Video display system for a vehicle

• US 7,084,932 B1
• Filed: 12/28/1999
• Issued: 08/01/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Original Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Leeka, Matthew L., Hurley, Paul D., Mathias, Larry E.
• Primary Examiner(s): LEE, MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US09/868,536
• Time in Patent Office: 2,408 Days
• Field of Search: 348/837, 348/838, 348/839, 296/37.7, 296/37.8, 248/921, 248/919
• US Class Current: 348/837
• 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 2011/0028 Ceiling, e.g. roof rails
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0078 Quick-disconnect two-parts mounting means
• 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: H04N 5/64 Constructional details of receivers, e.g. cabinets or dust covers furniture aspects of television cabinets A47B81/06

Abstract

A display unit (12) is provided, the display unit including a housing (20) configured for mounting in an interior region of a vehicle, and a screen (30) mounted on the housing for movement between a stowed position wherein the screen is at least partially contained within the housing and a deployed position wherein the screen projects from the housing to reveal a viewing surface (32) of the screen. When the screen is deployed, the viewing surface typically is at an angle of between 45-degrees and 90-degrees from the stowed position.

Claims

1. A video display system for a vehicle, said system comprising:

a housing;

a screen console having a screen and being moveably connected to said housing, said screen console being moveable between a first position and a second position; and

a digital video disc player being substantially integrally positioned within said screen console and operably connected to said screen thereby forming a video player unit, wherein said screen is substantially concealable when said screen console is positioned in said first position and said screen is generally visible when said screen console is positioned in said second position;

a latch mechanism positioned on one of said housing and said screen console and configured to releasably attach said video player unit to said housing, said latch mechanism including at least one finger and at least one slot, said at least one finger being engageable with said at least one slot, wherein one of said at least one finger and said at least one slot being formed on said housing and one of said at least one finger and said at least one slot being formed on said screen console.

2. The video display of claim 1 further comprising a stand configured to receive the video player unit, wherein the video player unit is adaptable to be used when operably positioned within the stand when unconnected from the housing.

3. The video display system of claim 1, wherein said screen console is pivotally attached to said housing.

4. The video display system of claim 1, wherein said housing includes at least one audio connector.

5. The video display system of claim 1, wherein said housing includes at least one control panel operable to control the operation of said digital video disc player.

6. The video display system of claim 1, wherein one of said housing and said screen console include an infrared receiver, said infrared receiver operable to receive a plurality of signals from a remote control device.

7. The video display system of claim 1, wherein said video player unit includes a remote power connector operable to receive power from a remote power source.

8. The video display system of claim 1, wherein said video player unit includes a battery source.

9. The video display system of claim 1, wherein said video player unit includes at least one audio connector.

10. The video display system of claim 1, wherein said video player unit is operably connectable to a tuner, said tuner providing at least one of an antenna source, a cable television source, a video source, and a power source.

11. The video display system of claim 10, wherein said tuner includes at least one speaker operably connectable to said screen.

12. The video display system of claim 1, wherein said video player unit includes an infrared receiver, said infrared receiver operable to receive a plurality of signals from a remote control device.

13. The video display system of claim 1, wherein said housing includes a bezel.

14. The video display system of claim 13, wherein said bezel includes at least one light and at least one control device operably associated with said at least one light.

15. The video display system of claim 13, wherein said bezel includes at least one climate control device.

16. The video display system of claim 1, wherein said video player unit is operably connectable to a stand.

17. The video display system of claim 16, wherein said stand includes at least one speaker operably connectable to said video player unit.

18. The video display system of claim 16, wherein said stand includes a stand body and a stand leg, said stand leg be moveably attached to said stand body.

19. The video display system of claim 18, wherein said stand leg is moveably attached to said stand body by a constant force hinge.

20. The video display system of claim 18, further comprising a stop screw positioned substantially within said stand body, said stop screw operably engageable with said stand leg thereby limiting movement of said stand leg.

21. The video display system of claim 16, wherein said stand includes at least one control panel operably connectable to said video player unit.

22. The video display system of claim 1, further comprising a docking member moveably coupled to the housing, wherein the video player unit is configured to removeably couple to the docking member.

23. The video display system of claim 1, wherein said latch mechanism includes a release button having a first end, said first end of said release button being pivotally attached to said video player unit.

24. The video display system of claim 23, said release button having a second end, wherein said second end of said release button is operably engageable with said housing as said second end of said release button pivots about said first end of said release button.

25. The video display system of claim 22, further including a power supply configured to provide power to the screen console when removed from the docking member, and a spring loaded latch configured to provide quick detachment from the docking member.

