Abstract:
A method, information processing system, and wireless device are disclosed for managing network scanning intervals. The method includes detecting a new wireless network coverage area ( 130 ). At least one local dynamic scanning profile ( 110 ) is analyzed in response to the determining. The at least one local dynamic scanning profile ( 110 ) is determined to include identification information ( 306 ) associated with the new wireless network coverage area ( 130 ). A network scanning interval for identifying wireless sub-networks ( 112 ) within the new wireless network coverage area is dynamically adjusted in response to the determining that the at least one local dynamic scanning profile  110  includes the identification information ( 306 ). The adjustment is based on a scanning interval ( 312 ) indicated by the at least one local dynamic scanning profile  110  for the new wireless network coverage area ( 130 ).

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention generally relates to the field of wireless communication systems, and more particularly relates to dynamically updating scanning intervals of a wireless device for identifying alternate networks. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Current wireless technology has spawned a new breed of wireless device, a dual-mode wireless device. Multi-mode wireless devices are capable of communicating over multiple separate network technologies such as a Global System for Mobile Communications (“GSM”) network and an Unlicensed Mobile Access (“UMA”), which generally comprises a Wireless Local Area Network (“WLAN”). A multi-mode wireless device in a UMA network generally has two types of profiles, manual and automatic, for associating with Wireless Fidelity (“WiFi”) Access Points. 
         [0003]    In the manual mode the user explicitly instructs the handset to use/scan for WiFi networks. In the automatic mode, the WLAN radio on the handset periodically scans for WiFi signals, typically at a pre-configured interval such as 10 seconds. Having the handset operate in automatic mode is a more convenient and preferred way of operating. However, the automatic mode is a large drain on the battery of the wireless device because of the periodic waking up of the WLAN Radio and scanning for WiFi signals. 
         [0004]    A wireless device may not be in an area providing WLAN coverage. Also, if the wireless device is in an area providing WLAN coverage, the wireless device may not be able to register on the network. Therefore, frequency scans for WLAN coverage in these areas unnecessarily drain the wireless device&#39;s battery. Additionally, the need for frequent recharging of the battery for UMA dual-mode wireless devices is a major drawback as it does not meet user expectations. 
         [0005]    Therefore a need exists to overcome the problems with the prior art as discussed above. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    Briefly, in accordance with the present invention, disclosed are a method, information processing system, and wireless device for managing network scanning intervals. The method includes detecting a new wireless network coverage area. At least one local dynamic scanning profile is analyzed in response to the determining. The at least one local dynamic scanning profile is determined to include identification information associated with the new wireless network coverage area. A network scanning interval for identifying wireless sub-networks within the new wireless network coverage area is dynamically adjusted based on a scanning interval indicated by the at least one local dynamic scanning profile for the new wireless network coverage area in response to determining that the at least one local dynamic scanning profile includes the identification information. 
         [0007]    In another embodiment, an information processing system for managing network scanning intervals is disclosed. The information processing system includes a memory and a processor that is communicatively coupled to the memory. A network scanning interval manager is communicatively coupled to the memory and the processor. The network scanning interval manager is adapted to receiving identifying information associated with a wireless network coverage area from a wireless device, when the wireless device registers with a WLAN network while being registered with the wireless network coverage area network. A master dynamic scanning profile that is associated with the wireless device is generated in response to receiving the identifying information associated wireless network coverage area. The master dynamic scanning profile includes at least identifying information associated with each wireless network coverage area network that overlaps with a WLAN network registered on by the wireless device and a scanning interval associated with each wireless network coverage area network. An optimized dynamic scanning profile is transmitted to the wireless device including at least a subset of the identifying information associated with each wireless network coverage area network and the scanning interval associated with each wireless network coverage area network corresponding to the subset of the identifying information. 
         [0008]    In yet another embodiment, a wireless device is disclosed. The wireless device includes a memory and a processor that is communicatively coupled to the memory. A network scanning manager is communicatively coupled to the memory and the processor. The network scanning interval manager is adapted to detecting a new wireless network coverage area. At least one local dynamic scanning profile is analyzed in response to the determining. The at least one local dynamic scanning profile is determined to include identification information associated with the new wireless network coverage area coverage area. A network scanning interval for identifying wireless sub-networks within the new wireless network coverage area is dynamically adjusted based on a scanning interval indicated by the at least one local dynamic scanning profile for the new wireless network coverage area coverage area in response to determining that the at least one local dynamic scanning profile includes the identification information. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views, and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a graphical diagram illustrating wireless coverage areas providing various levels of alternate network coverage according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a table illustrating a dynamic scanning profile according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a table illustrating another dynamic scanning profile according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a table illustrating yet another dynamic scanning profile according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram illustrating a wireless device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a block diagram illustrating a information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is an operational flow diagram illustrating a process of an network component generating a dynamic scanning profile for a wireless device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is an operational flow diagram illustrating a process of a wireless device dynamically adjusting its network scanning intervals in response to a dynamic scanning profile according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  is an operational flow diagram illustrating a process of a wireless device generating a dynamic scanning profile according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  is an operational flow diagram illustrating another process of a wireless device generating a dynamic scanning profile according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]    As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting; but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention. 
