OFFLOADED PROCESSING FOR WIRELESS APPLICATIONS

• US 20080043824A1
• Filed: 04/17/2007
• Published: 02/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Lee, Chong, Julian, David, Jacobs, Paul, Jaime, Manuel, Moallemi, Kamran
• Granted Patent: US 8,654,868 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 375/220
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 3/217 Class D power amplifiers; Switching amplifiers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/10 in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion telephones including GPS signal receivers H04M2250/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

Processing may be performed by a first device on behalf of a second device to offload processing from the second device. In some aspects a device from which processing has been offloaded may be advantageously adapted to consume less power, have a smaller size, and have less complexity. Offloaded processing may be employed to enable a first device to process data for transmission and then send the data to another device for processing. Offloaded processing may be employed to enable a first device to process data on behalf of a second device and then send the processed data to the second device. In some aspects the data may be waveform encoded for wireless transmission between the devices. Offloaded processing may be implemented in a static manner or in a dynamic manner.

Claims

1. A method of processing data, comprising:

receiving data at a first device, wherein the received data were generated at a second device by preprocessing analog data for wireless transmission; and

processing the received data at the first device to improve at least one characteristic represented by the analog data.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one characteristic comprises multimedia, heart rate, temperature, pressure, velocity, or acceleration.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one characteristic comprises an indication relating to multimedia, heart rate, temperature, pressure, velocity, or acceleration.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the improving comprises providing data having, as compared to the analog data, less degradation of the at least one characteristic.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the degradation relates to noise, interference, or noise and interference.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the processing comprises substantially reconstructing, from the received data, data representative of the analog data.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the processing improves at least one attribute of the at least one characteristic.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the at least one attribute comprises at least one of the group consisting of:

frequency response, signal-to-noise ratio, and accuracy.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the processing comprises equalization, echo cancellation, active noise cancellation, filter and decimate operations, filter tap computation, side-tone processing, or voice recognition.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the processing comprises determining a heart rate, classifying a heart rate, determining a temperature, determining a pressure, determining a velocity, or determining an acceleration.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the analog data comprise raw analog data output by a sensor of the second device.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the analog data comprise an analog waveform.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the preprocessing comprises at least one of the group consisting of:

error coding, scrambling, interleaving, and formatting.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the received data comprise waveform encoded data.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the received data comprise sigma delta modulated data.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the processing further comprises converting the sigma delta modulated data to pulse code modulated data.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting the processed data from the first device to the second device.

18. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

waveform encoding the processed data; and

transmitting the waveform encoded data from the first device to the second device.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the data are received via a wireless personal area network air interface or a wireless body area network air interface.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the data are received via ultra-wideband pulses each of which has a fractional bandwidth on the order of 20% or more, has a bandwidth on the order of 500 MHz or more, or has a fractional bandwidth on the order of 20% or more and has a bandwidth on the order of 500 MHz or more.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein the analog data are generated by a chemical transducer, an electrical transducer, a mechanical transducer, a magnetic transducer, a nuclear transducer, or an optical transducer.

22. An apparatus for processing data, comprising:

a receiver adapted to receive data, wherein the received data were generated at a device by preprocessing analog data for wireless transmission; and

a processor adapted to process the received data to improve at least one characteristic represented by the analog data.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the at least one characteristic comprises multimedia, heart rate, temperature, pressure, velocity, or acceleration.

24. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the at least one characteristic comprises an indication relating to multimedia, heart rate, temperature, pressure, velocity, or acceleration.

25. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the processor is further adapted to provide data having, as compared to the analog data, less degradation of the at least one characteristic.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the degradation relates to noise, interference, or noise and interference.

27. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the processor is further adapted to substantially reconstruct, from the received data, data representative of the analog data.

28. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the processor is further adapted to improve at least one attribute of the at least one characteristic.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the at least one attribute comprises at least one of the group consisting of:

frequency response, signal-to-noise ratio, and accuracy.

30. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the processor comprises an equalizer, an echo canceller, an active noise canceller, a filter and decimator, a filter tap computation processor, a side-tone processor, or a voice recognition processor.

31. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the processor is further adapted to determine a heart rate, classify a heart rate, determine a temperature, determine a pressure, determine a velocity, or determine an acceleration.

32. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the analog data comprise raw analog data output by a sensor of the device.

33. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the analog data comprise an analog waveform.

34. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the preprocessing comprises at least one of the group consisting of:

error coding, scrambling, interleaving, and formatting.

35. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the received data comprise waveform encoded data.

36. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the received data comprise sigma delta modulated data.

37. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the processor comprises a filter and decimator adapted to convert the sigma delta modulated data to pulse code modulated data.

38. The apparatus of claim 22, further comprising a transmitter adapted to transmit the processed data to the device.

39. The apparatus of claim 22, further comprising:

a waveform encoder adapted to waveform encode the processed data; and

a transmitter adapted to transmit the waveform encoded data to the device.

40. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the data are received via a wireless personal area network air interface or a wireless body area network air interface.

41. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the data are received via ultra-wideband pulses each of which has a fractional bandwidth on the order of 20% or more, has a bandwidth on the order of 500 MHz or more, or has a fractional bandwidth on the order of 20% or more and has a bandwidth on the order of 500 MHz or more.

42. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the analog data are generated by a chemical transducer, an electrical transducer, a mechanical transducer, a magnetic transducer, a nuclear transducer, or an optical transducer.

43. An apparatus for processing data, comprising:

means for receiving data, wherein the received data were generated at a device by preprocessing analog data for wireless transmission; and

means for processing the received data to improve at least one characteristic represented by the analog data.

44. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the at least one characteristic comprises multimedia, heart rate, temperature, pressure, velocity, or acceleration.

45. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the at least one characteristic comprises an indication relating to multimedia, heart rate, temperature, pressure, velocity, or acceleration.

46. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the improving comprises providing data having, as compared to the analog data, less degradation of the at least one characteristic.

47. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the degradation relates to noise, interference, or noise and interference.

48. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the means for processing substantially reconstructs, from the received data, data representative of the analog data.

49. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the means for processing improves at least one attribute of the at least one characteristic.

50. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein the at least one attribute comprises at least one of the group consisting of:

frequency response, signal-to-noise ratio, and accuracy.

51. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the means for processing comprises means for equalizing, means for echo canceling, means for active noise canceling, means for filtering and decimating, means for filter tap computation, means for side-tone processing, or means for voice recognition.

52. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the means for processing determines a heart rate, classifies a heart rate, determines a temperature, determines a pressure, determines a velocity, or determines an acceleration.

53. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the analog data comprise raw analog data output by a sensor of the device.

54. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the analog data comprise an analog waveform.

55. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the preprocessing comprises at least one of the group consisting of:

error coding, scrambling, interleaving, and formatting.

56. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the received data comprise waveform encoded data.

57. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the received data comprise sigma delta modulated data.

58. The apparatus of claim 57, wherein the means for processing comprises means for filtering and decimating to convert the sigma delta modulated data to pulse code modulated data.

59. The apparatus of claim 43, further comprising means for transmitting the processed data to the device.

60. The apparatus of claim 43, further comprising:

means for waveform encoding the processed data; and

means for transmitting the waveform encoded data to the device.

61. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the data are received via a wireless personal area network air interface or a wireless body area network air interface.

62. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the data are received via ultra-wideband pulses each of which has a fractional bandwidth on the order of 20% or more, has a bandwidth on the order of 500 MHz or more, or has a fractional bandwidth on the order of 20% or more and has a bandwidth on the order of 500 MHz or more.

63. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the analog data are generated by a chemical transducer, an electrical transducer, a mechanical transducer, a magnetic transducer, a nuclear transducer, or an optical transducer.

