U.S. patent application number 16/197432 was filed with the patent office on 2019-03-21 for wireless area network enabled mobile device accessory.
The applicant listed for this patent is QUALCOMM Incorporated. Invention is credited to Steven ALTMAN.
Application Number | 20190089393 16/197432 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49515489 |
Filed Date | 2019-03-21 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190089393 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
ALTMAN; Steven |
March 21, 2019 |
Wireless Area Network Enabled Mobile Device Accessory
Abstract
A wearable wireless portable device ("WWPD") includes
cellular/WAN communications circuitry for establishing a direct
connection to a telecommunication network and a low-power short
range radio for establishing an indirect connection to the
telecommunication network via the communications circuitry of the
more feature-rich mobile device. The WWPD may be configured to
deactivate its cellular/WAN communications circuitry (and other
resource such as GPS) to communicate with a more feature-rich
mobile device (e.g., a smartphone) via low-power short range
communication technologies when it is in close proximity to the
mobile device, and activate its cellular/WAN circuitry to provide
cellular and/or network connectivity when it is not in close
proximity to the mobile device. The WWPD does not require the bulky
battery systems, which enables the WWPD to be packaged into a small
and lightweight device, such as a wrist watch or pendant and
enables longer battery life for the battery of the WWPD.
Inventors: |
ALTMAN; Steven; (La Jolla,
CA) |
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Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
QUALCOMM Incorporated |
San Diego |
CA |
US |
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Family ID: |
49515489 |
Appl. No.: |
16/197432 |
Filed: |
November 21, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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16156973 |
Oct 10, 2018 |
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16197432 |
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14053441 |
Oct 14, 2013 |
10158391 |
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16156973 |
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61714011 |
Oct 15, 2012 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G08B 25/004 20130101;
H04B 2001/3861 20130101; H04M 2250/02 20130101; H04W 12/06
20130101; H04B 1/3827 20130101; H04M 2250/06 20130101; H04W 4/80
20180201; Y02D 70/164 20180101; Y02D 70/40 20180101; G08B 25/016
20130101; H04M 2250/12 20130101; Y02D 70/144 20180101; Y02D 70/142
20180101; H04M 1/7253 20130101; H04B 2001/3855 20130101; Y02D 70/26
20180101; Y02D 70/166 20180101; Y02D 70/162 20180101; H04B 1/385
20130101; Y02D 70/23 20180101; Y02D 30/70 20200801; Y02D 70/1262
20180101 |
International
Class: |
H04B 1/3827 20150101
H04B001/3827; H04W 4/80 20180101 H04W004/80; H04W 12/06 20090101
H04W012/06; H04M 1/725 20060101 H04M001/725 |
Claims
1. A first device capable of mobile operation, said first device
being operable to communicate information, wirelessly, directly to
a wide area network (WAN) or indirectly, via a wireless connection
to a second device capable of mobile operation and connected
wirelessly to said WAN, said first device being further operable to
determine whether a low-power short range wireless link can be
established to the second device and selectively deactivate
duplicate functionality including WAN communication functionality
and at least one additional functionality on said first device
likewise found on said second device in response to the low-power
short range wireless link being established between said first and
second devices, wherein the first device uses one or more resources
of the second device to provide the deactivated duplicate
functionality on the first device via the established low-power
short range wireless link between the first and second devices, and
wherein the first device activates the WAN communication
functionality to communicate with the WAN in response to
determining that the low-power short range wireless link between
the first and second devices cannot be established.
2. The first device of claim 1, wherein the at least one additional
functionality comprises position location functionality.
3. The first device of claim 1, wherein the at least one additional
functionality is selected from the group consisting of heart rate
sensor functionality, blood pressure sensor functionality,
gyroscope functionality, accelerometer functionality, pedometer
functionality, thermometer functionality, glucometer functionality
and a combination thereof.
4. The first device of claim 1 which further comprises activating
the duplicate functionality on said first device in connection with
a low-power short range wireless link not being established between
said first device and said second device.
5. The first device of claim 1 wherein said low-power short range
wireless link is a Wi-Fi link.
6. The first device of claim 1 wherein said low-power short range
wireless link is a Bluetooth.RTM. link.
7. A method of communicating information between a wearable
wireless portable device and a mobile device, comprising:
determining whether a low-power short range communication link can
be established to the mobile device; establishing a low-power short
range communication link to the mobile device in response to
determining that the low-power short range communication link can
be established; in response to establishing the low-power short
range communication link with a mobile device, deactivating wide
area network (WAN) communications circuitry and at least one
additional duplicate functionality in the wearable wireless
portable device and communicating bi-directionally with a
telecommunication network through the mobile device via the
low-power short range communication link; providing the deactivated
at least one additional duplicate functionality using one or more
resources of the mobile device via the low-power short range
communication link; and activating WAN communications circuitry in
the wearable wireless portable device and communicating with the
telecommunication network via the activated WAN communications
circuitry when a low-power short range communication link cannot be
established between the mobile device and the wearable wireless
portable device.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the at least one additional
duplicate functionality comprises a position location
functionality.
9. The method of claim 7, wherein communicating bi-directionally
with the telecommunication network via the low-power short range
communication link comprises: generating in the wearable wireless
portable device a control message configured to cause the mobile
device to establish a network connection to the telecommunication
network; sending the control message to the mobile device over the
low-power short range communication link; receiving in the wearable
wireless portable device a response message indicating that the
mobile device has established the network connection to the
telecommunication network; communicating with the mobile device
over the low-power short range communication link; and receiving,
in the wearable wireless portable device, content sent from the
telecommunication network to the mobile device over the network
connection, the content being received in the wearable wireless
portable device via the low-power short range communication
link.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein: sending the control message to
the mobile device over the low-power short range communication link
comprises sending a control message configured to cause the mobile
device to establish the network connection to the telecommunication
network; and transmitting data to the mobile device over the
low-power short range communication link and receiving content sent
from the telecommunication network to the mobile device over the
network connection comprises the wearable wireless portable device
accessing the telecommunication network via the network connection
of the mobile device by transmitting and receiving data via the
low-power short range communication link.
11. The method of claim 9, wherein: determining whether the
low-power short range communication link can be established to the
mobile device comprises determining whether the wearable wireless
portable device is within communication range of the mobile device;
and activating WAN communications circuitry in the wearable
wireless portable device and communicating with the
telecommunication network via the activated WAN communications
circuitry when a low-power short range communication link cannot be
established between the mobile device and the wearable wireless
portable device comprises activating the WAN communications
circuitry when the wearable wireless portable device determines
that the wearable wireless portable device is not within
communication range of the mobile device.
12. The method of claim 9, further comprising controlling one or
more features of the mobile device by the wearable wireless
portable device over the low-power short range communication
link.
13. The method of claim 9, further comprising: receiving in the
wearable wireless portable device an incoming communication of the
mobile device via the low-power short range communication link; and
generating in the wearable wireless portable device a user
notification to inform a user of the incoming communication.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein generating the user
notification comprises one or more of displaying a message on an
electronic display of the wearable wireless portable device,
outputting an audible sound from the wearable wireless portable
device, and outputting a vibration from the wearable wireless
portable device.
15. The method of claim 7, further comprising deactivating a
resource in response to establishing the low-power short range
communication link to the mobile device.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein deactivating the resource
comprises deactivating a global positioning system receiver in
response to establishing the low-power short range communication
link to the mobile device.
17. A wearable wireless portable device, comprising: wide area
network (WAN) communications circuitry; low-power short range
communication circuitry; and a processor coupled to the WAN
communications circuitry and the low-power short range
communication circuitry, wherein the processor is configured with
processor-executable instructions to perform operations comprising:
determining whether a low-power short range communication link can
be established to a mobile device; establishing the low-power short
range communication link to the mobile device via the low-power
short range communication circuitry in response to determining that
the low-power short range communication link can be established;
deactivating the wide area network (WAN) communications circuitry
and at least one additional duplicate functionality and
communicating bi-directionally with a telecommunication network via
the low-power short range communication link; providing the
deactivated at least one additional duplicate functionality using
one or more resources of the mobile device via the low-power short
range communication link; and activating the WAN communications
circuitry and communicating with the telecommunication network via
the activated WAN communications circuitry in response to
determining that the low-power short range communication link
cannot be established to the mobile device.
18. The wearable wireless portable device of claim 17, wherein the
processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to
perform operations such that the at least one additional duplicate
functionality comprises position location functionality.
19. The wearable wireless portable device of claim 17, wherein the
processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to
perform operations such that communicating bi-directionally with
the telecommunication network via the low-power short range
communication link comprises: generating a control message
configured to cause the mobile device to establish a network
connection to the telecommunication network; sending the control
message to the mobile device over the low-power short range
communication link; receiving a response message indicating that
the mobile device has established the network connection to the
telecommunication network; transmitting data to the mobile device
over the low-power short range communication link; and receiving
content sent from the telecommunication network to the mobile
device over the network connection via the low-power short range
communication link.
20. The wearable wireless portable device of claim 19, wherein the
processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to
perform operations such that: determining whether the low-power
short range communication link can be established to the mobile
device comprises determining whether the mobile device is within
communication range; and activating the WAN communications
circuitry in response to determining that the low-power short range
communication link cannot be established comprises activating the
WAN communications circuitry in response to determining that the
mobile device is not within communication range.
21. The wearable wireless portable device of claim 19, wherein the
processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to
perform operations further comprising controlling one or more
features of the mobile device over the low-power short range
communication link.
22. The wearable wireless portable device of claim 19, wherein the
processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to
perform operations further comprising: receiving an incoming
communication for the mobile device via the low-power short range
communication link; and generating in the wearable wireless
portable device a user notification to inform a user of the
incoming communication.
23. The wearable wireless portable device of claim 22, wherein the
processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to
perform operations such that generating the user notification
comprises one of displaying a message on an electronic display of
the wearable wireless portable device, outputting an audible sound,
and outputting a vibration.
24. The wearable wireless portable device of claim 17, wherein the
processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to
perform operations further comprising deactivating a resource of
the wearable wireless portable device in response to establishing
the low-power short range communication link to the mobile
device.
25. The wearable wireless portable device of claim 24, wherein the
processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to
perform operations such that deactivating the resource of the
wearable wireless portable device comprises deactivating a global
positioning system receiver in response to establishing the
low-power short range communication link to the mobile device.
26. A communication device capable of mobile operation, comprising:
a first transceiver suitable for communicating information,
wirelessly, directly to a wide area network (WAN); a second
transceiver suitable for communicating information indirectly to
the WAN via a wireless connection to a second communication device
capable of mobile operation and connected wirelessly to the WAN;
and a processor coupled to the first and second transceivers,
wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable
instructions to perform operations comprising: determining whether
a low-power short range wireless connection can be established to
the second communication device; selectively deactivating duplicate
functionality including the first transceiver and at least one
additional functionality of the communication device in response to
determining that the low-power short range wireless connection has
been established to the second communication device; using one or
more resources of the second communication device to provide the
deactivated duplicate functionality on the first device via the
established low-power short range wireless connection; and
activating the first transceiver in response to determining that
the low-power short range wireless connection cannot be
established.
27. The communication device of claim 26, wherein the processor is
configured with processor-executable instructions to perform
operations such that selectively deactivating at least one
additional functionality of the communication device comprises
deactivating a position location functionality of the communication
device.
28. The communication device of claim 27, wherein the processor is
configured with processor-executable instructions to perform
operations such that deactivating the position location
functionality of the communication device comprises deactivating a
global positioning system receiver of the communication device.
29. The communication device of claim 26, wherein the processor is
configured with processor-executable instructions to perform
operations such that selectively deactivating at least one
additional functionality of the communication device comprises
deactivating one or more of: a heart rate sensor; a blood pressure
sensor; a gyroscope; an accelerometer; a pedometer; a thermometer;
and a glucometer.
30. The communication device of claim 26, wherein the processor is
configured with processor-executable instructions to perform
operations such that selectively deactivating duplicate
functionality including the first transceiver and at least one
additional functionality of the communication device in response to
determining that the low-power short range wireless connection has
been established to the second communication device comprises:
deactivating duplicate functionality in response to determining
that a low-power short range communication link has been
established to the second communication device.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation application of U.S.
Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 14/053,411 entitled
"Wireless Area Network Enabled Mobile Device Accessory" filed Oct.
14, 2013, which claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 61/714,011 entitled "Wireless Area Network
Enabled Mobile Device Accessory" filed Oct. 15, 2012, and U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 16/156,973 entitled "Wireless Area
Network Enabled Mobile Device Accessory" filed Oct. 10, 2018, the
entire contents of all of which are hereby incorporated by
reference for all purposes.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Cellular and wireless communication technologies have seen
explosive growth over the past several years. Cellular service
providers now offer a wide array of features and services that
provide their users with unprecedented levels of access to
information, resources and communications. To keep pace with these
service enhancements, mobile electronic devices (e.g., cellular
phones, tablets, laptops, etc.) have become more feature rich, and
now commonly include powerful processors, wireless radios, sensors,
and many other components for connecting users to friends, work,
leisure activities and entertainment. As a result of these
improvements, mobile devices (e.g., smart phones, tablets, etc.)
are rapidly growing in popularity and use, and quickly becoming a
necessary, ever-present, and indispensible tool for navigating
modern society.
