Automobile entertainment system

• US 20060148574A1
• Filed: 11/14/2005
• Published: 07/06/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: VOXX International Corporation
• Original Assignee: VOXX International Corporation
• Inventors: Vitito, Christopher J.
• Application Number:
  US11/271,996
• Publication Number:
  US 20060148574A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/46
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/143 Touch sensitive instrument input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/1438 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: B60N 2/879 with additional features not related to head-rest positioning, e.g. heating or cooling devices or loudspeakers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0211 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 2011/0017 Head-rests
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0045 with visible part, e.g. flush mounted
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0059 using clips, clamps, straps or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0061 using key-type connections
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/008 Adjustable or movable supports
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0082 collapsible, e.g. for storing after use
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0085 with adjustment by rotation in their operational position
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0096 Theft prevention of articles
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 17/05 specially adapted for discs not contained within cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/64 Constructional details of receivers, e.g. cabinets or dust covers furniture aspects of television cabinets A47B81/06

Abstract

An automobile entertainment system includes a video system having a video monitor and a video source, and a cradle secured within an automobile. The cradle is shaped and dimensioned for selectively receiving and securely holding the video system.

Claims

1. A video system, comprising:

a display; and

a media source operatively coupled to the display, wherein the display and the media source are supported by a housing attached to at least one rigid member coupled to at least one headrest support member of a seat in a vehicle.

2. The video system of claim 1, wherein the at least one rigid member is coupled to the at least one headrest support member using a bracket.

3. The video system of claim 1, wherein the housing includes at least one opening for providing access to the media source.

4. The video system of claim 1, wherein the housing includes at least one opening for allowing a view of the display.

5. The video system of claim 1, wherein the media source is one of a slot-type device, a clamshell-type device and a drawer-type device.

6. A video system comprising:

a display; and

a media source operatively coupled to the display, wherein the display and the media source are mounted to a vehicle seat, and at least the display is capable of being fixed to different positions using a mounting mechanism.

7. The video system of claim 6, further comprising an intermediate structure attached to the vehicle seat between the vehicle seat and the mounting mechanism, and wherein the mounting mechanism includes a mounting bracket attached to the intermediate structure and to the display.

8. A video system, comprising:

a monitor; and

a video source operatively coupled to the monitor, wherein the monitor and the video source are supported by a housing attached to at least one rigid member coupled to at least one headrest support member of a seat in a vehicle.

9. The video system of claim 8, wherein the at least one rigid member is coupled to the at least one headrest support member using a bracket.

10. The video system of claim 8, wherein the housing includes at least one opening for providing access to the video source.

11. The video system of claim 8, wherein the housing includes at least one opening for allowing a view of the monitor.

12. The video system of claim 8, wherein the monitor is permanently anchored to the housing.

13. The video system of claim 8, wherein the video source is permanently anchored to the housing.

14. The video system of claim 8, further comprising at least one of an audio/video port, a headphone port, a power port, an infrared port and a wireless transmitter for transmitting wireless signals positioned on at least one of the monitor, the video source and the housing.

15. The video system of claim 8, wherein the video source is one of a slot-type device, a clamshell-type device and a drawer-type device.

16. The video system of claim 8, wherein the video source includes at least one of a DVD player, satellite radio, television, GPS guidance system, wireless internet access, digital video recorder, digital video reception, video conferencing, cellular digital, cellular digital with a camera and a device capable of playing at least one of computerized video files and computerized audio files.

17. A video system comprising:

a monitor; and

a video source operatively coupled to the monitor, wherein the monitor and the video source are mounted to a vehicle seat, and at least the monitor is capable of being fixed to different positions using a mounting mechanism.

18. The video system of claim 17, wherein the different positions include at least one of a plurality of points about an axis.

19. The video system of claim 17, further comprising an intermediate structure attached to the vehicle seat between the vehicle seat and the mounting mechanism, and wherein the mounting mechanism includes a mounting bracket attached to the intermediate structure and to the monitor.

20. A video system, comprising:

a monitor; and

a video source operatively coupled to the monitor, wherein the monitor and the video source are supported by a cradle attached to at least one rigid member coupled to at least one headrest support member of a seat in a vehicle.

21. The video system of claim 20, wherein the at least one rigid member is coupled to the at least one headrest support member using a bracket.

30. The video system of claim 20, wherein the cradle includes at least one opening for providing access to the video source.

31. The video system of claim 20, wherein the cradle includes at least one opening for allowing a view of the monitor.

32. The video system of claim 20, wherein the monitor is selectively positioned in and removed from the cradle.

33. The video system of claim 20, wherein the video source is selectively positoned in and removed from the cradle.

34. The video system of claim 20, further comprising at least one of an audio/video port, a headphone port, a power port, an infrared port and a wireless transmitter for transmitting wireless signals positioned on at least one of the monitor, the video source and the cradle.

35. The video system of claim 20, wherein the video source is one of a slot-type device, a clamshell-type device and a drawer-type device.

36. The video system of claim 20, wherein the video source includes at least one of a DVD player, satellite radio, television, GPS guidance system, wireless internet access, digital video recorder, digital video reception, video conferencing, cellular digital, cellular digital with a camera and a device capable of playing at least one of computerized video files and computerized audio files.

37. A video system comprising:

a monitor; and

a video source operatively coupled to the monitor, wherein the monitor and the video source are mounted to a vehicle seat, and at least the monitor is capable of being fixed to different positions using a mounting mechanism.

38. The video system of claim 37, wherein the different positions include at least one of a plurality of points about an axis.

39. The video system of claim 37, further comprising an intermediate structure attached to the vehicle seat between the vehicle seat and the mounting mechanism, and wherein the mounting mechanism includes a mounting bracket attached to the intermediate structure and to the monitor.