64. A computer-program product for processing data, comprising:

computer-readable medium comprising codes executable by at least one computer to;

receive data at a first device, wherein the received data were generated at a second device by preprocessing analog data for wireless transmission; and

process the received data at the first device to improve at least one characteristic represented by the analog data.

65. A headset for processing data, comprising:

a receiver adapted to receive data, wherein the received data were generated at a device by preprocessing analog data for wireless transmission;

a processor adapted to process the received data to improve at least one characteristic represented by the analog data; and

a transducer adapted to provide an audible output based on the processed data.

66. A watch for processing data, comprising:

a receiver adapted to receive data, wherein the received data were generated at a device by preprocessing analog data for wireless transmission;

a processor adapted to process the received data to improve at least one characteristic represented by the analog data; and

a display adapted to provide a visual output based on the processed data.

67. A medical device for processing data, comprising:

a receiver adapted to receive data, wherein the received data were generated at a device by preprocessing analog data for wireless transmission;

a processor adapted to process the received data to improve at least one characteristic represented by the analog data; and

a transducer adapted to generate an output based on the processed data.

68. A method of processing data, comprising:

preprocessing analog data at a first device for wireless transmission; and

transmitting the preprocessed data to a second device that is adapted to process the preprocessed data to improve at least one characteristic represented by the analog data.

69. The method of claim 68, wherein the preprocessing comprises waveform encoding.

70. The method of claim 68, wherein the preprocessing comprises sigma delta modulation encoding.

71. The method of claim 68, wherein the preprocessed data comprise data to be converted into pulse code modulated data.

72. The method of claim 68, wherein the preprocessed data comprise data to be equalized, data to be subjected to echo cancellation, data to be subjected to active noise cancellation, data to be filtered and decimated, data to be subjected to filter tap computation, data to be subjected to side-tone processing, or data to be subjected to voice recognition processing.

73. The method of claim 68, wherein the preprocessed data comprise data to be processed to determine heart rate, classify heart rate, determine temperature, determine pressure, determine velocity, or determine acceleration.

74. The method of claim 68, wherein the preprocessing comprises at least one of the group consisting of:

error coding, scrambling, interleaving, and formatting.

75. The method of claim 68, wherein the analog data comprise raw analog data output by a sensor of the first device.

76. The method of claim 68, wherein the analog data comprise an analog waveform.

77. The method of claim 68, wherein the analog data are generated by a chemical transducer, an electrical transducer, a mechanical transducer, a magnetic transducer, a nuclear transducer, or an optical transducer.

78. The method of claim 68, wherein the at least one characteristic comprises multimedia, heart rate, temperature, pressure, velocity, or acceleration.

79. The method of claim 68, wherein the at least one characteristic comprises an indication relating to multimedia, heart rate, temperature, pressure, velocity, or acceleration.

80. The method of claim 68, further comprising receiving, at the first device, processed data derived as a result of the processing by the second device.

81. The method of claim 80, wherein the processed data received from the second device have been processed to improve at least one attribute of the at least one characteristic.

82. The method of claim 81, wherein the at least one attribute comprises at least one of the group consisting of:

frequency response, signal-to-noise ratio, and accuracy.

83. The method of claim 80, wherein the processed data received from the second device were subjected to equalization, echo cancellation or active noise cancellation.

84. The method of claim 80, wherein, as compared to the analog data, the processed data received from the second device have less degradation of the at least one characteristic.

85. The method of claim 84 wherein the degradation relates to noise, interference, or noise and interference.

86. The method of claim 80, wherein the processed data received from the second device comprise waveform encoded data.

87. The method of claim 80, further comprising directly passing the processed data received from the second device to a transducer that generates an output based on the processed data.

88. The method of claim 68, wherein the preprocessed data are transmitted via a wireless personal area network air interface or a wireless body area network air interface.

89. The method of claim 68, wherein the preprocessed data are transmitted via ultra-wideband pulses each of which has a fractional bandwidth on the order of 20% or more, has a bandwidth on the order of 500 MHz or more, or has a fractional bandwidth on the order of 20% or more and has a bandwidth on the order of 500 MHz or more.

