Patent ID: 7317913

Claim:
A personal radio communication device such as a cell-phone, characterised by combining the following features: the device is capable of providing full-call-service, in which the device can make and receive calls to and from any party without restriction; the device is capable of operating in a home/auto mode, in which: a Home-Net having been pre-programmed into the device, the device interrogates the Home-Net; and if the device thereupon detects the Home-Net, the device provides full-call-service on the Home-Net; the device is capable of operating in a manual/select mode, in which: a network herein termed Chosen-Net having been selected, and entered into the device, the device interrogates the Chosen-Net; and if the device thereupon detects the Chosen-Net, the device provides full-call-service on the Chosen-Net; the device includes an operable return-switch, which is effective, when operated, to switch the device from the manual/select mode to the home/auto mode; the device is capable, upon return to the home/auto mode, and if the device thereupon detects the Home-Net, of providing full-call-service on the Home-Net; the return-switch is operable automatically, in response to receiving a return-signal; the device includes a search-tracker, which is programmed to report on searches for the Chosen-Net that have failed to detect the Chosen-Net; the device includes a found-network-tracker, which is programmed to report on the identity of the networks encountered during the general search; the device, being in the manual/select mode, is programmed to generate the return-signal in response to either one, or to both, of; (a) a report from the search-tracker that the Chosen-Net has not been detected for a period of time T, where T is several hours; or (b) a report from the found-network-tracker that the Home-Net has been detected as the Found-Net.