Patent ID: 7471659

Claim:
A method for optimizing packet data calls in a wireless device configured to communicate packet data over a wireless communication network in a voice and data system mode and a packet transmission system mode, the method comprising: receiving a packet data call origination request, wherein receiving the packet data call origination request comprises receiving an internal software interrupt or receiving an external software interrupt; consulting a list of available packet transmission system channels in order to determine whether there is at least one available packet transmission system channel, wherein the list of available packet transmission system channels comprises information about one or more packet transmission system channels that can be acquired and used for packet data communications, and wherein the list of available packet transmission channels is stored on the wireless device; if an available packet transmission system channel is identified, acquiring the available packet transmission system channel and originating a packet data call on the acquired packet transmission system channel, the packet data call corresponding to the packet data call origination request, wherein acquiring the available packet transmission system channel comprises polling the signal strength of the available packet transmission system channel and determining that the signal strength of the available packet transmission system channel is sufficient to support a packet data call; and if there is not a packet transmission system channel that is available, acquiring an available voice and data system channel for data communications and establishing a packet data call on the voice and data system channel.