TELEHEALTH WIRELESS COMMUNICATION HUB AND SERVICE PLATFORM SYSTEM

• US 20120182939A1
• Filed: 01/13/2012
• Published: 07/19/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/14/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Capsule Technologies Incorporated (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Rajan, Rajeev D., Ganton, Robert B., Kadakia, Jatin C., Jerger, Mark D., Senthil, Kumar V., Lohakarey, Vishwajeet, Lee, Thien H., Talbot, Christopher D.B.
• Application Number:
  US13/349,938
• Publication Number:
  US 20120182939A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/328
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0008 Temperature signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/002 Monitoring the patient using a local or closed circuit, e.g. in a room or building A61B5/0017 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/40 for the management of medical equipment or devices, e.g. scheduling maintenance or upgrades
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/025 for remote control or remote monitoring of applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42382 Text-based messaging services in telephone networks such as PSTN/ISDN, e.g. User-to-User Signalling or Short Message Service for fixed networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/086 using security domains
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/70 Services for machine-to-machine communication [M2M] or machine type communication [MTC]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/11 Allocation or use of connection identifiers
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/005 Discovery of network devices, e.g. terminals

Abstract

Methods and devices provide a wireless communications hub device and services enabling remote access to electronic medical or fitness devices in a manner that simplifies device networking A wireless communication hub device may include a processor and wireless communication transceivers configured to connect to cellular and/or WiFi networks to access a remote server, and wired and/or wireless local networks for connecting to electronic medical or fitness devices. The wireless communication hub device may plug into a power source, connect to an electronic medical or fitness device, and communicate via a second wireless network with an associated server-based service. The system enables discovery of the wireless communication hub device and connected electronic medical or fitness devices. The associated remote server based service platform services may provide drivers for various electronic medical or fitness devices, store and forward data, and provide remote access to the various electronic medical or fitness devices.

Claims

1. A method for communicating data from an electronic medical or fitness device, comprising:

associating the electronic medical or fitness device with a communication hub device;

receiving electronic medical or fitness device data from the electronic medical or fitness device in the communication hub device;

receiving in the communication hub device a simple message service (SMS) message from a remote server; and

taking an action in the communication hub device in response to the received SMS message.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein taking an action in the communication hub device in response to the received SMS message comprises one or more of:

activating the communication hub device in response to receiving the SMS message when the communication hub device is in a deactivated, low power, or idle mode;

transmitting the electronic medical or fitness device data to the remote server;

contacting the remote server to receive instructions;

contacting another server to receive one of instructions, configuration changes and software updates;

contacting the remote server to report an operating condition;

running a diagnostic;

verifying security settings;

re-authenticating the communication hub device to the remote server;

authenticating the electronic medical or fitness device;

re-authenticating the electronic medical or fitness device;

transmitting a log of data traffic transmitted from and received by the communication hub device to the remote server.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a period of time since the remote server last received data from the communication hub device;

comparing the period of time to a predetermined connection periodicity value; and

transmitting the SMS message from the remote server to the communication hub device if the period of time exceeds the predetermined connection periodicity value.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a request for data from or access to the communication hub device at the remote server; and

transmitting the SMS message from the remote server to the communication hub device in response to the request.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the SMS message includes no payload data.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the SMS message includes payload data including an indication of a task to be executed by the communication hub device, and wherein taking an action in the communication hub device in response to the received SMS message comprises executing the task indicated in the SMS message.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting the electronic medical or fitness device data from the communication hub device to the remote server as encapsulated internet protocol (IP) packets via an Internet;

receiving the encapsulated IP packets at the remote server;

unpacking the encapsulated IP packets to obtain the electronic medical or fitness device data; and

processing the electronic medical or fitness device data in the remote server using a driver appropriate for the electronic medical or fitness device.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting the electronic medical or fitness device data from the communication hub device to the remote server as encapsulated internet protocol (IP) packets via an Internet;

receiving the encapsulated IP packets at the remote server;

forwarding the encapsulated IP packets from the remote server to a second server via the Internet;

unpacking the encapsulated IP packets at the second server to obtain the electronic medical or fitness device data; and

processing the electronic medical or fitness device data in the second server using a driver appropriate for the electronic medical or fitness device.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

discovering electronic medical or fitness devices coupled to the communication hub device; and

identifying each discovered electronic medical or fitness device to the remote server.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining whether a primary network connection between the remote server and the communication hub device is unavailable; and

transmitting the electronic medical or fitness device data to the remote server from the communication hub device in response to the received SMS message via SMS messages in response to determining that the primary network connection is unavailable.

