Patent ID: 7539520

Claim:
A wireless data communication device, comprising: (a) a radio configured to power down to conserve energy and to power up in response to receipt of a wired electronic signal, the radio comprising a first receiver and a first transmitter; (b) a wake-up transceiver comprising a second transmitter and a second receiver, the wake-up transceiver configured to, (i) screen radio frequency broadcasts, received by the second receiver, for specific data therein that identifies the radio frequency broadcast as a wake-up signal, (ii) provide the wired electronic signal to the radio in order to power up the radio upon receipt, by the second receiver, of a wake-up signal, and (iii) transmit radio frequency broadcasts, using the second transmitter, that include specific data therein that identifies the radio frequency broadcasts as wake-up signals; and (c) a power source for powering at least one of the radio and the wake-up transceiver; (d) wherein the second receiver of the wake-up transceiver is configured to draw less current than the first receiver of the radio while screening radio frequency broadcasts for specific data therein that identifies the radio frequency broadcast as a wake-up signal; and (e) wherein the second transmitter of the wake-up transceiver is configured to draw less current than the first transmitter of the radio when transmitting radio frequency broadcasts that include specific data therein that identifies the radio frequency broadcasts as wake-up signals.