[0003] While mobile devices are becoming indispensible and
ever-present in modern life, there are times when it is not
convenient for the mobile device user to carry a conventional
cellular-capable mobile device, such as when the mobile device user
is exercising. Therefore, a lightweight, power efficient, and
wearable mobile device (e.g., wrist display, pendant, etc.)
configured to provide mobile device users with cellular and network
connectivity in the absence of a conventional cellular-capable
mobile device will be beneficial to consumers.
SUMMARY
[0004] The various embodiments include methods of communicating
information between a wearable wireless portable device and a
telecommunication network by determining in a processor of the
wearable wireless portable device whether a low-power short range
communication link can be established to a mobile device,
establishing the low-power short range communication link to the
mobile device, de-energizing wide area network (WAN) communications
circuitry in the wearable wireless portable device, and
communicating with the telecommunication network via the low-power
short range communication link when the processor determines that
the low-power short range communication link can be established.
When the processor determines that the low-power short range
communication link cannot be established the processor activates
the WAN communications circuitry in the wearable wireless portable
device and communicates with the telecommunication network via the
activated WAN communications circuitry.
[0005] In an embodiment, communicating with the telecommunication
network via the low-power short range communication link may
include generating in the processor, a control message configured
to cause the mobile device to establish a network connection to the
telecommunication network, sending the control message to the
mobile device over the low-power short range communication link,
receiving in the processor a response message indicating that the
mobile device has established the network connection to the
telecommunication network, transmitting data to the mobile device
over the low-power short range communication link, and receiving in
the processor, information/content sent from the telecommunication
network to the mobile device over the network connection. The
information/content may be received via the low-power short range
communication link.
[0006] In a further embodiment, sending the control message to the
mobile device over the low-power short range communication link may
include sending a control message configured to cause the mobile
device to establish the network connection to the telecommunication
network. Also transmitting data to the mobile device and receiving
content sent from the telecommunication network to the mobile
device over the network connection may include accessing the
telecommunication network via the network connection of the mobile
device by transmitting and receiving data via the low-power short
range communication link.
[0007] An embodiment method may further include controlling one or
more features of the mobile device by the wearable wireless
portable device over the low-power short range communication link.
Also, an embodiment method may further may include receiving in the
wearable wireless portable device an incoming communication of the
mobile device via the low-power short range communication link, and
generating in the wearable wireless portable device a user
notification to inform a user of the incoming communication, which
may include displaying a message on an electronic display of the
wearable wireless portable device and/or outputting an audible
sound or a vibration from the wearable wireless portable
device.
[0008] In a further embodiment, the method may include registering
with a server configured to route communications to and from the
mobile device. In an embodiment, sending the control message to the
mobile device over the low-power short range communication link may
include sending the control message to the server, and receiving
the response message indicating that the mobile device has
established the network connection to the telecommunication network
may include receiving the response message from the server.
[0009] In various embodiments, determining in a processor of the
wearable wireless portable device whether the low-power short range
communication link can be established to the mobile device includes
determining whether the low-power short range communication link
can be established in a processor included in a wrist display, a
bracelet, a belt buckle, a medallion, a pendent, a pen, or a key
chain. In an embodiment, the method may include
de-energizing/deactivating a resource such as cellular/WAN within
the wearable wireless portable device when the processor determines
that the low-power short range communication link can be
established with the mobile device, thereby allowing that
de-engergized/deactivated resource to be handled through/in the
mobile device. In a further embodiment, de-energizing/deactivating
a resource within the wearable wireless portable device may also
include de-energizing/deactivating a global positioning system
receiver/functionality in the wearable wireless portable device
when the processor determines that the low-power short range
communication link can be established , thereby allowing GPS
functionality to be handled through/in the mobile device. As used
herein throughout, the terms "de-energizing", "deactivating" and
"powering-down" (powering down, power-down) are used
interchangeably.
[0010] Further embodiments include a wearable wireless portable
device having various means for performing the functions of the
methods discussed above, such as means for determining whether a
low-power short range communication link can be established to a
mobile device, means for establishing the low-power short range
communication link to the mobile device, means for
de-energizing/deactivating wide area network (WAN) communications
circuitry (e.g., a cellular telephone transceiver) in the wearable
wireless portable device and communicating with a telecommunication
network in the mobile device via the low-power short range
communication link in response to determining that the low-power
short range communication link can be established, and means for
activating the WAN communications circuitry and communicating with
the telecommunication network via the activated WAN communications
circuitry in response to determining that the low-power short range
communication link cannot be established.
[0011] Further embodiments include a wearable wireless portable
device that includes a WAN communications circuitry, and a
processor coupled to the WAN communications circuitry that is
configured with processor-executable instructions to perform
operations for accomplishing the functions of the methods discussed
above.
[0012] Further embodiments include non-transitory computer readable
storage medium having stored thereon processor-executable software
instructions configured to cause a processor to perform various
operations corresponding to the method operations discussed
above.
[0013] Further embodiments include a communication device capable
of mobile operation that includes a first transceiver suitable for
wirelessly communicating information directly to a wide area
network (WAN), a second transceiver suitable for communicating
information indirectly to the WAN via a wireless connection to a
second communication device capable of mobile operation and
connected wirelessly to the WAN and a processor coupled to the
first and second transceivers and configured with
processor-executable instructions to perform operations that
include selectively powering down duplicate functionality of the
communication device in response to determining that a wireless
connection, such as a low-power short range communication link, has
been established to the second communication device. Powering down
duplicate functionality of the communication device may include
powering down the first transceiver and/or powering down a position
location functionality of the communication device, such as a
global positioning system receiver. In a further embodiment, the
processor may be configured with processor-executable instructions
to perform operations such that selectively powering down duplicate
functionality of the communication device includes powering down
one or more of a heart rate sensor; a blood pressure sensor; a
gyroscope; an accelerometer; a pedometer; a thermometer; and a
glucometer.
[0014] Further embodiments include a communication device capable
of mobile operation that includes means for wirelessly
communicating information directly to a wide area network (WAN),
means for communicating information indirectly to the WAN via a
wireless connection to a second communication device capable of
mobile operation and connected wirelessly to the WAN, and means for
selectively powering down duplicate functionality of the
communication device in response to determining that the wireless
connection, such as a low-power short range communication link, has
been established to the second communication device. The means for
selectively powering down duplicate functionality of the
communication device may include means for powering down the means
for wirelessly communicating information directly to the WAN,
and/or means for powering down a position location functionality of
the communication device, such as a global positioning system
receiver. In a further embodiment, the means for selectively
powering down duplicate functionality of the communication device
may include means for powering down one or more of a heart rate
sensor, a blood pressure sensor, a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a
pedometer, a thermometer, and a glucometer.
[0015] Further embodiments include a first device capable of mobile
operation, said first device being operable to communicate
information, wirelessly, directly to a wide area network (WAN) or
indirectly, via a wireless connection to a second device capable of
mobile operation and connected wirelessly to said WAN. In an
embodiment, the first device is operable to selectively power-down
duplicate functionality on said first device likewise found on said
second device in connection with a wireless link being established
between said first and second devices. In a further embodiment, the
duplicate functionality may include a position location
functionality of the first or second device.
[0016] Further embodiments include a method of operating a wearable
wireless portable device that includes establishing a low-power
short range communication link to a mobile device having wide area
network (WAN) capability, and in response to establishing a
low-power short range communication link with the mobile device,
de-energizing WAN communications circuitry in the wearable wireless
portable device and communicating with a WAN through the mobile
device via the low-power short range communication link. In an
embodiment the method may further include activating the WAN
communications circuitry in the wearable wireless portable device
and communicating with the WAN via the activated WAN communications
circuitry in the wearable wireless portable device when the
low-power short range communication link, between the mobile device
and the wearable wireless portable device, is not available.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and
constitute part of this specification, illustrate exemplary
embodiments of the invention, and, together with the general
description given above and the detailed description given below,
serve to explain features of the invention. For reference numerals
with letter character designations such as "102A" or "102B", the
letter character designations may differentiate two like parts or
elements present in the same figure. Letter character designations
for reference numerals may be omitted when it is intended that a
reference numeral to encompass all parts having the same reference
numeral in all figures.
[0018] FIG. 1A is a system wide functional block diagram of a
wearable wireless portable device coupled to a wireless
communications network;
[0019] FIG. 1B is a detailed functional block diagram of a second
embodiment of a wearable wireless portable device;
[0020] FIG. 1C is a functional block diagram of a computing device
capable of mobile operation that may be in the form a wearable
wireless portable device;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a diagram of a exemplary wearable wireless
portable device having anatomical mounting hardware;
[0022] FIG. 3 is a diagram of a screen for displaying exercise data
and competition data for an operator of the wearable wireless
portable device;
[0023] FIG. 4 is a diagram of a screen for displaying a location of
the wearable wireless portable device relative to geographical
elements and relative to other wearable wireless portable
devices;
[0024] FIG. 5 is a diagram of a screen of a remote portable
computing device for displaying a location of the wearable wireless
portable device relative to geographical elements such as
streets;
[0025] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method for tracking
exercise and personal security with a wearable wireless portable
device; and
[0026] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method for processing
exercise data and personal security data generated by one or more
wearable wireless portable devices.
[0027] FIG. 8 is a communication diagram illustrating a low-power
short range communication link between a wearable wireless device
and a mobile device.
[0028] FIG. 9 is a process flow diagram of an embodiment method for
selecting a communication path between a wearable wireless portable
device and a telecommunication network.
[0029] FIG. 10A is a process flow diagram of another embodiment
method for selecting a communication path between a wearable
wireless portable device and a telecommunication network.
[0030] FIG. 10B is a process flow diagram of an embodiment wearable
wireless portable device method of sending and receiving
information to and from a telecommunication network.
[0031] FIG. 10C is a process flow diagram of an embodiment method
of de-energizing resources in the wearable wireless portable device
when it is in close proximity to a mobile device.
[0032] FIG. 11 is a circuit block diagram of a wearable wireless
portable device suitable for use with the various embodiments.
[0033] FIG. 12 is a circuit block diagram of a mobile device
suitable for use with the various embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0034] The various embodiments will be described in detail with
reference to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same
reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to
the same or like parts. References made to particular examples and
implementations are for illustrative purposes, and are not intended
to limit the scope of the invention or the claims.
[0035] The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an
example, instance, or illustration." Any embodiment described
herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as
preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.
[0036] In this description, the term "application" may also include
files having executable content, such as: object code, scripts,
byte code, markup language files, and patches. In addition, an
"application" referred to herein, may also include files that are
not executable in nature, such as documents that may need to be
opened or other data files that need to be accessed.
[0037] The term "content" may also include files having executable
content, such as: object code, scripts, byte code, markup language
files, and patches. In addition, "content" referred to herein, may
also include files that are not executable in nature, such as
documents that may need to be opened or other data files that need
to be accessed.
[0038] As used in this description, the terms "component,"
"database," "module," "system," and the like are intended to refer
to a computer-related entity, either hardware, firmware, a
combination of hardware and software, software, or software in
execution. For example, a component may be, but is not limited to
being, a process running on a processor, a processor, an object, an
executable, a thread of execution, a program, and/or a computer. By
way of illustration, both an application running on a computing
device and the computing device may be a component. One or more
components may reside within a process and/or thread of execution,
and a component may be localized on one computer and/or distributed
between two or more computers. In addition, these components may
execute from various computer readable media having various data
structures stored thereon. The components may communicate by way of
local and/or remote processes such as in accordance with a signal
having one or more data packets (e.g., data from one component
interacting with another component in a local system, distributed
system, and/or across a network such as the Internet with other
systems by way of the signal).
[0039] The term "computing device" is used herein to refer to any
one or all of servers, personal computers, laptop computers, tablet
computers, mobile devices, cellular telephones, smartbooks,
ultrabooks, palm-top computers, personal data assistants (PDA's),
wireless electronic mail receivers, multimedia Internet enabled
cellular telephones, Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers,
wireless gaming controllers, and other similar electronic devices
that include a programmable processor and circuitry for wirelessly
sending or receiving information.
[0040] The terms "mobile device," "wireless device" and "wireless
node" are used herein to refer to any electronic device that
includes circuitry for wirelessly sending and/or receiving
information, and may include any one or all of cellular telephones,
personal or mobile multi-media players, watches, wrist displays,
smaitphones, personal or mobile multi-media players, personal data
assistants (PDA's), laptop computers, tablet computers, ultrabooks,
palm-top computers, wireless electronic mail receivers, multimedia
Internet enabled cellular telephones, wireless gaming controllers,
and similar personal electronic devices which include circuitry for
sending and/or receiving wireless communication signals.
