US008295831B2

(12) Ulllted States Patent (10) Patent N0.: US 8,295,831 B2 Uchida (45) Date of Patent: *Oct. 23, 2012

(54) METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HANDLING 5,999,811 A 12/1999 Molne LISTS IN A WIRELESS 2 181E311, Jr~ COMMUNICATION SYSTEM 632233028 B1 4/2001 Chang et al. _ _ _ 6,246,875 B1 6/2001 SeaZholtZ et al. (75) Inventor: Nobuyukl Uchlda, San Diego, CA (US) 6,999,762 B2 2/2006 Uchida 7,729,695 B2 6/2010 Uchida (73) Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated, San Diego’ CA (Us) FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS WO WO0154435 A1 7/2001 ( * ) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 OTHER PUBLICATIONS U'S'C' 154(1)) by 0 days‘ 3rd Generation Partnership Project; Universal Mobile Telecommu This patent is Subject to a terminal dis- nication System (UTMS); Multiplexing and channel coding (FDD); C1ajmer_ (3GTS 25.212, Version 3.1.1, Release 1999). 3rd Generation Partnership Project; Universal Mobile Telecommu (21) App1_ NO; 12/764,018 nication System (UTMS); Physical channels and mapping of trans port channels onto physical channels (FDD); (3GTS 25 .2 1 1 , Version (22) Filed: Apr‘ 20’ 2010 girdi%glilfaiisjnliiit)nership Project; Universal Mobile Telecommu (65) Prior Publication Data nication System (UTMS); Physical layer procedures (FDD); (3GTS 25.214, Version 3.3.0, Release 1999). US 2010/0304740 A1 Dec. 2, 2010 (Continued) Related US. Application Data (63) Continuation of application No. 11/353,512, ?led on Primary Examiner * TemiCa M Beamer Feb. 13, 2006, noW Pat. No. 7,729,695, Which is a (74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm * Charles E. Eggers continuation of application No. 10/165,152, ?led on Jun. 5, 2002, noW Pat. No. 6,999,762. (57) ABSTRACT (51) Int‘ Cl‘ Method and apparatus for updating roaming lists. An error H04Q 7/20 (200601) handling message is provided When the roaming list protocols (52) US‘ Cl‘ """""""" " 4455554532511;4555533252544555543148; Within the elements of a system are not compatible. A roam _ _ _ ' ’ ' ’ ing list format identi?er is provided to the remote user (58) Field of Classi?cation Search ...... 455/418, tifying the protocol Version Supported by the network The 455/419’ 421’ 422'1’ 432'1’ 4323’ 433’ 434’ roaming list format identi?er acts to either request an old _ _ _ 45 5/435 '1 version of the protocol or request the current stored format at See apphcanon ?le for Complete Search hlstory' the remote user. In one embodiment, the old version is the (56) References Cited , and the neW version is the Extended Preferred Roaming List. U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS 5,613,204 A 3/1997 Haberman et al. 36 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets

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OTHER PUBLICATIONS European Search ReportiEPl0l76658, Search AuthorityiThe Hague Patent Of?ce, Oct. 22, 2010. 3rd Generation Partnership Project; Universal Mobile Telecommu nication System (UTMS); Spreading and modulation (FDD); (3GTS 25.213, Version 3.3.0, Release 1999). European Search Report, EP08007923, European Patent Of?ce, The “C.S0002-A Physical Layer Standard for Spread Spec Hague, Jul. 31, 2008. trum Systems”. C.S0005-A Physical Layer Standard for cdma2000 International Search ReportiPCT/US03/017692, International Systems. Search AuthorityiEuropean Patent Of?ce, Oct. 26, 2003. US. Patent 0a. 23, 2012 Sheet 1 of5 US 8,295,831 B2

US. Patent 0a. 23, 2012 Sheet 4 of5 US 8,295,831 B2

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“ h n F4 US 8,295,831 B2 1 2 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HANDLING roaming lists, Wherein a roaming list format identi?er is pro ROAMING LISTS IN A WIRELESS vided to the remote user identifying the protocol version COMMUNICATION SYSTEM supported by the netWork. The roaming list format identi?er acts to either request an old version of the protocol or request CLAIM OF PRIORITY UNDER 35 USC §120 the current stored format at the remote user. In one embodi ment, the old version is the Preferred Roaming List, and the The present Application for Patent is a Continuation of patent application Ser. No. 11/353,512 entitled “Method and neW version is the Extended Preferred Roaming List. On Apparatus for Handling Roaming Lists in a Wireless Com receipt of the roaming list format identi?er and a con?gura munication System” ?led Feb. 13, 2006, now US. Pat. No. tion request, a remote user receives the roaming list format 7,729,695 noW alloWed, Which is a Continuation of patent identi?er transmits an error message if the format identi?er is application Ser. No. 10/165,152 entitled “Method and Appa not compatible With the protocol version currently used by the ratus for Handling Roaming Lists in a Wireless Communica remote user. Similarly, the remote user transmits con?gura tion System” ?led Jun. 5, 2002, Which issued as US. Pat. No. tion information if the format identi?er is compatible With the 6,999,762 on Feb. 14, 2006, and assigned to the assignee protocol version used by the remote user. An error handling hereof and hereby expressly incorporated by reference message is provided When the roaming list protocols Within herein. the elements of a system are not compatible.

