Method and apparatus for wireless transmission of data

• US 20050249239A1
• Filed: 06/30/2004
• Published: 11/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Welch Allyn Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Welch Allyn Incorporated
• Inventors: Pierce, Mark R., Plackey, Jason G., Smirles, William J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,856,035 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/466
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0013 Medical image data A61B1/00011, A61B6/56, A61B8/56 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7232 involving compression of the physiological signal, e.g. to extend the signal recording period
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/00 Arrangements for monitoring or testing data switching networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/022 by sampling
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/00 User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail

Abstract

There are provided methods for selecting a communication protocol for formatting data and for wirelessly transmitting data, preferably medical data, e.g., electrocardiogram data, methods for reducing data and/or selecting from data, methods for adding data, methods for generating trend data, methods for rendering data, methods for inputting and/or transmitting addressee data and for transmitting data to the addressee(s) and/or notifying the addressee(s), and methods for wirelessly transmitting data to a server and transmitting data from the server, as well as systems for carrying out such methods.

Claims

1. A communication system, comprising:

means for receiving raw data; and

means for automatically selecting from among a plurality of communication protocols a selected communication protocol according to which said raw data can be formatted to produce formatted data and in which said formatted data can be wirelessly transmitted.

2. A communication system as recited in claim 1, wherein said plurality of communication protocols comprise MOBITEX®

, cellular and data radio.

3. A communication system as recited in claim 1, wherein said means for automatically selecting from among a plurality of communication protocol selects said selected communication protocol based on at least one selection criterion selected from the group consisting of:

respective bandwidth detected to be available for each of said communication protocols;

size of said raw data;

identifying communication methods available to said communication system;

detected accuracy of data sent to a receiver and returned from said receiver in any one of said communication protocols;

passage of time without data being received by a receiver; and

detected quantity of dropouts after beginning to attempt to transmit data to a receiving device.

4. A communication system as recited in claim 3, wherein said communication system has a programmed sequence among said communication protocols, such that said communication system automatically shifts to a next most favorable communication protocol after said communication system identifies a failure to communicate using a currently selected communication protocol.

5. A communication system as recited in claim 4, wherein said communication system identifies a failure to communicate based on at least one failure criterion selected from the group consisting of:

passage of time without data being received by a receiver; and

detected quantity of dropouts after beginning to attempt to transmit data to a receiving device.

6. A communication system as recited in claim 4, wherein a user can override said programmed sequence.

7. A communication system as recited in claim 1, further comprising means for acquiring raw data and supplying said raw data to said means for receiving raw data.

8. A communication system as recited in claim 7, wherein said means for acquiring raw data is an electrocardiogram-performing apparatus.

9. A communication system as recited in claim 7, further comprising means for generating patient trend data based on said raw data.

10. A communication system as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

means for formatting said raw data according to said selected communication protocol to provide formatted data; and

means for transmitting said formatted data.

11. A communication system as recited in claim 10, wherein said means for transmitting said formatted data comprises at least one modem.

12. A communication system as recited in claim 10, further comprising means for generating patient trend data based on said raw data and wherein said patient trend data is transmitted along with said formatted data.

13. A communication system as recited in claim 10, further comprising:

means for receiving said formatted data;

means for rendering data received by said means for receiving said formatted data to provide rendered data; and

means for transmitting said rendered data.

14. A communication system as recited in claim 13, wherein said means for receiving said formatted data comprises at least one device selected from the group consisting of personal computers and servers.

15. A communication system as recited in claim 13, further comprising at least one means for receiving said rendered data.

16. A communication system as recited in claim 15, wherein said means for receiving said rendered data comprises at least one data receiver selected from the group consisting of printers, personal computers, servers, cellular telephones, pagers and personal digital assistants.

17. A communication system as recited in claim 1, further comprising means for a user to input additional data.

18. A communication system as recited in claim 17, wherein said additional data comprises data selected from the group consisting of patient information and user comments regarding patient condition.

19. A communication system as recited in claim 18, wherein said patient information is selected from the group consisting of patient name, patient age, patient weight, medication taken by patient and patient vital signs.

20. A communication system as recited in claim 17, further comprising means for generating patient trend data based on said raw data, and wherein said patient trend data is wirelessly transmitted along with said formatted data and said additional data.

