Offloaded processing for wireless applications

• US 8,654,868 B2
• Filed: 04/17/2007
• Issued: 02/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Jacobs, Paul E., Lee, Chong U., Julian, David Jonathan, Moallemi, Kamran, Jaime, Manuel E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bayard, Emmanuel
• Assistant Examiner(s): PANWALKAR, VINEETA S
• Application Number:
  US11/736,481
• Publication Number:
  US 20080043824A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,499 Days
• Field of Search: 375/242, 375/254, 375/259, 375/285, 375/295, 375/316, 375/346, 375/229, 381/1, 381/13, 381/23, 381/312, 381/315, 381/317, 381/71.1, 381/71.7, 381/94.1, 381/150, 340/500, 340/538.11, 340/538.12, 340/540, 340/573.1, 340/531, 340/539.1, 340/539.11, 340/539.12, 709/201
• US Class Current: 375/259
• 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 a request, at a first device, for information related to a capability of the first device from a second device;

transmitting a response to the information request to the second device, wherein the response comprises information related to the capability of the first device;

receiving a processing offloading request, at the first device, to perform a specified processing of data from the second device;

determining, at the first device, whether to perform the specified processing in response to the processing offloading request based on a current charge of a battery of the first device; and

if it is determined to perform the specified processing, perform the following;

transmitting an acknowledgement to the second device indicating an agreement to perform the specified processing;

receiving data at the first device, wherein the received data were generated at the 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 specified processing comprises substantially reconstructing, from the received data, data representative of the analog data.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the specified 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 specified 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 specified 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 specified 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. The method of claim 1, wherein the processing offloading request specifies a time at which the specified processing of the data is to be performed, and further wherein processing the received data is based on the specified time.

23. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting the processed data to a third device.

24. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

deriving user-perceptible information, at the first device, based on the analog data; and

providing an indication of the user-perceptible information to a user.

25. The method of claim 1, wherein the information related to the capability of the first device comprises a characteristic of a processor in the first device.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the characteristic comprises processing speed or efficiency of the processor.

27. The method of claim 1, wherein the information related to the capability of the first device comprises a characteristic of the battery of the first device.

28. An apparatus for processing data, comprising:

a receiver adapted to;

receive a request for information related to a capability of the apparatus from a device;

receive a processing offloading request to perform a specified processing of data from the device; and

receive data in response to a positive response to the processing offloading request, wherein the received data were generated at the device by preprocessing analog data for wireless transmission;

a processor adapted to;

determine whether to perform the specified processing in response to the processing offloading request based on a current charge of a battery of the apparatus; and

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

a transmitter adapted to;

transmit a response to the information request to the device, wherein the response comprises information related to the capability of the apparatus; and

transmit the positive response or a negative response to the processing offloading request based on the determination performed by the processor.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the at least one characteristic comprises multimedia, heart rate, temperature, pressure, velocity, or acceleration.

30. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the at least one characteristic comprises an indication relating to multimedia, heart rate, temperature, pressure, velocity, or acceleration.

31. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the processor is further adapted to provide data having, as compared to the analog data, less degradation of the at least one characteristic.

32. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the degradation relates to noise, interference, or noise and interference.

33. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the processor is further adapted to substantially reconstruct, from the received data, data representative of the analog data.

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

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

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

36. The apparatus of claim 28, 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.

37. The apparatus of claim 28, 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.

38. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the analog data comprise raw analog data output by a sensor of the device.

39. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the analog data comprise an analog waveform.

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

error coding, scrambling, interleaving, and formatting.

41. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the received data comprise waveform encoded data.

42. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the received data comprise sigma delta modulated data.

43. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the processor comprises a filter and decimator adapted to convert the sigma delta modulated data to pulse code modulated data.

44. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the transmitter is adapted to transmit the processed data to the device.

45. The apparatus of claim 28, further comprising:

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

wherein the transmitter is adapted to transmit the waveform encoded data to the device.

46. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the data are received via a wireless personal area network air interface or a wireless body area network air interface.

