Determining parameters of an access point

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium containing instructions that, when executed by a portable electronic device, cause the portable electronic device to perform a method for determining parameters of an access point, the method comprising:

• during a first time period,
• scanning for access points on a wireless local area network (WLAN) channel;
• when the access point is detected on the WLAN channel, determining if the access point includes a mechanism to make available information related to services provided by the access point;
• and
• when the access point includes the mechanism, then transmitting a request to the access point for information related to the services provided by the access point;
• and
• when a response to the request is not received from the access point within the first time period, continuing to wait for the response for a second time period.

An apparatus that determines parameters of an access point, comprising:

• a battery;
• and
• a networking subsystem coupled to and powered by the battery and configured to:
• during a first time period,
• scan for access points on a WLAN channel;
• when the access point is detected on the WLAN channel, determine if the access point includes a mechanism to make available information related to services provided by the access point;
• and
• when the access point includes the mechanism, then transmit a request to the access point for information related to the services provided by the access point;
• and
• when a response to the request is not received from the access point within the first time period, continue to wait for the response for a second time period.