Patent ID: 8185647

Claim:
A protocol adapter for communicating with one or more remote computers over any one of a plurality of protocols, said adapter comprising: a motherboard including an integrated central processing unit (CPU), a plurality of interface modules, a plurality of device drivers and a plurality of daughtercard interface slots, said CPU being capable of simultaneously communicating with the one or more computers in the vehicle operating different protocols; an on-board web server for providing communication between the adapter and a web browser; and at least one daughtercard interface module mounted in one of the plurality of daughtercard interface slots, wherein said at least one daughtercard interface module is operable for communicating in at least one of said plurality of protocols such that said at least one daughtercard interface module expands the number of protocols of the adapter beyond those protocols being run by the CPU; wherein one of said plurality of device drivers is associated with the protocol type of said at least one daughtercard interface module mounted in one of said plurality of daughtercard interface slots.