         [0022]    The terms “a” or “an”, as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term plurality, as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term another, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms including and/or having, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term coupled, as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. 
         [0023]    The term wireless communication device is intended to broadly cover many different types of devices that can wirelessly receive signals, and optionally can wirelessly transmit signals, and may also operate in a wireless communication system. For example, and not for any limitation, a wireless communication device can include any one or a combination of the following: a cellular telephone, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a two-way radio, a two-way pager, a wireless messaging device, a laptop/computer, automotive gateway, residential gateway, and other devices. 
         [0024]    One of the advantages of the present invention is that it allows a wireless device to dynamically adjust its network scanning intervals based on a dynamic scanning profile, which can be created by the wireless device or provided by a network component such as an application server. Based on the dynamic scanning profile, the wireless device can determine if it is near/far from a WLAN network. If the wireless device determines that it is far away from a WLAN network or at a distance greater than a given threshold, the wireless device can dynamically adjust its network scanning interval to a longer interval (i.e., do not scan as frequently or at all). This prevents the battery of the device from unnecessarily being drained. If the wireless device determines that near a WLAN network or at a distance within or equal to a given threshold, the wireless device can dynamically adjust its network scanning interval to a shorter interval (i.e., scan more frequently). 
         [0025]    Wireless Communication System 
         [0026]    According to an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in  FIG. 1 , a wireless communication system  100  is illustrated.  FIG. 1  shows the wireless communication system  100  comprising a circuit services network  102  such as a GSM network and a private network  104  such as an Unlicensed Mobile Access (“UMA”) network. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to a GSM network or a UMA network, which have been used only as an example. Other wireless communication standards such as Code Division Multiple Access (“CDMA”), Time Division Multiple Access (“TDMA”), General Packet Radio Service (“GPRS”), Frequency Division Multiple Access (“FDMA”), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (“OFDM”), or other technologies are also applicable to the present invention. Furthermore, the present invention is also not limited to a UMA network, any network providing WLAN connectivity is also applicable. 
         [0027]    UMA or Generic Access Network (“GAN”) enables access to mobile voice, data, and IP Multimedia Subsystem (“IMS”) services over IP broadband access and unlicensed spectrum technologies such as Wireless Fidelity (“Wi-Fi”). Consequently, UMA describes a telecommunication network that allows seamless roaming and handover between Wireless Local Area Networks (“WLAN”) and Wide Area Networks (“WAN”) using dual mode communication devices. The WLAN, for instance, can be based on private unlicensed spectrum technologies, for example, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 802.11, infrared, or other technologies. The WAN on the other hand can be based on, for example, GSM, CDMA, GPRS, TDMA, FDMA, OFDM. UMA is therefore, an attempt towards convergence of mobile, fixed and Internet telephony. 
         [0028]    The wireless communication system  100  includes one or more wireless devices  106  communicatively coupled to the circuit services network  102  and the private network  104 . In one embodiment, the wireless device  106  is a multi-mode device capable of communicating on a wide area network such as the GSM network  102  and a local area network such as the private network  104 . The multi-mode capabilities of the wireless device  106  allow it to selectively switch between networks such as WLANs and WANs to communicate with other users and access other services. The wireless device  106 , in one embodiment, includes a network scanning manager  152  that includes a network scanning update module  108  and a dynamic scanning profile  110 , which are discussed in greater detail below. 
         [0029]    The private network  104  comprises one or more IP networks  112 , e.g., WLANs, for providing IP based services to the wireless device  106 . An IP network  112  can be a WLAN at a user&#39;s home, coffee shop, airport, hotel, and other technologies. The IP network  112 , in one embodiment, provides data connections at much higher transfer rates than a traditional circuit services network. The IP network  112 , in one embodiment, comprises an Evolution Data Only (“EV-DO”) network, a General Packet Radio Service (“GPRS”) network, a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (“UMTS”) network, an 802.11 network, an 802.16 (WiMax) network, or the like. It should be noted that only one IP network  112  has been shown for simplicity. The private network also includes one or more access point(s)  114  that provides the wireless device  106  with wireless connectivity to each of the IP networks  112 . 
         [0030]    The private network  104  also includes an information processing system  116  such as an unlicensed network controller (“UNC”)  116 . The UNC  116  couples an existing wide area network such as the GSM network  102  and an existing packet data network such as the IP network  112  to the access point  114 . The UNC  116  can also connect to a public IP network such as the Internet  118  and the core mobile network using industry standard interfaces. The UNC  116  manages subscriber access to mobile voice and data services from the various WLAN locations. Generally, the private network  104  is within a residential network or an enterprise network within a user&#39;s home or situated in the customer site. As discussed above, the wireless device  106  is a multi-mode device and upon entering the private network  104 , the wireless device establishes an IPsec tunnel through the IP network  104  to the UNC  116 . 
