MXPA99000222A - Method of hierarchy of multiple suppliers in an environment of communications service environment - Google Patents

Abstract

A communication device locating a preferable wireless service provider in an environment of multiple service providers is described by using a frequency band search schedule. Initially, the communication device is registered with a less preferred service provider in a first frequency band. As long as it remains registered with the least preferred service provider, the device examines several frequency bands in the order specified by the search time of the frequency band. A frequency band is examined by dividing the frequency band into many subbands and by locating the strongest signal greater than a threshold within the subband that is examined. The examination continues until a second frequency band that has a more preferred service provider is located. Then, the communication device registers with the most preferred service provider. The category of the service provider can be identified and displayed on the communication device.

Description

METHOD OF HIERARCHY OF MULTIPLE SUPPLIERS IN A WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS SERVICE ENVIRONMENT Background of the Invention The present invention is concerned with communications; more specifically communications in an environment of multiple service providers. Figure 1 illustrates a portion of the radiofrequency spectrum. The frequency range 10 centered around 800 MHz has historically been known as the cell frequency range and the frequency range 12 centered around the 1900 MHz is a more recently defined frequency range associated with personal communication services (PCS) . Each frequency range, that is, the cell phone and the PCS, are broken into two parts. In the cellular frequency range 10, there is an uplink portion 14 that is used for communications from a mobile communication device to a base station such as a cellular base station. Portion 16 of cell frequency range 10 is used for downlink communications, that is, communications from a cellular base station to a mobile communication device. Similarly, portion 18 of PCS frequency range 12 is used for uplink communications, that is, communications from a mobile communication device to a base station. The portion 20 of the PCS frequency range 12 is used for the downlink communications, that is, REF. 29192 communications from a base station to a mobile communication device. Each of the frequency ranges are broken into bands which are typically associated with different service providers. In the case of the cellular frequency range 10, the frequency bands 30 and 32 are designated "a" band for the uplink and downlink communications respectively. In a particular geographic area, a frequency "a" band is assigned to a cellular service provider in order to carry out mobile communications. Also, in the same geographical area another frequency service provider (uplink) and 36 (downlink) are assigned to another cellular service provider, which are designated as "b" band. The frequency spectra assigned to the service providers are separated so as not to interfere with each other's communications and thereby allow two separate service providers to provide service in the same geographical area. Recently, the government of the United States of North America auctioned the frequency spectrum of PCS to service providers. Similar to the cellular frequency range, the frequency range of PCS is broken into several bands where a different service provider can use a particular frequency band, for which it is licensed within a particular geographical area. The PCS bands are referred to as A, B, C, D E and F. The A band includes the uplink band 50 and the downlink band 52. Band B includes uplink band 54 and downlink band 56. Band C includes uplink band 58 and downlink band 60. Each uplink and downlink band of bands A, B and C are approximately 30 MHz wide. Band D includes uplink band 62 and downlink band 64. Band E includes uplink band 66 and downlink band 68. Also, the F band includes the uplink band 70 and the downlink band 72. The uplink and downlink bands of bands D, E and F are approximately 10 MHz wide each. It should be noted that with the cellular and PCS frequency bands, it is possible to have as many as eight different wireless communication service providers in a particular area. Each of the different cellular and PCS bands consists of control channels and communication channels in the uplink and downlink direction. In the case of analogous cell bands, there are 21 control channels for bands "a" and "b". Each of the control channels includes an uplink and downlink portion. The control channels transmit information such as a SOC (System Operator Code), a SID (System Identifier Code), location information call set-up information and other general charge information such as information concerning the registration with the mobile communication system. The portion of the spectrum of the cellular band not occupied by the control channels is used by the communication channels. Communication channels carry voice or data communications, where each channel consists of an uplink and downlink communications link. In the present, there are several standards of cellular communication. An analogous standard known as ElA / TÍA 553 was integrated based on the AMSP (Advanced Mobile Telephone Service) standard. This standard supports 21 analog control channels (ACC) and several hundred analog voice or traffic channels (AVC). A newer standard is the EIA / TIA IS54B standard that supports dual mode operation. The operation in dual mode refers to having an analog control channel and either an analog