47. The apparatus of claim 28, 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.

48. The apparatus of claim 28, 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.

49. An apparatus for processing data, comprising:

means for receiving a processing offloading request to perform a specified processing of data from a device, wherein said means for receiving is adapted to receive data in response to a positive response to the processing offloading request, wherein the received data were generated at the device by preprocessing analog data for wireless transmission, and wherein the means for receiving is further adapted to receive a request for information related to a capability of the apparatus from the device;

means for processing the request to determine whether to perform the specified processing based on a current charge of a battery of the apparatus, wherein said processing means is adapted to process the received data to improve at least one characteristic represented by the analog data; and

means for transmitting the positive response or a negative response to the processing offloading request based on the determination performed by the processing means, wherein the means for transmitting is further adapted to transmit a response to the information request to the device, and wherein the response comprises information related to the capability of the apparatus.

50. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein the at least one characteristic comprises multimedia, heart rate, temperature, pressure, velocity, or acceleration.

51. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein the at least one characteristic comprises an indication relating to multimedia, heart rate, temperature, pressure, velocity, or acceleration.

52. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein the improving comprises providing data having, as compared to the analog data, less degradation of the at least one characteristic.

53. The apparatus of claim 52, wherein the degradation relates to noise, interference, or noise and interference.

54. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein the means for processing substantially reconstructs, from the received data, data representative of the analog data.

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

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

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

57. The apparatus of claim 49, 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.

58. The apparatus of claim 49, 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.

59. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein the analog data comprise raw analog data output by a sensor of the device.

60. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein the analog data comprise an analog waveform.

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

error coding, scrambling, interleaving, and formatting.

62. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein the received data comprise waveform encoded data.

63. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein the received data comprise sigma delta modulated data.

64. The apparatus of claim 63, wherein the means for processing comprises means for filtering and decimating to convert the sigma delta modulated data to pulse code modulated data.

65. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein said means for transmitting is adapted to transmit the processed data to the device.

66. The apparatus of claim 49, further comprising:

means for waveform encoding the processed data; and

wherein said means for transmitting is adapted to transmit the waveform encoded data to the device.

67. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein the data are received via a wireless personal area network air interface or a wireless body area network air interface.

68. The apparatus of claim 49, 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.

69. The apparatus of claim 49, 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.

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

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

receive a request, at a first device, for information related to a capability of the first device from a second device;

transmit a response to the information request to the second device, wherein the response comprises information related to the capability of the first device;

receive a processing offloading request, at the first device, to perform a specified processing of data from the second device;

determine, at the first device, whether to perform the specified processing in response to the processing offloading request based on a current charge of a battery of the first device; and

if it is determined to perform the specified processing, perform the following;

transmit an acknowledgement to the second device indicating an agreement to perform the specified processing;

receive data at the first device, wherein the received data were generated at the 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.

71. A headset for processing data, comprising:

a receiver adapted to;

receive a request for information related to a capability of the headset from a device;

receive a processing offloading request to perform a specified processing of data from the device; and

receive data in response to a positive response to the processing offloading request, wherein the received data were generated at the device by preprocessing analog data for wireless transmission;

a processor adapted to;

determine whether to perform the specified processing in response to the processing offloading request based on a current charge of a battery of the headset; and

process the received data to improve at least one characteristic represented by the analog data if the processor determined to process the data;

a transmitter adapted to;

transmit a response to the information request to the device, wherein the response comprises information related to the capability of the headset; and

transmit the positive response or a negative response to the processing offloading request based on the determination performed by the processor; and

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

72. A watch for processing data, comprising:

a receiver adapted to;

receive a request for information related to a capability of the watch from a device;

receive a processing offloading request to perform a specified processing of data from the device; and

receive data in response to a positive response to the processing offloading request, wherein the received data were generated at the device by preprocessing analog data for wireless transmission;

a processor adapted to;

determine whether to perform the specified processing in response to the processing offloading request based on a current charge of a battery of the watch; and

process the received data to improve at least one characteristic represented by the analog data if the processor determined to process the data;

a transmitter adapted to;

transmit a response to the information request to the device, wherein the response comprises information related to the capability of the watch; and

transmit the positive response or a negative response to the processing offloading request based on the determination performed by the processor; and

