Patent ID: 7466979
Filing Date: 2008-12-16
Classification: H04W,Y02D

Abstract:
1. A combination comprising a first, ambulatory device and a second device, the first device being capable of engaging in wireless two-way communication with at least the second device, the first 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; the second device comprising: 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; wherein: the at least one second controller is configured such that at least some of the second messages communicated from the second device to the first device include information identifying time periods during which the second device expects to receive first messages from the first device, and is further configured to power down the second receiver during at least some time periods during which the second device does not expect to receive first messages from the first device; and the at least one first controller is configured to cause the first transmitter to transmit 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.