voice / traffic channel or a digital traffic channel (DTC). The AVC or DTC is used for real communications and the ACC is used to transfer information concerning, for example, call establishment, service provider identifier and other general or system load information. A newer standard, the ElA / TIA IS136 standard supports communications covered by dual-mode cellular and cellular operation and also includes a fully digital communication scheme which was designed for PCS AF frequency bands and PCS bands. cellular frequencies "a" and "b". This standard allows a digital traffic channel (DTC) and a digital control channel (DCCH). In the case of DTC, not only voice or data are communicated, but also, a digital channel locator (DL) is transferred in the DTC. The DL allows a mobile communication device that hooks onto the DTC to use the information in the DL to locate a DCCH for the purposes of obtaining information such as the SOC, SID, location information, and other general system load information. in the digital control channel. When a mobile communication device such as a mobile phone attempts to register with the service provider, it hooks onto a control channel and reads information such as the SOC and SID. If the SOC and / or SID correspond to a service provider with which the user has a communication services agreement, the telephone can be registered with the mobile communication system of the service provider via the uplink control channel. Figure 2 illustrates a map of the United States of America that illustrates cities such as Seattle, Chicago and Washington, DC. For example, in Seattle frequency band A has been granted to SOC (Service Operator Code) 001 with an SID of 43 and band C has been granted to SOC 003 with an SID of 37. In Chicago, suppose that the frequency band C has been granted to SOC 001 with a SID equal to 57 and that band B has been granted to SOC 003 with an SID of 51. In Washington, DC, assume that frequency band "a" has been granted to a SOC 001 with a SID of 21 and that band A has been granted to SOC 003 with a SID of 17. It should be noted that the same SOC can be found in several different places or places albeit in different frequency bands. It should also be noted that the same SOC will be associated with different SIDs in each geographical area and that in the same geographical area different service providers have different SIDs. If a particular subscriber to a wireless telecommunication service has an agreement with a service provider that has a SOC of 001, that subscriber prefers to use systems with a SOC of 001 because the subscriber is likely to receive a less expensive tariff. When the subscriber is in Seattle, he prefers to be in band A and if he is in Chicago, in band C and if he is in Washington, DC in band "a". The situation described above presents a problem for a subscriber of the wireless communication service. As a subscriber moves from one area of the country to another, the telephone when, on or activated, searches for the "home" service provider or the service provider with which the subscriber has a prearranged agreement. If, for example, the subscriber travels from Seattle to Chicago, when he turns on the phone in Chicago, the phone will search through the different bands of the spectrum to identify the service operator with the code 001 in order to find the desired service provider. . In order to find a particular service provider, the phone may have to search through the "a" and "b" cell bands and through the eight PCS bands. It should be remembered that there are up to 21 different ACCs in each of the "a" and "b" cell bands. It may be necessary to inspect 42 ACCS in order to find an ACC from which a SOC or SID can be obtained. Additionally, the search for a particular SOC or SID in the PCS bands A to F in particular takes a long time. The digital control channels (DCCH), which contain the SOC and SID, are not assigned to specific frequencies within a particular PCS band. As a result, the mobile communication device may find that it is necessary to search through the spectrum of each PCS band to search for a DCCH or an active DTC having a digital channel locator (DL) which will direct the mobile communication device to the DCCH. As illustrated above, the search process of a particular service provider is laborious and may require a period of time of the order of several minutes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION One embodiment of the present invention provides a method for locating or locating a particular or desirable communication service provider in an environment having a plurality of service providers. After startup or power up, a mobile communications device, such as a cellular telephone, inspects the most recently used control channel to determine if an optimal service provider is available in that channel. If an optimal service provider is not available or if that channel is not available, the mobile communication device conducts a search through the frequency spectrum in a predetermined order until an optimal or acceptable service provider is located. In another embodiment of the invention, the frequency spectrum is scrutinized or examined in a predetermined order that changes based on the information entered by a distributor of the mobile communication device or user of the mobile communication device. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the predetermined order for scrutinizing or examining the spectrum as to service provider is updated through on-air programming. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the predetermined order for scrutiny is based on the operational history of the mobile communication device.

