Apparatus and method for improved idle state handoff

A processor for facilitating handoff operations in a wireless communication device, comprising:

• a first module for receiving, by a wireless communication device, a plurality of pilot signals, wherein the plurality of pilot signals includes an active pilot signal and one or more candidate pilot signals;
• a second module for selecting at least one nominal active pilot signal strength value for comparison with the active pilot signal;
• a third module for classifying the one or more candidate pilot signals into a respective one of a plurality of tiers based on a handoff factor corresponding to the at least one candidate pilot signal, wherein the plurality of tiers are divided according to one or more handoff factors;
• and
• a fourth module for selecting at least one threshold handoff value for each of the plurality of tiers, wherein the at least one threshold handoff value partly depends on one of the at least one nominal active pilot signal strength values.

A program recorded on a computer readable medium and executable on a computer, comprising the steps of:

• receiving, by a wireless communication device, a plurality of pilot signals, wherein the plurality of pilot signals includes an active pilot signal and one or more candidate pilot signals;
• selecting at least one nominal active pilot signal strength value for comparison with the active pilot signal;
• classifying the one or more candidate pilot signals into a respective one of a plurality of tiers based on a handoff factor corresponding to the at least one candidate pilot signal, wherein the plurality of tiers are divided according to one or more handoff factors;
• and
• selecting at least one threshold handoff value for each of the plurality of tiers, wherein the at least one threshold handoff value partly depends on one of the at least one nominal active pilot signal strength values.

An apparatus, comprising:

• means for receiving, by a wireless communication device, a plurality of pilot signals, wherein the plurality of pilot signals includes an active pilot signal and one or more candidate pilot signals;
• means for selecting at least one nominal active pilot signal strength value for comparison with the active pilot signal;
• means for classifying the one or more candidate pilot signals into a respective one of a plurality of tiers based on a handoff factor corresponding to the at least one candidate pilot signal, wherein the plurality of tiers are divided according to one or more handoff factors;
• and
• means for selecting at least one threshold handoff value for each of the plurality of tiers, wherein the at least one threshold handoff value partly depends on one of the at least one nominal active pilot signal strength values.

An apparatus, comprising:

• a receiver operable for receiving, by a wireless communication device, a plurality of pilot signals, wherein the plurality of pilot signals includes an active pilot signal and one or more candidate pilot signals;
• a cell reselection module operable for:
• selecting at least one nominal active pilot signal strength value for comparison with the active pilot signal;
• classifying the one or more candidate pilot signals into a respective one of a plurality of tiers based on a handoff factor corresponding to the at least one candidate pilot signal, wherein the plurality of tiers are divided according to one or more handoff factors;
• and
• selecting at least one threshold handoff value for each of the plurality of tiers, wherein the at least one threshold handoff value partly depends on one of the at least one nominal active pilot signal strength values.