26. The video display system of claim 1, wherein said screen is a liquid crystal display.

27. The video display system of claim 13, wherein said bezel includes a rear seat entertainment module.

28. The video display system of claim 1, wherein said screen and said digital video disc player are positioned substantially parallel relative to each other such that said screen and said digital video disc player move through a substantially similar motion path as said screen console moves between said first position and said second position.

29. The video display system of claim 1, wherein said screen console includes a rechargeable battery substantially integrated within said screen console.

30. The video display system of claim 1, wherein said screen console includes an infrared transmitter and an infrared receiver, said infrared transmitter being operable to transmit a plurality of signals to a remotely located device and said infrared receiver being operable to receive a plurality of signals from a remote control device.

31. The video display system of claim 1, wherein one of said housing and said screen console include an infrared transmitter, said infrared transmitter operable to transmit a plurality of signals to a remotely located device.

32. A video display system for a vehicle, said system comprising:

a housing;

a housing panel moveably connected to said housing;

a screen console releaseably attached to said housing panel, said screen console having a screen and a digital video disc player operably connected to said screen, each of said screen and said digital video disc player being integrally positioned substantially within said screen console;

a latch mechanism operable to releasably retain said screen console to said housing, said latch mechanism including a release button, at least one finger, and at least one slot, said release button having a first end and a second end, said first end being pivotally attached to screen console and said second end being operably engageable with said housing as said second end pivots about said first end, said at least one finger being engageable with said at least one slot, one of said at least one finger and said at least one slot being formed on said housing and one of said at least one finger and said at least one slot begin formed on said screen console.

33. The video display system of claim 32, wherein the slot is disposed on the screen console and the finger is disposed on the housing.

34. A display system adaptable for use in a vehicle, comprising:

a housing attached to an interior portion of the vehicle;

a panel pivotally attached to the housing;

a video player unit removably attachable to the housing for use in the vehicle or at a location spaced apart from the housing, the video player unit being capable of pivoting between a closed position and an open position when attached to the housing, wherein the video player unit is removeably attached to the panel by a first latch mechanism; and

a power connector operatively coupled to the video player unit and adapted to interchangeably interface with one or more power sources;

wherein the first latch mechanism includes a pushbutton on the video player unit cooperative with a detent in the panel for releasably securing the video player unit to the panel.

35. The video display system of claim 34, wherein the panel is pivotally attached to the housing by a torque hinge.

36. The video display system of claim 34 wherein the video player unit includes a digital video disc player.

37. The video display system of claim 34 wherein the video player unit includes a liquid crystal display screen.

38. The video display system of claim 34 further comprising a second latch mechanism to releasably retain the video player unit in the closed position when the video player unit is attached to the housing.

39. The video display system of claim 34 wherein the video player unit includes an infrared receiver operable to receive control signals from a remote control device.

40. The video display system of claim 34 wherein the video player unit includes an infrared transmitter operable to send audio signals to remote locations.

41. The video display system of claim 34 wherein the video player unit includes a plurality of controls to operate the video player unit.

42. The video display system of claim 34 wherein the power source is a rechargeable battery.

43. The video display system of claim 34 wherein the power source is the vehicle'"'"'s electric power supply.

44. The video display system of claim 34 wherein the housing is attached to a headliner within the vehicle.

45. The video display system of claim 34 further comprising a stand, wherein the video player unit may be operatively positioned on the stand for use when the video player is removed from the housing.

46. The video display system of claim 45 wherein the stand includes at least one speaker and a plurality of controls for operating the video player unit.

47. The video display system of claim 34 further comprising a tuner, wherein the video player unit may be operatively positioned on the tuner for use when the video player is removed from the housing.

48. The video display system of claim 47 wherein the tuner includes at least one speaker and a plurality of controls for operating the video player unit.

49. A display system adaptable for use in a vehicle, comprising:

means for providing a housing in the vehicle;

means for removably attaching a video player unit to the housing for use within the vehicle and for use at a location spaced apart from the housing, wherein the means for removeably attaching the video player unit to the housing includes a first latch mechanism having a pushbutton on the video player unit cooperative with a detent in the housing for releaseably securing the video player unit to the housing;

means for controlling the operation of the video player unit;

means for providing power to the video player unit from one or more power sources;

means for moving the video player unit from a closed position to an open position when the video player unit is attached to the housing;

means for releasably maintaining the video player unit in the closed position when the video player unit is attached to the housing; and

means for positioning and operating the video player unit when the video player unit is used in the spaced apart location.