Abstract: A circuit (10) to acquire a more-preferred stored SID element (62) includes memory (20) and logic circuitry (30). The memory (20) stores a roaming list (60), such as a PRL, that includes a plurality of SID elements ranked according to an order of preference including at least one more-preferred stored SID element (62) and at least one less-preferred stored SID element (64). The logic circuitry (30) is coupled to the memory (20) and performs a first more-preferred SID acquisition sequence (80) and then second more-preferred SID acquisition sequence (82). The second more-preferred SID acquisition sequence (82) includes repeatedly attempting acquisition of the at least one more-preferred stored SID element (62) during the second more-preferred SID acquisition sequence (82) while also attempting to acquire the at least one less-preferred SID element (64) if desired.

Abstract: A method in a wireless communication device for silent redial comprising attempting to access a new system in response to a failed access attempt with a first system. The method includes determining (124) that the new system is not in the same GEO group as the first system. Receiving (126) the new system MCC/MNC and determining (130) that the new MCC/MNC is included on a home MCC/MNC list and then sending (132) an access probe sequence to the new system.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of synchronizing, by a mobile station, location information between a plurality of networks of different types. A method includes entering into the coverage area of a first access point of a first network by-the mobile station, the first access point having associated location information including a first location value. The method also includes determining a second location value, in conjunction with a second network, and communicating location information between the first access point and the mobile station, including receiving the first location value from the first access point by the mobile station. The method further includes determining if the second location value is within a predetermined tolerance of the first location value. If the second location value is within the predetermined tolerance, the method also includes using the location information associated with the first access point for one or more emergency assistance services.

Abstract: A method in a terminal device (102) for acquiring a carrier system identified in an preferred roaming list (PRL) is disclosed. The method includes acquiring (202) a first carrier system from a first scan list, rearranging (204) the first scan list using a hashing algorithm to form a second scan list, removing (206) priority scanning for the first carrier system, and acquiring (208) a carrier system from the second scan list.

Abstract: A portable multimode wireless communication device (100) including first and second transmitters (110, 120) coupled to corresponding antennas or to a common antenna. The portable device controls (130) an output power of one or both of the first and second transmitters so that a characteristic, for example, the combined specific absorption rate, of the transmitters of the portable multimode wireless communication device does not exceed a specified limit.

Abstract: A method within a communication device (105) for preventing reporting of duplicate pilots within a communication system (100) is disclosed. The method includes communicating with one or more base stations (110); monitoring and maintaining a pilot set (200); allocating one or more pilots not found in the active set (205), the candidate set (210), or the neighbor set (215) to a remaining set (220) comprising one or more remaining set pilots; providing a remaining set window (225) around each remaining set pilot; and eliminating a remaining set pilot when the remaining set window (225) around the remaining set pilot overlaps any of the active, the candidate, or the neighbor set pilots.

Abstract: A portable communication device (100) is provided with first transceiver circuitry (104) for sending and receiving signals on a first communication path and second transceiver circuitry (116) for sending and receiving signals on a second communication path. The portable communication device (100) also includes a controller (112) coupled to the first transceiver circuitry (104) and the second transceiver circuitry (116) for providing a deregistration message to the second transceiver circuitry (116) for transmission therefrom in response to determining that the portable communication device (100) is within signal coverage of the first communication path, activating the first transceiver circuitry (104) to send and receive signals on the first communication path, deactivating the second transceiver circuitry (116), and thereafter activating the second transceiver circuitry (116) at times separated by a predetermined time interval to monitor at least one housekeeping channel of the second communication path.

Abstract: A method for controlling diversity receivers in a wireless communication device includes the steps of: determining if the wireless communication device is experiencing poor coverage (220), using a first receiver and a second receiver for diversity (230) if the wireless communication device is experiencing poor coverage, and using the second receiver for scanning (240) if the wireless communication device is not experiencing poor coverage. Thus, diversity can be used when needed to improve reception. Both receivers, however, can be used in a non-diversity mode to reduce current drain or to speed up channel acquisition when coverage is not poor.