         [0031]    The UNC  116 , in one embodiment, includes a wireless device monitor  120 , which is discussed in greater detail below, and additional components  122 . For example, a private security gateway or Packet Data Gateway (“PDG”) resides within the UNC  116 . A PDG terminates the IP network connection and decrypts incoming traffic received at the UNC  116 . A PDG also authenticates the wireless device  106  based on various information such as location, subscriber profile information, activity status information, and the like. An Authentication, Authorization, Accounting server (“AAA”) can also reside at the UNC  116 . The UNC  116  can also include a Media Gateway (“MGW”) and Signalling Gateway (“SGW”), which provide translation between IP and circuit switched networks. 
         [0032]    An IP Network Controller (“INC”) can also be included for providing management of security over the IP access network  112 ; control of packet mode and circuit-mode services; signaling interface processing; control of a MGW. These components and other components known to those of ordinary skill in the art can be communicatively coupled together by a router. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to any of these additional components  122 . One or more logical entities  124  such as application servers can be communicatively coupled to the UNC  116 . Logical entities  124  host and execute various services associated with a wireless device  106 . In one embodiment, the logical entity  124  includes a dynamic network scanning interval manager  150 . The dynamic network scanning interval manager  150  includes a dynamic scanning profile generator  126  that creates one or more dynamic scanning profiles  128 , both of which are discussed in greater detail below. 
         [0033]    The private network  104  can also comprise additional components  138  known to those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the private network  104  can also comprise one or more LANs that communicatively couples the access points  114  to a firewall. A firewall intercepts incoming and outgoing data traffic to the private network  104  and either allows or denies the traffic according to various security policies. The firewall wall can also be communicatively coupled to the Internet  118 . 
         [0034]    The circuit services network  102  (a GSM network in the example of  FIG. 1 ) provides, among other things, voice services to the wireless device  106 . The circuit services network  102  comprises a Wireless Wide Area network  130  that is communicatively coupled to one or more base stations  132 . A site controller  134  is communicatively coupled to the base station  132 . Additional components  136  that are known to those of ordinary skill in the art are also included in the circuit services network  102 . For example a base station controller that controls and manages a set of base stations can be included. The base station controller can be communicatively coupled to a mobile switching center (“MSC”) that provides various services such as GSM services, circuit-switch calling, and the like to wireless devices roaming within the area that the MSC serves. 
         [0035]    Additional network components  136  such as a Gateway GPRS Support Node/Serving GPRS Support Node (“GGSN/SGSN”) can also be included. The GGSN, in one embodiment, provides the connectivity to the SGSN an IP network such as the Internet  118  and detunnels user data from GPRS Tunneling Protocol. The SGSN establishes the Packet Data Protocol with the GGSN and implements packet scheduling policies. 
         [0036]    The circuit services network  102  and the private network  104  can support any number of wireless devices  106 . The support of the networks  102 ,  104  includes support for mobile telephones, smart phones, text messaging devices, handheld computers, wireless communication cards, pagers, beepers, or the like. A smart phone is a combination of 1) a pocket PC, handheld PC, palm top PC, or Personal Digital Assistant (“PDA”), and 2) a mobile telephone. More generally, a smartphone can be a mobile telephone that has additional application processing capabilities. 
         [0037]    Dynamic Adjustment of Alternate Network Scanning Frequency 
         [0038]    As discussed above, a multi-mode wireless device  106  is capable of communicating over multiple wireless technologies. Current multi-mode wireless devices frequently scan for networks such as WLAN networks. However, the wireless device  106  may not be in an area where WLAN coverage exists or compatible WLAN coverage is provided. Therefore, frequency scanning in these areas unnecessarily drains the device&#39;s battery. Accordingly, one of the advantages of the present is that the frequency of scans for other networks can be dynamically adjusted based on the location of the wireless device, time of day, and other factors. 
         [0039]    In one embodiment of the present invention, the wireless device monitor  120  in the UNC  116  detects when the wireless device  106  registers with a WLAN  112 . When the wireless device  106  registers with a WLAN  112 , it transmits information such as the current GSM cell ID, base station ID, and other data that overlap with the WLAN network to the UNC  116 . The UNC  116  then sends this information to the logical entity  124 . 
         [0040]    The dynamic scanning profile generator  126  uses this information to create a master dynamic scanning profile  128 . The master dynamic scanning profile  128 , in one embodiment, is used by the logical entity  124  to create an optimized dynamic scanning profile  110  for the wireless device  106 . This optimized dynamic scanning profile  110  is used by the wireless device  106  to dynamically adjust its scanning frequency for WLAN networks. For example, if the wireless device  106  is in an area that it frequently connects to WLANs, its dynamic scanning profile  110  can indicate to increase scanning frequency, e.g. from every 10 minutes to every 30 seconds. However, if the wireless device  106  is in an area where it has not connected to any WLANs in the past, its dynamic scanning profile  110  can indicate to increase scanning frequency, e.g. from every 30 seconds to every 20 minutes. 