21. A communication system as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

means for acquiring raw data and supplying said raw data to said means for receiving raw data;

means for a user to select a portion of said raw data; and

means for formatting only said portion of said raw data according to said selected communication protocol to provide formatted data.

154. A communication system as recited in claim 8, wherein said electrocardiogram-performing apparatus is a defibrillator or a patient monitor.

22. A communication system, comprising:

means for receiving raw data;

means for communicating to a user at least one parameter selected from the group consisting of;

respective bandwidth detected to be available for each of a plurality of communication protocols,

size of said raw data,

communication methods available to said communication system,

detected accuracy of data sent to a receiver and returned from said receiver in any one of said plurality of communication protocols,

passage of time without data being received by a receiver, and

detected quantity of dropouts after beginning to attempt to transmit data to a receiving device;

and means for allowing said user to select from among said plurality of communication protocols a selected communication protocol according to which said raw data can be formatted to produce formatted data and in which said formatted data can be wirelessly transmitted.

23. A communication system as recited in claim 22, wherein said plurality of communication protocols comprise MOBITEX®

, cellular and data radio.

24. A communication system as recited in claim 22, further comprising means for acquiring raw data and supplying said raw data to said means for receiving raw data.

25. A communication system as recited in claim 24, wherein said means for acquiring raw data is an electrocardiogram-performing apparatus.

26. A communication system as recited in claim 24, further comprising means for generating patient trend data based on said raw data.

27. A communication system as recited in claim 22, further comprising:

means for formatting said raw data according to said selected communication protocol to provide formatted data; and

means for transmitting said formatted data.

28. A communication system as recited in claim 27, wherein said means for transmitting said formatted data comprises at least one modem.

29. A communication system as recited in claim 27, further comprising means for generating patient trend data based on said raw data and wherein said patient trend data is transmitted along with said formatted data.

30. A communication system as recited in claim 27, further comprising:

means for receiving said formatted data;

means for rendering data received by said means for receiving said formatted data to provide rendered data; and

means for transmitting said rendered data.

31. A communication system as recited in claim 30, wherein said means for receiving said formatted data comprises at least one device selected from the group consisting of personal computers and servers.

32. A communication system as recited in claim 30, further comprising at least one means for receiving said rendered data.

33. A communication system as recited in claim 32, wherein said means for receiving said rendered data comprises at least one data receiver selected from the group consisting of printers, personal computers, servers, cellular telephones, pagers and personal digital assistants.

34. A communication system as recited in claim 22, further comprising means for a user to input additional data.

35. A communication system as recited in claim 34, wherein said additional data comprises data selected from the group consisting of patient information and user comments regarding patient condition.

36. A communication system as recited in claim 35, wherein said patient information is selected from the group consisting of patient name, patient age, patient weight, medication taken by patient and patient vital signs.

37. A communication system as recited in claim 22, further comprising:

means for acquiring raw data and supplying said raw data to said means for receiving raw data;

means for a user to select a portion of said raw data; and

means for formatting only said portion of said raw data according to said selected communication protocol to provide formatted data.

155. A communication system as recited in claim 25, wherein said electrocardiogram-performing apparatus is a defibrillator or a patient monitor.

38. A communication system, comprising:

an electrocardiogram-performing apparatus which generates raw data;

means for automatically reducing said raw data by not less than 25%;

means for rendering an image based on said raw data over a period of time;

means for permitting a user to select at least one segment of time from within said period of time based on said image; and

means for wirelessly transmitting a packet of data from said at least one segment of time to a means for receiving said packet of data.

39. A communication system as recited in claim 38, further comprising:

means for automatically selecting from among a plurality of communication protocols a selected communication protocol according to which said packet of data can be formatted to produce formatted data and in which said formatted data can be wirelessly transmitted; and

means for formatting said raw data from said at least one segment of time according to said selected communication protocol to provide said packet of data prior to wirelessly transmitting said packet of data.

40. A communication system as recited in claim 38, further comprising means for rendering said packet of data to provide rendered data after said packet of data is wirelessly transmitted to said means for receiving said packet of data.

