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.
1. A first, ambulatory device capable of engaging in wireless two-way communication with at least a second device, comprising:
a first sensor configured to monitor a physical or physiological condition of a person while being transported by the person or by an article worn by the person;
a first transmitter;
a first receiver; and
at least one first controller coupled to the first sensor, the first transmitter, and the first receiver, the at least one first controller being configured to power on the first receiver to listen for second messages from the second device during finite time periods following use of the first transmitter to transmit respective first messages to the second device, the at least one first controller being further configured to cause at least some of the first messages to include data concerning the physical or physiological condition of the person monitored by the first sensor, and to power down the first receiver after each of the finite time periods following use of the transmitter to transmit respective first messages to the second device.
2. The first device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one first controller is further configured to, after each of the finite time periods following use of the first transmitter to transmit respective first messages to the second device, power down the first receiver until after the first transmitter is used to transmit another first message to the second device.
3. The first device of claim 1 , in combination with the second device, wherein the second device comprises 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.
4. The first device of claim 1 , in combination with the second device, wherein the second device comprises:
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.
5. The combination of claim 4 , 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.
6. The first device of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is configured to monitor a physical condition of the person.
7. The first device of claim 6 , wherein the physical condition comprises one or more of a foot contact time of the person, a distance traveled by the person, a current pace of the person, and an average pace of the person.
8. The first device of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is configured to monitor a physiological condition of the person.
9. A first, ambulatory device capable of engaging in wireless two-way communication with at least a second device, comprising:
a first sensor configured to monitor a physical or physiological condition of a person;
a first transmitter;
a first receiver; and
at least one first controller coupled to the first sensor, the first transmitter, and the first receiver, the at least one first controller being configured to power on the first receiver to listen for second messages from the second device during finite time periods following use of the first transmitter to transmit respective first messages to the second device, the at least one first controller being further configured to cause at least some of the first messages to include data concerning the physical or physiological condition of the person monitored by the first sensor, and to power down the first receiver after each of the finite time periods following use of the transmitter to transmit respective first messages to the second device;
wherein the sensor is configured to monitor a physiological condition of the person, and wherein the physiological condition relates to one or more of a heart rate of the person, a blood pressure of the person, a body temperature of the person, a blood glucose level of the person, an electrocardiograph reading for the person, a pulse oximetry reading for the person, and an electromyography reading for the person.
10. The first device of claim 9 , wherein the at least one first controller is further configured to, after each of the finite time periods following use of the first transmitter to transmit respective first messages to the second device, power down the first receiver until after the first transmitter is used to transmit another first message to the second device.
11. The first device of claim 9 , in combination with the second device, wherein the second device comprises 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.
12. The first device of claim 9 , in combination with the second device, wherein the second device comprises:
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.
13. The combination of claim 12 , 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.