In still another embodiment of the invention, multiple categories of service provider can be identified by matching the broadcast SID or SOC on a control channel with information stored in the communication device. In yet another embodiment of the invention, "alpha tags" can be displayed or displayed in the communication device that identifies a particular class of service while the communication device is in idle mode or in camped mode.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings, to which reference is made below and which constitute part of the present, illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention, wherein: Figure 1 illustrates the frequency spectrum used for wireless communications; Figure 2 illustrates service areas in the United States of America; Figure 3 is a block diagram of a mobile communication device; Figure 4 is a flow chart illustrating a spectrum search or scrutiny routine; Figure 5 is a flow diagram illustrating the routine of global search or scrutiny of the spectrum; Fig. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating a periodic search or scrutiny routine; Figure 7 is a flow diagram illustrating a routine of searching or scrutinizing the received signal strength; Figure 8 illustrates a search time or scrutiny; Figure 9 illustrates a search schedule or scrutiny ordered by record history; Figure 10 illustrates a priority list of service providers; and Figure 11 illustrates the display or representation of an alphanumeric tag in a mobile communication device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 3 illustrates a block diagram of a mobile communication device such as a cell phone or personal communication device. The mobile communication device 10 includes the transceiver 12 that sends and receives signals from the antenna 14. The mobile communication device 10 is controlled by the control system 14 which may include a microprocessor or a microcomputer. The control system 14 uses the memory 16 to store programs that are executed and to store information that is input by the user, the distributor, the communication service provider or the manufacturer. Information such as user preferences, user telephone numbers, preferred service provider lists and frequency search schedules are stored in memory 16. Memory 16 may include storage devices such as random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM) and / or programmable read-only memory (PROM). A user communicates with the control system 14 via the keypad 18, the control system 14 communicates information to the user via the screen 20. The screen 20 can be used to display information such as status information and items such as telephone numbers entered. via the keyboard 18. The sound information to be transmitted from the mobile communication device 10 is received via the microphone 22 and the sound communications received by the mobile communication device 10 are reproduced to the user via the loudspeaker 24. After startup or On initial power-up, a mobile communication device locates a service provider and registers with the service provider. Returning to Figure 1, service providers are located in a plurality of frequency bands across the radio spectrum. In order to find a service provider, the communication device searches (scrutinizes or examines) the spectrum to find service providers. The communications device examines the code of the received service provider, for example, SOC (Service Operator code) or SID (System Identification Code) to determine whether the service provider is an optimal, preferred or prohibited service provider. Figure 4 illustrates a process or program that the control system 14 executes in order to find a desirable service provider. After starting or igniting, step 30 is executed to initialize or adjust to initial values a non-optimal flag or indicator when clearing the flag or indicator. Step 32 determines whether the last service provider, that is, the service provider used before shutdown, was an optimal service provider. This is determined by inspecting the SOC or SID of the last service provider and determining whether the SOC or SID of the service provider corresponds to the SOC or SID of an optimal service provider. The SOC or SID of the last service provider and a list of preferred and optimal service providers are stored in memory 16. If in step 32 it is determined that the previous service provider was not optimal, a global spectrum search is executed . If the last service provider was optimal, step 34 is executed, where the system 14 attempts to hook on the control signal of the service provider. If the coupling is not successful, which may indicate that the control channel is no longer available or out of range, the global search (scrutiny or examination) of the spectrum is executed. If a hook is successful, step 36 is executed. In step 36, it is determined whether the control channel contains the SOC or SID of an optimal service provider. Again, this is determined by comparing the SOC or SID of the control signal with a SOC or SID list of the optimum service provider. If the SOC or SID does not belong to that of an optimal service provider, the overall search 33 of the spectrum is executed and the identity of the frequency band in which the non-optimal SOC or SID was located is passed to the routine 33 of global search to avoid scrutinizing or unnecessarily examining this portion of the spectrum again. If in step 36 it is determined that an optimal service provider has been located, step 