[0041] The term "wireless-enabled device" is used herein to refer
to any electronic device that includes a radio frequency (RF) radio
or circuitry for wirelessly sending or receiving information via a
short wave wireless technology, such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.RTM.,
and thus may encompass many commercially available mobile devices,
medical devices, personal computers, cameras, projectors, and other
similar electronic devices. Details of the Wi-Fi standards and
technologies are set forth in Institute of Electrical and
Electronics Engineers' (IEEE) 802.11 standards, which are herein
incorporated by reference for details related to the communication
technologies.
[0042] The term "Bluetooth.RTM.-enabled device" is used herein to
refer to any electronic device that includes a radio frequency (RF)
radio and a processor or circuitry for implementing the
Bluetooth.RTM. protocol stack/interface. Bluetooth.RTM. is an open
standard for short-range radio frequency (RF) communications.
Details of the Bluetooth.RTM. standards, interfaces, and technology
are set forth in Bluetooth.RTM. Special interest Group (SIG)
Specification of the Bluetooth.RTM. System Version 4.0 Jun. 30,
2010, which is herein incorporated by reference in its
entirety.
[0043] The various embodiments may be implemented using a variety
of communication protocols, but are described herein using
Bluetooth.RTM. and Bluetooth.RTM.-related terminology as a
convenient example of a communications technology for wirelessly
connecting electronic devices located within a relatively short
distance of one another (e.g., 100 meters). However, the examples
referring to Bluetooth.RTM., and other references to the
Bluetooth.RTM. herein, are for illustration purposes only, and are
not intended to limit the descriptions or the claims to that
particular standard. Therefore, the scope of the claims should not
be construed as requiring Bluetooth.RTM. unless specifically
recited in the claims.
[0044] As discussed above, mobile devices (e.g., smartphones, etc.)
are quickly becoming a necessary and indispensible tool for
navigating modern society, yet there are times when it is not
convenient for consumers to carry a conventional cellular-capable
mobile device (e.g., while exercising, etc.).
[0045] The various embodiments provide a lightweight, power
efficient, and wearable wireless portable device ("WWPD")
configured to communicate with a more conventional and feature-rich
mobile device (e.g., smartphone, etc.) via low-power short range
communication technologies (e.g., Bluetooth.RTM., WiFi, etc.) when
in close proximity to the mobile device, and provide the user
access to cellular, telecommunication and/or wide area networks
when not in close proximity to the mobile device. The wearable
wireless portable device allows the user to continue having
cellular/network connectivity when he/she is not carrying a
cellular or network-enabled mobile device, but does not require the
bulky, complex and/or power hungry circuitry or hardware typically
included in conventional mobile devices. The wearable wireless
portable device may transition between the different types of
cellular and wireless communication technologies seamlessly and
without user interaction.
[0046] The wearable wireless portable device may be configured to
automatically establish wide area network (WAN) connectivity when
it is not in close proximity to the mobile device and/or when a low
power short-range communication link cannot be established with the
mobile device. WAN connectivity may be achieved via a cellular
telephone network connection between a cellular transceiver in the
wearable wireless portable device to a base state in a cellular
telecommunication network.
[0047] The wearable wireless portable device may be further
configured to enter a low power state, turn off its wide area
network (WAN) and/or cellular communications circuitry, and/or
automatically establish a low power direct communication link to
the mobile device when it is in close proximity to the mobile
device. The wearable wireless portable device may also be
configured to automatically disable or reduce the power consumption
of any or all of the resources or components included the device
when it is in close proximity to the mobile device and/or when a
low power direct communication link is established with the mobile
device. Example of device resources or components that may be
disabled in such a situation include a Global Positioning System
(GPS) receiver, a WAN modem or transceiver, a communication bus,
voltage rails, sensors, and processors.
[0048] In an embodiment, the wearable wireless portable device may
be configured to use the direct communication link to send and
receive communication messages to and from a telecommunication
network or WAN via the network connectivity of the mobile device.
The wearable wireless portable device mobile device may also be
configured to send and receive messages to and from the mobile
device via the direct communication link.
[0049] In an embodiment, the wearable wireless portable device may
be configured to register with a server or service that routes the
communications to and from the wearable device, and to send/receive
communications to and from the server or service.
[0050] In various embodiments, the wearable wireless portable
device may be a wrist display, badge, tag, bracelet, patch, belt
buckle, medallion, pen, key chain, or any other device that may be
worn or carried by a user.
[0051] As mentioned above, the wearable wireless portable device
may be configured to enter a low power state and turn off WAN and
cellular communications circuitry when it is in close proximity to
the mobile device. The wearable wireless portable device may also
be configured to place the one or more processors and/or device
resources (e.g., GPS receiver, memory unit, communication bus,
etc.) in a low power state when it is in close proximity to the
mobile device and/or when a low power direct communication link is
established with the mobile device. These features reduce the
amount of power consumed by the wearable wireless portable device,
extending its battery life and/or reducing the size and weight of
its battery. The above mentioned features also enable a wireless
service provider to charge consumers less for their services, since
a large portion of the wearable wireless portable device's network
connectivity and communications may be achieved via the network
connectivity of a second device (e.g., the mobile device).
[0052] FIG. 1A is an illustration of a system 100 that includes a
wearable wireless portable device 105A coupled to a wireless
communications network 142. Many of the system elements illustrated
in FIG. 1A are coupled via communications links 103 to the wireless
communications network 142.
[0053] The links 103 illustrated in FIG. 1A may include wired or
wireless links. Wireless links include, but are not limited to,
radio-frequency ("RF") links, infrared links, acoustic links, and
other wireless mediums. The wireless communications network 142 may
include a wide area network ("WAN"), a local area network ("LAN"),
the Internet, a Public Switched Telephony Network ("PSTN"), a
paging network, or a combination thereof. The wireless
communications network 142 may be established by broadcast RF
transceiver towers 110B. However, one of ordinary skill in the art
recognizes that other types of communication devices besides
broadcast RF transceiver towers 110B are included within the scope
of the invention for establishing the wireless communications
network 142. The wearable wireless portable device ("WWPD") 105A is
shown to have an RF antenna 110A so that a respective wearable
wireless portable device 105A may establish wireless communication
links 103 with the wireless communications network 142 via
broadcast RF transceiver towers 110B.
[0054] The wearable wireless portable device 105A may include a
plurality of software and/or hardware components, such as the
illustrated radio-frequency ("RF") transceiver 115, global
positioning satellite (GPS) module 120A, biological or
physiological monitor(s) 125A, exercise or sports activity module
130A, personal security module 135A, entertainment module 140,
camera 145, speaker 150, display 155, user interface module 160,
time module 165, portability hardware 170, web browser module 175,
power supply 180, and microphone 360. The wearable wireless
portable device 105A may include a processor or central processing
unit ("CPU") 390 as illustrated in FIG. 1B and described below. The
processor/CPU 390 may be configured with processor executable
instructions to perform the functions described herein or it may
have several dedicated circuits that provide the functions
described herein.
[0055] The RF transceiver 115 may be coupled to the RF antenna
110A. The RF transceiver 115 may support one or more multiple RF
communication types. For example, the RF transceiver 115 may
support cellular phone type RF communications. Other communication
types include, but are not limited to, fixed wireless, portable
communication systems ("PCS"), or satellite communications systems.
The RF transceiver 115 may provide for multiple access
communications, in accordance with any standard or protocol, such
as, for example, code division multiple access ("CDMA"), time
division multiple access ("TDMA"), frequency division multiple
access ("FDMA"), or Global System for Mobile communications
("GSM"), or any combination thereof.
[0056] The RF transceiver 115 in combination with the wireless
communications network 142 may also support QChat.RTM. service type
instantaneous communications. QChat.RTM. is a software application
developed by Qualcomm Internet Services (QIS), a division of
Qualcomm, Inc. and part of the Qualcomm Wireless and Internet
group. QChat.RTM. provides a reliable method of instant connection
and two-way communication between users who may be in different and
who are operating within the same type of network architecture.
QChat.RTM. may include a software application developed for the
Binary Runtime Environment for Wireless ("BREW") platform.
[0057] "Press-to-Transmit" ("PTT") is a method of conversing on
half-duplex communication lines for 3G and 4G networks. QChat.RTM.
handsets and server software as of this writing allow users of the
wearable wireless portable device 105A to connect instantaneously
with other QChat.RTM. users anywhere in the world with the push of
a button. In addition, the QChat.RTM. service enables one-to-one
(private) and one-to-many (group) calls over the 3G and 4G
networks.
[0058] As understood by one of ordinary skill in the art,
QChat.RTM. may use standard Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)
technologies. Voice information may be sent in digital form over
internet protocol ("IP") data networks in discrete packets rather
than traditional circuit-switched protocols such those used in the
public switched telephone network ("PSTN").
[0059] The RF transceiver 115 may also support short messaging
system (SMS) functions such as texting. The RF transceiver 115 may
allow the operator of the wearable wireless portable device 105A to
forward inbound or incoming phone calls to a text to speech engine
that may include software and/or hardware which are part of the
user interface module 160. Alternatively, the text to speech engine
hardware and/or software may be part of a server 111, which may
receive phone calls that are forwarded to it by the wearable
wireless portable device 105A.
[0060] The GPS module 120A may include hardware and/or software
that supports the United States Global Positioning System ("GPS")
or any other location position system of functionality. Thus, it
should be understood that other global navigation satellite systems
("GNSS") are included within the scope of this application, and may
also be supported by hardware and/or software executed by the
wearable wireless portable device 105A. Other GNSS or Satellite
Positioning Systems ("SPS") include, but are not limited to, the
Russian GLONASS system, and the European Galileo System. The GPS
module 120A may provide an operator of the wearable wireless
portable device 105A with a current set of the geographical
coordinates for the location of the WWPD 105A. The wearable
wireless portable device 105A may also provide maps showing the
geographical coordinates on the display 155. The GPS module 120A
may also transmit its calculated geographical coordinates using the
RF transceiver 115 over the wireless communications network 142 to
a remote server 111, a second wearable wireless portable device
(WWPD) 105B, and/or a portable computing device 107.
[0061] The wearable wireless portable device 105A may include one
or more biological or physiological monitor modules 125A. These
monitor modules 125A may check and track one or more physiological
parameters. Exemplary measured physiological and/or calculated
parameters include, but are not limited to: heart rate, calories
burned, variability in heart rate, breathing rate, arrhythmia of
the heart (if any), general rhythm and functioning of the heart,
blood pressure, abnormal body movements (convulsions), body
position, general body movements, body temperature, presence and
quantity of sweat, oxygenation, and glucose levels in the blood.
The monitor modules 125A may work in concert or in conjunction with
one or more sensors 210 as described in FIG. 2 discussed below.
Such sensors 210 may include, but are not limited to, heart rate
sensors, blood pressure sensors, strain gauges, gyroscopes,
accelerometers, pedometers, thermometers, thermocouples,
glucometers, and other similar sensors as understood by one of
ordinary skill in the art.
[0062] The monitor modules 125A and the sensors 210 of FIG. 2 may
work in concert and/or in communication with one or more exercise
or sports activity modules 130A. The exercise or sports activity
modules 130A may be designed for specific physical activities that
may include, but are not limited to, jogging, running, walking,
bicycling, swimming, rowing, strength training, yoga, mountain
biking, skiing, hiking, and mountain climbing. The system may track
other similar physical activities that include all sports and
sports related activities.
[0063] Each exercise or sports activity module 130A may be tailored
for a specific physical activity. For example, a jogging sports
activity module 130A may track the heart rate, calories burned, as
well as the distance traveled by the operator of the wearable
wireless portable device 105A. A swimming sports activity module
130A may also track and monitor heart rate, calories burned, water
temperature, as well as the number of laps taken by the operator of
the wearable wireless portable device 105A. The sports activity
module 130A may also track and monitor time according to the
activity selected by the wearable wireless portable device
105A.
[0064] In addition to tracking the exercise or sports activity of
the operator of the wearable wireless portable device 105A, the
exercise or sports activity module 130A may be configured to
receive performance data that is transmitted to the wearable
wireless portable device 105A from a second wearable wireless
portable device 105B as illustrated in FIG. 1A. In one embodiment,
the wearable wireless portable device 105A may receive data
regarding other operators of another wearable wireless portable
device 105B that may be participating in the same exercise or
sports activity of the operator of the wearable wireless portable
device 105A. Such performance data may include, but is not limited
to, (1) geographical locations of other athletes or exercisers that
may be shown on display 155, and (2) specific metrics of other
athletes and exercisers. The specific metrics may include, but are
not limited to, calories burned, current speed, current exercise
rate, or athletic rate, etc. Performance data may include data from
famous athletes who have uploaded and stored their exercise or
sports activity data. In this way, the wearable wireless portable
device 105 may foster competition among multiple athletes and/or
exercisers in which these people may be significantly
geographically diverse (i.e., separate from one another), such as
people comparing performance data to one another who live in
different towns, cities, states, countries, etc.
