Adapter and consumer electronic device functional unit

• US 7,618,295 B2
• Filed: 01/04/2007
• Issued: 11/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: McCoy, Richard A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Duverne; Jean F
• Application Number:
  US11/619,731
• Publication Number:
  US 20080192411A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,048 Days
• Field of Search: 439/676, 439/660, 439/626, 725/80, 725/153, 725/141, 725/133, 348/552
• 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 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

1. A modular system comprising:

a host having a power service;

a consumer electronic device; and

an adapter having first and second service interfaces,

the first service interface coupling and mounting the consumer electronic device to the adapter,

the second service interface removably coupling and mounting the consumer electronic device to the host,

the adapter further comprising a power source to provide power communication to the consumer electronic device, the power source including a transformative component,

the adapter supplying a first power communication 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 first power communication service includes transforming the power supplied from the host,

the adapter further supplying a second power communication 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.

2. The modular system of claim 1, wherein the power source is rechargeable.

3. The modular system of claim 2, wherein the power source is recharged when the adapter is coupled to the host.

4. The modular system of claim 3, wherein the power source is only utilized for the second power communication service.

5. The modular system of claim 1, wherein the transformative component transforms the power supplied from the host from AC to DC voltage.

6. The modular system of claim 1, wherein the transformative component transforms the power supplied from the host from a first voltage to a second voltage.

7. The modular system of claim 1, wherein the adapter further comprises a data communication device to provide a data communication service to the consumer electronic device.

8. The modular system of claim 7, wherein the data communication device comprises a wireless data communication device.

9. The modular system of claim 7, wherein the adapter further supplies a first data communication 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 supplying a second data communication service to the consumer electronic device when the adapter and the consumer electronic device are removed from the host.

10. The modular system of claim 1, wherein the adapter further comprises a third service interface, the third service interface providing a mechanical support service to the consumer electronic device when the adapter and the consumer electronic device are removed from the host, wherein the third service interface is in a non-use position when the second service interface is removably coupling and mounting the consumer electronic device to the host.

11. The modular system of claim 1, wherein the adapter further comprises a flange incorporating the second service interface, the second service interface and the flange removably couple and mount the consumer electronic device to the host.

12. The modular system of claim 1, wherein the host is an appliance.

13. An adapter for removably mounting a consumer electronic device to an appliance having a power service, the adapter comprising:

a main body;

a first service interface disposed on the main body, the first service interface coupling and mounting the consumer electronic device to the main body;

a second service interface disposed on the main body, the second service interface removably coupling and mounting the consumer electronic device to the appliance; and

a third service interface disposed on the main body, the third service interface providing a mechanical support service to the consumer electronic device when the adapter and the consumer electronic device are removed from the appliance,

wherein the third service interface is in a non-use position when the second service interface is removably coupling and mounting the consumer electronic device to the appliance;

the adapter further comprising a power source incorporated into the main body for providing power communication to the consumer electronic device, the power source including a transformative component, wherein the adapter supplies a first power communication 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, the first power communication service includes transforming the power supplied from the appliance, the adapter further supplying a second power communication service to the consumer electronic device when the adapter and the consumer electronic device are removed from the appliance.

14. The adapter of claim 13, wherein the consumer electronic device is removably coupled to the adapter through the first service interface.

15. The adapter of claim 13, wherein the mechanical support service comprises a retractable stand that supports the consumer electronic device on a generally horizontal surface when the consumer electronic device is coupled to the main body.

16. An adapter for removably mounting a consumer electronic device to an appliance having a power service, the adapter comprising:

a main body depending from a flange;

a first service interface disposed on the main body, the first service interface coupling and mounting the consumer electronic device to the main body;

a second service interface disposed on the flange, the second service interface and the flange removably couple and mount the consumer electronic device to the appliance; and

a power source incorporated into the main body for providing power communication to the consumer electronic device, the power source including a transformative component,

wherein the adapter supplies a first power communication 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, the first power communication service includes transforming the power supplied from the appliance, the adapter further supplying a second power communication service to the consumer electronic device when the adapter and the consumer electronic device are removed from the appliance.

17. The adapter of claim 16, wherein the flange provides mechanical support to the consumer electronic device when the adapter and the consumer electronic device are removed from the appliance.

18. The adapter of claim 16, wherein the power source is rechargeable.

19. The adapter of claim 16, wherein the transformative component transforms the power supplied from the appliance from AC to DC voltage.

20. The adapter of claim 16, wherein the transformative component transforms the power supplied from the appliance from a first voltage to a second voltage.

21. The adapter of claim 16, wherein the adapter further comprises a data communication device to provide a data communication service to the consumer electronic device.

22. The adapter of claim 21, wherein the data communication device comprises a wireless data communication device.

23. The adapter of claim 21, wherein the adapter further supplies a first data communication 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, the adapter further supplying a second data communication service to the consumer electronic device when the adapter and the consumer electronic device are removed from the appliance.

24. The adapter of claim 16, wherein the adapter further comprises a third service interface disposed on the main body, the third service interface providing a mechanical support service to the consumer electronic device when the adapter and the consumer electronic device are removed from the appliance, wherein the third service interface is in a non-use position when the second service interface is removably coupling and mounting the consumer electronic device to the appliance.

25. A modular system comprising:

a host having a power service;

a consumer electronic device; and

an adapter having first and second service interfaces,

the first service interface coupling and mounting the consumer electronic device to the adapter,

the second service interface removably coupling and mounting the consumer electronic device to the host,

the adapter further comprising a power source to provide power communication to the consumer electronic device,

the adapter supplying a first power communication 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 first power communication service comprising wireless power,

the adapter further supplying a second power communication 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.

26. The modular system of claim 25, wherein the power source comprises a transformative component and the first power communication service includes transforming the power supplied from the host.

27. The modular system of claim 26, wherein the power source is rechargeable.

28. The modular system of claim 26, wherein the transformative component transforms the power supplied from the host from AC to DC voltage.

29. The modular system of claim 26, wherein the transformative component transforms the power supplied from the host from a first voltage to a second voltage.

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

31. The modular system of claim 30, wherein the data communication device comprises a wireless data communication device.

32. The modular system of claim 30, wherein the adapter further supplies a first data communication 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 supplying a second data communication service to the consumer electronic device when the adapter and the consumer electronic device are removed from the host.

33. The modular system of claim 25, wherein the adapter further comprises a third service interface, the third service interface providing a mechanical support service to the consumer electronic device when the adapter and the consumer electronic device are removed from the host, wherein the third service interface is in a non-use position when the second service interface is removably coupling and mounting the consumer electronic device to the host.

34. The modular system of claim 25, wherein the adapter further comprises a flange incorporating the second service interface, the second service interface and the flange removably couple and mount the consumer electronic device to the host.

35. The modular system of claim 25, wherein the host is an appliance.