Patent ID: 8320885

Claim:
A method by an electronic communication device, the method comprising: transmitting a block of data to another communication device using RF signals transmitted at a first rate using a first RF communication protocol; receiving a communication control signal from the other communication device through magnetic coupling thereto at a second rate which is less than the first rate, and using a second protocol that is different from the first RF communication protocol; selectively triggering transmission of another block of data, when available for transmission, using RF signals transmitted at the first rate using the first RF communication protocol, in response to the communication control signal; and converting magnetic signals received from the other communication device into power using an inductive charging circuit, and supplying the power for use in transmitting the block of data to the other communication device using RF signals, wherein transmitting the block of data using RF signals consumes power at a greater rate when transmitting than what can be generated by converting magnetic signals received from the other communication device into power, wherein transmitting a block of data to the other communication device using RF signals comprises transmitting the data blocks in RF bursts, and controlling a number of data bits in each block in response to how much power is supplied for use in transmitting the block of data to the other communication device using RF signals before falling below a threshold level needed to continue the transmission of the block of data to the other communication device using RF signals.