INFORMATION CENTER FOR AN APPLIANCE

• US 20100024264A1
• Filed: 10/14/2009
• Published: 02/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: McCoy, Richard A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,852,619 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 40/446
• 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 information center for an appliance has an image display and a base with support features for selective mounting to an appliance. The base further has a connector for receiving data, wherein the connector can receive data and the image display can display the data regardless of whether the information center is mounted to an appliance.

Claims

1. An information center for use in connection with an appliance, the information center comprising:

an image display; and

a base comprising;

a first support member adapted to connect the image display to the appliance;

a second support member adapted to alternatively support the base on a horizontal surface separate from the appliance; and

a connector for receiving data;

wherein the image display is removably mounted to the base and is adapted to receive and display data from the connector when the image display is connected to the appliance or when the base is supported on the horizontal surface.

2. The information center of claim 1, wherein the second support member comprises a retractable stand that supports the base and the image display on any generally horizontal surface.

3. The information center of claim 1, wherein the connector comprises a receptacle for a USB device.

4. The information center of claim 1, wherein the connector further comprises a power connector for receiving power.

5. The information center of claim 1, wherein the image display is coupled to the base by a fixed coupling.

6. The information center of claim 1, wherein the base comprises a writing surface.

7. The information center of claim 6, wherein the base comprises a white board.

8. The information center of claim 1, wherein the base comprises a physical storage compartment.

9. The information center of claim 1, wherein the image display provides schedule information.

10. The information center of claim 1, wherein the image display provides messages.

11. The information center of claim 1, wherein the image display is further adapted to receive and display data from the appliance when the image display is connected to the appliance and not when the base is supported on the horizontal surface.

12. The information center of claim 1, wherein the first support member adapted to hang the image display on the appliance.

13. The information center of claim 1, wherein the image display comprises a digital image display.

14. The information center of claim 1, wherein the image display is removably coupled to the base.

15. The information center of claim 1, wherein the connector comprises a data communication device mounted in the base.

16. The information center of claim 1, wherein the appliance is a refrigerator.

17. An information center for use in connection with an appliance performing a useful cycle of operation and having an appliance service interface, the information center comprising:

an image display; and

a base supporting the image display and comprising;

a support member to mount the base to the appliance and having an integrated service interface that couples to the appliance service interface to provide data to the image display when the base is mounted to the appliance; and

a connector for receiving data;

wherein the image display receives and displays data from at least one of the appliance service interface and the connector when the image display is connected to the appliance, and the image display receives and displays data from the connector and not the service interface when the base is not connected to the appliance service interface.