         [0041]    The GSM cell ID, base station ID, and other information (discussed in greater detail below) transmitted by the wireless device  106  is used by the logical entity  124  to determine various patterns such as time and location patterns for WiFi associations by the wireless device  106 . In one embodiment, the logical entity  124  uses the information transmitted by the wireless device  106  to determine the base stations that are frequented the most by the wireless device  106 . In this embodiment, the master dynamic scanning profile  128  includes a priority list of base station IDs and associated scanning intervals. More frequently registered base stations can be assigned a higher weight than less frequently registered base stations. 
         [0042]    In one embodiment, the base station IDs with a higher weight are given a higher priority in the dynamic scanning profile  128 . A higher priority base station ID is assigned a shorter scanning interval and lower priority base station ID is assigned a longer scanning interval. The weights allow the logical entity  124  to generate the optimized scanning profile  110  for the wireless device  106 . The optimized scanning profile  110  is a subset of master dynamic scanning profile  128 . The logical entity  124  can periodically update the optimized scanning profile  110  and send update sets to the wireless device  106 . The wireless device  106  can also request an updated profile from the logical entity  124 . 
         [0043]    One example of dynamic scanning interval adjustment is shown in  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 2  shows different coverage areas (cells)  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208  that are each serviced by different base stations  210 ,  212 ,  214 ,  216 . Whenever the wireless device  106  connects to a WLAN the GSM cell ID and base station ID are transmitted by the wireless device  106  to the UNC  116  and passed on to the logical entity  124 . If the wireless device  106  connects to WLANs more frequently in one cell than another, the base station ID of this cell is assigned a higher priority within the dynamic scanning profile  128 . Consequently, a shorter scanning interval is also assigned to the base station ID within the dynamic scanning profile  128 . For example,  FIG. 2  shows that the wireless device  106  has registered with four WLANs  218 ,  220 ,  222 ,  224  in cell A 1   202 , two WLANs  226 ,  228  in cell A 2   204 , one WLAN  230  in cell A 4   206 , and no WLANs in cell A 5   208 . 
         [0044]    As discussed above, the master dynamic scanning profile  128  generated by the logical entity  124  is used to create an optimized dynamic scanning profile  110  that is transmitted to the wireless device  106 . Therefore, as the wireless device  106  registers with a base station it analyzes its dynamic scanning profile  110  to determine a WLAN scanning interval for that cell. For example, as the wireless device  106  registers with the base station  210  in cell A 1   202 , the wireless device  106  analyzes its dynamic scanning profile  110  to identify a WLAN scanning interval for this cell. In this example, the wireless device  106  has connected to the most WLANs in cell A 1   202  than any other of the cells. Therefore, the dynamic scanning profile  110  indicates to the wireless device  106  to set a short scanning interval, e.g., every 10 seconds. 
         [0045]    When the wireless device  106  registers with the base station  212  in cell A 2   204 , the wireless device  106  analyzes its dynamic scanning profile  110  to identify a WLAN scanning interval for cell A 2   204 . In this example, the wireless device  106  has connected to the second most WLANs in cell A 2   204  than any other cell, so its dynamic scanning profile  110  indicates to the wireless device  106  to set a longer scanning interval than in cell A 1   202  but shorter than the other cells, e.g., every 1 minute. 
         [0046]    When the wireless device  106  registers with the base station  214  in cell A 4   206 , the wireless device  106  analyzes its dynamic scanning profile  110  to identify a WLAN scanning interval for cell A 4   206 . In this example, the wireless device  106  has connected to the third most WLANs in cell A 4   206  than any other cell, so its dynamic scanning profile  110  indicates to the wireless device  106  to set a longer scanning interval than in cells A 1  and A 2   202 ,  204 , but shorter than the cell A 5   208 , e.g., every 10 minutes. When the wireless device  106  registers with the base station  216  in cell A 5   208 , the wireless device  106  analyzes its dynamic scanning profile  110  to identify a WLAN scanning interval for cell A 5   208 . However, because the wireless device  106  has never connected to a WLAN in this cell its dynamic scanning profile  110  does not include scanning interval information for this cell. Therefore, the wireless device  106  uses a default scanning interval rate. 
         [0047]    In another embodiment, network based cellular location technologies such as Enhanced Observed Time Difference (“EOTD”) technology, triangulation, GPS, and the other methods can be used by the logical entity  124  when creating the dynamic scanning profile  128  for the wireless device  106 . In this embodiment, as the wireless device  106  registers with a WLAN  112 , the UNC  116  or another logical entity  124  can determine the location of the wireless device  106 . Therefore, the dynamic scanning profile  128  can include location information and associated scanning intervals. 
         [0048]    For example, the wireless device  106  can analyze the dynamic scanning profile  128  to determine if a WLAN is nearby such as in the user&#39;s home, at a coffee shop, or other locations. If the dynamic scanning profile indicates that one or more WLANs are nearby, the wireless device  106  can adjust its scanning interval according to the interval indicated by the dynamic scanning profile. If the location is not listed in the profile or the profile indicates that a WLAN is not nearby, the wireless device  106  can maintain its current scanning rate or adjust to a longer interval to save battery life. 
