Patent ID: 7760654

Claim:
A computer-readable storage medium encoded with instructions that, when executed, perform a method comprising acts of: attempting to connect to an infrastructure network directly from a first wireless computing device; and in response to failing to connect to the infrastructure network directly, performing acts of: enabling a promiscuous mode on the first wireless computing device for monitoring wireless traffic on a plurality of channels; examining traffic packets of a second wireless computing device and determining that the second wireless computing device is connected to the infrastructure network; creating a new wireless network on a channel corresponding to the second wireless computing device; broadcasting a distress signal on the new wireless network; terminating the distress signal in response to receiving an acknowledgement from the second wireless computing device; starting an ad hoc wireless network via the first wireless computing device for connection by the second wireless computing device; and transmitting information from the first wireless computing device to the infrastructure network via the ad hoc wireless network.