Headrest mountable video system

• US 7,679,578 B2
• Filed: 10/17/2003
• Issued: 03/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: VOXX International Corporation
• Original Assignee: VOXX International Corporation
• Inventors: Schedivy, George C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Liang; Regina
• Application Number:
  US10/688,611
• Publication Number:
  US 20040227696A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,342 Days
• Field of Search: 345/7, 296/37.1, 296/37.15, 296/37.16, 296/37.7, 296/37.8, 297/217.3, 348837-839, 361/686, 361/688, 248/918, 248/919, 248/921, 248/923, 312/248, 224/281, 224/311, 224/261
• US Class Current: 345/7
• 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 comprises a base portion mounted in a vehicle seat headrest, and a door pivotally attached to the base portion, wherein the door includes a display and a media player mounted to the door. The media player may be one of a slot-type device and a clamshell-type device.

Claims

1. A video system comprising:

a base portion mounted in a vehicle seat headrest; and

a door pivotally attached to the base portion, wherein the door includes a display mounted to the door, and wherein the base portion includes a media player mounted in the base portion such that the media player is behind the door when the door is in a closed position, the base portion including a first opening in line with a slot in the media player, and the headrest including a second opening in line with the first opening for receiving a data media to be inserted into the slot.

2. The video system of claim 1, wherein the base portion is one of coupled to an internal headrest support structure and attached directly to the body of the headrest.

3. The video system of claim 1, further comprising a wireless transmitter for transmitting wireless signals.

4. The video system of claim 3, wherein the wireless transmitter includes at least one of an optical transmitting device and an antenna.

5. The video system of claim 3, wherein the wireless transmitter is capable of transmitting the wireless signals on more than one channel.

6. The video system of claim 3, wherein the wireless signals include at least one of audio signals and video signals.

7. The video system of claim 3, wherein the wireless signals include at least one of infrared (IR) signals and radio frequency (RF) signals.

8. The video system of claim 1, further comprising a port for connecting to an external device.

9. The video system of claim 1, wherein the display is mounted on a front side of the door.

10. The video system of claim 1, further comprising a cover for covering the display.

11. The video system of claim 1, wherein the door is pivotally attached to the base portion with a hinge.

12. The video system of claim 11, wherein the hinge is positioned at a top, bottom or side portion of the door.

13. The video system of claim 1, wherein:

the display and the media player are capable of operating when the door is in a closed position; and

the data media is inserted into the media player when the door is in an open or closed position.

14. The video system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle seat headrest includes at least one vent for dissipating heat.

15. The video system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle seat headrest includes a fan.

16. The video system of claim 1, wherein the media player includes at least one of a DVD player, a CD-ROM player, a video game player, a videocassette player, a television tuner, a radio tuner, and a device capable of playing at least one of computerized video files and computerized audio files.

17. The video system of claim 1, wherein the base portion includes a cavity for selectively housing the media player.

18. A video system comprising:

a base portion mounted in a vehicle seat headrest; and

a display mounted in the headrest, wherein the base portion includes a media player mounted in the base portion such that the media player is behind the display, the base portion including a first opening in line with a slot in the media player, and the headrest including a second opening in line with the first opening for receiving a data media to be inserted into the slot.