Mobile communication

• US 6,424,839 B1
• Filed: 06/17/1999
• Issued: 07/23/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cellon France SAS
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Bruzzone, Raul
• Primary Examiner(s): Urban, Edward F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CRAVER, CHARLES R
• Application Number:
  US09/335,017
• Time in Patent Office: 1,132 Days
• Field of Search: 455/456, 455/457, 455/414, 455/411, 455/420, 455/419, 455/435, 455/404, 455/516, 455/550, 455/552, 455/68, 455/527, 455/528, 455/88, 455/444
• US Class Current: 455/456.6
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/14 specially adapted for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

A mobile communication apparatus (MCA) comprises a memory (MEM) for storing data (CDATA) relating to the coverage area (COV) of a mobile communication standard according to which the mobile communication apparatus can operate. The mobile communication apparatus (MCA) includes an interface (INT) for taking data (PDATA) from the exterior which data relate to the geographical location (LOC). The mobile communication apparatus includes an indicator (IND) for indicating whether the mobile communication apparatus can be used or not (U: Y/N) based on data (CDATA) relating to the geographical zone and data (PDATA) relating to the geographical location. Such an indication makes it possible for the user to deduce whether, in the case where he is unsuccessful in establishing a communication, a displacement in the proximity will help him to establish the communication. Besides, the indication whether the apparatus can be used or not may be produced in a relatively short period of time. Thus, the mobile communication apparatus (MCA) described above provides better user satisfaction.

Claims

1. A method for determining availability of mobile telephony standards at specific geographical locations for a mobile communication device, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) dividing a geographic area into a plurality of geographical zones;

(b) mapping said geographical zones into data structures, elements of said data structures including availability indicators indicating whether specific mobile telephony standards are available for specific coverage areas;

(c) storing said data structures relating to coverage areas of said mobile telephony standards for said geographical zones into memory of said mobile communication device;

(d) acquiring external data relating to the geographical location of said mobile communication device;

(e) comparing said acquired external data relating to the geographical location of said mobile communication device to said stored data structures relating to the coverage areas of said mobile telephony standards in order to determine availability of said mobile telephony standard in said geographical location;

(f) indicating whether said mobile communication device can be utilized at a specific geographical location based on said acquired external data and said stored coverage area data;

(g) selecting a mobile telephony standard; and

(h) commencing communication using said mobile communication device according to a selected mobile telephony standard,

wherein said storing step includes storing a first table that forms a list of various mobile telephony standards according to which the mobile communication device can operate.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said geographical area is divided into a plurality of zones including first zones and second zones of smaller areas within said first zones, said mapping step including mapping said first and second geographic zones into corresponding separate data structures.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said storing step includes storing a second table that includes parameter values for each mobile telephony standard, enabling for configuration of transceiving circuit.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said storing step includes transmitting new information in order to update said stored coverage area data for said mobile telephony standards.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said acquiring step comprises an interface for obtaining signals from a satellite communication system and deriving geographical coordinates therefrom.

6. A computer program device readable by machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by machine to perform method steps for determining availability of mobile telephony standards at specific geographical locations for a mobile communication device, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) dividing a geographic area into a plurality of geographical zones;

(b) mapping said geographical zones into data structures, elements of said data structures including availability indicators indicating whether specific mobile telephony standards are available for specific coverage areas;

(c) storing said data structures relating to coverage areas of said mobile telephony standards for said geographical zones into memory of said mobile communication device;

(d) acquiring external data relating to the geographical location of said mobile communication device;

(e) comparing said acquired external data relating to the geographical location of said mobile communication device to said stored data relating to the coverage areas of said mobile telephony standards in order to determine availability of said mobile telephony standard in said geographical location;

(f) indicating whether said mobile communication device can be utilized at a specific geographical location based on said acquired external data and said stored coverage area data;

(g) selecting a mobile telephony standard; and

(h) commencing communication using said mobile communication device according to a selected mobile telephony standard,

wherein said storing step includes storing a first table that forms a list of various mobile telephony standards according to which the mobile communication device can operate.

7. A mobile communication device for detecting availability of mobile telephony standards at specific geographical locations comprising:

(a) a memory for storing data relating to the geographical coverage areas of said specific mobile communication standards according to which said mobile communication device can operate, and for storing a first table that forms a list of various mobile telephony standards according to which the mobile communication device can operate;

(b) a device for receiving external data relating to the geographical location of the mobile communication device;

(c) a control panel for enabling user interactivity with said mobile communication device;

(d) a transceiver for adapting said mobile communication device to one of said mobile telephony standards based on geographical location of said device for establishing a communication link with base station; and

(e) a display for indicating availability of said mobile telephony standards.

8. A system for determining availability of mobile telephony standards at specific geographical locations for a mobile communication device, said system comprising:

(a) means for dividing a geographic area into a plurality of geographical zones;

(b) means for mapping said geographical zones into data structures, elements of said data structures including availability indicators indicating whether specific mobile telephony standards are available for specific coverage areas;

(c) means for storing said data structures relating to coverage areas of said mobile telephony standards for said geographical zones into memory of said mobile communication device;

(d) means for acquiring external data relating to the geographical location of said mobile communication device;

(e) means for comparing said acquired external data relating to the geographical location of said mobile communication device to said stored data structures relating to the coverage areas of said mobile telephony standards in order to determine availability of said mobile telephony standard in said geographical location;

(f) means for indicating whether said mobile communication device can be utilized at a specific geographical location based on said acquired external data and said stored coverage area data;

(g) means for selecting a mobile telephony standard; and

(h) means for commencing communication using said mobile communication device according to a selected mobile telephony standard,

wherein said storing means includes storing a first table that forms a list of various mobile telephony standards according to which the mobile communication device can operate.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein said geographical area is divided into a plurality of zones including first zones and second zones of smaller areas within said first zones, said mapping means including mapping said first and second geographic zones into corresponding separate data structures.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein said storing means includes storing a second table that includes parameter values for each mobile telephony standard, enabling for configuration of transceiving circuit.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein said storing means includes transmitting new information in order to update said stored coverage area data for said mobile telephony standards.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein said acquiring means comprises an interface for obtaining signals from a satellite communication system and deriving geographical coordinates therefrom.