Vehicle entertainment table unit and cradle

• US 10,218,934 B2
• Filed: 07/27/2017
• Issued: 02/26/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: VOXX International Corporation
• Original Assignee: VOXX International Corporation
• Inventors: Tranchina, James R., Lavelle, Patrick M., Ford, Raymond
• Primary Examiner(s): Jones, Heather R
• Application Number:
  US15/661,587
• Publication Number:
  US 20170324924A1
• Time in Patent Office: 579 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/879 with additional features not related to head-rest positioning, e.g. heating or cooling devices or loudspeakers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0235 of flat type, e.g. LCD
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0252 for personal computers, e.g. laptops, notebooks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0015 Back-rests
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0017 Head-rests
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0045 with visible part, e.g. flush mounted
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0047 using hidden fastening means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0075 using a containment or docking space
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1633 Constructional details or arrangements of portable computers not specific to the type of enclosures covered by groups G06F1/1615 - G06F1/1626
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1654 the display being detachable, e.g. for remote use
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1423 controlling a plurality of local displays, e.g. CRT and flat panel display
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/147 using display panels
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2380/10 Automotive applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/082 to be used in vehicles H04B1/086 takes precedence; holding or mounting accessories B60R11/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00347 with another still picture apparatus, e.g. hybrid still picture apparatus circuits or arrangements for control or supervision between image input and image output device H04N1/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2368 Multiplexing of audio and video streams
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41422 located in transportation means, e.g. personal vehicle arrangements specially adapted for transportation systems in broadcast systems H04H20/62
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/426 Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof H04N5/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4341 Demultiplexing of audio and video streams
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43637 : involving a wireless protocol, e.g. Bluetooth, RF or wireless LAN [IEEE 802.11] arrangements for wireless networking or broadcasting of information in indoor or near-field type systems H04B10/114
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4382 : Demodulation or channel decoding, e.g. QPSK demodulation analog front ends or means for connecting modulators, demodulators or transceivers to a transmission line H04L27/0002
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4622 : Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6131 : involving transmission via a mobile phone network wireless downlink channel access H04W74/006
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0041 : Point to point H04N2201/0039 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0058 : Docking-station, cradle or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0089 : Image display device
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/00 : Details of television systems scanning details or combination thereof with generation of supply voltages H04N3/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/38 : Transmitter circuitry for the transmission of television signals according to analogue transmission standards H04N5/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/64 : Constructional details of receivers, e.g. cabinets or dust covers furniture aspects of television cabinets A47B81/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/00 : Television systems details H04N3/00, H04N5/00; methods or arrangements, for coding, decoding, compressing or decompressing digital video signals H04N19/00; selective content distribution H04N21/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 : by receiver means only
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/18 : Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/04 : adapted for relaying to or from another terminal or user

Abstract

A vehicle entertainment system includes a tablet unit and a cradle. The tablet unit includes a display and a touch screen input device disposed on a front surface, a first electrical connection, a first mounting mechanism, and a wireless receiver. The wireless receiver is configured to receive media data from a wireless network and the touch screen input device is configured to receive input from a user. The cradle is disposed in a headrest in a vehicle and includes a second electrical connection and a second mounting mechanism. The tablet unit is electrically connected to the cradle via the first and second electrical connections, and is physically coupled to the cradle via the first and second mounting mechanisms upon mounting the tablet unit to the cradle.

Claims

1. A vehicle entertainment system, comprising:

a tablet unit comprising a display and a touch screen input device disposed on a front surface, a first electrical connection, a first mounting mechanism, and a wireless receiver, wherein the wireless receiver is configured to receive media data from a wireless network and the touch screen input device is configured to receive input from a user; and

a cradle disposed in a vehicle headrest and comprising a second electrical connection and a second mounting mechanism, wherein the tablet unit is electrically connected to the cradle via the first and second electrical connections, and is physically coupled to the cradle via the first and second mounting mechanisms upon mounting the tablet unit into the cradle,

wherein the second mounting mechanism comprises a latch member and a release button, and the latch member is actuated by the release button to permit removal of the tablet unit from the cradle,

wherein the latch member is coupled to the first mounting mechanism and the first electrical connection is electrically coupled to the second electrical connection upon mounting the tablet unit into the cradle,

wherein the front surface of the tablet unit is substantially flush with the outer surface of the vehicle headrest upon mounting the tablet unit into the cradle.

2. The vehicle entertainment system of claim 1, wherein the first electrical connection and the first mounting mechanism are disposed on a rear surface of the tablet unit, and the second electrical connection is disposed on the rear surface of the cradle.

3. The vehicle entertainment system of claim 1,

wherein the first mounting mechanism and the first electrical connection are disposed near a same edge of the tablet unit, the second mounting mechanism and the second electrical connection are disposed near a same lip of the cradle, and the latch member is disposed at a top portion of the cradle that is opposite to the lip,

wherein, upon mounting the tablet unit to the cradle, the first and second mounting mechanisms are physically coupled to each other, the first and second electrical connections are electrically coupled to each other, and the latch member engages the tablet unit at the top portion of the cradle that is opposite to the lip.

4. The vehicle entertainment system of claim 1, wherein the cradle further comprises a base portion configured to be secured to an internal headrest support structure of the vehicle headrest, a receiving portion configured to receive the tablet unit, and a hinge mechanism connecting the receiving portion to the base portion and enabling the receiving portion to pivot with respect to the base portion about at least two axes.

5. The vehicle entertainment system of claim 4,

wherein the hinge mechanism comprises a ball-like mechanism disposed near a center of the cradle between the base portion and the receiving portion, and

wherein the receiving portion is disposed within a recess of the base portion.

