Automobile entertainment system

• US 20060148575A1
• 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:
  US11/272,005
• Publication Number:
  US 20060148575A1
• 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 docking station for supporting a removable video system, the docking station comprising:

a connector for electrically coupling the docking station to the removable video system; and

at least one port for connecting a media source to the docking station, wherein data from the media source is provided to the docking station via the at least one port and to the removable video system via the connector.

2. The docking station as recited in claim 1, wherein the data includes at least one of audio data and video data.

3. The docking station as recited in claim 1, further comprising a television tuner, wherein a program received by the television tuner is provided to the removable video system via the connector.

4. The docking station as recited in claim 1, wherein the docking station is mounted in an interior portion of a vehicle.

5. The docking station as recited in claim 4, wherein the docking station is mounted to the ceiling of the vehicle.

6. The docking station as recited in claim 1, wherein the docking station is mounted to one of a ceiling, a wall and a piece of furniture.

7. The docking station as recited in claim 1, wherein the docking station is free standing.

8. The docking station as recited in claim 1, further comprising a speaker positioned on the docking station.

9. The docking station as recited in claim 1, wherein the docking station is connectable to a battery.

10. The docking station as recited in claim 1, wherein the docking station includes a port for connecting to an adapter for a power supply.

11. The docking station as recited in claim 1, wherein the removable video system includes a display capable of displaying video data received from the docking station.

12. The docking station as recited in claim 1, wherein the removable video system includes at least one port for connecting a media source to the video system, wherein data from the media source is provided to the video system via the at least one port.

13. The docking station as recited in claim 1, wherein the removable video system includes a media player.

14. The docking station as recited in claim 13, wherein the media player is capable of playing media stored on at least one of a digital video disc, a compact disc, a video compact disc, a flash card, a secure digital card, a smart media card and a memory stick card.

15. The docking station as recited in claim 1, wherein the removable video system is capable of operating when remote from the docking station.

16. The docking station as recited in claim 1, wherein the removable video system is capable of connecting to at least one of a battery and an adapter for a power supply.

17. A video system attachable to a docking station, the video system comprising:

a display capable of displaying video data received from the docking station; and

a media player, wherein the video system is capable of operating when removed from the docking station.

18. The video system as recited in claim 17, wherein the video system is capable of connecting to at least one of a battery and an adapter for a power supply.

19. The video system as recited in claim 17, wherein the media player is capable of playing media stored on at least one of a digital video disc, a compact disc, a video compact disc, a flash card, a secure digital card, a smart media card and a memory stick card.

20. The video system as recited in claim 17, further comprising at least one port for connecting a media source to the video system, wherein data from the media source is provided to the video system via the at least one port.

21. The video system as recited in claim 20, wherein the data includes at least one of audio data and video data.

22. The video system as recited in claim 17, further comprising a television tuner, wherein a program received by the television tuner is broadcast on the video system.

23. The video system as recited in claim 17, wherein the docking station is mounted in a room or in an interior portion of a vehicle.

24. The video system as recited in claim 17, wherein the docking station is mounted to a structure or is free standing.

25. The video system as recited in claim 17, wherein the docking station receives the video data from one of a media source built in to the docking station or an external media source connected to the docking station.

26. A docking station for supporting a removable video system, the docking station comprising:

a connector for electrically coupling the docking station to the removable video system; and

at least one input/output for connecting a video source to the docking station, wherein data from the video source is provided to the docking station via the at least one input/output and to the removable video system via the connector.

27. The docking station as recited in claim 26, wherein the at least one input/output is one of an audio input, a video input and an audio/video input.

28. The docking station as recited in claim 26, wherein the data includes at least one of audio data and video data.

29. The docking station as recited in claim 26, further comprising a television tuner, wherein a program received by the television tuner is provided to the removable video system via the connector.

30. The docking station as recited in claim 26, wherein the docking station is mounted in an interior portion of a vehicle.

31. The docking station as recited in claim 30, wherein the docking station is mounted to the ceiling of the vehicle.

32. The docking station as recited in claim 26, wherein the docking station is mounted to one of a ceiling, a wall and a piece of furniture.

33. The docking station as recited in claim 26, wherein the docking station is free standing.

34. The docking station as recited in claim 26, further comprising a speaker positioned on the docking station.

35. The docking station as recited in claim 26, wherein the docking station is connectable to a battery.

36. The docking station as recited in claim 26, wherein the docking station includes a port for connecting to a power supply.

37. The docking station as recited in claim 26, wherein the removable video system includes a monitor capable of displaying video data received from the docking station.

38. The docking station as recited in claim 37, wherein the monitor is one of TFT LCD, plasma, Ultra High Definition VGA, touch screen VGA and fabric based monitors.

39. The docking station as recited in claim 26, wherein the removable video system includes at least one connection for connecting a media source to the video system, wherein data from the media source is provided to the video system via the at least one connection.

40. The docking station as recited in claim 26, wherein the removable video system includes a video source.

41. The docking station as recited in claim 40, wherein the video source is capable of playing media stored on at least one of a digital video disc, a compact disc, a video compact disc, a flash card, a secure digital card, a smart media card and a memory stick card.

42. The docking station as recited in claim 26, wherein the removable video system is capable of operating when remote from the docking station.

43. The docking station as recited in claim 26, wherein the removable video system is capable of connecting to at least one of a battery and an adapter for a power supply.

44. A video system attachable to a docking station, the video system comprising:

a monitor capable of displaying video data received from the docking station; and

a video source, wherein the video system is capable of operating when removed from the docking station.

45. The video system as recited in claim 44, wherein the video system is capable of connecting to at least one of a battery and a power supply.

46. The video system as recited in claim 44, wherein the video source is capable of playing media stored on at least one of a digital video disc, a compact disc, a video compact disc, a flash card, a secure digital card, a smart media card and a memory stick card.

47. The video system as recited in claim 44, further comprising at least one connector for connecting a media source to the video system, wherein data from the media source is provided to the video system via the at least one connector.

48. The video system as recited in claim 47, wherein the data includes at least one of audio data and video data.

49. The video system as recited in claim 47, wherein the at least one connector is one of an audio input, a video input and an audio/video input.

50. The video system as recited in claim 44, further comprising a television tuner, wherein a program received by the television tuner is broadcast on the video system.

51. The video system as recited in claim 44, wherein the docking station is mounted in a room or in an interior portion of a vehicle.

52. The video system as recited in claim 44, wherein the docking station is mounted to a structure or is free standing.

53. The video system as recited in claim 44, wherein the monitor is one of a TFT LCD, plasma, Ultra High Definition VGA, touch screen VGA and fabric based monitors.

54. The video system as recited in claim 44, wherein the docking station receives the video data from one of a video source built in to the docking station or an external video source connected to the docking station.