Patent Publication Number: US-7903397-B2

Title: Adapter for coupling a consumer electronic device to an appliance

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/619,806, filed Jan. 4, 2007, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to an adapter for coupling a consumer electronic device to an appliance. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Traditionally, appliances, consumer electronic devices, and other useful household machinery are located in a room dedicated to the function supported by the appliance, consumer electronic device, and or household machinery. For example, the kitchen has traditionally been limited to a space for preparing and eating meals and consequently has been mostly occupied by cabinetry and large home appliances such as refrigerators, dishwashers, and ovens. The family room has been designated as a place for leisure activities, and so most entertainment devices, such as televisions and video games are commonly found here. Laundry rooms normally house a washer, dryer, and iron. Devices such as personal computers and printers are often located in another room, such as a dedicated home office or bedroom. 
     Consumers increasingly own multiple hand-held or portable consumer electronic devices, such as laptops, cell phones, PDAs, and digital music players. These devices are typically used in many different rooms in the house and are often carried from room to room throughout the home. Consumers also tend to perform non-traditional tasks in the traditional rooms of the home. For example, consumers also tend to eat in the living room or media room, instead of the dining room. Consumers tend to eat, meet and entertain in the kitchen, not just the dining room and family room. In fact, the kitchen is often the hub of most household activity. Consumers also tend to work in every room of the home with the adoption of laptop computers and wireless networks. 
     Therefore, there is a trend for consumers to perform non-traditional functions in a household room designed for a traditional function. The invention recognizes this trend and attempts to support the trend. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention supports this trend by an adapter according to one embodiment of the invention for removably holding a consumer electronic device having a first standardized service interface to an appliance conducting a useful cycle of operation and having a second standardized service interface that is incompatible with the first standardized interface. The adapter comprises an adapter body, a first adapter interface provided on the adapter body and configured to removably couple to the first standardized interface to permit communication of a first electrical service selected from a power service and a data service between the transformative adapter and the consumer electronic device, a second adapter interface provided on the adapter body and configured to removably couple to the second standardized interface to permit communication of a second electrical service selected from a power service and a data service between the transformative adapter and the appliance, and at least one transformation component in communication with the first adapter interface and the second adapter interface and transforming one of the first electrical service and the second electrical service to the other of the first electrical service and the second electrical service when the adapter is mechanically coupled with at least one of the appliance and the consumer electronic device, wherein at least one of the first electrical service and the second electrical service comprises a wireless service. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration of a modular system comprising a host, an adapter, and a consumer electronic device. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic illustration of a first configuration of the modular system from  FIG. 1 , showing the consumer electronic device coupled with the host via the adapter. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic side illustration of the modular system from  FIG. 1 , showing the adapter and consumer electronic device exploded from the host. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic illustration of a second configuration of the modular system, where the modular system comprises two hosts, an adapter, and a consumer electronic device. 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic illustration of a third configuration of the modular system, where the modular system comprises a host, two adapters, and two consumer electronic devices, and the adapters are alternately coupled with the host. 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic illustration of a fourth configuration of the modular system, where the modular system comprises a host, two adapters, and two consumer electronic devices, and the adapters are simultaneously coupled with the host. 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic side illustration of the modular system from  FIG. 6 , showing the adapters and consumer electronic devices exploded from the host. 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic illustration of a fifth configuration of the modular system, where the modular system comprises a host, an adapter, and two consumer electronic devices. 
         FIG. 8A  is a schematic illustration of a sixth configuration of the modular system, where the modular system comprises a host with two adapters and a consumer electronic device. 
         FIG. 8B  is a is a schematic illustration of a seventh configuration of the modular system where the modular system comprises two hosts, two adapters, and a consumer electronic device. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a first specific embodiment of a modular system, showing a refrigerator with an adapter and video display. 
         FIG. 10  is an exploded view of the modular system from  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic illustration of the connections between the modular system shown in  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the modular system from  FIG. 9 , with the adapter and video display removed. 
         FIG. 13A  is a partial front view of the modular system from  FIG. 9 , where the video display comprises a television. 
         FIG. 13B  is a partial front view of the modular from  FIG. 9 , where the video display comprises a weather station. 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a second specific embodiment of a modular system, showing a refrigerator with two adapters, a video display, and a satellite radio. 
         FIG. 15  is an exploded view of the modular system from  FIG. 14 . 
         FIG. 16  is a schematic illustration of the connections between the modular system shown in  FIG. 14 . 
         FIG. 17  is a partial front view of a third specific embodiment of a modular system, showing a refrigerator with an adapter having functionality and a satellite radio. 
         FIG. 18A  is a partial perspective view of a fourth specific embodiment of a modular system, showing a refrigerator with a removable adapter and digital image display. 
         FIG. 18B  is a rear perspective view of the modular system of  FIG. 18A . 
         FIG. 19  is a side view of the adapter and the digital image display of  FIG. 18A  removed from the refrigerator and supported by a stand on a generally horizontal surface. 
         FIG. 20  is a partial perspective view of a fifth specific embodiment of a modular system, showing a refrigerator with a DVD module comprising an adapter, a video display, and a DVD player, with the DVD module in an open position. 
         FIG. 21  is a partial perspective view of the modular system from  FIG. 20 , with the DVD module in a closed position. 
         FIG. 22  is a partial perspective view of the modular system from  FIG. 20 , showing the movement of the DVD module between the open and closed positions. 
         FIG. 23  is an exploded perspective view of the DVD module from  FIG. 20 . 
         FIG. 24  is a front view of a sixth specific embodiment of a modular system, showing a refrigerator with two adapters, a television, and a digital music player. 
         FIG. 25  is a front view of the modular system from  FIG. 24 , with one adapter and the digital music player removed from the refrigerator. 
         FIG. 26  is a front view of the modular system from  FIG. 24 , with both adapters, the television, and the digital music player removed from the refrigerator to illustrate a host service interface on the refrigerator. 
         FIG. 27  is a close-up view of the host service interface shown in  FIG. 26 . 
         FIG. 28A  is a front view of a seventh specific embodiment of a modular system, showing a refrigerator with a host service interface, an adapter and a digital music player. 
         FIG. 28B  is an exploded view of the host service interface from  FIG. 28A . 
         FIG. 29  is a close-up front view of the modular system from  FIG. 28A , showing the addition of a second adapter and a television to the modular system. 
         FIG. 30  is an exploded perspective view of an eighth specific embodiment of a modular system, showing a refrigerator, two adapters, a video display, and a personal digital assistant. 
         FIG. 31  is a schematic illustration of the connections between the modular system shown in  FIG. 30 . 
         FIG. 32  is an exploded perspective view of a ninth specific embodiment of a modular system, showing a refrigerator, two adapters, a video display, and a personal digital assistant. 
         FIG. 33  is a schematic illustration of the connections between the modular system shown in  FIG. 32 . 
         FIG. 34  is an exploded perspective view of a tenth specific embodiment of a modular system, showing a refrigerator, two adapters, a video display, and a personal digital assistant. 
         FIG. 35  is a schematic illustration of the connections between the modular system shown in  FIG. 34 . 
         FIG. 36  is an exploded perspective view of an eleventh specific embodiment of a modular system, showing a refrigerator, two adapters, a video display, and a personal digital assistant. 
         FIG. 37  is a schematic illustration of the connections between the modular system shown in  FIG. 36 . 
         FIG. 38  is an exploded perspective view of a twelfth specific embodiment of a modular system, showing a refrigerator, two adapters, a video display, and a personal digital assistant. 
         FIG. 39  is a schematic illustration of the connections between the modular system shown in  FIG. 38 . 
         FIG. 40  is an exploded perspective view of a thirteenth specific embodiment of a modular system, showing a refrigerator, two adapters, a video display, and a personal digital assistant. 
         FIG. 41  is a schematic illustration of the connections between the modular system shown in  FIG. 40 . 
         FIG. 42  is a perspective view of a fourteenth specific embodiment of a modular system, showing a refrigerator having a host service interface formed on a top surface of a dispenser. 
         FIG. 43  is a front view of the modular system of  FIG. 42 , showing a first adapter and consumer electronic device coupled to the refrigerator. 
         FIG. 44  is a front view of the modular system of  FIG. 42 , showing a second adapter and consumer electronic device coupled to the refrigerator. 
         FIG. 45  is a perspective view of a fifteenth specific embodiment of a modular system, showing a refrigerator having a host service interface formed on a bottom surface of a dispenser. 
         FIG. 46  is a front view of the modular system of  FIG. 45 , showing a first adapter and consumer electronic device coupled to the refrigerator. 
         FIG. 47  is a front view of the modular system of  FIG. 45 , showing a second adapter and consumer electronic device coupled to the refrigerator. 
         FIG. 48  is a perspective view of a sixteenth specific embodiment of a modular system, showing a refrigerator, an adapter with user interface functionality, and a video display. 
         FIG. 49  is an exploded perspective view of the modular system from  FIG. 48 . 
         FIG. 50  is a perspective view of a seventeenth specific embodiment of a modular system, showing a refrigerator, an adapter with whiteboard functionality and a video display. 
         FIG. 51  is a close-up exploded view of the modular system from  FIG. 50 . 
         FIG. 52  is a perspective view of the modular system from  FIG. 50 , showing the video display removed from the refrigerator. 
         FIG. 53  is a perspective view of an eighteenth specific embodiment of a modular system, showing a refrigerator having a speaker, an adapter with whiteboard functionality and a video display. 
         FIG. 54  is a partial perspective view of a nineteenth specific embodiment of a modular system, showing a refrigerator with a video display moveably coupled to the refrigerator by an adapter, where the video display is in a use position. 
         FIG. 55  is a partial perspective view of the modular system from  FIG. 54 , showing the movement of the video display between the use position and a non-use position. 
         FIG. 56  is a partial perspective view of the modular system from  FIG. 54 , where the video display is in the non-use position. 
         FIG. 57  is a partial perspective view of a twentieth specific embodiment of a modular system, showing a refrigerator with a video display moveably coupled to the refrigerator by an adapter, where the video display is in a use position. 
         FIG. 58A  is a partial perspective view of the modular system from  FIG. 56 , showing the video display in a first intermediate position between the use and non-use positions. 
         FIG. 58B  is a partial perspective view of the modular system from  FIG. 56 , showing the video display in a second intermediate position between the use and non-use positions. 
         FIG. 59  is a partial perspective view of the modular system from  FIG. 56 , where the video display is in the non-use position. 
         FIG. 60  is a perspective view of a twenty-first specific embodiment of a modular system, showing a refrigerator having a video display moveably coupled to the refrigerator by a swiveling adapter, where the video display is in a use position. 
         FIG. 61  is a perspective view of the modular system from  FIG. 60 , where the video display is in a non-use position. 
         FIG. 62  is a close-up perspective view of the modular system from  FIG. 60 , showing the movement of the video display between the use and non-use positions. 
         FIG. 63  is a perspective view of a twenty-second specific embodiment of a modular system, showing a refrigerator having a host service interface formed within a cavity in the refrigerator door. 
         FIG. 64  is a perspective view of the modular system from  FIG. 63 , showing a pair of adapters and consumer electronic devices coupled to the host service interface. 
         FIG. 65  is a perspective view of a twenty-third specific embodiment of a modular system, showing a refrigerator having an adapter with calendar functionality and a television. 
         FIG. 66  is a perspective view of a twenty-fourth specific embodiment of a modular system, showing a refrigerator having a chamber, an adapter slidable into and out of the chamber, and two cell phones. 
         FIG. 67  is a perspective view of the modular system from  FIG. 66  showing the adapter retracted into the chamber. 
         FIG. 68  is a perspective view of a twenty-fifth embodiment of a modular system, showing a refrigerator having an adjustable adapter, and a television. 
