Intelligent data network with power management capabilities
View Patent ↗In one embodiment, a method for implementing two-way communication between at least first and second devices comprises steps of: (a1) during finite time periods following transmission of respective first messages from the first device to the second device, using the first device to listen for second messages transmitted from the second device to first device; and (a2) after each of the finite time periods following the transmission of the respective first messages from the first device to the second device, ceasing to use the first device to listen for second messages transmitted from the second device to the first device until after the first device transmits another first message to the second device. In another embodiment, a method for implementing two-way communication between at least first and second devices comprises steps of: (a1) during finite time periods following reception by the second device of respective first messages from the first device, using the second device to transmit second messages to the first device; and (a2) after each of the finite time periods following reception by the second device of respective first messages from the first device, ceasing to use the second device to transmit second messages to the first device until after the second device receives another first message from the first device.
1. A method for implementing wireless two-way communication between at least first and second ambulatory devices, comprising steps of:
(a) during finite time periods following transmission of respective first messages from the first device to the second device, powering on a receiver included in the first device to enable the first device to listen for second messages transmitted from the second device to the first device; and
(b) after each of the finite time periods following the transmission of the respective first messages from the first device to the second device, powering down the receiver included in the first device;
wherein the first and second ambulatory devices are each being carried by a person and powered exclusively by a battery when the steps (a) and (b) are performed.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step (b) comprises a step of, after each of the finite time periods following the transmission of the respective first messages from the first device to the second device, powering down the receiver included in the first device until after the first device transmits another first message to the second device.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising steps of:
(c) transmitting at least some second messages from the second device to the first device that include information identifying the time periods during which the second device expects to receive first messages from the first device; and
(d) transmitting at least some of the first messages from the first device to the second device during the identified time periods during which the second device expects to receive first messages from the first device.
4. A method for implementing two-way wireless communication between at least first and second ambulatory devices, comprising steps of:
(a) during finite time periods following reception by the second device of respective first messages from the first device, when the second device needs to communicate with the first device, powering on a transmitter included in the second device and using the transmitter included in the second device to transmit second messages to the first device; and
(b) after each of the finite time periods following reception by the second device of respective first messages from the first device, powering down the transmitter included in the second device and ceasing to use the transmitter included in the second device to transmit second messages to the first device until after the second device receives another first message from the first device;
wherein the first and second ambulatory devices are each being carried by a person and powered exclusively by a battery when the steps (a) and (b) are performed.
5. A second, ambulatory device capable of engaging in two-way communication with at least a first device, comprising:
second circuitry configured to render the second device operable as at least one of a wristwatch, a cellular telephone, a personal data assistant, and a portable music device;
a second transmitter;
a second receiver; and
at least one second controller coupled to the second transmitter and the second receiver, the at least one second controller being configured to power on the second transmitter to transmit second messages to the first device during finite time periods following reception by the second receiver of respective first messages from the first device, and being further configured to power down the second transmitter after transmission of each of the second messages from the second device to the first device.
6. The second device of claim 5 , wherein the at least one second controller is configured to power down the second receiver during at least some time periods that are identified based upon information included in at least some of the first messages communicated from the first device to the second device, which information indicates when the first device expects to send at least one subsequent first message to the second device.
7. The second device of claim 5 , wherein the second circuitry is configured to render the second device operable as a wristwatch.
8. The second device of claim 5 , wherein the second circuitry is configured to render the second device operable as a cellular telephone.
9. The second device of claim 5 , wherein the second circuitry is configured to render the second device operable as a personal data assistant.
10. The second device of claim 5 , wherein the second circuitry is configured to render the second device operable as a portable music device.