Vehicle entertainment system with an identification system ensuring compatibility

• US 7,516,996 B2
• Filed: 06/15/2006
• Issued: 04/14/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: VOXX International Corporation
• Original Assignee: Christopher J. Vitito
• Inventors: Vitito, Christopher J.
• Primary Examiner(s): LYJAK, LORI LYNN
• Application Number:
  US11/453,241
• Publication Number:
  US 20060283902A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,034 Days
• Field of Search: 296/37.8, 224/311, 248917-924, 348/837, 361/681
• US Class Current: 296/37.8
• 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: B60R 11/0235 of flat type, e.g. LCD
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0028 Ceiling, e.g. roof rails
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/917 Video display screen support

Abstract

A vehicle includes a ceiling, a cradle secured within the ceiling of the vehicle, the cradle including a first end and a second end, and a video system selectively secured to the cradle, the video system including a base having a first end and a second end. The vehicle also includes an identification system ensuring the video system is compatible with the video system.

Claims

1. A vehicle, comprising:

a ceiling;

a cradle secured within the ceiling of the vehicle, the cradle including a first end and a second end;

a video system selectively secured to the cradle, the video system including a base having a first end and a second end; and

an identification system ensuring the video system is compatible with the cradle.

2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the identification system includes identification members associated with the respective cradle and video system.

3. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the identification system includes an identification transceiver associated with the cradle.

4. The vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the identification transceiver is an RF transceiver.

5. The vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the identification system includes an identification transceiver associated with the video system.

6. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the identification system includes an identification transceiver associated with the video system.

7. The vehicle according to claim 6, wherein the identification transceiver is an RF transceiver.

8. The vehicle according to claim 1, further including an attachment mechanism for selectively securing the video system to the cradle, the attachment mechanism consisting essentially of a first attachment structure at the first end of the base, the first attachment structure of the base being shaped and dimensioned for selective coupling with a first attachment structure at the first end of the cradle, and a second attachment structure at the second end of the base, the second attachment structure of the base being shaped and dimensioned for selective coupling with the second attachment structure at the second end of the cradle.

9. The vehicle according to claim 8, wherein the first attachment structure of the base includes a first projecting attachment member, the second attachment structure of the base includes a second projecting attachment member, the first attachment structure of the cradle includes a first aperture and the second attachment structure of the cradle includes a second aperture, the first projecting attachment member being shaped and dimensioned to engage the first aperture of the cradle and the second projecting attachment member being shaped and dimensioned to engage the second aperture of the cradle.

10. The vehicle according to claim 9, wherein the first projecting attachment member includes an upwardly extending post with a latch formed thereon and the second projecting attachment member includes an upwardly extending post with a latch formed thereon, wherein the latches of the respective first and second projecting attachment members are shaped and dimensioned to selectively pass through the first and second apertures.

11. An entertainment system for a vehicle, comprising:

a cradle shaped and dimensioned for securing within a ceiling of the vehicle, the cradle including a first end and a second end;

a video system selectively secured to the cradle, the video system including a base having a first end and a second end; and

an identification system ensuring the video system is compatible with the cradle.

12. The entertainment system according to claim 11, wherein the identification system includes identification members associated with the respective cradle and video system.

13. The entertainment system according to claim 11, wherein the identification system includes an identification transceiver associated with the cradle.

14. The entertainment system according to claim 13, wherein the identification transceiver is an RF transceiver.

15. The entertainment system according to claim 13, wherein the identification system includes an identification transceiver associated with the video system.

16. The entertainment system according to claim 11, wherein the identification system includes an identification transceiver associated with the video system.

17. The entertainment system according to claim 16, wherein the identification transceiver is an RF transceiver.

18. The entertainment system according to claim 11, further including an attachment mechanism for selectively securing the video system to the cradle, the attachment mechanism consisting essentially of a first attachment structure at the first end of the base, the first attachment structure of the base being shaped and dimensioned for selective coupling with a first attachment structure at the first end of the cradle, and a second attachment structure at the second end of the base, the second attachment structure of the base being shaped and dimensioned for selective coupling with the second attachment structure at the second end of the cradle.

19. The entertainment system according to claim 18, wherein the first attachment structure of the base includes a first projecting attachment member, the second attachment structure of the base includes a second projecting attachment member, the first attachment structure of the cradle includes a first aperture and the second attachment structure of the cradle includes a second aperture, the first projecting attachment member being shaped and dimensioned to engage the first aperture of the cradle and the second projecting attachment member being shaped and dimensioned to engage the second aperture of the cradle.

20. The entertainment system according to claim 19, wherein the first projecting attachment member includes an upwardly extending post with a latch formed thereon and the second projecting attachment member includes an upwardly extending post with a latch formed thereon, wherein the latches of the respective first and second projecting attachment members are shaped and dimensioned to selectively pass through the first and second apertures.