Abstract: A method for operating a dual-band mobile station (10) includes a first step of (a) storing information in the mobile station. The stored information includes an ordered list of frequency bands (Band Order Table 24A). For example, at least one frequency band is an 800 MHz frequency band and at least one other frequency band is a 1900 MHz frequency band. The stored information further includes an identity (24B) of a band wherein an acceptable control channel was last located. A next step (b) is executed in response to a user invoking a search procedure to locate a new non-public system. This step accesses the memory to determine the identity of the band wherein an acceptable control channel was last located, and marks this band as a band to be searched. A next step (c) collects signal strength measurements on channels in the band to be searched and executes a channel search procedure to locate a control channel of a desired non-public system within the band to be searched.

Abstract: A method for operating a dual-band mobile station (10) includes a first step of (a) storing information in the mobile station. The stored information includes an ordered list of frequency bands (Band Order Table 24A). For example, at least one frequency band is an 800 MHz frequency band and at least one other frequency band is a 1900 MHz frequency band. The stored information further includes an identity (24B) of a band wherein an acceptable control channel was last located. A next step (b) is executed in response to a user invoking a search procedure to locate a new non-public system. This step accesses the memory to determine the identity of the band wherein an acceptable control channel was last located, and marks this band as a band to be searched. A next step (c) collects signal strength measurements on channels in the band to be searched and executes a channel search procedure to locate a control channel of a desired non-public system within the band to be searched.

Abstract: A method for operating a dual-band mobile station (10) includes a first step of (a) storing information in the mobile station. The stored information includes an ordered list of frequency bands (Band Order Table 24A). For example, at least one frequency band is an 800 MHz frequency band and at least one other frequency band is a 1900 MHz frequency band. The stored information further includes an identity (24B) of a band wherein an acceptable control channel was last located. A next step (b) is executed in response to a user invoking a search procedure to locate a new non-public system. This step accesses the memory to determine the identity of the band wherein an acceptable control channel was last located, and marks this band as a band to be searched. A next step (c) collects signal strength measurements on channels in the band to be searched and executes a channel search procedure to locate a control channel of a desired non-public system within the band to be searched.

Abstract: In an embodiment of this invention that is suitable for practicing in an IS-136 or similarly compliant system, a method for operating a mobile station (10) includes steps of (A) receiving a Control Channel Selection Parameters message with the mobile station; (B) storing a SCANINTERVAL value received with the message in a memory (24) of the mobile station; in response to a user specifying a new system during an execution of a Non-Public System, Digital Control Channel (NPS-DCCH) selection procedure, (C) modifying the stored SCANINTERVAL value so as to indicate a measurement interval equal to a period of one Hyperframe; (D) performing signal strength measurements on a channel of the user-specified system using the modified SCANINTERVAL value; and, at the termination of the signal strength measurements, (E) restoring the SCANINTERVAL value to the value received in the Control Channel Selection Parameters message.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for operating a mobile station, the method including a first step of storing information in the mobile station, the stored information indicating a frequency of a digital control channel of at least one public cellular communications system in the vicinity of an autonomous communications system. The stored information further specifies a frequency channel associated with the autonomous communications system. The autonomous communications system is one of a private system or a residential system. A second step is executed upon a termination of a call using an analog voice channel or a digital traffic channel of a public cellular communications system, wherein the mobile station receives a message from the public cellular communications system, the received message including information indicating a frequency of a digital control channel of the public cellular communications system.