Methods and apparatus for out of service processing with varied behaviors

(54) Title: METHODS AND EQUIPMENT FOR (57) Summary:

OUT OF SERVICE PROCESSING WITH VARIED BEHAVIOR (30) Unionist Priority: 03/24/2008 us 12 / 054,135,

26/03/2007 US 60 / 908,036 (73) Owner (s): Qualcomm Incorporated (72) Inventor (s): Alex Kuang-Hsuan Tu, Bhupesh Manoharlal

Umatt, James A. Hutchison, Messay Amerga, Michael Kevin Spartz,

Parag Mohgan Kanade, Vineet Mittal (74) Attorney (s): Montaury Pimenta, Machado &

Lioce (86) International Order: pct us2008058330 from

26/03/2008 (87) International Publication: wo 2008 / U8996de

02/10/2008

METHODS AND EQUIPMENT FOR OUT-OF-SERVICE PROCESSING

WITH VARIED BEHAVIORS

Priority Claim under 35 USC § 119

This priority request from provisional application No.

Uniform Out-of-Service with Varied on March 6, 2007 and assigned this request and expressly referenced.

FUNDAMENTALS

Field

The present application generally relates to the operation of wireless communication devices, and more particularly, to methods and equipment for processing out of service with varying behaviors. Foundations

When a wireless communication device is unable to receive a usable signal from a server system, it is considered out of service (OOS). The wireless communication device attempts to acquire a usable signal so that service with the server system can be established. In its attempts to acquire a usable signal, the wireless communication device expends battery power trying to acquire usable signals that are not readily available, which reduces the operating time available for the wireless communication system before the battery needs to recharge . For example, if the wireless communication device continuously tries to acquire a usable signal, and such signal is not readily available on the communication device, it will be quickly consumed patent claims 60 / 908.036, entitled Behaviors, deposited to the transferee of the person incorporated here by operating environment wireless current, battery power without any beneficial results.

2/24 state out acquisition takes identifying associates and

Therefore, what is needed is a mechanism that operates to provide out-of-service processing on a wireless communication device that allows the wireless communication device to efficiently acquire a usable signal to establish service based on the conditions that are known when loss of service is detected.

SUMMARY

In one or more aspects, a service acquisition system, comprising methods and equipment, is provided by operating to control how a wireless communication device attempts to acquire service after a service device is detected. The system takes into account the conditions that are known to the wireless communication device when the out of service state is detected to determine how to persist with the service acquisition. Thus, based on the conditions in the wireless communication device, the system may vary in behavior from the wireless communication device to try to acquire service in a more or less aggressive manner, thus controlling the use of battery power.

In one aspect, a method is provided for purchasing the service. The method comprises the determination of one or more conditions, where each condition is associated with at least one weight, detecting if an out of service event has occurred, and if an out of service event has been detected;

the selected conditions and the weights processing the associated weights to determine the on and off service acquisition times.

In one aspect, equipment is provided for the purchase of service. The equipment comprises the logic of

3/24 condition configured to determine one or more conditions, where each condition is associated with at least one weight, and the processing logic configured to detect whether an out of service event has occurred, and if an out of service event has been detected, identify the selected conditions and the associated weights and process the associated weights to determine the on and off service acquisition times.

In one aspect, equipment is provided for the purchase of service. The equipment comprises means for determining one or more of the conditions, where each condition is associated with at least one weight. The equipment also comprises means for detecting whether an out of service event has occurred and if an out of service event has been detected; means for identifying the selected conditions and the associated weights, and means for processing the associated weights to determine the on and off service acquisition times.

In one aspect, a computer program product is provided for purchase of service. The computer program product comprises a machine-readable medium that comprises a first set of codes to cause a computer to determine one or more conditions, where each condition is associated with at least one weight. The machine-readable medium also comprises a second set of codes to make a computer detect whether an out-of-service event has occurred and if an out-of-service event has been detected, to identify selected conditions and associated weights, and process the associated weights to determine on and off service acquisition times.

