US007245274B2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Schedivy
`
`(10) Patent N0.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,245,274 B2
`*Jul. 17, 2007
`
`(54) HEADREST MOUNTABLE VIDEO SYSTEM
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor: George C. Schedivy, Aquebogue, NY
`(US)
`
`.
`(73) Asslgneet Audiovox Corporation, Hauppauge,
`NY (US)
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under
`U'S'C' 15403) by 398 days"
`This patent is subject to a telminal 95-
`cla1mer.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 10/438,724
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`May 15, 2003
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2004/0227695 A1
`Nov. 18, 2004
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`G09G 5/00
`(52) U.s. Cl.
`......................................... .. 345/7; 345/905
`(58) Field of Classification Search ............. .. 296/24.1,
`296/37.8; 340/691.1, 461, 435; 224/275,
`224/929, 572; 439/131; 361/681, 683, 837—838;
`386/46; 345/7, 905; 348/837, 838; 349/58,
`349/149—152; 297/188.04, 188.05, 217.3,
`297/217.4, 217.1; 248/226.11, 228.8, 205.2;
`725/75
`
`US: PATENT DOCUMENTS
`4,681,366 A
`7/1987 Lobanoif .................. .. 297/191
`4,702,519 A
`10/1987 Lobanoif
`4,756,528 A
`7/1988 Umashankar ................ .. 273/1
`4,843,477 A
`6/1989 Mizutani et al.
`.......... .. 358/248
`4,982,996 A
`1/1991 Vottero-Fin etal.
`297/217.3
`5,214,514 A
`5/ 1993 Haberkern
`A
`. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
`361/681
`5,410,443 :
`ix?“ et 31.
`1
`1
`431/1995
`iyagawa e a .
`....... ..
`,
`,
`2:323:33? 2
`31333 1§:i‘E2§‘§21.:::::::"5;;;17£‘§ii?
`C t'
`d
`( 0“ “me )
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`FR
`
`2817812
`
`6/2002
`
`(Continued)
`Primary Examiner—Nitin I. Patel
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—F. Chau & Associates, LLC
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A Video system comprises a base unit coupled to an internal
`headrest support structure, wherein the base unit comprises
`a media player, and a display mounted in a door piVotally
`connected to the base unit by a hinge and in a closed position
`concealing the media player.
`
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`23 Claims, 16 Drawing Sheets
`
`Page 1 of 22
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`PETITIONER'S EXHIBIT 1001
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`US 7,245,274 B2
`Page 2
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`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`2002/0186531 A1* 12/2002 Pokharna et al.
`......... .. 361/687
`2003/0021086 A1*
`1/2003 Landly etal.
`..
`361/683
`
`2003/0137584 A1*
`7/2003 Norvell et al.
`.............. .. 348/61
`2003/0184137 A1
`10/2003 Jost ....................... .. 297/219.1
`2003/0198008 A1* 10/2003 Leapman etal.
`......... .. 261/681
`2004/0130616 A1
`7/2004 Tseng
`2004/0227696 A1* 11/2004 Schedjvy ..................... .. 345/7
`2006/0112144 A1
`5/2006 Ireton
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`FR
`JP
`W0
`W0
`W0
`
`2 829 980
`2001—047921
`W0 00/38951
`W0 02/074577 A1
`W0 03/029050 A1
`
`3/2003
`2/2001
`7/2000
`9/2002
`4/2003
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`6/2000 Kim eta1~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~ 261/681
`8/2000 May et a1
`297/2173
`3/2001 lino ~~~~~~ ~~
`D14/136
`4/2001 Meritt
`224/275
`7/2001 K11 et a1
`361/681
`9/2001 Rosen ...................... .. 348/837
`1/2002 Allan etal.
`6/2002 Chang ..................... .. 296/37.7
`12/2003 Park etal.
`.... ..
`297/217.3
`4/2004 Emerling et al.
`296/24.34
`4/2004 Kitano et al.
`340/691.1
`3/2005 Chang . . . . . . . . . . .
`. . . .. 725/75
`5/2005 Lavelle etal.
