Abstract:
A video system comprises at least one media player, at least one display, wherein the at least one display is capable of receiving a first video signal and a first audio signal corresponding to a first program from the at least one media player, an assembly housing for supporting the at least one media player and the at least one display, and a wireless transmitter on the at least one display for wirelessly transmitting at least one of the first video signal and the first audio signal.

Description:
REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/423,882, filed on Nov. 5, 2002, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a mobile video system, and more particularly to a mobile video system capable of being transferred between different vehicles and settings and of wireless transmission of video and audio signals. 
     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, video display devices, video cassette players (VCPs) and digital video disk (DVD) players have been provided in vehicles for video entertainment while traveling. 
     However, many known video systems cannot be removed from the vehicle, transferred to another vehicle or operated outside the vehicle setting. Thus, videos may only be viewed with such systems when occupying a specific vehicle. There is also a risk of theft of the video screen and video player and corresponding damage to the vehicle when a vehicle having a video system therein is left unattended. 
     Another problem is that many known video systems have been limited to a single display, thereby limiting the entertainment to one video program at a given time and making it difficult for all vehicle occupants to view the display. 
     Accordingly, a need exists for a video system that is easily transferable between vehicles and other settings and is capable of operating with more than one display and/or media player for the convenience of all vehicle occupants. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A video system, according to an embodiment of the present invention, includes at least one media player at least one display, wherein the at least one display is capable of receiving one of a first video signal and a first audio signal corresponding to a first program from the at least one media player, an assembly housing for supporting the at least one media player and the at least one display, and a wireless transmitter on the at least one display for wirelessly transmitting at least one of the first video signal and the first audio signal. 
     The wireless transmitter may wirelessly transmit the first audio signal to at least one pair of wireless headphones and wirelessly transmit at least one of the first video signal and the first audio signal to at least one other display. The at least one display may receive a second video signal and a second audio signal corresponding to a second program from one of the at least one media player and at least one other media player, and the wireless transmitter may wirelessly transmit at least one of the second video signal and the second audio signal on a different channel and at a different frequency from the first video signal and the first audio signal. 
     The wireless transmitter can simultaneously transmit the first and second video signals and the first and second audio signals and may be capable of simultaneously transmitting each of a plurality of wireless signals on a different channel and at a different frequency. The wireless transmitter may be capable of wirelessly transmitting signals using at least one of infrared and radio frequency. The video system may further include at least one other wireless transmitter on one of the at least one media player and the assembly housing and capable of transmitting at least one of the first video signal and the first audio signal to wireless headphones, the at least one display and at least one other display. 
     The at least one display may include a multiplexer for selecting one of the first and second programs for display and the at least one display may be operatively coupled to the at least one media player and may be capable of receiving the first video signal and the first audio signal via one of a physical connection and a wireless receiver. 
     The at least one media player may be one of a videocassette player, a digital video disk player, a television tuner and a video game player, and may be one of a clamshell type, slot type and a drawer type digital video disk player. The at least one media player may include a door that pivots for allowing insertion of a media storage medium into the at least one media player. 
     The video system further includes a bag for mounting the assembly housing, including the at least one media player and the at least one display, on one seat or between two seats in a vehicle. The bag may include at least one opening or a plurality of openings for providing access to controls, at least one interface panel, and to a media storage medium insertion point of the at least one media player without removing the assembly housing from the bag. The video system may also include a bag for mounting the at least one display to a seat in a vehicle when the at least one display is remote from the assembly housing, wherein the bag includes at least one opening for providing access to an interface panel and/or for providing a view of a screen of the at least one display without removing the at least one display from the bag. 
     The at least one display may be mounted to the assembly housing in first and second positions corresponding to respective first and second orientations of the assembly housing. The at least one display may also be pivoted on the assembly housing to a plurality of positions. 
     Another video system, in accordance with the present invention, includes at least one media player, at least one display, wherein the at least one display is capable of receiving one of a first video signal and a first audio signal corresponding to a first program from the at least one media player, an assembly housing for supporting the at least one media player and the at least one display, and a first bag for mounting the assembly housing on one seat or between two seats in a vehicle, wherein the first bag includes a plurality of openings for providing access to controls, at least one interface panel, and a media storage medium loading point of the at least one media player without removing the assembly housing from the first bag. 
     The at least one interface panel may include input ports and output ports. The video system may include a second bag for mounting the at least one display to a seat in a vehicle when the at least one display is remote from the assembly housing, wherein the second bag includes at least one opening for providing access to at least one interface panel and/or for providing a view of a screen of the at least one display without removing the at least one display from the bag. The second bag may be mounted to a rear of the vehicle seat using at least one strap wrapped around the vehicle seat. The video system may also include a wireless transmitter on the at least one display capable of wirelessly transmitting at least one of the first video signal and the first audio signal. 
     Another video system, in accordance with the present invention, includes a first media player and a second media player, at least one display operatively coupled to the first and second media players, an assembly housing for supporting the first and second media players and the at least one display, and a bag for mounting the assembly housing on one seat or between two seats in a vehicle. 
     The first and second media players may be one of a videocassette player, a digital video disk player, a television tuner and a video game player. The first media player may play media having a different video format then media played by the second media player. For example, the first media player may be a videocassette player and the second media player may be a digitial video disk player. The at least one display may be capable of receiving video signals and audio signals from the first media player and the second media player. The first and second media players may be capable of wired and wireless transmission of at least one of video and audio signals. 
