Direct digital signal processor control of multi-channel scan for re-establishing connections in a wirelessly networked device

A computer system comprising:

• a wireless transceiver;
• a first processor coupled to said transceiver;
• and
• a second processor coupled to said first processor, said second processor operable for performing a method for establishing a wireless connection between said computer system and a wireless network, said method comprising:
• during a scan interval, (a) scanning a plurality of broadcast channels used by said wireless network, wherein said scanning is performed while said first processor is in a reduced power mode, (b) making a determination as to which of said plurality of broadcast channels are acceptable for said wireless connection, wherein making said determination is executed while said first processor remains in said reduced power mode, (c) generating information about a plurality of acceptable broadcast channels, and (d) providing said information to said first processor;
• wherein providing said information to said first processor causes said first processor to wake up from said reduced power mode.

In a computer system comprising a first processor and a second processor, a method for establishing a wireless connection between said computer system and a wireless network, said method comprising:

• during a scan interval, (a) scanning a plurality of broadcast channels used by said wireless network, wherein said scanning is performed under direction of said second processor while said first processor is in a reduced power mode and wherein said scanning is automatically initiated in response to a triggering event, (b) comparing, by said second processor, a signal strength of a signal received over each of said plurality of broadcast channels to a signal strength threshold, wherein said signal strength threshold defines an acceptable signal strength for said wireless connection, (c) generating information about a plurality of acceptable broadcast channels based on said comparison, and (d) providing said information to said first processor;
• in response to said first processor receiving said information, waking up said first processor;
• and
• establishing said wireless connection using one of said plurality of acceptable broadcast channels.