`296/37.15
`2/2006 Vitito ....... ..
`D14/126
`5/2006 Chang ..
`. 297/217.3
`5/2001 Helot
`....................... .. 439/131
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`6,081,420 A
`6,102,476 A
`D438,853 S
`6,216,927 131*
`6,266,236 B1
`6,292,236 B1
`6,339,455 131
`6,409,242 B1
`6,669,285 131
`6,719,343 132 *
`6,724,317 131*
`6,871,356 132
`6,899,365 132*
`D515,522 s
`*
`7,044,546 132*
`2001/0001083 A1*
`
`Page 2 of 22
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 17, 2007
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`Sheet 1 of 16
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`US 7,245,274 B2
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`102
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`HGURE1
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`(PRIOR ART)
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sheet 2 of 16
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`102
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`101
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`FIGURE 2
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`(PRIOR ART)
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`Sheet 3 of 16
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`FIGURE SA
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`Sheet 4 of 16
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`FIGURE 3B
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`Sheet 5 of 16
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`307
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`304
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`302
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`301
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`FIGURE SC
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`Sheet 6 of 16
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`308
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`FIGURE 313
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`401
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`FIGURE 4A
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`FIGURE 4B
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`402
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`Sheet 7 of 16
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`Sheet 8 of 16
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`503
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`502
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`HGURESB
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`Sheet 9 of 16
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`504
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`5&2
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`HGURESC
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`303
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`601
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`701
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`703
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`702
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`Sheet 14 of 16
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`US 7,245,274 B2
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`1001
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` V1DEO
`
`SYSTEM
`
`SLAVE UNIT
`
`
` EXTERNAL
`
`
`DEVICE
`
`,
`E
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`Sheet 15 of 16
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`3-POWER
`
`— VOL +
`SOURCE
`IR
`AV WIDE
`$2-afiwr a n 6 -2 1%; éfimg
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`FIGURE 11A
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`FIGURE 11B
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`US 7,245,274 B2
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`1
`HEADREST MOUNTABLE VIDEO SYSTEM
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`The present invention relates to a video system, and more
`particularly to a video system capable of being mounted in
`a headrest.
`2. Discussion of Related Art
`
`As society becomes more mobile and therefore spends a
`greater amount of time traveling and away from home,
`demand rises for electronic appliances and devices outside
`the home environment. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1
`and 2, video screens 101 have been mounted in the headrests
`102 of vehicles, facilitating video entertainment on the road.
`These video screens are connected to video players located,
`for example, in the glove box of the vehicle. However, the
`video player and video screen cannot be removed from the
`vehicle. Thus, videos may only be viewed with such systems
`when occupying the vehicle, and only from particular van-
`tage points within the vehicle. Further, there is also a risk of
`theft of the video screen and video player and corresponding
`damage to the vehicle when the vehicle is unattended.
`Therefore, a need exists for a video system capable of
`being mounted in a headrest.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`According to an embodiment of the present invention, a
`video system comprises a base unit coupled to an internal
`headrest support structure, wherein the base unit comprises
`a media player, and a display mounted in a door pivotally
`connected to the base unit by a hinge and in a closed position
`concealing the media player.
`The video system comprises a docking station disposed
`between the base unit and the internal headrest support
`structure, for selectively coupling the video system to the
`internal headrest support structure, wherein the video system
`can be selectively un-coupled from the base unit.
`The video system is a clamshell-type device. The hinge is
`a swivel-hinge.
`The video system further comprises a wireless transmitter.
`The video system comprises a port for connecting to an
`external device.
`
`The video system comprises a power source coupled to
`the docking station, the docking station providing power to
`a coupled video system. The video system is coupled to an
`external device through the docking station, wherein the
`docking station and the video system are coupled by a pin
`array.
`According to an embodiment of the present invention, a
`video system comprises a base unit coupled to an internal
`headrest support structure, and a door pivotally connected to
`the base unit by a hinge, the door comprising a display and
`a media player.