BACKGROUND BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

1. Field 20 FIG. 1 is a communication system. The present invention relates generally to handling roam FIGS. 2-5 are timing diagrams illustrating procedures to ing lists in a Wireless communication system, and more spe update a preferred roaming list for various con?gurations of ci?cally to updating a preferred roaming list and to coordi the remote user and the netWork. nating different protocol versions betWeen a Wireless FIG. 6 is a How diagram of a method for updating a pre communication netWork and remote users. 25 ferred roaming list. 2. Background FIG. 7 is a mobile station. Protocols are regulations that govern the transmission and receipt of information across a data communications link. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Protocols are detailed in a set of standards that assures that different netWork products can Work together. Any product using a given protocol should Work With any other product The Word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as using the same protocol. In a Wireless communication sys an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment tem, protocols de?ne the various architectural layers of the described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be con system. As protocols and standards are revised, those system strued as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. components using an older version of the protocols and stan Wireless communication systems are Widely deployed to dards may become incompatible With those having neWer 35 provide various types of communication such as voice, data, capabilities. A variety of methods are used to overcome such and so on. These systems may be based on code division incompatibility, Wherein each ?x is speci?c to a protocol multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access and/ or standard. (TDMA), or some other modulation techniques. A CDMA One area of incompatibility often occurs When protocols system provides certain advantages over other types of sys governing traditionally voice-dominated communications 40 tems, including increased system capacity. are expanded to also govern high data rate transmissions. For A CDMA system may be designed to support one or more example, a remote user of one service provider, the home CDMA standards such as (1) the “TIA/EIA-95-B Mobile provider, may have access to other service providers, the Station- Compatibility Standard for Dual-Mode foreign provider, When outside the service area of the home Wideband Spread Spectrum Cellular System” (the IS-95 provider. The process is called roaming, and is facilitated by 45 standard), (2) the standard offered by a consortium named the use of roaming lists maintained by the remote user. The “3rd Generation Partnership Project” (3GPP) and embodied roaming list is updated by the service provider as the list in a set of documents including Document Nos. TS changes, e.g., a neW relationship With another service pro 25.211, 3GTS 25.212, 3G TS 25.213, and 3G TS 25.214 (the vider. The format of the roaming list as Well as the format of W-CDMA standard), (3) the standard offered by a consortium the transmissions to update the roaming list may be speci?ed 50 named “3rd Generation Partnership Project 2” (3GPP2) and by protocols in a standard. The addition of high data rate embodied in a set of documents including “C.S0002-A Physi services, or other neW services, may require changes in for cal Layer Standard for cdma2000 Spread Spectrum Systems,” mat to the roaming list as Well as changes in the method of the “C.S0005-A Upper Layer (Layer 3) Signaling Standard updating the roaming list. Such revisions to the protocol may for cdma2000 Spread Spectrum Systems,” and the “C.S0024 cause incompatibility di?iculties betWeen the netWork and 55 cdma2000 High Rate Packet Data Speci?ca remote users. When the protocol revision of the remote user is tion” (the cdma2000 standard), (4) the “TIA/EIA-IS-856 different from that of the network, the accuracy and availabil CDMA2000 High Rate Packet Data Air Interface Speci?ca ity of the roaming list to the remote user may be jeopardized. tion” (the IS-856 standard), and (5) some other standards. There is, therefore, a need in the art for an ef?cient proce Cellular communication system users commonly have a dure to con?gure, maintain and update preferred roaming lists 60 service agreement With a cellular provider. The system oper over different transmission protocol versions in a Wireless ated by a cellular provider may cover a limited geographical communication system. area. When a user travels outside of this geographical area, service may be provided by another system operator, under a SUMMARY roaming agreement. There is often more than one service 65 provider in a particular region, so a user may have a choice as Embodiments disclosed herein address the above stated to Which service provider to roam With. As cellular commu needs by providing a method and apparatus for updating nication systems have proliferated, netWorks of cellular sys US 8,295,831 B2 3 4 tems have been organized under common service providers, MS responds indicating support for the PRL. The OTAF then or With contractual agreements betWeen service providers. sends a System Selection for Preferred Roaming List (SSPR) Roaming fees are minimized or eliminated When a user trans con?guration request message. Accordingly, the SSPR con fers betWeen systems Which are party to such agreements. As ?guration request includes a BLOCK_ID ?eld. The such, modern mobile stations often make use of Preferred BLOCK_ID ?eld is used to identify the parameter block Roaming Lists (PRLs), Which contain information about the requested in this message. In this case, the BLOCK_ID ?eld preferred systems for roaming and various parameters needed is set to the hexadecimal value 0x00 (or the binary value for communication thereWith. PRLs may be pre-programmed 0000000) requesting the con?guration, i.e., dimensions, of in a mobile station When service is initiated. Alternatively, the old version PRL. As the MS only supports the old version PRLs can be programmed With over-the-air data transfers. PRL, the MS responds With the con?guration information of Such programming is described in “TIA/EIA-683-B Over the PRL. The OTAF then determines if there is a need to the-Air Service Provisioning of Mobile Stations in Spread update the PRL at the MS. If a need exists, then the OTAF Spectrum Systems”, a standard compatible With the above doWnloads the neW information for storage in the MS. named Wireless communication systems. FIG. 3 illustrates the scenario Wherein the OTAF supports FIG. 1 is a diagram of a Wireless communication system E-PRL, While the MS only supports PRL. In this scenario, the 100 according to one embodiment that supports a number of OTAF checks the capability of the MS, and in response sends users, and Which can implement various aspects of the inven an SSPR con?guration request With the BLOCK_ID ?eld set tion. System 100 may be designed to support one or more to 0x00 corresponding to the PRL. Note that the OTAF is CDMA standards and/or designs (e.g., the W-CDMA stan capable of handling both PRL and E-PRL, and therefore, is dard, the IS-95 standard, the cdma2000 standard, the IS-856 20 able to interface With a MS capable of either. In this case, the standard). For simplicity, system 100 is shoWn to include MS is only able to support PRL; the OTAF asks for the PRL three base stations 104 in communication With tWo mobile con?guration. The MS responds, and processing continues as stations 106. The base station and its coverage area are often in FIG. 2. collectively referred to as a “cell”. In IS-95 systems, a cell FIG. 4 illustrates the scenario Wherein the OTAF supports may include one or more sectors. In the W-CDMA speci?ca 25 PRL, While the MS supports both PRL and E-PRL. In this tion, each sector of a base station and the sector’s coverage scenario, When the OTAF requests capability information, the area is referred to as a cell. As used herein, the term base MS sends a response identifying support of both PRL and station can be used interchangeably With the term access E-PRL. The OTAF cannot handle the E-PRL information. point. The term mobile station can be used interchangeably Note that While the MS is able to support both PRL and With the terms user equipment (UE), subscriber unit, sub 30 E-PRL, the MS is only able to support one at a time. The scriber station, access terminal, remote terminal, or other OTAF then requests con?guration information. The MS corresponding terms known in the art. The term mobile sta sends the con?guration information in response. If the SSPR tion encompasses ?xed Wireless applications. Con?guration Request Message contains the request for the Depending on the CDMA system being implemented, each Preferred Roaming List Dimension Parameter Block mobile station 106 may communicate With one (or possibly 35 (BLOCK_ID:‘00000000’) and if the mobile station supports more) base stations 104 on the forWard link at any given SSPR_P_REV greater than or equal to ‘0000001 1’ and stores moment, and may communicate With one or more base sta preferred roaming list associated With SSPR_P_REV greater tions on the reverse link depending on Whether or not the than or equal to ‘0000001 1 ’, then, the mobile station shall set mobile station is in soft handoff. The forWard link (i.e., doWn the RESULT_CODE in the SSPR Con?guration Response link) refers to transmission from the base station to the mobile 40 Message to ‘00100011’, “Rej ectediPRL format mismatch.” station, and the reverse link (i.e., uplink) refers to transmis The mobile station shall include the parameter block With the sion from the mobile station to the base station. The Word BLOCK_LEN ?eld set to Zero. In other Words, if the OTAF “exemplary” is used exclusively herein to mean “serving as supports only the old version, While the MS supports the neW an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment version and is currently storing the roaming list in the neW described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be con 45 format, then the MS sends an error message to the OTAF. If strued as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. the current roaming list stored in the MS is in the PRL format, FIGS. 2-5 illustrate roaming list updating for various con the OTAF receives the PRL con?guration information and ?gurations. For these examples, the systems support the pro responds accordingly. If, hoWever, the current roaming list in tocols detailed in IS-683-B, and may support neWer versions the MS is in the E-PRL format, the OTAF receives con?gu of the protocols. For example, an Extended PRL is supported 50 ration information that it cannot process. To avoid such prob as a neW version of the PRL. The Extended PRL includes lems, in the present embodiment, the OTAF sends the SSPR information used for high data rate services in addition to the con?guration request With