1. A method for increasing a range of a first network, the method comprising:
sending a request, by a communication device, to a network device while the communication device is in a range of the first network, where the request includes a request for discovery data that identifies the first network;
receiving, by the communication device, the discovery data; and
broadcasting, by the communication device, information based on the discovery data when the communication device is outside the range of the first network and when the communication device is configured to communicate over a second network different from the first network, wherein the broadcasted information is effective to indicate that the communication device is configured to communicate with the first network.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the discovery data is a combination of a network identifier and an address that identifies the network device.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising, by the communication device, prior to sending the request, determining that the communication device is within the range of the first network.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising, by the communication device, prior to broadcasting, determining that the communication device is outside the range of the first network.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising, by the communication device:
receiving a signal from a controller, wherein the signal includes a request to communicate with an end device inside the range of the first network; and
transmitting the signal to the network device through the second network.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the controller is configured to communicate over the first network when the controller is in the range of the first network and the controller is ineffective to communicate over the second network.
7. The method of claim 5, further comprising, prior to transmitting the signal to the network device, outputting an indication of receipt of the signal by the communication device.
8. The method of claim 1, further comprising, by the communication device, communicating with the end device at communication beacon periods based on a beacon timing requirement.
9. The method of claim 1, further comprising, by the network device:
receiving a signal from a controller, wherein the signal includes a request to communicate with an end device outside the range of the first network; and
transmitting the signal to the communication device through the second network.
10. A device configured to increase a range of a first network, the device comprising:
a memory;
a first network interface controller;
a second network interface controller; and
a processor configured to be in communication with the memory, the first network interface controller and the second network interface controller; wherein:
the processor is configured to generate and send a request through the first network interface controller to a network device while the device is in the range of the first network, where the request includes a request for discovery data that identifies the first network;
the processor is further configured to receive the discovery data and store the discovery data in the memory; and
the processor is configured to broadcast information based on the discovery data through the first network interface controller when the device is outside the range of the first network and when the device is configured to communicate over a second network through the second network interface controller, where the second network is different from the first network, and where the broadcasted information is effective to indicate that the communication device is configured to communicate with the first network.
11. The device of claim 10, wherein the processor is configured to determine that the communication device is within the range of the first network.
12. The device of claim 10, wherein the processor is further configured to:
receive a signal from a controller, wherein the signal includes a request to communicate with an end device inside the range of the first network; and
transmit the signal to the network device through the second network.
13. The device of claim 12, wherein the processor is further configured to output an indication of receipt of the signal by the communication device.
14. The device of claim 10, wherein the processor is further configured to communicate with the end device at communication beacon periods based on a beacon timing requirement.
15. A system configured to increase a range of a first network, the system comprising:
an end device;
a network device in the range of the first network and configured to be in communication with the end device;
a controller; and
a communication device;
wherein:
the communication device is configured to send a request to the network device while the communication device is in the range of the first network, where the request includes a request for discovery data that identifies the first network;
the network device is configured to receive the request and send the discovery data to the communication device in response; and the communication device is further configured to:
receive the discovery data;
broadcast information based on the discovery data when the communication device is outside the range of the first network and when the communication device is configured to communicate over a second network different from the first network, wherein the broadcasted information is effective to indicate that the communication device is configured to communicate with the first network;
receive a signal from the controller, wherein the signal includes a request to communicate with the end device inside the range of the first network; and
transmit the signal to the network device through the second network.
16. The system of claim 15, wherein:
the communication device is configured to determine, prior to the request, that the communication device is within the range of the first network; and
the communication device is configured to determine, prior to broadcast, that the communication device is outside the range of the first network.
17. The system of claim 15, wherein the controller is configured to communicate over the first network when the controller is in the range of the first network and the controller is ineffective to communicate over the second network.
18. The system of claim 15, wherein the communication device is configured to, prior to transmission of the signal to the network device, output an indication of receipt of the signal by the communication device.
19. The system of claim 15, wherein the communication device is further configured to communicate with the end device at communication beacon periods based on a beacon timing requirement.
20. The system of claim 15, wherein:
the controller is a first controller;
the end device is a first end device;
the signal is a first signal;
and the system further comprises:
a second controller;
and the network device is configured to receive a second signal from the second controller, wherein the second signal includes a request to communicate with a second end device outside the range of the first network; and
the network device is configured to transmit the second signal to the communication device through the second network.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A tablet computer cover and stand, comprising:
a front cover and a rear cover interconnected by an intermediate hinge and configured to enclose a tablet computer therebetween in a closed condition, said front and rear covers having respective inner and outer surfaces and said inner surface of said front cover having an anti-slip surface; and
a shell rotatable on said rear cover about a rear cover hinge disposed within said rear cover, said shell configured to hold the tablet computer, and said shell having a free end configured to engage anywhere on said anti-slip surface upon opening said front and rear covers about said intermediate hinge and rotating said shell about said rear cover hinge from said closed condition to a standing position.
2. The tablet computer cover and stand according to claim 1, wherein said anti-slip surface provides an infinitely adjustable viewing angle of the tablet computer by moving said free end of said shell along said anti-slip surface.
3. The tablet computer cover and stand according to claim 1, wherein said anti-slip surface is located in one or more discrete, separate patches or strips on said inner surface of said front cover.
4. The tablet computer cover and stand according to claim 1, wherein said front and rear covers are configured to be folded back about said intermediate hinge into a folded condition with said outer surfaces of said front and rear covers lying against each other and said shell facing outward.
5. The tablet computer cover and stand according to claim 4, which further comprises at least one pin connected to said rear cover and passing through at least one respective slot in said shell, permitting said shell to slide relative to said rear cover in said folded condition.
6. The tablet computer cover and stand according to claim 5, wherein said shell has an opening formed therein configured to be in alignment with a lens of a camera of the tablet computer, and said opening is covered and uncovered by said rear cover when sliding said shell in said folded condition.
7. The tablet computer cover and stand according to claim 5, which further comprises a connector interconnecting said shell and said rear cover.
8. The tablet computer cover and stand according to claim 7, wherein said at least one pin is at least one rivet and said connector is a snap.
9. The tablet computer cover and stand according to claim 1, which further comprises hooks disposed on one of said covers, straps spring-loaded for retraction into the other of said covers and a closure tab attached to said straps and configured to be engaged behind said hooks for locking the computer cover and stand in said closed condition.