Wireless companion device that provides non-native function to an electronic device

• US 20030051083A1
• Filed: 09/11/2001
• Published: 03/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lenovo PC International Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Striemer, Bryan Lester
• Granted Patent: US 6,931,463 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 710/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces

Abstract

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.

Claims

1. A companion device that is used in conjunction with an electronic device, the companion device comprising:

a wireless interface that couples the companion device to the electronic device; and

a data processing mechanism coupled to the wireless interface that processes data, and that outputs the processed data to the electronic device via the wireless interface.

2. The companion device of claim 1 wherein the electronic device includes a plurality of native functions, and wherein the data processing mechanism in the companion device provides at least one function that is not one of the plurality of native functions.

3. The companion device of claim 1 wherein the data processing mechanism receives the data from the electronic device via the wireless interface.

5. The companion device of claim 1 wherein the data processing mechanism comprises a speech processor that converts text information to speech audio information that is output to the electronic device via the wireless interface.

6. The companion device of claim 1 wherein the data processing mechanism comprises a speech recognition processor that processes speech audio information and generates therefrom corresponding text information that is output to the electronic device via the wireless interface.

7. The companion device of claim 1 wherein the data processing mechanism comprises an audio processor that processes digital audio information and generates therefrom a corresponding audio output to the electronic device via the wireless interface.

8. The companion device of claim 1 wherein the data processing mechanism comprises a video processor that processes digital video information and generates therefrom a corresponding video output to the electronic device via the wireless interface.

9. The companion device of claim 1 wherein the data processing mechanism comprises a math processor that processes at least one mathematical problem and that generates at least one solution to the at least one mathematical problem, wherein the at least one solution is output to the electronic device via the wireless interface.

10. The companion device of claim 1 wherein the data processing mechanism comprises a digital signal processor that processes a signal, wherein the processed signal is output to the electronic device via the wireless interface.

11. The companion device of claim 1 wherein the data processing mechanism comprises a radio receiver that processes a radio signal received from an antenna and outputs the processed radio signal to the electronic device via the wireless interface.

4. The companion device of claim I wherein the data processing mechanism receives the data from a source other than the electronic device.

12. A companion device that is used in conjunction with an electronic device, the companion device comprising:

a wireless interface that couples the companion device to the electronic device and that transfers first data from the electronic device to the companion device and transfers second data from the companion device to the electronic device, the wireless interface including a mechanism that automatically establishes a link between the companion device and the electronic device when the companion device and the electronic device are in physical proximity to each other that allows the electronic device and the companion device to communicate via the wireless interface;

an identification mechanism that identifies a data processing function of the companion device to the electronic device when the link is automatically established between the companion device and the electronic device, wherein the electronic device includes a plurality of native functions, and wherein the data processing function comprises at least one function that is not one of the plurality of native functions; and

a data processing mechanism coupled to the wireless interface that performs the data processing function by processing the first data and generating therefrom the second data, and that outputs the second data to the electronic device via the wireless interface.

13. An electronic system comprising:

(A) an electronic device comprising;

a first local wireless interface comprising a receiver and a transmitter;

(B) a companion device comprising;

a second local wireless interface compatible with the first local wireless interface, the second local wireless interface comprising a receiver that may receive data from the transmitter in the first local wireless interface, and a transmitter that may transmit data to the receiver in the first local wireless interface; and

a data processing mechanism coupled to the second local wireless interface that processes data, and that outputs the processed data via the second local wireless interface to the first wireless interface in the electronic device.

14. The electronic system of claim 13 wherein the second local wireless interface further comprises an identification mechanism that defines the function of the data processing mechanism to the electronic device.

15. The electronic system of claim 13 wherein the electronic device includes a plurality of native functions, and wherein the data processing mechanism in the companion device provides at least one function that is not one of the plurality of native functions.

16. The electronic system of claim 13 wherein the data processing mechanism receives the data from the electronic device via the second local wireless interface.

17. The electronic system of claim 13 wherein the data processing mechanism receives the data from a source other than the electronic device.

18. The electronic system of claim 13 wherein the data processing mechanism comprises a speech processor that converts text information to speech audio information that is output to the electronic device via the wireless interface.

19. The electronic system of claim 13 wherein the data processing mechanism comprises a speech recognition processor that processes speech audio information and generates therefrom corresponding text information that is output to the electronic device via the wireless interface.

20. The electronic system of claim 13 wherein the data processing mechanism comprises an audio processor that processes digital audio information and generates therefrom a corresponding audio output to the electronic device via the wireless interface.

