In-Car Entertainment Unit Incorporating A Printer

• US 20070236572A1
• Filed: 05/24/2007
• Published: 10/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Silverbrook, Kia, King, Tobin
• Granted Patent: US 7,688,351 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/207.200
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/175 Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 29/026 Stackable
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/445 Printers integrated in other types of apparatus, e.g. printers integrated in cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00127 Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00278 with a printing apparatus, e.g. a laser beam printer
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00305 with a cordless telephone apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00307 with a mobile telephone apparatus constructional features of portable telephone sets H04M1/0202; mobile radio systems H04W84/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0039 Connection via a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0053 Optical, e.g. using an infrared link
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0055 By radio
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0058 Docking-station, cradle or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0063 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0082 Image hardcopy reproducer H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0084 Digital still camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0096 Portable devices
• 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 in-car entertainment (ICE) unit includes a compact disc (CD) player configured to play a CD. A radio receiver is configured to receive a radio broadcast. A docking station is provided in which a digital camera can be docked so that information can be downloaded from the camera. A liquid crystal display (LCD) can display information from the CD, the radio broadcast or the camera. A printer is configured to print the displayed information.

Claims

1. An in-car entertainment (ICE) unit comprising:

a compact disc (CD) player configured to play a CD;

a receiver configured to receive a broadcast;

a docking station in which a digital camera can be docked so that information can be downloaded from the camera;

a liquid crystal display (LCD) which can display information from the CD, the radio broadcast or the camera; and

a printer configured to print the displayed information.

2. An ICE unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the docking station includes a slot defined in a front face of the ICE unit about which at least one user console is located, the slot being defined at an edge of the front face.

3. An ICE unit as claimed in claim 2, wherein the receiver is at least one of a radio receiver and a television receiver

4. An ICE unit as claimed in claim 2, wherein the docking station includes two user consoles in the form of a first user console to permit a user to control operation of the CD player and the receiver and a second user console to permit a user to control operation of the printer.

5. An ICE unit as claimed in claim 4, wherein each user console has a plurality of controls, and the controls of the second user console are clustered together and located between spaced apart controls of the first user console.

6. An ICE unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the LCD is a color LCD.

7. An in-car entertainment (ICE) unit comprising:

a compact disc (CD) player configured to play a CD;

a radio receiver configured to receive a radio broadcast;

a docking station in which a digital camera can be docked so that information can be downloaded from the camera;

a liquid crystal display (LCD) which can display information from the CD, the radio broadcast or the camera;

a printer configured to print the displayed information; and

a satellite navigation unit configured to display navigation information on the LCD which, in turn, can be printed using the printer.