Application assisted band scanning method to reduce network acquisition time
A method of selecting a cellular network entails determining a current location of a mobile device by obtaining location data from an application on the mobile device, prioritizing cellular network frequency bands based on the current location to define a band priority, and selecting the cellular network based on the band priority. This method expedites selection of the cellular network when a mobile device is powered on, when its cellular radiofrequency transceiver is activated or when returning from an out-of-coverage area.
1. A method by a mobile device of selecting a cellular network, the method comprising:
scanning frequency bands according to a default order;
determining a current location of the mobile device by obtaining location data from one or more applications on the mobile device;
prioritizing cellular network frequency bands based on the current location to define a band priority;
responsive to the prioritizing being complete, interrupting the scanning; and
resuming the scanning of the frequency bands according to the band priority.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein determining the current location is based on data from a calendar application.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein determining the current location is based on data from a social media application.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein determining the current location is based on data from a travel-related application.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein determining the current location is based on data from a web browser application.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein determining the current location comprises mining messages for travel-related location data.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein determining the current location is performed in response to activating a cellular radiofrequency transceiver.
8. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions in code which when loaded into a memory and executed by a processor of a mobile device cause the mobile device to:
scan frequency bands according to a default order;
determine a current location of the mobile device by obtaining location data from one or more applications on the mobile device;
prioritize cellular network frequency bands based on the current location to define a band priority;
responsive to the prioritizing being complete, interrupt the scanning; and
resume the scanning of the frequency bands according to the band priority.
9. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8 , wherein the current location is based on data from a calendar application.
10. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8 , wherein the current location is based on data from a social media application.
11. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8 , wherein the current location is based on data from a travel-booking application.
12. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8 , wherein the current location is based on data from a web browser application.
13. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8 , wherein the current location is based on message comprising travel-related location data.
14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium as claimed in claim 8 wherein the determining of the current location is performed in response to activating a cellular radiofrequency transceiver.
15. A mobile device comprising:
a cellular radiofrequency transceiver;
a memory that stores an application and data for the application; and
a processor coupled to the memory and configured to:
scan frequency bands according to a default order;
determine a current location of the mobile device by obtaining location data from the application;
prioritize cellular network frequency bands to define a band priority;
responsive to the prioritizing being complete, interrupt the scanning;
resume the scanning of the frequency bands according to the band priority.
16. The mobile device of claim 15 , wherein the application is a calendar application.
17. The mobile device of claim 15 , wherein the application is a social media application.
18. The mobile device of claim 15 , wherein the application is a travel-booking application.
19. The mobile device of claim 15 , wherein the application is a messaging application and the determining comprises mining message for travel-related location data.
20. The mobile device of claim 15 wherein the processor determines the current location in response to activating the cellular radiofrequency transceiver.