11. A method for providing access to an electronic medical or fitness device, comprising:

associating the electronic medical or fitness device with a communication hub device;

receiving electronic medical or fitness device data from the electronic medical or fitness device in the communication hub device;

establishing a first wireless communications link between the communication hub device and a remote server;

transmitting the electronic medical or fitness device data to the remote server from the communication hub device via the first wireless communications link; and

storing the electronic medical or fitness device data at the remote server.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein establishing a first wireless communications link between the communication hub device and a remote server comprises maintaining the first wireless communications link as a persistent wireless communication link.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein maintaining the first wireless communications link as a persistent wireless communication link comprises:

monitoring a periodicity of data exchanges between the communication hub device and the remote server; and

transmitting the electronic medical or fitness device data or other data to the remote server from the communication hub device at a periodicity necessary to maintain the persistent wireless communication link.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

receiving a request for the electronic medical or fitness device data in the remote server from another computing device; and

transmitting the stored electronic medical or fitness device data to the another computing device such that the electronic medical or fitness device appears to the another computing device to be continuously connected to the remote server.

15. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

identifying a driver software module associated with the electronic medical or fitness device; and

transmitting the driver software module to the communication hub device to facilitate communications with the electronic medical or fitness device.

16. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

transmitting the electronic medical or fitness device data from the communication hub device to the remote server in a native format as encapsulated Internet protocol (IP) packets via an Internet;

receiving the encapsulated IP packets at the remote server;

unpacking the encapsulated IP packets to obtain the electronic medical or fitness device data; and

processing the electronic medical or fitness device data in the remote server using a driver software module appropriate for the electronic medical or fitness device to translate the data into a format which can be accessed without the need for the driver software module,

wherein storing the electronic medical or fitness device data at the remote server comprises storing the translated electronic medical or fitness data.

17. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

transmitting the electronic medical or fitness device data from the communication hub device to the remote server in a native format as encapsulated Internet protocol (IP) packets via an Internet;

receiving the encapsulated IP packets at the remote server;

forwarding the encapsulated IP packets from the remote server to a second server via the Internet;

unpacking the encapsulated IP packets at the second server to obtain the electronic medical or fitness device data; and

processing the electronic medical or fitness device data in the second server using a driver software module appropriate for the electronic medical or fitness device.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein storing the electronic medical or fitness device data at the remote server comprising storing the electronic medical or fitness device data in a native format, the method further comprising:

receiving in the remote server from a computing device a request for data from the electronic medical or fitness device;

transmitting the stored electronic medical or fitness device data from the remote server to the requesting computing device in the native format; and

transmitting from the remote server to the computing device a driver software module associated with the electronic medical or fitness device to enable the requesting computing device to process the native format electronic medical or fitness device data locally.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

receiving a registration request from the computing device; and

determining in the remote server whether the computing device has previously registered with the remote server,

wherein transmitting from the remote server to the computing device a driver software module associated with the electronic medical or fitness device is accomplished when the remote server determines that the computing device has not previously registered with the remote server.

20. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

maintaining a log of data traffic transmitted from and received by the communication hub device; and

transmitting the log of data traffic to the remote server.

21. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

the communication hub device discovering each of a plurality of electronic medical or fitness devices which can be coupled to the communication hub device;

establishing a communication link between the communication hub device and one or more of the plurality of discovered electronic medical or fitness devices; and

identifying each discovered electronic medical or fitness device to the remote server.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

receiving from a first one of the plurality of electronic medical or fitness devices a request for medical or fitness data stored in a second one of the plurality of electronic medical or fitness devices;

receiving in the communication hub device the requested medical or fitness data from the second one of the plurality of electronic medical or fitness devices; and

transmitting the requested medical or fitness data from the communication hub device to the first one of the plurality of electronic medical or fitness devices.

23. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

receiving in the communication hub device a listing of authorized electronic medical or fitness devices; and

storing the listing of authorized electronic medical or fitness devices in the communication hub device;

comparing an identifier of each discovered plurality of electronic medical or fitness devices to the listing of authorized electronic medical or fitness devices,

wherein establishing a communication link between the communication hub device and one or more of the plurality of discovered electronic medical or fitness devices is accomplished for those discovered electronic medical or fitness devices whose identifiers is included in the listing of authorized electronic medical or fitness devices.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein identifying each discovered electronic medical or fitness device to the remote server comprises transmitting an identifier of each discovered electronic medical or fitness device to the remote server, the method further comprising:

comparing the identifier of each discovered plurality of electronic medical or fitness devices to a listing of authorized electronic medical or fitness devices maintained in the remote server; and

transmitting a device authorization message to the communication hub device authorizing communication with one of the discovered plurality of electronic medical or fitness devices when the identifier of the electronic medical or fitness device is included in the listing of authorized electronic medical or fitness devices,

wherein establishing a communication link between the communication hub device and one or more of the plurality of discovered electronic medical or fitness devices is accomplished by the communication hub device in response the device authorization message.

25. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

discovering a new electronic medical or fitness device with the communication hub device;

receiving an identifier of the new electronic medical or fitness device in the communication hub device;

transmitting the new electronic medical or fitness device identifier to the remote server;

comparing, in the remote server, the new electronic medical or fitness device identifier to a database of the new electronic medical or fitness device identifier associated with users to identify at least one of a user account, a partner account and a service account associated with the electronic medical or fitness device; and

storing medical or fitness data received from the communication hub device in a data record for the user associated with the electronic medical or fitness device.

26. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

establishing a third communication link between the communication hub device and a second communication hub device;

receiving medical or fitness data from the second communication hub device via the third communication link; and

relaying the received medical or fitness data from the communication hub device to the remote server.

27. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

determining a location of the communication hub device;

transmitting location information from the communication hub device to the remote server; and

associating the communication hub device with at least one of a user account, a partner account and a service account based, at least in part, on the location information.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the location information is a latitude and longitude determined with a global positioning system (GPS) receiver within the communication hub device, wherein associating the communication hub device with the user account based, at least in part, on the location information comprises:

comparing the latitude and longitude to public information to identify user information with the latitude and longitude;

determining the user account containing the user information; and

associating the communication hub device with the user account containing the user information.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the public information is a map including address information and wherein the user information is an address.

30. A method for communicating data from an electronic medical or fitness device, comprising:

associating the electronic medical or fitness device with a communication hub device, wherein the communication hub device is configured to receive electronic medical or fitness device data from the electronic medical or fitness device; and

transmitting a simple message service (SMS) message from the remote server to the communication hub device, the SMS message directing the communication hub device to take an action.

31. The method of claim 30, further comprising:

receiving the electronic medical or fitness device data from the communication hub device at the remote server as encapsulated internet protocol (IP) packets via an Internet;

unpacking the encapsulated IP packets to obtain the electronic medical or fitness device data; and

processing the electronic medical or fitness device data in the remote server using a driver software module appropriate for the electronic medical or fitness device.

32. A method for providing access to an electronic medical or fitness device, comprising:

establishing a first wireless communications link between the communication hub device and a remote server;

receiving electronic medical or fitness device data from the communication hub device at the remote server in a native format as encapsulated Internet protocol (IP) packets via an Internet;

unpacking the encapsulated IP packets to obtain the electronic medical or fitness device data;

processing the electronic medical or fitness device data in the remote server using a driver software module appropriate for the electronic medical or fitness device to translate the data into a format which can be accessed without the need for the driver software module; and

storing the translated electronic medical or fitness data at the remote server.

33. The method of claim 32, further comprising:

receiving location information from the communication hub device at the remote server; and

associating the communication hub device with at least one of a user account, a partner account and a service account based, at least in part, on the location information.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the location information is a latitude and longitude determined with a global positioning system (GPS) receiver within the communication hub device, wherein associating the communication hub device with the user account based, at least in part, on the location information comprises:

comparing the latitude and longitude to public information to identify user information with the latitude and longitude;

determining the user account containing the user information; and

associating the communication hub device with the user account containing the user information.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the public information is a map including address information and wherein the user information is an address.

36. A communication hub device for communicating data from an electronic medical or fitness device, comprising:

a wireless wide area network (WWAN) transceiver;

a first antenna coupled to the WWAN transceiver;

a memory; and

a processor coupled to the memory, and the WWAN transceiver, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations comprising;

associating with the electronic medical or fitness device;

receiving electronic medical or fitness device data from the electronic medical or fitness device;

receiving a simple message service (SMS) message from a remote server via the WWAN transceiver; and

taking an action in response to the received SMS message.

37. The communication hub device of claim 36, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instruction to perform operations such that taking an action in the communication hub device in response to the received SMS message comprises one or more of:

activating the communication hub device in response to receiving the SMS message when the communication hub device is in a deactivated, low power, or idle mode;

transmitting the electronic medical or fitness device data to the remote server;

contacting the remote server to receive instructions;

contacting another server to receive one of instructions, configuration changes and software updates;

contacting the remote server to report an operating condition;

running a diagnostic;

verifying security settings;

re-authenticating the communication hub device to the remote server;

authenticating the electronic medical or fitness device;

re-authenticating the electronic medical or fitness device;

transmitting a log of data traffic transmitted from and received by the communication hub device to the remote server.

38. The communication hub device of claim 36, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations such that the SMS message includes no payload data.

39. The communication hub device of claim 36, wherein the SMS message includes payload data including an indication of a task to be executed by the communication hub device, and wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations such that taking an action in response to the received SMS message comprises executing the task indicated in the SMS message.

40. The communication hub device of claim 36, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising:

transmitting, via the cellular transceiver, the electronic medical or fitness device data from the communication hub device to the remote server as encapsulated internet protocol (IP) packets via an Internet.

41. The communication hub device of claim 36, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising:

discovering electronic medical or fitness devices coupled to the communication hub device; and

identifying each discovered electronic medical or fitness device to the remote server via the WWAN transceiver.

