# US 11,451,965 B2 · Device communication management in user activity monitoring systems > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,451,965 B2 - Document ID: US11451965B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/041,975 - Filed: 2019-06-04 - Published: 2021-03-25 - Granted: 2022-09-20 - Earliest claimed: 2018-06-04 - Assignees: T.J.Smith and Nephew, Limited - Applicants: T.J.Smith and Nephew, Limited - Inventors: Allan Kenneth Frazer Grugeon Hunt; Johannes Dagevos van Rij - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11451965B2 ## CPC - H04W 12/50: Secure pairing of devices - H04L 67/12: specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks - H04W 12/0471: Key exchange - H04W 12/68: Gesture-dependent or behaviour-dependent - H04W 76/14: Direct-mode setup - H04W 4/70: Services for machine-to-machine communication [M2M] or machine type communication [MTC] - H04W 4/80: Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication - H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72) - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) ## Abstract In some aspects, a method of managing communication between a first electronic device and a second electronic device. The method includes facilitating, by a first electronic device, motion of a second electronic device in a motion sequence; detecting, by the second electronic device, motion of the second electronic device in the motion sequence; determining, by the second electronic device, a key from the motion sequence from the detecting, the key being usable to communicate with the first electronic device; and wirelessly communicating, by a communication interface of the second electronic device, with the first electronic device using the key. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for facilitating communication between two electronic devices, the method comprising: facilitating, by a first electronic device, motion of a second electronic device in a motion sequence; detecting, by the second electronic device, motion of the second electronic device in the motion sequence; determining, by the second electronic device, a key from the motion sequence from said detecting, the key being usable to communicate with the first electronic device; wirelessly communicating, by a communication interface of the second electronic device, with the first electronic device using the key; and generating, by the second electronic device, activity data for a user from motion of the second electronic device when the second electronic device is supported by the user, the activity data being usable to monitor loading of a body part of the user, wherein said wirelessly communicating comprises outputting, via the communication interface, the activity data to the first electronic device. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising monitoring, by the first electronic device, compliance by the user with a medical treatment regimen from the activity data. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said facilitating comprises presenting, by a display of the first electronic device, instructions to a user for moving the second electronic device in the motion sequence. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said facilitating comprises physically moving the first electronic device in the motion sequence while the second electronic device remains in physical contact with the first electronic device. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising attaching the second electronic device to a leg of the user with a strap or an adhesive. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: pairing the second electronic device with the first electronic device using the key; and activating an indicator of the second electronic device in response to said pairing. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising determining, by the first electronic device, that the second electronic device is proximate to the first electronic device, wherein said determining is performed using an output of a light sensor, a microphone, or a touch sensor of the first electronic device. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: covering at least part of the first electronic device with a case, the case comprising a slot or a groove; and supporting the second electronic device in the slot or the groove. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the motion sequence comprises a series of turns or vibrations of the second electronic device, and said determining the key comprises decoding the key from the series of turns or vibrations. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said wirelessly communicating is performed according to a Bluetooth™ Low Energy protocol. ### Claim 11 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. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the controller is configured to receive a command from the electronic device to adjust an operation performed by the controller. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the housing supports no user-selectable input elements. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the motion sequence is programmed at device manufacture. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the motion sequence comprises a series of vibrations or turns of the housing, and the controller is configured to determine the key by decoding the series of vibrations or turns. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the housing supports one user-selectable input element configured to receive user inputs to activate and deactivate device functions. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the housing comprises a plurality of pads comprising a conductive material or a dielectric material, the plurality of pads being usable by the electronic device to distinguish the housing from another device that comprises the conductive material or the dielectric material. ### Claim 18 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. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The apparatus of claim 18, wherein a ratio of the first resistance to the second resistance is at least 2:1. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The apparatus of claim 18, in combination with the electronic device, the electronic device being configured to distinguish the housing from another device by detecting the first resistance and the second resistance, the another device comprising the conductive material or the dielectric material.