[0065] The exercise or sports activity module 130A may also track
and monitor benchmarks associated with stored data such as
benchmarks recorded and stored in the remote server 111 by famous
or noteworthy athletes. In other words, the exercise or sports
activity module 130A may provide a continuous comparison of a
current exercise or sports activity of the operator of the wearable
wireless portable device 105A to stored results of a famous or
noteworthy athlete who has uploaded and stored his or her exercise
or sports activity data (also referred to as performance data
throughout this document). Details about these comparative
functions performed by the exercise or sports activity module 130A
will be described in further detail below in connection with FIG. 3
and FIG. 4.
[0066] The personal security module 135A may include hardware
and/or software modules that allow the operator to select from a
plurality of personal security features and functions. For example,
the personal security module 135A may activate a function such that
the position of the wearable wireless portable device 105A as
monitored and detected by the GPS module 120A may be sent over the
wireless communications network 142. This data may be received by
the server 111. In this way, a third-party may monitor movement of
the wearable wireless portable device 105A which has activated the
personal security module 135A. The personal security module 135A
may include user-defined functions such as an alert or an alarm
button that may be depressed by the operator of the wearable
wireless portable device 105A. The alert or alarm button may be
depressed by the operator if he or she is experiencing a security
issue, such as a robbery, kidnapping, assault, etc.
[0067] The personal security module 135A may also be programmed to
provide periodic updates of the location of the wearable wireless
portable device 105A as selected by the operator. The personal
security module 135A may generate periodic text messages indicating
that the status of the operator is good. Likewise, the personal
security module 135A may also operate as a "kill switch." For this
feature, the operator is required to push a button which transmits
a message stating that the "operator is OK" according to certain
time intervals and/or locations or both. When the operator of the
wearable wireless portable device 105A does not push the button
after a period of time and/or at a location or both, then an alarm
signal may be triggered and generated by the wearable wireless
portable device 105A. This alarm signal is communicated over the
wireless communications network 142 to the server 111. The alarm
signal in an exemplary embodiment may take the form of a text
message. The generation of text messages may consume very little or
low bandwidth. The text message functions may operate like
conventional wireless devices which utilize 3G and 4G wireless
connections.
[0068] The personal security module 135A may support other types of
security features and/or functions. Such other types of security
features and/or functions may include an alert feature that allows
the operator of the wearable wireless portable device 105A to send
an alert status to the server 111. With this alert status, a remote
operator such as a second wearable wireless portable device 105B or
a portable computing device 107 may be notified to start tracking
or monitoring the status of the first wearable wireless portable
device 105A.
[0069] In other words, the personal security module 135A may
support an alert feature that does not require immediate action
with respect to a party monitoring the location of the wearable
wireless portable device 105A. This alert feature may only require
the party who has access to the server 111 to start focusing on the
location and movement of the wearable wireless portable device 105A
until the operator of the wearable wireless portable device 105A
indicates that further monitoring by the third party is no longer
needed.
[0070] The personal security module 135A may also support emergency
functions and/or features such as a 911 emergency call feature.
This means when the 911 emergency call feature is activated, the
personal security module 135A may be programmed to send the current
location of the wearable wireless portable device 105A along with a
predetermined or canned message. The canned message may include a
text message and/or a voice message that identifies the name of the
operator of the wearable wireless portable device 105A along with
instructions for emergency personnel/first responders to come to
the rescue of the operator immediately. The personal security
module 135A may also support specific emergency functions such as
identifying the category or type of emergency and requesting
emergency assistance corresponding to the category or type selected
by the operator of the wearable wireless portable device 105A.
[0071] That is, the personal security module 135A may support an
emergency medical function, an emergency police function, and an
emergency fire function, or any combination thereof. In this way,
the operator of the wearable wireless portable device 105A may
select the type of emergency that may be experienced by the
operator so that proper emergency personnel/first responders are
appropriately notified and requested to arrive at the location of
the wearable wireless portable device 105A.
[0072] As noted above, the wearable wireless portable device 105A
may also include one or more entertainment modules 140. The one or
more entertainment modules 140 may support functions and/or
features or a combination thereof that include, but are not limited
to, audio players, video players, video games, and other
entertainment functions. For example, the entertainment module 140
may include an MP3 player for playing audio files that include
music files.
[0073] The wearable wireless portable device 105A may also include
a camera 145 that may support conventional photographs as well as
video. Further details about the camera 145 will be described below
in connection with FIG. 1B. The wearable wireless portable device
105A may also include a speaker 150, a microphone 360, a display
155, and a user interface module 160. The user interface module 160
may be coupled to the speaker 150, the display 155, and the
microphone 360.
[0074] The user interface module 160 may support or be part of an
operating system ("OS") that is integrated with the graphics shown
on a display 155 and which may support touch and keyed-in commands
as well as voice activated commands. The user interface module 160
may provide for a simulated keyboard on the display 155.
Alternatively, a physical keyboard or keypad 374 such as
illustrated in FIG. 1B may be part of the user interface module
160.
[0075] The wearable wireless portable device 105A may also include
one or more time modules 165 that may be coupled to the display
155, the speaker 150, and the exercise or sports activity modules
130A. The time modules 165 may track current time as well as times
and other time zones throughout the world. The time modules 165 may
be accessed and may provide data to the exercise or sports activity
modules 130A such as, but not limited to, lap time, running or
jogging rate, and other similar time features. The time modules 165
may be coupled to the display 155. The times tracked by the time
modules 165 may be displayable to the operator of the wearable
wireless portable device 105A.
[0076] The wearable wireless portable device 105A may also include
portability hardware 170 which may take on various different forms.
For example, the portability hardware 170 may include physical
structures such as one or more bands coupled together so the
wearable wireless portable device 105A is worn as a bracelet or
like a watch. In other cases, the portability hardware 170 may
include other bands, straps, or fasteners, so the wearable wireless
portable device 105A may be worn on the other parts of the human
anatomy. For example, the WWPD 105 A may be worn on the arm of a
person as well as around the torso of a person. As a further
example, the WWPD 105 may be worn as a pendant around a human neck
and/or clipped-on to clothing.
[0077] The wearable wireless portable device 105A may also include
a web browser module 175 that is coupled to the display 155B, user
interface module 160, and the RF transceiver 115. The web browser
module 175 may allow the operator to access the Internet as well as
allowing various modules such as the GPS module 120A and the
exercise or sports activity modules 130A to upload or download
particular information.
[0078] The wearable wireless portable device 105A may also include
a power supply 180. The power supply 180 may include, but is not
limited to, batteries, capacitors, solar cells, mechanical power
generation devices (i.e. self winding equipment), and any
combination thereof as well as similar power supplies 18 known to
one of ordinary skill the art.
[0079] In an embodiment, the wearable wireless portable device 105A
may include a power management system configured to selectively
deactivate, power down, de-energize, or reduce the power
consumption needs of any or all of the components, resources (e.g.,
sensors, etc.), processors, modules, systems, and sub-systems of
the wearable wireless portable device 105A based on determining
that a communication link has been established to another device
(e.g., WWPD 105B, mobile device, etc.) or in response to
determining that the wearable wireless portable device 105A and the
second device duplicate a functionality, are capable of performing
the same or similar operations, or are capable of providing the
user with the same or similar functionality or service.
[0080] The server 111 may include one or more modules which mirror
those which are contained within or part of the wearable wireless
portable device 105A. That is, the server 111 may include one or
more GPS modules 120B, one or more exercise or sports activity
modules 130B, one or more biological or physiological monitor
modules 125B, and one or more personal security modules 135B. The
modules of the server 111 may be complementary relative to the
modules of the wearable wireless portable device 105A and may work
in concert with the modules of the wearable wireless portable
device 105A.
[0081] As noted previously, the server 111 may communicate with
other wearable wireless portable devices 105B as well as other
portable computing devices 107. Other portable computing devices
107 may include handheld computers, laptop computers, and desktop
computers.
[0082] Referring to FIG. 1B, an exemplary, non-limiting embodiment
of a wearable wireless portable device 105A is shown. The wearable
wireless portable device 105A includes an on-chip system 322 that
includes a multicore CPU 390. The multicore CPU 390 may include a
zeroth core 394, a first core 396, and an Nth core 398. According
to alternate exemplary embodiments, the CPU 390 may also include
those of single core types and not one which has multiple
cores.
[0083] As illustrated in FIG. 1B, a display controller 328 and a
touch screen controller 330 are coupled to the multicore CPU 390.
In turn, the display 155 external to the on-chip system 322 is
coupled to the display controller 328 and the touch screen
controller 330.
[0084] FIG. 1B further shows that a video encoder 334, e.g., a
phase alternating line (PAL) encoder, a sequential color a memoire
(SECAM) encoder, or a national television system(s) committee
(NTSC) encoder, is coupled to the multicore CPU 390. Further, a
video amplifier 336 is coupled to the video encoder 334 and the
touch screen display 108. Also, a video port 338 is coupled to the
video amplifier 336. As shown in FIG. 1B, a universal serial bus
(USB) controller 340 is coupled to the multicore CPU 390. Also, a
USB port 342 is coupled to the USB controller 340. Memory 392 and a
subscriber identity module (SIM) card 346 may also be coupled to
the multicore CPU 390.
[0085] Further, as shown in FIG. 1B, a digital camera 145 may be
coupled to the multicore CPU 390. In an exemplary embodiment, the
digital camera 145 is a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera or a
complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) camera.
[0086] As further illustrated in FIG. 1B, a stereo audio
coder-decoder (CODEC) 350 may be coupled to the multicore CPU 390.
Moreover, an audio amplifier 352 may coupled to the stereo audio
CODEC 350. In an exemplary embodiment, a first stereo speaker 150A
and a second stereo speaker 150B are coupled to the audio amplifier
352. FIG. 1B shows that a microphone amplifier 358 may be also
coupled to the stereo audio CODEC 350. Additionally, a microphone
360 may be coupled to the microphone amplifier 358. In a particular
embodiment, a frequency modulation (FM) radio tuner 362 may be
coupled to the stereo audio CODEC 350. Also, an FM antenna is
coupled to the FM radio tuner 362. Further, stereo headphones 366
may be coupled to the stereo audio CODEC 350.
[0087] FIG. 1B further illustrates that a radio frequency ("RF")
transceiver 115 may be coupled to the multicore CPU 390. An RF
switch 370 may be coupled to the RF transceiver 368 and an RF
antenna 110A. As shown in FIG. 1B, a keypad 374 may be coupled to
the multicore CPU 390. Also, a mono headset with a microphone 376
may be coupled to the multicore CPU 390. Further, a vibrator device
378 may be coupled to the multicore CPU 390.
[0088] FIG. 1B also shows that the power supply 180 may be coupled
to the on-chip system 322. According to one embodiment, the power
supply 180 is a direct current (DC) power supply that provides
power to the various components of the wearable wireless portable
device 105A that require power. Further, in a particular
embodiment, the power supply 180 is a rechargeable DC battery or a
DC power supply that is derived from an alternating current (AC) to
DC transformer that is connected to an AC power source.
[0089] FIG. 1B further illustrates a network card 388 that may be
used to access a data network, e.g., a local area network, a
personal area network, or any other network. The network card 388
may be a Bluetooth network card, a WiFi network card, a personal
area network (PAN) card, a personal area network ultra-low-power
technology (PeANUT) network card, or any other network card well
known in the art. Further, the network card 388 may be incorporated
into a chip, i.e., the network card 388 may be a full solution in a
chip, and may not be a separate network card 388.
[0090] The multicore CPU 390 may be coupled to software and/or
hardware embodiments of the modules 120, 125, 130, 135, and 140
(120-140) which are described above in connection with FIG. 1A.
These modules 120-140 may take the form of software and/or
hardware, such as, but not limited to an application integrated
circuit (ASIC), and/or firmware. These modules 120-140 of FIG. 1A
are generally responsible for providing the global positioning
functions, bio monitoring functions, exercise/athletic performance
tracking functions, personal security functions, and entertainment
functions as described above in connection with FIG.
[0091] 1A.
[0092] As depicted in FIG. 1B, the touch screen or display 155, the
video port 338, the USB port 342, the camera 145, the first stereo
speaker 354, the second stereo speaker 356, the microphone 360, the
FM antenna 364, the stereo headphones 366, the RF switch 370, the
RF antenna 372, the keypad 374, the mono headset/microphone 376,
the vibrator device 378, and the power supply 380 are external to
the on-chip system 322.
[0093] According to another particular embodiment of the system,
one or more of the method steps described herein may be stored in
the memory 392 as computer program instructions, such as the
modules 120, 125, 130, 135, and 140 described above in connection
with the wearable wireless portable device 105A as illustrated in
FIG. 1A.
[0094] These instructions may be executed by the multicore CPU 390
to perform the method steps described herein. Further, the
multicore CPU 390 and memory 392 of the wearable wireless portable
device 105A, or a combination thereof may serve as a means for
executing one or more of the method steps described herein.
