Patent ID: 7620398

Claim:
A method for registering a portable communication device on a broadcast channel in a communication system comprising a portable communication device capable of receiving broadcast information on a first channel and for also communicating on a second channel while receiving the broadcast information on the first channel, the method comprising the steps of: detecting a predetermined event requiring registration of the portable communication device on the first channel while receiving the broadcast information on the first channel; determining, in response to detection of the predetermined event, whether the portable communication device is communicating on the second channel at a time when the predetermined event is detected; registering the portable communication device on the first channel by transmitting a registration message on a reverse link of the first channel if the communication device is not communicating on the second channel at the time when the predetermined event is detected; and registering the portable communication device on the first channel by transmitting a registration message on the second channel if the portable communication device is communicating on the second channel at the time when the predetermined event is detected.