Patent ID: 7980088

Claim:
A modular system comprising: an appliance performing a series of steps to conduct a useful cycle of operation and having a cabinet defining an open-face chamber, a door moveably mounted to the cabinet for selectively closing the open-face chamber, and a first radio communication interface communicating at least one electrical service; a consumer electronic device having a first wired interface communicating the at least one electrical service; and an adapter removably coupling the consumer electronic device to the appliance and comprising: a first mechanical interface removably physically supporting the adapter on the appliance; a second mechanical interface removably physically supporting the consumer electronic device on the adapter; a second wired interface; and a second radio communication interface; wherein the first wired interface of the consumer electronic device couples with the second wired interface of the adapter to communicate the at least one service between the adapter and the consumer electronic device, and the first radio communication interface of the appliance couples with the second radio communication interface of the adapter to wirelessly communicate the at least one electrical service between the appliance and the adapter.