90. An apparatus for processing data, comprising:

a processor adapted to preprocess analog data for wireless transmission; and

a transmitter adapted to transmit the preprocessed data to a device that is adapted to process the preprocessed data to improve at least one characteristic represented by the analog data.

91. The apparatus of claim 90, wherein the processor comprises a waveform encoder adapted to waveform encode the analog data for wireless transmission.

92. The apparatus of claim 90, wherein the processor comprises a sigma delta modulation encoder adapted to sigma delta modulation encode the analog data for wireless transmission.

93. The apparatus of claim 90, wherein the preprocessed data comprise data to be converted into pulse code modulated data.

94. The apparatus of claim 90, wherein the preprocessed data comprise data to be equalized, data to be subjected to echo cancellation, data to be subjected to active noise cancellation, data to be filtered and decimated, data to be subjected to filter tap computation, data to be subjected to side-tone processing, or data to be subjected to voice recognition processing.

95. The apparatus of claim 90, wherein the preprocessed data comprise data to be processed to determine heart rate, classify heart rate, determine temperature, determine pressure, determine velocity, or determine acceleration.

96. The apparatus of claim 90, wherein the preprocessing comprises at least one of the group consisting of:

error coding, scrambling, interleaving, and formatting.

97. The apparatus of claim 90, further comprising a sensor, wherein the analog data comprise raw analog data output by the sensor.

98. The apparatus of claim 90, wherein the analog data comprise an analog waveform.

99. The apparatus of claim 90, further comprising a chemical transducer, an electrical transducer, a mechanical transducer, a magnetic transducer, a nuclear transducer, or an optical transducer, adapted generate the analog data.

100. The apparatus of claim 90, wherein the at least one characteristic comprises multimedia, heart rate, temperature, pressure, velocity, or acceleration.

101. The apparatus of claim 90, wherein the at least one characteristic comprises an indication relating to multimedia, heart rate, temperature, pressure, velocity, or acceleration.

102. The apparatus of claim 90, further comprising a receiver adapted to receive processed data derived as a result of the processing by the device.

103. The apparatus of claim 102, wherein the processed data received from the device have been processed to improve at least one attribute of the at least one characteristic.

104. The apparatus of claim 103, wherein the at least one attribute comprises at least one of the group consisting of:

frequency response, signal-to-noise ratio, and accuracy.

105. The apparatus of claim 102, wherein the processed data received from the device were subjected to equalization, echo cancellation or active noise cancellation.

106. The apparatus of claim 102, wherein, as compared to the analog data, the processed data received from the device have less degradation of the at least one characteristic.

107. The apparatus of claim 106 wherein the degradation relates to noise, interference, or noise and interference.

108. The apparatus of claim 102, wherein the processed data received from the device comprise waveform encoded data.

109. The apparatus of claim 102, further comprising a transducer that generates an output based on the processed data, wherein the processed data received from the device is directly passed to the transducer.

110. The apparatus of claim 90, wherein the preprocessed data are transmitted via a wireless personal area network air interface or a wireless body area network air interface.

111. The apparatus of claim 90, wherein the preprocessed data are transmitted via ultra-wideband pulses each of which has a fractional bandwidth on the order of 20% or more, has a bandwidth on the order of 500 MHz or more, or has a fractional bandwidth on the order of 20% or more and has a bandwidth on the order of 500 MHz or more.

112. An apparatus for processing data, comprising:

means for preprocessing analog data for wireless transmission; and

means for transmitting the preprocessed data to a device that is adapted to process the preprocessed data to improve at least one characteristic represented by the analog data.

113. The apparatus of claim 112, wherein the means for preprocessing comprises means for waveform encoding the analog data for wireless transmission.

114. The apparatus of claim 112, wherein the means for preprocessing comprises means for sigma delta modulation encoding the analog data for wireless transmission.

