System for connecting mechnically dissimilar consumer electronic devices to an adaptor or a host

Abstract

An adaptive adapter for coupling mechanically dissimilar devices to a host and systems including a host and an adaptive adapter. The systems may be mechanically dissimilar or may differ in their use or non-use of electrical service. In one embodiment, an adaptive adapter alternatively couples mechanically dissimilar consumer devices to a host and provides dissimilar services depending the type of consumer device chosen. In another embodiment a modular system is provided including a host providing at least one mechanical service to the adaptive adapter. In another embodiment, a modular system is provided including a host, an electronic device and an alternative non-electronic device.

1 - 39 . (canceled) 
   
   
       40 . A modular system comprising:
 a host performing a first primary function;   a first consumer electronic device performing a second primary function different from the first primary function;   a first adapter configured to couple the first consumer electronic device to the host and supply at least a first mechanical service between the first consumer electronic device and the host;   a second consumer electronic device performing a third primary function different than the first primary function;   a third consumer electronic device performing a fourth primary function different from the first primary function and the third primary function;   a second adapter, dissimilar from the first adapter, configured to alternatively removably couple the second consumer electronic device to the host to supply at least a second mechanical service between the host and the second consumer electronic device and to alternatively removably couple the third consumer electronic device to the host and supply at least a third mechanical service between the host and the third consumer electronic device different than the at least a second mechanical service.   
   
   
       41 . The modular system of  claim 40  wherein the second adapter comprises a service component selectively providing the at least a third service and the at least a second service. 
   
   
       42 . The modular system of  claim 43  wherein the service component automatically provides the at least a second and at least a third mechanical service in response to choosing to couple, respectively, the second and the third consumer electronic device. 
   
   
       43 . A modular system comprising:
 an appliance primarily performing a physical cycle of operation;   a consumer electronic device primarily performing a data function;   a portable consumer device performing a function different than the data function; and   an adapter capable of alternatively removably coupling the consumer electronic device to the host to supply a first mechanical service between the host and the consumer electronic device and of alternatively removably coupling the portable consumer device to the host to supply a second mechanical service between the host and the portable consumer device different than the first mechanical service, wherein the portable consumer device cannot use the first mechanical service.   
   
   
       44 . The modular system of  claim 43  wherein the consumer electronic device and the portable consumer device are differently shaped, and first mechanical service and the second mechanical service are both mechanical services, the mechanical services differing due to the different shapes of the consumer electronic device and the portable consumer device. 
   
   
       45 . The modular system of  claim 43  wherein the second adapter comprises a service component selectively providing the first mechanical service and the second mechanical service. 
   
   
       46 . The modular system of  claim 45  wherein the service component automatically provides the first mechanical service when the consumer electronic device is coupled to the adapter and automatically provides the second mechanical service when the portable consumer device is coupled to the adapter. 
   
   
       47 . The modular system of  claim 45  wherein the service component automatically provides the first mechanical service when the consumer electronic device is coupled to the adapter and the adapter is coupled to the appliance and automatically provides the second mechanical service when the portable consumer device is coupled to the adapter and the adapter is coupled to the appliance. 
   
   
       48 . An adaptive adapter for mounting multiple dissimilar portable consumer electronic devices to a host, the adaptive adapter comprising:
 a holder capable of alternatively removably coupling at least a first portable consumer device to the host a first mechanical service between the host and the at least a first portable consumer device and of alternatively removably coupling at least a second portable consumer device to the host to supply the second mechanical service between the host and the at least a second portable consumer device, wherein the at least a second portable consumer device cannot use the first electrical service; and   
     a service interface capable of removably coupling the adaptive adapter to the host to provide the adapter with an electrical service and a mechanical service from the host. 
   
   
       49 . The adaptive adapter of  claim 48 , wherein the adaptive adapter comprises a service component and automatically varies the operation of the service component in accordance with which of the alternative portable consumer devices is coupled to the adaptive adapter. 
   
   
       50 . The adaptive adapter of  claim 48  wherein the holder is capable of supplying an electrical service between the host and the at least a first consumer electronic device and wherein the at least a second portable device cannot use the electrical service. 
   
   
       51 . The modular system of  claim 50  wherein the second portable consumer device is non-electrical device and the first service is an electrical service. 
   
   
       52 . The modular system of  claim 50  wherein the second portable consumer device is a white board. 
   
   
       53 . The modular system of  claim 50  wherein the portable consumer device is a storage compartment. 
   
   
       54 . The modular system of  claim 48  wherein the mechanical services differ due to the different shapes of the consumer electronic device and the portable consumer device. 
   
   
       55 . The modular system of  claim 48 , wherein the holder comprises a plurality of movable arms, the arms being selectively movable to a first orientation for providing the first mechanical service for holding the first consumer electronic device and a second orientation for providing the second mechanical service for holding the second consumer electronic device. 
   
   
       56 . The modular system of  claim 55  wherein the movement of the arms is powered by the electrical service provided by the host. 
   
   
       57 . A modular system comprising:
 an appliance with a consumer facing surface;   a host service interface adjacent the consumer facing surface, the host service interface communicating a mechanical service and an electrical service;   a electronic device capable of being disposed adjacent the surface and removably coupled with the host service interface to communicate the mechanical and electrical services between the appliance and the electronic device; and   a non-electronic device capable of being alternatively disposed adjacent the surface and removably coupled with the host to communicate the mechanical services between the appliance and the non-mechanical device.   
   
   
       58 . The modular system of  claim 57  wherein the non-electronic device comprises a white board. 
   
   
       59 . The modular system of  claim 57  wherein the non-electronic device comprises a storage compartment. 
   
   
       60 . The modular system of  claim 57  wherein the electronic device comprises a second service interface at least mechanically similar to the host service interface and wherein the non-electronic device is capable of being alternatively coupled to the second service interface. 
   
   
       61 . The modular system of  claim 60  wherein the non-electronic device comprises a storage compartment for a portable accessory for the electronic device. 
   
   
       62 . The modular system of  claim 60  wherein the portable accessory comprises a remote control for the electronic device. 
   
   
       63 . The modular system of  claim 57  further comprising a holder mechanically interposed between the electronic device and the host service interface for mounting the electronic device to the host service interface. 
   
   
       64 . The modular system of  claim 63  wherein the holder comprises a second service interface at least mechanically similar to the host service interface and wherein the non-electronic device is capable of being alternatively coupled to the second service interface.