`The video system comprises a docking station disposed
`between the base unit and the internal headrest support
`structure, for selectively coupling the video system to the
`internal headrest support structure, wherein the video system
`can be selectively un-coupled from the base unit.
`The video system is a slot-type device.
`The video system further comprises a wireless transmitter.
`The hinge is a swivel-hinge.
`The video system comprises a port for connecting to an
`external device.
`
`The video system comprises a power source coupled to
`the docking station, the docking station providing power to
`
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`a coupled video system. The video system is coupled to an
`external device through the docking station, wherein the
`docking station and the video system are coupled by a pin
`array.
`According to an embodiment of the present invention, a
`docking station adapted to secure a portable video system
`comprises a means for securing the docking station to an
`internal headrest support structure, a means for securing the
`portable video system to the docking station, and a pin array
`for providing power to a secured portable video system.
`The pin array carries a signal between the secured remov-
`able video unit and an external device.
`
`The signal is one of an audio signal and a video signal.
`A cover is secured to the docking station in the absence of
`the portable video system.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be
`described below in more detail, with reference to the accom-
`panying drawings:
`FIG. 1 is an illustration of a video screen installed in a
`vehicle headrest;
`FIG. 2 is an illustration of a video screen installed in a
`vehicle headrest;
`FIG. 3A is an illustration of a side view of a video system
`and docking station according to an embodiment of the
`present invention;
`FIG. 3B is an illustration of a side view of a video system
`and docking station according to an embodiment of the
`present invention;
`FIG. 3C is an illustration of a side view of an undocking
`stationed video system according to an embodiment of the
`present invention;
`FIG. 3D is an illustration of a side view of a video system
`according to an embodiment of the present invention
`FIGS. 4A and 4B are illustrations of a docking station
`according to an embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 5A is an illustration of a front view of a clamshell-
`
`type video system according to an embodiment of the
`present invention;
`FIG. 5B is an illustration of a top view of a clamshell-type
`video system according to an embodiment of the present
`invention;
`FIG. 5C is an illustration of a side view of a clamshell-
`
`type video system according to an embodiment of the
`present invention;
`FIG. 5D is an illustration of a front view of a clamshell-
`
`type video system in an open position according to an
`embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 6A is an illustration of a docking station according
`to an embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 6B is an illustration of a rear view of a video system
`according to an embodiment of the present invention;
`FIGS. 7A and 7B are illustrations of mechanisms for
`
`coupling a video system and a docking station according to
`an embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 8 is an illustration of a video system according to an
`embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 9 is an illustration of a docking station cover
`according to an embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 10 is a diagram of a system according to an embodi-
`ment of the present invention; and
`FIGS. 11A and 11B are illustrations of a video system
`according to an embodiment of the present invention.
`
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`3
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`According to an embodiment of the present invention, a
`portable video system can be coupled to a vehicle headrest.
`The portable video system receives a data media comprising
`data to be displayed. The video system is secured to a
`docking station mounted in the headrest. The video system
`is removable, such that the video system can be discon-
`nected from the docking station.
`Referring to FIG. 3A, the portable video system can be
`embodied as a slot-type video system 301 comprising a slot
`302 that receives a data media into a mechanism for access-
`
`ing data stored on the medium, such as a digital videodisk
`(DVD) player, MPEG layer 3 (MP3) disk, or video game
`disk. The video system 301 is secured to a docking station
`303. The video system 301 comprises a hinge 304. The
`hinge connects a video screen portion of the video system to
`a base portion of the video system.
`As shown in FIG. 3B, the docking station 303 is secured
`in the headrest 102, and more particularly to an internal
`headrest support structure 305. The docking station 303 can
`be secured by, for example, a catch 401 as shown in FIG. 4A
`and/or a screw 402 as shown in FIG. 4B. One of ordinary
`skill in the art would recognize that other means of securing
`the docking station can be used, for example, an adhesive
`compound. The docking station 303 secures a base portion
`of the video system 301, and allows a video screen portion
`306 to pivot away from the base portion. In a slot-type
`device, as shown in FIG. 3B, the slot 302 is exposed for
`receiving a data media when the video screen portion 306 is
`in a pivoted position away from the base portion of the video
`system 301.
