US Patent 11304246 Proximity-based pairing and operation of user-specific companion devices

A server allows pairing of a computing device with a companion computing device so that they may automatically connect to one another in the future. Pairing is accomplished by responding to a user request to pair a particular companion device by identifying computing devices associated with a particular user account, and directing those devices to monitor whether they are in range of a proximity signal (such as a BLUETOOTH® signal). A user interface on the companion device displays a list of devices specific to the user that are in proximity to the companion computing device, so that the user can choose a device to pair with the companion computing device.