6. The vehicle entertainment system of claim 1,

wherein the cradle further comprises a plurality of lips extending outward from a rear surface of the cradle,

wherein a depth of the cradle is defined by a distance between the rear surface and a portion of the lips furthest from the rear surface, and the depth is between about 0.25 inches and about 0.6 inches,

wherein a thickness of the tablet unit is about equal to the depth of the cradle.

7. A vehicle entertainment system, comprising:

a tablet unit comprising a display and a touch screen input device disposed on a front surface, a first mounting mechanism, and a wireless receiver, wherein the wireless receiver is configured to receive media data from a wireless network and the touch screen input device is configured to receive input from a user; and

a cradle disposed in a vehicle headrest and comprising a second mounting mechanism, wherein the tablet unit is physically coupled to the cradle via the first and second mounting mechanisms upon mounting the tablet unit to the cradle,

wherein the first mounting mechanism is coupled to the second mounting mechanism upon mounting the tablet unit into the cradle,

wherein the front surface of the tablet unit is substantially flush with an outer surface of the vehicle headrest upon mounting the tablet unit into the cradle,

wherein the second mounting mechanism comprises a latch member and a release button, and the latch member is actuated by the release button to permit removal of the tablet unit from the cradle,

wherein the latch member is coupled to the first mounting mechanism upon mounting the tablet unit into the cradle.

8. The vehicle entertainment system of claim 7,

wherein the cradle further comprises a plurality of lips extending outward from a rear surface of the cradle,

wherein a depth of the cradle is defined by a distance between the rear surface and a portion of the lips furthest from the rear surface, and the depth is between about 0.25 inches and about 0.6 inches.

9. The vehicle entertainment system of claim 8, wherein a thickness of the tablet unit is about equal to the depth of the cradle.

10. The vehicle entertainment system of claim 7,

wherein the tablet unit further comprises a first electrical connection, and the cradle further comprises a second electrical connection,

wherein the tablet unit is electrically connected to the cradle via the first and second electrical connections electrically coupling to each other upon mounting the tablet unit into the cradle.

11. The vehicle entertainment system of claim 10, wherein the first electrical connection is disposed on the first edge of the tablet unit, and the second electrical connection is disposed on the first lip of the cradle.

12. The vehicle entertainment system of claim 7, wherein the cradle further comprises a base portion configured to be secured to an internal headrest support structure of the vehicle headrest, a receiving portion configured to receive the tablet unit, and a hinge mechanism connecting the receiving portion to the base portion and enabling the receiving portion to pivot with respect to the base portion about at least two axes.

13. The vehicle entertainment system of claim 12,

wherein the hinge mechanism comprises a ball-like mechanism disposed near a center of the cradle between the base portion and the receiving portion, and

wherein the receiving portion is disposed within a recess of the base portion.

14. A vehicle entertainment system, comprising:

a cradle disposed in a vehicle headrest and configured to receive a tablet unit, wherein the cradle comprises;

a rear surface;

a plurality of lips extending outward from the rear surface, wherein a depth of the cradle is defined by a distance between the rear surface and a portion of the lips furthest from the rear surface;

a first electrical connection; and

a first mounting mechanism, wherein a tablet unit comprising a display and a touch screen input device disposed on a front surface of the tablet unit, a second electrical connection, a second mounting mechanism, and a wireless receiver configured to receive media data from a wireless network, is electrically connected to the cradle via the first and second electrical connections, and is physically coupled to the cradle via the first and second mounting mechanisms upon mounting the tablet unit into the cradle,

wherein the front surface of the tablet unit is substantially flush with an outer surface of the vehicle headrest upon mounting the tablet unit into the cradle,

wherein the first mounting mechanism comprises a latch member and a release button,

wherein the latch member is actuated by the release button to permit removal of the tablet unit from the cradle,

wherein the latch member is coupled to the second mounting mechanism upon mounting the tablet unit into the cradle.

15. The vehicle entertainment system of claim 14,

wherein the latch member is disposed on the rear surface of the cradle, and the release button is disposed on the outer surface of the vehicle headrest.

16. The vehicle entertainment system of claim 14, wherein the depth of the cradle is between about 0.25 inches and about 0.6 inches, and a thickness of the tablet unit is about equal to the depth of the cradle.

17. A vehicle entertainment system, comprising:

a cradle disposed in a vehicle headrest and configured to receive a tablet unit, wherein the cradle comprises;

a rear surface;

a plurality of lips extending outward from the rear surface, wherein a depth of the cradle is defined by distance between the rear surface and a portion of the lips, furthest from the rear surface;

a first electrical connection; and

a first mounting mechanism, wherein a tablet unit comprising a display and a touch screen input device disposed on a front surface of the tablet unit a second electrical connection, a second mounting mechanism, and a wireless receiver configured to receive media data from a wireless network, is electrically connected to the cradle via the first and second electrical connections, and is physically coupled to the cradle via the fit and second mounting mechanisms upon mounting the tablet unit into the cradle,

wherein the front surface of the tablet unit is substantially flush with an outer surface of the vehicle headrest upon mounting the tablet unit into the cradle,

wherein the first electrical connection is disposed on the rear surface of the cradle,

wherein the first mounting mechanism comprises a latch member disposed on the rear surface of the cradle, and a release button disposed on the outer surface of the vehicle headrest,

wherein the latch member is actuated by the release button to permit removal of the tablet unit from the cradle,

wherein the second electrical connection and the second mounting mechanism are disposed on a rear surface of the tablet unit,

wherein the latch member is coupled to the second mounting mechanism upon mounting the tablet unit into the cradle.