`the video system 301 can be
`As shown in FIG. 3C,
`disconnected from the docking station 303 (cut away view).
`The video system 301 can be operated autonomously. That
`is, when decoupled from the docking station 303, the video
`system 301 can access a data media to play, for example, a
`movie. When disconnected from the docking station, the
`video system can operate on power supplied by an optional
`battery or a connection to an external power supply, such as
`an AC or DC current. The connection can be to the base
`
`portion 307 of the video system 301.
`Referring to FIG. 3D, a headrest 308 can comprise an
`opening 309 for receiving a data media into the video system
`301. The video system 301 can be a permanently installed or
`portable video system. The headrest opening 309 aligns with
`the slot 302 of the video system 301 to allow data media,
`such as a DVD or MP3 disk to be inserted from the side, top,
`or bottom of the headrest 308. The headrest 308 further
`
`comprises vents 310 for dissipating heat. A cooling fan 311
`for increasing airflow can also be added within the headrest.
`The cooling fan 311 can be located in the headrest 308 and
`behind the vent 310, such that
`the cooling fan 311 is
`concealed.
`
`Referring to FIGS. 5A through 5D, a portable video
`system 501 of a clamshell-type is secured to a docking
`station. The portable video system 501 comprises a door 502
`and a base portion 503 connected by a hinge 504. The door
`502 pivots away from the base portion 503 on the hinge 504.
`The hinge 504 can be positioned on any side of the door 502.
`The door 502 comprises a video screen 505, controls 506A,
`and an infrared (IR) transmitter and/or receiver 507. The
`video system 501 receives a data media 508 comprising data
`to be accessed. When the door 502 is closed the data media
`
`505 is secured. The door 502 can be opened by, for example,
`depressing a button releasing the door 503 from the base
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`portion 503 or pulling the door 502 away from the base 503
`wherein the hinge 504 is a friction fitting. A media player
`509 is concealed by cover 510. The cover 510 can be opened
`by, for example, depressing a button 511. The video system
`501 is removable, such that the video system can be dis-
`connected from the docking station 303.
`The base 503 comprises a control panel 506B. The control
`panel 506B comprises a plurality of controls for controlling
`the functions of the media player, for example, volume
`control, previous, next, pause, eject and play, and a power
`on/off button. The controls 506A and 506B can be, for
`example, buttons, switches, a touch sensitive liquid crystal
`display, and the like.
`Referring now to FIGS. 6A and 6B, the docking station
`303 comprises a pin array 601 for connecting to a pin array
`602 of a video system 603. The video system 603 can be a
`slot-type device, a clamshell-type device, or any other
`device that is capable of being secured in the docking station
`303. When the video system 603 is secured to the docking
`station 303, the pin array 601 and video system pin array 602
`transfer data to and from the video player 603. Thus, the
`video player can be connected to external devices through
`the docking station 303. The external devices include, for
`example, a slave video display unit installed in another
`headrest, a security system, and a vehicle sound system.
`Where the video system 603 is permanently installed in the
`headrest, the docking station can be omitted, and a connec-
`tion to the vehicle’s power supply and/or data bus can be
`directly coupled to the video system 603 through, for
`example, an electrical harness.
`The docking station 303 is coupled to a vehicle’s electri-
`cal system. The docking station 303 is connected to a
`vehicle’s power supply, e.g., 12 Volts,
`through a wiring
`harness. Power can be supplied to the video system 603
`through the pin arrays 601 and 602. The docking station 303
`can be connected to a vehicle’s data communication bus.
`
`The data communications bus can carry data to and from the
`external devices.
`
`Referring to FIG. 7A, the docking station 303 comprises
`a quick release mechanism for securing and releasing the
`video system 701. The quick release mechanism can include
`a button 702 for releasing a latch 703, which is secured to
`the video system 701 by pressing the video system 701
`securely into the docking station 303. A latch mechanism
`comprises a latch 703 that passes into a bottom portion of the
`video system 701. The latch 703 is momentarily displaced as
`the video system 701 is coupled with the docking station
`303. A spring 704 secures the latch 703 in the bottom portion
`of the video system 701. The button 702 can be pressed,
`aligning the latch 703 with an opening in the bottom portion
`of the video system 701, and the video system 701 can be
`pulled away from the docking station 303. As shown in FIG.
