Selective scanning for WLAN coverage by a multi-mode device
First Claim
1. A method, carried out by a multi-mode device, the method comprising:
- determining whether a multi-mode device is charging and whether the multi-mode device is authenticated via a wireless network that operates according to a first air-interface protocol;
if the multi-mode device is charging and is so authenticated, storing reference data in a profile corresponding with the wireless network that operates according to the first protocol and via which the multi-mode device is authenticated, the reference data reflecting a current environment of a wireless network that operates according to a second air-interface protocol different from the first;
if the multi-mode device is charging and is not so authenticated, scanning once every first amount of time for at least one wireless network that operates according to the first protocol; and
if the multi-mode device is not charging and is not so authenticated, iteratively;
(a) calculating a scanning period, wherein calculating the scanning period comprises calculating the scanning period based at least in part on comparing the current environment of the wireless network that operates according to the second protocol with reference data from at least one stored profile that (1) corresponds with a wireless network that operates according to the first protocol and (2) includes reference data for the wireless network that operates according to the second protocol; and
(b) scanning once every scanning period for at least one wireless network that corresponds with a stored profile.
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Abstract
Methods and systems are provided for selective scanning for WLAN coverage by a multi-mode device. In one embodiment, a multi-mode device determines whether it is charging and whether it is authenticated via a WLAN. If the device is charging and so authenticated, it stores reference data in a WLAN profile corresponding with the WLAN via which the device is authenticated, where the reference data reflects a current environment of a WWAN. If the device is charging and is not so authenticated, it scans on a fixed interval for at least one WLAN. If the device is not charging and is not so authenticated, it iteratively: (a) calculates a scanning period based at least in part on comparing the current environment of the WWAN with reference data from at least one stored WLAN profile that includes WWAN reference data and (b) scans once every scanning period for at least one WLAN.
50 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method, carried out by a multi-mode device, the method comprising:
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determining whether a multi-mode device is charging and whether the multi-mode device is authenticated via a wireless network that operates according to a first air-interface protocol; if the multi-mode device is charging and is so authenticated, storing reference data in a profile corresponding with the wireless network that operates according to the first protocol and via which the multi-mode device is authenticated, the reference data reflecting a current environment of a wireless network that operates according to a second air-interface protocol different from the first; if the multi-mode device is charging and is not so authenticated, scanning once every first amount of time for at least one wireless network that operates according to the first protocol; and if the multi-mode device is not charging and is not so authenticated, iteratively; (a) calculating a scanning period, wherein calculating the scanning period comprises calculating the scanning period based at least in part on comparing the current environment of the wireless network that operates according to the second protocol with reference data from at least one stored profile that (1) corresponds with a wireless network that operates according to the first protocol and (2) includes reference data for the wireless network that operates according to the second protocol; and (b) scanning once every scanning period for at least one wireless network that corresponds with a stored profile. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A multi-mode device comprising:
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a first wireless-communication interface for communicating according to a first air-interface protocol; a second wireless-communication interface for communicating according to a second air-interface protocol different from the first; a processor; and data storage having program instructions executable by the processor for; determining whether a multi-mode device is charging and whether the multi-mode device is authenticated via a wireless network that operates according to the first air-interface protocol; if the multi-mode device is charging and is so authenticated, storing reference data in a profile corresponding with the wireless network that operates according to the first protocol and via which the multi-mode device is authenticated, the reference data reflecting a current environment of a wireless network that operates according to the second air-interface protocol; if the multi-mode device is charging and is not so authenticated, scanning once every first amount of time for at least one wireless network that operates according to the first protocol; and if the multi-mode device is not charging and is not so authenticated, iteratively; (a) calculating a scanning period, wherein calculating the scanning period comprises calculating the scanning period based at least in part on comparing the current environment of the wireless network that operates according to the second protocol with reference data from at least one stored profile that (1) corresponds with a wireless network that operates according to the first protocol and (2) includes reference data for the wireless network that operates according to the second protocol; and (b) scanning once every scanning period for at least one wireless network that corresponds with a stored profile.
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Specification