Entertainment apparatus and monitor device used therein

• US 6,749,507 B2
• Filed: 06/08/2001
• Issued: 06/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dropbox, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Incorporated (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Goto, Teiyu, Kutaragi, Ken, Tokusashi, Mitsuyuki
• Primary Examiner(s): Dolinar, Andrew M.
• Application Number:
  US09/877,959
• Publication Number:
  US 20020068634A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,103 Days
• Field of Search: 463/31, 463/46, 348/790, 348/791, 348/838, 348/839, 348/794
• US Class Current: 463/31
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/25 Output arrangements for video game devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/98 Accessories, i.e. detachable arrangements optional for the use of the video game device, e.g. grip supports of game controllers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/204 the platform being a handheld device
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/30 characterized by output arrangements for receiving control signals generated by the game device
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 31/00 Arrangements for the associated working of recording or reproducing apparatus with related apparatus with cameras or projectors G03B31/00 ; recording/reproducing of music for electrophonic musical instruments G10H1/0033; automatic arrangements for answering calls or for recording messages for absent subscribers H04M1/64; telephonic communication systems adapted for combination with dictation recording and playback systems H04M11/10; connection of TV recorder with other related apparatus, e.g. TV camera or receiver, in which the TV signal is significantly involved H04N, e.g. H04N23/00, H04N5/765; combination of radio or TV with other apparatus, e.g. with vehicles H05K11/00

Abstract

The present invention provides an entertainment apparatus that can serve to display images and to reproduce sound either by connecting to a television set or only by itself. It has an apparatus body (1) for generating and outputting sound and video signals and a monitor device (90) attached to the apparatus body for outputting sound and displaying images based on the sound and video signals outputted from the apparatus body. The apparatus body generates sound and video signals and outputs them via a signal output terminal. The monitor device (90) comprises a monitor portion (91) which includes a display device (911) for displaying an image and a sound device (912) for outputting sound, a fixing portion (95) for connecting and fixing the monitor portion to the casing, a signal input terminal for receiving a signal from the signal output terminal connected thereto when the monitor device is connected to the casing. The monitor portion (91) is rotatably connected to the fixing portion (95).

Claims

1. An entertainment apparatus for generating and outputting video signals including:

an apparatus body for generating and outputting video signals; and

a monitor device connected to said apparatus body for displaying images based on the video signals outputted from said apparatus body,

wherein;

the apparatus body includes;

a signal generating portion for reading out information recorded on a record medium loaded to generate and output the video signals;

a signal output terminal for outputting outside the video signals generated in said signal generating portion; and

a casing for accommodating the above, and

the monitor device comprises;

a monitor portion having a display device for displaying images;

a fixing portion for connecting and fixing said monitor portion to said casing; and

a signal input terminal, which is connected to said signal output terminal when said monitor device is connected and fixed to said casing, for receiving signals from said signal output terminal,

said monitor portion and said fixing portion being rotatably connected with each other;

wherein said monitor device has a signal output terminal for outputting to outside the video signal inputted to the input terminal.

2. An entertainment apparatus for generating and outputting sound and video signals including:

an apparatus body for generating and outputting sound and video signals; and

a monitor device connected to said apparatus body for outputting sound and displaying images based on the sound and video signals outputted from said apparatus body,

wherein;

the apparatus body includes;

a signal generating portion for reading out information recorded on a record medium loaded to generate and output the sound and video signals;

a signal output terminal for outputting outside the sound and video signals generated in said signal generating portion; and

a casing for accommodating the above, and

the monitor device comprises;

a monitor portion having a display device for displaying images and a sound device for outputting sound;

a fixing portion for connecting and fixing said monitor portion to said casing; and

a signal input terminal, which is connected to said signal output terminal when said monitor device is connected and fixed to said casing, for receiving signals from said signal output terminal, and

said monitor portion and said fixing portion being rotatably connected with each other;

wherein said monitor device has a signal output terminal for outputting to outside the video signal inputted to the input terminal.

3. The entertainment apparatus according to claim 2, wherein:

said casing is provided with a container portion on a topside thereof for loading an optical disk and a lid portion capable of opening and closing for covering said container portion; and

said monitor portion is able to hold the following positions;

the monitor portion overlaps the lid portion and the display device faces the lid portion;

the monitor portion is raised from the lid portion and keeps the display device visible from the front of the casing, further said monitor portion being at least rotatable between the positions.

