Adapter and consumer electronic device functional unit

• US 7,740,506 B2
• Filed: 09/23/2008
• Issued: 06/22/2010
• 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:
  US12/235,696
• Publication Number:
  US 20090015727A1
• Time in Patent Office: 637 Days
• Field of Search: 439/676, 361685-686, 361/683, 710/303
• 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

A functional unit of a video display, a main body and a connector associated with the main body for receiving an external electrical signal that is transmitted to the video display. The main body provides a first service to connect the video display to the host, a second service to support the functional unit on a generally horizontal surface, and a communication function in addition to the function provided by the video display.

Claims

1. A functional unit for removably mounting to a host, the functional unit comprising:

a video display; and

a main body housing the video display to form the functional unit, said main body providing;

a first service to connect the video display to the host,

a second service to support the functional unit on a generally horizontal surface remote from the host, and

a communication device in addition to and spaced from the video display and providing information to a user, and

a connector associated with the main body for receiving an external electrical signal that is transmitted to the video display.

2. The functional unit of claim 1, wherein the second mechanical support service is provided by a retractable stand coupled to the main body that supports the functional unit on generally horizontal surface remote from the host.

3. The functional unit of claim 1, wherein the connector comprises a receptacle for a USB device providing at least one of power and data.

4. The functional unit of claim 1, wherein the video display comprises a digital video display.

5. The functional unit of claim 1, wherein the video display is coupled to the main body by a fixed coupling.

6. The functional unit of claim 1, wherein the video display is coupled to the main body by a removable coupling.

7. The functional unit of claim 1, wherein the communication device comprises a white board surface on the main body.

8. The functional unit of claim 7, wherein the main body comprises a physical storage compartment for storing articles used with the white board surface.

9. The functional unit of claim 1, wherein the communication device comprises a speaker on the main body.

10. A functional unit for removably mounting to a host, the functional unit comprising:

a video display; and

a main body housing the video display to form the function unit, said main body comprising;

a first mechanical support component to connect the video display to the host,

a second mechanical support component to support the functional unit on a generally horizontal surface remote from the host,

a communication device in addition to and spaced from the video display and providing information to a user, and

a connector for receiving an external electrical signal that is transmitted to the video display.

11. The functional unit of claim 10, wherein the second mechanical support component comprises a retractable stand coupled to the main body that supports the functional unit on any generally horizontal surface remote from the host.

12. The functional unit of claim 10, wherein the communication device comprises a white board surface on the main body.

13. The functional unit of claim 10, wherein the connector comprises a receptacle for a USB device providing at least one of power and data.

14. The functional unit of claim 10, wherein the video display comprises a digital video display.

15. The functional unit of claim 10, wherein the video display is coupled to the main body by a fixed coupling.

16. The functional unit of claim 10, wherein the video display is coupled to the main body by a removable coupling.

17. The functional unit of claim 10, wherein the communication device comprises a speaker on the main body.

18. The functional unit of claim 12, wherein the main body comprises a physical storage compartment for storing articles used with the white board surface.