Patent ID: 6011960
Filing Date: 2000-01-04
Classification: H04W

Abstract:
A method for automatically selecting an operating mode for a dual-mode telephone handset adapted to operate in a cellular mobile telephone system (CTMS) and in at least one wireless telephone system (WTS), said at least one WTS having a WTS control unit and sharing the CMTS frequency band by utilizing for both WTS control channels and WTS voice channels those CMTS voice channels which are idle in the area serviced by said WTS, comprising the steps of:(a) scanning with said telephone handset the CMTS voice channels on a list stored in said telephone handset, said list identifying WTS control channels previously accessed by said handset, to determine the presence of one or more WTS control channels in said areas;(b) transmitting a registration request from said telephone handset to the control unit of said at least one WTS over said one or more WTS control channels,(c) switching said handset to operate in said WTS mode on a WTS whose control unit has accepted said registration request;(d) updating said list based upon a communication from said WTS control unit responsive to said registration request: and(e) switching said handset to operate in said CMTS mode if said registration request is denied by the control unit of each of said at least one WTS.