Method and apparatus for spanning operation of a cellular telephone

摘要

The apparatus and method of the present invention provides a system for spanning operation of a mobile station (110) between a public cellular system (100) for packet data service and a private autonomous cellular system (102) for circuit services when both services are available. In the disclosed system, the mobile station (110) remains on the public system (100) until a circuit call needs to be set up. If the mobile station (110) receives a call on the autonomous system (102), it is notified by the public system (100) via a tunneling message. If the mobile station (110) wishes to originate a call, it switches to the control channels of the autonomous system (102). If the signal strength of the autonomous system (102) falls below a predefined threshold, the mobile station (110) exits the disclosed dual mode, thereby receiving both packet and circuit services from the public system 100.