Methods and apparatus for selecting a communication network
First Claim
1. A method in a mobile communication for use in selecting a public land mobile network (PLMN) for communications, the mobile communication device being configured to provide voice communications with use of a voice service and data communications with use of a data service, the method comprising:
- maintaining storage of a preferred PLMN list which identifies a plurality of PLMNs with assigned priorities for PLMN selection;
maintaining storage of a service access list which identifies a plurality of PLMNs that make the data service available to the mobile communication device;
operating in a current PLMN;
when a lack of coverage with the current PLMN is identified;
performing a scanning operation for identifying one or more PLMNs available in a coverage area of the mobile communication device;
performing an automatic network selection procedure in accordance with a communication standard, for selecting one of the PLMNs from the preferred PLMN list;
after selecting the PLMN, consulting the service access list for identifying whether the selected PLMN is found in the service access list;
if the selected PLMN is found in the service access list, then attempting to register for the data service with the selected PLMN, but otherwise refraining from attempting to register for the data service with the selected PLMN;
when an attempt to register for the data service with a PLMN is successful, then adding the PLMN to the service access list if not already listed therein; and
when an attempt to register for the data service with a PLMN fails, then excluding or removing the PLMN from the service access list.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A mobile communication device is adapted to provide voice communications with use of a voice service and data communications with use of a data service. The mobile device maintains a preferred network list as well as a service access list in its memory. The preferred network list has a listing of a plurality of networks with assigned priorities for network selection. The service access list has a listing of a plurality of networks that make the data service available to the mobile device. The mobile device performs a scanning operation for identifying one or more communication networks available in a coverage area of the mobile device. When a home network of the mobile device is unavailable in the coverage area, the mobile device consults the preferred network list and the service access list for identifying one of the networks identified by the scanning operation. The mobile device attempts to register for the data service via the identified network and, if successful, operates its wireless transceiver with the identified network to use the data service. If the attempt to register for the data service fails, the mobile device excludes the identified network from being listed in the service access list as making the data service available.
51 Citations
25 Claims
-
1. A method in a mobile communication for use in selecting a public land mobile network (PLMN) for communications, the mobile communication device being configured to provide voice communications with use of a voice service and data communications with use of a data service, the method comprising:
-
maintaining storage of a preferred PLMN list which identifies a plurality of PLMNs with assigned priorities for PLMN selection; maintaining storage of a service access list which identifies a plurality of PLMNs that make the data service available to the mobile communication device; operating in a current PLMN; when a lack of coverage with the current PLMN is identified; performing a scanning operation for identifying one or more PLMNs available in a coverage area of the mobile communication device; performing an automatic network selection procedure in accordance with a communication standard, for selecting one of the PLMNs from the preferred PLMN list; after selecting the PLMN, consulting the service access list for identifying whether the selected PLMN is found in the service access list; if the selected PLMN is found in the service access list, then attempting to register for the data service with the selected PLMN, but otherwise refraining from attempting to register for the data service with the selected PLMN; when an attempt to register for the data service with a PLMN is successful, then adding the PLMN to the service access list if not already listed therein; and when an attempt to register for the data service with a PLMN fails, then excluding or removing the PLMN from the service access list. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. A mobile communication device configured to provide voice communications with use of a voice service and data communications with use of a data service, the mobile device comprising:
-
a wireless transceiver; one or more processors coupled to the wireless transceiver; memory coupled to the one or more processors; the one or more processors being configured to select a public land mobile network (PLMN) for communications, and being further configured to; maintain in the memory a preferred PLMN list which identifies a plurality of PLMNs with assigned priorities for PLMN selection; maintain in the memory a service access list which identifies a plurality of PLMNs that make the data service available to the mobile communication device; operate in a current PLMN using the wireless transceiver; when a lack of coverage with the current PLMN is identified; perform a scanning operation, with use of the wireless transceiver, for identifying one or more PLMNs available in a coverage area of the mobile communication device; perform an automatic network selection procedure in accordance with a communication standard, for selecting one of the PLMNs from the preferred PLMN list; after selecting the PLMN, consult the service access list for identifying whether the selected PLMN is found in the service access list; if the selected PLMN is found in the service access list, then attempt to register, with use of the wireless transceiver, for the data service with the selected PLMN, but otherwise refrain from attempting to register with the selected PLMN; when an attempt to register for the data service with a PLMN is successful, then add the PLMN to the service access list if not already stored therein; and when an attempt to register for the data service with a PLMN fails, exclude or remove the PLMN from the service access list. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. A wireless communication system configured to provide wireless communications for a plurality of mobile communication devices via public land mobile networks (PLMNs), each mobile communication device being configured to:
-
maintain storage of a preferred PLMN list which identifies a plurality of PLMNs with assigned priorities for PLMN selection; maintain storage of a service access list which identifies a plurality of PLMNs that make the data service available to the mobile communication device; operating in a current PLMN; when a lack of coverage with the current PLMN is identified; perform a scanning operation for identifying one or more PLMNs available in a coverage area of the mobile communication device; perform an automatic network selection procedure in accordance with a communication standard, for selecting one of the PLMNs in the preferred PLMN list; after selecting the PLMN, consult the service access list for identifying whether the selected PLMN is found in the service access list; if the selected PLMN is found in the service access list, then attempt to register for the data service with the selected PLMN, but otherwise refrain from attempting to register for the data service with the selected PLMN; when an attempt to register for the data service with a PLMN is successful, then add the PLMN to the service access list if not already listed therein; and when an attempt to register for the data service with a PLMN fails, exclude or remove the PLMN from the service access list. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
-
-
24. A method in a mobile communication for use in selecting a public land mobile network (PLMN) for communications, the method comprising:
-
maintaining storage of a preferred PLMN list which identifies a plurality of PLMNs with assigned priorities for PLMN selection; maintaining storage of a service access list which identifies a plurality of PLMNs that make a packet data service available to the mobile communication device but excludes PLMNs that fail to make the packet data service available to the mobile communication device; operating in a current PLMN; when a lack of coverage with the current PLMN is identified; performing a scanning operation for identifying one or more PLMNs available in a coverage area of the mobile communication device; performing an automatic network selection procedure in accordance with a communication standard, for selecting one of the PLMNs from the preferred network list; after selecting the PLMN, consulting the service access list for identifying whether the selected PLMN is found in the service access list; if the selected PLMN is found in the service access list, then attempting to register for the packet data service via the selected PLMN by sending a request for service via the selected PLMN, but otherwise refraining from attempting to register for the data service with the selected PLMN; when an attempt to register for the packet data service with a PLMN is successful, adding the selected PLMN to the service access list if not already listed in the service access list; and when an attempt to register for the packet data service with a PLMN fails, excluding or removing the the selected PLMN from the service access list. - View Dependent Claims (25)
-
Specification