Rapid acquisition and system selection of mobile wireless devices using a system map

• US 6,748,217 B1
• Filed: 12/30/1999
• Issued: 06/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Original Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Inventors: Hunzinger, Jason F., Yamaguchi, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Banks-Harold, Marsha D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MOORE, JAMES K
• Application Number:
  US09/476,301
• Time in Patent Office: 1,622 Days
• Field of Search: 455/422, 455/432, 455/436, 455/440, 455/441, 455/437, 455/445, 455/450, 455/456, 455/524, 455/435.1, 455/435.2, 455/435.3, 455/456.1, 455/456.6, 455/432.1, 701/28
• US Class Current: 455/435.2
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 Selecting a network or a communication service

Abstract

The present invention enhances service system selection by a mobile unit in a wireless communication system. The mobile unit determines its geographic position, and based on that position selects the proper service system. The geographic position may be determined using a global position system, dead reckoning, or estimated from a last known position. The distance of varying service systems from the mobile station can then be calculated and a service system selected based on this distance. The mobile station may also use the position information in combination with a database including position information of service systems to select the proper service system. The position information of the service systems can be included in the system selection database. The mobile station may also map service systems based on position information and service availability. The mobile station can then subsequently refer to these maps to estimate available service.

Claims

1. A method of prioritizing a plurality of service provider networks in a wireless communication system comprising:

determining a reference location;

calculating a distance from the reference location to each of the plurality of service provider networks based on service provider network coverage information stored at a mobile station;

prioritizing the plurality of service provider networks based on the reference location and the distance from the reference location; and

selecting one of the plurality of service provider networks based on the priority.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the reference location is determined using a global positioning system.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the reference location is determined using dead reckoning.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the reference location is a last known location of a mobile station.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the calculating step further comprises:

determining a drift term; and

adjusting the reference location based on the drift term.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the drift term is determined using the equation:

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a carrier for each of the plurality of service provider networks;

prioritizing the plurality of service provider networks based on the carrier.

8. A method of prioritizing a plurality of service provider networks in a wireless communication system comprising:

determining a reference location;

obtaining a prioritized list of service provider networks based on the reference location; and

selecting one of the plurality of service provider networks based on the prioritized list;

wherein

the prioritized list of service provider networks based on the reference location is obtained from stored data within a mobile station;

the data is stored in a service provider network selection database; and

the service provider network selection database includes a position reference for each of the plurality of service provider networks.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the reference location is determined using a global positioning system.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the reference location is determined using dead reckoning.