the BLOCK_ID equal to 0x00, information supported by the PRL. The Extended PRL is indicating that the OTAF desires to receive the PRL con?gu expandable for other communication systems. ration information. In this Way, if the MS stores the PRL FIG. 2 illustrates call processing Wherein both the remote 55 format, then the PRL con?guration is sent to the OTAF. Else, unit or Mobile Station (MS) and the netWork, identi?ed as if the MS stores the E-PRL format, the MS sends the SSPR Over-The-Air service provisioning Function (OTAF), sup con?guration response With an error code to the OTAF. At this port an old version Preferred Roaming List (PRL). The OTAF point, the OTAF is informed of the compatibility problem, is a netWork infrastructure element, such as a Base Station and determines a correction strategy that is implementation (BS) or Base Station Controller (BSC). For clarity, the old 60 speci?c. version Will be referred toWs the “PRL,” While the neW ver FIG. 5 illustrates a ?nal scenario Wherein the OTAF and the sion Will be referred to as the “E-PRL.” Note that alternate MS both support the neW version E-PRL. The OTAF deter embodiments may implement any of a variety of naming mines the capability of the MS and identi?es the MS as conventions to identify a previous version from a later version supporting both PRL and E-PRL. At this point, the OTAF of a roaming list. Similarly, alternate embodiments may 65 does not knoW Which format is currently stored in the MS. For implement more than tWo versions. In the scenario of FIG. 2, example, While the MS supports E-PRL, the MS may have the OTAF sends a protocol capability request to the MS. The changed from a service provider that only supports PRL. The US 8,295,831 B2 5 6 current format of the roaming list in the MS may therefore be -continued PRL or E-PRL. The OTAF desires to update the E-PRL if RESERVED Reserved bit. available. The OTAF sets the BLOCK_ID ?eld in the SSPR The mobile station sets this ?eld to ‘0’. con?guration request message to 0x02. This indicates to the NUMiAC QiREC S Number of acquisition records. MS that the OTAF desires SSPR con?guration information The mobile station sets regarding the current format of the roaming list. The MS this ?eld to the number of acquisition records contained in responds With the con?guration information stored in the MS, the ACQiTABLE ?eld of the PRL dimensions or E-PRL dimensions, based on the the current preferred roaming list. current format. NUMiSYSiRECS Number of system records. The mobile station sets this According to the exemplary embodiment, a MS supporting ?eld to the number of system both the neW and old versions uses an extended memory records contained in the SYSiTABLE storage area for storing the roaming list. Either format may be ?eld of the current preferred roaming list. stored in the extended memory storage area. Table 1 provides NUMiC OMMONi Number of records in the the E-PRL dimensions parameter block as stored in the MS. SUBNETiREC S Common Subnet Table. The PARAM_DATA ?eld of the Extended Preferred Roam This ?eld is set to the number of records contained in the ing List Dimensions Parameter Block consists of the ?elds Common Subnet Table. listed. NUMiEXTiSYS, Number of extended system records. RECS The mobile station sets this ?eld to the number of extended TABLE 1 20 system records contained in the EXTiSYSiTABLE ?eld of Extended Preferred Roaming List Dimensions Parameter Block the current preferred roaming list. Field Length (bits)

MAXLPRLLISTLSIZE 16 FIG. 6 is a How diagram illustrating a process for updating 25 CURLPRLLISTLSIZE 16 roaming lists according to one embodiment. As illustrated, PRiLISTiID 16 the process 400 begins by the MS receiving a capability CURLSSPRLPLREV 8 S S PRfPfREV-speci?c ?elds variable request message at step 402. The MS responds by sending the If CURLSSPRLPLREV is ‘00000001 ’ the SSPRLPLREV capability information at step 404. At step 406 the MS speci?c ?elds also include the following ?elds: 30 receives the con?guration request message from the OTAF. RESERVED 1 The con?guration request message includes a BLOCK_ID NUMiACQiRECS 9 ?eld. Based on the value in the BLOCK_ID ?eld, the MS NUMLSYSLRECS 14 determines the appropriate response, decision diamond 408. If CURLSSPRLPLREV is ‘00000011’ the SSPRLPLREV speci?c ?elds also include the following ?elds: If the OTAF requests current information as to Which format 35 the MS is currently using for the roaming list, processing NUMLACQLRECS 9 continues to step 410. The MS sends back the con?guration NUMLCOMMONLSUBNETLRECS 9 information of the current roaming list stored. If the NUMLEXTLSYSLRECS 14 BLOCK_ID requests PRL con?guration information and the MS do not support E-PRL, then processing continues to step The folloWing de?nitions explain the various ?elds listed 40 416 to send the PRL con?guration information to the OTAF. in Table 1. If the BLOCK_ID requests PRL con?guration information and the MS do support E-PRL, then the MS determines in Which format (PRL or E-PRL) the roaming list is currently MAXiPRiLISTiSIZE Maximum preferred stored. If the list is stored in PRL format, processing contin roaming list size. 45 ues to step 416. Else if the list is stored in E-PRL format, The mobile station processing continues to step 418 to send a response message sets this ?eld to the maximum With error code to the OTAF. size, in octets, that the FIG. 7 shoWs an embodiment of mobile unit 500. For mobile station can support for the preferred roaming clarity, only a subset of the components is shoWn. Signals are list (PRfLISTs-p). 