         FIG. 69  is a perspective view of a twenty-sixth embodiment of a modular system, showing a refrigerator having a removable adapter and a cell phone. 
         FIG. 70  is an exploded view of the modular system from  FIG. 69 . 
         FIG. 71  is a perspective view of a twenty-seventh embodiment of a modular system, showing a wall-mounted service interface, an adapter, and a video display. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a schematic illustration of a modular system  10  according to the invention is shown and comprises at least one host  12 , at least one adapter  14 , and at least one consumer electronic device  16 . The host  12  and the consumer electronic device  16  cannot be directly coupled with each other, and thus are indirectly coupled via the adapter  14 . The term “coupled” as used herein includes any type of connection that permits a transfer of a service, as hereinafter defined, between any combination of the host  12 , adapter  14 , and consumer electronic device  16 . The term “coupled” includes both a fixed and removable coupling, unless expressly stated otherwise. 
     The host  12  performs a primary function and can provide or receive at least one service to or from the adapter  14  or the consumer electronic device  16 . The host  12  can be an appliance and the primary function can be performing a series of steps to conduct a useful cycle of operation. The host  12  can also comprise a structural feature of a building, such as a wall. Preferably, the appliance is a conventional household appliance, such as a refrigerator performing a cooling cycle or an ice making cycle. Other examples of appliances the host  12  can comprise include, but are not limited to a freezer, a microwave oven, a dishwashing machine, a stove, a range, an air conditioner, a dehumidifier, a water heater, a furnace, a clothes washing machine, a clothes dryer, a clothes refreshing machine, and a non-aqueous washing apparatus, or any combination thereof. 
     The consumer electronic device  16  is a device that also performs a primary function. In most cases, the primary function of the consumer electronic device is different from the primary function performed by the host  12 . Examples of the consumer electronic device  16  include, but are not limited to a television, a video camera, a video recorder, a personal computer, a notebook computer, a computer monitor, a video display, a keyboard, a printer, copying equipment, a calculator, a facsimile machine, a scanner, a digital storage device, a wireless transceiver, an internet router, a power supply, a data recorder, an answering machine, a telephone, a cordless telephone, a cellular telephone, a video game system, a personal digital assistant, a DVD player, VHS player, a VCR, a cassette deck, an 8 mm video player, a CD player, a Blackberry, a portable digital video player, an MP3 player, a radio, other music players, an audio speaker, a digital picture frame, a weather station, and a scale or balance. 
     The adapter  14  supplies at least one service to either the host  12  or the consumer electronic device  16 . The supply of the service can be uni-directional in that the adapter  14  supplies a service provided by one of the host  12  and the consumer electronic device  16  to the other of the host  12  and the consumer electronic device  16 . The supply of the service can also be bi-directional in that the adapter  14  can supply a service from the host  12  to the consumer electronic device  16  and from the consumer electronic device  16  to the host  12 . The adapter  14  itself can provide a service that is supplied to the host  12 , the consumer electronic device  16  or both, either uni-directionally or multi-directionally. The service supplied by the adapter  14  can be of the same type or a different type than that supplied by either the host  12  or the consumer electronic device  16 . 
     An adapter can comprise one or more adapter members. Exemplary types of adapter members can include, but are not limited to, extenders and device holders. In general, an extender extends the service provided by the host  12 , the adapter  14 , or the consumer electronic device  16 . An extender can be coupled between the host  12  and another adapter  14 , between the host  12  and a consumer electronic device  16 , between two other adapters  14 , or between another adapter  14  and a consumer electronic device  16  to extend the service. Extenders are useful to allow an adapter  14  to be coupled to one surface of the host  12 , while the consumer electronic device  16  is coupled to a different surface of the host  12  or to simply increase the distance between the host  12  and the consumer electronic device  16 . Device holders physically support a consumer electronic device  16 . 
     Exemplary services that the adapter  14  can supply include mechanical communication, power communication, and data communication. Mechanical communication is the physical coupling of two objects, such as between any combination of the host  12 , the adapter  14 , and the consumer electronic device  16 . The mechanical communication includes direct and indirect physical mounting, unless expressly stated otherwise. Physical coupling includes a fixed or removable mounting, unless expressly stated otherwise. Power communication is the coupling of two objects to supply power to at least one of the objects. Data communication is the coupling of two objects to transmit data to at least one of the objects or exchange data between the objects. The mechanical, power, and data communication includes both uni-directional and multi-directional communication, unless stated otherwise, between any combination of the host, adapter, and consumer electronic device. The power and data communication includes wired and wireless communication, unless stated otherwise. 
     Illustrative applications of these services include the physical mounting of the consumer electronic device  16  to either the host  12  or adapter  14  to place them in mechanical communication with each other. Power communication can include supplying power to the consumer electronic device  16  from either the host  12  or adapter  14  during operation as well as charging a consumer electronic device  16  for later use. Wireless power communication can comprise any types of wireless power communication, including, without limitation for illustration purposes, microwave transmission, laser transmission, and magnetic fields. Data communication can include exchanging data between the host  12  or the adapter  14  and the consumer electronic device  16 . Wireless data communication can comprise any type of wireless data communication, including, without limitation for illustration purposes, wireless network (a/k/a Wi-Fi), radio transmission, light transmission, and acoustical transmission. 
     Each service can comprise multiple categories of the service, where one category of a service is different in some way from another category of the same service. As an example, two possible categories of mechanical communication are hanging a consumer electronic device  16  as opposed to docking the consumer electronic device  16 . Exemplary categories of power communication include the type of power, e.g. AC or DC, supplied to the consumer electronic device  16  and variations in the characteristics of the power, such as the voltage or current. Exemplary categories of data communication include encrypted and unencrypted data. Data communication also includes communication for different protocols, including physical layer protocols and software layer protocols. Examples for physical layer protocols are a wired Ethernet and a wireless (Wi-Fi) network, both of which support the same data packet structure. The adapter  14  could effect communication between these two physical layers. Examples of software layer protocol are Zigbee and Bluetooth. The adapter  14  can be used to transform either of the Zigbee and Bluetooth data packets into the other of the Zigbee and Bluetooth data packets to effect communication between devices using a different protocol. 
     The adapter  14  can be configured to transform the service that it supplies. For example, the adapter  14  could be configured to transform the power supplied by changing the voltage or the amount of available power. An anticipated transformation would be to change the voltage of the power provided to the adapter  14  to another voltage that that adapter  14  supplies. Another anticipated transformation is the changing of AC power to DC. The data communication could be transformed such that the adapter  14  changes unencrypted data to encrypted data or a standard communication protocol to a proprietary protocol. Other anticipated transformations include the changing from wired power to wireless power, from wired data to wireless data, or from standard power or standard data to power with imbedded data. 
     The service supplied by the adapter  14  can be provided at least in part by the host  12 . For example, the mechanical communication for the consumer electronic device  16  can be provided in part by a horizontal or vertical surface of the host  12 , the power supplied by the adapter  14  can be provided through a power connection between the host  12  and an external power source, such as a mains electricity supply, and the data transferred by the adapter  14  can by provided by the host  12 , such as from the host controller, or through a data connection between the host  12  and an external source, such as a computer network, a telecommunication network, or another appliance. 
     Alternately, the service supplied by the adapter  14  can be provided at least in part by the use environment. The use environment, as used herein, is the area surrounding the host  12 . For example, in the case where the host  12  is an appliance, the use environment can be a nearby wall of a building or similar structural feature. The use environment can include sources of power and data, such as a mains electricity supply or a computer network. 
     The term “provide,” and any variation thereof, as used herein denotes the source of the service relative to the modular system  10 , and is not limited to the “provider” being the origin of the service. In other words, providing is used to denote the source of the service relative to the host  12 , the adapter  14 , and the consumer electronic device  16 , regardless of whether the service originates with the object that provides the service. The object that provides the service can simply be passing on the service. For example, for a host  12  comprising an appliance that provides the service of power communication, the appliance can simply pass on electricity it receives from a household outlet. However, the same appliance can provide another service that originates with the appliance, such as mechanical communication where an adapter  14  and a consumer electronic device  16  are physically coupled to the appliance. Moreover, the object that the service is provided to is not necessarily the end receiver of the service. The service can simply be transmitted through the object that is provided with the service. An object, such as the adapter  14 , can be provided with the service, such as from the host  12 , and can transmit or supply the service, such as to the consumer electronic device  16 . 
     The host  12  and the consumer electronic device  16  each comprise at least one service interface, respectively referred to herein as a host service interface and a device service interface. The service interfaces can be integrally formed with the host  12  or consumer electronic device  16 , or can be an add-on device. The service interfaces can be removable or non-removable from the host  12  or consumer electronic device  16 . At least one service can be provided to the adapter  14  through the host service interface, the device service interface, or both, and the adapter  14  can in turn supply that service through the other of the host service interface and the device service interface. As an example, for a uni-directional service where the service is provided to from the host  12  to the consumer electronic device  16  via the adapter  14 , the service can be supplied to the adapter  14  through the host service interface, and to the consumer electronic device  16  through the device service interface. 
     While the device service interface and host service interface can be the same, it is anticipated that the device service interface is different from the host service interface. The term “different”, when used to describe the host and device service interfaces, means that the host service interface and device service interface cannot be directly coupled, or if directly coupled, one or both of the interfaces lose some functionality. Different can also mean that the two service interfaces are incompatible An anticipated type of difference is that the host service interface and the device service interface will have different physical connectors for one or more of the services, thereby needing the adapter  14  to couple the physical connectors to establish the appropriate communication for the service. 
     The adapter  14  can comprise at least one component that enables a service to be supplied between the host  12  and the consumer electronic device  16 . An adapter component can provide, supply, or receive at least one service. A single adapter component can enable the supply of only one service to the consumer electronic device  16  or it can enable the supply of multiple services to the consumer electronic device  16 . The adapter  14  can be provided with multiple adapter components that each enable the supply of a different service to the consumer electronic device  16 . One or more adapter components can form an adapter service interface, similar to a host or device service interface, and can couple with a host service interface, a device service interface, or another adapter service interface to provide, transmit, or supply at least one service. 
     An adapter component can couple with the host  12 , the consumer electronic device  16 , or neither. An adapter component can comprise a connector component, such as a connector component that forms a part of an adapter service interface, that enables the supply of the service through a physical coupling with the host  12 , consumer electronic device  16 , or another adapter  14 , e.g. a plug fitting into a socket to enable power delivery, or through a non-physical coupling with the host  12 , consumer electronic device  16 , or another adapter  14 , e.g. establishing a wireless connection to enable data transfer. An adapter component can comprise a transformative component such as an electrical transformer to change the voltage of the power or an inverter to change the type of power. An adapter component can comprise an adapter service interface that couples with a host service interface or a device service interface. 
     The adapter  14  can further comprise functionality unrelated to supplying the service between the host  12  and consumer electronic device  16 . The adapter functionality can operate independently of the host  12  and the consumer electronic device  16 , or it can enhance one or more of the functions of the host  12  and the consumer electronic device  16 . The functionality can be dependent upon whether the adapter  14  is coupled with the host  12 , and also on whether the consumer electronic device  16  is coupled with the adapter. The functionality can permit the adapter  14  and/or the consumer electronic device  16  to be used independently of the host  12 . In this case, the adapter  14  often provides and supplies at least one service to the consumer electronic device  16 . The functionality can be effected by one or more components of the adapter. 
