Method for a mobile phone to automatically adapt to different frequency bands
A wide area communication network includes a first and second local wireless communication network, each local network operating in a different frequency band. A mobile phone previously configured to operate in the frequency band of the first local wireless communication network is transported to the second local wireless communication network and after powered runs a reconfiguration routine to operate in the frequency band of the second local wireless communication network. The reconfiguration routine includes scanning the wireless medium for a signal that includes wireless LAN identification information and after receiving such a signal comparing this identification information to identification information stored in the mobile phone. If the comparison results in a match, the mobile phone can successfully associate with the second local wireless communication network.
1 . A method of operating a wireless communication device in the presence of a wireless LAN to configure the wireless device to operate in the frequency band of the wireless LAN, the method comprising:
upon powering on, the wireless communications device configuring itself for operation on a selected first frequency of a set of frequencies, the set of frequencies including those frequencies at which the wireless LAN may operate;
the wireless communications device monitoring for signals from a stationary communication device in the wireless LAN;
if no signal is received within a predetermined interval, the wireless communications device selecting a next frequency of the set of frequencies and configuring itself for operation on the next frequency and repeating the monitoring step;
if a signal is received within the predetermined interval, the wireless communications device receiving the signal transmitted by the stationary communication device on the selected frequency and detecting in the signal wireless LAN identification information associated with the wireless LAN;
the wireless communications device comparing the detected wireless LAN identification information associated with the wireless LAN with wireless communication device identity information stored in the wireless communications device memory; and
if there is a match between the detected wireless LAN identification information and the stored wireless communication device identity information, the wireless communications device transmitting a signal to the stationary communication device containing unique device identification information using the selected frequency.
2 . The method of claim 1 further comprising:
if a signal is received within the predetermined interval and the wireless communications device does not detect wireless LAN identification information in the signal the wireless communications device selecting a next frequency of the set of frequencies and configuring itself for operation on the next frequency and repeating the monitoring step.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the wireless communication device is one of a mobile phone, a PDA and a portable, wireless computer.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the configuring for operation on the first frequency is automatically started by the wireless communication device upon powering on.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the configuring for operation on the first frequency is manually started upon powering on the wireless communication device.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the stationary communication device is one of a base station and an access point.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the selected first frequency is the frequency on which the wireless communication device was operating during a last communication session.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the wireless LAN identification information is comprised of access rights information.
9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the access rights information is comprised of an access rights class and access rights details.
10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the wireless communication device identification information is comprised of a portable access rights key and an international portable user identify.
11 . A wireless communication device for operation in the presence of a wireless LAN which automatically configures itself to operate in the frequency band of the wireless LAN, the wireless LAN including a stationary communication device, the wireless communication device comprising:
a programmable transceiver;
a processor coupled to the programmable transceiver; and
a memory coupled to the processor, the memory including:
a first location for temporarily storing a message received from the stationary communication device;
a second location storing a set of frequencies including those frequencies at which the wireless LAN may operate;
a third location storing wireless communication device identity information; and
programs for execution on the processor which cause the processor to perform the following steps:
configuring the wireless communications device for operation on a selected first frequency of the set of frequencies;
monitoring for signals from the stationary communication device in the wireless LAN;
if no signals are received within a predetermined interval, selecting a next frequency of the set of frequencies and configuring the wireless communications device for operation on the next frequency band and repeating the monitoring step;
if signals are received within the predetermined interval, receiving a message transmitted by the stationary communication device on the selected frequency and detecting in the message the wireless LAN identification information associated with the wireless LAN;
comparing the detected wireless LAN identification information associated with the wireless LAN with the stored wireless communication device identity information; and
if there is a match between the detected wireless LAN identification information and the stored wireless communication device identity information, transmitting a message to the stationary communication device containing unique device identification information using the selected frequency.
12 . The wireless communication device of claim 11 , the programs for execution on the processor which cause the processor to perform steps further comprising:
if a signal is received within the predetermined interval and the wireless communications device does not detect wireless LAN identification information in the signal, selecting a next frequency of the set of frequencies and configuring itself for operation on the next frequency and repeating the monitoring step.
13 . The wireless communication device of claim 11 , wherein the wireless communication device is one of a mobile phone, a PDA and a mobile computer.
14 . The stationary communication device of claim 11 , wherein the stationary communication device is one of a base station and an access point.
15 . The wireless communication device of claim 11 , wherein the wireless LAN identification information is comprised of access rights information.
16 . A method of operating a wireless LAN, the wireless LAN operating at a frequency, the method comprising:
upon powering on, a wireless communications device configuring itself for operation on a selected first frequency of a set of frequencies, the set of frequencies including those frequencies at which the wireless LAN may operate;
a stationary communication device periodically transmitting a signal over the wireless medium, the signal including wireless LAN identification information;
the wireless communications device monitoring for signals from the stationary communication device in the wireless LAN;
if no signals are received within a predetermined interval, the wireless communications device selecting a next frequency of the set of frequencies and configuring itself for operation on the next frequency and repeating the monitoring step;
if signals are received within the predetermined interval, the wireless communications device receiving a message transmitted by the stationary communication device on the selected frequency and detecting in the message the wireless LAN identification information associated with the wireless LAN;
the wireless communications device comparing the detected wireless LAN identification information associated with the wireless LAN with wireless communication device identity information stored in the wireless communications device memory; and
if there is a match between the detected wireless LAN identification information and the stored wireless communication device identity information, the wireless communications device transmitting a message to the stationary communication device containing unique device identification information using the selected frequency band.
17 . The method of claim 16 further comprising:
if signals are received within the predetermined interval and the wireless communications device does not detect wireless LAN identification information in the signal, the wireless communications device selecting a next frequency of the set of frequencies and configuring itself for operation on the next frequency and repeating the monitoring step.
18 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the wireless communication device is one of a mobile phone, a PDA and a portable, wireless computer.
19 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the configuring the wireless communication device for operation on the first frequency is automatically started by the wireless communication device upon powering on.
20 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the configuring the wireless communication device for operation on the first frequency is manually started upon powering on the wireless communication device.
21 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the stationary communication device is one of a base station and an access point.
22 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the selected first frequency is the frequency on which the wireless communication device was operating during a last communication session.
23 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the wireless LAN identification information is comprised of access rights information.
24 . The method of claim 23 , wherein the access rights information is comprised of an access rights class and access rights details.
25 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the wireless communication device identification information is comprised of a portable access rights key and an international portable user identify.