Accessory Device Which Transitions Between an Autonomous Mode and a Companion Device Relay Mode for Cellular Communication

An accessory device, comprising:

• at least one antenna for performing wireless communication;
• a first radio coupled to the at least one antenna, wherein the first radio is configured to perform cellular communication with a base station;
• a second radio coupled to the at least one antenna, wherein the second radio is configured to perform short-range communication with a companion device;
• one or more processors coupled to the first and second radios, wherein the one or more processors and the first and second radios are configured to perform wireless communications using the at least one antenna;
• wherein the accessory device is configured to:
• operate in a first mode where the first radio of the accessory device is configured to perform cellular communication directly with a base station;
• determine that a signal strength of a short-range communication link with the base station is above a certain threshold while operating in the first mode;
• and
• transition from the first mode to a second mode at least in part in response to determining that the signal strength of the short-range communication link with the base station is above the certain threshold;
• wherein in the second mode the second radio of the accessory device is configured to perform short-range communication with the companion device, and the accessory device is configured to utilize cellular functionality of the companion device to provide cellular communications through the companion device to the base station.

An accessory device, comprising:

• at least one antenna for performing wireless communication;
• a first radio coupled to the at least one antenna, wherein the first radio is configured to perform cellular communication with a base station;
• a second radio coupled to the at least one antenna, wherein the second radio is configured to perform short-range communication with a companion device;
• one or more processors coupled to the first and second radios, wherein the one or more processors and the first and second radios are configured to perform wireless communications using the at least one antenna;
• wherein the accessory device is configured to:
• operate in a first mode where the second radio of the accessory device is configured to perform short-range communication with the companion device, and the accessory device is configured to utilize cellular functionality of the companion device to provide cellular communications through the companion device to the base station;
• transition from the first mode to a second mode due to one or more factors, wherein in the second mode the first radio of the accessory device is configured to perform cellular communication directly with the base station.