Patent ID: 7130424

Claim:
A communications accessory, comprising: an interface system operable for communication with at least one non-native device, a portable device having an application module and a non-native communications network; a switch mechanism having at least a first mode and a second mode, wherein in the first mode the switch mechanism allows communications between the non-native device and the non-native communications network to be modified by the application module of the portable device, and wherein in the second mode the switch mechanism allows communications between the non-native device and the non-native communications network without modification by the application module of the portable device; wherein the switch mechanism receives a command signal from the portable device, the command signal directs the switch mechanism for operation in one of the first mode or the second mode; and the switch mechanism comprises a multiplexer having at least a first state and a second state, wherein the multiplexer in the first state routes communications between the non-native device and the non-native communications network through the portable device to achieve the first mode, wherein the multiplexer in the second state bypasses the portable device and routes communications between the non-native device and the non-native communications network to achieve the second mode, and the command signal is operable for changing the multiplexer between the first state and the second state.