WIRELESS SIGNAL TRANSCEIVER WITH AUTOMATIC MODE CHANGE, AND METHOD

A wireless signal transceiver receiving and storing predefined wireless network identifiers and a scan mode program for enabling either an active or passive scan mode. In the active scan mode, the transceiver repeatedly transmits probe request messages until the transceiver receives a probe response message from the network (successful active scan) or until a predetermined criterion terminates the active scan (failed active scan). In the passive scan mode, the transceiver does not send anything but waits for a received network identifier from one or more wireless networks. The transceiver enables the active scan mode in response to a successful active scan or to a reception of a wireless network identifier that matches at least one of the predefined identifiers stored in memory. The transceiver enables the passive scan mode in response to a failed active scan.