38 registers the communication device 10 with the service provider. Step 40 is an inactive state wherein the control system 14 simply monitors the control channel of the service provider in terms of the general charging information of the communication system and in terms of location information which may indicate an incoming communication. While it is in idle state 40, a timer is activated, which allows a low-power cyclic search to be carried out, if the telephone is currently registered in a system of a non-optimal service provider. This situation may arise if the overall spectrum search 33 provides a preferred but not optimal service provider. Periodically, such as every 5 minutes, step 42 is executed to determine if the non-optimal flag or indicator has been established, if the non-optimal flag or indicator is not established, the control system 14 returns to the inactive stage 40. If the flag or indicator not optimal has been established, step 42 leads to the execution of the routine 44 of periodic search, where a search is carried out in order to try to locate an optimal service provider. If the periodic search routine 44 produces an optimal service provider, the flag or indicator of the non-optimal service provider is cleared and the mobile communication device registers with the optimal service providers while executing the periodic search routine 44 . Then, the mobile communications device enters an inactive state upon executing step 40. If an optimal service provider is not located in routine 44, the control system 14 returns to an inactive state when executing step 40. The figure 5 illustrates a flow chart of the global spectrum search routine 33 that is executed by the control system 14. In step 60, it is determined whether the last control channel used by the mobile communication device was a control channel related to personal communication services, that is, a control channel in bands A to F. If the latter Control channel was not a PCS control channel, step 62 is executed. In step 62 it is determined if the mobile communication device can be hooked on and receive and decode the last ACC (Analogue Control Channel) that was used . If the mobile communication device can be successfully hooked onto the last ACC, step 64 is executed. If the communication device can not be hooked on the last ACC, step 66 is executed. In step 66, it is carried out an RSS (Exploration of the Intensity of the Received Signal). This step involves the mobile communication device being tuned to each of the 21 ACCs associated with the cellular band of the last ACC used and attempting to hook on to the strongest signal received. In step 68, it is determined if a latch has been obtained. In step 68, if a hook is not obtained, a predetermined search time is executed in order to find a service provider; if a latch is obtained in step 72, step 64 is executed where the SOC or SID obtained from the control channel is compared with a list of optimal SOCs or SIDs. In step 70, if the received SOC or SID is associated with an optimal service provider, step 72 is executed where the mobile communication device clears the non-optimal flags or indicators, registers with the communication service provider and then enter an inactive state when executing step 40 of figure 4. If in step 70 it is determined that a SOC or SID of the optimal service provider was not received, step 74 is executed where the identity of the band of newly searched frequency (scrutinized or examined) is stored in memory 16. Step 78 is executed after step 74, after 68 if a latch is not obtained or after step 60 if the last control signal was one PCS frequency band. In step 78, a search schedule is downloaded by using a main search schedule. When the search schedule is downloaded in step 80, the frequency bands previously examined or counted are removed from the downloaded time to avoid scrutinizing or examining bands that have already been scrutinized or examined. For example, the bands screened or examined in the search routine discussed with respect to Figure 4 and the cell band search discussed with respect to step 74 are removed from the search schedule. After the modified search schedule has been loaded, a search pointer or pointer is initialized or adjusted to initial values to point to the first band identified by the modified search schedule. The first band identified in the modified schedule is scrutinized or examined with respect to the intensity of the received signal (RSS) in the RSS routine of step 79. In the case of bands "a" and "b", the ACC with the strongest or strongest signal is selected. In the case of the PCS bands, that is, bands A to F, 2.5 MHz sections of each band are scrutinized or examined in 30 kilohertz stages. The mobile communication device is tuned to the strongest signal that crosses a minimum threshold, for example, -llOdBm, within the 2.5 MHz band that is examined. In step 80, it is determined whether the signal is valid, that is, it complies with one of the standards mentioned above. If it is not valid, the search indicator is incremented in step 96 and if the signal is valid, step 82 is executed. In step 82 it is determined whether the signal is an ACC. If the signal is an ACC, the SOC or SID is decoded in step 90. If the signal is not an ACC, step 84 determines whether the received signal is a digital traffic channel (DTC) or a digital control channel ( DCCH). If the signal is a DCCH the SOC or SID is extracted in step 90. If it is determined that the received signal