     Examples of adapter functionality include, but are not limited to a speaker, a user interface, a display projection, a media manager, a whiteboard, physical storage, application software hosting, communications routing, power storage, microphone, data storage, and consumer electronic device. An adapter  14  with speaker functionality comprises at least one audio speaker that intensifies and makes speech or music audible. An adapter  14  with user interface functionality comprises a display and/or an input area that allows to user to interface with the host  12 , adapter  14 , consumer electronic device  16 , or an external source. An adapter  14  with calendar projection functionality allows a calendar or schedule to be projected visually or audibly. An adapter with media manager functionality allows a user to manage all types of media (e.g. music, video, pictures, etc.). An adapter  14  with whiteboard functionality comprises a conventional whiteboard for temporarily writing messages, and can be available to the user only when a consumer electronic device  16  is not coupled to the adapter  14 , or can be available at all times to the user. An adapter  14  with physical storage functionality comprises a storage compartment for storing items, and may be particularity useful for storing companion items for the consumer electronic devices, such as a remote control for a consumer electronic device comprising a television or DVDs for a consumer electronic device comprising a DVD player. An adapter  14  with power storage functionality comprises a source of stored power, such as a rechargeable battery. An adapter with data storage functionality comprises means for storing data, such as a hard drive. An adapter with consumer electronic device functionality incorporates the entire functionality of one or more consumer electronic device as a function of the adapter. 
     An adapter  14  can comprise more than one type of functionality. For example, whiteboard functionality can be combined with physical storage functionality for storing items commonly associated with whiteboards, such as dry-erase markers and erasers. 
     Referring now to the schematic illustration of one configuration of the modular system  10  shown in  FIG. 2 , the consumer electronic device  16  is coupled with the host  12  via the adapter  14 . The consumer electronic device  16  is physically coupled with the adapter  14 , which is in turn physically coupled with the host  12 . In this way, the adapter  14  is in mechanical communication with the host  12 , and the consumer electronic device  16  is in mechanical communication with the adapter  14 , which places the consumer electronic device  16  in mechanical communication with the host  12 . Thus, the mechanical communication is direct between the adapter  14  and both the host  12  and consumer electronic device  16  and indirect between the consumer electronic device  16  and the host  12 . 
     The consumer electronic device  16  can be provided with a user interface  17  to enable the user to interact with the consumer electronic device  16  or receive a functional output from the consumer electronic device. The user interface  17  can comprise a video display, a touch screen, control knobs or buttons, a data display, a keypad, a printer or facsimile page output, a microphone, a speaker, a video or still camera, and the like. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a schematic exploded side view of the modular system  10  is shown, where the host  12  comprises a host service interface  18  that couples with a first component  22  of the adapter  14 , and the consumer electronic device  16  comprises a device service interface  20  that couples with a second component  24  of the adapter  14 . At least one service is provided to the adapter  14  through the coupling with the host service interface  18  or the device service interface  20 . At least one service is supplied to the consumer electronic device  16  through the device service interface  20  or to the host  12  through the host service interface  18 , or, in the case of a multi-directional service, both. 
     It is anticipated that a common implementation will include a single host  12 , a single adapter  14 , and a single consumer electronic device  16 . However, it is within the scope of the invention for one or all of the host  12 , adapter  14 , and consumer electronic device  16  to be in a plural arrangement. An illustrative example includes multiple hosts  12  concurrently coupled to one consumer electronic device  16  by one or more adapters  14 . Another illustrative example includes multiple consumer electronic devices  16  coupled to a single host  12  by one or more adapters  14 . 
     For a modular system comprising multiple hosts  12 , each host  12  can be provided with a common, standardized host interface  18 . For example, competing home appliance manufactures may have different host interfaces  18 , but each manufacturer may carry the same standardized host interface  18  throughout its own line of home appliances. For a modular system with multiple adapters  14  and a single host  12 , the host  12  can interchangeably couple with any one of the adapters  14 . The multiple adapters  14  preferably have a standardized component that is received by the host interface  18  so that the host  12  can interchangeably receive the adapters. Manufacturers of consumer electronic devices may also choose to carry a standardized device interface  20  throughout its own line of consumer electronic devices  16 . Therefore, different adapters  14  can be provided for coupling the standardized interface for a consumer electronic device  16  of one manufacturer to the standardized interface of an appliance for another manufacturer and enabling the communication of a service therebetween. This eliminates the need for all manufacturers to use the same standardized interface and increases the utility of the appliances and the consumer electronic devices  16 . 
     Other possible configurations of the modular system will now be described. Referring to  FIG. 4 , a schematic illustration of a second configuration of a modular system  10 A is shown comprising a pair of hosts  26 A,  26 B, each having a common, standardized host service interface  28 , an adapter  30 , and a consumer electronic device  32 . The hosts  26 A,  26 B can be appliances that complete a different cycle of operation, such as a refrigerator and a dishwasher. The adapter  30  and consumer electronic device  32  can be alternately coupled to the host interface  28  of either host  26 A,  26 B. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , a schematic illustration of a third configuration of a modular system  10 B is shown comprising a host  34  having a host service interface  36 , a pair of adapters  38 A,  38 B, and a pair of consumer electronic devices  40 A,  40 B, where the host  34  can interchangeably couple with either of the adapters  38 A,  38 B. The adapters  38 A,  38 B preferably have a standardized component  42  that is received by the host service interface  36  so that the host  34  can interchangeably receive the adapters  38 A,  38 B. The adapters  38 A and  38 B can be the same or different. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , a schematic illustration of a fourth configuration of a modular system  10 C is shown comprising a host  44  having a host service interface  46 , a pair of adapters  48 A,  48 B, and a pair of consumer electronic devices  50 A,  50 B, where the host  44  couples with both adapters  48 A,  48 B simultaneously. The first adapter  48 A comprises a first component  52  and a second component  54  and the second adapter  48 B comprises a third component  56 . The first component  52  couples with the host service interface  46  to couple the respective first consumer electronic device  50 A with the host  44 . The second and third components  54 ,  56  are coupled together to “gang” or operably connect the first and second adapters  48 A,  48 B to each other sequentially, thereby coupling the second consumer electronic device  50 B with the host  44 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , a schematic illustration of a fifth configuration of a modular system  10 D is shown comprising a host  58 , an adapter  60 , and a pair of consumer electronic devices  62 A,  62 B, where the adapter  60  can interchangeably couple with either of the consumer electronic devices  62 A,  62 B. Each consumer electronic device  62 A,  62 B comprises a common, standardized device service interface  64 . The adapter  60  has a standardized component  66  that interchangeably receives the device service interface  64  of either consumer electronic device  62 A,  62 B. The consumer electronic devices  62 A,  62 B can each perform a different primary function. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8A , a schematic illustration of a sixth configuration of a modular system  10 E is shown, where modular system  10 E is similar to modular system  10 , and elements similar to those of modular system  10  are identified by the same reference numerals bearing a prime (′) symbol. The adapter  14 ′ supplies the service of mechanical communication between the host  12 ′ and the consumer electronic device  16 ′ and can be thought of as a mechanical communication adapter. The consumer electronic device  16 ′ is physically coupled with the mechanical communication adapter  14 ′, which is in turn physically coupled with the host  12 ′. In this way the mechanical communication adapter  14 ′ is in mechanical communication with the host  12 ′ and the consumer electronic device  16 ′ is in mechanical communication with the mechanical communication adapter  14 ′, which places the consumer electronic device  16 ′ in mechanical communication with the host  12 ′. In addition to the mechanical communication adapter  14 ′, modular system  10 E comprises a wireless communications adapter  67 . The wireless communications adapter  67  supplies power and/or data communication between the host  12 ′ and the mechanical communication adapter  14 ′ or the consumer electronic device  16 ′ through a wireless power and/or data connection. The wireless communications adapter  67  can be physically mounted to the host  12 ′, or can be a separate module. Thus, the consumer electronic device  16 ′ is mechanically coupled with the host  12 ′ via the mechanical communication adapter  14 ′ and is wirelessly coupled with the host  12 ′ via the wireless communications adapter  67 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 8B , a schematic illustration of a seventh configuration of a modular system  10 F is shown, where modular system  10 F is similar to modular system  10 E, and elements similar to those of modular system  10  are identified by the same reference numerals bearing a double prime (″) symbol. Modular system  10 F further includes a second host  65  having the wireless communications adapter  67 ″ mounted thereto. The wireless communications adapter  67 ″ supplies power and/or data communication between the host  65  and the host  12 ″, the mechanical communication adapter  14 ″ or the consumer electronic device  16 ″ through a wireless power and/or data connection. The wireless communications adapter  67 ″ can further receive power and/or data from either host  12 ″,  65  and supply it to the consumer electronic device  16 ″ or mechanical communication adapter  14 ″. In this way, the consumer electronic device  16 ″ is mechanically coupled with the host  12 ″ via the mechanical communication adapter  14 ″ and is wirelessly coupled with the host  65  via the wireless communications adapter  67 ″. 
     Specific embodiments of modular systems containing these features, as well as some additional features will now be described. Other examples of modular systems are described in the following related applications filed contemporaneously with the parent application: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/619,900, entitled “System for Supplying Service from an Appliance to Multiple Consumer Electronic Devices”, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,625,246, issued Dec. 1, 2009; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/619,754, entitled “System for Connecting Mechanically Dissimilar Consumer Electronic Devices to an Adapter or a Host”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/619,836, entitled “Appliance with an Adapter to Simultaneously Couple Multiple Consumer Electronic Devices”, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,651,368, issued Jan. 26, 2010; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/619,907, entitled “Appliance with an Electrically Adaptive Adapter to Alternatively Couple Multiple Consumer Electronic Devices”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/619,922, entitled “A Removable Adapter Providing a Wireless Service to Removable Consumer Electronic Device”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/619,894, entitled “Host with Multiple Adapters for Coupling Consumer Electronic Devices”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/619,817, entitled “Host with Multiple Sequential Adapters for Multiple Consumer Electronic Devices”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/619,845, entitled “Alternative Hosts for Multiple Adapters and Multiple Consumer Electronic Devices”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/619,850, entitled “Appliance Door with a Service Interface”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/619,912, entitled “Door with a Service Interface on an Edge”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/619,873, entitled “A Dispenser with a Service Interface for a Consumer Electronic Device”, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,810,343, issued Oct. 12, 2010; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/619,904, entitled “Service Supply Module and Adapter for a Consumer Electronic Device”, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,798,865, issued Sep. 21, 2010; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/619,767, entitled “Adapter for Docking a Consumer Electronic Device in Discrete Orientations”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/619,772, entitled “Host and Adapter for Selectively Positioning a Consumer Electronic Display in Visible and Concealed Orientations”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/619,775, entitled “Host and Adapter for Selectively Positioning a Consumer Electronic Device in Accessible and Inaccessible Orientations”, abandoned Sep. 13, 2010; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/619,718, entitled “Functional Adapter for Consumer Electronic Device”, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,765,332, issued Jul. 27, 2010; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/619,731, entitled “Adapter and Consumer Electronic Device Functional Unit”, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,618,295, issued Nov. 17, 2009; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/650,222 entitled “Acoustic Chamber as Part of Adapter or Appliance”, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,686,127, issued Mar. 30, 2010; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/649,932, entitled “Electrical Accessory Charging Compartment for a Cabinet and Retrofit Components Therefor”, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , a first embodiment of a modular system A is shown. In this figure, and most of the following figures, the host is shown as an appliance comprising a refrigerator  68 ; however, it is understood that the invention is not limited to appliances. The refrigerator  68  comprises a cabinet  70  having an open front face (not shown), a pair doors  72  moveably mounted to the cabinet  70  to selectively close the open front face, and a dispenser  74  mounted within one of the doors  72  for selectively dispensing water and/or ice. The cabinet  70  has a top horizontal surface  76  and two side vertical surfaces  78 . Each refrigerator door  72  has a top horizontal surface  80 , a front vertical surface  82 , and a handle  84  mounted to the front vertical surface  82 . 
     Referring additionally to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the modular system A further comprises an adapter  86 , and a consumer electronic device illustrated as a video display  88 . The adapter  86  comprises an extender  90  and a device holder  92  supporting the video display  88 . The extender  90  comprises a L-shaped bracket having pair of spaced screw hole openings  94  on either side of a female cap connector  96 , a downwardly facing power/data plug  98 , and a downwardly facing power/data socket  100 . 