21. The electronic system of claim 13 wherein the data processing mechanism comprises a video processor that processes digital video information and generates therefrom a corresponding video output to the electronic device via the wireless interface.

22. The electronic system of claim 13 wherein the data processing mechanism comprises a math processor that processes at least one mathematical problem and that generates at least one solution to the at least one mathematical problem, wherein the at least one solution is output to the electronic device via the wireless interface.

23. The electronic system of claim 13 wherein the data processing mechanism comprises a digital signal processor that processes a signal, wherein the processed signal is output to the electronic device via the wireless interface.

24. The electronic system of claim 13 wherein the data processing mechanism comprises a radio receiver that processes a radio signal received from an antenna and outputs the processed radio signal to the electronic device via the wireless interface.

25. An electronic system comprising:

(A) an electronic device comprising;

a first local wireless interface comprising a receiver and a transmitter; and

a plurality of native functions;

(B) a companion device comprising;

a second local wireless interface compatible with the first local wireless interface, the second local wireless interface comprising a receiver that may receive data from the transmitter in the first local wireless interface, and a transmitter that may transmit data to the receiver in the first local wireless interface, the first and second local wireless interfaces each including at least one mechanism that automatically establishes a link between the companion device and the electronic device when the companion device and the electronic device are in physical proximity to each other, the at least one mechanism allowing the electronic device and the companion device to communicate via the first and second local wireless interfaces;

an identification mechanism that identifies a data processing function of the companion device to the electronic device when the link is automatically established between the companion device and the electronic device, wherein the data processing function comprises at least one function that is not one of the plurality of native functions in the electronic device; and

a data processing mechanism coupled to the second local wireless interface that performs the data processing function by processing first data received from the electronic device via the first and second local wireless interfaces and generating therefrom second data, and that outputs the second data to the electronic device via the second and first wireless interfaces.

26. A method for providing non-native function to an electronic device that includes a first wireless interface, the method comprising the steps of:

(A) providing a companion device that comprises a second wireless interface that may communicate with the first wireless interface in the electronic device;

(B) the companion device processing data;

(C) the companion device outputting the processed data to the second wireless interface; and

(D) the second wireless interface transmitting the processed data to the first wireless interface in the electronic device.

27. The method of claim 26 further comprising the step of establishing a link between the first wireless interface and the second wireless interface.

28. The method of claim 26 wherein the electronic device includes a plurality of native functions, and wherein the companion device provides at least one function that is not one of the plurality of native functions.

29. The method of claim 26 wherein in step (B) the data is received from the electronic device via the second wireless interface.

30. The method of claim 26 wherein in step (B) the data is received from a source other than the electronic device.

31. The method of claim 26 wherein the data comprises text information, and wherein the companion device converts the text information to speech audio information, the processed data comprising the speech audio information.

32. The method of claim 26 wherein the data comprises speech audio information, and wherein the companion device generates from the speech audio information corresponding text information, the processed data comprising the text information.

33. The method of claim 26 wherein the data comprises digital audio information, and wherein the companion device generates from the digital audio information a corresponding audio output, the processed data comprising the audio output.

34. The method of claim 26 wherein the data comprises digital video information, and wherein the companion device generates from the digital video information a corresponding video output, the processed data comprising the video output.

35. The method of claim 26 wherein the data comprises at least one mathematical problem, and wherein the companion device processes the at least one mathematical problem and generates at least one solution to the at least one mathematical problem, the processed data comprising the at least one solution.

36. The method of claim 26 wherein the data comprises a signal, and wherein the companion device digitally processes the signal, the processed data comprising the digitally processed signal.

37. The method of claim 26 wherein the data comprises a radio signal, and wherein the companion device processes the radio signal and generates therefrom an audio output signal, the processed data comprising the audio output signal.

38. A method for providing non-native function to an electronic device that includes a first local wireless interface, the method comprising the steps of:

(A) providing a companion device that comprises a second local wireless interface that may communicate with the first local wireless interface in the electronic device;

(B) automatically establishing a link between the first local wireless interface in the electronic device and the second local wireless interface in the companion device when the companion device and the electronic device are in physical proximity to each other, the link allowing the electronic device and the companion device to communicate via the first and second local wireless interfaces;

(C) the companion device identifying to the electronic device via the second and first local wireless interfaces a data processing function of the companion device, wherein the data processing function comprises the non-native function;

(D) the companion device receiving first data from the electronic device via the first and second local wireless interfaces;

(E) the companion device processing the first data according to the data processing function to generate second data; and

(F) the companion device outputting the second data to electronic device via the second and first local wireless interfaces.