Remotely reprogrammable communications adapter for providing access to an electronic device

• US 6,728,804 B1
• Filed: 10/27/2000
• Issued: 04/27/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Panasonic Electric Works Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: emWare, Inc. (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Harper, William R. Jr., Howard, Michael L.
• Primary Examiner(s): HUYNH, KIM NGOC
• Application Number:
  US09/698,338
• Time in Patent Office: 1,278 Days
• Field of Search: 710/8, 710/10, 710/62, 710/72, 710/64, 375/219, 375/220, 345/156, 345/158
• US Class Current: 710/62
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/60 Software deployment

Abstract

A communications adapter for facilitating electronic communications with an electronic device is disclosed. The adapter is remotely reprogrammable by a provider computer through a communications network. The adapter includes a communications port for electronically connecting the adapter to the electronic device. The adapter also includes communications hardware for communicating with the provider computer through the communications network. In addition, the adapter includes a processor and memory. The memory is programmed with instructions to cause the adapter to receive new data sent by the provider computer via the communications network. The new data comprises device instructions for communicating with the electronic device through the communications port.

Claims

1. A communications adapter for facilitating electronic communications with an electronic device wherein the adapter is remotely reprogrammable by a provider computer through a communications network, the adapter comprising:

a device communications port for electronically connecting the adapter to the electronic device;

network communications hardware for communicating with the provider computer through the communications network;

a processor; and

memory programmed to cause the adapter to receive new data sent by the provider computer via the communications network and not through the device communications port, wherein the new data comprises instructions for the communications adapter to communicate with the electronic device through the device communications port in order to monitor or control the electronic device.

2. The adapter as defined in claim 1 wherein the communications network is a pager network.

3. The adapter as defined in claim 1 wherein the communications network is a global communications network.

4. The adapter as defined in claim 1 wherein the communications network is a cellular network.

5. The adapter as defined in claim 1 wherein the new data comprises a translator that includes an object representation of the electronic device.

6. The adapter as defined in claim 1 wherein the new data comprises a translator that includes a functional representation of the electronic device.

7. The adapter as defined in claim 1 wherein the memory is further programmed to cause the adapter to identify the electronic device and to further send an identification of the electronic device to the provider computer via the communications network.

8. A communications adapter for facilitating electronic communications with an electronic device having an external communications port wherein the adapter is remotely reprogrammable by a provider computer through a communications network, the adapter comprising:

a communications port for electronically connecting the adapter to the external communications port of the electronic device;

communications hardware for communicating with the provider computer through the communications network, wherein the communications pathway between the communications hardware and the provider computer includes a wireless link;

a processor; and

memory programmed with instructions to cause the adapter to receive new instructions sent by the provider computer through the communications network, wherein the new instructions are executable by the processor for communicating with the electronic device through the communications port without altering any program code on the electronic device.

9. The adapter as defined in claim 8 wherein the communications network is a pager network.

10. The adapter as defined in claim 9 wherein the new instructions include an object representation of the electronic device.

11. The adapter as defined in claim 9 wherein the new instructions include a functional representation of the electronic device.

12. The adapter as defined in claim 9 wherein the memory is further programmed with instructions to cause the adapter to identify the electronic device and to further send an identification of the electronic device to the provider computer via the communications network.

13. A method for facilitating electronic communications with an electronic device comprising:

connecting a communications adapter to an external communications port of the electronic device, wherein the communications adapter comprises;

a communications port for electronically connecting the adapter to the electronic device;

communications hardware for communicating with a provider computer through a communications network;

a processor; and

memory;

establishing communications with the provider computer through the communications network;

receiving new instructions from the provider computer through the communications network, wherein the instructions are executable by the processor;

storing the new instructions in the memory of the adapter; and

communicating with the electronic device using the new instructions.

14. The method as defined in claim 13 wherein the communications network is a pager network.

15. A communications adapter for facilitating electronic communications with an electronic device wherein the adapter is remotely reprogrammable by a provider computer through a communications network, the adapter comprising:

means for communicating with the electronic device;

means for processing;

means for storing data;

means for communicating with the provider computer through the communications network; and

means for causing the adapter to receive new instructions sent by the provider computer through the communications network and not through the device communications port, wherein the new instructions are executable by the means for processing for communicating with the electronic device without altering any program code on the electronic device in order to monitor or control the electronic device.