Data-capable network prioritization with reduced delays in data service

• US 8,275,401 B2
• Filed: 01/13/2012
• Issued: 09/25/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Gunaratnam, Jayasri, Taylor, Bryan, Nguyen, Bao Quoc, Hind, Hugh, Naqvi, Noushad, Phipps, Darcy Richard, Swann, Craig Ian Haight
• Primary Examiner(s): Edouard, Patrick
• Assistant Examiner(s): HEIBER, SHANTELL LAKETA
• Application Number:
  US13/349,842
• Publication Number:
  US 20120115478A1
• Time in Patent Office: 256 Days
• Field of Search: 455/445, 455/432.1, 455/434, 4554351-4353, 455/466, 455/422.1, 455/510
• US Class Current: 455/510
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/12 using downlink control channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 Selecting a network or a communication service

Abstract

A mobile device sends to a wireless network a request for establishing a service. In response to a rejection of the request, the device reattempts the request so long as the total number of requests is less than a predetermined value. When the total number of rejected requests is greater than or equal to the predetermined value, the device selects a different wireless network with which to establish the communication service if the wireless network is a non-home network. Otherwise, if the wireless network is the home network, the mobile device runs a timer which is initialized with an internal timer value instead of a network timer value when the internal timer value is less than the network timer value. In response to an expiration of the timer, the mobile device sends to the wireless network another one or more requests for establishing the service.

Claims

1. A method in a mobile device for use in establishing communications in a wireless network, the method comprising:

sending to the wireless network a request for establishing a communication service;

in response to a rejection of the request, reattempting the sending of the request for as long as the total number of requests is less than a predetermined value;

when the total number of rejected requests is greater than or equal to the predetermined value;

if the wireless network is a non-home network of the mobile device, then selecting a different wireless network with which to establish the communication service;

otherwise, if the wireless network is the home network of the mobile device, then;

running a timer which is initialized with an internal timer value instead of a network timer value when the internal timer value is less than the network timer value; and

in response to an expiration of the timer, sending to the wireless network another one or more requests for establishing the communication service.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

if the total number of rejected requests is greater than or equal to the predetermined value, and the wireless network is the home network of the mobile device, then setting the mobile communication device in a deregistered state.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

testing the network timer value;

if the network timer value is greater than the internal timer value, then initializing the timer with the internal timer value; and

otherwise, if the network timer value is less than the internal timer value, then initializing the timer with the network timer value.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the communication service is a packet data service of the wireless network.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the request comprises one of a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) attach request or a Routing Area Update (RAU) request.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined value is five (5).

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the network timer value is a periodic location update timer which is broadcasted from the wireless network and received by the mobile device.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the periodic location update timer value comprises a timer 3212.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the timer comprises a timer 3302.

10. The method of claim 1, which is embodied in a computer program product comprising a non-transitory storage medium and computer instructions stored in the storage medium, wherein the computer instructions are executable by one or more processors of the mobile communication device for performing the method.

11. A mobile communication device, comprising:

one or more processors;

a radio frequency (RF) transceiver coupled to the one or more processors;

the one or more processors being configured to;

send via the RF transceiver a request for establishing a communication service with a wireless network;

in response to a rejection of the request, reattempt the sending of the request for as long as the total number of requests is less than a predetermined value;

when the total number of rejected requests is greater than or equal to the predetermined value;

if the wireless network is a non-home network of the mobile device, then select a different wireless network with which to establish the communication service;

otherwise, if the wireless network is the home network of the mobile device, then;

run a timer which is initialized with an internal timer value instead of a network timer value when the internal timer value is less than the network timer value; and

in response to an expiration of the timer, send via the RF transceiver another one or more requests for establishing the communication service with the wireless network.

12. The mobile communication device of claim 11, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:

if the total number of rejected requests is greater than or equal to the predetermined value, and the wireless network is the home network of the mobile device, then set the mobile communication device in a deregistered state.

13. The mobile communication device of claim 11, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:

test the network timer value;

if the network timer value is greater than the internal timer value, then initialize the timer with the internal timer value; and

otherwise, if the network timer value is less than the internal timer value, then initialize the timer with the network timer value.

14. The mobile communication device of claim 11, wherein the communication service is a packet data service of the wireless network.

15. The mobile communication device of claim 11, wherein the request comprises a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) attach request.

16. The mobile communication device of claim 11, wherein the request comprises a Routing Area Update (RAU) request.

17. The mobile communication device of claim 11, wherein the network timer value is a periodic location update timer which is broadcasted from the wireless network and received by the mobile device.

18. The mobile communication device of claim 17, wherein the periodic location update timer value comprises a timer 3212.

19. The mobile communication device of claim 11, wherein the timer comprises a timer 3302.

20. A communication system, comprising;

a wireless network;

a mobile communication device configured to communicate in the wireless communication network;

the mobile communication device being further configured to;

send to the wireless network a request for establishing a communication service with a wireless network;

in response to a rejection of the request, reattempt the sending of the request for as long as the total number of requests is less than a predetermined value;

when the total number of rejected requests is greater than or equal to the predetermined value;

if the wireless network is a non-home network of the mobile device, then select a different wireless network with which to establish the communication service;

otherwise, if the wireless network is the home network of the mobile device, then;

run a timer which is initialized with an internal timer value instead of a network timer value when the internal timer value is less than the network timer value; and

in response to an expiration of the timer, send to the wireless network another one or more requests for establishing the communication service with the wireless network.