Data-capable network prioritization with reduced delays in data service

• US 7,398,089 B2
• Filed: 11/12/2004
• Issued: 07/08/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2003
• Status: Expired

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Naqvi, Noushad, Gunaratnam, Jayasri, Phipps, Darcy Richard, Swann, Craig Ian Haight, Hind, Hugh, Taylor, Bryan, Nguyen, Bao Quoc
• Primary Examiner(s): Kincaid; Lester G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HEIBER, SHANTELL LAKETA
• Application Number:
  US10/987,557
• Publication Number:
  US 20050227719A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,334 Days
• Field of Search: 455/445, 455/432.1, 455/434, 4554351-4353
• US Class Current: 455/445
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/12 using downlink control channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 Selecting a network or a communication service

Abstract

Reduced delays in data service offered by data-capable networks are provided. One illustrative method includes the steps of receiving and storing in memory a first timer value which is broadcasted by a wireless communication network for use in the mobile station; causing a request for data connectivity to be transmitted through the wireless network, and reattempting the request up to a plurality of times when data connectivity fails; after the one or more reattempted requests for data connectivity fail, activating a timer based on a second timer value which is less than the first timer value; and repeating the transmitting of requests for data connectivity after expiration of the timer.

Claims

1. A method for use by a mobile station in selecting a communication network for reduced delays in data service, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving and storing, in memory of the mobile station, a timer value which is based on a periodic location update timer value broadcasted by a wireless communication network for use in the mobile station;

causing, by the mobile station, a request for data connectivity to be transmitted from the mobile station through the wireless network, and reattempting the transmitting of the request from the mobile station at least one time when data connectivity fails;

after the at least one reattempted request for data connectivity fails, activating a timer in the mobile station based on an alternative internal timer value when the alternative internal timer value is less than the timer value, and otherwise activating the timer in the mobile station based on the timer value; and

repeating the transmitting of requests for data connectivity from the mobile station after expiration of the timer.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

testing the timer value;

wherein the step of activating the timer comprises activating the timer based on the alternative internal timer value if the alternative internal timer value is less than the timer value; and

wherein the step of activating the timer further comprises activating the timer based on the timer value if the alternative internal timer value is greater than the timer value.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the timer comprises a timer 3302 and the periodic location timer value comprises a timer 3212.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the alternative internal timer value is between 5 and 30 minutes.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of repeating comprises the further step of repeating the transmitting of requests through the wireless network.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless network comprises a first wireless network and the step of repeating comprises the further step of repeating the transmitting of requests through a second wireless network different from the first wireless network.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the request for data connectivity comprises a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) attach request.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the request for data connectivity comprises a Routing Area Update (RAU).

9. A computer program product, comprising:

a computer readable medium;

computer instructions stored on the computer readable medium;

the computer instructions being executable by a processor of a mobile station for;

receiving and storing, in memory by the computer instructions, a timer value which is based on a periodic location update timer value broadcasted by a wireless communication network for use in the mobile station;

causing, by the computer instructions, a request for data connectivity to be transmitted from the mobile station through the wireless network, and reattempting the transmitting of the request from the mobile station at least one time when data connectivity fails;

after the at least one reattempted request for data connectivity fails, activating, by the computer instructions, a timer based on an alternative internal timer value when the alternative internal timer value is less than the timer value, and otherwise activating, by the computer instructions, the timer based on the timer value; and

repeating, by the computer instructions, the transmitting of requests for data connectivity after expiration of the timer.

10. The computer program product of claim 9, wherein the computer instructions are further executable for:

testing the timer value;

wherein the step of activating the timer comprises activating the timer based on the alternative internal timer value if the alternative internal timer value is less than the timer value; and

wherein the step of activating the timer further comprises activating the timer based on the timer value if the alternative internal timer value is greater than the timer value.

11. The computer program product of claim 9, wherein the timer comprises a timer 3302 and the periodic location timer value comprises a timer 3212.

12. The computer program product of claim 9, wherein the alternative internal timer value is between 5 and 30 minutes.

13. The computer program product of claim 9, wherein the step of repeating comprises the further step of repeating the transmitting of requests through the wireless network.

