Whirlpool Corporation

David A Weinkauf

Richard A McCoy

John M Knight

James William Kendall

Ameresh Babu Viswanathan

Christopher S Moes

A modular system of an appliance host with multiple identical host service interfaces. The multiple identical host service interfaces provide a mechanical service and an electrical service for removable consumer electronic devices. Multiple distinct consumer electronic devices or adapters for consumer electronic devices may be coupled alternatively to the multiple host service interfaces.

Appliance host with multiple service interfaces for coupling multiple consumer electronic devices

A system for removably mounting a consumer electronic device to a vertical surface, an adapter, as well as adapters and appliance for use with the system. The system has a writing surface which is at least partially coverable by a removable consumer electronic device. The adapter has a writing surface and an interface for removably mounting an electronic device to at least partially cover the writing surface. The appliance has a writing surface and interface on surface of the appliance, such as, for example, the surface of a door of a refrigeration appliance.

Writing surface with removable portable electronic device

A door movably mounted to a cabinet to selectively close a chamber. The door has a peripheral edge, and a standardized service interface is located on the peripheral edge. The standardized service interface is configured to supply at least one service for use by a consumer electronic device. The peripheral edge can be the top edge of the door. The standardized service interface can receive the service from the use environment of the cabinet. A connector can be incorporated into the standardized service interface to selectively supply the consumer electronic device with the service. The service can comprise mechanical, power, or data communication.

Door with a service interface on an edge

A portable functional unit having a main body and a consumer electronic device coupled to the main body. The main body includes an erasable writing surface, a physical storage compartment for storing articles used with the white board surface, a first service port for selective communication of data, and a second service port for selective communication of power. The main body is adapted to receive the service from the service port.

Functional unit of a consumer electronic device and writing surface

A system for mounting a device to a host, such as an appliance, includes elongated, substantially parallel device interfaces for removably mounting the device to the host. The device interfaces can include rails, slots and/or electrical conductors.

System for mounting a device to a host

A system of an appliance host with at least a pair of generally parallel elongated interface structures cooperatively defining alternative pairs of locations for removably coupling a portable device to the outer wall and a potable device for use with the appliance. The interface structures may be rails, slots or elongated electrical connectors.

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Coloma, MI, United States of America

David A Weinkauf