Patent ID: 6418318
Filing Date: 2002-07-09
Classification: H04W

Abstract:
A method of communicating between a communication device and a wireless service provider in a multi-service provider environment using a frequency band search schedule that is stored in the communication device and specifies a predetermined order of frequency bands, the communication device: 1) receiving a plurality of frequency bands, 2) associating with a less preferred service provider in a frequency band of the plurality of frequency bands, 3) examining the plurality of frequency bands in the predetermined order specified by the frequency band search schedule while remaining associated with the less preferred service provider until another frequency band of the plurality of frequency bands having a more preferred service provider is located, the examination being conducted by determining whether a last frequency band used by the communication device has a more preferred service provider and if the last frequency band does not have a more preferred service provider, then determining whether a home frequency band of the communication device has a more preferred service provider, and 4) registering with the more preferred service provider, the method comprising:transmitting a code from the wireless service provider to the communication device, the code identifying the wireless service provider as a wireless service provider permitted to transmit modification information; and transmitting modification information from the permitted wireless service provider to the communication device for modifying the frequency band search schedule.