VEHICLE ENTERTAINMENT TABLET UNIT AND CRADLE

• US 20120162891A1
• Filed: 12/30/2011
• Published: 06/28/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: VOXX International Corporation
• Original Assignee: VOXX International Corporation
• Inventors: Tranchina, James R., Lavelle, Patrick M., Ford, Raymond
• Granted Patent: US 8,953,102 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/679.26
• 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 11/0235 of flat type, e.g. LCD
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0252 for personal computers, e.g. laptops, notebooks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0015 Back-rests
• 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 2011/0047 using hidden fastening means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0075 using a containment or docking space
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1633 Constructional details or arrangements of portable computers not specific to the type of enclosures covered by groups G06F1/1615 - G06F1/1626
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1654 the display being detachable, e.g. for remote use
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1423 controlling a plurality of local displays, e.g. CRT and flat panel display
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/147 using display panels
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2380/10 Automotive applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/082 to be used in vehicles H04B1/086 takes precedence; holding or mounting accessories B60R11/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00347 with another still picture apparatus, e.g. hybrid still picture apparatus circuits or arrangements for control or supervision between image input and image output device H04N1/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2368 Multiplexing of audio and video streams
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41422 located in transportation means, e.g. personal vehicle arrangements specially adapted for transportation systems in broadcast systems H04H20/62
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/426 Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof H04N5/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4341 Demultiplexing of audio and video streams
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43637 : involving a wireless protocol, e.g. Bluetooth, RF or wireless LAN [IEEE 802.11] arrangements for wireless networking or broadcasting of information in indoor or near-field type systems H04B10/114
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4382 : Demodulation or channel decoding, e.g. QPSK demodulation analog front ends or means for connecting modulators, demodulators or transceivers to a transmission line H04L27/0002
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4622 : Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6131 : involving transmission via a mobile phone network wireless downlink channel access H04W74/006
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0041 : Point to point H04N2201/0039 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0058 : Docking-station, cradle or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0089 : Image display device
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/00 : Details of television systems scanning details or combination thereof with generation of supply voltages H04N3/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/38 : Transmitter circuitry for the transmission of television signals according to analogue transmission standards H04N5/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/64 : Constructional details of receivers, e.g. cabinets or dust covers furniture aspects of television cabinets A47B81/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/00 : Television systems details H04N3/00, H04N5/00; methods or arrangements, for coding, decoding, compressing or decompressing digital video signals H04N19/00; selective content distribution H04N21/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 : by receiver means only
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/18 : Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/04 : adapted for relaying to or from another terminal or user

Abstract

A vehicle entertainment system includes a tablet unit and a cradle. The tablet unit includes a display and a touch screen input device disposed on a front surface, a first electrical connection, a first mounting mechanism, and a wireless receiver. The wireless receiver is configured to receive media data from a wireless network and the touch screen input device is configured to receive input from a user. The cradle is disposed in a headrest in a vehicle and includes a second electrical connection and a second mounting mechanism. The tablet unit is electrically connected to the cradle via the first and second electrical connections, and is physically coupled to the cradle via the first and second mounting mechanisms upon mounting the tablet unit to the cradle.

Claims

1. A vehicle entertainment system, comprising:

a tablet unit comprising a display and a touch screen input device disposed on a front surface, a first electrical connection, a first mounting mechanism, and a wireless receiver, wherein the wireless receiver is configured to receive media data from a wireless network and the touch screen input device is configured to receive input from a user; and

a cradle disposed in a headrest in a vehicle and comprising a second electrical connection and a second mounting mechanism, wherein the tablet unit is electrically connected to the cradle via the first and second electrical connections, and is physically coupled to the cradle via the first and second mounting mechanisms upon mounting the tablet unit to the cradle.

2. The vehicle entertainment system of claim 1, wherein the second mounting mechanism comprises a latch member disposed on a rear surface of the cradle and a release button disposed on an outer surface of the headrest,

wherein the first electrical connection and the first mounting mechanism are disposed on a rear surface of the tablet unit, and the second electrical connection is disposed on the rear surface of the cradle, and

wherein the latch member is coupled to the first mounting mechanism and the first electrical connection is electrically coupled to the second electrical connection upon mounting the tablet unit to the cradle.