14. The computer program product of claim 9, wherein the wireless network comprises a first wireless network and the step of repeating comprises the further step of repeating the transmitting of requests through a second wireless network different from the first wireless network.

15. The computer program product of claim 9, wherein the request for data connectivity comprises a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) attach request.

16. The computer program product of claim 9, wherein the request for data connectivity comprises a Routing Area Update (RAU).

17. A mobile station, comprising:

one or more processors;

memory coupled to the one or more processors;

a wireless transceiver coupled to the one or more processors;

the one or more processors being operative to;

receive and store, in the memory, a timer value which is based on a periodic location update timer value broadcasted by a wireless communication network for use in the mobile station;

cause a request for data connectivity to be transmitted from the wireless transceiver through the wireless network, and reattempt the transmitting of the request from the wireless transceiver at least one time when data connectivity fails;

after the at least one reattempted request for data connectivity fails, activate a timer in the processor based on an alternative internal timer value when the alternative internal timer value is less than the timer value, and otherwise activate the timer in the processor based on the timer value; and

repeat the transmitting of requests for data connectivity from the wireless transceiver after expiration of the timer.

18. The mobile station of claim 17, wherein the one or more processors are further operative to:

test whether the timer value;

wherein the activation of the timer comprises activation of the timer based on the alternative internal timer value if the alternative internal timer value is less than the timer value; and

wherein the activation of the timer further comprises activation of the timer based on the timer value if the alternative internal timer value is greater than the timer value.

19. The mobile station of claim 17, wherein the timer comprises a timer 3302 and the periodic location timer value comprises a timer 3212.

20. The mobile station of claim 17, wherein the alternative internal timer value is between 5 and 30 minutes.

21. The mobile station of claim 17, wherein the repeating comprises repeating the transmitting of requests through the wireless network.

22. The mobile station of claim 17, wherein the wireless network comprises a first wireless network and the repeating comprises repeating the transmission of requests through a second wireless network different from the first wireless network.

23. The mobile station of claim 17, wherein the request for data connectivity comprises a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) attach request.

24. The mobile station of claim 17, wherein the request for data connectivity comprises a Routing Area Update (RAU).

25. A communication system, comprising;

a first wireless communication network;

a second wireless communication network;

a mobile station operative to select one of the first wireless network and the second wireless network for communications;

the mobile station including;

one or more processors;

memory coupled to the one or more processors;

a wireless transceiver coupled to the one or more processors;

the one or more processors being operative to;

receive and store, in the memory, a timer value which is based on a periodic location update timer value broadcasted by the first wireless network for use in the mobile station;

cause, by the processor, a request for data connectivity to be transmitted from the wireless transceiver through the first wireless network, and reattempt the transmitting of the request from the wireless transceiver at least one time when data connectivity fails;

after the at least one reattempted request for data connectivity fails, activate a timer in the processor based on an alternative internal timer value when the alternative internal timer value is less than the timer value, and otherwise activate the timer in the processor based on the timer value; and

after expiration of the timer, repeat the transmitting of requests for data connectivity from the wireless transceiver through either the first wireless network or the second wireless network.

26. The communication system of claim 25, wherein the one or more processors are further operative to:

test the timer value;

wherein the activation of the timer comprises activation of the timer based on the alternative internal timer value if the alternative internal timer value is less than the timer value; and

wherein the activation of the timer further comprises activation of the timer based on the timer value if the alternative internal timer value is greater than the timer value.

27. The communication system of claim 25, wherein the timer comprises a timer 3302 and the periodic location timer value comprises a timer 3212.

28. The communication system of claim 25, wherein the alternative internal timer value is between 5 and 30 minutes.

29. The communication system of claim 25, wherein the repeating comprises repeating the transmitting of requests through the first wireless network.

30. The communication system of claim 25, wherein the repeating comprises repeating the transmission of requests through the second wireless network.

31. The communication system of claim 25, wherein the request for data connectivity comprises a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) attach request.

32. The communication system of claim 25, wherein the request for data connectivity comprises a Routing Area Update (RAU).