Remotely reprogrammable communications adapter for providing access to an electronic device

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.

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.

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, 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.