ADAPTER WITH AN ACCESS PANEL FOR AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE

• US 20080287009A1
• Filed: 05/14/2008
• Published: 11/20/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: MCCOY, RICHARD A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,751,184 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/676
• 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 for removably coupling an electronic device to a host and a modular system of the host, adapter and electronic device. The adapter comprises a main body, a first interface capable of coupling with the appliance, a cavity in the main body receiving the electronic device, a second interface within the cavity coupling with the electronic device; and an access panel removably mounted to the main body to selectively close the opening of the cavity.

Claims

1-32. -32. (canceled)

33. An adapter for removably coupling an electronic device having a device service interface to a host performing a primary function and having a standardized service interface providing a first service, the adapter comprising:

a main body;

a first interface generally on an exterior portion of the main body capable of coupling with the standardized service interface to receive the first service;

a cavity formed in the main body capable of receiving the electronic device therein, the cavity having an opening for selectively removing and inserting the electronic device;

a second interface within the cavity capable of coupling with the electronic device service interface to provide a second service to the electronic device; and

an access panel removably mounted to the main body to selectively close the opening of the cavity.

34. The adapter of claim 33, wherein the electronic device is removably coupled to the adapter.

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

36. The adapter of claim 33, wherein the first and second service comprise at least one of power communication, and data communication.

37. The adapter of claim 33, wherein the first and second services comprise multiple services.

38. The adapter of claim 33, wherein the adapter further comprises an additional functional component to provide a second service to the electronic device.

39. The adapter of claim 38, wherein the additional functional component is accessible for removal upon removal of the access panel from the main body.

40. The adapter of claim 38, wherein the additional functional component comprises at least one of a USB device providing at least one of power and data, a power source to provide power communication as the second service to the electronic device, a wireless data communication device to provide data communication as the second service to the electronic device, and a wired data communication device to provide data communication as the second service to the electronic device.

41. The adapter of claim 33, wherein the electronic device comprises at least one of a image display, an audio device, and a radio.

42. The adapter of claim 33, wherein the host is a household appliance.

43. The adapter of claim 33, wherein the access panel further comprises a slot capable of facilitating manual handling of the access panel.

44. The adapter of claim 33, wherein the electronic device comprises a image display.

45. The adapter of claim 33, wherein the main body further comprises a slot configured to receive at least a portion of the access panel therein.

46. The adapter of claim 33, further comprising a physical coupling apparatus disposed between the access panel and the electronic device capable of securing the electronic device to the main body.

47. The adapter of claim 33, wherein the second service is a mechanical service.

52. The adapter of claim 47, wherein the physical coupling apparatus comprises a clamp having a shape generally corresponding to the perimeter of the electronic device.

48. A modular system for removably coupling an electronic device having a device service interface to a host performing a primary function and having a standardized service interface providing a first service, the modular system comprising:

an electronic device having a device service interface;

an adapter comprising a main body having a first interface capable of coupling with the standardized service interface and a second interface capable of coupling with the device service interface;

a cavity formed in the main body capable of receiving the electronic device therein, the cavity having an opening for selectively providing access to the electronic device into the cavity; and

an access panel removably mounted to the main body to selectively close the opening of the cavity.

49. The modular system of claim 48, wherein the adapter further comprises an additional functional component to provide a second service to the electronic device.

50. The modular system of claim 51, wherein the additional functional component comprises at least one of a power source, a USB device, and a data storage device, a data communication device, a wireless network adapter, a wireless modem, a network adapter with a port to receive a wired connection.

51. The modular system of claim 48, wherein the electronic device is accessible for removal upon removal of the access panel from the main body.

53. A modular system comprising:

a host performing a primary function and having a standardized service interface;

an electronic device having a device service interface; and

an adapter removably coupling the electronic device to the host, the adapter comprising;

a main body having a first interface capable of coupling with the standardized service interface, a second interface capable of coupling with the device service interface, a cavity formed in the main body capable of receiving the electronic device therein, the cavity having an opening for selectively removing and inserting the electronic device; and

an access panel removably mounted to the main body to selectively close the opening of the cavity.

54. the modular system of claim 53, wherein the adapter further comprises an additional functional component to provide a second service to the electronic device.

55. the modular system of claim 54, wherein the functional component is accessible upon removal of the access panel from the main body.

56. the modular system of claim 55, wherein the additional functional component is accessible for removal of the functional component from the cavity upon removal of the access panel from the main body.

57. The modular system of claim 54, wherein the additional functional component comprises at least one of a power source, a USB device, and a data storage device, a data communication device, a wireless network adapter, a wireless modem, a network adapter with a port to receive a wired connection, a wireless modem and a modem with a port to receive a wired connection.

58. The modular system of claim 53, wherein the host is an appliance and the electronic device comprises at least one of a image display, an audio device, and a radio.

59. The modular system of claim 53, wherein the access panel further comprises a slot capable of facilitating handling of the access panel.

60. The modular system of claim 53, wherein the main body further comprises a slot configured to receive at least a portion of the access panel.

61. The modular system of claim 53, further comprising a clamp disposed between the access panel and the electronic device capable of securing the electronic device to the main body.

62. The modular system of claim 53, wherein the host has a vertical surface and the access panel is disposed adjacent the vertical surface when the adapter is coupled to the host.

63. A functional unit for removably coupling to a host performing a first primary function and having a standardized host service interface providing a first service, the functional unit comprising:

an electronic device for performing a second primary function different from the first primary function; and

an adapter comprising;

a main body with a cavity for holding the electronic device;

a first interface capable of coupling with the standardized host service interface;

a second interface capable of coupling the first interface with the device service interface in order to communicate the first service to the electronic device;

a component that permits a transfer of at least one service between the first and second interface; and

an access panel removably mounted to the main body to selectively close the opening of the cavity.

64. The functional unit of claim 63 wherein the component provides a fixed connection between the first and second interface.

65. the functional unit of claim 64 wherein the electronic device is an image display

66. The functional unit of claim 63 wherein the component provides a removably coupled connection between the first and second interface.

67. The functional unit of claim 66 wherein the electronic device is a image display