[0095] FIG. 1C illustrates various components of an embodiment
computing device capable of mobile operation that may be in the
form of wireless portable device 105B. Specifically, FIG. 1C
illustrates that a wireless portable device 105B may include a
processor 390B, a memory 392B, and a connection 295 module. The
processor 390B may be configured by software instructions to
perform a variety of methods, including the methods of the various
embodiments described herein. For example, the processor 390B may
include a programmable processor (e.g., x86, ARM), a digital signal
processor ("DSP"), an application specific integrated circuit
("ASIC"), a field programmable gate array ("FPGA"), etc.
[0096] The processor 390B may be coupled to and/or execute modules
120-140, which are described above. The modules 120-140 may take
the form of software and/or hardware, such as, but not limited to
an application integrated circuit ("ASIC"), and/or firmware. These
modules 120-140 of FIG. 1A are generally responsible for providing
the global positioning functions, bio monitoring functions,
exercise/athletic performance tracking functions, personal security
functions, and entertainment functions as described above in
connection with FIG. 1A.
[0097] The memory 392B may be any optical disk storage, any
magnetic disk storage, or any other medium operable to store logic
and/or data accessible by the computer. The memory 392B may include
random access memory ("RAM"), read-only memory ("ROM"),
electrically erasable programmable read-only memory ("EEPROM"), or
any type of solid-state memory that is suitable for compact
electronic packaging for a wearable wireless portable device
105.
[0098] The connection 295 may generally allow connectivity to other
computers, wireless devices, laptops, servers, etc. The connection
295 may include a network interface card ("NIC"), a modem, a
universal serial bus port ("USB"), a Firewire port, a 3G/4G
wireless modem, a near-field communication connection ("NFC"), etc.
The connection 295 may be any other wired connection, any other
wireless connection, any other magnetic connection, any other
visual connection, any other audible connection, etc.
[0099] FIG. 2 is a diagram of an example wearable wireless portable
device 105 having security monitoring and communication functions
contained within anatomical mounting hardware 170. In the exemplary
embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the anatomical mounting hardware
170 includes a bracelet or ornamental shell suitable for wearing on
an arm 255 of a human subject 250. As discussed above, the wearable
wireless portable device 105 is not limited to anatomical mounting
hardware 170 suitable only for mounting on an arm 255. The mounting
hardware 170 may include other elements such as a chain, pin, clip
or other type of mechanical fasteners such that the wearable
wireless portable device 105 may be worn on other regions of the
body. For example, the WWPD 105 may take the form as a pendant for
wearing around a neck. The WWPD 105 may include a unit for
attaching to a bicep, or a unit worn on the waist of a human
subject 250.
[0100] In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the
display 155A of the wearable wireless portable device 105 may
provide numerous pieces of information for the operator such as,
but not limited to, the current time of day, and a heart rate 182
of the operator or human subject 250. The display 155A may also
show other user interface elements 160A-160G as will be described
in further detail below.
[0101] The wearable wireless portable device 105 may be coupled to
one or more different types of sensors 210. In the exemplary
embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the sensor 210 may include a
heart rate sensor. However, other types of sensors are included
within the scope of the invention and may include, but are not
limited to, breathing sensors, oxygenation sensors, perspiration
sensors, blood pressure sensors, glucose meters, temperature
sensors, and other like sensors. Other like sensors may measure
various different types of physiological parameters that are
helpful in monitoring and tracking performance during exercise and
athletic activities.
[0102] In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the heart
rate sensor 210 may be supported by a strap 215. Other mounting
hardware besides the strap 215 for the sensor 210 may be employed
as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The wearable
wireless portable device 105 may be coupled to the sensor 210 via a
wireless connection 205A. Wireless connections include, but are not
limited to, radiofrequency couplings, magnetic couplings, infrared,
and acoustic couplings. Other wireless connections not specifically
mentioned are well within the scope of the invention as understood
by one of ordinary skill in the art. In an alternative embodiment,
a wired connection 205B may be used to couple the sensor 210 to the
wearable wireless portable device 105.
[0103] The seven user interface elements 160A-160G may be suitable
for a display 155A that supports touch-screen type features. This
means that for the seven user interface elements 160A-160G, when
the operator touches one or more of these user interface elements
160A-160G, then one or more functions and/or features supported by
the wearable wireless portable device 105 may become active or
accessed by the operator/human subject 250.
[0104] The first user interface element 160A may include an alert
button for creating an alert message as described above in
connection with FIG. 1A. Such an alert feature may include one that
allows the operator of the wearable wireless portable device 105A
to send an alert status to the server 111. The server may in turn
transmit the alert to a remote operator such as a second wearable
wireless portable device 105B or a portable computing device 107 as
illustrated in FIG. 1A. The portable computing device 107 may be
notified to start tracking or monitoring the status of the first
wearable wireless portable device 105A.
[0105] In other words, the personal security module 135A of the
wearable wireless portable device 105 may support an alert feature
that does not require immediate action with respect to a party
monitoring the location of the wearable wireless portable device
105A. This alert feature, when activated by the first user
interface element 160A, may only require the party who has access
to the server 111 to start focusing on the location and movement of
the wearable wireless portable device 105A. The party may stop
monitoring the location and movement of the WWPD 105A when the
operator of the WWPD 105A indicates that further monitoring by the
third party is no longer needed
[0106] The second user interface element 160B may support an
immediate or urgent response feature as described above in
connection with FIG. 1A. That is, the second user interface element
160B may support emergency functions and/or features such as a 911
emergency call feature. This means when the 911 function or
"Emergency" button feature associated with user interface element
160B is activated, the personal security module 135A may be
programmed to send the current location of the wearable wireless
portable device 105A. The WWPD 105A may also send a message that
may include a text message and/or a voice message. The text message
and/or voice message may identify the name of the operator of the
wearable wireless portable device 105A along with instructions for
emergency personnel or first responders to come to the rescue of
the operator substantially immediately.
[0107] The personal security module 135A as activated by the second
user interface element 160B may also support specific emergency
functions such as identifying the category or type of emergency.
The second user interface element 160B may request emergency
assistance corresponding with the category or type selected by the
operator of the wearable wireless portable device 105A. This means
that the personal security module 135A may support an emergency
medical function, an emergency police function, and an emergency
fire function, or any combination thereof.
[0108] In this way, the operator of the wearable wireless portable
device 105A may select the type of emergency that may be
experienced by the operator after the second user interface element
160B "Emergency" button is activated. This allows proper emergency
personnel or first responders to be appropriately notified and
requested to arrive at the location of the wearable wireless
portable device 105A.
[0109] The third user interface element 160C may support a function
in which the operator desires to record and store current exercise
or competition/performance data with the wearable wireless portable
device 105. The third user interface element 160C may also activate
the competition feature described above in connection with FIG.
1A.
[0110] The third user interface element 160C may activate the
exercise or sports activity module 130A such that the WWPD 105A
receives performance data that is transmitted to the wearable
wireless portable device 105A from other wearable wireless portable
devices 105B as illustrated in FIG. 1A. Similarly, activation of
the third user interface element 160C may also cause the exercise
or sports activity module 130A to transmit the current performance
data of the operator/human subject 250 of the WWPD 105A over the
wireless communications network 142 to the server 111.
[0111] In one exemplary embodiment, activation of the third user
interface element 160C may initiate the feature in which the
wearable wireless portable device 105A receives data regarding
other operators of other WWPDs 105B that may be participating in
the same exercise or sports activity of the operator/human subject
250 of a particular WWPD 105A. Such performance data may include,
but is not limited to, geographical locations of other athletes or
exercisers that may be shown on display 155, and specific metrics
of other athletes such as calories burned, current speed, current
exercise or athletic rate, etc. In this way, the wearable wireless
portable device 105 may foster competition among multiple athletes
and/or exercisers in which these people may be significantly
geographically diverse (separate from one another). For example,
this may include people comparing performance data to one another
who live in different towns, cities, states, countries, etc.
[0112] The fourth user interface element 160D may activate a "menu"
function that may display various options and/or functions that may
be supported by the wearable wireless portable device 105. This
fourth user interface element 160D may cause a menu to be shown on
the display 155A so the operator/human subject 250 may select from
the menu elements.
[0113] The fifth user interface element 160E may support/activate
the "Push-To-Talk" or "Push-To-Transmit" feature described in
connection with FIG. 1A above. In one embodiment, activation of the
fifth user interface element 160E may initiate QChat.RTM.-based
instantaneous communications such that the operator/human subject
250 may conduct communications using the speaker 150. As noted
previously, QChat.RTM. is a software application which was
developed by Qualcomm, Inc. based in San Diego, Calif. QChat.RTM.
provides a reliable method of instant connection and two-way
communication between users in different locations. QChat.RTM.
allows users of the wearable wireless portable device 105A to
connect instantaneously with other QChat.RTM. users anywhere in the
world with the push of a button, such as the fifth user interface
element 160E.
[0114] The sixth and seventh user interface elements 160F, 160G may
support conventional chronological features such as the starting
and the stopping of a stopwatch such that the operator/human
subject 250 may track time for an exercise or other form of
athletic activity. The six and seven user interface elements 160F,
160G may be coupled to one or more time modules 165 as described
above in connection with FIG. 1A.
[0115] FIG. 3 is a diagram of a screen/display 155B for displaying
exercise data 305A and competition data 305B for an operator of the
wearable wireless portable device 105. This screen/display 155B may
be generated by the exercise or sports activity module 130A which
may receive performance data transmitted to the wearable wireless
portable device 105A from other wearable wireless portable devices
105B as illustrated in FIG. 1A. In other words, the wearable
wireless portable device 105A may receive data, like competition
data 305B, related to or associated with other operators of other
wearable wireless portable devices 105B. These other WWPDs 105B may
be participating in the same exercise or sports activity of the
operator of the wearable wireless portable device 105A.
[0116] Such performance data may include, but is not limited to,
geographical locations of other athletes or exercisers that may be
shown on display 155. In one embodiment, specific metrics of other
athletes and exercisers such as calories burned, current speed, and
current exercise or athletic rate, etc. may be shown on the display
155. In this way, the wearable wireless portable device 105 may
foster competition among multiple athletes and/or exercisers in
which these people may be significantly geographically diverse
(separate from one another). This includes people comparing
performance data to others, who may live and compete in different
towns, cities, states, countries, etc.
[0117] In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the
exercise or athletic activity data 305A of the operator of the
wearable wireless portable device 105A may include information
relating to the activity of bicycling. The athletic data 305A shown
on display 155B may include information such as but not limited to,
distance traversed by the operator during the activity, the amount
of calories burned during the activity, the current heart rate of
the operator, and the average speed in miles per hour (MPH).
[0118] As noted previously, the exercise or sports activity module
130A may also track and monitor benchmarks associated with stored
data such as benchmarks recorded and stored at a server 111 by
famous or noteworthy athletes. In one embodiment, the exercise or
sports activity module 130A may provide a continuous comparison of
a current exercise or sports activity of the operator of the
wearable wireless portable device 105A to stored results of a
famous or noteworthy athlete. The famous athlete may have uploaded
and stored his or her exercise or sports activity data (also
referred to as performance data throughout this document).
[0119] In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the
competition data 305B may include benchmarks set by a famous
athlete. In this particular example, the famous athlete is in the
bicycling field. This competition data 305B may have the same
parameters as the athletic activity data 305A. In this particular
example, the competition data 305B also includes distance traversed
by the athlete at the same location as the operator during the
activity, the amount of calories burned during the activity at the
same stage for the athlete, the recorded heart rate of the athlete
at the same stage of the activity, and the recorded average speed
in miles per hour for the athlete at the same stage of
activity.
[0120] As described above, the competition data 305B may also
include real-time information of another operator of a wearable
wireless portable device 105B. If the operator Jane was racing the
operator Vance Legstrong in a live or current activity, then the
athletic activity data 305A and competition data 305B would be
current, and the parameters for the athletic activity being
monitored by the two or more wearable wireless portable devices
105A, 105B would change.
[0121] In addition to the exercise data 305A and the competition
data 305B, the wearable wireless portable device 105, and
specifically, the exercise or sports activity module 130A may also
provide recommendations 305C to the operator so the exercise data
305A may become closer to the competition data 305B or possibly
exceed the competition data 305B. For example, if Jane Doe is in a
race against the operator Vance Legstrong, then the exercise module
may try to help Jane win against Vance. In one embodiment, the
exercise or sports activity module 130A may compare the exercise
data 305A to the competition data 305B. The exercise or sports
activity module 130A may also determine that if the operator of the
WWPD 105A increases their average speed by at least six miles per
hour, then the operator may be able to keep up with their
competition in the athletic activity being tracked by the
competition data 305B.
[0122] FIG. 4 is a diagram of a screen 155C for displaying a
location of the wearable wireless portable device 105A on a map 400
relative to geographical elements. Geographical elements may
include streets 426, 428 and the screen 155C may show a first WWPD
105A relative to other locations 422, 424 of second and third WWPDs
105B, 105C. In one embodiment, the map 400 may be generated by the
GPS module 120A in combination with the exercise or sports activity
module 130A.
