Patent ID: 8364199

Claim:
A method performed by a multi-mode mobile station, the method comprising: receiving a request message for multi-mode capability of the multi-mode mobile station; in response to the request message, transmitting a response message including multi-mode capability information of the multi-mode mobile station; receiving a message comprising multi-mode overlay information, the multi-mode overlay information associated with the multi-mode capability information of the multi-mode mobile station; selecting a first system based on the multi-mode overlay information, the multi-mode overlay information comprising: a prioritized list of systems that serve at least a common geographical area; and priority information comprising a higher priority search time associated with at least the first system; and searching for a higher priority system after a time specified by the higher priority search time associated with the first system; wherein the multi-mode overlay information comprises timing information in respect of searches to be conducted for systems; and wherein: the timing information is in respect of each system to be searched for, the timing information specifying for a given type of system included in the multi-mode overlay information a time between searches for this type of system that the mobile station is to use when searching for this type of system as a higher priority system than a current system.