ADAPTER AND CONSUMER ELECTRONIC DEVICE FUNCTIONAL UNIT

• US 20080192411A1
• Filed: 01/04/2007
• Published: 08/14/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: McCoy, Richard A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,618,295 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/731
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1601 Constructional details related to the housing of computer displays, e.g. of CRT monitors, of flat displays constructional details related to flat displays integrated in a portable computer, e.g. laptop, handheld computer G06F1/1637; constructional details related to television receivers H04N5/64
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations

Abstract

An adapter and a consumer electronic device forming a functional unit as well as a modular system including the consumer electronic device, the adapter and a host. The adapter removably couples the consumer electronic device to the host. The adapter supplies a first service between the host and the consumer electronic device when the adapter is coupled to the host and the consumer electronic device is coupled to the adapter. The adapter further supplies a second service to and forms a functional unit with the consumer electronic device when the adapter and the consumer electronic device are removed from the host. The first and second services can be the same or different services and can comprise at least one of mechanical, electrical, and data communication.

Claims

3. A modular system comprising:

a host performing a primary function;

a consumer electronic device; and

an adapter removably coupling the consumer electronic device to the host, the adapter supplying a first service between the host and the consumer electronic device when the adapter is coupled to the host and the consumer electronic device is coupled to the adapter, and the adapter further supplying a second service to and forming a functional unit with the consumer electronic device when the adapter and the consumer electronic device are removed from the host,

wherein the first service and the second service are the same type of service.

4. The modular system of claim 3, wherein the first and second service comprise at least one of mechanical communication, power communication, and data communication.

5. The modular system of claim 3 wherein the first and second services comprise multiple services.

7. The modular system of claim 3, wherein the adapter provides the second service.

8. The modular system of claim 7, wherein the adapter further comprises a power source to provide power communication as the second service to the consumer electronic device.

11. The modular system of claim 7, wherein the adapter comprises a data communication device to provide data communication as the second service to the consumer electronic device.

12. The modular system of claim 11, wherein the data communication device comprises a wireless data communication device.

13. The modular system of claim 7, wherein the adapter comprises a mechanical support to provide mechanical communication as the second service to the consumer electronic device.

14. The modular system of claim 13, wherein the mechanical support comprises a retractable stand that supports the functional unit on a generally horizontal surface.

15. The modular system of claim 3, wherein the first service is a mechanical communication between the adapter and the host.

16. The modular system of claim 15, wherein the adapter comprises a hanger that forms the mechanical communication.

17. The modular system of claim 3, wherein the second mechanical service is a mechanical communication between the adapter and another host.

20. The modular system of claim 3, wherein the host is a household appliance.

21. The modular system adapter of claim 20, wherein the appliance provides the first service, which the adapter supplies to the consumer electronic device when the adapter and the consumer electronic device are coupled to the appliance.

6. A modular system comprising:

a host performing a primary function;

a consumer electronic device; and

an adapter removably coupling the consumer electronic device to the host, the adapter supplying a first service between the host and the consumer electronic device when the adapter is coupled to the host and the consumer electronic device is coupled to the adapter, and the adapter further supplying a second service to and forming a functional unit with the consumer electronic device when the adapter and the consumer electronic device are removed from the host,

wherein the first and second services comprise multiple services and further wherein the multiple services comprise at least one of mechanical communication, power communication, and data communication.

2. The modular system of claim 6, wherein the consumer electronic device is removably coupled to the adapter.

42. The modular system of claim 6, wherein the consumer electronic device is removably coupled to the adapter.

43. The modular system of claim 6, wherein the adapter further comprises a power source to provide power communication as the second service to the consumer electronic device.

44. The modular system of claim 6, wherein the adapter further comprises a data communication device to provide data communication as the second service to the consumer electronic device.

45. The modular system of claim 6, wherein the adapter further comprises a stand that supports the digital image display on a generally horizontal surface.

46. The modular system of claim 6, wherein the host is a household appliance.

9. A modular system comprising:

a host performing a primary function;

a consumer electronic device; and

an adapter removably coupling the consumer electronic device to the host, the adapter supplying a first service between the host and the consumer electronic device when the adapter is coupled to the host and the consumer electronic device is coupled to the adapter, and the adapter further supplying a second service to and forming a functional unit with the consumer electronic device when the adapter and the consumer electronic device are removed from the host,

wherein the adapter provides the second service, and

wherein the adapter further comprises a power source to provide power communication as the second service to the consumer electronic device, wherein the power source is recharged when the adapter is coupled to the host.

10. The modular system of claim 9, wherein the power source is a rechargeable battery.

19. The modular system of claim 9, wherein the consumer electronic device comprises at least one of a digital image display, an audio device, and a radio.

47. The modular system of claim 9, wherein the consumer electronic device is removably coupled to the adapter.

48. The modular system of claim 9, wherein the adapter further comprises a data communication device to provide data communication as the second service to the consumer electronic device.