42. The communication hub device of claim 36, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising:

determining whether a primary network connection with the remote server is unavailable; and

transmitting the electronic medical or fitness device data to the remote server in response to the received SMS message via SMS messages via in response to determining that the primary network connection is unavailable.

43. The communication hub device of claim 36, further comprising a first radio coupled to the processor, wherein the first radio is a BlueTooth®

radio.

44. The communication hub device of claim 43, further comprising:

a second radio coupled to the processor, wherein the second radio is a WiFi radio.

45. The communication hub device of claim 44, further comprising:

a third radio coupled to the processor, wherein the third radio is a ANT+ radio.

46. The communication hub device of claim 45, further comprising:

a USB interface coupled to the processor.

47. The communication hub device of claim 46, further comprising a power socket configured to connect the communication hub device to an alternating current (A/C) power source.

48. A communication hub device for communicating data from an electronic medical or fitness device, comprising:

a wireless wide area network (WWAN) transceiver;

a first radio;

a first antenna coupled to the WWAN transceiver;

a memory; and

a processor coupled to the memory, the WWAN transceiver, and the first radio, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations comprising;

associating with the electronic medical or fitness device;

receiving electronic medical or fitness device data from the electronic medical or fitness device;

establishing a first wireless communications link with a remote server via the WWAN transceiver; and

transmitting the electronic medical or fitness device data to the remote server via the first wireless communications link.

49. The communication hub device of claim 48, wherein establishing a first wireless communications link with a remote server via the WWAN transceiver comprises maintaining the first wireless communications link as a persistent wireless communication link.

50. The communication hub device of claim 48, wherein maintaining the first wireless communications link as a persistent wireless communication link comprises:

monitoring a periodicity of data exchanges between the communication hub device and the remote server; and

transmitting the electronic medical or fitness device data or other data to the remote server from the communication hub device via the WWAN transceiver at a periodicity necessary to maintain the persistent wireless communication link.

51. The communication hub device of claim 48, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising:

maintaining a log of data traffic transmitted from and received by the communication hub device; and

transmitting the log of data traffic to the remote server.

52. The communication hub device of claim 48, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising:

discovering each of a plurality of electronic medical or fitness devices which can be coupled to the communication hub device;

establishing a communication link with one or more of the plurality of discovered electronic medical or fitness devices via the first antenna; and

identifying each discovered electronic medical or fitness device to the remote server via the WANN transceiver.

53. The communication hub device of claim 52, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising:

receiving a listing of authorized electronic medical or fitness devices;

storing the listing of authorized electronic medical or fitness devices; and

comparing an identifier of each discovered plurality of electronic medical or fitness devices to the listing of authorized electronic medical or fitness devices,

wherein establishing a communication link with one or more of the plurality of discovered electronic medical or fitness devices via the first antenna is accomplished for those discovered electronic medical or fitness devices whose identifier is included in the listing of authorized electronic medical or fitness devices.

54. The communication hub device of claim 52, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising:

establishing a third communication link via the first radio with a second communication hub device;

receiving medical or fitness data from the second communication hub device via the third communication link; and

relaying the received medical or fitness data to the remote server via the WWAN transceiver.

55. The communication hub device of claim 48, wherein the first radio is a BlueTooth®

radio, the communication hub device further comprising;

a second radio coupled to the first antenna and the processor, wherein the second radio is a WiFi radio.

56. The communication hub device of claim 55, further comprising:

a third radio coupled to the first antenna, wherein the third radio is a ANT+ radio.

57. The communication hub device of claim 56, further comprising:

a USB interface coupled to the processor.

58. The communication hub device of claim 57, further comprising a power socket configured to connect the communication hub device to an alternating current (A/C) power source.

59. A server for processing data from an electronic medical or fitness device, comprising:

a network interface;

a memory; and

a processor coupled to the network interface and the memory, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations comprising;

maintaining a data file associated with the electronic medical or fitness device;

transmitting a simple message service (SMS) message to a communication hub device in communication with the electronic medical or fitness device;

receiving electronic medical or fitness device data from the communication hub device as encapsulated internet protocol (IP) packets via an Internet;

unpacking the encapsulated IP packets to obtain the electronic medical or fitness device data; and

processing the electronic medical or fitness device data in the remote server using a driver software module appropriate for the electronic medical or fitness device.

60. The server of claim 59, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising:

receiving location information from the communication hub device; and

associating the communication hub device with at least one of a user account, a partner account and a service account based, at least in part, on the location information.

61. The server of claim 60, wherein the location information is a latitude and longitude determined with a global positioning system (GPS) receiver within the communication hub device, wherein associating the communication hub device with the user account based, at least in part, on the location information comprises:

comparing the latitude and longitude to public information to identify user information with the latitude and longitude;

determining the user account containing the user information; and

associating the communication hub device with the user account containing the user information.

