ADAPTER AND CONSUMER ELECTRONIC DEVICE FUNCTIONAL UNIT

• US 20090016041A1
• Filed: 09/23/2008
• Published: 01/15/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: MCCOY, RICHARD A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,085,543 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/825
• 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

A functional unit of a consumer electronic device and an adapter. performing a first primary function and mountable to an appliance host performing a second primary function. The adapter includes a main body, a first support component capable of supporting the consumer electronic device, a second support component capable of removably coupling the functional unit to the host, and a third support component capable of alternatively supporting the functional unit on a horizontal surface when the adapter main body is removed from the host. The adapter provides an electromagnetic service to the consumer electronic device selected from a power service and a data service supplied by the adapter.

Claims

1-32. -32. (canceled)

33. A functional unit performing a first primary function and mountable to an appliance host performing a second primary function, the functional unit comprising:

a consumer electronic device capable of performing the first primary function independent of the host; and

an adapter having;

an adapter main body;

a first support component capable of supporting the consumer electronic device;

a second support component capable of removably coupling the functional unit to the host, and

a third support component capable of alternatively supporting the functional unit on a horizontal surface when the adapter main body is removed from the host.

wherein the adapter provides an electromagnetic service to the consumer electronic device selected from a power service and a data service supplied by the adapter.

34. The functional unit according to claim 33 for use with an appliance host capable of providing a power service, the adapter further comprising a power source and a recharging system adapted to recharge the power source when the adapter is coupled to the appliance host.

35. The functional unit according to claim 34 wherein and the power source is a rechargeable battery.

36. The functional unit according to claim 33, wherein the adapter further comprises a data communication device and further wherein the additional service comprises communication between the a data communication device and the consumer device.

37. The functional unit according to claim 33 wherein the data communication device comprises a wireless data communication device.

38. The functional unit according to claim 33, wherein the adapter comprises coupling for an external provider removably coupled to the adapter when the adapter and the consumer device are not coupled to the appliance host, the adapter providing the additional service to the consumer device.

39. The functional unit according to claim 38 wherein the external provider is a USB device capable of providing at least one of power and data.

40. The functional unit according to claim 33, wherein the additional service provides at least one of a speaker functionality, a user interface functionality, a display projection functionality, a media manager functionality, application software hosting functionality, communications routing functionality, power storage functionality, microphone functionality, message functionality and data storage functionality.