[0123] As noted above, the GPS module 120A may also transmit
calculated geographical coordinates of the WWPD 105A over the
wireless communications network 142 to the server 111 using the RF
transceiver 115. In this way, a map 400 may be displayed on other
devices 105B and 107 that shows real-time geographical coordinates
of the WWPD 105A. In map 400, the operator of the wearable wireless
portable device 105A is designated by reference character 420.
Meanwhile, other wearable wireless portable devices 105B, 105C have
transmitted their respective geographical locations as indicated by
reference characters 422 and 424. These coordinates of the WWPDs
105A, 105B, and 105C may be processed and tracked by the exercise
or sports activity module 130A and the GPS module 120A.
[0124] The wearable wireless portable devices 105A, 105B, and 105C
are represented with oval icons as illustrated in FIG. 4. However,
other types of icons that may designate the type of activity being
monitored may be used as understood by one of ordinary skill in the
art. For example, instead of the ovals used in FIG. 4,
bicycle-shaped icons or runner-shaped icons may be used to denote
bicycling or running. Other icon shapes and types representative of
other activities may be used as understood by one of ordinary skill
in the art.
[0125] FIG. 5 is a diagram of a screen 500 of a remote portable
computing device 107 for displaying a location of the wearable
wireless portable device 105A relative to geographical elements
such as streets 426, 428. Screen 500 may be generated based on the
coordinates received from a GPS module 120A and information
received from the personal security module 135A of wearable
wireless portable device 105A.
[0126] The portable computing device 107 may be coupled to the
server 111 via the wireless communications network 142. Screen 500
may be generated in response to the alert function supported by the
personal security module 135A which allows the operator of the
wearable wireless portable device 105A to send an alert status to
the server 111. These alerts may cause the portable computing
device 107 to start tracking or monitoring the status of the first
wearable wireless portable device 105A.
[0127] In one embodiment, the personal security module 135A may
support an alert feature that does not require immediate action
with respect to a party monitoring the location of the wearable
wireless portable device 105A, such as a party reviewing screen 500
of FIG. 5. This alert feature only may require the party who has
access to the server 111 to start focusing on the location and
movement of the wearable wireless portable device 105A.
[0128] For example, Jane Doe is a bicyclist who decided to generate
a first alert 105A1 at time 3:20 pm on Sep. 30, 2010 as illustrated
in FIG. 5. Jane activated this alert by pressing the alert button
(e.g., user interface element 160A of FIG. 2). After traveling from
location designated by the first alert 105A1 in FIG. 5, Jane
decided to cancel the alert status by pressing the alert button
(i.e., user interface element 160A of FIG. 2) when she reached the
second alert location indicated by the second alert 105A2 at 3:25
pm in FIG. 5. Jane decided to cancel the alert since she felt she
was riding in a safer area compared to the location of her first
alert 105A1 of FIG. 5.
[0129] The GPS module 120A of a WWPD 105A may continuously transmit
its location to the server 111 such that this continuous movement
data may be displayed in screen 500 for the remote portable
computing device 107. Screen 500 may support various user
interfaces that allow an operator to communicate with the operator
of the wearable wireless portable device 105A.
[0130] For example, the first user interface element 505 of the
screen 500 may include a push-to-text feature that allows the
operator of the portable computing device 107 to send text or
simple messaging service ("SMS") messages to the operator of the
wearable wireless portable device 105A. A second user interface
element 510 may include an on-screen button that allows the
operator of the portable computing device 107 to get in contact
with first responders such as police, fire, and rescue departments.
Other user interface elements may be used as understood by one of
ordinary skill in the art.
[0131] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method 600 for tracking
exercise and personal security with a wearable wireless portable
communication device. Block 605 is the first step of the method 600
in which the exercise or sports activity module 130A may receive a
selection of the type of exercise that an operator of the wearable
wireless portable device 105 desires to track. Next, in block 610
the personal security module 135A may receive a selection of one or
more options for generating alerts that are transmitted to the
server 111 over the wireless communications network 142. Such
options that may be selected include the exemplary first user
interface element 160A as illustrated in FIG. 2 in which an
operator of the wearable wireless portable device 105 may activate
an alert by selecting or touching the "alert button" on the
screen/display 155A.
[0132] Next, in block 615, the biological or physiological monitor
module 125A and/or the exercise or sports activity module 130A may
display one or more biological or physiological outputs on the
display 155A. For example, a heart rate 182 may be displayed on the
screen/display 155A as illustrated in FIG. 2. However, other
physiological outputs and/or calculated parameters, like calories
burned, etc. may be displayed as options selected by the operator.
For example, an operator may decide to select options for
displaying heart rate and calories burned simultaneously on the
screen/display 155A.
[0133] In block 620, the wearable wireless portable device 105 may
periodically transmit the tracked biological or physiological
outputs as well as the geographical location of the wearable
wireless portable device 105 (as determined by the GPS module 120A)
to the server 111. In block 625D, the user interface module 160 may
provide user interface elements for personal security such as the
first and second user interface elements 160A, 160B as illustrated
in FIG. 2.
[0134] As described above, the first user interface element 160A
may be related to an alert function that may be selectable by the
operator of the wearable wireless portable device 105. The second
user interface element 160B may support an emergency call function
as described above. Other personal security functions that may be
tracked by the wearable wireless portable device 105 are included
as understood to one of ordinary skill in the art.
[0135] In decision block 630, the personal security module 135A may
determine if an alert function has been selected by the operator of
the wearable wireless portable device 105. If the inquiry to
decision block 630 is negative, then the "NO" branch is followed to
decision block 640. If the inquiry to decision block 630 is
positive, then the "YES" branch is followed to block 635 in which
the personal security module 135A may transmit an alert to the
server 111 that may be translated into a graphical display such as
screen 500 and specifically, the first alert 105A1 as illustrated
in FIG. 5.
[0136] Next, in decision block 640, the RF transceiver module 115
in combination with the central processing unit 390 may determine
if the operator of the wearable wireless portable device 105
desires to conduct a telephone call. If the inquiry to decision
block 640 is negative, then the "NO" branch is followed to decision
block 650. If the inquiry to decision block 640 is positive, then
the "YES" branch is followed to block 645 in which the RF
transceiver 115 establishes call communications with the server 111
and/or a cellular telephone network or wireless communications
network 142. Decision block 640 may also correspond with an
operator selecting the "Push-to-Talk" feature corresponding to the
user interface element 160E as illustrated in FIG. 2.
[0137] In decision block 650, the CPU 390 and/or the RF transceiver
115 may determine if the wearable wireless portable device 105 is
receiving an inbound call communications from the server 111 or
from a cellular communications network or wireless communications
network 142. If the inquiry to decision block 650 is negative, then
the "NO" branch is followed to decision block 670. If the inquiry
to decision block 650 is positive, then the "YES" branch is
followed to block 655 in which one or more options may be displayed
on the display 155 to explain how the operator of the wearable
wireless portable device 105 may handle a particular call. For
example, an operator may elect to take the call and activate the
speaker 150. Alternatively, the operator may choose to ignore the
call and transfer the call to a voicemail-to-text feature supported
by the server 111.
[0138] In decision block 660, the CPU 390 may determine if a
selection was made by the operator of the wearable wireless
portable device 105 to accept the inbound call. If the inquiry to
decision block 660 is negative, then the "NO" branch is followed to
decision block 670. If the inquiry to decision block 660 is
positive, then the "YES" branch is followed to block 665 in which
call communications are established with the server 111 and/or a
respective cellular telephone communication network or wireless
communications network 142.
[0139] In decision block 670, the GPS module 120A and or the
exercise or sports activity module 130A may determine if an
operator has selected an option to display a map and/or competition
data. If the inquiry to decision block 670 is negative, then the
"NO" branch is followed to decision block 680. If the inquiry to
decision block 670 is positive, then the "YES" branch is followed
to block 675. In this step, map 400 of FIG. 4 may be displayed with
a current location of the operator such as location 420 and the
locations 422, 424 of other users.
[0140] In decision block 680, the entertainment module 140 may
determine if an operator of the wearable wireless portable device
105 has selected an entertainment option. For example, an operator
may select playing an audio file like an MP3 type audio file and or
a video file in this block. If the inquiry to decision block 680 is
negative, then the method 600 ends. If the inquiry to decision
block 680 is positive, then the "YES" branch is followed to block
685. In this block 685, the entertainment module 140 may execute
one or more of the selected entertainment options, such as playing
an audio file, a video file, or a game. The method 600 proceeds to
the last block and then ends.
[0141] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method 700 for
processing exercise data and personal security data generated by
one or more wearable wireless portable devices. The first block in
the method 700 which is typically executed by the server 111 is
block 705. In block 705, the server 111 may receive biological or
physiological outputs corresponding to the options selected by the
operator of a wearable wireless portable device 105 that are
transmitted over the wireless communications network 142 to the
server 111.
[0142] Next, in block 710, the server 111 may receive the current
location of one or more wearable wireless portable devices 105 that
are generated by respective GPS modules 120A. In block 715, the
server 111 may process the biological and/or physiological outputs
according to the selected exercise option and store these results
in memory. For example, the server 111 may track and compare the
current biological and or physiological outputs being transmitted
over the wireless communications network 142 to base-line
measurements and/or readings in order to determine if there are any
problems for the operator of the wearable wireless portable device
105.
[0143] Subsequently, in decision block 720, the server may
determine 110 if it has received one or more security alerts from
one or more wearable wireless portable devices 105. If the inquiry
to decision block 720 is negative, then the "NO" branch is followed
to decision block 735. If the inquiry to decision block 720 is
positive, then the "YES" branch is followed to block 725 in which
the server 111 processes the alert according to preselected options
and/or perimeters transmitted from the wearable wireless portable
device 105A.
[0144] In this block 725, the server 111 may generate screen 500 of
FIG. 5 and provide the interactive user interface elements 505 and
510 that may be selectable by the operator of the portable
computing device 107. In block 730, the server 111 may relay the
alert to one or more preselected users such as one or more other
wearable wireless portable devices 105B, 105C such as illustrated
in FIG. 1A and FIG. 4.
[0145] Next, in decision block 735, the server 111 or a cellular
telephone network or wireless communications network 142 may
determine if the operator of the wearable wireless portable device
105 desires to conduct a call. This call may include the
"Push-to-Talk" feature described above and/or a conventional
cellular telephone network call.
[0146] If the inquiry to decision block 735 is negative, then the
"NO" branch is followed to decision block 745. If the inquiry to
decision block 735 is positive, then the "YES" branch is followed
to block 740 in which a call communication for the wearable
wireless portable device is established with a cellular telephone
network, wireless communications network 142 and/or a server
111.
[0147] In decision block 745, a server 111 and/or cellular phone
network or wireless communications network 142 may determine if a
call has been received for retransmission to a wearable wireless
portable device 105. If the inquiry to decision block 745 is
negative, then the "NO" branch is followed to decision block 765.
If the inquiry to decision block 745 is positive, then the "YES"
branch is followed to block 750 in which the server 111 and/or
cellular telephone network or wireless communications network 142
relays the phone call to the wearable wireless portable device
105.
[0148] In decision block 755, the server 111 and/or cellular phone
communication network may determine if the wearable wireless
portable device 105 will accept the relayed call. If the inquiry to
decision block 755 is negative, then the "NO" branch is followed to
decision block 765. If the inquiry to decision block 755 is
positive, then the "YES" branch is followed to block 760 in which
the server 111 and/or cellular-phone communication network or
wireless communications network 142 establishes the call with the
wearable wireless portable device 105.
[0149] Next, in decision block 765, the server 111 may determine if
the server 111 has received a signal to display a map and or
competition data for other wearable wireless portable devices 105.
The signal may be generated by the GPS module 120A and/or the
exercise or sports activity module 130A of a wearable wireless
portable device 105.
[0150] If the inquiry to decision block 765 is negative, then the
"NO" branch is followed in which the process/method 700 ends. If
the inquiry to decision block 765 is positive, then the "YES"
branch is followed to block 770 in which the server 111 may
transmit geographical coordinates and/or competition data of other
users to the wearable wireless portable device 105. These
geographical coordinates may allow the GPS module 120A to generate
the screen 155C as illustrated in FIG. 4. The competition data may
allow the exercise or sports activity module 130A to produce the
screen/display 155B as illustrated in FIG. 3. The process/method
700 then ends.
