Remotely reprogrammable communications adapter for providing access to an electronic device

• US 7,694,046 B2
• Filed: 02/20/2004
• Issued: 04/06/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Panasonic Electric Works Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Panasonic Electric Works Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Harper, William R. Jr., Howard, Michael L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Tanh Q
• Application Number:
  US10/784,485
• Publication Number:
  US 20040168003A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,237 Days
• Field of Search: 435/6
• 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 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. The adapter as defined in claim 1 wherein the wireless network is a pager network.

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

4. The adapter as defined in claim 1 wherein the wireless 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.

14. The communications adapter as defined in claim 1, wherein the new data allows the adapter to communicate with the electronic device.

15. The communications adapter as defined in claim 1, wherein the memory comprises flash memory, and wherein updating the program of the adapter comprises reprogramming the flash memory.

16. The communications adapter as defined in claim 1, wherein the communications adapter is reprogrammable for use with different types of electronic devices.

17. The communications adapter as defined in claim 1, wherein the new data comprises a translator, and wherein the translator is configured to send commands to the electronic device, access data on the electronic device, receive commands from the electronic device, control the electronic device, and translate messages to and from the electronic device.

18. The communications adapter as defined in claim 17, wherein the translator is associated with the electronic device, wherein the provider computer selects the translator from among multiple translators in a translator database, and wherein the translator database comprises other translators that are not associated with the electronic device.

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.

8. The adapter as defined in claim 7 wherein the wireless network is a pager network.

9. The adapter as defined in claim 8 wherein the new instructions include an object representation of the electronic device, wherein the object representation of the electronic device comprises services that reflect at least one of functions, variables, and events on the electronic device.

10. The adapter as defined in claim 8 wherein the new instructions include a functional representation of the electronic device, wherein the functional representation of the electronic device comprises functions that provide access to at least one of functions, variables, and events on the electronic device.

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.

12. The method as defined in claim 11 wherein the wireless network is a pager network.

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.