     A host service interface  102  is integrally formed in the top surface  80  of one of the refrigerator doors  72  and comprises a pair of spaced screw holes  104  on either side of a power/data socket  106 . Electrical power and data is provided by the refrigerator  68  to the host service interface  102  through an electrical/data connection with the refrigerator, indicated by the wire  108  terminating in the power/data socket  106 . The extender  90  is coupled to the host service interface  102  by plugging the power/data plug  98  into the power/data socket  106 . This automatically aligns the screw hole openings  94  with the screw holes  104  and the extender  90  is mechanically secured to the refrigerator  68  by driving the screws  110  into the screw holes  104 . 
     The device holder  92  comprises a support housing  112  for the consumer electronic device  88  and comprises a power/data plug  114  on the upper surface of the housing  112  and a power/data socket  116  on the lower surface of the housing  112 . The device holder  92  is coupled to the extender  90  by plugging the power/data plug  114  into the power/data socket  100 . In addition to provided power and data communication, this connection also provides a mechanical communication between the device holder  92  and the extender  90 . The video display  88  is affixed to the support housing  112 . The video display  88  can receive electrical power as well as a television or Internet connection through the connections between the power/data plug  98  and the power/data socket  106 , and between the power/data plug  114  and the power/data socket  100 . 
     The device holder  92  can further be provided with a detachable end cap  120  having a dummy connector  122  that can be attached to the bottom of the device holder  92  by inserting the dummy connector  122  into the power/data socket  116  to provide an aesthetically pleasing and finished appearance, as well as to protect the device holder  92  from damage. The dummy connector  122  is not wired for power or data connection, but is necessary to physically couple the end cap  120  to the device holder  92 . The detachable cap  120  can be removed to attach another adapter or consumer electronic device via the power/data socket  116 . 
     Referring additionally to  FIG. 12 , the consumer electronic device  88  and the adapter  86  can be removed from the refrigerator  68 . When the consumer electronic device  88  and the adapter  86  are removed, a host cap  124  can be placed over the host service interface  102  to conceal it and prevent it from damage. To prevent the host cap  124  from being misplaced or lost when the adapter  86  and consumer electronic device  88  are mounted on the refrigerator  68 , it can be attachable to the adapter  86 , such as to the extender  90  as shown in  FIGS. 9 and 11 , by plugging a male cap connector  126  provided on the host cap  124  into the female cap connector  96  of the extender  90 . 
     The end cap  120  and host cap  124  can have an aesthetic function as well, by being made to conform to the color and contour of the refrigerator  68  or by being made to contrast with the refrigerator  68 . The end cap  120  and host cap  124  can further incorporate a logo or other trademark information, and may present information relating to the availability of adapters. Other elements of modular system A, such as the adapter  86  and video display  88  can also incorporation an aesthetic function. 
     In the first embodiment, the adapter  86  supplies the services of mechanical, power, and data communication. Mechanical communication is accomplished by fixing the video display  88  to the device holder  92  and mounting the device holder  92  to the refrigerator  68 . Power and data communication are accomplished by establishing an electrical connection through a series of plug and socket connectors on the host service interface  102 , extender  90 , and device holder  92 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 13A and 13B , alternate embodiments of the video display  88  are shown. In  FIG. 13A , the video display  88  comprises a television  128  and can be connected to an antenna or cable to receive a television signal, or can be configured for wireless television or cable programming reception. In  FIG. 13B , the video display screen comprises a weather station  130  and has an Internet connection for receiving weather information. While described as being alternate embodiments of the video display  88  for the modular system A, it is understood that the modular system A could alternately comprise both the television  128  and the weather station  130  and each video display  88  can be provided with a standardized component that can couple with the device holder  92 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 14-16 , a second embodiment is shown, where a modular system B is similar to modular system A, and elements similar to those of modular system A are identified by the same reference numerals bearing a prime (′) symbol. Modular system B can be thought of as an expansion of modular system A, where an additional adapter  134  and a consumer electronic device, illustrated as a satellite radio  136 , are added on to modular system A to create modular system B. 
     Modular system A is expanded to modular system B by removing the end cap  120 ′ and attaching the adapter  134 , which comprises a single device holder  138  supporting the consumer satellite radio  136 . The device holder  138  comprises an open cavity  140  having a connector  142 , for removably docking the satellite radio  136 . A power plug  144  is formed on an upper surface of the device holder  138  and a power socket  146  is formed on a lower surface. The device holder  138  is coupled to the device holder  92 ′ by plugging the power plug  144  into the power/data socket  116 ′. The end cap  120 ′ can be coupled to the device holder  138  by plugging the dummy connector  122 ′ into the power socket  146 . While not specifically shown, it is understood that additional adapters and consumer electronic devices can be added onto the modular system B by removing the end cap  120  and connecting other device holders in a ganged arrangement. 
     The satellite radio  136  is provided with a device service interface  148  that is compatible with the connector  142 . The device service interface  148  is physically coupled with the connector  142  to establish a connection between the device holder  138  and the satellite radio  136 . Thus, the adapter  134  supplies the services of mechanical and power communication. Mechanical communication is accomplished by removably mounting the satellite radio  136  within the cavity  140 . Power communication is accomplished by establishing an electrical connection through the plug and socket connectors on the host service interface  102 ′, extender  90 ′, the device holder  92 ′ and the device holder  138 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 17 , a third embodiment is shown, where a modular system C comprises the refrigerator  68 , an adapter  150 , and a consumer electronic device illustrated as a satellite radio  152 . The adapter  150  is mounted to the front vertical surface  82  of one of the refrigerator doors  72 . The service of mechanical communication is provided to the satellite radio  152  by removably mounting it to the adapter  150 . While not shown, the service of power communication is also provided through an internal service interface connection between the satellite radio  152  and the adapter  150 . 
     The adapter  150  further has speaker and user interface functionality. A speaker  154  is mounted to the adapter  150  and receives audio signals from the satellite radio  152  and transforms it into audible sound. A user interface comprising a rotary encoder or potentiometer knob  156  is also mounted to the adapter  150  and can adjust the volume of the sound projecting from the speaker  154 . The adapter  150  can further comprise an internal acoustic chamber (not shown) that can be tuned to provide better speaker performance than is achieved without such a chamber. In this way, the adapter  150  provides additional functionality. In this embodiment, the additional functionality is different from the services provided by the refrigerator  68 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 18A-19 , a fourth embodiment is shown, where a modular system D comprises the refrigerator  68 , an adapter  158 , and a consumer electronic device in the form of a digital image display  160 . The digital image display  160  is coupled to the refrigerator door  72  by the adapter  158 . A similar adapter and digital image display are more fully described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/619,731, referenced above. 
     The adapter  158  comprises a main body  162  depending from an upper flange  164 . The main body  162  includes a frame  166  that circumscribes the digital image display  160 , which sits behind the frame  166 . The digital image display  160 , which can display still and/or moving images, and the frame  166  together have an appearance similar to that of a conventional picture frame. The upper flange  164  rests on the top surface  80  of the door  72  and, as shown in  FIG. 18B , comprises an adapter service interface that includes a pair of downwardly extending anchors  168  that are received within corresponding anchor receivers  170  forming a host service interface in the top surface  80 . Together, the upper flange  164  and the anchors  168  form a mechanical coupling or hanger to hang the adapter  158  and the digital image display  160  from the door  72 . Each of the anchors  168  includes an electrical connector configured to couple with a corresponding connector (also not shown) located within each of the anchor receivers  170 . The connectors mate when the adapter  158  is mounted to the door  72  to establish power and data communication, as discussed in previous embodiments herein. The anchors  168  further provide a guiding function that allows proper alignment of the electrical connectors of the adapter service interface with the complementary connectors of the host service interface as the adapter  158  is mounted to the door  72 . 
     In operation, a user mounts the adapter  158  and the digital image display  160  to the refrigerator  68  by inserting the anchors  168  into the anchor receivers  170 , whereby power and data communication is established between the electrical connectors of the adapter and host service interfaces. In this configuration, the adapter  158  and the digital image display  160  hang from the refrigerator door  72 , as shown in  FIG. 18A . 
     To remove the digital image display  160  from the refrigerator  68 , the user removes the anchors  168  from the anchor receivers  170 , whereby the service interfaces are decoupled This process discontinues the supply of the mechanical, power, and data communication between the refrigerator  68  and the digital image display  160 . 
     The adapter  158  further comprises the functionality of supplying a service when the adapter  158  and the digital image display  160  are not coupled with the refrigerator  68 . The adapter  158  can include a stand  172 , as shown in  FIG. 19 , to facilitate utilizing the adapter  158  and the digital image display  160  when removed from the refrigerator  68 . The stand  172  on can be utilized to support the adapter  158  and the digital image display  160  on a generally horizontal surface  174  in a manner similar to supporting a conventional picture frame on a generally horizontal surface. The adapter  158  can alternately include a hook or hanger (not shown) in place of or in addition to the stand  172  to hang the adapter  158  and, optionally, the digital image display  160  on a vertical surface. For example, the anchors  168  can be modified for this purpose. 
     The stand  172  provides and supplies mechanical communication when the adapter  158  and the digital image display  160  are removed from the refrigerator  68 . The adapter  158  can further comprise an internal power source and a data communication device (not shown) to supply and provide power communication and data communication, respectively, to the digital image display  160  when the adapter  158  and the digital image display  160  are removed from the refrigerator  68 . Alternately, the digital image display  160  can alternately comprise an internal power source and a data communication device for such a purpose. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 20-23 , a fifth embodiment is shown, where a modular system E comprises the refrigerator  68 , an adapter  182 , and a consumer electronic device  184 , illustrated as a DVD player  186  with a video display  188 . In  FIGS. 20 and 21 , only the relevant portion of one door  72  of the refrigerator  68  is illustrated. The adapter  182  is fixedly mounted to the refrigerator  68  and the consumer electronic device  184  is removably mounted to the adapter  182 . While not shown, when the consumer electronic device  184  is mounted to the adapter  182 , an electrical connection between the two is established, such that when the adapter  182  is mounted to the refrigerator  68 , the adapter  182  supplies power provided by the refrigerator to the consumer electronic device  184 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 20 ,  21  and  23 , the adapter  182  comprises a frame  194  with a back panel  196 , and a mounting bracket  198 . The frame  194  comprises a central opening  200  for receiving the consumer electronic device  184 . The mounting bracket  198  comprises a pair of screw hole openings  190  and a pair of associated screws  192  that are aligned with corresponding screw holes  191  formed in the top surface  80  of one of the refrigerator doors  72  and receives a pair of mounting screws  192  to physically mount the adapter  182  to the refrigerator  68 . An adapter service interface  202  comprising a power plug  204  and a pair of mechanical anchors  206  depends from the mounting bracket  198 . 
     The refrigerator comprises a host service interface  208  integrally formed in the top surface  80  of the refrigerator door  72 . The host service interface  208  comprises a power socket  210  for receiving the power plug  204  and two anchor receivers  212  for receiving the mechanical anchors  206 . To secure the mounting bracket  198  to the refrigerator, the mounting screws  192  are driven through the screw hole openings  190  and into corresponding screw holes  191  formed in the top surface  80  of one of the refrigerator doors  72 . 
     The video display  188  is mounted to the DVD player  186  by a moveable bracket  214 . The bracket  214  is joined to the video display  188  by a first rotating joint  216  and to the DVD player  186  by a second rotating joint  218 . The video display  188  is movable between an open position, shown in  FIG. 20 , where the video display  188  faces away from the refrigerator  68  and is visible to the user and a closed position, shown in  FIG. 21 , where the video display faces towards the refrigerator  68  and is not visible to the user. 