41. A communication system as recited in claim 38, further comprising:

means for transmitting said rendered data; and

at least one means for receiving said rendered data from said means for transmitting said rendered data.

42. A communication system as recited in claim 38, further comprising means for generating patient trend data based on said raw data, and wherein said patient trend data is wirelessly transmitted along with said packet of data.

43. A communication system as recited in claim 38, further comprising means for a user to input additional data.

44. A communication system as recited in claim 43, wherein said additional data comprises data selected from the group consisting of patient information and user comments regarding patient condition.

45. A communication system as recited in claim 44, wherein said patient information is selected from the group consisting of patient name, patient age, patient weight, medication taken by patient and patient vital signs.

46. A communication system, comprising:

means for wirelessly transmitting formatted data;

means for receiving said formatted data;

means for rendering data received by said means for receiving said formatted data to provide rendered data;

means for transmitting said rendered data; and

at least one means for receiving said rendered data.

47. A communication system as recited in claim 46, further comprising:

means for receiving raw data;

means for acquiring raw data and supplying said raw data to said means for receiving raw data; and

means for formatting said raw data to provide said formatted data.

48. A communication system as recited in claim 47, wherein said means for acquiring raw data is an electrocardiogram-performing apparatus.

49. A communication system as recited in claim 47, further comprising means for generating patient trend data based on said raw data, and wherein said patient trend data is wirelessly transmitted along with said formatted data.

50. A communication system as recited in claim 46, wherein said means for receiving said rendered data comprises at least one data receiver selected from the group consisting of printers, personal computers, servers, cellular telephones, pagers and personal digital assistants.

51. A communication system as recited in claim 46, further comprising:

means for receiving raw data;

means for acquiring raw data and supplying said raw data to said means for receiving raw data;

means for formatting said raw data to provide said formatted data; and

means for a user to input additional data,

wherein said means for transmitting said formatted data also transmits said additional data;

wherein said means for receiving said formatted data also receives said additional data;

wherein said means for transmitting said rendered data also transmits said additional data; and

wherein said at least one means for receiving said rendered data also receives said additional data.

52. A communication system as recited in claim 51, wherein said additional data comprises data selected from the group consisting of patient information and user comments regarding patient condition.

53. A communication system as recited in claim 52, wherein said patient information is selected from the group consisting of patient name, patient age, patient weight, medication taken by patient and patient vital signs.

54. A communication system as recited in claim 51, wherein said means for acquiring raw data is an electrocardiogram-performing apparatus.

55. A communication system as recited in claim 51, further comprising means for generating patient trend data based on said raw data, and wherein said patient trend data is wirelessly transmitted along with said formatted data and said additional data.

56. A communication system as recited in claim 46, further comprising:

means for receiving raw data;

means for acquiring raw data and supplying said raw data to said means for receiving raw data;

means for a user to select a portion of said raw data; and

means for formatting said portion of said raw data to provide said formatted data.

57. A communication system as recited in claim 56, wherein said means for acquiring raw data is an electrocardiogram-performing apparatus.

58. A communication system as recited in claim 56, further comprising means for generating patient trend data based on said raw data, and wherein said patient trend data is wirelessly transmitted along with said formatted data.

59. A communication system as recited in claim 56, further comprising means for automatically selecting from among a plurality of communication protocols a selected communication protocol according to which said raw data can be formatted to produce formatted data and in which said formatted data can be wirelessly transmitted,

wherein said means for formatting said raw data is a means for formatting said raw data according to said selected communication protocol.

60. A communication system as recited in claim 59, wherein said means for automatically selecting from among a plurality of communication protocol selects said selected communication protocol based on at least one selection criterion selected from the group consisting of:

respective bandwidth detected to be available for each of said communication protocols;

size of said raw data;

identifying communication methods available to said communication system;

detected accuracy of data sent to a receiver and returned from said receiver in any one of said communication protocols;

passage of time without data being received by a receiver; and

detected quantity of dropouts after beginning to attempt to transmit data to a receiving device.

