Method for scanning wireless frequencies

• US 8,401,548 B2
• Filed: 02/10/2009
• Issued: 03/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Research In Motion Limited (Blackberry Limited)
• Inventors: Vuong, Thanh Vinh, Alfano, Nicholas
• Primary Examiner(s): Eng, George
• Assistant Examiner(s): MEHRA, INDER P
• Application Number:
  US12/368,368
• Publication Number:
  US 20090149176A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,498 Days
• Field of Search: 455/62, 455/161.1, 455/161.2, 455/161.3, 455/435.1, 455/435.2, 455/445, 455/450, 455/456.1, 455/452.1, 455/452.2, 455/443, 455/455
• US Class Current: 455/434
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 Selecting a network or a communication service

Abstract

A method of scanning frequencies for registration onto a wireless service provider by a wireless device is provided. The inventive method comprises predefining a priority sequence of frequencies in association with each of a plurality of locations. Itinerary information is received and a current expected location of the device in real-time based is determined based on the itinerary information. The device then scans frequencies according to any priority sequence predefined for the current expected location.

Claims

1. A method, performed by a wireless device, of scanning frequencies for registration onto a wireless service provider, the method comprising:

storing a plurality of predefined sequences of frequencies, each predefined sequence being associated with at least one respective location;

storing itinerary information, the itinerary information including a plurality of scheduled locations of the wireless device, each scheduled location being associated with at least one scheduled date and time, at least one of the scheduled locations being outside of the wireless device'"'"'s home network;

determining, using the stored itinerary information, that a current date and time matches one of the scheduled dates and times specified in the itinerary information, and using the scheduled location that is associated with the matched date and time, as specified in the itinerary information, as a current expected location of the wireless device;

using the current expected location, determining one of the plurality of predefined sequences to use; and

scanning frequencies according to the determined predefined sequence.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining that the current date and time matches one of the scheduled dates and times, and using the scheduled location as the current expected location occurs after any one of:

power-up of the device, the device losing wireless signal, a trigger of an itinerary alarm and at the direction of a user.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein determining that the current date and time matches one of the scheduled dates and times is dynamic.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the itinerary information comprises at least one of arrival time, arrival date, arrival location, departure time, departure date, departure location, travel time, flight number, train number and check-in confirmation.

5. The method of claim 4, comprising retrieving current itinerary information in real-time and in response updating itinerary information.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the itinerary information is stored in an electronic calendar system.

7. The method of claim 1, comprising predicting a date and time of at least one intermediate location according to the itinerary information.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the itinerary information is updated with the predicted date and time and the at least one intermediate location.

9. A wireless communications device, comprising:

a communications subsystem;

a processor and memory, the memory including data and instructions to configure the processor to;

store a plurality of predefined sequences of frequencies, each predefined sequence being associated with at least one respective location;

store itinerary information, the itinerary information including a plurality of scheduled locations of the wireless device, each scheduled location being associated with at least one respective scheduled date and time, at least one of the scheduled locations being outside of the wireless device'"'"'s home network;

determine, using the stored itinerary information, that a current date and time matches one of the scheduled dates and times specified in the itinerary information, and using the scheduled location that is associated with the matched date and time, as specified in the itinerary information, as a current expected location of the wireless device;

using the current expected location, determine one of the plurality of predefined sequences to use; and

scan frequencies according to the determined predefined sequence.

10. The wireless communications device of claim 9, wherein determining that the current date and time matches one of the scheduled dates and times, and using the scheduled location as the current expected location occurs after any one of:

power-up of the device, the device losing wireless signal, a trigger of an itinerary alarm and at the direction of a user.

11. The wireless communications device of claim 9, wherein determining that the current date and time matches one of the scheduled dates and times is dynamic.

12. The wireless communications device of claim 9, wherein the itinerary information comprises at least one of arrival time, arrival date, arrival location, departure time, departure date, departure location, travel time, flight number, train number and check-in confirmation.

13. The wireless communications device of claim 12, wherein the processor is further configured to retrieve current itinerary information in real-time and in response update the itinerary information.

14. The wireless communications device of claim 9, wherein the itinerary information is stored in an electronic calendar system.

15. The wireless communication device of claim 9, wherein the processor is further configured to predict a date and time of at least one intermediate location according to the itinerary information.

16. The wireless communication device of claim 15, wherein the itinerary information is updated with the predicted date and time and the at least one intermediate location.