4. A monitor device, connected to an apparatus body of an entertainment apparatus, for displaying images by video signals outputted from said apparatus, comprising:

a monitor potion having a display device for displaying images;

a fixing portion for connecting and fixing said monitor potion to said apparatus body; and

a signal input terminal, which is connected to a signal output terminal of said apparatus body when said monitor device is connected and fixed to said apparatus body, for receiving signals from said signal output terminal,

said monitor portion and said fixing portion being rotatably connected with each other;

wherein said monitor device further has a signal output terminal for outputting to outside the video signal inputted to the input terminal.

5. A monitor device, connected to an apparatus body of an entertainment apparatus, for displaying images by video signals outputted from said apparatus and for outputting sound, wherein

said monitor device comprises:

a monitor portion having a display device for displaying images and a sound device for outputting sound;

a fixing portion for connecting and fixing said monitor portion to said casing; and

a signal input terminal, which is connected to said signal output terminal of said apparatus body when said monitor device is connected and fixed to said casing, for receiving signals from said signal output terminal, and

said monitor portion and said fixing portion are rotatably connected with each other;

wherein said monitor device further has a signal output terminal for outputting to outside the sound and video signals inputted to the input terminal.

6. The monitor device according to claim 5,

wherein said monitor device further has an image input terminal for receiving image input from outside.

7. A monitor device, connected to said apparatus body of an entertainment apparatus, for displaying images by video signals outputted from an apparatus body, including:

a monitor potion having a display device for displaying images;

a fixing portion for connecting and fixing said monitor potion to said apparatus body;

a signal input terminal for receiving signals from said apparatus body when said monitor device is connected and fixed to said apparatus body; and

a power connector for receiving power supply from the outside, said monitor portion and said fixing portion being rotatably connected with each other;

wherein said fixing portion has a headphone jack,

said signal input terminal is for inputting video and sound signals from said apparatus body; and

said headphone jack outputs sound signals inputted via said signal input terminal.

8. The monitor device according to claim 7, wherein said monitor portion is connected to said apparatus body and has said display device on a surface visible from the apparatus body.

9. The monitor device according to claim 8, wherein said monitor portion includes a panel portion, on which said display device is disposed, and a base portion for connecting and fixing said panel portion to the fixing portion.

10. The monitor device according to claim 9, wherein said monitor portion includes a stopper on the outside of said display device of said panel portion.

11. The monitor device according to claim 10, wherein said monitor portion includes a display device luminance adjusting operation portion on said panel portion.

12. A monitor device, connected to said apparatus body of an entertainment apparatus, for displaying images by video signals outputted from an apparatus body, including:

a monitor potion having a display device for displaying images;

a fixing portion for connecting and fixing said monitor potion to said apparatus body;

a signal input terminal for receiving signals from said apparatus body when said monitor device is connected and fixed to said apparatus body; and

a power connector for receiving power supply from the outside, said monitor portion and said fixing portion being rotatably connected with each other;

wherein said fixing portion further has a image input terminal for receiving image input from outside, and

wherein said fixing portion further has a signal output terminal for outputting to outside the video and sound signals inputted to the input terminal.

13. A monitor device, connected to said apparatus body of an entertainment apparatus, for displaying images by video signals outputted from an apparatus body, including:

a monitor potion having a display device for displaying images;

a fixing portion for connecting and fixing said monitor potion to said apparatus body;

a signal input terminal for receiving signals from said apparatus body when said monitor device is connected and fixed to said apparatus body; and

a power connector for receiving power supply from the outside, said monitor portion and said fixing portion being rotatably connected with each other;

wherein said power connector for supplying power is disposed on the surface of said fixing portion, the surface facing to said apparatus body upon connection to said apparatus body.

14. The monitor device according to claim 13 wherein a power connector for receiving power from outside is disposed on the surface of said fixing portion, the surface not facing to said apparatus body upon connection to said apparatus body.

15. The monitor device according to claim 14, wherein said signal input terminal is disposed on the surface of said fixing portion, the surface facing to said apparatus body upon connection to said apparatus body.

16. A monitor device, connected to an apparatus body of an entertainment apparatus, for displaying images by video signals outputted from said apparatus, comprising:

a monitor potion having a display device for displaying images;

a fixing portion for connecting and fixing said monitor potion to said apparatus body; and

a signal input terminal, which is connected to a signal output terminal of said apparatus body when said monitor device is connected and fixed to said apparatus body, for receiving signals from said signal output terminal,

said monitor portion and said fixing portion being rotatably connected with each other;

wherein said fixing portion further has an image input terminal for receiving image input from outside.