Abstract: A low-cost, low-power, half-duplex communication system provides data transfer to and/or from an electronic watch or similar small electronic device. To accommodate the small size of the watch housing, data transfer is achieved using an infrared photodiode as a detector and an LED as an infrared emitter, directly coupled to the watch microcontroller with a minimum of additional components. Due to the small battery power capacity of electronic watches, the communication system is designed to have a negligible standby power consumption as well as low power consumption during data transfer. The IR emitter is connected directly to an output port on the microcontroller and the IR detector is connected to an input port on the microcontroller through a transistor amplifier. In standby mode, the microcontroller ports render the infrared devices and the transistor non-conducting to minimize power consumption.

Abstract: A Medical Reminder System has an electronic messaging watch which is programmed with a medication regimen for the patient via an infrared or other electronic data transfer link to a health care provider's computer system having custom software. The programmable watch sounds an alarm when a medication is to be taken, or a health care procedure is to be performed. Each watch is programmed with the patient's name, individual medicine names, dosage amounts and specified medication times, as well as with alerts for appointments, prescription refills and medical events. Nonmedical messages may also be programmed into the watch. The alarm consists of distinctive monotone beeps and is sounded by the watch at the preset times programmed by the health care provider. The medication information scrolls across the screen when the patient records the event by pressing a button on the watch.