115. The apparatus of claim 112, wherein the preprocessed data comprise data to be converted into pulse code modulated data.

116. The apparatus of claim 112, wherein the preprocessed data comprise data to be equalized, data to be subjected to echo cancellation, data to be subjected to active noise cancellation, data to be filtered and decimated, data to be subjected to filter tap computation, data to be subjected to side-tone processing, or data to be subjected to voice recognition processing.

117. The apparatus of claim 112, wherein the preprocessed data comprise data to be processed to determine heart rate, classify heart rate, determine temperature, determine pressure, determine velocity, or determine acceleration.

118. The apparatus of claim 112, wherein the means for preprocessing performs at least one of the group consisting of:

error coding, scrambling, interleaving, and formatting.

119. The apparatus of claim 112, further comprising means for sensing, wherein the analog data comprise raw analog data output by the means for sensing.

120. The apparatus of claim 112, wherein the analog data comprise an analog waveform.

121. The apparatus of claim 112, further comprising a chemical transducer, an electrical transducer, a mechanical transducer, a magnetic transducer, a nuclear transducer, or an optical transducer, adapted generate the analog data.

122. The apparatus of claim 112, wherein the at least one characteristic comprises multimedia, heart rate, temperature, pressure, velocity, or acceleration.

123. The apparatus of claim 112, wherein the at least one characteristic comprises an indication relating to multimedia, heart rate, temperature, pressure, velocity, or acceleration.

124. The apparatus of claim 112, further comprising means for receiving processed data derived as a result of the processing by the device.

125. The apparatus of claim 124, wherein the processed data received from the device have been processed to improve at least one attribute of the at least one characteristic.

126. The apparatus of claim 125, wherein the at least one attribute comprises at least one of the group consisting of:

frequency response, signal-to-noise ratio, and accuracy.

127. The apparatus of claim 124, wherein the processed data received from the device were subjected to equalization echo cancellation or active noise cancellation.

128. The apparatus of claim 124, wherein, as compared to the analog data, the processed data received from the device have less degradation of the at least one characteristic.

129. The apparatus of claim 128 wherein the degradation relates to noise, interference, or noise and interference.

130. The apparatus of claim 124, wherein the processed data received from the device comprise waveform encoded data.

131. The apparatus of claim 124, further comprising means for directly passing the processed data received from the device to a transducer that generates an output based on the processed data.

132. The apparatus of claim 112, wherein the preprocessed data are transmitted via a wireless personal area network air interface or a wireless body area network air interface.

133. The apparatus of claim 112, wherein the preprocessed data are transmitted via ultra-wideband pulses each of which has a fractional bandwidth on the order of 20% or more, has a bandwidth on the order of 500 MHz or more, or has a fractional bandwidth on the order of 20% or more and has a bandwidth on the order of 500 MHz or more.

134. A computer-program product for processing data, comprising:

computer-readable medium comprising codes executable by at least one computer to;

preprocess analog data at a first device for wireless transmission; and

transmit the preprocessed data to a second device that is adapted to process the preprocessed data to improve at least one characteristic represented by the analog data.

135. A headset for processing data, comprising:

a processor adapted to preprocess analog data for wireless transmission;

a transmitter adapted to transmit the preprocessed data to a device that is adapted to process the preprocessed data to improve at least one characteristic represented by the analog data; and

a transducer adapted to provide an audible output based on the data processed by the device.

136. A watch for processing data, comprising:

a processor adapted to preprocess analog data for wireless transmission;

a transmitter adapted to transmit the preprocessed data to a device that is adapted to process the preprocessed data to improve at least one characteristic represented by the analog data; and

a display adapted to provide a visual output based on the data processed by the device.

137. A medical device for processing data, comprising:

a processor adapted to preprocess analog data for wireless transmission;

a transmitter adapted to transmit the preprocessed data to a device that is adapted to process the preprocessed data to improve at least one characteristic represented by the analog data; and

a sensor adapted to generate sensed data to be transmitted by the transmitter.