is a DTC, step 86 is executed, where the DL (digital channel locator) is extracted to identify the location of the DCCHs associated with the DTC that has been received. In step 88, the mobile communication device is tuned to the strongest DCCH of the digital control channels identified by the DL. In step 90, the SOC or SID of the received DCCH is extracted and in step 91, it is determined whether the SOC or SID is associated with an optimal service provider. If the SOC or SID is associated with an optimal service provider, step 92 clears the non-optimal flag or indicator and stage 96 registers the mobile communication device with the service provider. After step 96, the communication device enters the idle state in step 40 of figure 4. If in step 92, it is determined that the SOC or SID does not belong to that of an optimal service provider, the step 94 wherein the SOC or SID is stored in the memory 16 which indicates whether the SOC or SID was at least a preferred service provider rather than an unwanted or prohibited one with the spectral site of the SOC or SID control channel. In stage 96, the search indicator that identifies the band that is scrutinized (or examined) is advanced to identify the next band in the search schedule (examination or scrutiny). In step 98 it is determined if the indicator has reached the end of the search time. If the end of the search schedule has not been reached, step 82 is executed to carry out another routine of searching for the intensity of the received signal as discussed above and if the last frequency band has been scrutinized or examined it is executed step 100. In step 100, the mobile communication device is registered with the best stored SOC or SID, this is a SOC or SID that has been at least associated with a preferred service provider. The best service provider can be identified by comparing the stored SOCs or SIDs with a list of preferred SOCs or SIDs. The list of preferred SOCs or SIDs may include the optimal SOC or SIDs and a priority list of preferred SOCs or SIDs where the highest priority will obtain preference for its registration. The list also includes undesirable or prohibited SOCs or SIDs that are used only in emergencies (for example, 911 calls) or if the user enters a command or cancellation order. After registering with the service provider in step 100, step 102 is executed to establish or set the non-optimal flag and then step 40 of figure 4 is executed where the mobile communication device enters the inactive state. It should be noted that the search operation (examination or scrutiny) of figures 4 and 5 can be carried out in a simplified manner. With respect to Figure 4, the control system 14 can execute the step 33 after the step 30 while always omitting the steps 32, 34, 36 and 38. With respect to the figure 5, the control system 14 can start the global search of the spectrum with stage 78 while always omitting steps 60-74. Figure 6 illustrates a flow chart for the periodic search routine executed by the control system 14. In step 120 it is determined whether the periodic search flag has been set or fixed. If the periodic search flag has not been set, step 122 is executed where the periodic search flag is set and the search time is adjusted to initial values by loading the main search time to the search time used by the routine of periodic search; however, the frequency band that is currently received is not included in the search schedule used by the periodic search routine. Step 122 also sets a search indicator to the first band in the search time. In step 124, a routine for searching the intensity of the received signal (RSS) is carried out. As in step 79 of the global spectrum search routine of Figure 5, step 124 is an RSS routine of any PCS and cellular band that are in the search schedule. In the case of a search (examination or scrutiny) of a cellular band, the 21 ACCs are scrutinized (or examined) by using a search of the intensity of the received signal, that is, the transceiver is tuned to the strongest ACC. In the case of a PCS frequency band search, as discussed above, each band is broken into segments of approximately 2.5 MHz, where a search (examination or scrutiny) of each segment is carried out in stages of 30 kilohertz . The strongest signal within the 2.5 MHz segment and above a minimum threshold, such as -110 dBm, is selected. In step 126, the selected signal is examined to determine if it is valid by conforming to one of the standards referenced previously. If the signal is not valid, step 144 is executed and if the signal is valid, step 129 is executed. Step 129 determines whether the signal is an ACC. If the signal is an ACC, step 130 is executed when the SOC or SID is extracted and if the signal is not an ACC, step 132 is executed. Step 132 determines whether a DTC signal has been received. If the signal is not a DTC signal (therefore it is a DCCH signal), step 130 is executed to extract the SOC or SID from the DCCH signal. If in step 132, it is determined that a DTC has been received, step 134 is executed to extract the DL to allow tuning to a DCCH. In step 136, a search is performed for the received signal strength of the DCCHs where the strongest signal is selected and then step 130 is executed to extract a SOC or SID from the signal. In step 138 it is determined whether the SOC or SID is an optimal SOC or SID. If the SOC or SID is optimal, step 140 clears the non-optimal flag and in step 142 the mobile communication device registers with the service provider