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EP0779753A2 Expired / Lapsed EP ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

A method for selecting a preferable wireless communications service provider in a multi-service provider environment

Assignee: AT&T Wireless Services Inc
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Filing: 1996-12-12
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2016-12-12
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Abstract

Abstract A communication device locates a preferable wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment using a frequency band search schedule. Initially, the communications device registers with a less preferred service provider in a first frequency band. While remaining registered with the less preferred service provider, the device examines several frequency bands in the order specified by the frequency band search schedule. A frequency band is examined by dividing the frequency band into many sub-bands, and by locating the strongest signal above a threshold within the sub-band being examined. The examination continues until a second frequency band having a more preferred service provider is located. The communication device then registers with the more preferred service provider.

Inventors

  • 👤 Michael D. Bamburak
  • 👤 John J. Daly
  • 👤 Christopher Gregory Lawrence
  • 👤 Michael Edward Prise
  • 👤 Michael Allen Raffel

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction EP
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-04 16:38
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04W; H04W36/00; H04W36/0005; H04W36/0083; H04W36/0085; H04W48/00; H04W48/16; H04W48/18

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim 75 words
A method by which a communication device locates a preferable wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment, comprising the steps of: registering with a less preferred service provider in a first frequency band; examining a plurality of frequency bands until a second frequency band having a more preferred service provider is located, the examination being carried out while remaining registered with the less preferred service provider; and registering with the more preferred service provider.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 97 words
A method by which a communication device locates a preferable wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment, comprising the steps of: storing a frequency band search schedule; registering with a less preferred service provider in a first frequency band; examining a plurality of frequency bands until a second frequency band having a more preferred service provider is located by examining the plurality of bands in an order specified by the frequency band search schedule, the examination being carried out while remaining registered with the less preferred service provider; and registering with the more preferred service provider.
Claim 3
Independent Claim 140 words
A method by which a communication device locates a preferable wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment, comprising the steps of: storing a frequency band search schedule; registering with a less preferred service provider in a first frequency band; examining a plurality of frequency bands until a second frequency band having a more preferred service provider is located by examining the plurality of bands in an order specified by the frequency band search schedule, the examination being carried out while remaining registered with the less preferred service provider; examining a frequency band belong to the plurality of frequency bands by dividing the frequency band into a plurality of sub-bands and by locating a strongest signal above a threshold within a sub-band being examined, the sub-band belonging to the plurality of sub-bands; and registering with the more preferred service provider.
Claim 4
Independent Claim 44 words
The method of claims 1, 2, or 3, comprising the step of retuning to the first frequency band after each examination of a third frequency band not having the more preferred service provider, the third frequency band belonging to the plurality of frequency bands.
Claim 5
Independent Claim 26 words
The method of claims 1, 2, or 3, further comprising the step of modifying the frequency band search schedule using information transmitted over a wireless interface.
Claim 6
Independent Claim 24 words
The method of claims 1, 2, or 3, further comprising the step of modifying the frequency band search schedule using information from a keypad.
Claim 7
Independent Claim 45 words
The method of claims 1, 2, or 3 further comprising the step of identifying the more preferred service provider by comparing an identity of a service provider specified by an identifier received from a frequency band being examined with a prioritized list of service providers.

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