`7B, a rear portion 705 of the video system 701 can be
`secured by a convex portion 706 that fits within a concave
`portion 707 in the docking station 303. As the video system
`701 is pressed into the docking station 303, a wall of the
`docking station 708 flexes away from the rear portion of the
`video player until the convex portion 706 is aligned with the
`concave portion 707. The convex portion 706 and the
`concave portion 707 cooperate to secure the video system
`701 to the docking station 303. Thus, a wall of the docking
`station 708 can be formed of,
`for example, a flexible
`thermoplastic rubber. Other means of securing the video
`system 701 to the docking station 303 are contemplated,
`such as, snaps, locks, latches, and the like.
`Referring to FIG. 8, the video system 801 comprises input
`and output ports. For example, audio/video input/output
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`5
`ports 802, a headphone port 803, and a power port 804. It
`should be understood that other port types can be provided,
`for example, a USB port or RCA jack for connecting to a
`game controller. Further, the video system 801 comprises a
`wireless transmitter for transmitting, for example, an audio
`radio frequency, Bluetooth®, or Whitefire® signal to wire-
`less headphones. The video system 801 further comprises an
`infrared (IR) port 805 for transmitting and/or receiving, for
`example, remote control signals. The ports can be positioned
`at any convenient location on the video system 801, for
`example, on a bottom portion of the base of the video
`system, a front portion of the base of the video system, or a
`side portion.
`When the video system is removed from the docking
`station 303, a cover 901 can conceal a portion of the docking
`station, as shown in FIG. 9. The cover 901 is manufactured
`from a material such as, plastic, wood,
`leather, and/or
`aluminum. The cover 901 can be secured by the same
`mechanisms as the video system, such as those shown in
`FIGS. 7A and 7B. Thus, the cover 901 and the video player
`can have one or more features in common, such as openings
`for receiving latches and the like.
`It
`is to be appreciated that a portable video system
`according to the present invention is easily removable from
`and can be operated outside of a vehicle, for example, in
`home or office environments. Further, the video system can
`be permanently connected to the headrest support structure
`by, for example, screws, catches, and adhesives.
`Referring now to FIG. 10, a video system 1001 and a
`video slave unit 1002 are connected to a power supply 1003.
`The video slave unit receives data to be displayed from the
`video system 1001 through a data bus 1004. The data bus
`1004 can be connected to other devices 1005, such as a
`vehicle’s sound system or a vehicle’s navigation system.
`The connections between the video system 1001 and the
`external device 1005 can be a wireless connection (not
`shown). Similarly, the connection between the video system
`1001 and the video system slave device 1002 can be a
`wireless connection (not shown).
`While the video system has been described in terms of a
`clamshell-type device and a slot-type device,
`the video
`system can be embodied in other configurations,
`for
`example, as a draw-type device comprising a draw and a
`spindle for securing the data media in place. Another
`example of a video system according to an embodiment of
`the present invention is a tablet-type device comprising a
`swivel-hinge connecting a video screen to a base portion as
`shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B. The swivel-hinge 1101 allows
`a door 1102 comprising a screen to move about two axes
`such that the screen 1102 can be swiveled about the swivel-
`
`hinge 1001 while in an open position, pivoted away from the
`base 1103. The screen can be turned to face the base portion
`1103 when in a fully closed position (e.g., FIG. 11B) or
`turned to face away from the base portion 1103 in a closed
`viewing position (e.g., 11A). In both the fully closed posi-
`tion and the closed viewing position,
`the door 1102 is
`substantially parallel to the base portion 1103. The swivel-
`hinge 1101 can be implemented in a slot-type device or a
`clamshell-type device.