[0151] The wearable wireless portable device ("WWPD") 105 may be a
compact and lightweight device that includes WAN communications
circuitry (e.g., cellular transceiver, etc.) for establishing a
direct connection to a telecommunication network and a low-power
short range radio (e.g., WiFi or Bluetooth.RTM. radio) for
establishing an indirect connection to the telecommunication
network via the communications circuitry of the more feature-rich
mobile device. The WWPD 105 may be configured to communicate with a
more feature-rich mobile device (e.g., smartphone, etc.) via
low-power short range communication technologies when it is in
close proximity to the mobile device, and activate the WAN
communications circuitry to provide cellular or similar wireless
network connectivity when it is not in close proximity to the
mobile device. Since the WAN communications circuitry is energized
only when the WWPD 105 is not in close proximity to the mobile
device (i.e., when it cannot use a low-power short range
communication in order to user resources and communicate via the
WAN circuitry of the mobile device), WWPD 105 does not require the
bulky battery systems typically included in smartphones and other
feature rich mobile devices. This enables the WWPD 105 to be
packaged into a small and lightweight device, such as a wrist watch
or pendant.
[0152] FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating communication links
and information flows between an embodiment wearable wireless
portable device ("WWPD") 105 in the form a wrist display 800 and a
portable computing device in the form of a smart phone 802. The
WWPD 105 and the smart phone 802 may communicate via low-power
short-range wireless communication links 804. In various
embodiments, the low-power short range communication links 804 may
be WiFi, Bluetooth.RTM. low energy (BLE), ANT, ANT Plus,
PeaNUT.RTM., or ZigBee.RTM. communication links. In an embodiment,
the low-power short range communication links 804 may be
Bluetooth.RTM. communication links.
[0153] Generally, Bluetooth.RTM. technology provides a
power-efficient (i.e., low power) and secure way to connect and
exchange information between electronic devices (e.g., headphones,
cellular phones, watches, laptops, remote controls, etc.). Because
many of the services offered over Bluetooth.RTM. can expose private
data and/or allow the connecting party to control the connected
device, Bluetooth.RTM. may require that devices first establish a
"trust relationship" before they are allowed to connect to one
another. This trust relationship may be established via a process
called "pairing."
[0154] In an embodiment, the WWPD 105 and/or smart phone 802 may be
configured to automatically initiate the pairing operations and
establish Bluetooth.RTM. communication links 804 when they are
moved to within a certain distance (e.g., 100 meters, etc.) of each
other, referred to herein as the communication distance. Due to the
low-power and relatively short range characteristics of
Bluetooth.RTM., such Bluetooth.RTM. communication links 804 are
referred to herein as a low-power short range communication link.
However, such power-efficient communication links may be
established using other technologies, such as WiFi, PeaNUT.RTM.,
etc., each of which are encompassed within the term low-power short
range communication link used herein.
[0155] In various embodiments, the WWPD 105 and/or smart phone 802
may each include a memory storing pairing information relating to a
current or previously established pairing in a memory. The stored
pairing information may include a name field, an address field, a
link key field, and other similar fields (e.g., profile type, etc.)
useful for authenticating the devices and/or establishing the
low-power short range communication link 804. In an embodiment,
WWPD 105 and/or smart phone 802 may store the pairing information
in a paired device list (PDL).
[0156] The WWPD 105 and/or the smart phone 802 may be configured to
use locally stored pairing information to automatically establish
the low-power short range communication link 804 when they are in
close proximity to each other, without further authentication or
user interaction. After the low-power short range communication
link 804 is established, the WWPD 105 may communicate with the
smart phone 802 via the low-power short range communication link
804. For example, the smart phone 802 may relay incoming
communications and/or alerts to the WWPD 105 over the low-power
short range communication link 804. Incoming communications may
include voice calls (e.g., PSTN call, VOIP call, cellular call,
etc.), text based messages (e.g., SMS, e-mail), social media
messages (e.g., Facebook.RTM. notification, Tweet.RTM., etc.),
recorded messages (e.g., a recorded voice message from a
YagattaTalk.RTM. user), and application reminders (e.g., E-bay.RTM.
auction notification, remote based calendar application reminder,
etc.).
[0157] In an embodiment, the smart phone 802 may be configured to
generate an alert message in response to receiving an incoming
communication. The alert message may include information pertaining
to the received communication, such as communication type (i.e.,
call, text message, e-mail), the sender/caller identification (ID),
an urgency indicator (e.g., a flag, classification, or other
description), information about the device originating the incoming
communication, a text message, etc. The smart phone 802 may send
the generated alert message to the WWPD 105 via the low-power short
range communication link 804. The WWPD 105 may receive the alert
message, select a suitable user notification method (e.g., a
vibration, series of vibrations, displayed graphic, etc.), and
inform the user of the incoming communication via the selected user
notification method. User notification methods may include an audio
notification method (e.g., playing a sound, etc.), a visual
notification method (e.g., displaying a pop-up message, image,
etc.), and/or a haptic notification method (e.g., generating a
vibration).
[0158] In various embodiments, the WWPD 105 may be configured to
control any or all of the features, functions, and operations of
the smart phone 802 via the low-power short range communication
link 804. For example, the WWPD 105 may be configured to detect
inputs from user interactions with a graphical user interface
and/or sensors (e.g., accelerometers configured to detect a tap) of
the WWPD 105, generate messages for transmission to the smart phone
802 based on the detected inputs, and send the generated message to
the smart phone 802 over the low-power short range communication
link 804. The smart phone 802 may receive the generated messages
and perform operations based on the received message and/or
detected inputs. For example, the WWPD 105 may be configured to
detect a user input (e.g., voice command, actuating a button, etc.)
for establishing a voice call, generate a command message
instructing the smart phone 802 to establish a connection to a
telecommunication network, and send the command message to the
smart phone 802 to cause the smart phone 802 to establish a
connection to the telecommunication network for achieving the voice
call. As a further example, during a voice call, the WWPD 105 may
relay detected sounds to the smart phone 802 for transmission over
the telecommunication network.
[0159] In an embodiment, the WWPD 105 may be configured to
establish an indirect connection to the telecommunication network
(i.e., use the network connectivity of the smartphone 802) by
default or when possible, such as when the low-power short range
communication link 804 is available. It is also contemplated that
the indirect connection to the telecommunication network may be
initiated by to mobile device such as smartphone 802.
[0160] In an embodiment, the WWPD 105 may be configured to
establish a direct connection after determining an indirect
connection is not available, such as when the low-power short range
communication link 804 cannot be established.
[0161] FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment mobile device method 900 of
establishing a communication link with a wearable wireless portable
device ("WWPD") 105. The mobile device method 900 may be performed
in a processor of a wireless-enabled mobile device, such as a
smartphone.
[0162] In block 902, a mobile device processor may receive a
pairing advertisement message from a WWPD 105 indicating that the
WWPD 105 is in pairing range of the mobile device. In determination
block 904, the mobile device processor may determine whether the
WWPD 105 is listed in a paired device list stored on a memory of
the mobile device. If the mobile device processor determines that
the WWPD 105 is listed in a paired device list (i.e., determination
block 904="Yes"), in block 916, the mobile device processor may
establish a low-power short range communication link with the WWPD
105. In an embodiment, this may be accomplished via a radio
frequency (RF) circuitry implementing the Bluetooth.RTM. protocol
stack/interface.
[0163] If the mobile device processor determines that the WWPD 105
is not listed in a paired device list (i.e., determination block
904="No"), in block 908, the mobile device processor may generate a
display message on an electronic display of the mobile computing
device prompting the user to input authentication information for
pairing the WWPD 105. In block 910, the mobile device processor may
receive user input selecting and/or authenticating the WWPD 105. In
block 912, the mobile device processor may initiate the pairing
sequence with the WWPD 105. In block 914, the mobile device
processor and the WWPD 105 may establish a trust relationship
(i.e., pairing) by exchanging pairing and authentication
information.
[0164] In block 916, the mobile device processor may establish a
low-power short range communication link with the WWPD 105. Also as
part of block 916 (or block 914), the mobile device processor may
store the pairing and authentication information in the paired
device list (PDL) in association with the authenticated WWPD
105.
[0165] In block 918, the mobile device processor may receive a
control message over the established low-power short range
communication link instructing the mobile device to establish a
connection to the telecommunications network. In block 920, the
mobile device processor may establish a network connection to the
telecommunications network in response to receiving the control
message. For example, the mobile device processor may activate
and/or use a cellular transceiver or WAN circuitry to establish the
network connection. In this particular embodiment and in some other
embodiments disclosed herein, it is contemplated that the mobile
device processor establishes a network connection for the WWPD that
is distinguishable from that normally established by the mobile
device for connection of itself to the telecommunications network.
This may prove useful for billing, etc. In other embodiments
disclosed herein, it is assumed that the mobile device has already
established a network connection and therefore no control message
from the WWPD is necessary to establish a network connection for
the mobile device.
[0166] In block 922, the mobile device processor may receive data
from the WWPD 105 over the low-power short range communication
link. In block 924, the mobile device processor may relay the
received data to a server telecommunication network via the network
connection. In block 926, the mobile device processor may receive
information from the server in the telecommunication network via
the network connection in response to relaying the data. In block
928, the mobile device processor may relay the received information
to the WWPD 105.
[0167] FIG. 10A illustrates an embodiment WWPD method 1000 that may
be implemented in a processor in a WWPD for establishing a
connection to a telecommunications network. In determination block
1002, the WWPD processor may determine whether there is an active
low-power short range communication link to a mobile device. If the
WWPD processor determines that there is an active low-power short
range communication link to a mobile device (i.e., determination
block 1002="Yes"), in block 1004, the WWPD processor may send a
control message to the mobile device over the active low-power
short range communication link instructing the mobile device to
establish a connection to the telecommunications network. When the
WWPD processor determines that there are no active low-power short
range communication links to the mobile device (i.e., determination
block 1002="No"), in block 1006, the WWPD processor may broadcast a
pairing advertisement message, which may be accomplished via an RF
radio. In determination block 1008, the WWPD processor may
determine whether the mobile device is in pairing range and/or
whether a low-power short range communication link to the mobile
device can be established by waiting for a response to the
broadcasted pairing advertisement message.
[0168] If the WWPD processor determines that the mobile device is
in pairing range and/or a low-power short range communication link
can be established to the mobile device (i.e., determination block
1008="Yes"), in block 1010, the WWPD processor may establish a
low-power short range communication link to the mobile device. In
block 1004, the WWPD processor may send a control message to the
mobile device over the active low-power short range communication
link instructing the mobile device to establish a connection to the
telecommunications network.
[0169] If the WWPD processor determines that mobile device is not
in pairing range or that a low-power short range communication link
cannot be established to the mobile device (i.e., determination
block 1008="No"), in block 1012, the WWPD processor may activate or
energize cellular and/or WAN communications circuitry. In block
1014, the WWPD 105 may establish a direct communications link to
the telecommunication network via the activated/energized
communications circuitry.
[0170] FIG. 10B illustrates another embodiment method 1050 that may
be implemented in a processor in a WWPD for establishing a
connection to a telecommunications network. In block 1052, the WWPD
processor may advertise and/or listen for a low-power short range
communication signal. In determination block 1054, the WWPD
processor may determine whether an active low-power short range
communication link can be established to a mobile device.
[0171] If the WWPD processor determines that an active low-power
short range communication link cannot be established to a mobile
device (i.e., determination block 1054="No"), in block 1058, the
WWPD processor may energize and/or activate cellular and/or WAN
communication circuitry of the WWPD 105 to connect to a
telecommunication network. In block 1060, the WWPD processor may
send and receive information to and from the telecommunication
network via the activated/energized cellular and/or WAN
communication circuitry.
[0172] If the WWPD processor determines that an active low-power
short range communication link can be established to a mobile
device (i.e., determination block 1054="Yes"), in block 1062, the
WWPD processor may establish a low-power short range communication
link to the mobile device. In block 1064, the WWPD processor may
de-energize the cellular and/or WAN communication radios and
circuitry of the WWPD 105, if such circuits are then
active/energized. In block 1066, the WWPD processor may send and
receive information to and from the telecommunication network via
the short range communication link using the communication
circuitry of the mobile device (e.g., a smart phone 802).
[0173] In an embodiment, the WWPD 105 may be configured to
automatically energize circuitry for establishing a direct
connection to the telecommunications network when the low-power
short range communication link 804 is terminated, such as when the
WWPD 105 is moved beyond the communication range of the smart phone
802.
[0174] In an embodiment, the WWPD 105 may be configured to
automatically de-energize the circuitry for establishing a direct
connection to the telecommunications network when the low-power
short range communication link 804 is re-established, such as when
the WWPD 105 is moved back into communication range of the smart
phone 802 (i.e., determination block 1054="Yes").
[0175] In an embodiment, the WWPD 105 may be configured to
intelligently select wireless communication method to utilize
and/or the types of communication links to establish for connecting
to the telecommunications network. That is, because the WWPD 105
may include both circuitry for establishing a direct connection to
the telecommunication network (e.g., via the cellular/WAN
circuitry) and circuitry for establishing indirect connections to
the telecommunication network (e.g., via Bluetooth.RTM. radio to a
mobile device). In an embodiment, the WWPD 105 may be configured to
intelligently determine which circuitry to activate, which types of
communication links to establish, and/or which communication
methods to utilize. The intelligent selection of the wireless
communication method may include determining which communication
method is the most energy efficient, provides the best quality of
service, is most cost effective, etc.
