Patent ID: 8180320

Claim:
A method for selecting a preferred mode for effecting emergency service communications using a communication device configured for communicating using multiple modes; the method comprising: (a) in no particular order: (1) evaluating said multiple modes to identify a plurality of extant operationally viable modes for said communication device; and (2) determining extant geographic location of said communication device; (b) predicting a likely communication coverage density at said extant geographic location by at least one selected mode of said extant operationally viable modes; (c) evaluating said at least one selected mode to identify said preferred mode among said at least one selected mode including evaluating communication coverage density from a terrain map relating to said extant geographic location; said terrain map being installed in said communication device by at least one of preprovisioning to said communication device, provisioning at start up of said communication device and periodic provisioning to said communication device; said preferred mode having a generally best communicating milieu among said plurality of extant operationally viable modes; said generally best communicating milieu being capable of a most accurate said determining of extant geographic location of said communication device and having the most predicted communication coverage density; and (d) initiating said emergency service communications employing said preferred mode.