Cellular network scanning control based on ambient identifiable wireless signal sources

Abstract

Described herein are techniques related to reducing scanning in a cellular network. A mobile device reduces scanning of the cellular network when coverage holes are detected and/or predicted along a route traveled by or a place visited by the mobile device. A mobile device also reduces scanning of the cellular network when the mobile device is stationary. This Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope and meaning of the claims.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A mobile device, comprising:
 geo-location circuitry to determine a geographic location of the mobile device; and   cellular network searching circuitry to search for a cellular network, wherein the cellular network searching circuitry is arranged to search for the cellular network at a normal rate when the geographic location of the mobile device corresponds to a location having cellular network coverage above a predetermined threshold, and, if the geographic location corresponds to a geographic location having cellular network coverage below the predetermined threshold, the cellular network searching circuitry is to search for the cellular network at a reduced rate.   
     
     
         3 . A mobile device according to  claim 1 , wherein the geo-location circuitry comprises Global Positioning System (GPS) circuitry to receive GPS signals to determine the geographic location of the mobile device. 
     
     
         4 . A mobile device according to  claim 2 , wherein the geo-location circuitry is a Global Position System (GPS) receiver. 
     
     
         5 . A mobile device according to  claim 1 , wherein the reduced rate of cellular network searching is a power-saving rate relative to the normal rate. 
     
     
         6 . A mobile device according to  claim 1 , wherein the reduced rate of cellular network searching comprises searching for the cellular network infrequently relative to the normal rate. 
     
     
         7 . A mobile device according to  claim 1 , wherein the cellular network coverage is determined by the cellular network searching circuitry according to the geographic location of the mobile device. 
     
     
         8 . A mobile device according to  claim 1 , wherein predetermined threshold is a coverage hole threshold. 
     
     
         9 . A mobile device according to  claim 1 , comprising an antenna. 
     
     
         10 . A mobile device according to  claim 1 , wherein cellular network searching circuitry is configured to search the cellular network for a base station providing cellular coverage to the mobile device. 
     
     
         11 . A method, comprising:
 determining a geographic location of the mobile device;   searching for a cellular network at a normal time interval when the geographic location of the mobile device corresponds to a location having cellular network coverage greater than or equal to a predetermined limit, and   searching for the cellular network at a reduced time interval when the geographic location of the mobile device corresponds to a geographic location having cellular network coverage less than the predetermined limit.   
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein the determining the geographic location of the mobile device comprises receiving GPS signals. 
     
     
         13 . A system, comprising:
 cellular network searching circuitry to search for a cellular network; and
 wherein the cellular network searching circuitry is arranged to perform a normal rate of cellular network searching when it is determined that the geographic location of the mobile device corresponds to a location having cellular network coverage above a predetermined threshold, and, if it is determined that the geographic location corresponds to a geographic location having cellular network coverage below the predetermined threshold, the cellular network searching circuitry is arranged to perform a reduced rate of cellular network searching. 
   
     
     
         14 . One or more computer-readable media storing processor-executable instructions that when executed cause one or more processors to perform operations comprising:
 determining a geographic location of the mobile device;   determining a rate at which to search for a cellular network, wherein a normal rate of cellular network searching is determined when the geographic location of the mobile device corresponds to a location having cellular network coverage greater than or equal to a predetermined limit, and, if the geographic location of the mobile device corresponds to a geographic location having cellular network coverage less than the predetermined limit, determining a reduced rate of cellular network searching; and   searching for a cellular network at the determined rate.   
     
     
         15 . A computer readable medium according to  claim 13 , wherein the determining the geographic location of the mobile device comprises receiving GPS signals.