Portable companion device only functioning when a wireless link established between the companion device and an electronic device and providing processed data to the electronic device

摘要

A companion device provides non-native function to a different electronic device. In the preferred embodiments, the electronic device and the companion device both include a local wireless interface that allows communicating between the two, such as a Bluetooth interface. When the electronic device comes within range of the companion device, it detects the presence of the companion device, and thus knows what enhanced function the companion device provides. In a first embodiment, the electronic device transmits information to the companion device, which processes the information and transmits the processed information to the electronic device. In a second embodiment, the companion device receives information from a source other than the electronic device, processes the information, and transmits the information to the electronic device. In both embodiments, the companion device provides non-native functions to the electronic device. Examples of non-native functions include text-to-voice conversion, voice-to-text conversion, processing of audio files, processing of video files, performing complex mathematical computations, and digital signal processing.