         [0049]    It should be noted that location information can be used in conjunction with base station ID information discussed above and time pattern information. For example, the logical entity  124  can determine that a user is generally away from a home WLAN between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (the user is away at work). One way that the logical entity  124  can determine this is by noting the time stamps associated with base station registrations or via a profile setup by the user. Therefore, the logical entity  124  can include in the dynamic scanning profile that that user is out of the coverage area for the base station associated with his/her home area between 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. If the wireless device  106  enters the cell comprising the user&#39;s home location between 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., a location profile can be used to modify the scanning interval accordingly. 
         [0050]    In other words, as the wireless device travels back to his/her home and registers with different base stations, the logical entity  124  or wireless device  106  can determine if the user is approaching his/her home between 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. If the location of the wireless device yields that that it is within the same cell as the home or within a distance threshold, the wireless device can wake up its scanning module and adjust the scanning frequency to scan more often. It should also be noted that multiple profiles can also be created for the wireless device  106 . For example, a time-base profile, location-based profile, a general profile, and other profiles can all be created separately. It should also be noted that the wireless device  106  can also transmit its position or at least information that can be used to calculate its position within the network. 
         [0051]    As can be seen from the above discussion, one of the advantages of the present invention is that a wireless device  106  can dynamically adjust its network scanning intervals based on a dynamic scanning profile  110 . Based on the dynamic scanning profile  110 , the wireless device  106  can determine if it is near or far from a WLAN network  112 . If the wireless device  106  determines that it is far away from a WLAN network  112  or at a distance greater than a given threshold, the wireless device  106  can dynamically adjust its network scanning interval to a longer interval (i.e., do not scan as frequently or at all). This prevents the battery of the device from unnecessarily being drained. If the wireless device  106  determines that near a WLAN network  112  or at a distance within or equal to a given threshold, the wireless device  106  can dynamically adjust its network scanning interval to a shorter interval (i.e., scan more frequently). 
         [0052]    It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the dynamic scanning profile being created by a network component such as a logical entity  124 . For example, the wireless device  106  can also include a dynamic scanning profile generator  140 . In this embodiment, two types of profiles can be created. The first type of dynamic scanning profile includes information regarding identified WLAN networks that the wireless device  106  has associated with or wants to associate with. The wireless device  106  actively learns the locations of alternative networks such as WLANS that are suitable for registration. In this embodiment, as well as the embodiments discussed above, location codes, which can comprise one or more of Location Area Codes (“LACs”), Cell IDs, and GPS coordinates (from the wireless device  106  and/or base station  132 ), and other data. LACs can be used along with Mobile Country Codes (“MCCs”), and Mobile Network Codes (“MNCs”) to uniquely identify a location area within the Public Land Mobile Network (“PLMN”). 
         [0053]    In this embodiment, similar to the embodiment discussed above, when the wireless device  106  registers with a WLAN  112 , it can record information such the base station ID, location of the cell, location of the device when it registered with the WLAN, time/date, and other information. This list is continuously updated by the wireless device. The location code can be expanded to different granularities such as a combination of location area and cell-id, which, in one example, can define the proximity of a workplace. In this example, the scanning frequency can be increased when the wireless device  106  is near the workplace. 
         [0054]    As the list grows with WLAN locations and identifying information, the wireless device  106  can decrease or increase its scanning intervals as discussed above. For example, the wireless device  106  can analyze its dynamic scanning profile  110  that it created and determine that it is in an area with suitable WLAN coverage. Therefore, the wireless device  106  via its network scanning update module  108  increases the scanning frequency. If the wireless device determines that it is entering an area with minimal or no WLAN coverage it can decrease scanning frequency (e.g., performs scans at greater intervals) or turn off the WLAN radio completely. 
         [0055]    The second type of dynamic scanning profile includes areas/locations that dot not provide WLAN coverage or suitable WLAN coverage. This dynamic scanning profile can also include WLANs that the user does not want to associate with or that the wireless device  106  has tried to associate with in the past and has failed. In other words non-accepted location areas (those on which it is unlikely to have WLAN coverage suited for registration) are learned by the wireless device  106  as it moves on the WAN system. In one embodiment, the first dynamic scanning profile and the second dynamic scanning profile are independent and do not overlap. In other words, if an LAC is already present on first dynamic scanning profile then it is not included in the second dynamic scanning profile. If a wireless device  106  detects a WLAN that is has never associated with, the wireless device  106  can place the new WLAN on any of the first or second dynamic scanning profiles. A new profile can also be generated that includes new WLANs. Once the wireless device  106  associates with one of these WLANs, the WLAN can be moved from the “new” profile to either the first or second scanning profiles (depending on the success of registration). 
         [0056]    It should be noted that in the embodiment discussed above that if a WLAN listed in the dynamic scanning profile  110  is unavailable the wireless device  106  can further increase its scanning frequency for identifying another WLAN. Also, if the wireless device  106  stays in an area located on second dynamic scanning profile (the profile including locations not providing WLAN coverage), the wireless device  106  can further reduce the scanning frequency. 