62. The server of claim 61, wherein the public information is a map including address information and wherein the user information is an address.

63. A non-transitory processor-readable medium configured with processor-executable instructions to cause the processor of a communication hub device to perform operations comprising:

receiving electronic medical or fitness device data from the electronic medical or fitness device;

receiving a simple message service (SMS) message from a remote server; and

taking an action in response to the received SMS message.

64. The non-transitory processor-readable medium of claim 63, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause the processor of a communication hub device to perform operations such that taking an action in response to the received SMS message comprises one or more of:

activating the communication hub device in response to receiving the SMS message when the communication hub device is in a deactivated, low power, or idle mode;

transmitting the electronic medical or fitness device data to the remote server;

contacting the remote server to receive instructions;

contacting another server to receive one of instructions, configuration changes and software updates;

contacting the remote server to report an operating condition;

running a diagnostic;

verifying security settings;

re-authenticating the communication hub device to the remote server;

authenticating the electronic medical or fitness device;

re-authenticating the electronic medical or fitness device;

transmitting a log of data traffic transmitted from and received by the communication hub device to the remote server.

65. The non-transitory processor-readable medium of claim 63, wherein the SMS message includes no payload data.

66. The non-transitory processor-readable medium of claim 63, wherein the SMS message includes payload data including an indication of a task to be executed by the communication hub device, and wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause the processor of a communication hub device to perform operations such that taking an action in response to the received SMS message comprises executing the task indicated in the SMS message.

67. The non-transitory processor-readable medium of claim 63, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause the processor of a communication hub device to perform operations further comprising:

transmitting the electronic medical or fitness device data from the communication hub device to the remote server as encapsulated internet protocol (IP) packets via an Internet.

68. The non-transitory processor-readable medium of claim 63, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause the processor of a communication hub device to perform operations further comprising:

discovering electronic medical or fitness devices coupled to the communication hub device; and

identifying each discovered electronic medical or fitness device to the remote server.

69. The non-transitory processor-readable medium of claim 63, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause the processor of a communication hub device to perform operations further comprising:

determining whether a primary network connection with the remote server and the communication hub device is unavailable; and

transmitting the electronic medical or fitness device data to the remote server in response to the received SMS message via SMS messages in response to determining that the primary network connection is unavailable.

70. A non-transitory processor-readable medium having stored thereon processor-executable instructions to cause a communication hub device processor to perform operations further comprising:

receiving electronic medical or fitness device data from the electronic medical or fitness device;

establishing a first wireless communications link with a remote server; and

transmitting the electronic medical or fitness device data to the remote server via the first wireless communications link.

71. The non-transitory processor-readable medium of claim 70, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause the processor of a communication hub device to perform operations such that establishing a first wireless communications link with a remote server comprises maintaining the first wireless communications link as a persistent wireless communication link.

72. The non-transitory processor-readable medium of claim 71, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause the processor of a communication hub device to perform operations further comprising:

monitoring a periodicity of data exchanges with the remote server; and

transmitting the electronic medical or fitness device data or other data to the remote server at a periodicity necessary to maintain the persistent wireless communication link.

73. The non-transitory processor-readable medium of claim 70, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause the processor of a communication hub device to perform operations further comprising:

maintaining a log of data traffic transmitted from and received by the communication hub device; and

transmitting the log of data traffic to the remote server.

74. The non-transitory processor-readable medium of claim 70, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause the processor of a communication hub device to perform operations further comprising:

discovering each of a plurality of electronic medical or fitness devices which can be coupled to the communication hub device;

establishing a communication link with one or more of the plurality of discovered electronic medical or fitness devices; and

identifying each discovered electronic medical or fitness device to the remote server.

75. The non-transitory processor-readable medium of claim 70, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause the processor of a communication hub device to perform operations further comprising:

receiving a listing of authorized electronic medical or fitness devices;

storing the listing of authorized electronic medical or fitness devices; and

comparing an identifier of each discovered plurality of electronic medical or fitness devices to the listing of authorized electronic medical or fitness devices,

wherein establishing a communication link with one or more of the plurality of discovered electronic medical or fitness devices is accomplished for those discovered electronic medical or fitness devices whose identifier is included in the listing of authorized electronic medical or fitness devices.

76. The non-transitory processor-readable medium of claim 70, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause the processor of a communication hub device to perform operations further comprising:

establishing a third communication link with a second communication hub device;

receiving medical or fitness data from the second communication hub device via the third communication link; and

relaying the received medical or fitness data to the remote server.

