Patent ID: 7768415
Filing Date: 2010-08-03
Classification: A61B,G01C,G06F

Abstract:
1. A method of controlling power consumption in an electronic device, comprising steps of: (a) providing a first device for attachment to a user, the first device comprising a sensor configured to sense a stimulus experienced by the first device, a controller configured to process data received from the sensor and thereby obtain processed sensor data, a transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit the processed data from the first device to a second device, and a battery configured to supply power to at least the controller and the transmitter, wherein the first device performs a plurality of functions including transmitting data relating to at least one performance parameter of the user based on the stimulus sensed by the sensor; (b) operating the first device in a first operational mode in which the sensor, the controller, and the transmitter are used at least occasionally to obtain and transmit processed data to the second device, wherein the first operational mode causes the first device to operate with a first power consumption, wherein the operating step includes: (c) determining whether the battery is in a low power condition; and (d) when it is determined that the battery is in a low power condition, operating the first device in a second operational mode wherein the sensor, controller, and transmitter are not used to obtain and transmit processed sensor data to the second device, but wherein the first device at least occasionally transmits a signal to the second device that indicates a low power condition of the battery, wherein the second operational mode causes the first device to operate with a second power consumption corresponding to substantially lower power than the first power consumption;