Adapter or appliance with a user interface window

• US 7,931,114 B2
• Filed: 05/07/2008
• Issued: 04/26/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: Tenbarge, Andrew M., Rothermel, Ruben E., Kendall, James W., McCoy, Richard A., LeClear, Douglas D.
• Primary Examiner(s): San Martin; Edgardo
• Application Number:
  US12/116,425
• Publication Number:
  US 20080203868A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,084 Days
• Field of Search: 181/150, 361/729, 361/728, 361/730, 709/203, 625/31, 381/77, 381/333, 381/334, 381/301, 381/306
• US Class Current: 181/150
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/00 Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00 control of washing machines D06F33/00, D06F34/00
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 23/12 Arrangements of compartments additional to cooling compartments; Combinations of refrigerators with other equipment, e.g. stove
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/026 Supports for loudspeaker casings
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/028 associated with devices performing functions other than acoustics, e.g. electric candles
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2205/021 Aspects relating to docking-station type assemblies to obtain an acoustical effect, e.g. the type of connection to external loudspeakers or housings, frequency improvement

Abstract

An adapter or an appliance for use with an independently operable consumer electronic device having a user interface. The adapter comprises a holding device forming a device cavity capable of admitting the consumer electronic device in a predetermined orientation. An access opening into the device cavity exposes a portion of the consumer electronic device when the consumer electronic device is in the predetermined orientation. The portion of the consumer electronic device exposed includes at least a portion of the user interface.

Claims

1. An adapter for mounting a consumer electronic device to an appliance, the consumer electronic device having a user interface, the adapter comprising:

a body capable of electronically coupling and mechanically mounting the consumer electronic device, the body comprising;

a first compartment for receiving the consumer electronic device;

a second compartment for receiving a speaker;

a first interface provided within the first compartment for supplying the consumer electronic device with at least one of power and data;

a second interface provided within the second compartment for supplying the speaker with at least one of power and data; and

a third interface capable of being coupled to the appliance and communicating a service from the appliance; and

a faceplate removably mounted to the body and comprising;

an access opening aligned with a portion of the first compartment; and

a covering that permits the transfer of audio therethrough aligned with a portion of the second compartment;

wherein, when the consumer electronic device is received in the first compartment, at least a portion of the user interface is exposed by the access opening, and when the speaker is received in the second compartment, audio from the speaker is transmitted through the covering.

2. The adapter of claim 1 wherein the covering comprises a speaker grill.

3. The adapter of claim 1 wherein the body comprises a lip around at least a portion of the periphery of the body.

4. The adapter of claim 1 further comprising an electrical connector coupled between the first and second compartments.

5. The adapter of claim 1 wherein the first and second interfaces are electrically connected.

6. The adapter of claim 1 wherein the faceplate includes at least one of dials, indicators and buttons.

7. The adapter of claim 1 wherein the faceplate further provides an aesthetic service for hiding at least a portion of the adapter.

8. The adapter of claim 1 wherein the third interface is capable of communicating at least one of data and power from the appliance.

9. The adapter of claim 1 wherein the body comprises a generally rectangular body and the faceplate comprises a generally planar front face mounted to the generally rectangular body.

10. The adapter of claim 1 wherein the first interface is capable of communicating a service from the third interface.