77. A non-transitory processor-executable medium having stored thereon processor-executable instruction configured to cause a server processor to perform operations comprising:

maintaining a data file associated with the electronic medical or fitness device;

transmitting a simple message service (SMS) message to a communication hub device;

receiving electronic medical or fitness device data from the communication hub device as encapsulated internet protocol (IP) packets via an Internet;

unpacking the encapsulated IP packets to obtain the electronic medical or fitness device data; and

processing the electronic medical or fitness device data in the remote server using a driver software module appropriate for the electronic medical or fitness device.

78. The non-transitory processor-readable medium of claim 77, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause the server processor to perform operations further comprising:

receiving location information from the communication hub device; and

associating the communication hub device with at least one of a user account, a partner account and a service account based, at least in part, on the location information.

79. The non-transitory processor-readable medium of claim 78, wherein the location information is a latitude and longitude determined with a global positioning system (GPS) receiver within the communication hub device, the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause the server processor to perform operations such that associating the communication hub device with the user account based, at least in part, on the location information comprises:

comparing the latitude and longitude to public information to identify user information with the latitude and longitude;

determining the user account containing the user information; and

associating the communication hub device with the user account containing the user information.

80. The non-transitory processor-readable medium of claim 79, wherein the public information is a map including address information and wherein the user information is an address.

81. A communication hub device, comprising:

means for receiving electronic medical or fitness device data from the electronic medical or fitness device;

means for receiving a simple message service (SMS) message from a remote server; and

means for taking an action in response to the received SMS message.

82. The communication hub device of claim 81, wherein means for taking an action in response to the received SMS message comprises one or more of:

means for activating the communication hub device in response to receiving the SMS message when the communication hub device is in a deactivated, low power, or idle mode;

means for transmitting the electronic medical or fitness device data to the remote server;

means for contacting the remote server to receive instructions;

means for contacting another server to receive one of instructions, configuration changes and software updates;

means for contacting the remote server to report an operating condition;

means for running a diagnostic;

means for verifying security settings;

means for re-authenticating the communication hub device to the remote server;

means for authenticating the electronic medical or fitness device;

means for re-authenticating the electronic medical or fitness device;

means for transmitting a log of data traffic transmitted from and received by the communication hub device to the remote server.

83. The communication hub device of claim 81, wherein the SMS message includes no payload data.

84. The communication hub device of claim 81, wherein the SMS message includes payload data including an indication of a task to be executed by the communication hub device, and wherein means for taking an action in response to the received SMS message comprises means for executing the task indicated in the SMS message.

85. The communication hub device of claim 81, further comprising:

means for transmitting the electronic medical or fitness device data to the remote server as encapsulated internet protocol (IP) packets via an Internet.

86. The communication hub device of claim 81, further comprising:

means for discovering electronic medical or fitness devices coupled to the communication hub device; and

means for identifying each discovered electronic medical or fitness device to the remote server.

87. The communication hub device of claim 81, further comprising:

means for determining whether a primary network connection with the remote server is unavailable; and

means for transmitting the electronic medical or fitness device data to the remote server in response to the received SMS message via SMS messages in response to determining that the primary network connection is unavailable.

88. A communication hub device comprising:

means for receiving electronic medical or fitness device data from the electronic medical or fitness device in the communication hub device;

means for establishing a first wireless communications link with a remote server; and

means for transmitting the electronic medical or fitness device data to the remote server via the first wireless communications link.

89. The communication hub device of claim 88, wherein means for establishing a first wireless communications link with a remote server comprises means for maintaining the first wireless communications link as a persistent wireless communication link.

90. The communication hub device of claim 89, further comprising:

means for monitoring a periodicity of data exchanges between the communication hub device and the remote server; and

means for transmitting the electronic medical or fitness device data or other data to the remote server at a periodicity necessary to maintain the persistent wireless communication link.

91. The communication hub device of claim 88, further comprising:

means for maintaining a log of data traffic transmitted from and received by the communication hub device; and

means for transmitting the log of data traffic to the remote server.

92. The communication hub device of claim 91, further comprising:

means for discovering each of a plurality of electronic medical or fitness devices which can be coupled to the communication hub device;

means for establishing a communication link with one or more of the plurality of discovered electronic medical or fitness devices; and

means for identifying each discovered electronic medical or fitness device to the remote server.

93. The communication hub device of claim 91, further comprising;

means for receiving a listing of authorized electronic medical or fitness devices;

means for storing the listing of authorized electronic medical or fitness devices; and

means for comparing an identifier of each discovered plurality of electronic medical or fitness devices to the listing of authorized electronic medical or fitness devices,

wherein means for establishing a communication link with one or more of the plurality of discovered electronic medical or fitness devices comprises means for establishing a communication link with those discovered electronic medical or fitness devices whose identifiers is included in the listing of authorized electronic medical or fitness devices.

94. The communication hub device of claim 88, further comprising:

means for establishing a third communication link with a second communication hub device;

means for receiving medical or fitness data from the second communication hub device via the third communication link; and

means for relaying the received medical or fitness data to the remote server.

