Device communication management in user activity monitoring systems

An apparatus comprising:

• a housing;
• a motion sensor supported by the housing and configured to monitor motion of the housing;
• a communication interface configured to wirelessly communicate with an electronic device;
• and
• a controller supported by the housing and configured to:
• generate activity data for a user from motion of the housing when the housing is supported by the user, the activity data being usable to monitor loading of a body part of the user,
• detect a motion sequence from motion of the housing,
• determine a key from the motion sequence, and
• communicate with the electronic device via the communication interface using the key and transmit the activity data to the electronic device.

An apparatus comprising:

• a housing comprising a plurality of pads including a conductive material or a dielectric material, plurality of pads comprising a first pad, a second pad, and a third pad;
• a first resistance in the housing that is electrically coupled between the first pad and the second pad;
• a second resistance in the housing that is electrically coupled between the first pad and the third pad, the second resistance being different from the first resistance;
• a motion sensor supported by the housing and configured to monitor motion of the housing;
• a communication interface configured to wirelessly communicate with an electronic device;
• and
• a controller supported by the housing and configured to:
• detect a motion sequence from motion of the housing,
• determine a key from the motion sequence, and
• communicate with the electronic device via the communication interface using the key.