61. A communication system as recited in claim 56, further comprising:

means for communicating to said user at least one parameter selected from the group consisting of;

respective bandwidth detected to be available for each of a plurality of communication protocols,

size of said raw data,

communication methods available to said communication system,

detected accuracy of data sent to a receiver and returned from said receiver in any one of said plurality of communication protocols,

passage of time without data being received by a receiver, and

detected quantity of dropouts after beginning to attempt to transmit data to a receiving device;

and means for allowing said user to select from among said plurality of communication protocols a selected communication protocol according to which said raw data can be formatted to produce formatted data and in which said formatted data can be wirelessly transmitted.

62. A communication system, comprising:

means for receiving raw data;

means for acquiring raw data and supplying said raw data to said means for receiving raw data;

means for a user to input addressee data regarding at least one intended addressee;

means for formatting said raw data to provide formatted data;

means for wirelessly transmitting said formatted data and said addressee data;

means for receiving said formatted data and said addressee data;

means for rendering data received by said means for receiving said formatted data to provide rendered data; and

means for automatically transmitting said rendered data to said at least one intended addressee.

63. A communication system as recited in claim 62, wherein said means for acquiring raw data is an electrocardiogram-performing apparatus.

64. A communication system as recited in claim 62, further comprising means for generating patient trend data based on said raw data, and wherein said patient trend data is wirelessly transmitted along with said formatted data.

65. A communication system as recited in claim 62, further comprising means for automatically selecting from among a plurality of communication protocols a selected communication protocol according to which said raw data can be formatted to produce formatted data and in which said formatted data can be wirelessly transmitted,

wherein said means for formatting said raw data is a means for formatting said raw data according to said selected communication protocol.

66. A communication system as recited in claim 65, wherein said means for automatically selecting from among a plurality of communication protocol selects said selected communication protocol based on at least one selection criterion selected from the group consisting of:

respective bandwidth detected to be available for each of said communication protocols;

size of said raw data;

identifying communication methods available to said communication system;

detected accuracy of data sent to a receiver and returned from said receiver in any one of said communication protocols;

passage of time without data being received by a receiver; and

detected quantity of dropouts after beginning to attempt to transmit data to a receiving device.

67. A communication system as recited in claim 62, further comprising:

means for communicating to said user at least one parameter selected from the group consisting of;

respective bandwidth detected to be available for each of a plurality of communication protocols,

size of said raw data,

communication methods available to said communication system,

detected accuracy of data sent to a receiver and returned from said receiver in any one of said plurality of communication protocols,

passage of time without data being received by a receiver, and

detected quantity of dropouts after beginning to attempt to transmit data to a receiving device;

and means for allowing said user to select from among said plurality of communication protocols a selected communication protocol according to which said raw data can be formatted to produce formatted data and in which said formatted data can be wirelessly transmitted.

68. A system for rendering data, comprising:

means for receiving formatted data; and

means for rendering said formatted data to produce rendered data, in a way which minimizes the size of said rendered data.

69. A system as recited in claim 68, wherein said means for rendering said formatted data defines geographically a series of points.

70. A system as recited in claim 68, wherein said means for rendering said formatted data defines line segments which approximate a plurality of data points within said formatted data, instead of identifying each data point which is approximated by said line segment.

71. A communication system, comprising:

means for receiving raw data;

means for acquiring raw data and supplying said raw data to said means for receiving raw data;

means for formatting said raw data to provide formatted data;

means for wirelessly transmitting said formatted data;

means for receiving said formatted data;

means for rendering data received by said means for receiving said formatted data to provide rendered data;

at least one means for receiving said rendered data;

means for transmitting said rendered data to said at least one means for receiving said rendered data; and

means for automatically notifying a notification device respectively associated with each of said at least one means for receiving said rendered data.

72. A communication system as recited in claim 71, wherein said means for automatically notifying notifies said notification device before transmitting said rendered data to said at least one means for receiving said rendered data.

73. A communication system as recited in claim 71, wherein said means for acquiring raw data is an electrocardiogram-performing apparatus.

74. A communication system as recited in claim 71, further comprising means for generating patient trend data based on said raw data, and wherein said patient trend data is wirelessly transmitted along with said formatted data.

75. A communication system as recited in claim 71, further comprising means for automatically selecting from among a plurality of communication protocols a selected communication protocol according to which said raw data can be formatted to produce formatted data and in which said formatted data can be wirelessly transmitted,

wherein said means for formatting said raw data is a means for formatting said raw data according to said selected communication protocol.