95. A server comprising:

means for maintaining a data file associated with the electronic medical or fitness device with a communication hub device;

means for transmitting a simple message service (SMS) message to the communication hub device;

means for receiving electronic medical or fitness device data from the communication hub device as encapsulated internet protocol (IP) packets via an Internet;

means for unpacking the encapsulated IP packets to obtain the electronic medical or fitness device data; and

means for processing the electronic medical or fitness device data using a driver software module appropriate for the electronic medical or fitness device.

96. The server of claim 95, further comprising:

means for receiving location information from the communication hub device; and

means for associating the communication hub device with at least one of a user account, a partner account and a service account based, at least in part, on the location information.

97. The server of claim 96, wherein the location information is a latitude and longitude determined with a global positioning system (GPS) receiver within the communication hub device, wherein means for associating the communication hub device with the user account based, at least in part, on the location information comprises:

means for comparing the latitude and longitude to public information to identify user information with the latitude and longitude;

means for determining the user account containing the user information; and

means for associating the communication hub device with the user account containing the user information.

98. The server of claim 97, wherein the public information is a map including address information and wherein the user information is an address.

99. A system for communicating data from an electronic medical or fitness device, comprising:

a communication hub device, comprising;

a wireless wide area network (WWAN) transceiver;

a first radio;

a first antenna coupled to the WWAN transceiver;

a first memory; and

a processor coupled to the first memory, the WWAN transceiver, and the first radio; and

a remote server, comprising;

a database; and

a server processor,

wherein the communication hub device processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations comprising;

receiving electronic medical or fitness device data from the electronic medical or fitness device;

receiving a simple message service (SMS) message from the remote server; and

taking an action in response to the received SMS message.

100. The system of claim 99, wherein the communication hub device processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations such that taking an action in response to the received SMS message comprises one or more of:

activating the communication hub device in response to receiving the SMS message when the communication hub device is in a deactivated, low power, or idle mode;

transmitting the electronic medical or fitness device data to the remote server;

contacting the remote server to receive instructions;

contacting another server to receive one of instructions, configuration changes and software updates;

contacting the remote server to report an operating condition;

running a diagnostic;

verifying security settings;

re-authenticating the communication hub device to the remote server;

authenticating the electronic medical or fitness device;

re-authenticating the electronic medical or fitness device;

transmitting a log of data traffic transmitted from and received by the communication hub device to the remote server.

101. The system of claim 99, wherein the server processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations comprising:

determining a period of time since the remote server last received data from the communication hub device;

comparing the period of time to a predetermined connection periodicity value; and

transmitting the SMS message to the communication hub device if the period of time exceeds the predetermined connection periodicity value.

102. The system of claim 101, wherein the server processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising:

receiving a request for data from or access to the communication hub device; and

transmitting the SMS message to the communication hub device in response to the request.

103. The system of claim 99, wherein the SMS message includes no payload data.

104. The system of claim 99, wherein the SMS message includes payload data including an indication of a task to be executed by the communication hub device, and wherein the communication hub device processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations such that taking an action in the communication hub device in response to the received SMS message comprises executing the task indicated in the SMS message.

105. The system of claim 99, wherein the communication hub device processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising:

transmitting the electronic medical or fitness device data to the remote server as encapsulated internet protocol (IP) packets via an Internet,

wherein the server processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations comprising;

receiving the encapsulated IP packets;

unpacking the encapsulated IP packets to obtain the electronic medical or fitness device data; and

processing the electronic medical or fitness device data using a driver appropriate for the electronic medical or fitness device.

106. The system of claim 99, wherein the communication hub device processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations comprising:

discovering electronic medical or fitness devices coupled to the communication hub device; and

identifying each discovered electronic medical or fitness device to the remote server.

107. The system of claim 99, wherein the communication hub device processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising:

determining whether a primary network connection with the remote server is unavailable; and

transmitting the electronic medical or fitness device data to the remote server in response to the received SMS message via SMS messages in response to determining that the primary network connection is unavailable.

108. The system of claim 99, wherein the first radio is a BlueTooth®

radio, the communication hub device further comprising;

a second radio coupled to the processor, wherein the second radio is a WiFi radio.

109. The system of claim 99, further comprising:

a third radio coupled to the processor, wherein the third radio is a ANT+ radio.

110. The system of claim 109, further comprising:

a USB interface coupled to the processor.

111. The system of claim 110, further comprising a power socket configured to connect the communication hub device to

an alternating current (A/C) power source.

112. The system of claim 99, wherein the server processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations comprising:

receiving a request for the electronic medical or fitness device data in the remote server from another computing device; and

transmitting the stored electronic medical or fitness device data to the another computing device such that the electronic medical or fitness device appears to the another computing device to be continuously connected to the remote server.

