Patent US4379995A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US6016427A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6016427A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Preferred carrier selection method
Assignee: Canon Inc
•
Filing: 1998-03-18
•
Granted: 2000-01-18
•
Expires: 2018-03-18
Abstract
Abstract A method and an apparatus for selecting a cellular carrier frequency for accessing cellular airtime services based upon a list of preferred system identification codes (SIDs). A cellular telephone is programmed to accept into memory a list of preferred SIDs corresponding to carriers through which service is preferred. While any SID remains in a preferred list, the standard A/B system selection function is replaced by a substitute system selection function which includes only three carrier selection modes including the Home Only mode, the SID Only mode, and a Roam Saver mode. With the Roam Saver carrier selection mode, the cellular telephone first prefers service through a home carrier and then through a carrier broadcasting a SID matching a SID on the preferred list, but never denies service to emergency or non-emergency destinations if any SID is detected. Status indicators are used to, among other purposes, differentiate between no service being available, service being available through a carrier broadcasting a home SID, a preferred SID, or a non-preferred available SID. Also, in addition to multiple number assignment modules (NAMs) being included to support subscriptions to services from multiple carriers, the user is provided the option of manually selecting which NAM is used or enabling the cellular telephone, through an auto-NAM function, to automatically select and use the NAM of any home carrier detected by the cellular telephone.
Inventors
- 👤 Clifton J. Barber
- 👤 Stephen T. Hardin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 18:45
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04W; H04W72/00; H04W72/02; H04W48/00; H04W48/18; H04W24/00; H04W4/00; H04W4/90; H04W74/00; H04W76/00; H04W76/50; H04W8/00; H04W8/18; H04W8/183; H04W8/22; H04W8/26; H04W84/00; H04W84/02; H04W84/04; H04W84/042
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
A method for selecting a cellular carrier for accessing cellular airtime services, said method comprising steps of: defining at least one home system identification code (SID) and at least one preferred SID; monitoring cellular carrier signals to detect SIDs corresponding to cellular carriers; selecting a cellular carrier corresponding to a SID matching the home SID if the SID matching the home SID is detected; selecting a cellular carrier corresponding to a SID matching the preferred SID if the SID matching the preferred SID is detected and no SID matching the home SID is detected; and selecting a cellular carrier corresponding to a SID not matching the home SID and not matching the preferred SID if the SID not matching the home SID and not matching the preferred SID is detected and no SID matching the home SID or the preferred SID is detected, wherein each of said selecting steps includes selecting cellular carriers for processing calls to emergency and non-emergency destination telephone numbers.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
163 words
A method for selecting a cellular carrier for accessing cellular airtime services, said method comprising steps of: defining at least one home system identification code (SID) and at least one preferred SID; monitoring cellular carrier signals to detect SIDs corresponding to cellular carriers; selecting a cellular carrier corresponding to a SID matching the home SID if the SID matching the home SID is detected; selecting a cellular carrier corresponding to a SID matching the preferred SID if the SID matching the preferred SID is detected and no SID matching the home SID is detected; and selecting a cellular carrier corresponding to a SID not matching the home SID and not matching the preferred SID if the SID not matching the home SID and not matching the preferred SID is detected and no SID matching the home SID or the preferred SID is detected, wherein each of said selecting steps includes selecting cellular carriers for processing calls to emergency and non-emergency destination telephone numbers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of monitoring cellular carrier signals includes monitoring primary carrier signals and secondary carrier signals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the defining step includes defining a plurality of home SIDs, and wherein the type of carrier corresponding to the first defined home SID is designated as the primary carrier.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
96 words
The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the step of selecting the cellular carrier corresponding to the SID matching the home SID includes steps of: selecting the primary cellular carrier corresponding to the SID matching the home SID if the SID matching the home SID is detected upon the primary carrier signal; and selecting the secondary cellular carrier corresponding to the SID matching the home SID if the SID matching the home SID is detected upon the secondary carrier signal and the SID matching the home SID is not detected upon the primary carrier signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the defining step includes defining a plurality of home SIDs, and wherein the type of carrier corresponding to the first defined home SID is designated as the primary carrier.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
119 words
The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the step of selecting a cellular carrier corresponding to the SID matching the preferred SID includes steps of: selecting the primary carrier corresponding to the SID matching the preferred SID if the SID matching the preferred SID is detected upon the primary carrier signal, and no SID matching the home SID is detected on any carrier signal; and selecting the secondary cellular carrier corresponding to the SID matching the preferred SID if the SID matching the preferred SID is detected upon the secondary carrier signal, no SID matching the home SID is detected on any carrier signal, and no SID matching the preferred SID is detected upon the primary carrier signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein if more than one SID is detected when monitoring the primary carrier signals or the secondary carrier signals in said monitoring step, using the SID received on the strongest signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
172 words