76. A communication system as recited in claim 75, wherein said means for automatically selecting from among a plurality of communication protocol selects said selected communication protocol based on at least one selection criterion selected from the group consisting of:

respective bandwidth detected to be available for each of said communication protocols;

size of said raw data;

identifying communication methods available to said communication system;

detected accuracy of data sent to a receiver and returned from said receiver in any one of said communication protocols;

passage of time without data being received by a receiver; and

detected quantity of dropouts after beginning to attempt to transmit data to a receiving device.

77. A communication system as recited in claim 71, further comprising:

means for communicating to said user at least one parameter selected from the group consisting of;

respective bandwidth detected to be available for each of a plurality of communication protocols,

size of said raw data,

communication methods available to said communication system,

detected accuracy of data sent to a receiver and returned from said receiver in any one of said plurality of communication protocols,

passage of time without data being received by a receiver, and

detected quantity of dropouts after beginning to attempt to transmit data to a receiving device;

and means for allowing said user to select from among said plurality of communication protocols a selected communication protocol according to which said raw data can be formatted to produce formatted data and in which said formatted data can be wirelessly transmitted.

78. A communication system, comprising:

a server for receiving said data;

means for wirelessly transmitting data to said server;

means for transmitting said data from said server; and

at least one means for receiving said data from said server.

79. A communication system as recited in claim 78, wherein said means for wirelessly transmitting data is a means for wirelessly transmitting formatted data.

80. A communication system as recited in claim 78, wherein said server comprises means for rendering said data.

81. A communication system as recited in claim 78, wherein said server comprises means for notifying at least one intended addressee when said server receives data.

82. A communication system as recited in claim 78, further comprising:

means for receiving raw data;

means for acquiring raw data and supplying said raw data to said means for receiving raw data; and

means for formatting said raw data to provide said data.

83. A communication system as recited in claim 82, wherein said means for acquiring raw data is an electrocardiogram-performing apparatus.

84. A communication system as recited in claim 78, further comprising means for a user to input addressee data regarding at least one intended addressee.

85. A communication system as recited in claim 78, further comprising means for automatically notifying a notification device respectively associated with at least one means for receiving data for an intended addressee.

86. A method of communicating, comprising:

receiving raw data in a data-receiving device;

automatically selecting from among a plurality of communication protocols a selected communication protocol;

formatting said raw data according to said selected communication protocol; and

transmitting said formatted data in said selected communication protocol.

87. A method as recited in claim 86, wherein said plurality of communication protocols comprise MOBITEX®

, cellular and data radio.

88. A method as recited in claim 86, wherein said method further comprises at least one step selected from the group consisting of:

detecting respective bandwidth available for each of said communication protocols;

detecting a size of said raw data;

identifying communication methods available to said communication system;

detecting accuracy of data sent to a receiver and returned from said receiver in any one of said communication protocols;

detecting passage of time without data being received by a receiver; and

detecting quantity of dropouts after beginning to attempt to transmit data to a receiving device.

89. A method as recited in claim 86, further comprising automatically shifting to a next most favorable communication protocol after a failure to communicate using a currently selected communication protocol.

90. A method as recited in claim 89, wherein said failure to communicate is selected from the group consisting of:

passage of time without data being received by a receiver; and

detected quantity of dropouts after beginning to attempt to transmit data to a receiving device.

91. A method as recited in claim 86, further comprising acquiring raw data and supplying said raw data to said data-receiving device.

92. A method as recited in claim 91, wherein said raw data is acquired from an electrocardiogram-performing apparatus.

93. A method as recited in claim 91, further comprising generating patient trend data based on said raw data, wherein said patient trend data is wirelessly transmitted along with said formatted data.

94. A method as recited in claim 91, further comprising:

receiving said formatted data in a receiving device;

rendering said formatted data received by said receiving device to provide rendered data; and

transmitting said rendered data.

95. A method as recited in claim 94, further comprising receiving said rendered data.

96. A method as recited in claim 86, further comprising inputting additional data after receiving said raw data in a data-receiving device.

97. A method as recited in claim 96, wherein said additional data comprises data selected from the group consisting of patient information and user comments regarding patient condition.