         [0057]    Also, the dynamic scanning profile  110  residing at the wireless device  106  can be erased, for example, by resetting the wireless device  106 . However, the dynamic scanning profile  110  can also be configured to retain its information until a user manual selects an option to erase the contents of the dynamic scanning profile  110 . In another embodiment, the wireless device can receive and transmit its scanning profiles or the identified locations of alternate networks from/to other wireless devices. In this embodiment, the wireless device  106  can then cross-reference its own profile and update it accordingly. These profiles can also be sent to a network component such as the logical entity  124  that maintains a master dynamic scanning profile  127 . The logical entity  124  can then update device lists based on information received from all wireless devices it serves. 
         [0058]    It should be noted that the dynamic scanning profiles, base-station IDs, LAC information, and other information can be sent to/from the wireless device  106  through the circuit services network such as the GSM network  102  or through the alternative network such as the private network  104 . Also, the present invention is not limited to multi-mode devices. For example, a single-mode device that scans for networks to communicate over is also applicable to the present invention. In this embodiment, the single-mode device can use the dynamic profiles either that it creates or receives from a network component, as discussed above, to increase or decrease its scanning intervals. 
         [0059]    Examples of Dynamic Scanning Profiles 
         [0060]      FIGS. 3-5  illustrate various examples of dynamic scanning profiles. It should be noted that the dynamic scanning profiles shown in  FIGS. 3-5  are only illustrative. The profiles can be configured in other ways and include different information than what is shown in  FIGS. 3-5 .  FIG. 3  shows a dynamic scanning profile  310  that can reside on the wireless device  106 . In one embodiment, the dynamic scanning profile  310  is an optimized profile that a logical entity  124  has created from a master dynamic scanning profile associated wireless device  106 . It should be noted that the wireless device  106  can also generate this dynamic scanning profile  310  as discussed above. 
         [0061]    The dynamic scanning profile  310  of  FIG. 3  includes one or more columns such as a Base Station ID column  302  and a Scanning Interval column  304 . The Base Station ID column  302  includes one or more entries such as a first entry  306  and a second entry  308 . The first entry  306  includes a base station ID associated with a first base station and the second entry  308  includes a base station ID associated with a second base station. The Scan Interval column  304  includes entries including scan interval information associated with base stations. For example, a first entry  310  includes a scanning interval of 10 seconds associated with the first base station and a second entry  312  includes a scanning interval of 5 minutes associated with the second base station. 
         [0062]    In one embodiment, when the wireless device  106  registers with the first base station, it analyzes the dynamic scanning profile  310  and locates the base station ID associated with the first base station. The wireless device  106  also identifies the scan interval associated with first base station and adjusts its scanning interval to 10 seconds. 
         [0063]      FIG. 4  shows another dynamic scanning profile  410  used by the wireless device  106  to adjusts its scanning interval. The dynamic scanning profile  410 , in one embodiment, is generated by the wireless device  106  as it learns what areas provide suitable WLAN coverage for registration. The dynamic scanning profile  410 , in the example of  FIG. 4 , includes a Location column  402 , a Scan Interval column  404 , and other data. The Location column includes various entries such as entry A  406 , entry B  408 , and entry C  412 . Each entry includes location information such as GPS coordinates, cell locations information, and other data of an area that includes a WLAN network that the wireless device  106  can register with. It should be noted that the dynamic scanning profile  410  can use base station IDs or any other types of information discussed above instead of location information. 
         [0064]    As the wireless device  106  enters into an area identified by the dynamic scanning profile  410 , the wireless device  106  identifies an associated scanning interval for that location. For example, the Scan Interval column includes entries comprising scan interval information associated with each location entry. If the wireless device  106  enters into location L 2 , the wireless device  106  analyzes the dynamic scanning profile  410  and locates entry D  414  under the Scan Interval column  404 . Entry D  414  indicates to the wireless device  106  to adjust its scanning interval to 5 minutes. 
         [0065]      FIG. 5  shows another dynamic scanning profile  510  that can be generated by the wireless device  106 . The dynamic scanning profile  510 , in one embodiment, includes information regarding areas that do not provide suitable WLAN networks for the wireless device  106  to register on. The dynamic scanning profile  510  can also include user added entries identifying areas or WLAN networks that the user does not want to connect to. Therefore, in one embodiment, each column of the dynamic scanning profile  510  of  FIG. 5  is independent of one another. 
         [0066]    For example, the dynamic scanning profile  510  includes a Location column  502  with entries such as entry A  504 , entry B  506 , and entry C  508 . Each of these entries under the Location column  502  identifies a location or area that does not provide suitable WLAN coverage for the wireless device  106 . In one embodiment, a scanning interval can be associated with these areas. For example, under a first Scanning Interval column  512 , an entry such as entry D  514  indicates that the scanning module of the wireless device  106  is to be turned off while the wireless device  106  is in location L 4 . In another embodiment, the dynamic scanning profile  510  can also includes a set of WLANs that are not suitable for the wireless device  106  or that the user has manually indicated to not connect with. For example, under a WLAN column  516 , and entry such as entry E  518  identifies WLAN  1 . A scanning interval entry  520  under a second Scanning Interval column  522  indicates that the wireless device  106  is to ignore this WLAN. 