       FIG. 22  shows the video display  188  moving from the open position ( FIG. 20 ) to the closed position ( FIG. 21 ). Starting in the open position, where the video display  188  is in a vertical orientation with the video display  188  facing away from the refrigerator  68 , the video display  188  is pivoted downwardly about the second joint  218  to move the video display  188  away from the DVD player  186 , rotated about the first joint  216  so that the video display  188  faces downwards, and pivoted upwardly about the second joint  218  to move the video display  188  against the DVD player  186 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 24-27 , a sixth embodiment is shown, where a modular system F comprises the refrigerator  68 , a first adapter  230 , a second adapter  232 , and two consumer electronic devices illustrated as a television  234  and a portable digital music player  236 , such as an iPOD. Referring to  FIGS. 24 and 25 , the television  234  is affixed to the adapter  230  and comprises housing  238 , a display screen  240  for viewing a television program, a speaker  242  for projecting sound from the television program, and a user interface  244  for operating the television. The digital music player  236  is removably docked within the second adapter  232 , which provides the added functionality of a speaker  246  that can receive audio signals from the digital music player  236  and convert them to audible sound. In this way, the second adapter  232  provides an added functionality beyond the services and functionality provided by either the refrigerator  68  and the portable music player  236 . 
     When mounted to the refrigerator  68 , the first adapter  230  rests on top of the dispenser  74 , and the second adapter  232  rests on the first adapter  230 , thus providing some mechanical communication. As illustrated by  FIG. 25 , the modular system F can be modified by removing one of the adapters; here, the second adapter  232  for the digital music player  236  is removed. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 26 and 27 , the refrigerator  68  is shown with the adapters  230 ,  232 , television,  234  and digital music player  236  removed. The refrigerator  68  comprises a host service interface  248  integrally formed on the front vertical surface  82  of one of the refrigerator doors  72 , and is spaced from the dispenser  74 . The host service interface  248  comprises a shallow recess  250  and a pair of generally horizontal slots  252  spaced vertically with respect to one another formed in the recess  250 . Each slot  252  can optionally comprise a hinged door  254 , as shown on the upper slot  252  in  FIG. 27 , similar to the door covering a video tape slot on a VCR, to protect the slot  252  when an adapter is not attached. The slots  252  are standardized and can receive one or more standardized components on the device holders  230 ,  232 , such as mechanical connectors (not shown). Thus the refrigerator  68  can provide the service of mechanical communication, which is supplied to the television  234  and the digital music player  236  by their respective device holders  230 ,  232 . While not shown, the slots  252  could also be provided with power and data connectors for providing power and data communication. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 28A and 28B , a seventh embodiment is shown, where a modular system G comprises the refrigerator  68 , an adapter illustrated as a device holder  256  and a consumer electronic device illustrated as a portable digital music player  258 , such as an iPOD. The digital music player  258  is removably docked within the device holder  256 , which has the added functionality of a speaker  260  that can receive audio signals from the digital music player  258  and converts them to audible sound. 
     The refrigerator  68  comprises a host service interface  262  integrally formed on the front surface  82  of the refrigerator door  72 . 
     The host service interface  262  comprises a pair of vertically-disposed spaced slot assemblies  263 . Referring to  FIG. 28B , each slot assembly  263  comprises a rail  264  attached to the interior of the door  72 . The rail  264  is accessible through a slot  265  in an outer panel of the refrigerator door  72  covered by a trim piece  266  providing an aesthetically pleasing finish to the slot assembly  263 . The rail  264  comprises a somewhat C-shaped channel member having an open channelway  267 . The channelway  267  can be provided with contract strips  268  extending the length of the rail  264  for providing power and data services to the consumer electronic devices. Three contact strips  268  are illustrated. However, a greater or lesser number can be provided depending upon the services required by the consumer electronic device. 
     The channelways  267  can receive at least one corresponding connector  269  provided on the rear surface of the device holder  256 , although for convenience, the device holder  256  is not shown in  FIG. 28B . The connector  269  can be configured with electrical contacts (not shown) so that power and/or data communication is established through contact strips  268  upon alignment of the connector  268  with the channelway  267 . The connectors  269  can further be moved along the channelways  267  to adjust the device holder  256 , and thus the digital music player  258 , to any desired vertically height, as indicated by the arrow on  FIG. 28A . Thus, the refrigerator  68  provides the service of mechanical communication, which is supplied to the digital music player  258  by the device holder  256 . 
     Depending on the position of the device holder  256 , a second adapter and consumer electronic device can be fixed to the host service interface  264 , above or below the device holder  256 . Referring to  FIG. 29 , a second device holder  270  and consumer electronic device  271  is shown added to the modular system H. As shown, the second device holder  270  is mounted to the host service interface  262  above the first device holder  256 . Alternately, the second device holder  268  can be mounted below the first device holder  256 . 
       FIGS. 30 and 31 , show an eighth embodiment illustrating “ganged” or “stacked” adapters that are sequentially connected to each other to supply at least one service to all of the adapters from one of the host and the consumer electronic device. More specifically,  FIGS. 30 and 31  disclose a modular system H that comprises the refrigerator  68 , a first adapter  272 , a second adapter  274 , a first consumer electronic device illustrated as a video display  276 , and a second consumer electronic device illustrated as a personal digital assistant (referred to hereinafter as “PDA”)  278 , such as a Blackberry or a Palm. The refrigerator  68  comprises a host service interface  280  formed in the top surface  80  of one of the refrigerator doors  72 . The host service interface  280  comprises an elongated socket  282  providing mechanical, power, and data communication, which is supplied to the video display  276  and the PDA  278  by the adapters  272  and  274 . 
     The first adapter  272  comprises an extender  284  and a first device holder  286  for supporting the video display  276 . The extender  284  comprises a plug  288  that is received within the socket  282  to mount the extender  284  to top surface  76  of the refrigerator door  72 . The extender  284  further comprises a female connector  290  that is positioned adjacent the front vertical surface  82  of the refrigerator door  72  when the extender  284  is mounted to the refrigerator  68 . 
     The second adapter  274  comprises a second device holder  292  having an open cavity  294  with an adapter service interface  296  for removably docking the PDA  278 . The PDA  278  is provided with a device service interface  298  that is compatible with the adapter service interface  296 . The device service interface  298  is physically coupled with the adapter service interface  296  to establish a connection between the second device holder  292  and the PDA  278 . 
     The first device holder  282  and second device holder  284  each comprise a female adapter connector  300  and a male adapter connector  302 . The connectors  300 ,  302  are standardized so that either device holder  286 ,  292  can be coupled with the extender  284  by plugging either male adapter connector  302  into the female adapter connector  290  of the extender  280 . As illustrated, the male adapter connector  302  of the first device holder  286  is plugged into the female connector  290  to couple the first device holder  286  with the extender  284 , and the male adapter connector  302  of the second device holder  292  is plugged into the female adapter connector  300  of the first device holder  286  to couple the second device holder  292  with the first device holder  286 . Modular system H can be easily expanded to include other consumer electronic devices by adding additional device holders having the same standardized connectors as the first and second device holders  286 ,  292 . 
     In the ganged arrangement of embodiment H, the adapters  272 ,  274  can supply at least one of the services provided by the refrigerator  68  to each other, without the need for each adapter to directly couple to the host service interface  280 . This provides for great flexibility in the expansion of modular system H as needed. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 32 and 33 , a ninth embodiment is shown, where a modular system I comprises the refrigerator  68 , a first adapter  304 , a second adapter  306 , a first consumer electronic device illustrated as a video display  308  and a second consumer electronic device illustrated as a PDA  310 . In this embodiment, the refrigerator  68  does not comprise a host service interface. Therefore, modular system I can be added onto virtually any refrigerator. 
     The first adapter  304  comprises an extender  312  and a first device holder  314  supporting the video display  308 . The extender  312  comprises a downwardly facing mounting recess  316 , a pair of screw hole openings  318  and associated screws  320 , a female connector  322 , and a pair of anchor receivers (not shown). The extender  312  is mounted to the refrigerator door  72  by fitting the mounting recess  316  over the top surface  76  and securing it by driving the screws  320  through the screw hole openings  318  and into the refrigerator door  72 . The extender  312  further comprises the necessary electrical components, indicated by a wire  324  that terminates in the female connector  322 , to supply the video display  308  and the PDA  310  with electrical power and/or data. 
     The second adapter  306  comprises a second device holder  326  having an open cavity  328  with an adapter service interface  330  for removably docking the PDA  310 . The PDA  310  is provided with a device service interface  332  that is compatible with the adapter service interface  330 . The device service interface  332  is physically coupled with the adapter service interface  330  to establish a connection between the second device holder  326  and the PDA  310 . 
     The first and second device holders  314 ,  326  each comprise a female adapter connector  334  and a male adapter connector  336 . The connectors  334 ,  336  are standardized so that either device holder  314 ,  326  can be coupled with the extender  312  by plugging either male adapter connector  336  into the female connector  322 . As illustrated, the male adapter connector  336  of the first device holder  314  is plugged into the female connector  322  to couple the first device holder  314  with the extender  312 , and the male adapter connector  336  of the second device holder  326  is plugged into the female adapter connector  334  of the first device holder  314  to couple the second device holder  326  with the first device holder  314 . Modular system I can be easily expanded to include other consumer electronic devices by adding additional device holders having the same standardized connectors as the first and second device holders  314 ,  326 . 
     The first and second device holders  314 ,  326  each further comprise a pair of standardized mechanical anchors  338 . The first and second device holders  314 ,  326  and the extender  312  further each comprise a pair of complementary standardized anchor receivers (not shown) for removably receiving the mechanical anchors  338 . Since they are standardized, any of the anchor receivers can receive any one of the mechanical anchors  338 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 34 and 35 , an tenth embodiment is shown, where a modular system J comprises the refrigerator  68 , a first adapter  340 , a second adapter  342 , a first consumer electronic device illustrated as a video display  344  and a second consumer electronic device illustrated as a PDA  346 . The refrigerator  68  comprises a host service interface  348  integrally formed on the front vertical surface  82  of one of the refrigerator doors  72 . The host service interface  348  comprises a generally horizontal slot  350  having an male connector  352  formed within the slot  350 . The male connector  352  provides power communication, and the slot  350  and male connector  352  together provides mechanical communication, to the video display  344  and PDA  346 . 
     The first adapter  340  comprises an extender  354  and a first device holder  356  supporting the video display  344 . The extender  354  comprises a bracket  358  having a first end  360  bent at a right angle to the bracket  358  and a second end  362  also bent at a right angle to the bracket  358 , but in opposed relation to the first end  360 . The first end  360  comprises a first female connector  364  for coupling with the male connector  352  and the second end comprises a second female connector  366  for coupling with a device holder. 
     The second adapter  342  comprises a second device holder  368  having an open cavity  370  with an adapter service interface  372  for removably docking the PDA  346 . The PDA  346  is provided with a device service interface  374  that is compatible with the adapter service interface  372 . The device service interface  374  is physically coupled with the adapter service interface  372  to establish a connection between the second device holder  368  and the PDA  346 . 
     The first and second device holders  356 ,  368  each comprise a standardized adapter service interface  376  for coupling with the second female connector  366  on the extender  354 . The adapter service interfaces  376  are standardized so that either device holder  356 ,  368  can be coupled with the extender  354 . As illustrated, the adapter service interface  376  of the first device holder  356  is coupled with the second female connector  366 , and the adapter service interface  376  of the second device holder  368  is not coupled with anything. Each adapter service interface  376  is provided within a recess  378  on the back surface of the first and second adapters  356 ,  368 , so that the adapters  256 ,  268  will lie flush against the front vertical surface  82  when coupled with the extender  354 . 
