Research in Motion Corporation

Blackberry Corporation

Wireless Innovations LLC

Jayasri Gunaratnam

Noushad Naqvi

Hugh R Hind

Darcy Richard Phipps

Bryan Taylor

Bao Quoc Nguyen

Craig Ian Haight Swann

Craig Ian Swann

Reject code handling is utilized for a more time-efficient selection of data-capable networks. One illustrative method for use in selecting a wireless communication network for communications involves the steps of selecting a first wireless network available for communications with the mobile station; causing a request for data connectivity to be transmitted to the first wireless network selected; if a rejection is received from the first wireless network in response to the request for data connectivity: reattempting the request for data connectivity to the first wireless network at least one time; selecting a second wireless network available for communications with the mobile station after the request for data connectivity to the first wireless network is reattempted the at least one time without success; and selecting the second wireless network available for communications with the mobile station without reattempting the request for data connectivity to the first wireless network the at least one time if a reject code associated with the rejection indicates that data services are not allowed in the first network is received from the first wireless network in response to the request for data connectivity.

Data-capable network prioritization with reject code handling

A network selection method for a mobile station which is associated with a Home Public Land Mobile Network (HPLMN) identified by a home Mobile Network Code (MNC) and Mobile Country Code (MCC) pair. The mobile station identifies a plurality of PLMNs in a geographic area, and selects a non-home PLMN identified by a non-home MNC/MCC pair and designated as a Registered PLMN (RPLMN). In response to regaining signal coverage from an out-of-coverage condition with the RPLMN, or being powered-on from a power-off s, tate entered while operating with the RPLMN, the mobile station selects the HPLMN if the HPLMN identified by the home MNC/MCC pair is available. Otherwise, if the HPLMN is unavailable and the RPLMN identified by the non-home MNC/MCC pair is available, the mobile station selects the RPLMN. However, if the RPLMN is unavailable, the mobile station selects an alternate PLMN in accordance with an automatic or manual network selection method.

Network selection methods and apparatus with home network prioritization after network signal recovery or power-on

A mobile device sends to a wireless network a request for establishing a service. In response to a rejection of the request, the device reattempts the request so long as the total number of requests is less than a predetermined value. When the total number of rejected requests is greater than or equal to the predetermined value, the device selects a different wireless network with which to establish the communication service if the wireless network is a non-home network. Otherwise, if the wireless network is the home network, the mobile device runs a timer which is initialized with an internal timer value instead of a network timer value when the internal timer value is less than the network timer value. In response to an expiration of the timer, the mobile device sends to the wireless network another one or more requests for establishing the service.

Data-capable network prioritization with reduced delays in data service

Reduced delays in data service offered by data-capable networks are provided. One illustrative method includes the steps of receiving and storing in memory a first timer value which is broadcasted by a wireless communication network for use in the mobile station; causing a request for data connectivity to be transmitted through the wireless network, and reattempting the request up to a plurality of times when data connectivity fails; after the one or more reattempted requests for data connectivity fail, activating a timer based on a second timer value which is less than the first timer value; and repeating the transmitting of requests for data connectivity after expiration of the timer.

In one illustrative method, a method in a mobile station for use in reducing delays for data communications is described. The mobile station causes a request for packet data service to be sent to a wireless communication network. If the request for the packet data service is denied in response to the request, then the mobile station is set in a deregistered state. In addition, the mobile station initializes a timer with an initial value that is less than a periodic location update timer value which is broadcasted by the wireless communication network, and runs the timer. In response to an expiration of the timer, the mobile station causes another request for the packet data service to be sent to the wireless communication network.

In one illustrative example involving automatic network selection, a mobile station selects and operates with a non-home communication network. The mobile station then experiences an out-of-coverage condition with the non-home network (or a power down condition) but subsequently regains signal coverage (or is powered back on) in response, the mobile station scans to identify a plurality of communication networks in its coverage area. If a home network is identified as being available, the mobile station selects and operates with the home network. Otherwise, if the previous non-home network (e.g. the RPLMN) is identified as being available, the mobile station continues operation with the previous non-home network.

In one illustrative method, a periodic location update timer value is broadcasted by a wireless communication network and received and stored in memory of a mobile station. A request for data service is transmitted by the mobile station to a wireless communication network, and the request is reattempted at least one time in response to identifying a rejection of the request. If the request for the data service is accepted in response to the request, the mobile station operates in the wireless communication network using the data service. On the other hand, if the request for the data service is not accepted, the mobile station is set in a data service deregistered state. A timer is initialized with an initial value that is less than the periodic location update timer value and started. In response to an expiration of the timer, the mobile station repeats the transmission of the request for the data service and any reattempts in response to any rejections of the request. If the periodic location update timer value is less than the initial value, however, the timer is initialized with the periodic location update timer value.

Reject code handling is utilized for a more time-efficient selection of data-capable networks. One illustrative method for use in selecting a wireless communication network for communications involves the steps of causing a request for data connectivity to be transmitted through a first wireless network; reattempting the request for data connectivity through the first wireless network one or more times if a reject code comprising a non-critical error is received in response to the request for data connectivity through the first wireless network; and attempting to select a second wireless network for communications without reattempting the request for data connectivity through the first wireless network one or more times if a reject code comprising a critical error is received in response to the request for data connectivity through the first wireless network.

Network selection methods and apparatus with home network prioritization in country border regions are disclosed. In one illustrative example, a mobile station () is associated with a home communication network () having a home mobile country code (MCC). Being outside of the home network country, however, the mobile station () selects and operates with a non-home communication network () having a visiting MCC. After expiration of a timer, the mobile station () scans to identify a plurality of networks in a coverage area within which the mobile station () is operating. If the home network () having the home MCC is identified as being available, the mobile station () selects and operates with the home network (). Otherwise, if the non-home network () having the visiting MCC is identified as being available, the mobile station () selects and operates with the non-home network ().

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Kitchener, Canada

Jayasri Gunaratnam