50 received at antenna 510, and delivered to receiver 520 Where CURiPRiLISTiSIZE Current preferred roaming list size. ampli?cation, doWn-conversion, sampling, and demodulat The mobile station sets this ?eld to the size, in ing takes place. Various techniques for receiving CDMA sig octets, of the current nals are knoWn in the art. In addition, the principles of the preferred roaming list. present invention apply With equal force to Wireless commu PRiLISTiID Preferred Roaming List Identi?cation. 55 nication systems deploying air interfaces other than those The mobile station sets based on CDMA. Receiver 520 is in communication With a this ?eld to the value of the Preferred Roaming List central processing unit (CPU) 530. CPU 530 may be a micro Identi?cation assigned for processor or digital signal processor (DSP), or one of various the preferred roaming list processors knoWn in the art. CPU 530 communicates With (PRfLISTs-p) by the base 60 station. memory 540, Which is shoWn containing roaming list 560. CURiS SPRiPiREV Protocol revision ofthe mobile station’s The roaming list 560 can be programmed via over-the-air current preferred roaming list. programming in conjunction With antenna 510 and receiver The mobile station sets 520, or the data for the roaming list may come in from other this ?eld to the value of the S SPRiPiREV associated inputs to CPU 530 (not shoWn). CPU 530 is also connected to With its current preferred 65 transmitter 550, for transmitting messages, data, voice, etc., roaming list. using any of the techniques for transmission knoWn in the art. Transmitter 550 is connected to antenna 510, for transmission US 8,295,831 B2 7 8 to a base station, such as base station 104. Receiver 520 and ably previously de?ned broadly). In the alternative, the pro transmitter 550, in conjunction With antenna 510, can be used cessor and the storage medium may reside as discrete com to communicate With one or more systems identi?ed in the ponents in a user terminal. roaming list 560 When the mobile station is roaming. The The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is mobile unit 500 is a hybrid unit supporting both PRL and provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use E-PRL. The memory storage locations of the PRL 560 may be the present invention. Various modi?cations to these embodi used to store the E-PRL information as Well. Roaming list ments Will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and decision unit 570 receives a roaming list format identi?er, the generic principles de?ned herein may be applied to other such as the information contained in the BLOCK_ID as dis embodiments Without departing from the spirit or scope of the cussed hereinabove. The roaming list decision unit 570 then invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be determines the appropriate response as detailed in the process limited to the embodiments shoWn herein but is to be of FIG. 6. The roaming list decision unit 570 also controls accorded the Widest scope consistent With the principles and roaming list storage in roaming list 560. The roaming list novel features disclosed herein. decision unit 570 provides the con?guration information to the CPU 530 for transmission. What is claimed is: Those of skill in the art Would understand that information 1. A mobile station con?gured for providing information and signals may be represented using any of a variety of about a roaming list, comprising: different technologies and techniques. For example, data, means for storing the roaming list, Wherein a format of the instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, roaming list is selected from among multiple possible and chips that may be referenced throughout the above 20 formats, and Wherein the multiple possible formats com description may be represented by voltages, currents, elec prise an older format and a neWer format; tromagnetic Waves, magnetic ?elds or particles, optical ?elds means for receiving a con?guration request message from or particles, or any combination thereof. Those of skill Would a netWork infrastructure element, Wherein the con?gu further appreciate that the various illustrative logical blocks, ration request message comprises either a request for modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described in connec 25 con?guration information for the older format of the tion With the embodiments disclosed herein may be imple roaming list or a request for con?guration information mented as electronic hardWare, computer softWare, or com for Whichever format of the roaming list is stored by the binations of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability mobile station; and of hardWare and softWare, various illustrative components, means for sending a con?guration response message to the blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been described 30 netWork infrastructure element. above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such 2. The mobile station of claim 1, Wherein the con?guration functionality is implemented as hardware or software request message comprises a block identi?er ?eld, Wherein if depends upon the particular application and design con the block identi?er ?eld has a ?rst value the mobile station straints imposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans may interprets the con?guration request message as comprising implement the described functionality in varying Ways for 35 the request for the