Method and apparatus for selecting an access technology in a multi-mode terminal

A device comprising:

• a plurality of transceivers, each transceiver employing a respective access technology and being capable of operating at a plurality of radiated power levels to exchange information between the device and at least one base station;
• a multi-band antenna coupled to each of the transceivers for sending and receiving signals carrying the information according to a corresponding access technology;
• a battery for providing energy to a plurality of components operating within the device;
• a battery monitor/charger module coupled to the battery and an external charging port for activating and deactivating a low power mode in the device;
• a low power mode switch coupled to a low power mode button for activating and deactivating the low power mode;
• a means for determining the signal strength of the signals received by the multi-band antenna, the means being coupled to each of the transceivers;
• and
• a controller coupled to the low power mode switch, battery monitor/charger module, means for determining signal strength, and each of the transceivers, wherein the controller, in response to an activation of the low power mode, selects a transceiver requiring a lowest amount of battery energy for exchanging the information with the at least one base station at a minimum radiated power level as determined by the strength of the signals received at the selected transceiver.

A system comprising:

• at least one base station;
• a plurality of communication links each employing a respective access technology;
• and
• at least one multi-mode terminal coupled to at least one base station by the communication links, to at least one multi-mode terminal including
• a plurality of transceivers, each transceiver employing a respective access technology and being capable of operating at a plurality of radiated power levels to exchange information between the multi-mode terminal to at least one base station;
• a multi-band antenna coupled to each of the transceivers for sending and receiving signals carrying the information according to a corresponding access technology;
• a battery for providing energy to a plurality of components operating within the multi-mode terminal;
• a battery monitor/charger module coupled to the battery and an external charging port for activating and deactivating a low power mode in the multi-mode terminal;
• a low power mode switch coupled to a low power mode button for activating and deactivating the low power mode;
• a means for determining the signal strength of the signals received by the multi-band antenna, the means being coupled to each of the transceiver;
• and
• a controller coupled to the low power mode switch, battery monitor/charger module, means for determining signal strength, and each of the transceivers, wherein the controller, in response to an activation of the low power mode, selects a transceiver requiring a lowest amount of battery energy for exchanging the information with the at least one base station at a minimum radiated power level as determined by the strength of the signals received at the selected transceiver.