The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the step of selecting a cellular carrier corresponding to the SID not matching the home SID and not matching the preferred SID includes steps of: selecting the primary cellular carrier corresponding to the SID not matching the home SID and not matching the preferred SID if the SID not matching the home SID and not matching the preferred SID is detected upon the primary carrier signal, and no SID matching the home SID or matching the preferred SID is detected upon any carrier signal; and selecting the secondary cellular carrier corresponding to the SID not matching the home SID and not matching the preferred SID if the SID not matching the home SID and not matching the preferred SID is detected upon the secondary carrier signal, no SID matching the home SID or matching the preferred SID is detected upon any carrier signal, and no SID is not matching the home SID and not matching the preferred SID is detected upon the primary carrier.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the defining step includes defining a plurality of home SIDs, and wherein each selecting step includes comparing detected SIDs to the plurality of home SIDs.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
135 words
The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a step of selecting a cellular carrier corresponding to a SID matching a user-defined SID if a SID matching a user-defined SID is detected, wherein all of the selecting steps are responsive to being selectively user enabled, and wherein the method further comprises a step of providing a user with an opportunity of choosing between only three carrier selection modes consisting of: a roam saver mode wherein all the selecting steps are enabled; a home only mode wherein the only selecting step enabled is the step of selecting a cellular carrier corresponding to a SID matching the home SID; and a SID only mode wherein the only selecting step enabled is the step of selecting a cellular carrier corresponding to the SID matching the user-defined SID.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a step of, responsive to detecting no SID, activating a no service indicator.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising steps of: responsive to selecting the cellular carrier corresponding to the SID matching the preferred SID, continuously activating a roam status indicator; and responsive to selecting the cellular carrier corresponding to the SID not matching the home SID and not matching the preferred SID, intermittently activating the roam status indicator.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
94 words
The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising steps of: responsive to selecting the cellular carrier corresponding to the SID matching the home SID, activating neither a roam status indicator nor a no service indicator; responsive to selecting the cellular carrier corresponding to the SID matching the preferred SID, continuously activating the roam status indicator; responsive to selecting the cellular carrier corresponding to the SID not matching the home SID and not matching the preferred SID, intermittently activating the roam status indicator; and responsive to detecting no SID, activating the no service indicator.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
171 words
An apparatus for selecting a cellular carrier for accessing cellular airtime services, comprising: means for defining at least one home system identification code (SID) and at least one preferred SID; means for monitoring cellular carrier signals to detect SIDs corresponding to cellular carriers; means for selecting a cellular carrier corresponding to a SID matching the home SID if the SID matching the home SID is detected; means for selecting a cellular carrier corresponding to a SID matching the preferred SID if the SID matching the preferred SID is detected and no SID matching the home SID is detected; and means for selecting a cellular carrier corresponding to a SID not matching the home SID and not matching the preferred SID if the SID not matching the home SID and not matching the preferred SID is detected and no SID matching the home SID or the preferred SID is detected, wherein each of said selecting means includes means for selecting cellular carriers for processing calls to emergency and non-emergency destination telephone numbers.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
171 words
An apparatus for selecting a cellular carrier for accessing cellular airtime services, comprising: means for defining at least one home system identification code (SID) and at least one preferred SID; means for monitoring cellular carrier signals to detect SIDs corresponding to cellular carriers; means for selecting a cellular carrier corresponding to a SID matching the home SID if the SID matching the home SID is detected; means for selecting a cellular carrier corresponding to a SID matching the preferred SID if the SID matching the preferred SID is detected and no SID matching the home SID is detected; and means for selecting a cellular carrier corresponding to a SID not matching the home SID and not matching the preferred SID if the SID not matching the home SID and not matching the preferred SID is detected and no SID matching the home SID or the preferred SID is detected, wherein each of said selecting means includes means for selecting cellular carriers for processing calls to emergency and non-emergency destination telephone numbers.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein said defining means includes means for defining a plurality of home SIDs, and wherein each of said selecting means includes means for comparing detected SIDs to the plurality of home SIDs.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein said defining means includes means for defining at least one non-home SID in a list of preferred SIDs, and wherein each of said selecting means includes means for comparing detected non-home SIDs to the at least one non-home SID.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
172 words
An apparatus for selecting a cellular carrier for accessing cellular airtime services, comprising: memory including at least one home system identification code (SID) and at least one preferred SID; cellular carrier signal monitor configured to detect SIDs corresponding to cellular carriers; logic configured to select a cellular carrier corresponding to a SID matching the home SID if the SID matching the home SID is detected; logic configured to select a cellular carrier corresponding to a SID matching the preferred SID if the SID matching the preferred SID is detected and no SID matching the home SID is detected; and logic configured to select a cellular carrier corresponding to a SID not matching the home SID and not matching the preferred SID if the SID not matching the home SID and not matching the preferred SID is detected and no SID matching the home SID or the preferred SID is detected; wherein each of said logics includes logic configured to select cellular carriers for processing calls to emergency and non-emergency destination telephone numbers.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
172 words
