Patent ID: 7865639

Claim:
A modular system comprising: an appliance conducting a useful cycle of operation and supplying a power communication service; and an adapter physically connected to the appliance and receiving the power communication services and a data communication service, and comprising: a transformative component transforming the power communication service into a first category of the power communication service and a second category of the power communication service that is different than the first category; a first service interface providing a first category of power communication service to and physically supporting a first consumer electronic device; and a second service interface providing a second category of power communication service to and physically supporting a second consumer electronic device; wherein the adapter simultaneously physically supports both the first and second consumer electronic devices on the appliance and received the data communication service from at least one of the first and second consumer electronic devices, and the adapter simultaneously supplies the first category of the power communication service to the first consumer electronic device and supplies the second category of the power communication service to the second consumer electronic device when both the first and second consumer electronic devices are simultaneously connected to the adapter.