3. The vehicle entertainment system of claim 1, wherein the first mounting mechanism comprises a tab disposed on a first edge of the tablet unit and a coupling member disposed on a second edge of the tablet unit, the second mounting mechanism comprises a recess disposed on a first lip of the cradle and a latch member disposed on a second lip of the cradle, the first electrical connection is disposed on the first edge of the tablet, and the second electrical connection is disposed on the first lip of the cradle,

wherein the first and second edges oppose each other, and the first and second lips oppose each other and extend outward from a rear surface of the cradle, and

wherein, upon mounting the tablet unit to the cradle, the tab is inserted into the recess, the coupling member engages the latch member, and the first and second electrical connections are electrically coupled.

4. The vehicle entertainment system of claim 1, wherein the front surface of the tablet unit is substantially flush with an outer surface of the headrest upon mounting the tablet unit to the cradle.

5. The vehicle entertainment system of claim 1, wherein the cradle comprises a rear surface and a lip extending outward from the rear surface, a depth of the cradle is defined by a distance between the rear surface and a portion of the lip furthest from the rear surface, and the depth is between about 0.25 inches and about 0.6 inches.

6. The vehicle entertainment system of claim 1, wherein the cradle is connected to a power source in the vehicle and the tablet unit receives power from the cradle via the first and second electrical connections.

7. The vehicle entertainment system of claim 1, wherein the tablet unit is removably mounted or fixedly mounted to the cradle.

8. The vehicle entertainment system of claim 1, wherein the tablet unit further comprises a wireless transmitter configured to create a hotspot by assigning an Internet Protocol (IP) address to at least one wireless enabled device via an 802.11 transmission standard.

9. The vehicle entertainment system of claim 1, wherein the tablet unit further comprises:

a storage device configured to store media data; and

a wireless transmitter configured to transmit the media data to at least one wireless enabled device.

10. The vehicle entertainment system of claim 1, wherein the tablet unit is a first tablet unit and the cradle is a first cradle, and the first tablet unit is configured to share data with a second tablet unit mounted in and electrically connected to a second cradle via an electrical connection made between the first and second cradles.

11. The vehicle entertainment system of claim 1, wherein the cradle further comprises a base portion configured to be secured to an internal headrest support structure of the headrest, a receiving portion configured to receive the tablet unit, and a hinge mechanism connecting the receiving portion to the base portion and enabling the receiving portion to be pivoted in at least one direction.

12. The vehicle entertainment system of claim 1, further comprising:

a first cover configured to cover the first mounting mechanism; and

a second cover configured to cover the first electrical connection.

13. The vehicle entertainment system of claim 1, wherein the tablet unit is configured to control a vehicle head unit in the vehicle using software installed on the tablet unit.

14. A cradle for a tablet unit, comprising:

a rear surface and a lip extending outward from the rear surface, wherein a depth of the cradle is defined by a distance between the rear surface and a portion of the lip furthest from the rear surface, and the depth is between about 0.25 inches and about 0.6 inches; and

a connection port disposed on the lip, wherein the connection port is configured to matingly receive a connector of a tablet unit and supply power to the tablet unit,

wherein the cradle is mounted in a vehicle.

15. The cradle of claim 14, further comprising a door pivotally attached to the lip, wherein the connection port is disposed on the door, and the door is configured to pivot away from the lip to receive the tablet unit, and towards the lip to secure the tablet unit within the cradle.

16. The cradle of claim 14, wherein the connection port is one of a microUSB port or a 30-pin connector.

17. The cradle of claim 14, wherein the connection port is configured to transmit and receive data to and from the tablet unit.

18. The cradle of claim 14, wherein the cradle is electrically connected to at least one other cradle, and the cradle is configured to share data between the tablet unit and another tablet unit mounted in the at least one other cradle.

19. A vehicle entertainment system, comprising:

a media control box disposed in a vehicle and comprising a storage device configured to store media data, and a wireless transmitter configured to transmit the media data;

a tablet unit comprising a display and a touch screen input device disposed on a front surface, a wireless receiver, a first electrical connection, and a first mounting mechanism, wherein the touch screen input device is configured to receive input from a user;

a cradle disposed within the vehicle and comprising a second electrical connection and a second mounting mechanism, wherein the tablet unit is electrically connected to the cradle via the first and second electrical connections, and is physically coupled to the cradle via the first and second mounting mechanisms upon mounting the tablet unit to the cradle; and

a display mounted in the vehicle and comprising a wireless receiver,

wherein the wireless receiver of the tablet unit and the wireless receiver of the display are configured to receive the media data transmitted by the media control box.

20. The vehicle entertainment system of claim 19, wherein the wireless receiver of the tablet unit and the wireless receiver of the display are configured to receive the media content via a WI-FI DIRECT connection.