In one aspect, at least one integrated circuit is provided and configured for service acquisition. The hair

4/24 minus an integrated circuit comprises a first module configured to determine one or more conditions, where each condition is associated with at least one weight. The at least one integrated circuit also comprises a second module configured to detect whether an out of service event has occurred, and if an out of service event has been detected, to identify selected conditions and associated weights, and to process associated weights to determine the service acquisition times on and off.

Other aspects will become apparent after reviewing the Brief Description of the Drawings, Description and Claims presented later.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The aspects described above will become readily apparent by reference to the following Description when taken into consideration in conjunction with the attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a communication network that illustrates the operation of aspects of a service acquisition system;

Figure 2 illustrates a diagram that illustrates the acquisition profiles for use in aspects of a service acquisition system;

Figure 3 illustrates an illustrative out-of-service logic for use in aspects of a service acquisition system;

Figure 4 illustrates illustrative conditions for use in aspects of a service acquisition system;

Figure 5 illustrates illustrative mode parameters for use in aspects of a service acquisition system;

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Figure 6 illustrates an illustrative method for service acquisition provided by aspects of a service acquisition system; and

Figure 7 illustrates the illustrative out-of-service logic for use in aspects of a service acquisition system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In several respects, a service acquisition system is provided and operates to use one or more initial conditions to control how the wireless communication device attempts to acquire a usable signal to establish service with a server system. For example, when an out-of-service state is detected, the wireless communication device attempts to acquire service for an on-time, and conserves power for an off-time. In one aspect, the service acquisition system operates to determine the service acquisition time on, the time off and / or the acquisition frequency and task cycle based on the initial conditions known to the wireless communication device when the attempt is made. begins. In this way, the initial conditions are defined to include a wide range of conditions experienced by the wireless communication device known at the time of an OOS event, and these conditions are interpreted to determine how aggressively the wireless communication device should attempt to acquire the service, which also impacts the power consumption of the wireless communication device.

The initial conditions are determined from a variety of sources and are used to choose between on and off time settings or to calculate on and off times directly. This reason can be expressed

6/24 equivalent as the duration of the on and off times or the ratio of the on and off times and the duration of the cycle defined by the sum of the on and off times. In one respect, the on-time can precede or follow the off-time. For example, initial conditions may include the signal quality of the last system as measured by the power and / or signal-to-noise ratio and can be combined with knowledge of one or more previous out-of-service durations to determine the duration of on and off times. In addition, the initial conditions related to the use of the service state, such as the amount of time the wireless communication device is in active communication, can be combined with the knowledge of the nearby alternative service to estimate the duration of the connected times and turned off for acquisition purposes. Knowledge of the alternative service, knowledge of geographical service relationships, can be known from the wireless communication device based on information programmed into the device, information provided to the device by the communication network, and / or discovered by the wireless communication device. wire during operation.

In one aspect, the service acquisition system allows a determination of how aggressively a wireless communication device must pursue the service. For example, it may be desirable to pursue service more aggressively during times of more active operation than during less active operation. During less active operation, the benefit of increased off-time to conserve energy, particularly in a battery powered wireless communication device, may be more important. The following is a partial list of initial conditions that can be used

7/24 by the aspects of the acquisition system to determine the durations of the on and off times and / or frequency of service acquisition and task cycle.

1. communication network complexity

2. time of day

3. historical usage patterns

4. expected usage patterns

5. expected likelihood of new acquisition

6. number of operational bands

7. number of procurement services

8. available energy

9. signal quality of the latest systems

10. previous out-of-service durations.

11. uptime duration

12. number of nearby wireless networks.

Figure 1 illustrates a communication network that illustrates the operation of aspects of a service acquisition system. Communication network 100 comprises a communication network 102 and a wireless communication device 104. Communication network 102 can comprise any type of wireless and / or wired communication network and covers any desired geographical region. Communication network 102 can communicate with devices within the geographic region using any suitable type of communication technique or technology. Such knowledge of the initial conditions can be transient and eliminated after a period of time, or persistently maintained.

Wireless communication device 104 operates to communicate with communication network 102 and can be any type of cell phone, PDA, e-mail device, pager, computer or any other type of device that is able to communicate with the network 102 using communication technology

102

8/24 adequate communication. For example, during power-up, wireless communication device 102 operates to establish service with communication network 102 and maintains service as wireless communication device 104 moves into the region covered by the communication network. 102.

Wireless communication device 104 comprises a receiver 106 that operates to seek and acquire service over communication network 102. For example, receiver 106 operates to tune to designated radio frequencies and receive transmissions from communication network 102 at those frequencies. . Receiver 106 is also capable of transmitting information at frequencies designated for communication network 102. Operation of the receiver 106 to restore service with the communication network 102 requires the use of battery power. Thus, the longer it takes receiver 106 to seek and establish service with communication network 102, the more battery power is used.

In one aspect, receiver 106 provides information for out-of-service logic 108 as illustrated in 110. In one aspect, out-of-service logic 108 operates to determine conditions 112 associated with wireless communication device 104. Based on weights associated with conditions 112, out-of-service logic 108 operates to determine an acquisition time on ”, an acquisition time off, and / or an acquisition frequency and duty cycle for service acquisition purposes. In this way, it is possible to assign any desired weighting to conditions 112 to achieve a desired level of aggressiveness for the acquisition of service. By determining the aggressiveness for service acquisition, any desired balance (or exchange ratio) between the

9/24 purchase of service and energy consumption can be achieved.

A timing diagram 114 illustrates a connected acquisition interval 116 that has a duration indicated by 118 and in which the service acquisition is attempted. A disconnected acquisition interval 120 is also illustrated, which has a duration indicated at 122 and in which service acquisition is not attempted to allow wireless communication device 104 to conserve power. The sum of the on duration 118 and the off duration 120 represents an acquisition cycle time 124. It is also possible to determine an acquisition task cycle as the ratio of the linked duration 118 and the cycle time 124.

In various respects, the out-of-service logic 108 operates to perform one or more of the following functions to determine the acquisition time on, the acquisition time off and / or an acquisition frequency and task cycle.

1. Initialize and maintain the conditions and associated weights on the wireless communication device 104.

2. Detect an out-of-service event.

3. Get the weights associated with all or some of the conditions.

4. Combine weights to determine an indicator of aggression.

5. Process the aggression indicator to determine the on and off service acquisition times and / or acquisition frequency and task cycle.

6. Provide on and off service acquisition times and / or task cycle for receiver logic 106 for service acquisition.

Since the on and off service acquisition times and / or the acquisition task cycle

10/24 is determined, the out-of-service logic 108 sends this information to the receiver 106 as indicated in 124. The receiver 106 then attempts to acquire the service using the determined on and off acquisition times and / or acquisition frequency and cycle. assignment.

Therefore, in many ways, the acquisition system operates to initialize and maintain weighted conditions on a wireless communication device. when an out-of-service event is detected, the weights associated with one or more of the conditions are processed to determine an aggression indicator that determines how aggressively the wireless communication device should attempt to purchase the service. In this way, the acquisition system operates to allow for any desired balance or exchange between aggressive acquisition and the use of battery power.

Figure 2 illustrates a diagram 200 that illustrates the acquisition aggressiveness profiles for use in aspects of a service acquisition system. In one aspect, the aggressiveness profiles 200 are implemented by the out-of-service logic 108.

The aggressiveness profiles 200 are illustrated in a graph that illustrates the probability of service acquisition on the vertical geometric axis and the acquisition time on the horizontal geometric axis. For example, four aggressiveness profiles (A, B, C and D) are illustrated. Profile A illustrates a very aggressive profile having a relatively high probability of acquisition over a relatively short acquisition period. Profile D illustrates a less aggressive profile having a relatively low acquisition probability over a relatively long acquisition period. Thus, while the more aggressive profile A provides a high

11/24 probability of service acquisition, its associated energy use may be much higher than that of the less aggressive D profile. In several respects, the service acquisition system operates to select an aggressive profile based on the conditions that exist at the time an OOS event is detected so that a selected relationship between service acquisition and energy consumption can be achieved.

Figure 3 illustrates the illustrative out-of-service logic 300 for use in aspects of a service acquisition system. For example, the out-of-service logic 300 is suitable for use like the out-of-service logic 108 illustrated in Figure 1. The out-of-service logic 300 comprises processing logic 302, memory 306 and

308 all coupled to condition logic 304, receiver interface (I / F) data bus 310.

The receiver interface logic 308 comprises at least one of a CPU, processor, port set, hardware logic, memory elements, and / or hardware running software. The receiver interface logic 308 operates to receive service status indicators that indicate the current service status of a wireless communication device. For example, the service situation indicates whether the wireless communication device is currently in service or out of service. For example, service status information can be received from the receiver logic of a wireless communication device, such as receiver 106 illustrated in figure 1.

operates several

Receiver interface logic 308 also for receiving operational information that describes operating parameters associated with a device

12/24 wireless communication. For example, operational information describes which communication networks are available for the wireless communication device, the position of the wireless communication device, availability of alternative service, and any other type of operational information. In one aspect, operational information can be received from the receiver logic of a wireless communication device, such as receiver 106 illustrated in Figure 1.

Receiver interface logic 308 also operates to transmit acquisition control information to a wireless communication device receiver. The acquisition control information comprises the acquisition times on and off and / or acquisition frequency and task cycle information. Such information can be used by the receiver logic to implement an aggressiveness profile where a selected balance (or exchange) between the aggressiveness of service acquisition and the power consumption of the wireless communication device is achieved. In one aspect, the acquisition control information is provided for the receiver interface logic 308 by the processing logic 302.

Condition logic 304 comprises at least one of a CPU, processor, port set, hardware logic, memory elements, and / or hardware running software. In one aspect, condition logic 304 operates to determine a variety of conditions associated with a wireless communication device and store those conditions in memory 306. Memory 306 comprises any suitable memory, such as RAM, EEPROM or any other type of volatile or non-volatile memory. For example, operating conditions 316 are determined from the operational information received by the

13/24 receiver interface 308. Condition logic 304 also operates to receive wireless communication device information and uses that information to determine device conditions 314 that are also stored in memory 306. Additionally, condition logic 304 operates to receive user information and uses that information to determine user conditions 314 which are also stored in memory 306. conditions have one or more associated weights that are also stored in memory 306. The weights for each condition can be pre-stored in the 300 out of service logic,

Each determined by the logic downloaded from the processing 301, or communication network. In one aspect, the weights vary in magnitude and sign so that one providing the conditions to be considered for more aggressive acquisition behavior will receive increasingly positive numbers. Conversely, the conditions to be considered in order to provide less aggressive purchasing behavior to conserve energy receive increasingly negative numbers. A more detailed description of device conditions 312, user conditions 314 and operating conditions 316 is provided in other sections of this document.

Processing logic 302 comprises at least one of a CPU, processor, port set, hardware logic, memory elements, and / or hardware running software. In one aspect, processing logic 302 operates to maintain mode parameters 318 that indicate acquisition modes for use by out-of-service logic 300. In one aspect, the mode parameters 318 are determined by the processing logic 302 based on the operational information received by the receiver interface logic 308. In one aspect, the parameters of the

14/24 mode 318 are used to determine a set of conditions / weight that must be evaluated for the purpose of determining the acquisition control information.

Processing logic 302 operates to detect an out of service event. For example, processing logic 302 receives the service status from receiver interface logic 308 and uses that information to determine whether or not an out-of-service event has occurred. Once an out-of-service event is detected, processing logic 302 uses mode parameters 318 to determine which conditions / weights should be evaluated for the purpose of determining acquisition control information.

Mode parameters 318 identify a list of conditions to be evaluated for one or more operating modes. The conditions in the list are selected from the conditions stored in memory 306. Each of the conditions identified has one or more associated weights that the processing logic 302 obtains for processing. In one aspect, any combination of device conditions 312, user conditions 314 and operating conditions 316 can be selected based on the lists associated with mode parameters 318.

Processing logic 302 operates to determine an aggressiveness indicator by combining the weights associated with the conditions selected by a particular parameter 318. In one aspect, processing logic 302 determines the aggressiveness indicator (AI) using the algorithm a follow

AI = ZWeight (i) where the index i is determined from the list of conditions identified by the selected mode parameter 318. Thus, the aggressiveness indicator is

15/24 determined by the sum of the weights associated with the conditions identified by the selected mode parameter 318. It should be noted that any other type of processing of selected conditions can be performed to determine the aggressiveness indicator.

Once the aggressiveness indicator is determined, processing logic 302 operates to convert or map that indicator into on and off acquisition times. For example, the aggressiveness indicator can be mapped on a table of acquisition times on and off, the aggressiveness indicator can be processed in any other way to determine the acquisition times on and off directly. For example, the aggressiveness indicator can be used to select a particular aggressiveness profile as illustrated in figure 2, from where the on and off acquisition times can be determined. Processing logic 302 can also determine an acquisition frequency and task cycle.

Once the on and off acquisition times and / or the acquisition frequency and task cycle have been determined, processing logic 302 passes that information to receiver interface logic 308, which sends the information as control information from acquisition for a wireless communication device receiver. The receiver on the device then attempts to purchase the service during the linked acquisition times of the acquisition task cycle. The receiver operates to conserve energy during the off acquisition times.

In one aspect, the service acquisition system comprises a computer program product having

16/24 one or more program instructions (instructions) or sets of codes stored or embodied in a machine-readable medium, which when executed by at least one processor, for example, a processor in processing logic 302, operates to provide the functions described here. For example, code sets can be loaded into out-of-service logic 300 from a machine-readable medium, such as a floppy disk, CD-ROM, memory card, FLASH memory device, RAM, ROM or any another type of memory device or machine-readable medium that interfaces with out-of-service logic 300. In another aspect, the code sets can be downloaded into out-of-service logic 300 from an external device or communication network resource. The code sets, when executed, cause the out-of-service logic 300 to provide the aspects of a service acquisition system as described here.

Figure 4 illustrates illustrative conditions 400 for use in aspects of a service acquisition system. For example, in one aspect, conditions 400 are generated by condition logic 304 illustrated in figure 3 and stored in memory 306.

Conditions 400 comprise user conditions 402, device conditions 404 and operating conditions 406. Each condition comprises a condition index 408, a condition identifier 410, condition weights 412 and a condition indicator 414. In one aspect, the indicator condition 414 is used to indicate that a particular condition is active or has been determined on a wireless communication device.

In one aspect, each condition is associated with one or more weights. Thus, for each condition the weight

The appropriate 17/24 is selected based on a selected mode parameter. A more detailed description of weight selection in various aspects of the service acquisition system is provided below.

Figure 5 illustrates illustrative mode parameters 500 for use in aspects of a service acquisition system. For example, in one aspect, mode parameters 500 are maintained and processed by processing logic 302.

Mode parameters 500 comprise a mode identifier 502, a mode context identifier 504, and condition lists 506. The context identifier 504 identifies a context that indicates when the particular condition list would be used to determine the aggressiveness indicator in response to an out-of-service event. For example, a context is an energizing context that is associated with a list of conditions to be used to assess the aggressiveness indicator, and another context is designated as a standard context that is associated with a list of conditions to be used to assess the aggressiveness indicator. In this way, any type of wireless communication device context can be defined and has an associated list of conditions to be evaluated.