associated with the optimal SOC or SID. Then, step 40 of Figure 4 is executed to enter the inactive state. If in step 138 it is determined that the SOC or SID was not from an optimal service provider, step 144. In step 144 the search indicator is incremented to the next band to be scrutinized or examined. In step 146, it is determined whether all search time has been consummated. If the search schedule has not been completed, step 40 is executed in such a way that the mobile communication device can be returned or returned to the inactive state. If in step 146, it is determined that the search schedule has been consummated, step 148 clears the periodic search flag or indicator and then step 40 is executed, such that the mobile communication device can enter the inactive state . Figure 7 illustrates a flow chart of the RSS routine or routine for searching the received signal strength that is carried out for example, in steps 79 of Figure 5 and 124 of Figure 6. Step 170 determines whether the band that is scrutinized is a band of the "a" or "b" cell bands. If a cellular band is scrutinized or examined, stage 172 is executed where the 21 ACCs are scrutinized or examined to determine which is the strongest, the strongest ACC is tuned by the transceiver 12 under the control of the control system 14 and then the RSS routine is exited. If in step 170 it is determined that a cell band is not screened or examined, step 178 tunes the transceiver 12 to the beginning of the first 2.5 MHz band in the PCS band that is examined. Step 178 also clears a memory site from the search memo pad in memory 16. The search memo pad is used to record the amplitude or intensity and location of a received signal. In stage 180, it is determined if the signal that is received is greater than a threshold. If the signal is greater than the threshold, step 182 is executed, if the signal is not greater than the threshold, step 184 is executed. In step 182 it is determined whether the received signal intensity is greater than the value of the signal. intensity of the signal stored in the search notes block. If the received signal is not greater, then step 184 is executed. If the intensity of the received signal is greater, step 186 is executed and the present signal strength is recorded in the search notes block with the site of the received signal in the spectrum. In step 184, the transceiver 12 is tuned to a frequency 30 KHz greater than the frequency at which it was tuned. Step 188 determines whether the new frequency extends beyond the 2.5 MHz band that is scrutinized or currently examined. If the new frequency does not exceed the 2.5 MHz band, step 180 is executed to examine once again the intensity of the received signal in relation to the signal strength or amplitude value stored in the search block of notes. If in step 188, it is determined that the 30 kilohertz increase extends beyond the 2.5 MHz band that is examined, step 190 is executed. In step 190, the transceiver is tuned to the signal site specified in the Search notes block. If the signal is a valid signal and can be decoded, it exits the RSS routine. If the signal is not valid or can not be decoded (for example, the signal does not comply with the standards referred to above) step 192 is executed. In step 192, the transceiver is tuned to the beginning of the next 2.5 MHz band within the PCS band that is scrutinized or examined. Step 194 determines whether the new 2.5 MHz band extends beyond the PCS band that is currently scrutinized. If the new increment extends beyond the PCS band that is examined, it exits the periodic search routine. If the result of the 2.5 MHz increase does not extend beyond the PCS band being examined, step 196 is executed. In step 196, the search block of notes containing measurements of signal strength and Location information of the signal is cleared to prepare for the search (scrutiny or examination) of another band. After step 196, step 180 is executed as described above. Figure 8 illustrates a main search schedule. The main search time is used to adjust the search schedules used in the search routines described above to initial values. The main search time is stored in a memory, such as the memory 16. The main search time can be programmed initially by the manufacturer, distributor or user of the mobile communication device. It should be noted that the first site in the search schedule is left unprogrammed. If left blank, the target is ignored when the search schedules for the search routines are set to initial values. It is desirable that the first site be programmed with the band in which the user's "home" service provider resides. For example, if the user has a service agreement with a service provider that is licensed to operate in the B band of PCS within the SID or geographical area in which the user is located more frequently, the B band is programmed to the first segment of the main search schedule. If, for example, band B is programmed in the first segment, the segment that originally contains band B is left blank. This avoids the examination or scrutiny of the same band twice. It should also be noted that the user can vary the main search time by means of the keyboard 18. In addition, the main search time can be re-programmed by using the signals received in the wireless communication channel. For example, the mobile communication device may be restricted to accept new programming for the main search schedule only from a service provider transmitting the "home" SIC and an optimal SOC.

