A Removable Adapter PROVIDING A WIRELESS SERVICE TO Removable Consumer Electronic Device

• US 20080164227A1
• Filed: 01/04/2007
• Published: 07/10/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: McCoy, Richard A., LeClear, Douglas D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,980,088 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 211/26.1
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/06 Intermediate parts for linking two coupling parts, e.g. adapter with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/94

Abstract

A modular system comprises an appliance, an adapter removably coupled to the appliance, and a consumer electronic device removably coupled to the adapter. The adapter can supply at least one wireless service between the adapter or the appliance and the consumer electronic device. The adapter can be removably coupled to a door of the appliance. A standardized service interface can couple with the adapter to supply the service between the appliance and the adapter.

Claims

1-40. -40. (canceled)

41. A modular system comprising for removably holding a consumer electronic device comprising:

an appliance conducting a useful cycle of operation and communicating at least one electrical service;

an adapter removably mechanically coupled to the appliance and capable of being removably coupled to a consumer electronic device;

wherein the modular system communicates the at least one electrical service between the appliance and the consumer electronic device when the adapter is coupled to the appliance and the consumer electronic device is coupled to the adapter through at least one wireless interface.

42. The modular system of claim 41, wherein the appliance provides the at least one electrical service to the consumer electronic device through the adapter.

43. The modular system of claim 42, wherein the appliance provides the at least one electrical service to the adapter wirelessly.

44. The modular system of claim 42, wherein the adapter relays the at least one electrical service to the consumer electronic device wirelessly.

45. The modular system of claim 42, wherein the appliance provides the at least one electrical service using a standardized service interface is integrated with the appliance.

46. The modular system of claim 42, wherein the appliance provides the at least one electrical service using a standardized service interface is integrated with the appliance.

47. The modular system of claim 41, wherein the consumer electronic device lies completely on the exterior of the appliance.

48. The modular system of claim 41, wherein the at least one electrical service comprises a power service.

49. The modular system of claim 41, wherein the at least one electrical service comprises a data service.

50. The modular system of claim 41, wherein the at least one electrical service comprises a power service and a data service.

51. The modular system of claim 41, wherein the consumer electronic device is supported substantially parallel to the vertical surface when the consumer electronic device is coupled to the adapter and the adapter is coupled to the appliance.

52. The modular system of claim 41, wherein the at least one service is one of wireless power communication and wireless data communication.

53. An adapter for removably coupling a consumer electronic device to an appliance conducting a useful cycle of operation modular system comprising:

a first mechanical interface capable of removably coupling the adapter to an appliance performing a useful cycle of operation;

a second mechanical interface capable of removably coupling the adapter to an consumer electronic device;

a first electrical interface capable of communicating a first electrical service between the adapter and the appliance; and

a second electrical interface capable of communicating a second electrical service between the adapter and the consumer electronic device derived from the first electrical service;

wherein the adapter is configured to supply the second electrical service between the appliance and the consumer electronic device when the adapter is coupled to the appliance and the consumer electronic device is coupled to the adapter through at least one wireless step.