. The communication device of claim 100, wherein the last frequency used is a frequency that the communication device last used for service registration when the communication device was deactivated.

102. The communication device of claim 101, wherein the last frequency used is a frequency that the communication device used for service registration when the communication device was last powered up.

103. The communication device of claim 101, wherein the search schedule is modified using information transmitted over a wireless interface.

104. The communication device of claim 101, wherein the search schedule is modified using information from a keypad of the communication device.

105. The communication device of claim 101, wherein the controller terminates examination of the plurality of frequencies prior to examining all frequencies in the search schedule when one of the frequencies corresponding to an optimal service provider is found.

106. The communication device of claim 101, wherein the controller registers with the best available service provider.