Methods and apparatus for signal scanning and acquisition for multiple-air-interface devices

An apparatus for signal scanning for connection to a local service provider, the apparatus comprising:

• at least one processor configured to:
• determine a location where scanning is to occur;
• prepare a scan list that is limited to local service providers available at the determined location;
• scan at the determined location only for signals from the local service providers in the scan list, wherein the scanning is operable to detect signals based on at least a first air interface and signals based on a second air interface, and wherein the scanning includes first determining an order of scanning among the first and second air interfaces based on predefined filtering conditions which include preclusion of a search for air interface signals if there is no subscriber identity module (SIM) for acquiring the air interface signals;
• and
• assemble a detection list of local service providers detected from the scanning to allow a selection of a connection to at least one of the local service providers from the detection list;
• and
• a memory coupled to the at least one processor.

A computer program product, comprising:

• a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising:
• code for causing a computer to determine a location where signal scanning is to occur, to prepare a scan list that is limited to local service providers available at the determined location, and to scan at the determined location only for signals from the local service providers in the scan list for connection of a user device to a local service provider, wherein the scanning is operable to detect signals based on at least a first air interface and signals based on a second air interface, and wherein the scanning includes first determining an order of scanning among the first and second air interfaces based on predefined filtering conditions which include preclusion of a search for air interface signals if there is no subscriber identity module (SIM) for acquiring the air interface signals;
• and
• code for causing a computer to assemble a detection list of local service providers detected from the scanning to allow a selection of a connection to at least one of the local service providers from the detection list.