REMOTELY REPROGRAMMABLE COMMUNICATIONS ADAPTER FOR PROVIDING ACCESS TO AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE

摘要

A communications adapter (20) for facilitating electronic communications with an electronic device is disclosed. The adapter is remotely reprogrammable by a provider computer through a communications network (30). The adapter includes a communications port (26) 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 (30). In addition, the adapter includes a processor (22) and memory (24). The memory (24) is programmed with instructions to cause the adapter to receive new data sent by the provider computer via the communications network (30). The new data comprises device instructions for communicating with the electronic device through the communications port (26).