Patent ID: 6721562
Filing Date: 2004-04-13
Classification: H04W

Abstract:
In a wireless communication system comprising a mobile station in communication wilt an infrastructure that supports a plurality of band classes, a method for acquiring band class information and assigning a band class to the mobile station when the mobile station is engaged in a process of initiating a connection with the infrastructure, the method comprising steps of:requesting band class information from the mobile station via an overhead message, wherein the overhead message further indicates at least one band class supported by the infrastructure; receiving, by the mobile station, the overhead message; determining, by the mobile station, whether the overhead message comprises a request that the mobile station provide band class information; and in response to receiving the overhead message, conveying, by the mobile station to the infrastructure, information concerning band classes supported by the mobile station including whether the mobile station supports the indicated at least one band class; receiving band class information from the mobile station; determining whether to assign the mobile station to a band class other than a band class that the mobile station is currently accessing; and when the mobile station supports the alternate band class, instructing the mobile station to switch to the alternate band class based on a determination to assign the mobile station to the alternate band class.