18. A modular system comprising:

a host performing a primary function;

a consumer electronic device; and

an adapter removably coupling the consumer electronic device to the host, the adapter supplying a first service between the host and the consumer electronic device when the adapter is coupled to the host and the consumer electronic device is coupled to the adapter, and the adapter further supplying a second service to and forming a functional unit with the consumer electronic device when the adapter and the consumer electronic device are removed from the host,

wherein the second mechanical service is a mechanical communication between the adapter and another host, and

wherein the mechanical communication of the second service comprises a retractable stand that supports the digital image display on a generally horizontal surface.

49. The modular system of claim 18, wherein the consumer electronic device is removably coupled to the adapter.

50. The modular system of claim 18, wherein the adapter further comprises a power source to provide power communication as the second service to the consumer electronic device.

51. The modular system of claim 18, wherein the consumer electronic device comprises at least one of a digital image display, an audio device, and a radio.

22. A modular system comprising:

a host performing a primary function;

a consumer electronic device;

an adapter removably coupling the consumer electronic device to the host, the adapter supplying a first service between the host and the consumer electronic device when the adapter is coupled to the host and the consumer electronic device is coupled to the adapter, and the adapter further supplying a second service to and forming a functional unit with the consumer electronic device when the adapter and the consumer electronic device are removed from the host, and

an external provider removably coupled to the adapter when the adapter and the consumer electronic device are not coupled to the host and providing the second service, which the adapter supplies to the consumer electronic device.

23. The modular system of claim 22, wherein the external provider is a USB fob providing at least one of power and data.

52. The modular system of claim 22, wherein the adapter further comprises a power source to provide power communication as the second service to the consumer electronic device.

53. The modular system of claim 22, wherein the adapter further comprises a stand that supports the digital image display on a generally horizontal surface.

24. (canceled)

25. A modular system comprising:

a host performing a primary function;

a consumer electronic device; and

an adapter removably coupling the consumer electronic device to the host, the adapter supplying a first service between the host and the consumer electronic device when the adapter is coupled to the host and the consumer electronic device is coupled to the adapter, and the adapter further supplying a second service to and forming a functional unit with the consumer electronic device when the adapter and the consumer electronic device are removed from the host,

wherein the first and second service comprise at least one of wireless power communication and wireless data communication.

1. (canceled)

54. The modular system of claim 22, wherein the adapter further comprises a data communication device to provide data communication as the second service to the consumer electronic device.

55. The modular system of claim 25, wherein the adapter further comprises a data communication device to provide data communication as the second service to the consumer electronic device.

56. The modular system of claim 25, wherein the consumer electronic device comprises at least one of a digital image display, an audio device, and a radio.

26. An adapter for removably mounting a consumer electronic device performing a first primary function to a host performing a second primary function, the adapter comprising:

an adapter main body adapted to removably couple the consumer electronic device to the host, the adapter supplying a removable mechanical connection between the host and the consumer electronic device and a first service selected from a power service and a mechanical connection service between the host and the consumer electronic device when the adapter is coupled to the host and the consumer electronic device is coupled to the adapter, and the adapter further supplying a removable mechanical connection between the consumer electronic device and the main body and a second service selected from a mechanical service, a power service, and a data service to the consumer electronic device when the adapter and the consumer electronic device are removed from the host.

27. The adapter of claim 26, wherein the adapter comprises a rechargeable power source to provide power communication as the second service to the consumer electronic device.

28. The adapter of claim 26, wherein the adapter comprises a mechanical support to provide mechanical communication as the second service to the consumer electronic device.

29. The adapter of claim 28, wherein the mechanical support comprises a retractable stand that supports the adapter and the consumer electronic device on a generally horizontal surface.

30. The adapter of claim 26, wherein the first service is a mechanical communication between the adapter and the host.

31. The adapter of claim 30, wherein the adapter comprises a hanger that forms the mechanical communication.

32. The adapter of claim 26, further comprising an external provider removably coupled to the main body when the adapter and the consumer electronic device are not coupled to the host and providing the second service, which the adapter supplies to the consumer electronic device.

33. The adapter of claim 26, wherein the first service and the second service are the same type of service.

34. The adapter of claim 26, wherein the first and second services comprise multiple services.

37. The of adapter of claim 26, wherein the adapter further comprises a data communication device to provide data communication as the second service to the consumer electronic device.

38. The adapter of claim 37, wherein the data communication device comprises a wireless data communication device.

39. The adapter of claim 26, wherein the consumer electronic device is coupled to the adapter by a removable coupling.

40. The adapter of claim 26, wherein the consumer electronic device is coupled to the adapter by a fixed coupling.

41. The adapter of claim 26, wherein the consumer electronic device comprises a digital image display.

35. The adapter of claim 35, wherein the power source is recharged when the adapter is coupled to the host.

36. The adapter of claim 36, wherein the power source is a rechargeable battery.

54-1. The modular system of claim 25, wherein the adapter further comprises a power source to provide power communication as the second service to the consumer electronic device.