Patent ID: 8239605

Claim:
A portable electronic device comprising: a wireless transceiver configured to send and receive wireless signals; an interface configured to communicate with an intermediate device via a first wired signal path using a first protocol, the first protocol including a first plurality of commands, wherein the intermediate device is further configured to communicate with an accessory via a second wired signal path using a second protocol, the second protocol including a second plurality of commands; and a processor communicably coupled to the wireless transceiver and the interface, the processor being configured to generate commands to be sent to the accessory via the intermediate device and to interpret and respond to commands received from the accessory via the intermediate device, wherein the processor is further configured to: obtain from the accessory via the intermediate device information pertaining to a wireless communication capability of the accessory, the information including a wireless address of the accessory, wherein the information is included in a converted command that conforms to the first protocol, the converted command generated by the intermediate device in response to receiving another command originating from the accessory that conforms to the second protocol; and provide to the accessory via the intermediate device a particular command instructing the accessory to establish a wireless link with the portable electronic device, the particular command including a wireless address of the wireless transceiver of the portable electronic device.