Adapter with transformative component

• US 7,905,754 B2
• Filed: 07/28/2009
• Issued: 03/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: McCoy, Richard A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Duverne; Jean F
• Application Number:
  US12/510,551
• Publication Number:
  US 20090285000A1
• Time in Patent Office: 595 Days
• Field of Search: 439/676, 439/745, 439/540.1, 439/537, 439/719, 361/683, 361/826, 174/172.A
• 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 a consumer electronic device to a host, with the adapter supplying 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, and the adapter further supplying a second service to the consumer electronic device when the adapter and the consumer electronic device are removed from the host. The adapter can further include a power source including a transformative component that transforms power supplied by the host.

Claims

1. An adapter for removably mounting a consumer electronic device to a host supplying power, the adapter comprising:

a first service interface coupling and directly mounting the consumer electronic device to the adapter;

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

a power source to provide power communications to the consumer electronic device, the power source including a transformative component;

wherein the adapter supplies 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, and supplies a second power communication service from the power source to, and forms a functional unit with, the consumer electronic device when the adapter and the consumer electronic device are removed from the host; and

wherein the transformative component transforms the power supplied by the host into the first power communication service.

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

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

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

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

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

7. The adapter of claim 1 and further comprising a data communication device to provide a data communication service to the consumer electronic device.

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

9. The adapter 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, and 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 adapter of claim 1 and further comprising a 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 adapter of claim 10, 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 host.

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

13. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the consumer electronic device is removably coupled to the adapter through the first service interface.

14. An adapter for removably mounting a consumer electronic device to an appliance supplying power, the adapter comprising:

a main body;

a first service interface disposed on the main body, the first service interface coupling and directly 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 power source incorporated into the main body for providing power communications 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, and supplies a second power communication service from the power source to the consumer electronic device when the adapter and the consumer electronic device are removed from the appliance; and

wherein the transformative component transforms the power supplied by the appliance into the first power communication service.

15. The adapter of claim 14, wherein the power source is rechargeable.

16. The adapter of claim 15, wherein the power source is recharged when the adapter is coupled to the appliance.

17. The adapter of claim 16, wherein the power source is only utilized for the second power communication service.

18. The adapter of claim 14, wherein the transformative component transforms the power supplied from the appliance from AC to DC voltage.

19. The adapter of claim 14, wherein the transformative component transforms the power supplied from the appliance from a first voltage to a second voltage.

20. The adapter of claim 14 and further comprising a data communication device to provide a data communication service to the consumer electronic device.

21. The adapter of claim 20, wherein the data communication device comprises a wireless data communication device.

22. The adapter of claim 20, 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, and a second data communication service to the consumer electronic device when the adapter and the consumer electronic device are removed from the appliance.

23. The adapter of claim 14 and further comprising a 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.

24. The adapter of claim 23, 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.

25. The adapter of claim 14 and further comprising a flange incorporating the second service interface, wherein the second service interface and the flange removably couple and mount the consumer electronic device to the appliance.

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