113. The system of claim 112, wherein the server processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations comprising:

identifying a driver software module associated with the electronic medical or fitness device; and

transmitting the driver software module to the communication hub device to facilitate communications with the electronic medical or fitness device.

114. The system of claim 112, wherein the communication hub device processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising:

transmitting the electronic medical or fitness device data from the communication hub device to the remote server in a native format as encapsulated Internet protocol (IP) packets via an Internet,

wherein the server processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising;

receiving the encapsulated IP packets;

unpacking the encapsulated IP packets to obtain the electronic medical or fitness device data; and

processing the electronic medical or fitness device data using a driver software module appropriate for the electronic medical or fitness device to translate the data into a format which can be accessed without the need for the driver software module,

wherein storing the electronic medical or fitness device data comprises storing the translated electronic medical or fitness data.

115. The system of claim 112, wherein storing the electronic medical or fitness device data comprises storing the electronic medical or fitness device data in a native format, wherein the second processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising:

receiving from a computing device a request for data from the electronic medical or fitness device;

transmitting the stored electronic medical or fitness device data to the requesting computing device in the native format; and

transmitting to the computing device a driver software module associated with the electronic medical or fitness device to enable the requesting computing device to process the native format electronic medical or fitness device data locally.

116. The system of claim 112, wherein the communication hub device processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising:

maintaining a log of data traffic transmitted from and received by the communication hub device; and

transmitting the log of data traffic to the remote server.

117. The system of claim 112, wherein the communication hub device processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations comprising:

discovering each of a plurality of electronic medical or fitness devices which can be coupled to the communication hub device;

establishing a communication link with one or more of the plurality of discovered electronic medical or fitness devices; and

identifying each discovered electronic medical or fitness device to the remote server.

118. The system of claim 117, wherein the communication hub device processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations comprising:

receiving from a first one of the plurality of electronic medical or fitness devices a request for medical or fitness data stored in a second one of the plurality of electronic medical or fitness devices;

receiving in the communication hub device the requested medical or fitness data from the second one of the plurality of electronic medical or fitness devices; and

transmitting the requested medical or fitness data to the first one of the plurality of electronic medical or fitness devices.

119. The system of claim 117, wherein the communication hub device processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations comprising:

receiving a listing of authorized electronic medical or fitness devices;

storing the listing of authorized electronic medical or fitness devices; and

comparing an identifier of each discovered plurality of electronic medical or fitness devices to the listing of authorized electronic medical or fitness devices,

wherein establishing a communication link with one or more of the plurality of discovered electronic medical or fitness devices is accomplished for those discovered electronic medical or fitness devices whose identifier is included in the listing of authorized electronic medical or fitness devices.

120. The system of claim 117, wherein the communication hub device processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations such that identifying each discovered electronic medical or fitness device to the remote server comprises transmitting an identifier of each discovered electronic medical or fitness device to the remote server,

wherein the server processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising:

comparing the identifier of each discovered plurality of electronic medical or fitness devices to a listing of authorized electronic medical or fitness devices maintained in the remote server; and

transmitting a device authorization message to the communication hub device authorizing communication with one of the discovered plurality of electronic medical or fitness devices when the identifier of the electronic medical or fitness device is included in the listing of authorized electronic medical or fitness devices, and

wherein the communication hub device processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations such that establishing a communication link between the communication hub device and one or more of the plurality of discovered electronic medical or fitness devices is accomplished in response to the received device authorization message.

121. The system of claim 117, wherein the communication hub device processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising:

discovering a new electronic medical or fitness device;

receiving an identifier of the new electronic medical or fitness device; and

transmitting the new electronic medical or fitness device identifier to the remote server,

wherein server processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising;

comparing the new electronic medical or fitness device identifier to a database of the new electronic medical or fitness device identifier associated with users to identify at least one of a user account, a partner account and a service account associated with the electronic medical or fitness device; and

storing medical or fitness data received from the communication hub device in a data record for the user associated with the electronic medical or fitness device.

122. The system of claim 117, wherein the communication hub device processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations comprising:

establishing a third communication link with a second communication hub device;

receiving medical or fitness data from the second communication hub device via the third communication link; and

relaying the received medical or fitness data to the remote server.

123. The system of claim 117, wherein the communication hub device processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising:

determining a location of the communication hub device; and

transmitting location information to the remote server,

wherein the server processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising associating the communication hub device with at least one of a user account, a partner account and a service account based, at least in part, on the location information.

124. The system of claim 123, wherein the location information is a latitude and longitude determined with a global positioning system (GPS) receiver within the communication hub device, wherein the server processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations such that associating the communication hub device with the user account based, at least in part, on the location information comprises:

comparing the latitude and longitude to public information to identify user information with the latitude and longitude;

determining the user account containing the user information; and

associating the communication hub device with the user account containing the user information.

125. The system of claim 124, wherein the public information is a map including address information and wherein the user information is an address.