     The first and second device holders  356 ,  368  further each comprise a female adapter connector  380  and a male adapter connector  382 . The connectors  380 ,  382  are used to couple the device holders  356 ,  368  to each other and to establish power communication between the two. The connectors  380 ,  382  are standardized so that the female adapter connector  380  of either device holder  356 ,  368  can be plugged into the male adapter connector  382  of the other device holder  356 ,  368 . As illustrated, the male adapter connector  382  of the second device holder  368  is plugged into the female adapter connector  380  of the first device holder  356 . 
     Modular system J further comprises a detachable top end cap  384  and a detachable bottom end cap  386  for the device holders  356 ,  368 . The end caps  384 ,  386  provide the modular system J with a finished appearance by covering any used connectors, and further protect unused connectors from damage. The top end cap  384  is further provided with a dummy connector  388  for receiving one of the male adapter connectors  382  and the bottom end cap  386  is further provided with a dummy connector  390  for receiving one of the female adapter connectors  382 . As illustrated, the dummy connector  388  of the top end cap  384  is plugged into the male adapter connector  382  of the first device holder  356  and the dummy connector  390  of the bottom end cap  386  is plugged into the female adapter connector  382  of the second device holder  368 . Modular system J can be easily expanded to include other consumer electronic devices by removing the bottom end cap  386  and adding additional device holders having the same standardized connectors as the first and second device holders  356 ,  368 . 
     The first and second device holders  356 ,  368  and the bottom end cap  386  are further provided with locator pegs  392  that are received in corresponding slots (not shown) on the first and second device holders  356 ,  368  and the top end cap  384 . The pegs  392  properly align the device holders  356 ,  368  and the end caps  384 ,  386  as they are being coupled together so that smooth connections can be made between the connectors while preventing damage to the electrical elements of the connectors. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 36 and 37 , an eleventh embodiment is shown, where a modular system K comprises the refrigerator  68 , a first adapter  394 , a second adapter  396 , a first consumer electronic device illustrated as a video display  398  and a second consumer electronic device illustrated as a PDA  400 . The refrigerator  68  comprises a host service interface  402  integrally formed on the front vertical surface  82  of one of the refrigerator doors  72 . The host service interface  402  comprises a pivoting connector  404  that is received within a corresponding recess  406  such that the connector  404  is flush with the front vertical surface  82  when the host service interface  402  is not in use. The connector  404  can provide mechanical, power, and data communication when coupled with an adapter or consumer electronic device. 
     The second adapter  396  comprises an open cavity  408  with an adapter service interface  410  for removably docking the PDA  400 . The PDA  400  is provided with a device service interface  412  that is compatible with the adapter service interface  410 . The device service interface  412  is physically coupled with the adapter service interface  410  to establish a connection between the second adapter  396  and the PDA  400 . 
     The first and second adapters  394 ,  396  each comprise a standardized adapter service interface  414  for coupling with the pivoting connector  404 . The adapter service interfaces  414  are standardized so that either adapter  394 ,  396  can be coupled with the host service interface  402 . As illustrated, the adapter service interface  414  of the first adapter  394  is coupled with the pivoting connector  404 , and the adapter service interface  414  of the second adapter  396  is not coupled with anything. 
     The first and second adapters  394 ,  396  further each comprise a female adapter connector  416  and a male adapter connector  418 . The connectors  416 ,  418  are used to couple the adapters  394 ,  396  to each other to establish power and data communication between the two. The connectors  380 ,  382  are standardized so that the female adapter connector  416  of either adapter  394 ,  396  can be plugged into the male adapter connector  418  of the other adapter  394 ,  396 . As illustrated, the male adapter connector  418  of the second adapter  396  is plugged into the female adapter connector  416  of the first adapter  394 . 
     The first and second adapters  394 ,  396  further each comprise a rear mounting recess  420  and a mounting flange  422 . Screw hole openings  424  are provided through the lateral sides of the adapters  394 ,  396  and are open to the mounting recesses  420 . The mounting flanges  422  comprise screw holes  425  that are aligned with the screw hole openings  424  when one of the mounting flanges  422  is received within one of the mounting recesses  420 . Screws  426  are driven though the screw hole openings  424  and into the screw holes  425  to secure one adapter  394 ,  396  to the other. Since they are standardized, either mounting recess  420  can receive either mounting flange  422 . 
     Modular system K further comprises a detachable top end cap  428  and a detachable bottom end cap  430  for the adapters  394 ,  396 . The end caps  428 ,  430  provide the modular system K with a finished appearance by covering any unused connectors, and further protect unused connectors from damage. The top end cap  428  is provided with a mounting flange  432  with screw holes  433  identical to the mounting flanges  422 , for receiving the mounting recesses  420  on one of the adapters  394 ,  396  and the bottom end cap  430  is provided with a mounting recess  434 , screw hole openings  436  identical to the mounting recesses  420  for receiving the mounting flange  422  on the other adapter  394 ,  396 . The bottom end cap  430  is further provided with a dummy connector  440  for receiving one of the female adapter connectors  416 . As illustrated, the dummy connector  440  is plugged into the female adapter connector  416  of the second adapter  396 . Modular system K can be easily expanded to include other consumer electronic devices by removing the bottom end cap  430  and adding additional device holders having the same standardized connectors as the first and second adapters  394 ,  396 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 38 and 39 , a twelfth embodiment is shown, where a modular system L comprises the refrigerator  68 , a first adapter  442 , a second adapter  444 , a first consumer electronic device illustrated as a video display  446 , and a second consumer electronic device illustrated as a PDA  448 . The refrigerator  68  comprises a host service interface  450  integrally formed on the front vertical surface  82  of one of the refrigerator doors  72 . The host service interface  450  comprises an elongated horizontal slot  452  that is connected to a source of electrical power and, optionally, data. The connection is represented by the dashed line  454  shown in  FIG. 38 . The host service interface  450  further comprises a removable anchor  456  that is inserted into the slot  452  when one of the adapters  442 ,  444  is to be coupled with the refrigerator  68 . A power/data connector  458  formed on a forward end of the anchor  456 . 
     The first adapter  442  fixedly supports the video display  446 . The second adapter  444  comprises an open cavity  460  with an adapter service interface  462  for removably docking the PDA  448 . The PDA  448  is provided with a device service interface  464  that is compatible with the adapter service interface  462 . The device service interface  464  is physically coupled with the adapter service interface  462  to establish a connection between the second adapter  444  and the PDA  448 . 
     The first and second adapters  442 ,  444  each comprise a standardized adapter service interface  466  for coupling with the host service interface  450 . Each adapter service interface  466  comprises an L-shaped female connector comprising a vertical recess  468  joined to a horizontal recess  470 . The horizontal recess  470  comprises power/data connector  472  that is configured to couple with the power/data connector  458  of the anchor  456  when one of the adapters  442 ,  444  is coupled with the host service interface  450 . The adapter service interfaces  466  are standardized so that either adapter  442 ,  444  can be coupled with the host service interface  450 . As illustrated, the adapter service interface  466  of the first adapter  442  is coupled with the host service interface  450 . 
     When inserted into the slot  452 , a portion of the anchor  456  extends outwardly from the refrigerator door  72 . The adapter service interfaces  466  are formed as recesses in the back surface of the adapters  442 ,  444  so that the adapters  442 ,  444  will lie flush against the front vertical surface  82  when coupled with the anchor  456  of the host service interface  450 . 
     The first and second adapters  442 ,  444  further each comprise a standardized adapter connector  474  configured for coupling with the adapter service interface  462 . The adapter connectors  474  provide mechanical communication between the adapters  442 ,  444  and are electrically wired to provide power and data communication between the refrigerator  68  and the adapters  442 ,  444 . The adapter connectors  474  are standardized so that the adapter connector  474  of either adapter  442 ,  444  can receive the adapter service interface  462  of the other adapter  442 ,  444 . Each adapter connector  474  comprises an L-shaped male connector comprising a vertical segment  476  joined to a horizontal segment  478 . A power/data connector  480  formed on a forward end of the horizontal segment  478  and is configured to couple with the power/data connector  472  of the adapter service interface  462 . 
     Modular system L further comprises a detachable bottom end cap  482  for the adapters  442 ,  444 . The end cap  482  provides the modular system L with a finished appearance by covering the unused adapter connector  474 , and further protect the unused adapter connector  474  from damage. The bottom end cap  482  is provided with a dummy connector  484  configured to receive one of the adapter connectors  474 . As illustrated, the dummy connector  484  of the bottom end cap  482  is plugged into the adapter connector  474  of the second adapter  444 . Modular system L can be easily expanded to include other consumer electronic devices by removing the bottom end cap  482  and adding additional device holders having the same standardized connectors as the first and second adapters  442 ,  444 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 40 and 41 , a thirteenth embodiment is shown, where a modular system M comprises the refrigerator  68 , a first adapter  486 , a second adapter  488 , a first consumer electronic device illustrated as a video display  490  and a second consumer electronic device illustrated as a PDA  492 . The refrigerator  68  comprises a host service interface  494  integrally formed on the front vertical surface  82  of one of the refrigerator doors  72 . The host service interface  494  comprises an elongated horizontal recess  496  having a power socket  498  disposed in the center of the slot and two screw holes  500  near the ends of the slot  496 . The power socket  498  is connected to a source of electrical power and the connection is represented by the dashed line  502  shown in  FIG. 40 . 
     The first adapter  486  comprises an extender  504  and a first device holder  506  supporting the video display  490 . The extender  504  comprise a rear power plug  508  configured to plug into the power socket  498  of the host service interface to couple the extender  504  to a source of electrical power, and a female connector  510 . The extender  504  further comprises an elongated front recess  512  having a pair of screw hole openings  514  with associated screws  516 . The extender  504  is mounted to the refrigerator  68  by driving the screws  516  through the screw hole openings  514  and into the screw holes  500 . 
     A host cap  518  is provided for covering the host service interface  494  to conceal it and prevent it from damage when the extender  504  is removed from the refrigerator  68 . The host cap  518  is press fit into the recess  496  to mount it to the refrigerator  68 . To prevent the host cap  518  from being misplaced or lost when the extender  504  is mounted on the refrigerator  68 , it can be attachable to the recess  512  of the extender  504 . 
     The second adapter  488  comprises a second device holder  520  having an open cavity  522  with an adapter service interface  524  for removably docking the PDA  492 . The PDA  492  is provided with a device service interface  526  that is compatible with the adapter service interface  524 . The device service interface  526  is physically coupled with the adapter service interface  524  to establish a connection between the second device holder  520  and the PDA  492 . 
     The first and second device holders  506 ,  520  further each comprise a female adapter connector  528  and a male adapter connector  530 . The connectors  528 ,  530  are used to couple the device holders  506 ,  520  to each other to establish power and data communication between the two. The connectors  528 ,  530  are standardized so that the female adapter connector  528  of either device holders  506 ,  520  can be plugged into the male adapter connector  530  of the other device holders  506 ,  520  Each female adapter connector  528  comprises three sockets  532  (only one is visible in  FIG. 41 ) formed on an lower surface of the device holders  506 ,  520 . Each male adapter connector  530  comprises three male  534  plugs formed on an upper surface of the device holders  506 ,  520  and configured to plug into the three female sockets  532 . As illustrated, the male adapter connector  530  of the second device holder  520  is plugged into the female adapter connector  528  of the first device holder  506  to establish both mechanical and power communication therebetween. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 42-44 , a fourteenth embodiment is shown, where a modular system N comprises the refrigerator  68 , a first adapter  536 , a second adapter  538 , a first consumer electronic device illustrated as a television  540  and a second consumer electronic device illustrated as a portable digital music player  542 . The first adapter  536  removably supports the television  540  and the second adapter  538  removably supports the digital music player  542 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 42 , the dispenser  74  comprises a housing  544  that projects from the front vertical surface  82  of the refrigerator door  72 . The housing  544  is illustrated as the housing for the water/ice dispenser  74  on the refrigerator door  72 . The housing  544  has a top surface  546  and a bottom surface  548  that are both generally horizontal. A host service interface  550  is provided on the top surface  546  and is preferably integrally formed therewith so that it is not removable from the refrigerator  68 . The host service interface  550  can provide both power and data communication, which is supplied to the television  540  and the digital music player  542  when the adapters  536 ,  538  are coupled to the host service interface  550  and the television  540  and the digital music player  542  are coupled to the adapters  536 ,  538 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 43 , the partially assembled modular system N is shown, where the first adapter  536  is coupled to the host service interface  550 . The bottom surface of the first adapter  536  rests on the top surface  546  of the dispenser  74  and the back surface of the first adapter  536  rests against the front vertical surface  82  of the refrigerator door  72 , and is thus provided with mechanical communication by the refrigerator  68 . The coupling of the first adapter  536  with the host service interface  550  provides power and data communication to the television  540  when it is coupled with the first adapter  536 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 44 , fully assembled modular system N is shown, where the second adapter  538  is coupled to the first adapter  536  in a stacked relationship. In the stacked relationship, the bottom surface of the second adapter  538  rests on the top surface of the first adapter  536  and the back of the second adapter  538  rests against the front vertical surface  82  of the refrigerator door  72 . Thus, the second adapter  538  is provided with mechanical communication by both the first adapter  536  and the refrigerator  68 . The coupling of the second adapter  538  with the first adapter  536  provides power and data communication to the digital music player  542  when it is coupled with the second adapter  538 . While the configuration of modular system N shown in  FIG. 45  is referred to as fully assembled, it is understood that modular system N shown in  FIG. 44  and referred to as partially assembled is also useable as configured. 
