Patent · US Expired

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

US6418318B1 · kind B1 · utility

14Cited by
29References
6Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 12, 1995
Grant dateJul 9, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 12, 2015

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH04W48/16
  • WIPO fieldDigital communication
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

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.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.