Patent ID: 7907945
Filing Date: 2011-03-15
Classification: H04W,Y02D

Abstract:
1. A method for a mobile terminal having at least two different types of wireless network modules to connect with a wireless network, the method comprising: entering or approaching a first wireless network service area; receiving information related to the first wireless network service area from a second wireless network when the second wireless network detects that the mobile terminal is at or near the first wireless network service area even when no request is sent to the second wireless network for the information related to the first wireless network service area, the information including the first wireless network service area that is nearest from the mobile terminal; activating a first wireless network module based upon the received information and a user setting after receiving the information related to the first wireless network service from the second wireless network, wherein the first wireless network module is initially turned off or inactive in a second wireless network service area before the information related to the first wireless network service area is received from the second wireless network, and wherein activating the first wireless network module comprises: scanning for a wireless network available only within the first wireless network service area with the activated first wireless network module based upon the information related to the first wireless network service received from the second wireless network; detecting a first wireless network that generates a strongest signal within the first wireless network service area with the activated first wireless network module and the received information; establishing a connection with the first wireless network upon detecting the first wireless network; scanning the first wireless network for a predetermined number of times when the mobile terminal moves away from the first wireless network service area after the connection with the first wireless network has been established such that the first wireless network is no longer scanned after the first wireless network is scanned for the predetermined number of times even if the first wireless network is not detected; determining that power consumption surpasses a threshold level to establish the first wireless network connection or that quality of service drops below a minimum quality; deactivating the first wireless network module after determining that the power consumption has surpassed the threshold level or that the quality of service has dropped below the minimum quality; and sending a message to the second wireless network, the message informing that the mobile terminal has been disconnected from the first wireless network, wherein a second wireless network module, which establishes a connection with the second wireless network, is also active when the connection between the first wireless network module and the first wireless network is established in the first wireless network service area, wherein the information with respect to the first wireless network comprises at least a type of at least one access point, a profile of the at least one access point, a power class of the first wireless network, or a type of first wireless network channels.