Method for selecting a wireless communication service provider in a multi-service provider environment
First Claim
1. A wireless communication device that locates a wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment, comprising:
- a memory that stores a frequency search schedule having a plurality of frequencies in a prioritized order and is configured to store an identifier of a last service provider and a list of preferred service providers; and
a processor that after power up of the wireless communications device following a power down thereof compares a last service provider to the list of preferred service providers to determine whether the last service provider was a preferred service provider, the last service provider being a service provider last used before the power down of the wireless communications device, accepts information, modifies the prioritized order of the frequency search schedule based on the information, and examines frequencies in the modified order in the frequency search schedule, until a frequency having a preferred service provider is located, if a last service provider was not a preferred service provider, wherein the processor is configured to remove from the frequency search schedule frequency bands corresponding to a last service provider if the last service provider was a non-preferred service provider.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A communication device locates a wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment using a frequency band search schedule. The frequency band search schedule has a first or home band and a several other frequency bands in a predetermined ordered. The order of the frequency bands may be programmed by the user or by a home service provider over the air. The communication device searches for an acceptable service provider by examining the home band and then the other bands listed in the frequency band search schedule. The bands are examined in the order specified by the frequency band search schedule. An acceptable service provider is identified by comparing the identify of a service provider specified by an identifier received from a band being examined with a list of acceptable service providers.
60 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A wireless communication device that locates a wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment, comprising:
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a memory that stores a frequency search schedule having a plurality of frequencies in a prioritized order and is configured to store an identifier of a last service provider and a list of preferred service providers; and a processor that after power up of the wireless communications device following a power down thereof compares a last service provider to the list of preferred service providers to determine whether the last service provider was a preferred service provider, the last service provider being a service provider last used before the power down of the wireless communications device, accepts information, modifies the prioritized order of the frequency search schedule based on the information, and examines frequencies in the modified order in the frequency search schedule, until a frequency having a preferred service provider is located, if a last service provider was not a preferred service provider, wherein the processor is configured to remove from the frequency search schedule frequency bands corresponding to a last service provider if the last service provider was a non-preferred service provider. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method by which a communication device locates a wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment, the method comprising after power up of the wireless communications device following a power down thereof:
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storing a frequency search schedule having a plurality of frequencies in a prioritized order; storing an identifier of a last service provider and a list of preferred service providers; comparing the identifier of the last service provider to the list of preferred service providers to determine whether the last service provider was not a preferred service provider, wherein the last service provider is a service provider last used before the power down of the communications device; accepting information; modifying the prioritized order of the frequency search schedule based on the accepted information; removing from the frequency search schedule frequency bands corresponding to the last service provider; and examining frequencies in the modified order until a frequency having a preferred service provider is located. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A recording medium that stores a executable control program for use by a wireless communication device after a power up of the wireless communications device following a power down thereof, the control program including instructions for:
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storing a frequency search schedule having a plurality of frequencies in a prioritized order; storing an identifier of a last service provider and a list of preferred service providers; comparing the identifier of the last service provider to the list of preferred service providers to determine whether the last service provider was not a preferred service provider, wherein the last service provider is a service provider last used before the power down of the wireless communications device; accepting information; modifying the prioritized order of the frequency search schedule based on the accepted information; removing from the frequency search schedule frequency bands corresponding to the last service provider; and examining frequencies in the modified order until a frequency having a preferred service provider is located. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification