System and method of handset configuration between cellular and private wireless network modes

Abstract

A switchable configuration system and method for switchably configuring a handset between private wireless network and cellular modes is provided. The switchable configuration system comprises a cellular module adapted to operate the handset in a cellular mode, a private wireless network module adapted to operate the handset in a private wireless network mode, and a configuration module adapted to determine which mode to configuring the handset. The method comprises the steps of determining if private wireless network coverage is available, in response to determining that private wireless network coverage is available selecting the private wireless network mode, and in response to determining that private wireless network coverage is not available selecting the cellular mode.

1 . A switchable configuration system for switchably configuring a handset between private wireless network and cellular modes, the switchable configuration system comprising: 
 a cellular module adapted to operate the handset in a cellular mode;    a private wireless network module adapted to operate the handset in a private wireless network mode; and    a configuration module adapted to determine which mode to configuring the handset.    
     
     
         2 . The switchable configuration system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the private wireless network is an enterprise network.  
     
     
         3 . The switchable configuration system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the configuration module includes: 
 a configuration logic unit adapted to determine and select modes of operation of the handset;    a data collection unit adapted to determine and collect available cellular and private wireless network bands; and    a repository adapted to store data collected by the data collection module.    
     
     
         4 . The switchable configuration system as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the configuration logic unit configures the private wireless network module to operate in a WLAN band as a private wireless network.  
     
     
         5 . The switchable configuration system as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the configuration logic unit configures the private wireless network module to operate in a WLAN band under the control of the cellular module.  
     
     
         6 . The switchable configuration system as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the private wireless network bands are radio technology bands.  
     
     
         7 . The switchable configuration system as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the radio technology bands are at least one of: 
 wireless local area network bands; and    other unlicensed network bands or non-cellular bands, including ISM.    
     
     
         8 . The switchable configuration system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the handset is simultaneously operating on a cellular network and on a private wireless network.  
     
     
         9 . The switchable configuration system as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the handset places a call on either the private wireless network or the cellular network on hold while placing, accepting or resuming a call on the other network.  
     
     
         10 . The switchable configuration system as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the handset conferences a call on the private wireless network with a call on the cellular network.  
     
     
         11 . A handheld wireless device comprising a switchable configuration system for switchably configuring a handset between private wireless network and cellular modes, the switchable configuration system comprising: 
 a cellular module adapted to operate the handset in a cellular mode;    a private wireless network module adapted to operate the handset in a private wireless network mode; and    a configuration module adapted to determine which mode to configuring the handset.    
     
     
         12 . A computer program product for use in the execution in a handheld electronic device, the handheld electronic device comprising: 
 a memory for storing data for access by an application program being executed on a data processing system; and    a switchable configuration system for switchably configuring a handset between private wireless network and cellular modes, the switchable configuration system comprising:    a cellular module adapted to operate the handset in a cellular mode;    a private wireless network module adapted to operate the handset in a private wireless network mode; and    a configuration module adapted to determine which mode to configuring the handset.    
     
     
         13 . A method of switchably configuring a handset between private wireless network and cellular modes, the method comprising the steps of: 
 determining if private wireless network coverage is available;    in response to determining that private wireless network coverage is available, selecting the private wireless network mode; and    in response to determining that private wireless network coverage is not available, selecting the cellular mode.    
     
     
         14 . The method as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the step of determining includes the step of checking for location and private wireless network signal strength.  
     
     
         15 . The method as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the step of determining includes the steps of: 
 determining that the handset is no longer receiving a private wireless network signal;    in response to determining that the handset is no longer receiving a private wireless network signal, checking for other private wireless network access points usable for private wireless network service;    in response to determining that there are no other private wireless network access points, determining if there are access points able to access a public land mobile network; and    in response to determining that there are public land mobile network access points, associating the private wireless network transceiver with the cellular portion of the handset.    
     
     
         16 . The method as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the private wireless network is an enterprise network.  
     
     
         17 . The method as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the step of determining includes the step of checking for location and enterprise signal strength.  
     
     
         18 . The method as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the step of determining includes the steps of: 
 determining that the handset is no longer receiving an enterprise radio technology signal;    in response to determining that the handset is no longer receiving an enterprise radio technology signal, checking for other radio technology access points usable for enterprise service;    in response to determining that there are no other radio technology access points, determining if there are access points able to access a public land mobile network; and    in response to determining that there are public land mobile network access points, associating the radio technology transceiver with the cellular portion of the handset.    
     
     
         19 . The method as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the radio technology is at least one of: 
 wireless local area network; and    other unlicensed network bands or non-cellular bands.    
     
     
         20 . The method as claimed in  claim 19 , further including the step of checking for wireless local area network access points that provide access to private land mobile network interworking wireless local area network or global area network service.  
     
     
         21 . The method as claimed in  claim 19 , further including the step of checking for cell global identification from cellular software.  
     
     
         22 . The method as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the step of checking includes the step of searching for another radio technology campus that provides guest roaming privileges.  
     
     
         23 . The method as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the step of checking includes the step of searching for radio technology access points to which the enterprise is subscribed.  
     
     
         24 . The method as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the step of checking includes the step of searching for radio technology access points to which the enterprise provides low-cost service.  
     
     
         25 . The method as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the step of associating the radio technology transceiver with the cellular portion of the handset includes the step of restarting the cellular portion of the handset in such a mode.  
     
     
         26 . The method as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the step of associating the radio technology transceiver with the cellular portion of the handset comprises the step of associating the radio technology with the cellular portion of the handset without restarting the cellular portion of the handset.  
     
     
         27 . The method as claimed in  claim 18 , further comprising the steps of: 
 checking the location and radio technology signals periodically;    checking the output to memory of a cellular/radio technology program; and    reconfiguring the handset to a cellular and enterprise mode.    
     
     
         28 . The method as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the handset simultaneously operates on a cellular network and on a private wireless network.  
     
     
         29 . The method as claimed in  claim 28 , further comprising the step of: 
 placing a call on either the private wireless network or on the cellular network on hold while placing, accepting or resuming a call on the other network.    
     
     
         30 . The method as claimed in  claim 28 , further comprising the step of: 
 conferencing a call on the private wireless network with a call on the cellular network.    
     
     
         31 . Computer-readable media for storing instructions or statements for use in the execution in a computer of a method of switchably configuring a handset between private wireless network and cellular modes, the method comprising the steps of: 
 determining if private wireless network coverage is available;    in response to determining if private wireless network coverage is available, selecting the private wireless network mode if available; and    in response to determining if private wireless network coverage is not available, selecting the cellular mode if private wireless network mode is not available.