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

73. A medical device for processing data, comprising:

a receiver adapted to;

receive a request for information related to a capability of the medical device from a device;

receive a processing offloading request to perform a specified processing of data from the device; and

receive data in response to a positive response to the processing offloading request, wherein the received data were generated at the device by preprocessing analog data for wireless transmission;

a processor adapted to;

determine whether to perform the specified processing in response to the processing offloading request based on a current charge of a battery of the medical device; and

process the received data to improve at least one characteristic represented by the analog data if the processor determined to process the data;

a transmitter adapted to;

transmit a response to the information request to the device, wherein the response comprises information related to the capability of the medical device; and

transmit the positive response or a negative response to the processing offloading request based on the determination performed by the processor; and

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

74. A method of processing data, comprising:

transmitting, at a first device, a request to a second device for information related to a capability of the second device;

receiving, at the first device, a response to the information request indicating the capability of the second device;

determining whether to send a processing offloading request to the second device based on the capability of the second device;

in response to determining to send the processing offloading request to the second device, perform the following;

transmitting the processing offloading request to the second device to perform a specified processing of analog data; and

receiving, at the first device, a response to the processing offloading request; and

if the response indicates that the second device agrees to perform the specified processing of the analog data, preprocessing the analog data at the first device for wireless transmission, and transmitting the preprocessed data to the second device that is adapted to perform the specified processing of the preprocessed data to improve at least one characteristic represented by the analog data.

75. The method of claim 74, wherein the preprocessing comprises waveform encoding.

76. The method of claim 74, wherein the preprocessing comprises sigma delta modulation encoding.

77. The method of claim 74, wherein the preprocessed data comprise data to be converted into pulse code modulated data.

78. The method of claim 74, 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.

79. The method of claim 74, 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.

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

error coding, scrambling, interleaving, and formatting.

81. The method of claim 74, wherein the analog data comprise raw analog data output by a sensor of the first device.

82. The method of claim 74, wherein the analog data comprise an analog waveform.

83. The method of claim 74, 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.

84. The method of claim 74, wherein the at least one characteristic comprises multimedia, heart rate, temperature, pressure, velocity, or acceleration.

85. The method of claim 74, wherein the at least one characteristic comprises an indication relating to multimedia, heart rate, temperature, pressure, velocity, or acceleration.

86. The method of claim 74, further comprising receiving, at the first device, processed data derived as a result of the processing by the second device.

87. The method of claim 86, wherein the processed data received from the second device have been processed to improve at least one attribute of the at least one characteristic.

88. The method of claim 87, wherein the at least one attribute comprises at least one of the group consisting of:

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

89. The method of claim 86, wherein the processed data received from the second device were subjected to equalization, echo cancellation or active noise cancellation.

90. The method of claim 86, wherein, as compared to the analog data, the processed data received from the second device have less degradation of the at least one characteristic.

91. The method of claim 90 wherein the degradation relates to noise, interference, or noise and interference.

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

93. The method of claim 86, further comprising directly passing the processed data received from the second device to a transducer that generates an output based on the processed data.

94. The method of claim 74, wherein the preprocessed data are transmitted via a wireless personal area network air interface or a wireless body area network air interface.

95. The method of claim 74, 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.

96. The method of claim 74, wherein the processing offloading request specifies a time at which the processing of the preprocessed data is to be performed.

97. The method of claim 96, wherein the preprocessed data is transmitted to the second device at or before the specified time.

98. The method of claim 74, further comprising selecting an operation among a plurality of operations based on the response to the information request, wherein the processing offloading request instructs the second device to perform the specified processing of the preprocessed data based on the selected operation.

99. The method of claim 74, wherein the information related to the capability of the second device comprises a characteristic of a processor in the second device.

