Signature Q3 2008

The challenge is figuring out how to hide the technology so users have a seamless experience. “You shouldn’t have to be a techie in order to use Bluetooth technology,” he says. The Medical Devices Working Group While the Usability Expert Group explores issues that affect all categories of Bluetooth enabled products, the Medical Devices Working Group has a narrower focus. “The primary goals of the group are to address device and data interoperability, grow the market and get health devices into the hands of people who can beneﬁt from them,” says group chairman Robert Hughes, a senior wireless standards architect for Intel’s Digital Health Group. “Consumers needed a standard way of connecting Bluetooth enabled health devices and getting their health data to caregivers. The result is the Health Device Proﬁle (HDP).” To aid in the development of the HDP the group has formed a partnership , with the IEEE. “So that data is the same whether over Bluetooth technology, USB or some other transport, we decided early on to work with the IEEE 11073 (Medical Device Communication Standards) committee and together we formed the Personal Health Devices Working Group (PHD WG),” Hughes explains. The IEEE speciﬁes the data exchange protocol and how the data for each physiology type looks, while the Bluetooth SIG speciﬁes how devices discover each other, connect and exchange that data. As part of developing the HDP the Medical Devices Working Group has , developed a generic Multi-Channel Adaptation Protocol (MCAP). “MCAP is a ﬂexible protocol that takes advantage of upcoming enhancements to L2CAP for increased ﬂexibility and reliability. Together, HDP and MCAP enable a wide range of medical, health care and ﬁtness-related applications,” Hughes says. “There is an initial consumer need to support devices such as weight scales, blood pressure meters, glucose meters, pulse oximeters and thermometers. A second round of devices such as spirometers and ECGs are likely to follow.” The next big step for the group is getting HDP devices to market. “We believe that HDP will have a signiﬁcant impact on the market, but also a positive impact on the rising cost of health care and the lives of those around the world who will use this technology,” says Hughes. Devices are expected to start qualifying against the adopted Bluetooth speciﬁcations in Q3 2008. David English is a technical writer whose articles have appeared in publications such as CNET, Forbes, Fortune, PC Magazine and ZDNet. It would be hard to imagine anything more central to Bluetooth technology than usability, which is an essential ingredient for customer satisfaction and interoperability. CALLING ALL MEMBERS To meet the needs of Bluetooth SIG members during a time of unprecedented growth in the adoption of Bluetooth technology, the former Marketing Committee has been restructured into two new committees. The Ecosystem Committee will provide recommendations and guidance on market requirements and technology trends. Members will work with the Board of Directors to create strategic direction for Bluetooth technology. The Evangelization Committee will focus on strategic communications planning and guidance, and it will work on driving acceptance and understanding of Bluetooth technology within relevant industries and user segments. There is no limit to the number of Promoter and Associate members who may join these committees. To learn more, visit the groups page at Bluetooth.org. Bluetooth Special Interest Group | 29 http://bluetooth.org

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Signature Q3 2008

Signature Q3 2008 Contents Connect: Growing Markets Inbox: Spread the Word Ask the SIG: The Fast Lane In the News Perspectives: Views From APAC Bluetooth Technology in Retrospect: Headset History Bluetooth Technology in Retrospect: Headset History Bluetooth Technology @ Play: Unplug Your Fun Bluetooth Technology Interactive: Wireless Tourism Checkout: Groovy Gadgets Bluetooth Wireless Explorer: Mind Games Bluetooth Technology 101: Ads You Like It Bluetooth Technology 501: Group Efforts Wacky Apps: What’s NXT? Get in the Game: If The Glove Fits ... Revolution: The Space Age

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