Automotive display unit
DCFirst Claim
1. In an automobile having a generally planar ceiling, with windows and a passenger seating area through which a driver has a view of an interior and exterior of the automobile, a ceiling-mounted automotive display unit comprising:
- a direct-view screen structure operatively hinged to the ceiling in a location overhead and generally forward of the passenger seating area in the automobile for reversibly swaying in an upright plane which extends through the passenger seating area, the screen structure being configured to pivot between a stowed position wherein the screen structure is in coplanar relation to the ceiling in an orientation which does not obstruct the driver'"'"'s view, and a deployed position wherein the screen structure projects downwardly from the ceiling at an angle relative to the ceiling in an orientation which accommodates the driver'"'"'s access to the driver'"'"'s view, the deployed position presenting a viewing surface generally rearward of the windshield in a central region of the ceiling in a disposition overhead-viewable by passengers seated in the passenger seating area; and
a video control module configured to direct operation of the direct-view screen structure, the video control module being electrically connected to the screen structure, but mounted in a location laterally spaced from the screen structure when the screen structure is in the stowed position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A display unit is provided, the display unit including a housing configured for mounting to the ceiling of an automobile, and a screen mounted on the housing for movement between a stowed position wherein the screen is at least partially embedded in the ceiling and a deployed position wherein the screen projects from the housing to reveal a viewing surface of the screen. When the screen is deployed, the viewing surface typically is at an angle of between approximately 45-degrees and 90-degrees from horizontal, promoting viewability of the screen.
87 Citations
13 Claims
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1. In an automobile having a generally planar ceiling, with windows and a passenger seating area through which a driver has a view of an interior and exterior of the automobile, a ceiling-mounted automotive display unit comprising:
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a direct-view screen structure operatively hinged to the ceiling in a location overhead and generally forward of the passenger seating area in the automobile for reversibly swaying in an upright plane which extends through the passenger seating area, the screen structure being configured to pivot between a stowed position wherein the screen structure is in coplanar relation to the ceiling in an orientation which does not obstruct the driver'"'"'s view, and a deployed position wherein the screen structure projects downwardly from the ceiling at an angle relative to the ceiling in an orientation which accommodates the driver'"'"'s access to the driver'"'"'s view, the deployed position presenting a viewing surface generally rearward of the windshield in a central region of the ceiling in a disposition overhead-viewable by passengers seated in the passenger seating area; and a video control module configured to direct operation of the direct-view screen structure, the video control module being electrically connected to the screen structure, but mounted in a location laterally spaced from the screen structure when the screen structure is in the stowed position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification