Portable electronic devices and carrying cases with built-in network detectors

Abstract

A convenient configuration for determining the presence of a wireless network includes an electronic network detector device supported either on the carrying case for a portable electronic device or the device itself, be it a laptop or hand-held computer, smart phone, or portable digital assistant. In the preferred embodiment, the electronic network detector device is supported on, or integrally formed with, the computer case. The detector may be disposed on a handle, shoulder strap, or other location providing convenient access. The network detector may detect a Wi-Fi network or other wireless infrastructure, and may show the signal strength of the network and/or the direction in which the signal strength of the network is the strongest.

1 . Network detection apparatus, comprising:
 a carrying case for a portable electronic device; and   an electronic wireless network detector device supported on the case.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the carrying case has a handle; and   the network detector is supported on the handle of the case.   
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the carrying case has a shoulder strap; and   the network detector is supported on a shoulder strap of the case.   
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the network detector detects a Wi-Fi network. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the network detector detects a Bluetooth signal. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the network detector shows the signal strength of the network. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the network detector displays the direction in which the signal strength of the network is the strongest. 
   
   
       8 . Network detection apparatus, comprising:
 a portable electronic device; and   an electronic wireless network detector device integrally formed on the device.