Abstract: A method for a mobile station to receive directory assistance by calling (501) a directory assistance system and providing (503) a directory assistance request. Depending on the preference of the user, the mobile station receives (550) a data message from the directory assistance system that includes a resulting telephone number and associated location information, just the resulting telephone number, or just the associated location information. The data is stored (552) to memory. Associated location information can be used (564) as a destination for a navigation system.

Abstract: A method (200) in a CDMA terminal device for acquiring a system identified in an enhanced preferred roaming list (enhanced PRL), with at least one entry containing a mobile country code, includes the steps of obtaining (210) system identifiers from SYNCH channels on a scan list, determining (220) if the system identifiers match entries on the enhanced PRL, and inserting (226) channel information items on a first list if the system identifiers do not match entries on the enhanced PRL. If all channels on the scan list have been scanned without any system identifiers matching entries on the enhanced PRL, the method obtains (246) mobile country codes using channel information items from the first list, determines (250) if the mobile country codes match entries on the enhanced PRL, and camps (283) on a system if its mobile country code matches an entry on the enhanced PRL.

Abstract: A method (200) for scanning of channels by a multi-mode communication device includes the steps of making a scan list (230) operative for more than one mode, modifying the scan list (245) to remove all non-current-mode systems, and sequentially scanning (450) a highest priority channel on the modified scan list. If the communication device has recently found service on a particular system in a first mode, the communication device will only search for systems that are associated with that first mode. This use of a modified scan list applies both to power up scanning situations and scanning after power up situations. Modifying a scan list to remove all non-current mode systems allows the multi-mode communication device to avoid scanning for systems that are geographically unavailable and instead acquire a system in less time and with less power consumption.

Abstract: A method and system for maintaining registration information for multiple communication areas within a network is provided. For a particular mobile subscriber, information associated with at least some prior registrations are retained, and in some instances are re-used upon re-entry into a communication area in which the mobile subscriber was previously located. The retention of registration information for multiple communication areas is managed as the default, without requiring additional signaling associated with each registration.

Abstract: A circuit (2) and method acquires a pilot signal and produces a pilot strength measurement message (PSMM) (4). The circuit (2) includes a pilot strength measurement message generator (20). The pilot strength measurement message generator (20) receives the long term filtered measurement data (22) corresponding to at least one pilot signal (70) to produce the pilot strength measurement message (4). The pilot strength measurement message generator (20) produces the pilot strength measurement message (4) based on at least the long term filtered measurement data (22). According to one embodiment, a wireless device (10) employs a first receiver (30) to generate the long term filtered measurement data (22), a second receiver (40) to generate short term filtered measurement data (24), and the pilot strength measurement message generator (20) for producing the pilot strength measurement message (4).

Abstract: A circuit (10) to acquire a more-preferred stored SID element (62) includes memory (20) and logic circuitry (30). The memory (20) stores a roaming list (60), such as a PRL, that includes a plurality of SID elements ranked according to an order of preference including at least one more-preferred stored SID element (62) and at least one less-preferred stored SID element (64). The logic circuitry (30) is coupled to the memory (20) and performs a first more-preferred SID acquisition sequence (80) and then second more-preferred SID acquisition sequence (82). The second more-preferred SID acquisition sequence (82) includes repeatedly attempting acquisition of the at least one more-preferred stored SID element (62) during the second more-preferred SID acquisition sequence (82) while also attempting to acquire the at least one less-preferred SID element (64) if desired.

Abstract: A circuit (2) and method employing logic circuitry (30) and memory (40) identifies a reverse link limited channel (80). The logic circuitry (30) identifies a reverse link limited channel based on determining that an access probe failure occurred on a channel (64). The logic circuitry (30) causes the memory to store reverse link limited channel data (80) in response to the logic circuitry (30) determining that the access probe failure occurred. The reverse link limited channel data (80), for example, may be a channel identification associated with the channel (64), a base station identification associated with the channel (64), a location identification of the circuit (2) or any data suitable for identifying and adapting dynamically to the reverse link limited channel.

Abstract: A method in a wireless communications device that allocates neighbor signals to a candidate set based on signal allocation criteria, including dynamically changing the signal allocation criteria based on at least one of a number of signals in an active signal set (330) and on a signal quality of a strongest of signal in the active signal set (332). In one embodiment the signal allocation criteria is the length of an IIR filter.