Vehicle entertainment system

• US 20060070103A1
• Filed: 08/31/2005
• Published: 03/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Audiovox Corporation (VOXX International Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Audiovox Corporation (VOXX International Corporation)
• Inventors: Vitito, Christopher J.
• Application Number:
  US11/214,954
• Publication Number:
  US 20060070103A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/77
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/143 Touch sensitive instrument input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/1438 Touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/143 Touch sensitive input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/1438 Touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 37/06 of controls, e.g. controls knobs
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0211 for record carriers apparatus, e.g. video recorders, tape players or CD players
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0235 of flat type, e.g. LCD
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0005 Dashboard
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0017 Head-rests
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0028 Ceiling, e.g. roof rails
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0082 collapsible, e.g. for storing after use

Abstract

A vehicle entertainment system includes a video system having a video monitor which includes a touch screen panel. The system also includes a touch panel control system associated with the video system and touch screen panel for controlling the presentation of a graphical user interface control panel upon the video monitor. The touch panel control system includes a mechanism for adjusting the orientation of the graphical user interface control panel based upon the orientation of the video system. A cradle is secured within a vehicle, the cradle being shaped and dimensioned for selectively receiving and securely holding the video system.

Claims

1. A vehicle entertainment system, comprising:

a video system including a video monitor which includes a touch screen panel;

a touch panel control system associated with the video system and touch screen panel for controlling the presentation of a graphical user interface control panel upon the video monitor, the touch panel control system including means for adjusting the orientation of the graphical user interface control panel based upon the orientation of the video system;

a cradle secured within a vehicle, the cradle being shaped and dimensioned for selectively receiving and securely holding the video system.

2. The entertainment system according to claim 1, wherein the means for adjusting includes an orientation sensor associated with the touch panel control system.

3. The entertainment system according to claim 1, wherein the means for adjusting includes a manually operated switching button.

4. The entertainment system according to claim 1, wherein the touch screen panel is a VGA touch screen panel.

5. The entertainment system according to claim 1, wherein the video system includes a video source and the video source is a DVD player.

6. The entertainment system according to claim 1, wherein the video system includes electrical connectors shaped and dimensioned for selective engagement with electrical connectors formed within the cradle.

7. The entertainment system according to claim 1, wherein the cradle is mounted within a headrest.

8. The entertainment system according to claim 1, wherein the cradle is secured to a ceiling of the automobile.

9. The entertainment system according to claim 1, further including at least one docking station to which the video system may be selectively secured when not coupled to the cradle.

10. The entertainment system according to claim 9, wherein the video system includes electrical connectors shaped and dimensioned for selective engagement with electrical connectors formed within the docking station.

11. The entertainment system according to claim 1, wherein the cradle includes a connecting mechanism for selective attachment of the video system thereto.

12. The entertainment system according to claim 11, wherein the connecting mechanism includes a release button for selective release of the video system from the cradle.

13. The entertainment system according to claim 12, wherein the connecting mechanism includes a latch member for selective coupling of the video system to the cradle.