Patent ID: 7035949

Claim:
A system comprising: (a) a plurality of appliances, each said appliance including: (i) a respective functional component, (ii) a respective power source, and (iii) a respective appliance housing wherein said respective functional component and said respective power source are housed, each said functional component being different from any other said functional component; and (b) a data storage and processing device, consisting of: (i) a data storage medium for storing commands for operating said functional components, (ii) a processor for managing said data storage medium and for executing said commands so as to operate said functional components, (iii) a communication interface for reversibly connecting a selected one of said appliances to said data storage and processing device to provide power to said processor from said respective power source of said selected appliance and to allow said processor to operate said respective functional component of said selected appliance, and (iv) a data storage and processing device housing, separate from said respective housing of each said appliance, wherein said data storage medium and said processor are housed.