Patent ID: 7978063

Claim:
A wireless network for monitoring a patient, the wireless network comprising: at least one wearable monitor including: a physiological condition sensor coupled to the patient to sense and communicate physiological data related to one physiological function of the patient, a first body communication unit that interfaces with the physiological condition sensor to communicate the physiological data over the patient utilizing a near field capacitive body coupled protocol, and a low power radio frequency transmitter; and a relay system including: a second body communication unit that receives data from and communicates with the first body communication unit utilizing the near field capacitive body coupled protocol, and a cell phone, the cell phone including the second body communication unit which receives the physiological data transmitted with the body coupled protocol when the cell phone is touching or closely adjacent the patient and a radio frequency receiver which receives the physiological data directly from the wearable monitor low power radio frequency transmitter when the second body communication unit is not touching or closely adjacent the patient, the cell phone communicating the physiological data over a cell phone network or internet to a remote medical monitoring station.