Figure 6 illustrates an illustrative method 600 for the acquisition of service provided by aspects of a service acquisition system. For the sake of clarity, method 600 is described below with reference to out-of-service logic 300 illustrated in Figure 3. In one aspect, processing logic 302 executes one or more sets of codes to control out-of-service logic 300 to perform the functions described below. ·>

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In block 602, service status is obtained. In one aspect, the receiver interface logic 308 operates to receive the service situation and passes that information on to the processing logic 302. The service situation indicates whether or not the service is currently established with a communication network.

In block 604, a determination is made as to whether an out-of-service event is detected. For example, if the service situation indicates that there is currently no service, the out-of-service event is detected. In one aspect, processing logic 302 operates to perform this determination. If an out of service event is not detected, the method proceeds to block 606 where the operating device and user conditions are updated during a service time interval. If an out-of-service event is detected, the method proceeds to block 612.

In block 606, the operating conditions are updated. In one aspect, condition logic 304 receives operational information from receiver interface logic 308 and updates operating conditions 316 stored in memory 306. In one aspect, operating conditions 316 are formatted as shown in Figure 4. When an operational condition is updated or determined, the corresponding indicator 414 is determined to indicate that the condition currently exists on the device.

In block 608, the device conditions are updated. In one aspect, condition logic 304 receives wireless communication device information and updates device conditions 312 stored in memory 306. In one aspect, device conditions 312 are formatted as shown in figure 4. When a condition is updated or determined, the

19/24 and any aspect conditions, the logic of figure 5. In one aspect, the to determine any corresponding indicator 414 is determined to indicate that the condition currently exists on the device.

In block 610, user conditions are updated. In one aspect, condition logic 304 receives user information and updates user conditions 314 stored in memory 316. In one aspect, user conditions 314 are formatted as shown in figure 4. When a user condition is updated or determined, the corresponding indicator 414 is configured to indicate that the condition currently exists on the device.

In block 612, a current mode is determined. In a 302 processing it operates to determine the current mode from the 318 mode parameters. The mode indicates a context that is associated with how an aggressiveness indicator should be determined. In one aspect, mode parameters 318 are formatted as illustrated in condition logic 304 operating current conditions that are determined or updated when the out-of-service event is detected. For example, condition logic 304 operates to determine a time in service condition and / or battery life condition that describes how long the device has been in service and the remaining battery life, respectively. In one respect, current conditions are part of the operating device,> and user conditions, however, are updated the moment the out-of-service event is detected so that most of the updated information can be used to determine the aggressiveness with which the device tries to acquire the service.

In block 614, in response to the detection of an out-of-service event, a list of conditions and weights

20/24 associates determine associates is determined based on the current mode. In one aspect, processing logic 302 uses the current mode to determine a list of conditions that must be used to determine an indicator of aggressiveness. For example, the mode indicates a current device context (that is, mode 1 indicates energization) and processing logic 302 operates to obtain the list of conditions with the mode that must be processed for the aggressiveness indicator. Processing logic 302 then obtains weights associated with the list of conditions. In one aspect, processing logic 302 checks to make sure that an indicator associated with each condition is determined to indicate that the condition currently exists on the device. If a corresponding indicator is not set for a particular condition, processing logic 302 can omit that condition from its determination of aggressiveness.

In one aspect, each condition is associated with a weight and processing logic 302 operates to obtain those weights to determine the aggressiveness indicator. In another aspect, each condition is associated with multiple weights and these weights are indexed by mode. For example, a condition can be associated with a first weight to be used for mode 1, a second weight to be used for mode 2 and so on. In this way, the weights associated with each condition can be selected based on the mode parameter to allow additional control over the determination of service acquisition aggressiveness.

In block 616, the weights associated with the condition list are processed to determine an aggressiveness indicator. In one aspect, the processing logic 302 operates to process the weights according to the algorithm

21/24 described above to determine the aggressiveness indicator (AI).