It is also possible to accept programming in the air if the service provider sends a prearranged code. It is desirable to restrict air programming through the use of optimal "home" codes, SIDs and / or SOCs to avoid unintended or undesirable alteration of the main search schedule. The programming in the air can be implemented when using for example logical sub-channels of a digital control channel. The logical subchannels have the ability to transmit the addressed data to a particular mobile communication device and to receive data such as confirmation data from the mobile communication device. When the search schedules are adjusted to initial values when using the main search time, it is also possible to precede the first site in the main search time with other frequency bands based on, for example, the previous history of the use of the mobile communication devices. For example, the first site scrutinized or examined may be the site where the phone was last deactivated (turned off) or the site where the phone was last activated (turned on). The search time of the frequency band can also be defined based on the supervision of the search process by means of the mobile communication device. By this method the mobile communication device 10 provides, develops and maintains a table in the memory 16 by a counter associated with each frequency band in the main search time. As long as it travels, each time the mobile communication device acquires service from a preferred provider, the value of the counter associated with the frequency band is increased to retain information that establishes a "personal travel history" for the user. Then, the mobile communication device uses these counter values to alter the search order of the frequency bands of the main search time. Figure 9 illustrates a table stored in memory 16, which provides a counter associated with each frequency band in the main search time of figure 8. Based on the values of the counter in the table, the frequency band with the proportion of highest record success as defined by its associated counter value, follow it to the "home" frequency band in the main search schedule. After this, follow each additional frequency band with a non-zero counter, according to its counter value, from the highest to the lowest. Then, the frequency bands would follow with a counter value from zero to non-zero entries in their originally defined order. As implemented preferably, the counter associated with each frequency band must store only a finite number of registers, for example, 10, to keep the memory storage requirements 16 to a minimum. Additionally, the stored counter values can represent time-weighted records, where more weight is given to the most recent records. Advantageously, such time weighting of the counter values will serve to optimize the search efficiency. It will be appreciated that the occasion may arise when the main search time needs to be reset and the search order can be re-defined and the counter values become zero by any of the programming methods discussed previously. Figure 10 illustrates a table stored in memory 16 that defines the SOC and SID of the optimal service provider and the SOC and SID of the preferred service provider. The SOC or SID with the lowest number has the highest priority and is preferred over service providers with higher numbers and therefore a lower priority. For example, a SOC or SID with a priority level 2 would be preferred over a SOC or SID with a priority level of 5. The table may also include SOC or SIDs that are undesirable or prohibited. In the case of SOC or SID that are prohibited, it is desirable to allow connection to prohibited SOCs or SIDs when an emergency call is attempted, such as a 991 call or when the user enters a command or cancellation order. The table in figure 10 can be programmed by the manufacturer, by the distributor when the phone is purchased or by the user. It is also possible to program the table of figure 10 in the air by using restrictions similar to those used when programming the main search time in the air. Multiple service provider categories can be identified by matching the SID or SOC broadcast on a control channel with the entries in the Table in Figure 10. These categories can include: (1) "home" - service provider choice and normally the service provider with whom the user has a service agreement. If a mobile communication device is registered or finds a control channel for a home service provider, the device does not attempt to find service in any other frequency band. (2) associate - an associate with the "home" service provider. If a mobile communication device is registered in or finds a control channel for an associated service provider, the device does not attempt to find the service in any other frequency band. (3) preferred - a service provider with whom the "home" service provider has a rate agreement and / or preferential service. The mobile communication device will be registered with a favored service provider only if a "home" or associated service provider is not found. In the presence of certain events such as a change of control channel and / or periodically, the mobile communication device will look for other frequency bands in terms of a "home" or associated service provider. (4) prohibited - a service provider that is never used under normal circumstances. (5) neutral - a service