98. A method as recited in claim 97, wherein said patient information is selected from the group consisting of patient name, patient age, patient weight, medication taken by patient and patient vital signs.

99. A method as recited in claim 86, further comprising:

selecting a portion of said raw data; and

formatting only said portion of said raw data according to said selected communication protocol to provide formatted data.

156. A method as recited in claim 92, wherein said electrocardiogram-performing apparatus is a defibrillator or a patient monitor.

100. A method of communicating, comprising:

receiving raw data in a data-receiving device;

detecting at least one parameter selected from the group consisting of;

respective bandwidth detected to be available for each of a plurality of communication protocols,

size of said raw data,

communication methods available to said communication system,

accuracy of data sent to a receiver and returned from said receiver in any one of said plurality of communication protocols,

passage of time without data being received by a receiver, and

quantity of dropouts after beginning to attempt to transmit data to a receiving device;

communicating to a user said at least one parameter;

selecting from among said plurality of communication protocols a selected communication protocol based on a selection by said user;

formatting said raw data according to said selected communication protocol to provide formatted data; and

wirelessly transmitting said formatted data in said selected communication protocol.

101. A method as recited in claim 100, wherein said plurality of communication protocols comprise MOBITEX®

, cellular and data radio.

102. A method as recited in claim 100, further comprising acquiring raw data and supplying said raw data to said data-receiving device.

103. A method as recited in claim 102, wherein said raw data is acquired from an electrocardiogram-performing apparatus.

104. A method as recited in claim 102, further comprising generating patient trend data based on said raw data, wherein said patient trend data is wirelessly transmitted along with said formatted data.

105. A method as recited in claim 100, further comprising:

receiving said formatted data in a receiving device;

rendering said formatted data received by said receiving device to provide rendered data; and

transmitting said rendered data.

106. A method as recited in claim 105, further comprising:

receiving said formatted data in a receiving device;

rendering said formatted data received by said receiving device to provide rendered data; and

transmitting said rendered data.

107. A method as recited in claim 106, further comprising receiving said rendered data.

108. A method as recited in claim 100, further comprising inputting additional data after receiving said raw data in a data-receiving device.

109. A method as recited in claim 108, wherein said additional data comprises data selected from the group consisting of patient information and user comments regarding patient condition.

110. A method as recited in claim 109, wherein said patient information is selected from the group consisting of patient name, patient age, patient weight, medication taken by patient and patient vital signs.

111. A method as recited in claim 100, further comprising:

selecting a portion of said raw data; and

formatting only said portion of said raw data according to said selected communication protocol to provide formatted data.

157. A method as recited in claim 103, wherein said electrocardiogram-performing apparatus is a defibrillator or a patient monitor.

112. A method of communicating, comprising:

obtaining raw data;

automatically reducing said raw data by not less than 25%;

rendering an image based on said raw data over a period of time;

selecting at least one segment of time from within said period of time based on said image; and

wirelessly transmitting a packet of data from said at least one segment of time to a data-receiving device.

113. A method as recited in claim 112, further comprising:

automatically selecting from among a plurality of communication protocols a selected communication protocol;

formatting said raw data according to said selected communication protocol to provide formatted data; and

wirelessly transmitting said formatted data in said selected communication protocol.

114. A method as recited in claim 112, further comprising receiving said wirelessly transmitted formatted data in a data-receiving device, and then rendering said packet of data to provide rendered data after said packet of data is received by said data-receiving device.

115. A method as recited in claim 112, further comprising:

transmitting said rendered data; and

receiving said rendered data.

116. A method as recited in claim 112, further comprising generating patient trend data based on said raw data, and wirelessly transmitting said patient trend data along with said packet of data.

117. A method as recited in claim 112, further comprising inputting additional data.

118. A method as recited in claim 117, wherein said additional data comprises data selected from the group consisting of patient information and user comments regarding patient condition.

119. A method as recited in claim 118, wherein said patient information is selected from the group consisting of patient name, patient age, patient weight, medication taken by patient and patient vital signs.

120. A method of communicating, comprising:

wirelessly transmitting formatted data;

receiving said formatted data in a data-receiving device;

rendering said formatted data received by said data-receiving device to provide rendered data;

transmitting said rendered data; and

receiving said rendered data.

