Vehicle display device for simultaneously displaying one or more video programs on separate displays

• US 6,928,654 B2
• Filed: 01/04/2002
• Issued: 08/09/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: VOXX International Corporation
• Original Assignee: VOXX International Corporation
• Inventors: Macholz, Jeff, Tranchina, James R., Schedivy, George
• Primary Examiner(s): BUI, KIEU OANH T
• Application Number:
  US10/037,321
• Publication Number:
  US 20020105507A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,313 Days
• Field of Search: 725/38, 725/40, 725/59, 725/75, 348/564, 348/751, 348/790, 348/837
• US Class Current: 725/75
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0026 Windows, e.g. windscreen
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0056 using suction cups
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1423 controlling a plurality of local displays, e.g. CRT and flat panel display
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4122 additional display device, e.g. video projector digital output for controlling a plurality of local displays G06F3/1423
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4126 The peripheral being portable, e.g. PDAs or mobile phones
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4135 external recorder interface circuits between an apparatus for recording television signals and a television receiver H04N5/775
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41422 located in transportation means, e.g. personal vehicle arrangements specially adapted for transportation systems in broadcast systems H04H20/62
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/426 Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof H04N5/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43632 involving a wired protocol, e.g. IEEE 1394 high-speed IEEE 1394 serial bus H04L12/40052
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43637 involving a wireless protocol, e.g. Bluetooth, RF or wireless LAN [IEEE 802.11] arrangements for wireless networking or broadcasting of information in indoor or near-field type systems H04B10/114
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/38 Transmitter circuitry for the transmission of television signals according to analogue transmission standards H04N5/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/106 for domestic distribution
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/181 for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources

Abstract

There is provided a display device for a vehicle. At least one video signal source outputs at least one video signal corresponding to at least one video program. Two or more displays receive the at least one video signal and simultaneously display the at least one video program. An assembly housing encloses at least a portion of the at least one video signal source and supports at least one of the two or more displays. A bus couples the at least one of the two or more displays to the at least one media source when the at least one of the two or more displays is supported by the assembly housing, and wherein each of the two or more displays has a capability of operating while being remote from the assembly housing.

Claims

1. A display device for a vehicle, comprising:

at least one video signal source for outputting at least one video signal corresponding to at least one video program;

two or more displays for receiving the at least one video signal and for simultaneously displaying the at least one video program;

an assembly housing for enclosing at least a portion of said at least one video signal source and for supporting at least one of said two or more displays;

a bus for coupling said at least one of said two or more displays to said at least one media source when said at least one of said two or more displays is supported by said assembly housing, and wherein each of said two or more displays has a capability of operating while being remote from said assembly housing; and

a connector for electrically coupling said at least one of said two or more displays to said bus when said at least one of said two or more displays is supported by said assembly housing, wherein;

said connector is integrated into a member for physically mounting said at least one of said two or more displays on said assembly housing,

removal of said member from said assembly housing electrically disconnects said at least one of said two or more displays from said bus, and

said member is disposed on and provides support for said at least one of said two or more displays.

2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the connector allows for selective coupling and decoupling of said at least one of said two or more displays to and from said bus and said member allows for selective mounting and dismounting of said at least one of said two or more displays on and from said assembly housing.

3. The display device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one of said two or more displays comprises a screen, and said member flexibly couples said at least one of said two or more displays to said assembly housing such that said at least one of said two or more displays folds against said assembly housing to protect the screen.

4. The display device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one media source is adapted to output at least two video signals corresponding to at least two video programs, and said two or more displays are adapted to receive the at least two video signals and to display the at least two video programs.

5. The display device according to claim 4, wherein at least two of said two or more displays respectively and simultaneously display at least two different ones of the at least two video programs.

6. The display device according to claim 4, wherein each of said two or more displays respectively and simultaneously display a same one of the at least two video programs.

7. The display device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one media source comprises at least one of a television tuner, a video cassette player (VCP), a digital disk (DVD) player, and a video game player.

8. The display device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one media source comprises a receiver for receiving the at least one video signal from at least one external input device.

9. The display device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one media source outputs at least one audio signal corresponding to the at least one video program, said display device further comprises at least one wireless transmitter operatively coupled to said at least one media source for wirelessly transmitting the at least one audio signal to at least one wireless headphone set, and each of said two or more displays comprise a wireless receiver for wirelessly receiving the at least one audio signal.

10. The display device according to claim 9, wherein the at least one audio signal is wirelessly transmitted as a radio frequency signal or an infrared signal.

11. The display device according to claim 1, wherein said display device further comprises at least one wireless transmitter operatively coupled to said at least one media source for respectively and wirelessly transmitting the at least one video signal to said two or more displays, and each of said two or more displays comprise a wireless receiver for wirelessly receiving the at least one video signal.

