Service provider for providing data, applications and services to embedded devices and for facilitating control and monitoring of embedded devices

Abstract

A service provider for embedded devices is disclosed for controlling, monitoring and/or updating embedded devices. The service provider includes a computer having communications hardware for communicating over a computer network. The computer also includes a storage device and a processor. The service provider further includes a database of embedded device information that contains information relating to a number of embedded devices. An embedded device communications module is used by the service provider to communicate with a number of embedded devices. The service provider further includes a computer network communications module for communicating with computers via the computer network. In addition, the service provider has a database interface module for accessing the information in the embedded device information database. The service provider may also include an information collection manager for searching the computer network and for accessing and obtaining updated information from the computer network relating to the embedded devices. Certain information in the embedded device information database is linked to certain updated information. A system that is used in combination with the service provider for embedded devices includes a plurality of service providers in electronic communication with a central provider to coordinate communications between embedded devices and service providers for embedded devices.