Patent ID: 6094581
Filing Date: 2000-07-25
Classification: H04W

Abstract:
A method of selecting a server for use by a designated one of a number of mobile units in a cellular communications system comprising a plurality of cells having different service areas with respect to one another, the method comprising the steps of:for each of the mobile units, assigning to each cell a category of preference for selection with respect to each other cell within the system, wherein for at least one of the cells, the assigned category of preference associated with a first mobile unit is different from the assigned category of preference associated with a second mobile unit;determining for the designated mobile unit the assigned category of preference for each of a number of candidate cells; andselecting for the designated mobile unit as serving cell a first one of the candidate cells based upon whether the first one of the candidate cells has a higher category of preference than another of the candidate cells,wherein the category of preference is a relative priority designation that is a function of a current server cell identity, andwherein the relative priority designation indicates one of n+m+1 possible priority levels relative to a currently serving cell, wherein n of the possible priority levels each indicate a priority level below the currently serving cell, one of the possible priority levels indicates ""equal priority with the currently serving cell"", and m of the possible priority levels each indicate a priority level above the currently serving cell, wherein n and m are each integers greater than or equal to zero.