         [0067]    As can be seen from the above discussion, the present invention advantageously allows as a wireless device  106  to dynamically adjust its network scanning intervals based on a dynamic scanning profile  110 , which can be created by the wireless device  106  or provided by a network component such as an logical entity  124 . Based on the dynamic scanning profile  110 , the wireless device  106  can determine if it is near or far from a WLAN network  112 . If the wireless device  106  determines that it is far away from a WLAN network  112  or at a distance greater than a given threshold, the wireless device  106  can dynamically adjust its network scanning interval to a longer interval (i.e., do not scan as frequently or at all). This prevents the battery of the device from unnecessarily being drained. If the wireless device  106  determines that near a WLAN network  112  or at a distance within or equal to a given threshold, the wireless device  106  can dynamically adjust its network scanning interval to a shorter interval (i.e., scan more frequently). 
         [0068]    Wireless Communication Device 
         [0069]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram illustrating a detailed view of the wireless device  106  according to an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 6  illustrates only one example of a wireless communication device type. It is assumed that the reader is familiar with wireless communication devices. To simplify the present description, only that portion of a wireless communication device that is relevant to the present invention is discussed. 
         [0070]    The wireless device  106  operates under the control of a device controller/processor  602 , that controls the sending and receiving of wireless communication signals. In receive mode, the device controller  602  electrically couples an antenna  604  through a transmit/receive switch  606  to a receiver  608 . The receiver  608  decodes the received signals and provides those decoded signals to the device controller  602 . 
         [0071]    In transmit mode, the device controller  602  electrically couples the antenna  604 , through the transmit/receive switch  606 , to a transmitter  610 . It should be noted that in one embodiment, the receiver  608  and the transmitter  610  are a multi-mode receiver and a multi-mode mode transmitter for receiving/transmitting on wide area and local area networks. In another embodiment a separate receiver and transmitter is used for each of the wide area and local area networks, respectively. 
         [0072]    The device controller  602  operates the transmitter and receiver according to instructions stored in the memory  612 . These instructions include, for example, a neighbor cell measurement-scheduling algorithm. The memory  612 , in one embodiment, also includes network scanning update module  108 , dynamic scanning profile(s)  110 , and dynamic scanning profile generator  140 , which have discussed above in greater detail. The wireless device  106 , also includes non-volatile storage memory  614  for storing, for example, an application waiting to be executed (not shown) on the wireless device  106 . The wireless device  106 , in this example, also includes an optional local wireless link  616  that allows the wireless device  106  to directly communicate with another wireless device without using a wireless network (not shown). The optional local wireless link  616 , for example, is provided by Bluetooth, Infrared Data Access (IrDA) technologies, or other technologies. 
         [0073]    The optional local wireless link  616  also includes a local wireless link transmit/receive module  618  that allows the wireless device  106  to directly communicate with another wireless device such as wireless communication devices communicatively coupled to personal computers, workstations. It should be noted that the optional local wireless link  616  and the local wireless link transmit/receive module  618  can be used to communicated within the private network  104  as discussed above. A GPS module  622  can also be included that allows the wireless device to determine its current location. 
         [0074]    Information Processing System 
         [0075]      FIG. 7  is a block diagram illustrating a detailed view of the logical entity  124  according to an embodiment of the present invention. The logical entity  124  is based upon a suitably configured processing system adapted to implement the embodiment of the present invention. Any suitably configured processing system is similarly able to be used as the logical entity  124  by embodiments of the present invention. For example, a personal computer, workstation may be used. 
         [0076]    The logical entity  124  includes a computer  702 . The computer  702  has a processor  704  that is connected to a main memory  706 , a mass storage interface  708 , a terminal interface  710 , and network adapter hardware  712 . A system bus  714  interconnects these system components. The mass storage interface  708  is used to connect mass storage devices such as data storage device  716  to the logical entity  124 . One specific type of data storage device is a computer readable medium such as a CD drive, which may be used to store data to and read data from a CD  718 . Another type of data storage device is a data storage device configured to support New Technology File System (“NTFS”) operations, UNIX operations, or other operations. 
         [0077]    The main memory  706  includes, among other things, the dynamic scanning profile generator  126  and the master dynamic scanning profile(s)  128 , which have been discussed in greater detail above. It should be noted that respective components of the main memory  706  are not required to be completely resident in the main memory  706  at all times or even at the same time. Terminal interface  710  is used to directly connect one or more terminals  720  to computer  702  to provide a user interface to the logical entity  124 . These terminals  720 , which are able to be non-intelligent or fully programmable workstations, are used to allow system administrators and users to communicate with the logical entity  124 . The terminal  720  is also able to consist of user interface and peripheral devices that are connected to computer  702  and controlled by terminal interface hardware included in the terminal I/F  710  that includes video adapters and interfaces for keyboards, pointing devices, and other devices. 
         [0078]    An operating system (not shown) included in the main memory is a suitable multitasking operating system such as the Linux, UNIX, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2005 operating system. Embodiments of the present invention are able to use any other suitable operating system. The network adapter hardware  712  is used to provide an interface to the circuit services network  102  and the packet data network  104 . Embodiments of the present invention are able to be adapted to work with any data communications connections including present day analog and/or digital techniques or via a future networking mechanism. 
