Patent ID: 8019296

Claim:
A method, carried out by a multi-mode device, the method comprising: determining whether a multi-mode device is charging and whether the multi-mode device is authenticated via a wireless network that operates according to a first air-interface protocol; if the multi-mode device is charging and is so authenticated, storing reference data in a profile corresponding with the wireless network that operates according to the first protocol and via which the multi-mode device is authenticated, the reference data reflecting a current environment of a wireless network that operates according to a second air-interface protocol different from the first; if the multi-mode device is charging and is not so authenticated, scanning once every first amount of time for at least one wireless network that operates according to the first protocol; and if the multi-mode device is not charging and is not so authenticated, iteratively: (a) calculating a scanning period, wherein calculating the scanning period comprises calculating the scanning period based at least in part on comparing the current environment of the wireless network that operates according to the second protocol with reference data from at least one stored profile that (1) corresponds with a wireless network that operates according to the first protocol and (2) includes reference data for the wireless network that operates according to the second protocol; and (b) scanning once every scanning period for at least one wireless network that corresponds with a stored profile.