US5832367A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for selecting a wireless communications service provider in a multi-service provider environment
Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC
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Filing: 1997-10-29
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Granted: 1998-11-03
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Expires: 2017-10-29
Abstract
Abstract A communication device locates a wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment using a frequency band search schedule. The frequency band search schedule has a first or home band and a several other frequency bands in a predetermined order. The order of the frequency bands may be programmed by the user or by a home service provider over the air. The communication device searches for an acceptable service provider by examining the home band and then the other bands listed in the frequency band search schedule. The bands are examined in the order specified by the frequency band search schedule. An acceptable service provider is identified by comparing the identity of a service provider specified by an identifier received from a band being examined with a list of acceptable service providers.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael D. Bamburak
- 👤 John J. Daly
- 👤 Christopher Gregory Lawrence
- 👤 Michael Edward Prise
- 👤 Michael Allen Raffel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 04:24
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04W; H04W48/00; H04W48/16; H04B; H04B7/00; H04B7/24; H04B7/26; H04B7/2621; H04W48/18; H04W88/00; H04W88/02; H04W88/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
A method by which a communication device locates a wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment, comprising the steps of: examining a last frequency band used during a preceding period of communication device activity; forming a modified frequency band search schedule by duplicating a frequency band search schedule stored in the communication device with the last frequency band used removed, said frequency band search schedule having a first band and a plurality of bands in a predetermined order; and examining frequency bands in the order specified by the modified frequency band search schedule; and identifying a frequency band having a best available service provider by comparing the identity of a service provider specified by an identifier received from a band being examined with a prioritized list of service providers stored in the communication device.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
135 words
A method by which a communication device locates a wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment, comprising the steps of: examining a last frequency band used during a preceding period of communication device activity; forming a modified frequency band search schedule by duplicating a frequency band search schedule stored in the communication device with the last frequency band used removed, said frequency band search schedule having a first band and a plurality of bands in a predetermined order; and examining frequency bands in the order specified by the modified frequency band search schedule; and identifying a frequency band having a best available service provider by comparing the identity of a service provider specified by an identifier received from a band being examined with a prioritized list of service providers stored in the communication device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the last band is a last frequency band that the communication device used for service registration when the communication device was deactivated.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the last band is a frequency band that the communication device used for service registration when the communication device was last powered up.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of modifying the frequency band search schedule using information transmitted over a wireless interface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of modifying the frequency band search schedule using information from a keypad of the communication device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of: terminating said step of examining frequency bands prior to examining all frequency bands in said modified frequency band search schedule when an optimal service provider is found.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of modifying the prioritized list of service providers using information transmitted over a wireless interface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of modifying the prioritized list of service providers using information from a keypad of the communication device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of registering with said best available service provider.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-11-02 | 2002-05-04 | 2002-11-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-11-02 | 2006-05-04 | 2006-11-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-11-02 | 2010-05-04 | 2010-11-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |