Method for categorization of multiple providers in a wireless communications service environment
First Claim
1. A method by which a communication device locates a wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment, comprising:
- examining a plurality of frequency bands in a predetermined order specified by a frequency band search schedule until a frequency band having an acceptable service provider is located; and
identifying a service class category of service provider for the acceptable service provider; and
further comprising determining whether a last frequency band used by the communication device has an acceptable service provider before examining frequency bands in the frequency band search schedule; and
if the last frequency band used by the communication device does not have an acceptable service provider, examining frequency bands in the frequency band search schedule until a frequency band having an acceptable service provider is located.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A communication device locates a preferable wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment using a frequency band search schedule. Initially, the communications device registers with a less preferred service provider in a first frequency band. While remaining registered with the less preferred service provider, the device examines several frequency bands in the order specified by the frequency band search schedule. A frequency band is examined by dividing the frequency band into many sub-bands, and by locating the strongest signal above a threshold within the sub-band being examined. The examination continues until a second frequency band having a more preferred service provider is located. The communication device then registers with the more preferred service provider. The category of service provider may be identified and displayed on the communication device.
78 Citations
56 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:
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examining a plurality of frequency bands in a predetermined order specified by a frequency band search schedule until a frequency band having an acceptable service provider is located; and
identifying a service class category of service provider for the acceptable service provider; and
further comprising determining whether a last frequency band used by the communication device has an acceptable service provider before examining frequency bands in the frequency band search schedule; and
if the last frequency band used by the communication device does not have an acceptable service provider, examining frequency bands in the frequency band search schedule until a frequency band having an acceptable service provider is located.- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method by which a communication device locates a wireless service provider in multi-service provider environment, comprising:
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examining a plurality of frequency bands in a predetermined order specified by a frequency band search schedule until a frequency band having an acceptable service provider is located; and
identifying a service class category of service provider from a plurality of service class categories and identifying an associated alphanumeric indicator for the acceptable service provider; and
further comprising determining whether a last frequency band used by the communication device has an acceptable service provider before examining frequency bands in the frequency band search schedule; and
if the last frequency band used by the communication device does not have an acceptable service provider, examining frequency bands in the frequency band search schedule until a frequency band having an acceptable service provider is located.- View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A wireless communication device that locates a wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment, comprising:
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a memory for storing a frequency band search schedule having a plurality of frequency bands in a predetermined order; and
for storing information on a plurality of categories of service providers;
a processor for examining the plurality of frequency bands in the order specified by the frequency band search schedule until a frequency band having an acceptable service provider is located; and
for identifying a service class category of service provider for the acceptable service provider;
wherein the processor determines whether a last frequency band used by the communication device has an acceptable service provider before examining frequency bands in the frequency band search schedule; and
if the last frequency band used by the communication device does not have an acceptable service provider, examining frequency bands in the frequency band search schedule until a frequency band having an acceptable service provider is located.- View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A wireless communication device that locates a wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment, comprising:
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a memory for (1) storing a frequency band search schedule having a plurality of bands in a predetermined order;
(2) storing information for a plurality of categories of service providers; and
(3) storing alphanumeric indicators associated with each of the plurality of categories of service providers; and
a processor for (1) examining the plurality of frequency bands in the order specified by the frequency band search schedule until a frequency band having an acceptable service provider is located and (2) identifying a category of service provider and an associated alphanumeric indicator for the acceptable service provider;
wherein the processor determines whether a last frequency band used by the communication device has an acceptable service provider before examining frequency bands in the frequency band search schedule; and
if the last frequency band used by the communication device does not have an acceptable service provider, examining frequency bands in the frequency band search schedule until a frequency band having an acceptable service provider is located.- View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A method by which a communication device locates a wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment, comprising:
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examining a plurality of frequencies in a predetermined order specified by a frequency search schedule until a frequency having an acceptable service provider is located; and
identifying a service class category of service provider for the acceptable service provider; and
further comprising determining whether a last frequency used by the communication device has an acceptable service provider before examining frequencies in the frequency search schedule; and
if the last frequency used by the communication device does not have an acceptable service provider, examining frequencies in the frequency search schedule until a frequency having an acceptable service provider is located.- View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A method by which a communication device locates a wireless service provider in multi-service provider environment, comprising:
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examining a plurality of frequencies in a predetermined order specified by a frequency search schedule until a frequency having an acceptable service provider is located; and
identifying a service class category of service provider from a plurality of service class categories and identifying an associated alphanumeric indicator for the acceptable service provider; and
further comprising determining whether a last frequency used by the communication device has an acceptable service provider before examining frequencies in the frequency search schedule; and
if the last frequency used by the communication device does not have an acceptable service provider, examining frequencies in the frequency search schedule until a frequency having an acceptable service provider is located.- View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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43. A wireless communication device that locates a wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment, comprising:
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a memory for storing a frequency search schedule having a plurality of frequencies in a predetermined order; and
for storing information on a plurality of categories of service providers; and
a processor for examining the plurality of frequencies in the order specified by the frequency search schedule until a frequency having an acceptable service provider is located; and
for identifying a service class category of service provider for the acceptable service provider; and
wherein the processor determines whether a last frequency used by the communication device has an acceptable service provider before examining frequencies in the frequency search schedule; and
if the last frequency used by the communication device does not have an acceptable service provider, examining frequencies in the frequency search schedule until a frequency having an acceptable service provider is located.- View Dependent Claims (44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50)
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51. A wireless communication device that locates a wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment, comprising:
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a memory for (1) storing a frequency search schedule having a plurality of frequencies in a predetermined order;
(2) storing information for a plurality of categories of service providers; and
(3) storing alphanumeric indicators associated with each of the plurality of categories of service providers; and
a processor for (1) examining the plurality of frequencies in the order specified by the frequency search schedule until a frequency having an acceptable service provider is located and (2) identifying a category of service provider and an associated alphanumeric indicator for the acceptable service provider; and
wherein the processor determines whether a last frequency used by the communication device has an acceptable service provider before examining frequencies in the frequency search schedule; and
if the last frequency used by the communication device does not have an acceptable service provider, examining frequencies in the frequency search schedule until a frequency having an acceptable service provider is located.- View Dependent Claims (52, 53, 54, 55, 56)
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Specification