121. A method as recited in claim 120, further comprising:

acquiring raw data and supplying said raw data to a raw data-receiving device; and

formatting said raw data to provide said formatted data.

122. A method as recited in claim 121, wherein said raw data is acquired from an electrocardiogram-performing apparatus.

123. A method as recited in claim 121, further comprising generating patient trend data based on said raw data, and wirelessly transmitting said patient trend data along with said formatted data.

124. A method as recited in claim 120, further comprising:

acquiring raw data and supplying said raw data to a raw data-receiving device;

formatting said raw data to provide said formatted data; and

inputting additional data,

wherein said wirelessly transmitting said formatted data comprises transmitting said additional data along with said formatted data;

wherein said receiving said formatted data in a data-receiving device comprises receiving said additional data along with said formatted data;

wherein said transmitting said rendered data comprises transmitting said additional data along with said rendered data; and

wherein said receiving said rendered data comprises receiving said additional data along with said rendered data.

125. A method as recited in claim 124, wherein said additional data comprises data selected from the group consisting of patient information and user comments regarding patient condition.

126. A method as recited in claim 125, wherein said patient information is selected from the group consisting of patient name, patient age, patient weight, medication taken by patient and patient vital signs.

127. A method as recited in claim 120, further comprising:

acquiring raw data and supplying said raw data to a raw data-receiving device;

selecting a portion of said raw data; and

formatting said portion of said raw data to provide said formatted data.

128. A method as recited in claim 120, further comprising:

acquiring raw data and supplying said raw data to a raw data-receiving device;

automatically selecting from among a plurality of communication protocols a selected communication protocol; and

formatting said raw data according to said selected communication protocol,

wherein said transmitting said formatted data is carried out in said selected communication protocol.

129. A method as recited in claim 120, wherein said method further comprises at least one step selected from the group consisting of:

detecting respective bandwidth available for each of said communication protocols;

detecting a size of said raw data;

identifying communication methods available to said communication system;

detecting accuracy of data sent to a receiver and returned from said receiver in any one of said communication protocols;

detecting passage of time without data being received by a receiver; and

detecting quantity of dropouts after beginning to attempt to transmit data to a receiving device.

130. A method as recited in claim 120, further comprising:

receiving raw data in a data-receiving device;

detecting at least one parameter selected from the group consisting of;

respective bandwidth detected to be available for each of a plurality of communication protocols,

size of said raw data,

communication methods available to said communication system,

accuracy of data sent to a receiver and returned from said receiver in any one of said plurality of communication protocols,

passage of time without data being received by a receiver, and

quantity of dropouts after beginning to attempt to transmit data to a receiving device;

communicating to a user said at least one parameter;

selecting from among said plurality of communication protocols a selected communication protocol based on a selection by said user;

formatting said raw data according to said selected communication protocol to provide formatted data; and

wherein said transmitting said formatted data is carried out in said selected communication protocol.

131. A method of communicating, comprising:

receiving raw data in a data-receiving device;

inputting addressee data regarding at least one intended addressee selected by a user;

formatting said raw data to provide formatted data;

wirelessly transmitting said formatted data and said addressee data;

receiving said formatted data and said addressee data in a receiving device;

rendering data received by said receiving device to provide rendered data; and

automatically transmitting said rendered data to said at least one intended addressee.

132. A method as recited in claim 131, wherein said raw data is acquired from an electrocardiogram-performing apparatus.

133. A method as recited in claim 131, further comprising generating patient trend data based on said raw data, wherein said patient trend data is wirelessly transmitted along with said formatted data.

134. A method as recited in claim 131, further comprising:

acquiring raw data and supplying said raw data to a raw data-receiving device;

automatically selecting from among a plurality of communication protocols a selected communication protocol; and

formatting said raw data according to said selected communication protocol,

wherein said transmitting said formatted data is carried out in said selected communication protocol.

135. A method as recited in claim 134, wherein said method further comprises at least one step selected from the group consisting of:

detecting respective bandwidth available for each of said communication protocols;

detecting a size of said raw data;

identifying communication methods available to said communication system;

detecting accuracy of data sent to a receiver and returned from said receiver in any one of said communication protocols;

detecting passage of time without data being received by a receiver; and

detecting quantity of dropouts after beginning to attempt to transmit data to a receiving device.

