Remotely reprogrammable communications adapter for providing access to an electronic device
First Claim
1. A communications adapter for facilitating electronic communications with an electronic device wherein the adapter is remotely reprogrammable by a provider computer through a wireless network, the adapter comprising:
- a communications port for electronically connecting the adapter to the electronic device, wherein the adapter does not comprise a user interface with a display that is integrated as a part of the adapter;
communications hardware for communicating automatically with the provider computer through the wireless network;
a processor; and
memory programmed to cause the adapter to identify the electronic device, to send an identification of the adapter and an identification of the electronic device to the provider computer via the wireless network and to receive new data sent by the provider computer via the wireless network to update a program of the adapter, wherein the adapter sends the identification of the adapter and the identification of the electronic device to the provider computer after the adapter is connected to a communication port of the electronic device and before the new data is received, wherein the new data comprises device instructions for the processor for communicating with the electronic device through the communications port, wherein the adapter is a handheld device that comprises a single-board computer.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
-
Citations
18 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 wireless network, the adapter comprising:
-
a communications port for electronically connecting the adapter to the electronic device, wherein the adapter does not comprise a user interface with a display that is integrated as a part of the adapter; communications hardware for communicating automatically with the provider computer through the wireless network; a processor; and memory programmed to cause the adapter to identify the electronic device, to send an identification of the adapter and an identification of the electronic device to the provider computer via the wireless network and to receive new data sent by the provider computer via the wireless network to update a program of the adapter, wherein the adapter sends the identification of the adapter and the identification of the electronic device to the provider computer after the adapter is connected to a communication port of the electronic device and before the new data is received, wherein the new data comprises device instructions for the processor for communicating with the electronic device through the communications port, wherein the adapter is a handheld device that comprises a single-board computer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
7. 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 wireless network, the adapter comprising:
-
a communications port for electronically connecting the adapter to the external communications port of the electronic device, wherein the adapter does not comprise a user interface with a display that is integrated as a part of the adapter; communications hardware for communicating automatically with the provider computer through the wireless 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 identify the electronic device, to send an identification of the adapter and an identification of the electronic device to the provider computer via the wireless network and to receive new instructions sent by the provider computer through the communications network to update a program of the adapter, wherein the adapter sends the identification of the adapter and the identification of the electronic device to the provider computer after the adapter is connected to the communications port of the electronic device and before the new instructions are received, 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, wherein the adapter is a handheld device that comprises a single-board computer. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. 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, wherein the adapter does not comprise a user interface with a display that is integrated as a part of the adapter; communications hardware for communicating automatically with a provider computer through a wireless network; a processor; and memory; establishing communications with the provider computer through the wireless network; identifying the electronic device; sending an identification of the adapter and an identification of the electronic device to the provider computer via the wireless network; receiving new instructions from the provider computer through the wireless network to update a program of the adapter, 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, wherein the adapter is a handheld device that comprises a single-board computer; wherein the identification of the adapter and the identification of the electronic device are sent to the provider computer after the adapter is connected to the communication port of the electronic device and before the new instructions are received. - View Dependent Claims (12)
-
-
13. A communications adapter for facilitating electronic communications with an electronic device wherein the adapter is remotely reprogrammable by a provider computer through a wireless network, the adapter comprising:
-
means for communicating with the electronic device, wherein the adapter does not comprise a user interface with a display that is integrated as a part of the adapter; means for processing; means for storing data; means for communicating automatically with the provider computer through the wireless network; means for identifying the electronic device; means for sending an identification of the adapter and an identification of the electronic device to the provider computer via the wireless network; and means for causing the adapter to receive new instructions sent by the provider computer through the wireless network to update a program of the adapter, 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, wherein the adapter is a handheld device that comprises a single-board computer; wherein the identification of the adapter and the identification of the electronic device are sent to the provider computer after the adapter is connected to a communication port of the electronic device and before the new instructions are received.
-
Specification