An apparatus for selecting a cellular carrier for accessing cellular airtime services, comprising: memory including at least one home system identification code (SID) and at least one preferred SID; cellular carrier signal monitor configured to detect SIDs corresponding to cellular carriers; logic configured to select a cellular carrier corresponding to a SID matching the home SID if the SID matching the home SID is detected; logic configured to select a cellular carrier corresponding to a SID matching the preferred SID if the SID matching the preferred SID is detected and no SID matching the home SID is detected; and logic configured to select a cellular carrier corresponding to a SID not matching the home SID and not matching the preferred SID if the SID not matching the home SID and not matching the preferred SID is detected and no SID matching the home SID or the preferred SID is detected; wherein each of said logics includes logic configured to select cellular carriers for processing calls to emergency and non-emergency destination telephone numbers.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein said cellular carrier signal monitor includes logic configured to monitor primary carrier signals and secondary carrier signals.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein the memory includes a plurality of home SIDs, and wherein the type of carrier corresponding to the first home SID in memory is designated as the primary carrier.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
101 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein the logic configured to select the cellular carrier corresponding to the SID matching the home SID includes: logic configured to select the primary cellular carrier corresponding to the SID matching the home SID if the SID matching the home SID is detected upon the primary carrier signal; and logic configured to select the secondary cellular carrier corresponding to the SID matching the home SID if the SID matching the home SID is detected upon the secondary carrier signal and the SID matching the home SID is not detected upon the primary carrier signal.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 20, wherein the memory includes a plurality of home SIDs, and wherein the type of carrier corresponding to the home SID in memory is designated as the primary carrier.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
124 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 20, wherein the logic configured to select a cellular carrier corresponding to the SID matching the preferred SID includes: logic configured to select the primary carrier corresponding to the SID matching the preferred SID if the SID matching the preferred SID is detected upon the primary carrier signal, and no SID matching the home SID is detected on any carrier signal, and logic configured to select the secondary cellular carrier corresponding to the SID matching the preferred SID if the SID matching the preferred SID is detected upon the secondary carrier signal, no SID matching the home SID is detected on any carrier signal, and no SID matching the preferred SID is detected upon the primary carrier signal.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 22, wherein if more than one SID is detected when monitoring the primary carrier signals or the secondary carrier signals by the carrier signal monitor, the SID received on the strongest signal is used.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
176 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 22, wherein logic configured to select a cellular carrier corresponding to the SID not matching the home SID and not matching the preferred SID includes: logic configured to select the primary cellular carrier corresponding to the SID not matching the home SID and not matching the preferred SID if the SID not matching the home SID and not matching the preferred SID is detected upon the primary carrier signal, and no SID matching the home SID or matching the preferred SID is detected upon any carrier signal; and logic configured to select the secondary cellular carrier corresponding to the SID not matching the home SID and not matching the preferred SID if the SID not matching the home SID and not matching the preferred SID is detected upon the secondary carrier signal, no SID matching the home SID or matching the preferred SID is detected upon any carrier signal, and no SID is not matching the home SID and not matching the preferred SID is detected upon the primary carrier.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein said memory includes a plurality of home SIDs, and wherein each of said logics is configured to compare detected SIDs to the plurality of home SIDs.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
136 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 15, further comprising logic configured to select a cellular carrier corresponding to a SID matching a user-defined SID if a SID matching a user-defined SID is detected, wherein all said configured logics are responsive to being selectively user enabled, and wherein the apparatus further comprises logic configured to provide a user with an opportunity of choosing between only three carrier selection modes consisting of: a roam saver mode wherein all said configured logics are enabled; a home only mode wherein the only configured logic enabled is the logic configured to select a cellular carrier corresponding to a SID matching the home SID; and a SID only mode wherein the only configured logic enabled is the logic configured to select a cellular carrier corresponding to the SID matching the user-defined SID.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 17, further comprising logic configured to, responsive to detecting no SID, activating a no service indicator.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 17, further comprising logic configured to, responsive to selecting the cellular carrier corresponding to the SID matching the preferred SID, continuously activating a roam status indicator; and responsive to selecting the cellular carrier corresponding to the SID not matching the home SID and not matching the preferred SID, intermittently activating the roam status indicator.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
95 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 17, further comprising logic configured to, responsive to selecting the cellular carrier corresponding to the SID matching the home SID, activating neither a roam status indicator nor a no service indicator; responsive to selecting the cellular carrier corresponding to the SID matching the preferred SID, continuously activating the roam status indicator; responsive to selecting the cellular carrier corresponding to the SID not matching the home SID and not matching the preferred SID, intermittently activating the roam status indicator; and responsive to detecting no SID, activating the no service indicator.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4742560A
Cited
US4736453A
Cited
US4734928A
Cited
US4775999A
Cited
US4903320A
Cited
US4833702A
Cited
US4833701A
Cited
US5101500A
Cited
US4916728A
Cited
US4905301A
Cited
US4965850A
Cited
US5020093A
Cited
US4972355A
Cited
US5020091A
Cited
US5097499A
Cited
US5448622A
Cited
US5504939A
Cited
US5442806A
Cited
US5784693A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-01-17 | 2003-07-19 | 2004-01-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-01-17 | 2007-07-19 | 2008-01-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-01-17 | 2011-07-19 | 2012-01-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |