Modular Electronics System with Interfacing Interchangeable Components

Abstract

Modular system of interfacing consumer electronic devices. The system includes a powered base hub and additional modular components with interface couplers providing electrical continuity between modules. Data transmission between modules may be through the interface couplers or wireless. The system includes a power cord for providing power to the base or wireless pad, but it need not include any additional power or data cords or cables.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A modular electronics system comprising:
 a base adapted for electrical communication with a high voltage power source, said base having a first mating surface with a first interface coupler; and   at least one module stackable with said base and having a second mating surface matable with said first mating surface and a second interface coupler matable with said first interface coupler, said module adapted for wirelessly receiving communications from said base, the communications selected from high voltage power, low voltage DC power, and combinations thereof;   wherein said base is adapted for providing high voltage electrical communication, and low voltage DC electrical communication with said at least one module.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second interface couplers are matable with each other to transfer signals selected from high voltage power, low voltage power, and combinations thereof, between said base and said module when said first and second mating surfaces are in contact with each other. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said first and second interface couplers are adapted for providing wireless high voltage electrical and wireless low voltage DC electrical connections.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said module is selected from electronic device docks, electronic card readers, hard drives, lamps, batteries, speakers, clocks, electronic device controllers, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein each said module is operable when positioned as a last module in a series of stacked modules, said series originating with said base. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , comprising a plurality of modules, wherein:
 each module has a first mating surface with a first interface coupler and a second mating surface with a second interface coupler;   said modules are configurable in any order with said first interface coupler of one module coupled with said second interface coupler of an adjacent module; and   each said module is selected from electronic card readers, hard drives, lamps, batteries, speakers, clocks, and combinations thereof.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said modules is selected from fans, pencil sharpeners, cup holders, pencil holders, staplers, mug warmers, stock tickers, electric staplers, tape dispensers, pencil holders, game controllers, wireless chargers, post-it note dispensers, credit/debit card swipers, web cameras, wireless receivers, wireless transmitters, displays, personal computers, Blueray/CVD/CD/disk drives, baby monitors, air fresheners, mobile device stands, air ionizers, power interfaces, laptop docking stations, home controls, thermostats, fire alarm/smoke/CO detectors, gestural interfaces, numeric/calculator pads, scanners, eye tracking devices, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said base is integral with a support, said support comprising a power source that is adapted for providing high voltage power wirelessly to said base. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said base and each said module are stackable in a configuration selected from horizontal and vertical. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said base and each said module comprise matable features selected from keyed protrusions and depressions; magnets; and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said base further comprises a router capable of providing wifi communication with said at least one module. 
     
     
         12 . A base for a modular electronics system comprising:
 a high voltage power input;   an interface coupler adapted for wirelessly transmitting high voltage power and low voltage data signals; and   a router for transmitting and receiving wifi signals.   
     
     
         13 . The base of  claim 12 , further comprising a support adapted for wireless high voltage power transmission to said base. 
     
     
         14 . The base of  claim 13 , wherein said base is integrated with said support. 
     
     
         15 . The base of  claim 12 , wherein said base is combinable with at least one module that is stackable with said base in a configuration selected from horizontal and vertical. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein said base comprises at least one feature selected from protrusions, depressions, magnets, and combinations thereof, said feature adapted for aligning and securing in place the at least one module.