     Incorporating the host service interface  550  into the housing  544  for the water/ice dispenser  74  is very convenient for the user and the manufacturer. The dispenser  74  typically already has power provided to it from the refrigerator  68 . This power can also be supplied to the consumer electronic devices. The housing  544  also provides a convenient physical support for the adapters  536 ,  538 , which can be stacked on top of the housing  544 . The dispenser  74  also has a user interface  551  that can be reconfigured to work with any attached consumer electronic devices. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 45-47 , a fifteenth embodiment is shown, where a modular system O is similar to modular system N, and elements similar to those of modular system N are identified by the same reference numerals bearing a prime (′) symbol. Referring to  FIG. 45 , the host service interface  550 ′ is provided on the bottom surface  548 ′ of the dispenser housing  544 ′. 
     Referring to  FIG. 46 , the partially assembled modular system O is shown, where the first adapter  536 ′ is coupled to the host service interface  550 ′. The first adapter  536 ′ is suspended from bottom surface  548 ′ of the dispenser  74  and the back surface of the first adapter  536 ′ rests against the front vertical surface  82  of the refrigerator door  72 , and is thus provided with mechanical communication by the refrigerator  68 . The coupling of the first adapter  536 ′ with the host service interface  550 ′ provides power and data communication to the television  540 ′ when it is coupled with the adapter  536 ′. 
     Referring to  FIG. 47 , the fully assembled modular system O is shown, where the second adapter  538 ′ is coupled to the first adapter  536 ′ in a hanging relationship. In the hanging relationship, the second adapter  538 ′ is suspended from the first adapter  536 ′ and the back of the second adapter  538 ′ rests against the front vertical surface  82  of the refrigerator door  72 . Thus, the second adapter  538 ′ is provided with mechanical communication by both the first adapter  536 ′ and the refrigerator  68 . The coupling of the second adapter  538 ′ with the first adapter  536 ′ provides power and data communication to the digital music player  542 ′ when it is coupled with the second adapter  538 ′. While the configuration of modular system O shown in  FIG. 47  is referred to as fully assembled, it is understood that modular system O shown in  FIG. 47  and referred to as partially assembled is also useable as configured. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 48 and 49 , a sixteenth embodiment is shown, where a modular system P comprises a refrigerator  552 , an adapter  554 , and a consumer electronic device illustrated as a removable video display  556 . The refrigerator  552  is different from the refrigerator  68  in that the refrigerator  552  comprises a cabinet  558  having an open front face (not shown) and a single door  560  openably mounted to the cabinet  558  to selectively close the open front face. The door  560  comprises a front face  562  and a vertical groove  564  running the length of the front face  562 . 
     The refrigerator  552  further comprises a dispenser  566  for selectively dispensing water and/or ice. The dispenser  566  comprises a dispenser housing  568  that is mounted within the vertical groove  564  so that the front of the housing  568  is generally flush with the front face  562  of the door  560 . The housing  568  has a top surface  570  and a bottom surface  572  that are both generally horizontal. A host service interface  574  is provided on the top surface  570  and is preferably integrally formed therewith so that it is not removable from the refrigerator  552 . The adapter  556  can be removably coupled to the host service interface  574 . The host service interface  574  can provide both power and data communication, which is supplied to the video display  556  when the adapter  554  is coupled to the host service interface  574  and the video display  556  is coupled to the adapter  554 . 
     The adapter  554  comprises an adapter housing  576  having a cavity  578  for removably receiving the video display  556 . An adapter service interface  580  is provided within the cavity  578  and is configured for coupling with the video display  556 . The adapter service interface  580  is coupled with the video display  556  to establish an electrical and data connection between the adapter  554  and the video display  556 . The adapter  554  further has the added functionality of a user interface  582  that can be used to control the refrigerator  552  when the adapter  554  is coupled to the host service interface  574  and to control the video display  556  when the video display  556  is coupled to the adapter service interface  580 . 
     To couple the adapter  554  to the host service interface  574 , the adapter housing  576  is received within the groove  564 , with the adapter  556  resting on the top surface  546  of the dispenser  74 , and is thus provided with mechanical, power and data communication by the refrigerator  552 . 
     Modular system P can be expanded to include additional adapters and consumer electronic devices. By providing a service interface on top of the adapter housing  578 , additional adapter can be stacked upwardly within the groove  564 . Moreover, an additional host service interface, similar to the host service interface  574  can be provided on the bottom surface  572  of the dispenser housing  568  for supporting one or more adapters within the groove  564  in hanging relation to the dispenser  566 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 50-52 , a seventeenth embodiment is shown, where a modular system Q comprises the refrigerator  68 , an adapter  584  having white board functionality, and a consumer electronic device illustrated as a video display  586 . The adapter  584  comprises an L-shaped adapter housing  588  having a generally horizontal mounting bracket  590  and a generally vertical body  592  joined to the mounting bracket  590  at a right angle. The mounting bracket  590  is received over the top surface  80  of one of the refrigerator doors  72  so that the body  592  rests against the front vertical surface  82 . The mounting bracket  590  comprises a pair of screw hole openings  594  that are aligned with corresponding screw holes  596  formed in the top surface  80  and each receives a mounting screw  598  to physically mount the adapter  584  to the refrigerator  68 . The adapter housing  588  is dimensioned so that when it is mounted to the refrigerator  68 , the lower surface of the body  592  abuts the upper surface of the dispenser  74 . The body  592  retains a whiteboard  600  and comprises two vertical grooves  602  on either side of the whiteboard  600  that are used to mount the video display  586  to the adapter  584 . 
     The video display  586  comprises a display housing  604 , a display screen  606  and a user interface  608  provided on the front of the housing  604 , and a pair of vertical projections  610  extending from the back of the housing  604  that are received within the grooves  602  when the video display  586  is mounted to the adapter  584 . The video display  586  further comprises a pair of resilient tabs  612  that are formed on the lateral sides of the housing and bias against the adapter housing  588  to mechanically couple the video display  586  to the adapter  584 . The projections  610  can slide within the grooves  602  to adjust the vertical height of the video display  586  and the resilient tabs  612  can maintain the video display  586  at any desired vertical height along the adapter  584 . The video display  586  further comprises an internal source of power (not shown), such as a battery. Thus, the video display  586  is only supplied with the service of mechanical communication by the adapter  584 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 52 , the video display  586  can be removed from the refrigerator  68  to expose the entire writing surface of the whiteboard  600 . In addition to providing a writing surface, the whiteboard also provides an aesthetic function to the adapter  584 , by providing a more visually pleasing appearance than an adapter without a whiteboard. Alternately, when the video display  586  is mounted to the whiteboard  600 , only a portion of the writing surface is exposed, as shown in  FIG. 50 . While not illustrated herein, one or more additional consumer electronic devices can be mounted to the adapter  584  to completely cover the writing surface of the whiteboard  600 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 53 , an eighteenth embodiment is shown, where a modular system R is similar to modular system Q, and elements similar to those of modular system Q are identified by the same reference numerals bearing a prime (′) symbol. Modular system R additionally comprises a speaker  614  mounted to the top surface  76  of the refrigerator cabinet  70 . The speaker  614  can be operably coupled with the adapter  584 , so that sound from the video display  586 , or any other consumer electronic device mounted to the adapter  584 , can be audibly projected. The speaker  614  can be controlled through the user interface  608  of the video display  586 . The speaker  614  can be integrally formed with the refrigerator  68 , or it can be an add-on element. The speaker  614  can be added to any of the other embodiments of the modular system shown herein. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 54-56 , a nineteenth embodiment is shown, where the modular system S comprises a refrigerator  616 , an adapter  618 , and a consumer electronic device illustrated as a television  620 . The nineteenth embodiment is ideally suited for a retrofit application where the host service interface is not incorporated into the host during manufacture. The refrigerator  616  is different from the refrigerator  68  in that the refrigerator  616  comprises a cabinet  622  having an open front face (not shown) and a single door  624  openably mounted to the cabinet  622  to selectively close the open front face. 
     The adapter  618  comprises a generally rectangular adapter housing  626  having a cavity  628  shaped to receive the television  620 , a movable television mount  630 , and a bracket  632  that mounts the housing  626  to the refrigerator  616 . The television mount  630  supports the television  620  and is retractable, along with the television  620 , into the cavity  628 . The television mount  630  comprises two telescoping arms  634  that can move laterally into and out of the cavity  628 , and two hinge brackets  636  attached to the television  620 . The hinge brackets  636  are coupled with the arms  634  by hinge pins  638 . The bracket  632  extends over the top surface of the cabinet  622  to hang the housing  626  along the side of the cabinet  626 . 
     The television  620  can be internally powered or can comprise a power cord (not shown) for plugging into a household electrical outlet. Since no part of the adapter  618  is integrally formed with the refrigerator  616 , the adapter  618  and television  620  can be added on to virtually any refrigerator. 
     The television  620  is movable between a use position, shown in  FIG. 54 , where the television  620  is visible to the user, and a non-use position, shown in  FIG. 56 , where the television  620  is received within the cavity  628  and is not visible to the user and is further protected from damage by the adapter housing  626 . While in  FIG. 54  the television  620  is illustrated as generally parallel to the refrigerator door  624  in the use position, the television  620  can also be positioned at other angles with respect to the refrigerator so that a user can view the television  620  from many different locations. To move the television  620  from the use position to the non-use position, the television  620  is pivoted about the hinge pins  638  to an intermediate position where the television  620  is generally aligned with the cavity  628 , as shown in  FIG. 55 . The television  620  is then slid back into cavity  628  to the non-use position shown in  FIG. 56 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 57-59 , a twentieth embodiment is shown, where a modular system T comprises a refrigerator  640 , an adapter  642 , and a consumer electronic device illustrated as a television  644 . The refrigerator  640  is different from the refrigerator  68  in that the refrigerator  640  comprises a cabinet  646  having an open front face (not shown) and a single door  648  openably mounted to the cabinet  646  to selectively close the open front face. The refrigerator  640  is further provided with a cavity  650  formed within a side of the door  648 . 
     The adapter  642  comprises an arm  652  that mechanically couples the television  644  with the refrigerator  640 . The arm  652  supports the television  644  and is retractable, along with the television  644 , into the cavity  650 . The arm  652  comprises a telescoping section  654  that can move laterally into and out of the cavity  650 , an intermediate section  656  and a bracket section  658  attached to the television  644 . The intermediate section  656  is coupled between the telescoping section  654  and the bracket section  658  by first and second hinge pins  660 ,  662 , respectively. The television  640  receives power and data through wiring (not shown) extending through the arm  652 . 