`Having described embodiments for headrest mountable a
`video system, it is noted that modifications and variations
`can be made by persons skilled in the art in light of the above
`teachings. It is therefore to be understood that changes may
`be made in the particular embodiments of the invention
`disclosed which are within the scope and spirit of the
`invention as defined by the appended claims. Having thus
`described the invention with the details and particularity
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`required by the patent laws, what is claimed and desired
`protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended
`claims.
`
`What is claimed is:
`
`1. A video system comprising:
`a base unit coupled to an internal headrest support struc-
`ture; and
`a door pivotally connected to the base unit by a hinge, the
`door comprising a display and a media player compris-
`ing at least one of a DVD player, an MPEG player or
`a video game player.
`2. The video system of claim 1, further comprising a
`docking station disposed between the base unit and the
`internal headrest support structure, for selectively coupling
`the video system to the internal headrest support structure,
`wherein the video system can be selectively un-coupled
`from the base unit.
`
`3. The video system of claim 2, further comprising a
`power source coupled to the docking station, the docking
`station providing power to a coupled video system.
`4. The video system of claim 2, wherein the video system
`is coupled to an external device through the docking station,
`wherein the docking station and the video system are
`coupled by a pin array.
`5. The video system of claim 1, wherein the video system
`is a slot-type device.
`6. The video system of claim 5, wherein a slot for
`receiving a date media is positioned on a side of the door.
`7. The video system of claim 1, further comprising a
`wireless transmitter.
`
`8. The video system of claim 1, wherein the hinge is a
`swivel-hinge.
`9. The video system of claim 1, further comprising a port
`for connecting to an external device.
`10. A video system comprising:
`a display mounted to a headrest of a vehicle seat, wherein
`the display is pivotally coupled to a headrest support
`element, the headrest support element being disposed
`inside and outside of the headrest.
`
`11. A video system comprising:
`a base portion positioned in a headrest of a vehicle seat,
`wherein the base portion accommodates a media player
`comprising at least one of a DVD player, an MPEG
`player or a video game player and a display pivotally
`connected to the base portion.
`12. A docking station adapted to secure a portable video
`system including a media player comprising it least one of
`a DVD player, an MPEG player or a video game player, the
`docking station comprising:
`a means for securing the docking station to a headrest
`support structure located within a headrest of a vehicle
`seat, wherein at least a portion of the docking station is
`disposed within the headrest;
`a means for securing the portable video system to the
`docking station; and
`a pin array for providing power to a secured portable
`video system.
`13. The docking station of claim 12, wherein the pin army
`carries a signal between the secured removable video unit
`and an external device.
`
`14. The docking station of claim 13, wherein the signal is
`one of an audio signal and a video signal.
`15. The base unit of claim 12, wherein a cover is secured
`to the docking station in the absence of the portable video
`system.
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`US 7,245,274 B2
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`16. A video system comprising:
`a base unit coupled to a headrest support structure located
`within a headrest of a vehicle seat, wherein the base
`unit comprises a media player comprising at least one
`of a DVD player, an MPEG player or a video game
`player; and
`a display mounted in a door pivotally connected to the
`base unit by a hinge and in a closed position concealing
`the media player.
`17. The video system of claim 16, further comprising a
`docking station disposed between the base unit and the
`headrest support structure, for selectively coupling the video
`system to the headrest support structure, wherein:
`the video system can be selectively un-coupled from the
`base unit; and
`at least a portion of the docking station is disposed within
`the headrest and is directly coupled to the headrest
`support structure.
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`18. The video system of claim 17, further comprising a
`power source coupled to the docking station, the docking
`station providing power to a coupled video system.
`19. The video system of claim 17, wherein the video
`system is coupled to an external device through the docking
`station, wherein the docking station and the video system are
`coupled by a pin array.
`20. The video system of claim 16, wherein the video
`system is a clamshell-type device.
`21. The video system of claim 16, wherein the hinge is a
`swivel-hinge.
`22. The video system of claim 16, further comprising a
`wireless transmitter positioned on the door.
`23. The video system of claim 16, further comprising a
`port for connecting to an external device.
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