100. The method of claim 99, wherein the characteristic comprises processing speed or efficiency of the processor.

101. The method of claim 74, wherein the information related to the capability of the second device comprises a characteristic of a battery in the second device.

102. An apparatus for processing data, comprising:

a transmitter adapted to;

transmit a request to a device for information related to a capability of the device; and

transmit a processing offloading request to the device to perform a specified processing of analog data based on a response to the information request received from the device;

a receiver adapted to receive a positive response or a negative response to the processing offloading request; and

a processor adapted to preprocess the analog data for wireless transmission in response to the positive response to the processing offloading request;

wherein the transmitter is further adapted to transmit the preprocessed data to the device in response to the positive response to the processing offloading request, wherein the device is adapted to perform the specified processing of the preprocessed data to improve at least one characteristic represented by the analog data.

103. The apparatus of claim 102, wherein the processor comprises a waveform encoder adapted to waveform encode the analog data for wireless transmission.

104. The apparatus of claim 102, wherein the processor comprises a sigma delta modulation encoder adapted to sigma delta modulation encode the analog data for wireless transmission.

105. The apparatus of claim 102, wherein the preprocessed data comprise data to be converted into pulse code modulated data.

106. The apparatus of claim 102, 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.

107. The apparatus of claim 102, 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.

108. The apparatus of claim 102, wherein the preprocessing comprises at least one of the group consisting of:

error coding, scrambling, interleaving, and formatting.

109. The apparatus of claim 102, further comprising a sensor, wherein the analog data comprise raw analog data output by the sensor.

110. The apparatus of claim 102, wherein the analog data comprise an analog waveform.

111. The apparatus of claim 102, 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.

112. The apparatus of claim 102, wherein the at least one characteristic comprises multimedia, heart rate, temperature, pressure, velocity, or acceleration.

113. The apparatus of claim 102, wherein the at least one characteristic comprises an indication relating to multimedia, heart rate, temperature, pressure, velocity, or acceleration.

114. The apparatus of claim 102, wherein the receiver is adapted to receive processed data derived as a result of the processing by the device.

115. The apparatus of claim 114, wherein the processed data received from the device have been processed to improve at least one attribute of the at least one characteristic.

116. The apparatus of claim 115, wherein the at least one attribute comprises at least one of the group consisting of:

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

117. The apparatus of claim 114, wherein the processed data received from the device were subjected to equalization, echo cancellation or active noise cancellation.

118. The apparatus of claim 114, wherein, as compared to the analog data, the processed data received from the device have less degradation of the at least one characteristic.

119. The apparatus of claim 118 wherein the degradation relates to noise, interference, or noise and interference.

120. The apparatus of claim 114, wherein the processed data received from the device comprise waveform encoded data.

121. The apparatus of claim 114, 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.

122. The apparatus of claim 102, wherein the preprocessed data are transmitted via a wireless personal area network air interface or a wireless body area network air interface.

123. The apparatus of claim 102, 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.

124. An apparatus for processing data, comprising:

means for transmitting a request to a device for information related to a capability of the device, wherein the transmitting means is further configured to transmit a processing offloading request to the device to perform a specified processing of analog data based on a response to the information request received from the device;

means for receiving a positive response or a negative response to the processing offloading request; and

means for preprocessing the analog data for wireless transmission in response to the positive response to the processing offloading request;

wherein said transmitting means is further adapted to transmit the preprocessed data to the device in response to the positive response to the processing offloading request, and further wherein the device is adapted to perform the specified processing of the preprocessed data to improve at least one characteristic represented by the analog data.

125. The apparatus of claim 124, wherein the means for preprocessing comprises means for waveform encoding the analog data for wireless transmission.

126. The apparatus of claim 124, wherein the means for preprocessing comprises means for sigma delta modulation encoding the analog data for wireless transmission.

127. The apparatus of claim 124, wherein the preprocessed data comprise data to be converted into pulse code modulated data.

128. The apparatus of claim 124, 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.

129. The apparatus of claim 124, 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.

130. The apparatus of claim 124, wherein the means for preprocessing performs at least one of the group consisting of:

error coding, scrambling, interleaving, and formatting.