         [0079]    Although the embodiments of the present invention are described in the context of a fully functional computer system, those skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiments are capable of being distributed as a program product via CD, e.g. CD  718 , floppy-disk, or other form of recordable media, or via any type of electronic transmission mechanism. 
         [0080]    Process of a Logical Entity Creating a Dynamic Scanning Profile 
         [0081]      FIG. 8  is an operational diagram illustrating a process of a logical entity  124  such as an application server creating a dynamic scanning profile  128 / 110  for a wireless device  106 . It should be noted that an application server is only one example of a logical entity where the present invention can be implemented. The present invention can also be implemented across multiple logical entities. The operational flow diagram of  FIG. 8  begins at step  802  and flows directly to step  804 . The wireless device  106 , at step  804 , registers with a WLAN  112 . The wireless device  106 , at step  806 , sends information regarding overlapping the GSM base station to a private network component such as the UNC  116 . The UNC  116 , at step  808 , forwards the information to a logical entity  124 . The logical entity  124 , at step  810 , generates a master dynamic scanning profile  128  for the wireless device  106 . The master dynamic scanning profile  128  includes information associated with each base station/coverage area that includes a WLAN that the wireless device  106  has registered with. 
         [0082]    The logical entity  124 , at step  812 , associates a scanning interval for each base station/coverage area and optionally assigns a weight. The logical entity  124 , at step  814 , creates an optimized dynamic scanning profile  110  from the master dynamic scanning profile  128 . The logical entity  124  transmits the optimized dynamic scanning profile  110  to the wireless device  106 . The control flow then exits at step  818 . 
         [0083]    Process of a Wireless Device Dynamically Adjusting its Scanning Interval 
         [0084]      FIG. 9  is an operational diagram illustrating a process of a wireless device  106  dynamically adjusting its scanning interval based on a dynamic scanning profile  110 . The operational flow diagram of  FIG. 9  begins at step  902  and flows directly to step  904 . The wireless device  106 , at step  904 , registers with a base station  132 . The wireless device  106 , at step  906 , determines if the base station ID associated with the base station  132  is in its dynamic scanning profile  110 . If the result of this determination is negative, the wireless device  106 , at step  908 , adjusts its scanning interval to a default interval. The control flow exits at step  912 . If the result of this determination is positive, the wireless device  106 , at step  910 , dynamically adjusts the scanning interval to the interval indicated by its dynamic scanning profile  110 . The control flow then exits at step  912 . 
         [0085]    Process of a Wireless Device Creating a Dynamic Scanning Profile 
         [0086]      FIG. 10  is an operational diagram illustrating a process of a wireless device  106  creating a dynamic scanning profile  110 . The operational flow diagram of  FIG. 10  begins at step  1002  and flows directly to step  1004 . The wireless device  106 , at step  1004 , roams a geographic area. The wireless device  106 , at step  1006 , moves into an area providing WLAN coverage. The wireless device  106 , at step  1008 , records information such as base station ID, location information, WLAN information, and other information. 
         [0087]    The wireless device  106 , at step  1010 , creates a dynamic scanning profile  110  that includes information associated with each area/location providing WLAN coverage. The wireless device  106 , at step  1012 , associates a scanning interval with each area/location within the dynamic scanning profile  110 . The wireless device  106 , at step  1014 , enters an area/location included within the dynamic scanning profile  110 . The wireless device  106 , at step  1016 , dynamically adjusts its scanning interval to the interval indicated in the dynamic scanning profile  110  for the area/location. The control flow then exits at step  1018 . 
         [0088]    Another Process of a Wireless Device Creating a Dynamic Scanning Profile 
         [0089]      FIG. 11  is an operational diagram illustrating another process of a wireless device  106  creating a dynamic scanning profile  110 . The operational flow diagram of  FIG. 11  begins at step  1102  and flows directly to step  1104 . The wireless device  106 , at step  1104 , roams a geographic area. The wireless device  106 , at step  1106 , moves into an area not providing WLAN coverage. The wireless device  106 , at step  1108 , records information such as base station ID, location information, and other information. 
         [0090]    The wireless device  106 , at step  1110 , creates a dynamic scanning profile  110  that includes information associated with each area/location not providing WLAN coverage. The wireless device  106 , at step  1112 , associates a scanning interval or action such as “ignore” with each area/location within the dynamic scanning profile  110 . The wireless device  106 , at step  1114 , enters an area/location included within the dynamic scanning profile  110 . The wireless device  106 , at step  1116 , dynamically adjusts its scanning interval to the interval or performs an action such as “ignore” indicated in the dynamic scanning profile  110  for the area/location. The control flow then exits at step  1118 . 
         [0091]    Non-Limiting Examples 
         [0092]    Although specific embodiments of the invention have been disclosed, those having ordinary skill in the art will understand that changes can be made to the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is not to be restricted, therefore, to the specific embodiments, and it is intended that the appended claims cover any and all such applications, modifications, and embodiments within the scope of the present invention.