System and method for protecting removeable media playback devices

• US 20050183104A1
• Filed: 12/21/2004
• Published: 08/18/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/24/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Callahan Cellular LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Universal Electronics, Inc.
• Inventors: Edwards, Bruce, Janik, Craig, Kalayjian, Nick
• Granted Patent: US 7,652,844 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 720/630
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0211 for record carriers apparatus, e.g. video recorders, tape players or CD players
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/184 Mounting of motherboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/187 Mounting of fixed and removable disk drives
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/025 Portable cases
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/08 Insulation or absorption of undesired vibrations or sounds

Abstract

A mounting system for a media playback device is provided having an outer module for rigidly mounting the media playback device to a surface, and a corresponding cartridge which is capable of being inserted and removed from the outer module. While inserted in the outer module, a first mounting subsystem functions to fixedly mount the cartridge within the outer module such that shock, vibration, and other physical environmental factors are not amplified in the cartridge. A second mounting subsystem is provided to protect the cartridge while removed from the outer module, and generally comprises a resilient material around a portion of the cartridge.

Claims

1. A mounting system for a media based device, comprising:

an outer module for rigidly mounting the media based device to a surface, the outer module having an inner cavity for operatively connecting to and housing a media source; and

a media cartridge corresponding to the inner cavity for providing the media source, the media cartridge capable of being inserted into and removed from the outer module by a user;

wherein the media cartridge comprises a first subsystem for rigidly fixing the media cartridge inside the outer module during operation of the media based device, and a second subsystem for providing protection for the media source when removed from the outer module.

2. The mounting system as recited in claim 1, wherein the first subsystem further comprises a locking mechanism for providing insertion and ejection functions for the media cartridge with respect to the inner cavity.

3. The mounting system as recited in claim 2, wherein a first portion of the locking mechanism is configured on an outer portion of the media cartridge, and a second portion of the locking mechanism is configured in the outer module.

4. The mounting system as recited in claim 3, wherein the first portion of the locking mechanism comprises a first slot disposed on an outer portion of the media cartridge, and the second portion of the locking mechanism comprises a bevel configured in the outer module and operative with the slot of the first portion to lock the media cartridge in the inner cavity of the outer module when the media cartridge is fully inserted into the inner cavity.

5. The mounting system as recited in claim 4, wherein the first portion of the locking mechanism comprises a second slot, and the second portion of the locking mechanism further comprises a motor operatively connected to a latch mechanism, the motor and the latch mechanism operative with the second slot for providing automatic insertion and ejection of the media cartridge with respect to the outer module.

6. The mounting system as recited in claim 1, wherein the second subsystem comprises at least one resilient portion disposed about an outer portion of the media cartridge.

7. The mounting system as recited in claim 6, wherein the resilient portion is disposed about an outer portion of the media cartridge such that interaction between the first portion of the locking mechanism and the second portion of the locking mechanism is possible.

8. The mounting system as recited in claim 7, wherein the resilient portion comprises at least one resilient material selected from the group consisting of:

rubber, polymer, and elastomer.

9. For use in connection with a media based device having an outer module and a media cartridge capable of being inserted and removed from an inner cavity of the outer module, a method for mounting the media based device to a surface and for providing a protective function for the media cartridge in both an inserted state and a removed state with respect to the outer module, the method comprising:

providing a resilient portion disposed about an outer portion of the media cartridge, whereby the media cartridge is protected from forces related to drop or shock when in the removed state with respect to the outer module;

fixing the outer module to the surface; and

locking the media cartridge in the inner cavity of the outer module when in the inserted state with respect to the outer module such that vibrations induced in the surface are not caused to be amplified by the resilient portion.

10. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein locking the media cartridge in the inner cavity comprises placing into interaction a first portion of a locking mechanism and a second portion of the locking mechanism.

11. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein the first portion of the locking mechanism is configured on an outer portion of the media cartridge, and the second portion of the locking mechanism is configured in the outer module.

12. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein the first portion of the locking mechanism comprises a first slot disposed on and outer portion of the media cartridge, and the second portion of the locking mechanism comprises a bevel configured in the outer module and operative with the slot of the first portion to lock the media cartridge in the inner cavity of the outer module when the media cartridge is fully inserted into the inner cavity.

13. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein the first portion of the locking mechanism comprises a second slot, and the second portion of the locking mechanism further comprises a motor operatively connected to a latch mechanism, the motor and the latch mechanism operative with the second slot for providing automatic insertion and ejection of the media cartridge with respect to the outer module.

14. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein the resilient portion is disposed about an outer portion of the media cartridge and is arranged so as not to inhibit the step of locking.

15. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein the resilient portion comprises at least one resilient material selected from the group consisting of:

rubber, polymer, and elastomer.

16. A system comprising:

an outer module having an inner cavity adapted to be mounted to a vehicle surface;

a media cartridge adapted to be inserted and removed from the inner cavity of the outer module;

wherein the media cartridge is provided with a resilient portion disposed about an outer portion of the media cartridge whereby the media cartridge is protected from forces related to drop or shock when in a removed state with respect to the outer module and wherein the media cartridge is locked in the inner cavity of the outer module when in an inserted state with respect to the outer module such that vibrations induced in the surface are not caused to be amplified by the resilient portion.