136. A method as recited in claim 131, further comprising:

detecting at least one parameter selected from the group consisting of;

respective bandwidth detected to be available for each of a plurality of communication protocols,

size of said raw data,

communication methods available to said communication system,

accuracy of data sent to a receiver and returned from said receiver in any one of said plurality of communication protocols,

passage of time without data being received by a receiver, and

quantity of dropouts after beginning to attempt to transmit data to a receiving device;

communicating to a user said at least one parameter; and

selecting from among said plurality of communication protocols a selected communication protocol based on a selection by said user,

wherein said formatting said raw data is carried out in said selected communication protocol; and

wherein said transmitting said formatted data is carried out in said selected communication protocol.

137. A method of rendering data, comprising:

receiving formatted data; and

rendering said formatted data to produce rendered data, said rendering being carried out in a way which minimizes the size of said rendered data.

138. A method as recited in claim 137, wherein said rendering said formatted data comprises defining geographically a series of points.

139. A method as recited in claim 137, wherein said rendering said formatted data comprises defining line segments which approximate a plurality of data points within said formatted data, instead of identifying each data point which is approximated by said line segment.

140. A method of communicating, comprising:

acquiring raw data and supplying said raw data to a raw data-receiving device;

formatting said raw data to provide formatted data;

wirelessly transmitting said formatted data;

receiving said formatted data in a receiving device;

rendering data received by said receiving device to provide rendered data;

transmitting said rendered data to at least one rendered data-receiving device; and

automatically notifying a notification device respectively associated with each of said at least one rendered data-receiving device.

141. A method as recited in claim 140, wherein said automatically notifying is carried out before said transmitting said rendered data.

142. A method as recited in claim 140, wherein said raw data is acquired from an electrocardiogram-performing apparatus.

143. A method as recited in claim 140, further comprising generating patient trend data based on said raw data, wherein said patient trend data is wirelessly transmitted along with said formatted data.

144. A method as recited in claim 140, further comprising:

automatically selecting from among a plurality of communication protocols a selected communication protocol,

wherein said formatting said raw data is carried out according to said selected communication protocol; and

wherein said wirelessly transmitting said formatted data is carried out in said selected communication protocol.

145. A method as recited in claim 144, wherein said method further comprises at least one step selected from the group consisting of:

detecting respective bandwidth available for each of said communication protocols;

detecting a size of said raw data;

identifying communication methods available to said communication system;

detecting accuracy of data sent to a receiver and returned from said receiver in any one of said communication protocols;

detecting passage of time without data being received by a receiver; and

detecting quantity of dropouts after beginning to attempt to transmit data to a receiving device.

146. A method as recited in claim 140, further comprising:

detecting at least one parameter selected from the group consisting of;

respective bandwidth detected to be available for each of a plurality of communication protocols,

size of said raw data,

communication methods available to said communication system,

accuracy of data sent to a receiver and returned from said receiver in any one of said plurality of communication protocols,

passage of time without data being received by a receiver, and

quantity of dropouts after beginning to attempt to transmit data to a receiving device;

communicating to a user said at least one parameter; and

selecting from among said plurality of communication protocols a selected communication protocol based on a selection by said user,

wherein said formatting said raw data is carried out in said selected communication protocol; and

wherein said transmitting said formatted data is carried out in said selected communication protocol.

147. A method of communicating, comprising:

wirelessly transmitting data to a server; and

transmitting said data from said server to at least one data-receiving device.

148. A method as recited in claim 147, further comprising rendering said data in said server.

149. A method as recited in claim 147, further comprising notifying at least one intended addressee when said server receives said data.

150. A method as recited in claim 147, further comprising:

acquiring raw data and supplying said raw data to said data-receiving device; and

formatting said raw data to provide said data.

151. A method as recited in claim 150, wherein said raw data is acquired from an electrocardiogram-performing apparatus.

152. A method as recited in claim 147, further comprising inputting addressee data regarding at least one intended addressee selected by a user.

153. A method as recited in claim 147, further comprising automatically notifying a notification device respectively associated with each of said at least one data-receiving device.