131. The apparatus of claim 124, further comprising means for sensing, wherein the analog data comprise raw analog data output by the means for sensing.

132. The apparatus of claim 124, wherein the analog data comprise an analog waveform.

133. The apparatus of claim 124, 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.

134. The apparatus of claim 124, wherein the at least one characteristic comprises multimedia, heart rate, temperature, pressure, velocity, or acceleration.

135. The apparatus of claim 124, wherein the at least one characteristic comprises an indication relating to multimedia, heart rate, temperature, pressure, velocity, or acceleration.

136. The apparatus of claim 124, wherein said means for receiving is adapted to receive the processed data derived as a result of the processing by the device.

137. The apparatus of claim 136, wherein the processed data received from the device have been processed to improve at least one attribute of the at least one characteristic.

138. The apparatus of claim 137, wherein the at least one attribute comprises at least one of the group consisting of:

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

139. The apparatus of claim 136, wherein the processed data received from the device were subjected to equalization echo cancellation or active noise cancellation.

140. The apparatus of claim 136, wherein, as compared to the analog data, the processed data received from the device have less degradation of the at least one characteristic.

141. The apparatus of claim 140 wherein the degradation relates to noise, interference, or noise and interference.

142. The apparatus of claim 136, wherein the processed data received from the device comprise waveform encoded data.

143. The apparatus of claim 136, 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.

144. The apparatus of claim 124, wherein the preprocessed data are transmitted via a wireless personal area network air interface or a wireless body area network air interface.

145. The apparatus of claim 124, 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.

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

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

transmit, at a first device, a request to a second device for information related to a capability of the second device;

receive, at the first device, a response to the information request indicating the capability of the second device;

determine whether to send a processing offloading request to the second device based on the capability of the second device;

in response to determining to send the processing offloading request to the second device, perform the following;

transmit the processing offloading request to the second device to perform a specified processing of analog data;

receive, at the first device, a response to the processing offloading request; and

if the response indicates that the second device agrees to perform the processing of the analog data, preprocess the analog data at the first device for wireless transmission and transmit the preprocessed data to the second device that is adapted to perform the specified processing of the preprocessed data to improve at least one characteristic represented by the analog data.

147. A headset for processing data, comprising:

a transmitter adapted to;

transmit a request to a device for information related to a capability of the device; and

transmit a processing offloading request to the device to perform a specified processing of analog data based on a response to the information request received from the device;

a receiver adapted to receive a positive response or a negative response to the processing offloading request;

a processor adapted to preprocess the analog data for wireless transmission in response to the positive response to the processing offloading request;

wherein the transmitter is further adapted to transmit the preprocessed data to the device in response to the positive response to the processing offloading request, wherein the device is adapted to perform the specified processing of 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.

148. A watch for processing data, comprising:

a transmitter adapted to;

transmit a request to a device for information related to a capability of the device; and

transmit a processing offloading request to the device to perform a specified processing of analog data based on a response to the information request received from the device;

a receiver adapted to receive a positive response or a negative response to the processing offloading request;

a processor adapted to preprocess the analog data for wireless transmission in response to the positive response to the processing offloading request;

wherein the transmitter is further adapted to transmit the preprocessed data to the device in response to the positive response to the processing offloading request, wherein the device is adapted to perform the specified processing of 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.

149. A medical device for processing data, comprising:

a transmitter adapted to;

transmit a request to a device for information related to a capability of the device; and

transmit a processing offloading request to the device to perform a specified processing of analog data based on a response to the information request received from the device;

a receiver adapted to receive a positive response or a negative response to the processing offloading request;

a processor adapted to preprocess the analog data for wireless transmission in response to the positive response to the processing offloading request;

wherein the transmitter is further adapted to transmit the preprocessed data to the device in response to the positive response to the processing offloading request, wherein the device is adapted to perform the specified processing of the preprocessed data to improve at least one characteristic represented by the analog data; and

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