provider not identified by a SID or SOC entry in the table in Figure 10. The mobile communication device will be registered with a neutral service provider if none of the service providers is found " of house ", associated or preferred. In certain events such as changing the control channel and / or periodically, the mobile communication device will look for other frequency bands in terms of a "home", associated or preferred service provider. While the invention has been described in its preferred embodiments, it will be understood that the terms that have been used are words of description, rather than limitation and that changes may be made to the scope of the appended claims without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention in its broader aspects. For example, "alpha tags" which are stored in memory 16 can be displayed or displayed in a mobile communication device that identifies a particular class of service while the mobile communication device is in an idle or camped mode . The alpha tags can be programmed or changed as part of the activation in the air or programming in the air as discussed previously. In an instance where XYZ is the home service provider, the alpha tags could be: (1) "home" - "XYZ" (2) associated - "XYZ associated" (3) preferred - "XYZ preferred" (4) ) neutral - "travel". There are standards that allow the diffusion of an alpha tag in a control channel and its display in a mobile communication device when it is in an inactive or camped state. For example, if a mobile communication device used by an XYZ subscriber was in an ABC market, the telephone could display "ABC". However, the system described herein, will allow the home service provider XYZ to control the mobile communication device to display "XYZ" as illustrated in Figure 11., alpha tags could be updated as determined by market requirements.

It is noted that, in relation to this date, the best method known by the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention is the clear result of the present description of the invention. Having described the invention as above, property is claimed as contained in the following:

Claims (10)

1. Cla1. A method by which a communication device locates a wireless service provider in an environment of multiple service providers, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: storing a frequency band search schedule, the search time of the frequency band has a plurality of bands in a predetermined order; store information in a plurality of categories of service providers; examining the frequency bands until a frequency band having an acceptable service provider is located by examining the plurality of bands in the order specified by the search time of the frequency band; and identify a category of the service provider for the acceptable service provider. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the step of identifying a category of the service provider in terms of the acceptable service provider further comprises the step of comparing the information broadcast in a frequency band control channel with the information stored in a plurality of categories of service providers. 3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that the step of comparing the information further comprises the step of comparing codes of the service identifier. 4. The method of compliance with the claim 7, characterized in that the step of comparing information also comprises the step of comparing codes of the service operator. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises the step of modifying the information in a plurality of categories of service providers when using the information transmitted in a wireless interface. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises the step of modifying the information in a plurality of categories of service providers when using the information of a keyboard. 7. A method by which a communication device locates a wireless service provider in an environment of multiple service providers, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: storing a search time of the frequency band, the search time of the frequency band has a plurality of bands in a predetermined order; store information for a plurality of categories of service providers; store alphanumeric indicators associated with each of the plurality of categories of service providers; examining the frequency bands until a frequency band having an acceptable service provider is located by examining the plurality of bands in the order specified by the search time of the frequency band; and identify a category of the service provider and an associated alphanumeric indicator for the acceptable service provider. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that it further comprises the step of displaying or displaying the alphanumeric indicator of the acceptable service provider. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that it further comprises the step of modifying the alphanumeric indicators associated with each of the plurality of categories of service providers when using the information transmitted in a wireless interface. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that it further comprises the step of modifying the alphanumeric indicators associated with each of the plurality of categories of service providers when using the information of a keyboard.