Abstract: A base station receives a first identifier (e.g., pseudo ESN) from the wireless device and assigns an index to the wireless device. The base station generates a second identifier (e.g., a dynamic ESN) for the wireless device based on the first identifier and the index. The second identifier is unique among all wireless devices communicating with the base station and may also be unique among other wireless devices communicating with other base stations. The base station generates a code (e.g., a PLCM) for the wireless device based on the second identifier. The wireless device generates the second identifier and the code in similar manner. The second identifier and code may be used for communication between the base station and the wireless device.

Abstract: A base station receives a first identifier (e.g., pseudo ESN) from the wireless device and assigns an index to the wireless device. The base station generates a second identifier (e.g., a dynamic ESN) for the wireless device based on the first identifier and the index. The second identifier is unique among all wireless devices communicating with the base station and may also be unique among other wireless devices communicating with other base stations. The base station generates a code (e.g., a PLCM) for the wireless device based on the second identifier. The wireless device generates the second identifier and the code in similar manner. The second identifier and code may be used for communication between the base station and the wireless device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing and accessing a preferred roaming list formed of variable size system records each of which includes a system identification field, a network identification included field, a preferred_negative field, a geographical region indicator field, and an acquisition parameter information field. Each of the system records optionally includes a network identification field, a priority field, and a roaming indicator field. The network identification, priority and roaming indicator fields from the records are stored in a first array; the system identification and geographical region indicator fields are stored in a second array; the first bit of the network identification included and the preferred_negative fields are stored in a third array; the second bit of the network identification included fields from the records are stored in a fourth array; and the acquisition parameter information fields are stored in a fifth array.

Abstract: A system for facilitating the acquisition of a most desirable wireless service for a wireless phone. The system includes a scanning mechanism for periodically scanning for a signal indicative of a wireless service having a coverage area that overlaps one or more coverage areas of other wireless services. A service acquisition mechanism acquires the wireless service or one of the other wireless services based on predetermined selection criteria and the signal. More specifically, the present invention includes a wireless phone having a first mechanism for determining if a detected system, i.e., service is associated with a coverage area that overlaps one or more coverage areas of different systems. A second mechanism compares the different systems to the detected system and selects a preferred system based on the comparison. A third mechanism acquires the preferred system.

Abstract: A wireless communication system attempts to acquire service from one of a plurality of possible service provider systems. If service is acquired by a less desirable service provider system, the wireless communication system of the present invention constructs an alternate list of more desirable service provider systems and periodically attempts to acquire service from a more desirable service provider system. The wireless communication system may include a most recently used (MRU) list of recently acquired service provider systems. The MRU list may be used to sort the list of alternate service provider systems so that the alternate list of service provider systems will first list those service provider systems that are also contained in the MRU list. Data entries that are contained in both the alternate scan list and the MRU list are sorted in accordance with the position of the service provider system within the MRU list.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing and accessing a preferred roaming list formed of variable size system records each of which includes a system identification field, a network identification included field, a preferred_negative field, a geographical region indicator field, and an acquisition parameter information field. Each of the system records optionally includes a network identification field, a priority field, and a roaming indicator field. The network identification, priority and roaming indicator fields from the records are stored in a first array; the system identification and geographical region indicator fields are stored in a second array; the first bit of the network identification included and the preferred_negative fields are stored in a third array; the second bit of the network identification included fields from the records are stored in a fourth array; and the acquisition parameter information fields are stored in a fifth array.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing and accessing a preferred roaming list formed of variable size system records each of which includes a system identification field, a network identification included field, a preferred_negative field, a geographical region indicator field, and an acquisition parameter information field. Each of the system records optionally includes a network identification field, a priority field, and a roaming indicator field. The network identification, priority and roaming indicator fields from the records are stored in a first array; the system identification and geographical region indicator fields are stored in a second array; the first bit of the network identification included and the preferred_negative fields are stored in a third array; the second bit of the network identification included fields from the records are stored in a fourth array; and the acquisition parameter information fields are stored in a fifth array.