In block 618, the aggressiveness indicator is mapped to the on and off service acquisition times. In one aspect, the processing logic 302 operates to map the aggressiveness indicator to a table that provides the service acquisition times on and off, in another aspect, the aggressiveness indicator is processed according to any suitable algorithm to determine the service acquisition times on and off directly. For example, the aggressiveness indicator can be mapped to the aggressiveness profiles as shown in figure 2 and these profiles can be mapped or correspond to the selected service acquisition times on and off.

In block 620, the service acquisition times on and off are sent to the service acquisition logic on the device. For example, processing logic 302 provides on and off service acquisition times for receiver interface logic 308 which in turn sends on and off service acquisition times as acquisition control parameters for logic receiver on the device. The receiver logic on the device is then able to attempt to establish a service using the service acquisition times on and off so that a selected aggressiveness profile can be achieved.

Therefore, method 600 operates to allow a wireless communication device to achieve a selected aggressiveness profile during service acquisition. It should be noted that Method 600 is only an implementation and that Method 600 operations may have new provisions or may be otherwise modified

22/24 within the scope of the various aspects. Thus, other implementations are possible within the scope of the various aspects described here.

Figure 7 illustrates the illustrative out-of-service logic 700 for use in aspects of a service acquisition system. For example, out-of-service logic 700 is suitable for use as out-of-service logic 108 illustrated in figure 1. In one aspect, out-of-service logic 700 is implemented by at least one integrated circuit comprising one or more modules configured for provide aspects of an acquisition system as described here. For example, in one aspect, each module comprises hardware and / or hardware running software.

The out-of-service logic 7 00 comprises a first module comprising means (702) for determining one or more conditions, where each condition is associated with at least one weight, which in one aspect comprises condition logic 304. The logic out-of-service 700 also comprises a second module comprising means (704) for detecting whether an out-of-service event has occurred, which in one aspect comprises processing logic 302. Out-of-service logic 700 also comprises a third module comprising means (706) for identifying selected conditions and associated weights, if an out-of-service event is detected, which in one aspect comprises processing logic 302. The out-of-service logic 700 also comprises a fourth module comprising means (708) for the processing of associated weights to determine service acquisition times turn on and off if an out of service event is detected, which in one aspect comprises the processing logic 302.

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The various illustrative logics, logic blocks, modules and circuits described with respect to the aspects described here can be implemented or carried out with a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable port (FPGA) set or other programmable logic device, discrete port or transistor logic, discrete hardware components or any combination of them designed to perform the functions described here. A general purpose processor can be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor can be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller or state machine. A processor can also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, for example, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

The steps of a method or algorithm described in relation to the aspects described here can be embodied directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two. A software module may reside in RAM, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disk, removable disk, CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An illustrative storage medium is coupled to the processor so that the processor can read information from and write information to the storage medium. Alternatively, the storage medium can be integral with the processor. The processor and storage medium can reside in an ASIC. ASIC can reside

24/24 on a wireless communication device. Alternatively, the processor and the storage medium can reside as discrete components in a wireless communication device.

The description of the described aspects is provided to allow anyone skilled in the art to create or make use of the present invention. Various modifications to these aspects can be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined here can be applied to other aspects, for example, in an instant messaging service or any wireless data communication applications in general, without distance from the spirit or scope of the invention. Accordingly, the present invention should not be limited to the aspects illustrated here, but the broader scope consistent with the principles and novelty features described here must be agreed. The term illustrative is used exclusively here to mean serving as an example, case or illustration. Any aspect described here as illustrative should not necessarily be considered as preferred or advantageous over other aspects.

Accordingly, while the aspects of a service acquisition system have been illustrated and described here, it will be appreciated that several changes can be made to the aspects without distancing themselves from their spirit or essential characteristics. Therefore, the descriptions here should be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention, which is presented in the appended claims.