System for connecting mechnically dissimilar consumer electronic devices to an adaptor or a host

A modular system comprising:

• a host performing a first primary function;
• a first consumer electronic device performing a second primary function different from the first primary function;
• a first adapter configured to couple the first consumer electronic device to the host and supply at least a first mechanical service between the first consumer electronic device and the host;
• a second consumer electronic device performing a third primary function different than the first primary function;
• a third consumer electronic device performing a fourth primary function different from the first primary function and the third primary function;
• a second adapter, dissimilar from the first adapter, configured to alternatively removably couple the second consumer electronic device to the host to supply at least a second mechanical service between the host and the second consumer electronic device and to alternatively removably couple the third consumer electronic device to the host and supply at least a third mechanical service between the host and the third consumer electronic device different than the at least a second mechanical service.

A modular system comprising:

• an appliance primarily performing a physical cycle of operation;
• a consumer electronic device primarily performing a data function;
• a portable consumer device performing a function different than the data function;
• and
• an adapter capable of alternatively removably coupling the consumer electronic device to the host to supply a first mechanical service between the host and the consumer electronic device and of alternatively removably coupling the portable consumer device to the host to supply a second mechanical service between the host and the portable consumer device different than the first mechanical service, wherein the portable consumer device cannot use the first mechanical service.

A modular system comprising:

• an appliance with a consumer facing surface;
• a host service interface adjacent the consumer facing surface, the host service interface communicating a mechanical service and an electrical service;
• a electronic device capable of being disposed adjacent the surface and removably coupled with the host service interface to communicate the mechanical and electrical services between the appliance and the electronic device;
• and
• a non-electronic device capable of being alternatively disposed adjacent the surface and removably coupled with the host to communicate the mechanical services between the appliance and the non-mechanical device.