12. The display device according to claim 11, wherein the at least one video signal is wirelessly transmitted as a radio frequency signal or an infrared signal.

13. The display device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said two or more displays employs at least one of a liquid crystal display (LCD) technology, light emitting diodes (LEDs), and a gas plasma.

14. The display device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said two or more displays comprises a mounting device for mounting at a rear portion of a seat, independent of a location of the assembly housing.

15. The display device according to claim 1, wherein each of said two or more displays comprises at least one speaker for reproducing audio signals corresponding to the at least one video program.

16. The display device according to claim 1, wherein each of said two or more displays comprises at least one input jack for receiving audio or video signals.

17. The display according to claim 4, wherein each of said two or more displays comprises a multiplexer for selecting one of the at least two video programs.

18. The display device according to claim 1, wherein each of said two or more displays comprises a power supply jack for receiving power from an external power supply.

19. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle includes at least one seat, and said assembly housing mounts at a rear portion of the at least one seat.

20. The display device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one speaker, disposed within the assembly housing, for reproducing audio signals corresponding to the at least one video program.

21. The display device according to claim 1, further comprising signal processing facilities adapted to perform at least one of signal processing and signal conversion, with respect to the at least one video signal.

22. The display device according to claim 21, wherein said signal processing facilities are adapted to perform at least one of digital signal processing, encoding, decoding, encrypting, decrypting, compressing, decompressing, analog-to-digital conversion (ADC), digital-to-analog conversion (DAC), and error correction.

23. A display device for a vehicle having a seat, comprising:

at least one media source for outputting at least one video signal corresponding to at least one video program;

two or more displays for respectively receiving the at least one video signal and for respectively and simultaneously displaying the at least one video program;

an assembly housing for enclosing at least a portion of said at least one media source and for supporting at least one of said two or more displays;

a bag for receiving said assembly housing and suspending said assembly housing at a rear of the seat when said assembly housing is in any one of an operational mode and a non-operational mode;

a bus for coupling said at least one of said two or more displays to said at least one media source when said at least one of said two or more displays is supported by said assembly housing, and wherein each of said two or more displays has a capability of operating while being remote from said assembly housing and irrespective of whether said assembly housing is received and suspended by said bag;

a member disposed on said at least one of said two or more displays for mounting said at least one of said two or more displays on said assembly housing; and

an electrical connector for electrically coupling said at least one of said two or more displays to said bus, wherein said electrical connector is integrated into said member for electrically disconnecting said at least one of said two or more displays from said bus when said member is removed from said assembly housing.

24. The display device according to claim 23, wherein said bag comprises a mounting mechanism for suspending said assembly housing to the rear of the seat.

25. The display device according to claim 23, wherein said bag comprises at least a main compartment for at least partially encasing at least said assembly housing.

26. The display device according to claim 25, wherein the main compartment partially encases said assembly housing irrespective of whether at least one of said two or more displays is supported by said assembly housing.

27. The display device according to claim 23, wherein said bag comprises at least one compartment for encasing at least one of said two or more displays, when said at least one of said two or more displays is remote from said assembly housing.

28. The display device according to claim 23, wherein said bag comprises at least one compartment for encasing accessories corresponding to the display device.

29. The display device according to claim 23, wherein said bag comprises a flap, disposed at a top face of the bag, for providing unrestricted viewing access to a given one of said two or more displays when said assembly housing is received and suspended by said bag and said given one of said two or more displays is supported by said assembly housing.

30. The display device according to claim 29, wherein the flap further provides access for loading at least a video medium into said at least one media source.

44. The display device according to claim 23, wherein the combination of the member and the electrical connector integrated into the member allows for selective coupling and decoupling of said at least one of said two or more displays to and from said bus and said assembly housing.

31. A display device for a vehicle, comprising:

a media source for outputting a video signal corresponding to a video program;

a display for receiving the video signal and displaying the video program;

an assembly housing for enclosing at least a portion of said media source and supporting said display;

a first bag for receiving media and said assembly housing;

a second bag for receiving said display when said display is operated while being remote from said assembly housing, said second bag adapted to attach to an interior element of the vehicle at a position remote from the first bag;

a bus for coupling said display to said media source when said display is supported by said assembly housing;

a member disposed on said display for selectively mounting said display on said assembly housing; and

an electrical connector within said member for connecting said display to said bus, wherein removal of said member from said assembly housing electrically disconnects said display from said bus.

32. The display device according to claim 31, wherein the vehicle includes a seat, and said first bag suspends said assembly housing at a rear of the seat.

33. The display device according to claim 31, wherein the vehicle includes a seat, and said second bag suspends said display at a rear of the seat.

