Patent ID: 9088934
Filing Date: 2015-07-21
Classification: H04W

Abstract:
1. A method comprising: a wireless communication device (WCD) operating within coverage of a radio access network (RAN), wherein the RAN radiates to define a plurality of wireless coverage areas each having a respective pilot signal; the WCD monitoring the pilot signals and, based on the monitoring, determining that a first one of the wireless coverage areas is a strongest wireless coverage area detected by the WCD and a second one of the wireless coverage areas is not the strongest wireless coverage area detected by the WCD; and the WCD engaging in a sequence of access probe transmissions to the RAN until the WCD completes the sequence or until the WCD receives an acknowledgement from the RAN, wherein each access probe transmission is to just a single wireless coverage area of the RAN, and wherein (i) in response to determining that the first coverage area is the strongest wireless coverage area detected by the WCD, the WCD defines the sequence to include at least one access probe transmission to the first wireless coverage area of the RAN and (ii) in response to determining that the second wireless coverage area is not the strongest wireless coverage area detected by the WCD, the WCD further defines the sequence to include at least one access probe transmission to the second wireless coverage area of the RAN.