Patent ID: 7809844

Claim:
At least one computer readable memory device encoded with a plurality of instructions for operating a computer system having a wireless communication device and a driver for the wireless communication device, wherein the plurality of instructions, when executed, perform a method comprising acts of: (A) interacting with the driver to facilitate compliance with wireless communication regulations for a regulatory domain when joining or creating an ad hoc network, wherein the act (A) comprises obtaining, from the driver, a list of regulatory domains supported by the driver; (B) presenting to a user the list of regulatory domains supported by the driver; (C) receiving a selection of a regulatory domain, wherein the regulatory domain is selected by the user from the list of regulatory domains supported by the driver; (D) when the wireless communication device is joining an ad hoc network, determining if the ad hoc network to be joined is broadcasting on the regulatory domain selected by the user; (E) if the ad hoc network to be joined is broadcasting on the regulatory domain selected by the user, the wireless communication device joining the ad hoc network; (F) if the ad hoc network to be joined is not broadcasting on the regulatory domain selected by the user, reporting to the user; and (G) the wireless communication device creating an ad hoc network by broadcasting on the regulatory domain selected by the user without determining if an ad hoc network is broadcasting on the regulatory domain selected by the user.