Location-based network detection
First Claim
1. A method performed by one or more processors of a mobile device, the method comprising:
- receiving a plurality of broadcast radio signals;
processing the broadcast radio signals to determine a location for a source of a broadcast radio signal having a strongest received broadcast radio signal strength;
determining a plurality of wireless cellular networks that each have a transmitter located within a predetermined distance from the source;
establishing a search order for the plurality of wireless cellular networks based on proximity of the transmitters to the source; and
searching for at least one of the plurality of wireless cellular networks based on the search order.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A mobile device establishes communication with a number of wireless cellular networks at particular locations and records the locations and network information associated with the wireless cellular networks. The network information can be used to narrow a search for an available wireless cellular network from a plurality of potentially available wireless cellular networks when the mobile device is operating at a stored location. In one aspect, a Radio Frequency (RF) receiver on a mobile device can receive a broadcast radio signal from a transmitter and use the signal to determine an approximate location of the device based on a known location of the transmitter. A match between the approximate device location and wireless cellular network transmitters in communication range of the mobile device can be used to narrow a search for wireless cellular networks.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A method performed by one or more processors of a mobile device, the method comprising:
-
receiving a plurality of broadcast radio signals; processing the broadcast radio signals to determine a location for a source of a broadcast radio signal having a strongest received broadcast radio signal strength; determining a plurality of wireless cellular networks that each have a transmitter located within a predetermined distance from the source; establishing a search order for the plurality of wireless cellular networks based on proximity of the transmitters to the source; and searching for at least one of the plurality of wireless cellular networks based on the search order. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. A method performed by one or more processors of a mobile device, the method comprising:
-
determining a location of a broadcast radio signal source; comparing the location to a list of locations previously stored in a database; upon finding a matching location, determining a plurality of wireless cellular networks potentially available for communication with the mobile device at the matching location; defining a search order for the plurality of wireless cellular networks based on proximity of transmitters of the plurality of wireless cellular networks to the location of the broadcast radio signal source; and automatically searching for an available wireless cellular network in accordance with the search order. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A mobile device, comprising:
-
a memory storing computer program instructions; a processor coupled to the memory and operable for executing the instructions to perform operations comprising; receiving a plurality of broadcast radio signals; processing the broadcast radio signals to determine a location for a source of a broadcast radio signal having a strongest received broadcast radio signal strength; determining a plurality of wireless cellular networks that each have a transmitter located within a predetermined distance from the source; establishing a search order for the plurality of wireless cellular networks based on proximity of the transmitters to the source; and searching for at least one of the plurality of wireless cellular networks based on the search order. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. A mobile device, comprising:
-
a memory storing computer program instructions; a processor coupled to the memory and operable for executing the instructions to perform operations comprising; determining a location of a broadcast radio signal source; comparing the location to a list of locations previously stored in a database; upon finding a matching location, determining a plurality of wireless cellular networks potentially available for communication with the mobile device at the matching location; defining a search order for the plurality of wireless cellular networks based on proximity of transmitters of the plurality of wireless cellular networks to the location of the broadcast radio signal source; and automatically searching for an available wireless cellular network in accordance with the search order. - View Dependent Claims (20)
-
Specification