34. The display device according to claim 33, in said second bag comprises at least one strap for suspending said display from the seat.

35. The display device according to claim 32, wherein said display has a capability of displaying the video signal when said assembly housing is received and suspended by said first bag or when said display is received and suspended by said second bag.

36. The display device according to claim 31, further comprising a wireless transmitter for wirelessly transmitting the video signal, and wherein said display comprises a wireless receiver for wirelessly receiving the video signal.

37. The display device according to claim 31, wherein said media source has a capability of outputting at least two video signals corresponding to at least two video programs, and said display has a capability of receiving the at least two video signals and displaying the at least two video programs.

38. The display device according to claim 37, wherein said display comprises a multiplexer for selecting one of the at least two video programs for display.

39. The display device according to claim 31, further comprising another display for receiving the video signal and displaying the video program.

40. The display device according to claim 31, wherein said media source has a capability of outputting at least two video signals corresponding to at least two video programs, and said display device comprises at least two displays for receiving the at least two video signals and displaying the at least two video programs.

41. The display device according to claim 40, wherein one of the at least two displays displays one of the at least two video programs and another one of the at least two displays displays an another one of the at least two video programs.

42. The display device according to claim 40, further comprising a wireless transmitter for wirelessly transmitting the at least two video signals, and wherein each of said at least two displays comprises a wireless receiver for wirelessly receiving the at least two video signals.

43. The display device according to claim 40, wherein each of said at least two displays comprises a multiplexer for selecting one of the at least two video programs for display.

45. A display device for a vehicle, comprising:

at least two video signal sources for outputting at least two video signals corresponding to at least two video programs, respectively;

two or more displays for receiving the at least two video signals, wherein a first display is capable of displaying a first video program of the at least two video programs while a second display simultaneously displays a second video program of the at least two video programs;

an assembly housing for enclosing at least a portion of said at least two video signal sources and for supporting at least one of said two or more displays;

a bus for coupling said at least one of said two or more displays to said at least two video signal sources when said at least one of said two or more displays is supported by said assembly housing, and wherein each of said two or more displays has a capability of operating while being remote from said assembly housing; and

at least two wireless transmitters operatively coupled to said at least two video signal sources for wirelessly transmitting the at least two video signals to said two or more displays, wherein;

a first transmitter is capable of wirelessly transmitting a first video signal corresponding to the first video program on a first frequency while a second transmitter simultaneously wirelessly transmits a second video signal corresponding to the second video program on a second frequency;

each of the first and second displays comprise a wireless receiver tunable to the first or second frequency for wirelessly receiving the at least two video signals; and

the wireless receivers of the first and second displays are capable of being respectively tuned to the first and second frequencies for respectively receiving the first and second video programs.

47. The display device according to claim 45, wherein the first and second video signals are encoded using spread spectrum technology.

46. A display device for a vehicle having a seat, comprising:

at least two media sources for outputting first and second video signals corresponding to first and second video programs;

at least two displays for receiving the first and second video signals and for respectively and simultaneously displaying the first and second video programs;

an assembly housing for enclosing at least a portion of said two media sources and for supporting at least one of said at least two displays;

a bus for coupling said at least one of said at least two displays to said at least two media sources when said at least one of said at least two displays is supported by said assembly housing, and wherein each of said at least two displays has a capability of operating while being remote from said assembly housing; and

at least two wireless transmitters operatively coupled to said at least two media sources for wirelessly transmitting the first and second video signals to said at least two displays, wherein each of said at least two displays comprise a wireless receiver for wirelessly receiving the first and second video signals, and the first and second video signals are encoded for preventing interference between the at least two displays respectively and simultaneously displaying the first and second video programs.

48. The display device according to claim 46, wherein the first and second video signals are encoded using spread spectrum technology.

49. The display device according to claim 46, wherein the first and second video signals are wirelessly transmitted on different frequencies.

50. The display device according to claim 49, wherein the first and second video signals are wirelessly transmitted from respective first and second wireless transmitters of the at least two wireless transmitters.

51. A display device for a vehicle, comprising:

at least two video signal sources for outputting at least two video signals corresponding to at least two video programs, respectively;

two or more displays for receiving the at least two video signals, wherein a first display is capable of displaying a first video program of the at least two video programs while a second display simultaneously displays a second video program of the at least two video programs; and

at least two wireless transmitters operatively coupled to said at least two video signal sources for wirelessly transmitting the at least two video signals to said two or more displays, wherein;

a first transmitter is capable of wirelessly transmitting a first video signal corresponding to the first video program on a first frequency while a second transmitter simultaneously wirelessly transmits a second video signal corresponding to the second video program on a second frequency; and

each of the first and second displays comprise a wireless receiver tunable to the first or second frequency for wirelessly receiving the at least two video signals.