Powered down selection of a preferable wireless communications service provider in a multi-service provider environment

• US 6,298,235 B1
• Filed: 12/12/1995
• Issued: 10/02/2001
• 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): TO, DORIS HA
• Application Number:
  US08/570,902
• Time in Patent Office: 2,121 Days
• Field of Search: 455/33.1, 455/33.2, 455/33.4, 455/34.2, 455/54.1, 455/54.2, 455/62, 455/343, 455/422, 455/432, 455/434-435, 455/455, 455/454, 455/516, 455/517, 455/524, 455/551-552, 455/161--16, 455/179--18, 455/188.1, 455/185--18, 455/38.3, 379/59, 379/60
• US Class Current: 455/434
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 Selecting a network or a communication service
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A powered down communication device locates a wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment by examining frequency bands while powered down until a frequency band having an acceptable service provider is located. The frequency bands are examined in an order specified by a stored 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. The communication device then registers with the acceptable service provider when powered up.

Claims

1. A method by which a powered down communication device locates a wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment, comprising the steps of:

tuning to a first frequency band according to a frequency band search schedule while powered down;

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 in order to attempt to 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 frequency bands according to the frequency band search schedule while powered down 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 produce the matching stored geographic identifier; and

updating the listing of stored geographic identifiers so that the second frequency band is associated with the received geographic identifier; and

registering with the acceptable service provider when powered up.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of receiving the received geographic identifier comprises receiving a system identifier code from a wireless service provider.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of modifying the listing of stored geographic identifiers using information transmitted over a wireless interface.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of modifying the listing of stored geographic identifiers using information from a keypad.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of examining frequency bands comprises examining a plurality of frequency bands in an order specified by the frequency band search schedule.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of modifying the frequency band search schedule using information transmitted over a wireless interface.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of modifying the frequency band search schedule using information from a keypad.