US5905955A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for selecting a wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment using a geographic database
Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC
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Filing: 1995-12-12
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Granted: 1999-05-18
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Expires: 2015-12-12
Abstract
Abstract A communication device locates a wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment by tuning to a first frequency band and receiving a geographic identifier from the service provider operating in the first frequency band. The received geographic identifier is compared to a listing of stored geographic identifiers in order to attempt to locate a matching stored geographic identifier. Each of the stored geographic identifiers are associated with a desirable frequency band having a desirable service provider. If comparing the received geographic identifier with the matching stored geographic identifiers does not produce a match, frequency bands are examined until a second frequency band having a desirable service provider is located. The listing of stored geographic identifiers is then updated so that the second frequency band is associated with the received geographic identifier.
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
2026-10-23 18:26
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04W; H04W48/00; H04W48/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
A method by which a communication device locates a wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment, comprising the steps of: tuning to a first frequency band; receiving a received geographic identifier from a service provider in the first frequency band; comparing the received geographic identifier to a listing of stored geographic identifiers to attempt locate a matching stored geographic identifier, each of the stored geographic identifiers being associated with a desirable frequency band having a desirable service provider; examining additional frequency bands according to a frequency band search schedule until a second frequency band having the desirable service provider is located, the examination being carried out if the step of comparing the received geographic identifier does not locate a matching stored geographic identifier; and modifying the listing of stored geographic identifiers so that the second frequency band is associated with the received geographic identifier, after the step of examining additional frequency bands.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
153 words
A method by which a communication device locates a wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment, comprising the steps of: tuning to a first frequency band; receiving a received geographic identifier from a service provider in the first frequency band; comparing the received geographic identifier to a listing of stored geographic identifiers to attempt locate a matching stored geographic identifier, each of the stored geographic identifiers being associated with a desirable frequency band having a desirable service provider; examining additional frequency bands according to a frequency band search schedule until a second frequency band having the desirable service provider is located, the examination being carried out if the step of comparing the received geographic identifier does not locate a matching stored geographic identifier; and modifying the listing of stored geographic identifiers so that the second frequency band is associated with the received geographic identifier, after the step of examining additional frequency bands.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of receiving the received geographic identifier comprises receiving a system identifier code from a wireless service provider.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of modifying the listing of stored geographic identifiers using information transmitted over a wireless interface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of modifying the listing of stored geographic identifiers using information from a keypad.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of modifying the frequency band search schedule.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 5, wherein the step of modifying the frequency band search schedule comprises the step of using information transmitted over a wireless interface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 5, wherein the step of modifying the frequency band search schedule comprises the step of using information from a keypad.
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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) | 2002-05-17 | 2002-11-16 | 2003-05-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-05-17 | 2006-11-16 | 2007-05-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-05-17 | 2010-11-16 | 2011-05-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |