Method for categorization of multiple providers in a wireless communications service environment

• US 6,807,418 B2
• Filed: 03/19/2002
• Issued: 10/19/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/1996
• 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): CRAVER, CHARLES R
• Application Number:
  US10/099,992
• Publication Number:
  US 20020102955A1
• Time in Patent Office: 945 Days
• Field of Search: 455/435, 455/62, 455/67.1, 455/67.3, 455/161.1, 455/168.1, 455/180.1, 455/161.2, 455/161.3, 455/120, 455/435.2, 455/435.3, 455/432.1, 455/456.1
• US Class Current: 455/435.2
• 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 60/00 Affiliation to network, e.g. registration; Terminating affiliation with the network, e.g. de-registration
• 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 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.

Claims

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

storing a frequency search schedule, the frequency search schedule having a plurality of channels in a predetermined order;

ordering at least some of the plurality of channels in the frequency search schedule based upon most recent registrations with each channel;

preceding the first channel in the predetermined order within the frequency search schedule with a channel last used by the communication device,

examining the plurality of channels in the frequency search schedule by examining the channel last used by the communication device to determine whether the channel last used has an acceptable service provider, and if the channel last used by the communication device does not have an acceptable service provider, then thereafter,

examining the plurality of channels in the order specified by the frequency search schedule until a channel having an acceptable service provider is located.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

storing a plurality of counters representing registrations with each channel of the frequency search schedule.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of:

incrementing a counter corresponding to a registered channel of the frequency search schedule upon registration with the registered channel.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the examining channels includes first examining a channel whose order in the frequency search schedule is constant.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

modifying the frequency search schedule using information transmitted over a wireless interface.

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

modifying the frequency search schedule using information from a keypad.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

programming a first location in the frequency search schedule with the channel corresponding to a specific service provider; and

blanking a non-first location in the frequency search schedule containing the channel corresponding the specific service provider.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

tabulating the plurality of channels to identify service provider information for the channel that correspond to a priority category.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying an alpha tag that provides a priority status and a service provider identification corresponding to the channel while the device is in an idle state.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the channel last used corresponds to a channel where the communication device was last turned off.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the channel last used corresponds to a channel where the communication device was last turned on.

12. A method by which a communication device locates a wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment, comprising:

storing a frequency search schedule, the frequency search schedule having a plurality of channels in a predetermined order based on contractual relationships among at least some service providers in the multi-service provider environment;

ordering at least some of the plurality of channels in the frequency search schedule into a modified order based upon prior registrations with each channel;

preceding the first channel in the predetermined order within the frequency search schedule with a channel last used by the communication device;

examining the plurality of channels in the frequency search schedule by examining the channel last used by the communication device to determine whether the channel last used has an acceptable service provider, and if the channel last used by the communication device does not have an acceptable service provider, then thereafter,

examining the plurality of channels in the modified order specified by the frequency search schedule until a channel having an acceptable service provider is located.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

storing a plurality of counters representing registrations with each channel of the frequency search schedule.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

incrementing a counter corresponding to a registered channel of the frequency search schedule upon registration with the registered channel.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the examining channels includes first examining a channel whose order in the frequency search schedule is constant.

16. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

modifying the frequency search schedule using information transmitted over a wireless interface.

17. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

modifying the frequency search schedule using information from a keypad.

18. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

programming a first location in the frequency search schedule with the channel corresponding to a specific service provider; and

blanking a non-first location in the frequency search schedule containing the channel corresponding the specific service provider.

19. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

tabulating the plurality of channels to identify service provider information for the channel that corresponds to a priority category.

20. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

displaying an alpha tag that provides a priority status and a service provider identification corresponding to the channel while the device is in an idle state.

21. The method of claim 12, wherein the channel last used corresponds to a channel where the communication device was last turned off.

22. The method of claim 12, wherein the channel last used corresponds to a channel where the communication device was last turned on.

23. A wireless communication device that locates a wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment, comprising:

a memory for storing a frequency search schedule, the frequency search schedule having a plurality of channels in a predetermined order; and

a processor for ordering at least some of the plurality of channels in the frequency search schedule based upon most recent registrations with each channel, and for examining the plurality of channels in the frequency search schedule by examining a channel last used by the communication device to determine whether the channel last used has an acceptable service provider, and if the channel last used by the communication device does not have an acceptable service provider, then thereafter, examining the plurality of channels in the order specified by the frequency search schedule until a channel having an acceptable service provider is located.

24. The device of claim 23, wherein the memory further stores a plurality of counters representing registrations with each channel of the frequency search schedule.

25. The device of claim 24, wherein the processor further increments a counter corresponding to a channel of the frequency search schedule upon registration with that channel.

26. The device of claim 23, wherein the processor examines the plurality of channels by first examining a channel whose order in the frequency search schedule is constant.

27. The device of claim 23, further comprising:

a wireless interface, wherein the processor further modifies the frequency search schedule using information transmitted over the wireless interface.

28. The device of claim 23, further comprising:

a keypad, wherein the processor further modifies the frequency search schedule using information from the keypad.

29. The device of claim 23, wherein the processor further programs the first location in the frequency search schedule with the channel corresponding to a specific service provider;

and blanks a non-first location in the frequency search schedule containing the channel corresponding the specific service provider.

30. The device of claim 23, wherein the memory further stores a table of the plurality of channels to identify service provider information for the channel that corresponds to a priority category.

31. The device of claim 23, further comprising:

a display for displaying an alpha tag that provides a priority status and a service provider identification corresponding to the channel while the device is in an idle state.

32. The device of claim 23, wherein the channel last used corresponds to a channel where the communication device was last turned off.

33. The device of claim 23, wherein the channel last used corresponds to a channel where the communication device was last turned on.

34. A wireless communication device that locates a wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment, comprising:

a memory for storing a frequency search schedule, the frequency search schedule having a plurality of channels in a predetermined order based on contractual relationships among at least some service providers in the multi-service provider environment; and

a processor for ordering at least some of the plurality of channels in the frequency search schedule into a modified order based upon prior registrations with each channel, and for examining the plurality of channels in the frequency search schedule by examining a channel last used by the communication device to determine whether the channel last used has an acceptable service provider, and if the channel last used by the communication device does not have an acceptable service provider, then thereafter examining the plurality of channels in the modified order specified by the frequency search schedule until a channel having an acceptable service provider is located.

35. The device of claim 34, wherein the memory further stores a plurality of counters representing registrations with each channel of the frequency search schedule.

36. The device of claim 35, wherein the processor further increments a counter corresponding to a channel of the frequency search schedule upon registration with that channel.

37. The device of claim 34, wherein the processor examines the plurality of channels by first examining a channel whose order in the frequency search schedule is constant.

38. The device of claim 34, further comprising:

a wireless interface, wherein the processor further modifies the frequency search schedule using information transmitted over the wireless interface.

39. The device of claim 34, further comprising:

a keypad, wherein the processor further modifies the frequency search schedule using information from the keypad.

40. The device of claim 34, wherein the processor further programs the first location in the frequency search schedule with the channel corresponding to a specific service provider;

and blanks a non-first location in the frequency search schedule containing the channel corresponding the specific service provider.

41. The device of claim 34, wherein the memory further stores a table of the plurality of channels to identify service provider information for the channel that corresponds to a priority category.

42. The device of claim 34, further comprising:

a display for displaying an alpha tag that provides a priority status and a service provider identification corresponding to the channel while the device is in an idle state.

43. The device of claim 34, wherein the channel last used corresponds to a channel where the communication device was last turned off.

44. The device of claim 34, wherein the channel last used corresponds to a channel where the communication device was last turned on.