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 method and apparatus for acquiring an emergency service from one or more candidate mobile radio communication systems. An attempt is made by the mobile radio unit to acquire normal non-emergency service. If the attempt of acquiring normal non-emergency services fails and the user needs to originate an emergency call, an emergency scan list containing one or more candidate mobile radio communication systems is scanned, and an attempt is made to acquire emergency service from one of these systems. The emergency scan list is different from the normal preferred roaming list stored in the mobile radio unit. Next, the invention originates an emergency call in accordance with the service acquired from the emergency scan list.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selecting a communication system in accordance with the geographic region in which the subscriber station is located is described. Upon successful acquisition, a system determination processor examines the received system identification information and compares it with system identification information stored in a universal system table to determine the geographical region of the identified communication system. The system determination processor then determines whether the acquired system is the most desirable system for use in the geographical region. If it is the most desirable system for use in the geographical region, the system determination processor selects the acquired system for providing service. If it is not the most desirable system for use in the geographical region, the subscriber station attempts to acquire a more desirable system using information from the universal system table.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selecting a communication system in accordance with the geographic region in which the subscriber station is located is described. Upon successful acquisition, a system determination processor examines the received system identification information and compares it with system identification information stored in a universal system table to determine the geographical region of the identified communication system. The system determination processor then determines whether the acquired system is the most desirable system for use in the geographical region. If it is the most desirable system for use in the geographical region, the system determination processor selects the acquired system for providing service. If it is not the most desirable system for use in the geographical region, the subscriber station attempts to acquire a more desirable system using information from the universal system table.

Abstract: A wireless communication device automatically and seamlessly switches to an alternate, available system when it is unable to complete a call origination attempt, without requiring the user to take any affirmative actions to select the alternate system. The wireless communication device stores a list of preferred communication systems. The mobile station attempts to acquire one of these preferred communication systems upon failure of the reverse link. If that is not successful, the mobile station attempts to acquire a communication system most likely to provide service. If that is also not successful, the mobile station re-attempts acquisition of the current communication system. The mobile station also re-attempts acquisition with one of the preferred communication systems after a predetermined idle time.

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.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selecting a communication system in accordance with the geographic region in which the subscriber station is located. Upon successful acquisition, the subscriber station examines the received system identification information to determine its geographical region. The subscriber station then determines whether the acquired system is the most desirable system for use in the geographical region. If it is the most desirable system for use in the geographical region, the subscriber station provides service using the acquired system. If it is not the most desirable system for use in the geographical region, the subscriber station attempts to acquire a more desirable system.