con?guration information for the older each particular application, but such implementation deci format of the roaming list, and Wherein if the block identi?er sions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from ?eld has a second value the mobile station interprets the the scope of the present invention. con?guration request message as comprising the request for The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and cir the con?guration information for Whichever format of the cuits described in connection With the embodiments dis 40 roaming list is stored by the mobile station. closed herein may be implemented or performed With a gen 3. The mobile station of claim 1, Wherein the con?guration eral purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an request message comprises the request for the con?guration application speci?c integrated circuit (ASIC), a ?eld pro information for the older format of the roaming list, Wherein grammable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic the roaming list is stored by the mobile station in the older device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardWare 45 format, and Wherein the con?guration response message components, or any combination thereof designed to perform comprises the requested con?guration information. the functions described herein. A general purpose processor 4. The mobile station of claim 1, Wherein the con?guration may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor request message comprises the request for the con?guration may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontrol information for the older format of the roaming list, Wherein ler, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as 50 the roaming list is stored by the mobile station in the neWer a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a format, and Wherein the con?guration response message DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, comprises an error message. one or more microprocessors in conjunction With a DSP core, 5. The mobile station of claim 1, Wherein the con?guration or any other such con?guration. request message comprises the request for the con?guration The steps of a method or algorithm described in connection 55 information for Whichever format of the roaming list is stored With the embodiments disclosed herein may be embodied by the mobile station, and Wherein the con?guration response directly in hardWare, in a softWare module executed by a message comprises the requested con?guration information. processor, or in a combination of the tWo. A softWare module 6. A netWork infrastructure element con?gured for obtain may reside in RAM memory, ?ash memory, ROM memory, ing information about a roaming list, comprising: EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard-disk, a 60 means for sending a con?guration request message from removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage the netWork infrastructure element to a mobile station, medium knoWn in the art. An exemplary storage medium is Wherein a roaming list is stored by the mobile station, coupled to the processor such the processor can read infor and Wherein the con?guration request message com mation from, and Write information to, the storage medium. prises either a request for con?guration information for In the alternative, the storage medium may be integral to the 65 an older format of the roaming list or a request for processor. The processor and the storage medium may reside con?guration information for Whichever format of the in an ASIC. The ASIC may reside in a user terminal (presum roaming list is stored by the mobile station; and US 8,295,831 B2 9 10 means for receiving a con?guration response message station and to receive a con?guration response message from the mobile station. from the mobile station, Wherein a roaming list is stored 7. The network infrastructure element of claim 6, Wherein by the mobile station, and Wherein the con?guration the con?guration request message comprises the request for request message comprises either a request for con?gu the con?guration information for the older format of the ration information for an older format of the roaming list roaming list, Wherein the roaming list is stored by the mobile or a request for con?guration information for Whichever station in the older format, and Wherein the con?guration format of the roaming list is stored by the mobile station. response message comprises the requested con?guration 16. The netWork infrastructure element of claim 15, information. Wherein the con?guration request message comprises the 8. The netWork infrastructure element of claim 6, Wherein 10 request for the con?guration information for the older format the con?guration request message comprises the request for of the roaming list, Wherein the roaming list is stored by the the con?guration information for the older format of the roaming list, Wherein the roaming list is stored by the mobile mobile station in the older format, and Wherein the con?gu station in the neWer format, and Wherein the con?guration ration response message comprises the requested con?gura response message comprises an error message. tion information. 