Patent ID: 8396039
Filing Date: 2013-03-12
Classification: H04W

Abstract:
1. A method of operating a multimode third generation (3G) and fourth generation (4G) communications device capable of operating in either a 4G network or a 3G network when in an area with overlapping 3G and 4G coverage, the method comprising: determining, using a processor, if a number associated with temporarily-disabled sectors of an available sector set of the multimode device is at least equal to a threshold number, wherein the available sector set of the multimode device is stored in a memory operatively coupled to the processor, while the multimode device is operational with a 3G base station in the 3G network; and initiating a scan for a sector in the 4G network to handover the operation of the multimode device from the 3G base station associated with the 3G coverage to a 4G base station associated with the 4G coverage if the number is at least equal to the threshold number.