[0176] FIG. 10C illustrates another embodiment method 1070 that may
be implemented in a processor in a WWPD for establishing a
connection to a telecommunications network. In block 1072, the WWPD
processor may advertise and/or listen for a low-power short range
communication signal from a mobile device. In determination block
1074, the WWPD processor may determine, based on responses to
advertisements or received low-power short range signals, whether
an active low-power short range communication link can be
established to a mobile device.
[0177] If the WWPD processor determines that an active low-power
short range communication link cannot be established to a mobile
device (i.e., determination block 1074="No"), in block 1076, the
WWPD processor may energize and/or activate various device
resources, such as a GPS receiver, a communication bus, a
processor, voltage rail, etc. In block 1078, the WWPD processor may
activate cellular and/or WAN communication circuitry of the WWPD
105 to connect to a telecommunication network.
[0178] If the WWPD processor determines that an active low-power
short range communication link can be established to a mobile
device (i.e., determination block 1074="Yes"), in block 1080, the
WWPD processor may establish a low-power short range communication
link to the mobile device. In block 1082, the WWPD processor may
selectively power down duplicate functionality of the communication
device in response to determining that a wireless connection has
been established to the second communication device. For example,
the WWPD processor may de-energize various device resources, such
as cellular and/or WAN communication radios and circuitry of the
WWPD 105, a GPS receiver, a communication bus, a processor, voltage
rail, etc. De-energizing such resources may be acceptable because
the WWPD processor can use resources of the mobile device, such as
the GPS receiver, WAN radios, and circuitry on the mobile
device.
[0179] De-energizing such resources in block 1082 reduces the power
consumption of the WWPD, thereby enabling its battery size to be
reduced, particularly for wearable devices that are expected to be
used in close proximity to a mobile device a majority of the time
(e.g., a wrist watch device). In an embodiment, as part of block
1082, the WWPD processor may receive a communication message from
the mobile device that includes information suitable for use in
determining the duplicate functionalities (i.e., the
functionalities of the WWPD that are or may be duplicated or
performed by the mobile device) that may be powered down in
response to establishing a wireless connection to the mobile
device. In block 1084, the WWPD processor may send and receive
information to and from the telecommunication network via the short
range communication link using the WAN communication circuitry and
resources of the mobile device (e.g., a smart phone 802).
[0180] Various embodiments may include a first device that is
capable of mobile operation and operable to communicate
information, wirelessly, directly to a wide area network (WAN) or
indirectly, via a wireless connection to a second device capable of
mobile operation and connected wirelessly to said WAN. The first
device being may be further operable to selectively
power-down/de-energize/deactivate duplicate functionality on said
first device that is likewise found on said second device in
connection with a wireless link being established between said
first and second devices. The first device may also be operable to
perform any of the methods discussed above. For example, the first
device may be configured with processor executable instructions to
perform operations for powering down duplicate position location
functionality of the first device. In such embodiments, first and
second devices may exchange information as part of or following a
pairing routine regarding the capabilities and functionality of the
second device that the first device can rely on. The first device
may use such information to determine the duplicate functionality
that can be selectively powered-down. Also, the first device may
identify its currently powered functionality to the second device
during or after the pairing process to enable the second device to
identify to the first device functionality that it can be
selectively powered-down.
[0181] FIG. 11 is a component block diagram illustrating an example
wearable wireless portable device ("WWPD") 105 in the form of a
wrist display 1100. A wrist display 1100 may include a processor
1102 coupled to a volatile and/or non-volatile internal memory
1104, which may be secure and/or encrypted memories, unsecure
and/or unencrypted memories, or any combination thereof.
[0182] The processor 1102 may also be coupled to an electronic
display screen 1106, which may be a touch screen display (e.g.,
resistive-sensing touch screen, capacitive-sensing touch screen,
infrared sensing touch screen, etc.). The wrist display 1100 may
include wide area network (WAN) communications circuitry, such as
one or more transceivers 1114, such as a cellular telephone
transceiver or LTE radio module, coupled to an antenna 1108 for
sending and receiving electromagnetic radiation. The WAN
transceiver 1114 and antenna 1108 may be used to communicate
information over a cellular communications network. The wrist
display 1100 also includes low-power short range communication
circuitry 1114, such as a Bluetooth.RTM. transceiver 1113, coupled
to the processor 1102. The low-power short range communication
circuitry 1114 may be configured to communicate with a compatible
transceiver in a mobile device using one or more of Bluetooth.RTM.,
Wi-Fi, Peanut.RTM., IEEE 802.15.4ZigBee.RTM. (i.e.,), ANT or other
low power wireless communication protocol currently available or
which may be developed in the future.
[0183] The wrist display 1100 may further include a slide sensor
1110 and physical buttons 1112 for receiving user inputs. The wrist
display 1100 may also include a battery 1116 coupled to an
inductive charging circuit 1118, and a coil antenna 1120 which may
be an inductive coil adapted to enable inductive charging of the
battery 1116. The battery 1116 and inductive charging circuit 1118
may be coupled to the processor 1102 to enable the wrist display
1100 to control inductive charging and generate messages via the
coil antenna 1120. The wrist display 1100 may further include a
vibratory motor 1122, and various sensors (e.g., gyroscopes,
accelerometers, pedometers, thermometers, thermocouples, etc.)
1130, all of which may be coupled to the processor 1102.
[0184] The wrist display 1100 may include a global positioning
system receiver 1130 that is coupled to the processor 1102 and
which supports United States Global Positioning System (GPS) or
other global navigation or satellite positioning systems, such as
the Russian GLONASS system and the European Galileo System. The
wrist display 1100 may also include a biological or physiological
sensor 1132 configured to monitor one or more physiological
parameters, such as heart rate, variability in heart rate,
breathing rate, arrhythmia of the heart (if any), general rhythm
and functioning of the heart, blood pressure, body movements (i.e.,
physical activity), steps taken (e.g., a pedometer), body position,
body temperature, presence and quantity of sweat, oxygenation, etc.
Such sensor(s) 1132 may be coupled to the processor 1102.
[0185] The electrical components of the wrist display 1100 may be
integrated and coupled together using surface mount technologies in
which components are mounted or placed directly onto the surface of
a printed circuit board 1126, on a conventional circuit board 1126
with through-board connections, multi-chip modules, system on chips
(SoC), or any other electrical component mounting, manufacturing,
or electronics technology that is currently known or which may be
developed in the future.
[0186] The electrical components of the wrist display 1100 may be
integrated within a package encompassed by a bezel 1140 surrounding
the electronic display screen 1106 that is coupled to a wrist band
1142 so that it can be worn by a user like an ordinary watch.
[0187] Various embodiments may be implemented on a variety of
mobile devices, an example of which is illustrated in FIG. 12.
Specifically, FIG. 12 is a system block diagram of a mobile
transceiver device in the form of a feature-rich smartphone/cell
phone 1200 suitable for use with any of the embodiments. The
smartphone 1200 may include a processor 1202 coupled to internal
memory 1204, a display 1206, and to a speaker 1208. Additionally,
the smartphone 1200 may include one or more transceivers 1224,
radios (e.g., RF radio) 1226 and/or antennas 1210 for sending and
receiving electromagnetic radiation that may be connected to a
wireless data link and coupled to the processor 1202. The radios
1226, transceivers 1224, and/or antennas 1210 may be used to
communicate information over a cellular communications network
and/or to implement the Wi-Fi/Bluetooth.RTM. protocol stacks or
interfaces (e.g., the smartphone 1200 may be Wi-Fi and
Bluetooth.RTM.-enabled, etc.). The transceivers 1224 may include,
or may be coupled to, one or more built-in low power and/or
cellular radio systems, including a cellular telephone transceiver,
LTE radio module, Bluetooth radio, a Wi-Fi radio, a peanut radio, a
ZigBee transceiver (i.e., an IEEE 802.15.4 transceiver), ANT or ANT
radio, and/or other low power and/or cellular radio systems
currently available or which may be developed in the future.
[0188] Smartphones 1200 typically also include menu selection
buttons or rocker switches 1214 for receiving user inputs. The
smartphone 1200 may also include a sound encoding/decoding (CODEC)
circuit 1216 that digitizes sound received from a microphone into
data packets suitable for wireless transmission and decodes
received sound data packets to generate analog signals that are
provided to the speaker 1208 to generate sound. Also, one or more
of the processor 1202, wireless/cellular transceiver 1212 and CODEC
1216 may include a digital signal processor (DSP) circuit (not
shown separately). The cell phone 1200 may further include a ZigBee
transceiver (i.e., an IEEE 802.15.4 transceiver) 1218 and/or other
similar communication circuitry (e.g., circuitry implementing the
Bluetooth.RTM. or Wi-Fi protocols, etc.) for achieving low-power
short-range wireless communications.
[0189] The smartphone 1200 may also include a positioning system
receiver 1220 that supports the United States GPS or other GNSS or
SPSs, such as the Russian GLONASS system and the European Galileo
System. The cell phone 1200 may further include a battery 1228. The
smartphone 1200 may also include various sensors 1222, including
gyroscopes, accelerometers, pedometers, thermometers,
thermocouples, and a biological or physiological monitor configured
to monitor one or more physiological parameters.
[0190] The electrical components of the smartphone 1200 may be
coupled together on one or more circuit boards 1230 using surface
mount technologies, through-hole technologies, embedded
technologies, multi-chip modules, system on chips, or any other
mounting, manufacturing, or electronics technology that is
currently known or will be developed in the future. The electrical
components and circuit boards 1230 may be enclosed within a housing
or case 1232.
[0191] The processors 1102, 1202 may be any programmable
microprocessor, microcomputer or multiple processor chip or chips
that can be configured by software instructions (applications) to
perform a variety of functions, including the functions of the
various embodiments described below. In some mobile devices,
multiple processors 1202 may be provided, such as one processor
dedicated to wireless communication functions and one processor
dedicated to running other applications. Typically, software
applications may be stored in the internal memory 1104, 1204,
before they are accessed and loaded into the processor 1102, 1202.
The processor 1102, 1202 may include internal memory sufficient to
store the application software instructions.
[0192] While the various embodiments have been described above with
reference to a wearable wireless portable device, the embodiments
may also be implemented in a number of other types of communication
device capable of mobile operation that include the structures and
are configured to perform the operations described above.
[0193] The foregoing method descriptions and the process flow
diagrams are provided merely as illustrative examples and are not
intended to require or imply that the steps of the various
embodiments must be performed in the order presented. As will be
appreciated by one of skill in the art the order of steps in the
foregoing embodiments may be performed in any order. Words such as
"thereafter," "then," "next," etc. are not intended to limit the
order of the steps; these words are simply used to guide the reader
through the description of the methods. Further, any reference to
claim elements in the singular, for example, using the articles
"a," "an" or "the" is not to be construed as limiting the element
to the singular.
[0194] The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits,
and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments
disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware,
computer software, or combinations of both. To clearly illustrate
this interchangeability of hardware and software, various
illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have
been described above generally in terms of their functionality.
Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software
depends upon the particular application and design constraints
imposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans may implement the
described functionality in varying ways for each particular
application, but such implementation decisions should not be
interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present
invention.
[0195] The hardware used to implement the various illustrative
logics, logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in
connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented
or performed with a software-configurable processor, a digital
signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit
(ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other
programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic,
discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed
to perform the functions described herein. A software-configurable
processor may be a microprocessor, but, in the alternative, the
processor may be any conventional processor, controller,
microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be
implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a
combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of
microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a
DSP core, or any other such configuration. Alternatively, some
steps or methods may be performed by circuitry that is specific to
a given function.
[0196] In one or more exemplary aspects, the functions described
may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any
combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functions may
be stored as one or more instructions or code on a non-transitory
computer-readable medium or non-transitory processor-readable
medium. The steps of a method or algorithm disclosed herein may be
embodied in a processor-executable software module which may reside
on a non-transitory computer-readable or processor-readable storage
medium. Non-transitory computer-readable or processor-readable
storage media may be any storage media that may be accessed by a
computer or a processor. By way of example but not limitation, such
non-transitory computer-readable or processor-readable media may
include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, FLASH memory, CD-ROM or other optical
disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage
devices, or any other medium that may be used to store desired
program code in the form of instructions or data structures and
that may be accessed by a computer. Disk and disc, as used herein,
includes compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital
versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk, and Blu-ray disc where disks
usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce data
optically with lasers. Combinations of the above are also included
within the scope of non-transitory computer-readable and
processor-readable media. Additionally, the operations of a method
or algorithm may reside as one or any combination or set of codes
and/or instructions on a non-transitory processor-readable medium
and/or computer-readable medium, which may be incorporated into a
computer program product.
[0197] The preceding description of the disclosed embodiments is
provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the
present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will
be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic
principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments
without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus,
the present invention is not intended to be limited to the
embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope
consistent with the following claims and the principles and novel
features disclosed herein.
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