Reallocation of resources for dual-mode wireless devices

• US 9,301,244 B2
• Filed: 08/09/2013
• Issued: 03/29/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: T-Mobile Innovations LLC (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Original Assignee: Sprint Communications Company LP (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Inventors: Mistry, Hetal J., Tailor, PinalKumari K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Park, Jung
• Application Number:
  US13/963,492
• Publication Number:
  US 20130322342A1
• Time in Patent Office: 963 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 Selecting a network or a communication service
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

A wireless service of a first type is scanned. A first station associated with the first type is selected. A first indicator of expected service conditions associated with the first station is received. Based on the first indicator, a wireless service of a second type is scanned. A second station associated with the second type is selected. A second indicator of expected service conditions associated with the second type is received. Based on the first indicator and the second indicator, one of the first type and second type is selected to receive wireless service.

Claims

1. A method of operating a wireless communication device comprising:

wirelessly scanning for a Long Term Evolution (LTE) service to select an LTE base station for attachment;

during attachment, wirelessly requesting the LTE service through the LTE base station, and in response, wirelessly receiving a plurality of LTE service indicators associated with the LTE service from the LTE base station in one or more LTE System Information Blocks (SIBs);

during attachment, processing the LTE service indicators to determine that an Evolution Data Optimized (EVDO) service should be scanned, and in response, wirelessly scanning for the EVDO service to select an EVDO base station;

wirelessly requesting the EVDO service through the EVDO base station, and in response, wirelessly receiving a plurality of EVDO service indicators associated with the EVDO service from the EVDO base station; and

processing the EVDO service indicators to determine that the EVDO service should be used, and in response, exchanging wireless communications with the EVDO base station.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein one of the LTE service indicators comprises a modulation scheme.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein one of the LTE service indicators comprises a coding scheme.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein one of the LTE service indicators comprises LTE network loading information.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein one of the LTE service indicators comprises an LTE signal strength and signal-to-noise-ratio.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein one of the EVDO service indicators comprises EVDO signal strength.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein one of the EVDO service indicators comprises EVDO throughput.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein one of the EVDO service indicators comprises EVDO network loading information.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein one of the EVDO service indicators comprises an EVDO modulation and coding scheme.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the LTE base station and the EVDO base station are co-located.

11. A method of operating a wireless communication device comprising:

wirelessly scanning for a Long Term Evolution (LTE) service to select an LTE base station for attachment;

wirelessly requesting the LTE service through the LTE base station, and in response, wirelessly receiving a plurality of LTE service indicators associated with the LTE service from the LTE base station in one or more LTE System Information Blocks (SIBs);

during attachment, processing the LTE service indicators to determine that an Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) service should be scanned, and in response, wirelessly scanning for the TDMA service to select an TDMA base station;

wirelessly requesting the TDMA service through the TDMA base station, and in response, wirelessly receiving a plurality of TDMA service indicators associated with the TDMA service from the TDMA base station; and

processing the TDMA service indicators to determine that the TDMA service should be used, and in response, exchanging wireless communications with the TDMA base station.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein one of the LTE service indicators comprises a modulation scheme.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein one of the LTE service indicators comprises a coding scheme.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein one of the LTE service indicators comprises LTE network loading information.

15. The method of claim 11 wherein one of the LTE service indicators comprises an LTE signal strength and signal-noise-ratio.

16. The method of claim 11 wherein one of the TDMA service indicators comprises TDMA signal strength.

17. The method of claim 11 wherein one of the TDMA service indicators comprises TDMA throughput.

18. The method of claim 11 wherein one of the TDMA service indicators comprises TDMA network loading information.

19. The method of claim 11 wherein one of the TDMA service indicators comprises a TDMA modulation and coding scheme.

20. The method of claim 11 wherein the LTE base station and the TDMA base station are co-located.