Portable video system

• US 7,609,946 B2
• Filed: 03/25/2004
• Issued: 10/27/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Audiovox Corporation (VOXX International Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Audiovox Corporation (VOXX International Corporation)
• Inventors: Schedivy, George C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chevalier; Robert
• Application Number:
  US10/808,659
• Publication Number:
  US 20040228622A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,042 Days
• Field of Search: 386/46, 386/83, 386/125, 386/105, 386/106, 386/124
• US Class Current: 386/200
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/64 Back-rests or cushions B60N2/2222 takes precedence
• 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 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• 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 11/0258 for navigation systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/0225 self supporting head liners
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/025 Pillars; Roof rails
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/0275 comprising removable or hinged parts for accessing storage compartments B60R7/04; for airbag deployment B60R21/215
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0015 Back-rests
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0017 Head-rests
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0071 using latches, clips, clamps, straps or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0073 using key-type connections
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2013/0287 integrating other functions or accessories

Abstract

A video system attachable to a docking station includes a display capable of displaying video data received from the docking station, and a media player, wherein the video system is capable of operating when removed from the docking station. The video system is capable of connecting to at least one of a battery and an adapter for a power supply.

Claims

1. A docking station for supporting a removable video system, the docking station comprising:

a connector for electrically coupling the docking station to the removable video system;

at least one port for connecting a media source to the docking station, wherein data from the media source is provided to the docking station via the at least one port and to the removable video system via the connector; and

at least one slot for receiving a media storage medium, wherein data from the media storage medium is provided to the removable video system via the connector.

2. The docking station as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one port is one of a universal serial bus port, an audio input port, a video input port and an audio/video input port.

3. The docking station as recited in claim 1, wherein the data includes at least one of audio data and video data.

4. The docking station as recited in claim 1, wherein the media source is one of an MPEG player, a card reader, a DVD player, a CD-ROM player, a video game player, a videocassette player, and a digital video recorder.

5. The docking station as recited in claim 1, wherein the media storage medium is at least one of a digital video disc, a compact disc, a video compact disc, a flash card, a secure digital card, a smart media card and a memory stick card.

6. The docking station as recited in claim 1, wherein the data includes at least one of audio data and video data.

7. The docking station as recited in claim 1, further comprising a television tuner, wherein a program received by the television tuner is provided to the removable video system via the connector.

8. The docking station as recited in claim 1, wherein the docking station is mounted in an interior portion of a vehicle.

9. The docking station as recited in claim 8, wherein the docking station is mounted to the ceiling of the vehicle.

10. The docking station as recited in claim 1, wherein the docking station is mounted to one of a ceiling, a wall and a piece of furniture.

11. The docking station as recited in claim 1, wherein the docking station is free standing.

12. The docking station as recited in claim 1, further comprising a stationary portion and a swinging portion attached to the stationary portion, wherein the removable video system is secured to the swinging portion.

13. The docking station as recited in claim 1, further comprising a light positioned on the docking station.

14. The docking station as recited in claim 1, further comprising a speaker positioned on the docking station.

15. The docking station as recited in claim 1, wherein the docking station is connectable to a battery.

16. The docking station as recited in claim 1, wherein the docking station includes a port for connecting to an adapter for a power supply.

17. The docking station as recited in claim 1, wherein the removable video system includes a display capable of displaying video data received from the docking station.

18. The docking station as recited in claim 17, wherein the display is one of a liquid crystal display device, a cathode ray tube device, a gas plasma device or an organic electro-luminescent display device.

19. The docking station as recited in claim 1, wherein the removable video system includes at least one port for connecting a media source to the video system, wherein data from the media source is provided to the video system via the at least one port.

20. The docking station as recited in claim 1, wherein the removable video system includes a media player.

21. The docking station as recited in claim 20, wherein the media player is capable of playing media stored on at least one of a digital video disc, a compact disc, a video compact disc, a flash card, a secure digital card, a smart media card and a memory stick card.

22. The docking station as recited in claim 1, wherein the removable video system is capable of operating when remote from the docking station.

23. The docking station as recited in claim 1, wherein the removable video system is capable of connecting to at least one of a battery and an adapter for a power supply.

24. A video system attachable to a docking station, the video system comprising:

a display capable of displaying video data received from the docking station; and

a media player, wherein the video system is capable of operating when removed from the docking station, wherein the docking station includes an electrical connector and at least one slot for receiving a media storage medium, wherein the video data from the media storage medium is provided to the video system via the electrical connector.

25. The video system as recited in claim 24, wherein the video system is capable of connecting to at least one of a battery and an adapter for a power supply.

26. The video system as recited in claim 24, wherein the media player is capable of playing media stored on at least one of a digital video disc, a compact disc, a video compact disc, a flash card, a secure digital card, a smart media card and a memory stick card.

27. The video system as recited in claim 24, further comprising at least one port for connecting a media source to the video system, wherein data from the media source is provided to the video system via the at least one port.

28. The video system as recited in claim 27, wherein the data includes at least one of audio data and video data.

29. The video system as recited in claim 27, wherein the at least one port is one of a universal serial bus port, an audio input port, a video input port and an audio/video input port.

30. The video system as recited in claim 27, wherein the media source is one of an MPEG player, a card reader, a DVD player, a CD-ROM player, a video game player, a videocassette player, and a digital video recorder.

31. The video system as recited in claim 24, further comprising a television tuner, wherein a program received by the television tuner is broadcast on the video system.

32. The video system as recited in claim 24, wherein the docking station is mounted in a room or in an interior portion of a vehicle.

33. The video system as recited in claim 24, wherein the docking station is mounted to a structure or is free standing.

34. The video system as recited in claim 24, wherein the display is one of a liquid crystal display device, a cathode ray tube device, a gas plasma device or an organic electro-luminescent display device.

35. The video system as recited in claim 24, wherein the docking station receives the video data from one of a media source built in to the docking station or an external media source connected to the docking station.