     The television  644  is movable between a use position, shown in  FIG. 57 , where the television  644  is visible to the user, and a non-use position, shown in  FIG. 59 , where the television  644  is received within the cavity  650  and is not visible to the user, and is further protected from damage by the refrigerator door  648 . While the television  644  is illustrated as generally parallel to the refrigerator door  648  in the use position shown in  FIG. 57 , the television  644  can also be positioned at other angles with respect to the refrigerator  640  so that the user can view the television  644  from many different locations. To move the television  644  from the use position to the non-use position, the television  644  is first pivoted about the second hinge pin  662  to an first intermediate position where the television  644  is generally perpendicular to the front surface of the refrigerator door  648 , as shown in  FIG. 58A . The television  644  is then pivoted about the first hinge pin  660  to an second intermediate position where the television  644  is generally aligned with the cavity  650 , as shown in  FIG. 58B . The television  644  is then pushed back into cavity  650  to the non-use position shown in  FIG. 59 . To move the television  644  out of the cavity  650 , a grip  644  is provided on the television  644  and is accessible when the television is in the non-use position. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 60-62 , a twenty-first embodiment is shown, where a modular system U comprises the refrigerator  68 , an adapter  668 , and a consumer electronic device illustrated as a television  670 . The adapter  668  comprises a swiveling bracket  672  coupled between the refrigerator  68  and the television  670 . The swiveling bracket  672  allows the television  670  to be both pivoted and rotated. The bracket  672  houses electrical wiring for supplying power and/or data provided by the refrigerator  68  to the television  670 . 
     The television  670  comprises a housing  674  having a front face  676  with a video screen  678  and a rear face  680 . The television  670  is movable between a use position, shown in  FIG. 60 , where the video screen  678  faces away from the refrigerator  68 , and a non-use position, shown in  FIG. 61 , where the video screen  678  faces toward the refrigerator  68 . Thus, in the use position, the video screen  678  can be viewed by a consumer, and in the non-used position, the rear face  680  can be viewed by a consumer. The rear face  680  comprises a surface adapted to “blend in” with the front vertical surface  82  of the door  72  when the television  670  is in the non-use position. The door  72  further is provided with a receptacle  682  extending inwardly of the front vertical surface  82  of the door  72  and is configured to receive the television  670  and adapter  668  in the non-use position. 
       FIG. 62  shows the television  670  moving from the use position ( FIG. 60 ) to the non-use position ( FIG. 61 ). Starting in the use position, where the television  670  is in a vertical orientation with the video screen  678  facing away from the refrigerator  68 , the television  670  is pivoted to a horizontal orientation with the video screen  678  facing upwards, rotated 180° so that the video screen  678  faces downwards, and pivoted back to a vertical orientation with the video screen  678  facing towards the refrigerator  68 , with the adapter  668  and television  670  received within the receptacle  682 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 63-64 , a twenty-second embodiment is shown, where a modular system V comprises the refrigerator  68 , a first adapter  684 , a second adapter  686 , a first consumer electronic device illustrated as a portable digital music player  688 , and a second consumer electronic device illustrated as a cell phone  690 . 
     The refrigerator  68  comprises a host service interface  692  integrally formed on the front vertical surface  82  of one of the refrigerator doors  72 . The host service interface  692  comprises an open cavity  694  having a power/data connector  696  formed on a side wall  968  of the cavity  694 . The cavity  694  is configured to receive the adapters  684 ,  686  and consumer electronic devices  688 ,  690 , with the adapters resting on a bottom wall  700  of the cavity  694 , and the power/data connector  696  is configured to couple one of the adapters  684 ,  686 . The host service interface  692  provides mechanical, power communication, and data communication between the refrigerator  68 , the digital music player  688 , and the cell phone  690 . The first and second adapters  684 ,  686  are further configured for coupling together in a ganged relationship. 
     While the adapters  684 ,  686  are shown in a ganged configuration and supply the service provided from the host service interface  692 , a host service interface  692  could be provided for each of the adapters, negating the need for the adapters to be in a ganged relationship. 
     When they are docked, the adapters  684 ,  686  can recharge the respective consumer electronic devices  688 ,  690 . As illustrated, the first adapter  684  is directly coupled to the power data connector  696  and the second adapter  686  is directly coupled to the first adapter  684 . The first adapter  684  removably docks the digital music player  688  and the second adapter  686  removably docks the cell phone  690 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 65 , a twenty-third embodiment is shown, where the modular system W comprises the refrigerator  68 , an adapter  702 , and a consumer electronic device illustrated as a television  704 . The adapter  702  is mounted to the refrigerator door  72  and further has calendar and user interface functionality. The adapter  702  comprises a video screen  706  that can display a calendar or personal schedule and a user interface  708  that can be used to control the video screen  706 , the television  704 , and/or the refrigerator  68 . Alternately, the adapter  702  can comprise a projector that can project a calendar image onto a surface of the refrigerator  68 , such as on the refrigerator door  72 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 66-67 , a twenty-fourth embodiment is shown, where the modular system X comprises the refrigerator  68 , an adapter  710 , and two consumer electronic devices illustrated as a first cell phone  712  and a second cell phone  714 . The refrigerator door  72  is provided with a chamber  716  extending inwardly from the front vertical surface  82 . The adapter  710  comprises a sliding shelf  718  that is configured for slidable extension and retraction out of and into the chamber  716 . The shelf  718  is provided with a plurality of service interfaces  720  for communication with complementary interfaces on the cell phones  712 ,  714 , and other consumer electronic devices not shown. Modular system W can be configured so that power and data communication are maintained when the adapter  710  is in both an extended orientation, as illustrated in  FIG. 66 , and a retracted orientation, as illustrated in  FIG. 67 . When the adapter  710  is in the retracted orientation, the chamber  716  can be closed by a door  722  which can slidably cover the opening to the chamber  716 , thereby concealing the adapter  710  and cell phones  712 ,  714 . The door  722  can have an exposed surface that is complementary to the front vertical surface  82  of the door  72  to provide a generally unbroken continuity of the front vertical surface  82  when the door  722  is closed, or the door  722  can have a contrasting exposed surface to emphasize the location of the chamber  716 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 68 , a twenty-fifth embodiment is shown, where a modular system Y comprises the refrigerator  68 , an adapter  724 , and a consumer electronic device illustrated as a PDA  726 . The adapter  724  is fixed within an open cavity  728  on the refrigerator door  72 , and comprises a pair of adjustable claws  730 . Each claw  730  comprises an upper and lower finger  732 ,  734  that are moveably connected to a base  736 . Each upper and lower finger  732 ,  734  can be moved towards each other to “close” the grip of the claw  730 , or away from each other to “open” the grip of the claw  730 . The base  736  can further be rotatably coupled within the cavity to adjust the angle at which the PDA  726  is maintained. The fingers  732 ,  734  can engage the PDA  726  by closing the upper and lower fingers  732 ,  734  to engage the upper and lower surfaces of the PDA  726 , thereby establishing mechanical communication between the PDA  726  and the refrigerator  68 . The claws  730  can be “opened” to remove the PDA  726 . 
     The adapter  724  can be adjusted to accommodate other consumer electronic devices having different dimensions than the PDA  726 . The claws  730  allow other consumer electronic devices that are larger or smaller than the PDA  726  to be coupled with the refrigerator  68  by opening or closing the fingers  732 ,  734  accordingly. The fingers can be hingedly and/rotationally connected at their knuckles and to the base  736  to provide the greatest amount of adjustability. 
     The fingers  732 ,  734  can further be provided with electrical connectors (not shown) for providing power and data services to a consumer electronic device. The PDA  726  can be configured with corresponding connector (not shown) so that power and/or data communication is established through contact between the connectors of the fingers  732 ,  734  and the PDA  726 . One anticipated embodiment comprises a cord threaded through the fingers  732 ,  734  and having a plug on the cord protruding through an opening in the fingers  732 ,  734  configured to mate with a corresponding socket on the PDA  726 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 69 and 70 , a twenty-sixth embodiment is shown, where a modular system Z comprises the refrigerator  68 , an adapter  738 , and a consumer electronic device illustrated as a cell phone  740 . The adapter  738  removably couples the cell phone  740  to the refrigerator  68 . The adapter  738  is removable from both the refrigerator  68  and the cell phone  740 . 
     The refrigerator  68  comprises a host service interface  742  formed in an open cavity  744  on one of the refrigerator doors  72 . The host service interface  742  comprises a socket  746  providing mechanical, power, and data communication, which is supplied to the cell phone  740  by the adapter  738 . 
     The cell phone  740  comprises a device service interface  748  on its lower service, which can comprise the typical connector  750  for a cell phone charger. The device service interface  748  is incompatible with the host service interface  742 , and the consequently, the cell phone  740  can be directly coupled to the refrigerator  68 . 
     The adapter  738  is used to indirectly couple the refrigerator  68  and cell phone  740 . The adapter  738  comprises two adapter service interfaces  752 ,  754 , where the first adapter service interface  752  comprises a plug  756  that directly mates with the socket  746  of the host service interface  742  and the second adapter service interface  754  comprises an complementary connector  758  that directly mates with the connector  750  of the device service interface  748 . 
     Modular system Z can be easily expanded to include other consumer electronic devices by adding additional adapters having the same standardized first adapter service interface  750 , and a second adapter service interface corresponding to the consumer electronic device. In addition to modular system Z, any of the other embodiments shown herein can be modified to comprise such a standardized adapter. 
     Referring to  FIG. 71 , a twenty-seventh embodiment is shown, where a modular system AA is similar to modular system A, shown in  FIGS. 9-12 , and elements similar to those of modular system A are identified by the same reference numerals bearing a triple prime (′″) symbol. Modular system AA is different from modular system A in that the host comprises a service supply module  772 , instead of the refrigerator  68 . The service supply module  772  is mounted to a vertical surface, such as a wall  774  and comprises an upper surface  776 . A host service interface  778  is provided on the upper surface  776  and can comprise internal wiring, similar to the wiring shown in  FIG. 11  to provide the services of power and data communication. The host service interface  778  can be provided with one or more services from the use environment, which includes the wall  774 . While only one service interface is shown, the service supply module  772  can comprise multiple service interfaces, each providing and/or supplying a service between the wall  774  and an adapter or consumer electronic device. 
     In all other respects, the modular system AA comprises the same elements shown in  FIGS. 9-11 . Mechanical communication is accomplished by fixing the video display  88 ′″ to the adapter  86 ′″ and mounting the adapter  86 ′″ to the service supply module  772 . Power and data communication is accomplished by coupling the adapter  86 ′″ to the host service interface  778 , and coupling the video display  88 ′″ to the adapter  86 ′″. Thus, the service supply module  772  can provide the services of mechanical, power and data communication. The adapter  86 ′″ supplies the services of mechanical, power, and data communication the video display  88 ′″. 
     The service supply module  772  can be coupled to other, non-vertical surfaces, such as an appliance or a cabinet. Furthermore, any of the other embodiments shown herein can be modified to comprise the service supply module  772  as a host. While illustrated projecting from wall, the service supply module  772  could be integrated with the wall to provide a flush mounting with the wall. In such a configuration, the power/data socket  106 ′″ would lie in the same plane as the wall  774 . Mechanical connectors, such as holes  104 ′″, could be located on either side of the socket to couple the adapter thereto. Other flush mountings of the host are possible, such as those shown in  FIGS. 34-41 , wherein the door  72  is replaced by the wall. 
     While the invention has been specifically described in connection with certain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that this is by way of illustration and not of limitation, and the scope of the appended claims should be construed as broadly as the prior art will permit.