Vehicle entertainment assemblies and systems

• US 9,584,890 B1
• Filed: 10/28/2013
• Issued: 02/28/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eugene M. Tuccinardi
• Original Assignee: TMI Products Incorporated
• Inventors: Tuccinardi, Eugene Michael, Espina, Roel Castillo, Lawrence, Jon Parker, Fether, Jonathan Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): Huber, Paul
• Application Number:
  US14/065,219
• Time in Patent Office: 1,219 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/56 using mobile devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/816 Fastening of displays or touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/834 Docking arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/50 Instruments characterised by their means of attachment to or integration in the vehicle B60K35/231 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/80 Arrangements for controlling instruments
• 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 2011/0007 Mid-console
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0017 Head-rests
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0075 using a containment or docking space
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0276 for rear passenger use
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/4081 Live connection to bus, e.g. hot-plugging current or voltage limitation during live insertion H02H9/004
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2205/021 Aspects relating to docking-station type assemblies to obtain an acoustical effect, e.g. the type of connection to external loudspeakers or housings, frequency improvement
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2499/13 Acoustic transducers and sound field adaptation in vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/04 Circuit arrangements, e.g. for selective connection of amplifier inputs/outputs to loudspeakers, for loudspeaker detection, or for adaptation of settings to personal preferences or hearing impairments combinations of amplifiers H03F3/68; stereophonic systems H04S

Abstract

Methods and systems are disclosed relating to in-vehicle entertainment, information presentation, and/or processing. Aspects of multimedia in-vehicle entertainment systems that may incorporate removable and/or portable tablet-type computing devices are described. In certain configurations, a hinged tablet computer carrier includes guide rails into which a portable tablet computer may slide while in an open position, and which can hinge into a closed or locked position that holds the tablet computer in place, positions it for viewing, and effects mechanical and electrical coupling of the tablet computer with other components of the in-vehicle entertainment system. Exemplary placement could include headrest, seatback, overhead, or in-dash mounting. Hinging or sliding could be vertical or horizontal. Various other mechanical, electronic, and electro-mechanical aspects of the methods and systems are described.

Claims

1. A media assembly adapted to be installed into a headrest of a vehicle, the assembly comprising:

one or more headrest posts extending into a headrest bun;

a receptacle member inserted into said headrest bun through a rear-facing opening in said headrest bun;

a tablet carrier module inserted into said receptacle member; and

a tablet computer selectively inserted into said tablet carrier module, the tablet computer including a touch-screen display, an audio output, and a tablet memory;

wherein the tablet carrier module permits a user to quickly disconnect and remove the tablet computer therefrom; and

wherein the tablet carrier module includes a hinged coupling to the receptacle member, and includes guide rails into which the tablet computer may slide when the tablet carrier module is tilted about the hinged connection to an open position.

2. The media assembly of claim 1 wherein the hinged coupling includes an interface device that is affixed within the receptacle member and to which the tablet carrier module is hinged.

3. The media assembly of claim 2 wherein the tablet computer is locked into the tablet carrier module when the tablet carrier module is tilted about the hinged connection to a closed position.

4. The media assembly of claim 3 wherein the tablet computer is positioned for user viewing when the tablet carrier module in the closed position.

5. The media assembly of claim 3 wherein an electrical coupling to the tablet computer is effected when the tablet carrier module is tilted about the hinged connection to the closed position.

6. The media assembly of claim 2 wherein the tablet carrier module is spring biased to tilt towards the open position.

7. The media assembly of claim 3 wherein the tablet carrier module is locked in the closed position by a magnet.

8. A seat headrest comprising:

a headrest bun;

a headrest post extending into the headrest bun;

a receptacle member disposed in a rear recession of the headrest bun;

a tablet carrier module disposed in the receptacle member; and

a tablet computer selectively inserted into said tablet carrier module, the tablet computer including a touch-screen display, an audio output, and a tablet memory;

wherein the tablet carrier module permits a user to quickly disconnect and remove the tablet computer therefrom; and

wherein the tablet carrier module includes a hinged coupling to the receptacle member, and includes guide rails into which the tablet computer may slide when the tablet carrier module is tilted about the hinged connection to an open position.

9. The headrest of claim 8 wherein the hinged coupling includes an interface device that is affixed within the receptacle member and to which the tablet carrier module is hinged.

10. The headrest of claim 8 wherein the tablet computer is locked into the tablet carrier module when the tablet carrier module is tilted about the hinged connection to a closed position.

11. The headrest of claim 10 wherein the tablet computer is positioned for user viewing when the tablet carrier module in the closed position.

12. The headrest of claim 10 wherein an electrical coupling to the tablet computer is established when the tablet carrier module is tilted about the hinged connection to the closed position.

13. The headrest of claim 8, further comprising a spring that biases the tablet carrier module towards the open position.

14. The headrest of claim 10, further comprising a magnet that locks the tablet carrier module in the closed position.