9. The netWork infrastructure element of claim 6, Wherein 17. The netWork infrastructure element of claim 15, the con?guration request message comprises the request for Wherein the con?guration request message comprises the the con?guration information for Whichever format of the request for the con?guration information for the older format roaming list is stored by the mobile station, and Wherein the of the roaming list, Wherein the roaming list is stored by the con?guration response message comprises the requested con 20 mobile station in the neWer format, and Wherein the con?gu ?guration information. ration response message comprises an error message. 10. A mobile station con?gured for providing information 18. The netWork infrastructure element of claim 15, about a roaming list, comprising: Wherein the con?guration request message comprises the circuitry con?gured to store the roaming list at the mobile request for the con?guration information for Whichever for station, receive a con?guration request message from a 25 mat of the roaming list is stored by the mobile station, and netWork infrastructure element, and send a con?gura Wherein the con?guration response message comprises the tion response message to the netWork infrastructure ele requested con?guration information. ment, Wherein a format of the roaming list is selected 19. A method operable by a mobile station for providing from among multiple possible formats, Wherein the mul information about a roaming list, comprising: tiple possible formats comprise an older format and a 30 storing the roaming list, Wherein a format of the roaming neWer format, and Wherein the con?guration request list is selected from among multiple possible formats, message comprises either a request for con?guration and Wherein the multiple possible formats comprise an information for the older format of the roaming list or a older format and a neWer format; request for con?guration information for Whichever for receiving a con?guration request message from a netWork mat of the roaming list is stored by the mobile station. 35 infrastructure element, Wherein the con?guration 11. The mobile station of claim 10, Wherein the con?gura request message comprises either a request for con?gu tion request message comprises a block identi?er ?eld, ration information for the older format of the roaming Wherein if the block identi?er ?eld has a ?rst value the mobile list or a request for con?guration information for Which station interprets the con?guration request message as com ever format of the roaming list is stored by the mobile prising the request for the con?guration information for the 40 station; and older format of the roaming list, and Wherein if the block sending a con?guration response message to the netWork identi?er ?eld has a second value the mobile station interprets infrastructure element. the con?guration request message as comprising the request 20. The method of claim 19, Wherein the con?guration for the con?guration information for Whichever format of the request message comprises a block identi?er ?eld, Wherein if roaming list is stored by the mobile station. 45 the block identi?er ?eld has a ?rst value the mobile station 12. The mobile station of claim 10, Wherein the con?gura interprets the con?guration request message as comprising tion request message comprises the request for the con?gu the request for the con?guration information for the older ration information for the older format of the roaming list, format of the roaming list, and Wherein if the block identi?er Wherein the roaming list is stored by the mobile station in the ?eld has a second value the mobile station interprets the older format, and Wherein the con?guration response mes 50 con?guration request message as comprising the request for sage comprises the requested con?guration information. the con?guration information for Whichever format of the 13. The mobile station of claim 10, Wherein the con?gura roaming list is stored by the mobile station. tion request message comprises the request for the con?gu 21. The method of claim 19, Wherein the con?guration ration information for the older format of the roaming list, request message comprises the request for the con?guration Wherein the roaming list is stored by the mobile station in the 55 information for the older format of the roaming list, Wherein neWer format, and Wherein the con?guration response mes the roaming list is stored by the mobile station in the older sage comprises an error message. format, and Wherein the con?guration response message 14. The mobile station of claim 10, Wherein the con?gura comprises the requested con?guration information. tion request message comprises the request for the con?gu 22. The method of claim 19, Wherein the con?guration ration information for Whichever format of the roaming list is 60 request message comprises the request for the con?guration stored by the mobile station, and Wherein the con?guration information for the older format of the roaming list, Wherein response message comprises the requested con?guration the roaming list is stored by the mobile station in the neWer information. format, and Wherein the con?guration response message 15. A netWork infrastructure element con?gured for comprises an error message. obtaining information about a roaming list, comprising: 65 23. The method of claim 19, Wherein the con?guration circuitry con?gured to send a con?guration request mes request message comprises the request for the con?guration sage from the netWork infrastructure element to a mobile information for Whichever format of the roaming list is stored US 8,295,831 B2 11 12 by the mobile station, and wherein the con?guration response the request for the con?guration information for Whichever message comprises the requested con?guration information. format of the roaming list is stored by the mobile station. 