Patent ID: 7352733

Claim:
A method of automatically providing location awareness for a WLAN device, the method comprising: performing a scan for an ambient country identifier (ACI) signal, wherein the ACI signal is at a frequency within operating range of a receiver of the WLAN device; if the ACI signal is detected, then configuring the WLAN device for compliance with a country having the ACI signal; determining whether the scan is a first attempt to detect the ACI signal; instructing the WLAN device to be relocated and then powered up if the scan is a first attempt and does not detect the ACI signal; and automatically configuring the WLAN device for one of a common mode and an open mode if the scan is not a first attempt and does not detect the ACI signal, wherein configuring the WLAN device for the common mode includes using a channel and a transmit power that meet global spectrum usage requirements, and wherein configuring the WLAN device for the open mode includes allowing an end user to view a country configuration menu and to select a country from the country configuration menu.