24. A method for obtaining information about a roaming 30. The computer-readable medium of claim 28, Wherein list, comprising: the con?guration request message comprises the request for sending a con?guration request message from a netWork the con?guration information for the older format of the infrastructure element to a mobile station, Wherein a roaming list, Wherein the roaming list is stored by the mobile roaming list is stored by the mobile station, and Wherein station in the older format, and Wherein the con?guration the con?guration request message comprises either a response message comprises the requested con?guration request for con?guration information for an older format information. of the roaming list or a request for con?guration infor 31. The computer-readable medium of claim 28, Wherein mation for Whichever format of the roaming list is stored the con?guration request message comprises the request for by the mobile station; and the con?guration information for the older format of the receiving a con?guration response message from the roaming list, Wherein the roaming list is stored by the mobile mobile station. station in the neWer format, and Wherein the con?guration 25. The method of claim 24, Wherein the con?guration response message comprises an error message. request message comprises the request for the con?guration 32. The computer-readable medium of claim 28, Wherein information for the older format of the roaming list, Wherein the con?guration request message comprises the request for the roaming list is stored by the mobile station in the older the con?guration information for Whichever format of the format, and Wherein the con?guration response message roaming list is stored by the mobile station, and Wherein the comprises the requested con?guration information. 20 con?guration response mes sage comprises the requested con 26. The method of claim 24, Wherein the con?guration ?guration information. request message comprises the request for the con?guration 33. A non-transitory computer-readable medium compris information for the older format of the roaming list, Wherein ing instructions for obtaining information about a roaming the roaming list is stored by the mobile station in the neWer list, the instructions being executable to: format, and Wherein the con?guration response message 25 send a con?guration request mes sage from a netWork infra comprises an error message. structure element to a mobile station, Wherein a roaming 27. The method of claim 24, Wherein the con?guration list is stored by the mobile station, and Wherein the request message comprises the request for the con?guration con?guration request message comprises either a information for Whichever format of the roaming list is stored request for con?guration information for an older format by the mobile station, and Wherein the con?guration response 30 of the roaming list or a request for con?guration infor message comprises the requested con?guration information. mation for Whichever format of the roaming list is stored 28. A non-transitory computer-readable medium compris by the mobile station; and ing instructions for providing information about a roaming receive a con?guration response message from the mobile list, the instructions being executable to: station. store the roaming list at a mobile station, Wherein a format 35 34. The computer-readable medium of claim 33, Wherein of the roaming list is selected from among multiple the con?guration request message comprises the request for possible formats, and Wherein the multiple possible for the con?guration information for the older format of the mats comprise an older format and a neWer format; roaming list, Wherein the roaming list is stored by the mobile receive, at the mobile station, a con?guration request mes station in the older format, and Wherein the con?guration sage from a netWork infrastructure element, Wherein the 40 response message comprises the requested con?guration con?guration request message comprises either a information. request for con?guration information for the older for 35. The computer-readable medium of claim 33, Wherein mat of the roaming list or a request for con?guration the con?guration request message comprises the request for information for Whichever format of the roaming list is the con?guration information for the older format of the stored by the mobile station; and 45 roaming list, Wherein the roaming list is stored by the mobile send a con?guration response message to the netWork station in the neWer format, and Wherein the con?guration infrastructure element. response message comprises an error message. 29. The computer-readable medium of claim 28, Wherein 36. The computer-readable medium of claim 33, Wherein the con?guration request message comprises a block identi the con?guration request message comprises the request for ?er ?eld, Wherein if the block identi?er ?eld has a ?rst value 50 the con?guration information for Whichever format of the the mobile station interprets the con?guration request mes roaming list is stored by the mobile station, and Wherein the sage as comprising the request for the con?guration informa con?guration response mes sage comprises the requested con tion for the older format of the roaming list, and Wherein if the ?guration information. block identi?er ?eld has a second value the mobile station interprets the con?guration request message as comprising * * * * *