     The at least one display may receive the video and audio signals via one of a wired connection and wireless connection and may include jacks for connecting to the first and second media players, at least one other display and headphones. The assembly housing may also include jacks for connecting the first and second media players to the at least one display, at least one other display and headphones. The at least one display may be capable of displaying a program from one of the first and second media players while the at least one display is one of supported by and remote from the assembly housing. At least one other display may be capable of receiving video signals and audio signals from one of the first media player and the second media player. The bag for mounting the assembly housing on one seat or between two seats may include a plurality of openings for providing access to controls, to at least one interface panel, and to media storage medium loading points of the first and second media players without removing the assembly housing from the bag. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Preferred embodiments of the invention can be understood in more detail from the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a video player housing and display according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  shows the video player housing of  FIG. 1  and a second display; 
         FIGS. 3A–3B  show a slot-type DVD player according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  shows a drawer type DVD player according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  shows a wireless transmitter according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  shows a bag in which the video player housing of  FIG. 1  can be placed; 
         FIG. 7  shows the video player housing of  FIG. 1  placed within the bag and two displays detached from the video player housing; 
         FIG. 8  shows the video player housing of  FIG. 1  with the display positioned in the bag and positioned to show the top of the video player housing along with a detached second display; 
         FIG. 9  shows a bottom portion of the video player housing of  FIG. 1  in the bag; 
         FIG. 10  shows the video player housing of  FIG. 1  and display in the bag in an upright position; 
         FIG. 11  shows a mobile video system mounted in an interior of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12A  shows a video player housing in a video bag according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12B  shows the video player housing of  FIG. 12A  in an orientation outside of a vehicle; and 
         FIG. 13  shows the video player housing and video bag of  FIG. 12A  mounted within an interior of a vehicle. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. This invention may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a video player housing  100  includes a first media or video player  108  and a second video player  120  and display  130 . Positioned along one side of a front panel of the video player housing  100  are control buttons  110  which can be used to control play of the first video player  108 . Control buttons  115  positioned along a second side of the video player can be used for controlling play or play characteristics of a second video player  120 . The audio portion of the video programs can be played over speaker  105 . Along a side of the video player housing  100  is an interface panel  140  having connectors for connecting to headphones, additional displays, or other accessories. Display  130  comprises a screen  131  for displaying a video program. The screen  131  may have a diagonal length of 4 to 8 inches, and is preferably a 5.8 or a 7-inch LCD type display. The display  130  can be attached to the video player housing  100  via connector  132 . The connector preferably includes electrical connectors for connecting to an internal bus of the video player housing  100  for communication of the video, audio or control signals between the first and second video players  108 ,  120  and the display  130 . A hinge arrangement  134  couples the display  130  to the video player housing  100 . The hinge arrangement  134  provides the capability of swiveling the display  130 , from a point contacting or nearly contacting the top of the video player housing  100  to a point contacting or nearly contacting the front of the video player housing  100 . In the latter position, the screen  131  is in a protected position. The display  130  can also be swiveled to a best angle for viewing depending on the orientation of the video player housing  100  during use. The display  130  includes connectors  138  disposed on one or both sides thereof for connecting to headphones or to the video player housing  100  when the display  130  is detached from the video player housing  100 . 
     Speakers  136  can also be used to play the audio portion of a video program. With the display  130  mounted to the video player housing  100  through connector  132 , the audio and video information is transmitted from the first and second video players  108 ,  120  to the display  130  through the connector  132 . 
       FIG. 2  shows the video player housing  100  in its upright position with one display  130  attached and a second display  135  detached from the video player housing  100 . The second display  135  can be connected to the video player housing  100  through connectors  138  and  140 . According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first video player  108  is a DVD player and the second video player  120  is a video cassette player (VCP). The first and second video players may, for example, be any combination of a TV tuner, a VCP, a DVD player and a video game player. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a “clamshell-type” DVD player  108  is used, wherein a media storage medium, such as a DVD, is inserted into the DVD player  108  from the topside thereof. However, as shown in  FIG. 3A , a “slot-type” DVD player  109  may be used, wherein a media storage medium is inserted into the DVD player  109  through a slot  111  positioned on a side of the DVD player  109 . As shown in  FIG. 3B , the slot  111  may be located on a side of the DVD player  109  that is exposed by pivoting the DVD player  109  on a hinge  112  away from the video player housing  100  or, as shown in  FIG. 3A , on a side that remains exposed without having the pivot the DVD player  109 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , a “drawer-type” DVD player  113  including a drawer  114  for securing a media storage medium. Like the slot  111 , the drawer may be located on exposed and unexposed sides of the DVD player  113 . Once the storage medium is inserted onto the drawer  114 , the drawer  114  may be slid back into the DVD player  113 . 
     Referring back to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , both first (DVD) and second (VCP) video players  108 ,  120  can simultaneously play separate video programs and each video program can be directed to a separate display. Headphones can be connected to one or both displays for audio play of the separate programs. In such a way, the audio from one program does not interfere with the other. 
     To provide for audio reception through wireless headphones, the video player housing  100 , displays  130 ,  135  and/or the first and second video players  108 ,  120  may include wireless transmitters  142 ,  143  for transmitting wireless signals to wireless receivers in wireless headphones. The wireless signals may include radio frequency signals for use with, for example, Bluetooth® wireless systems or infrared (IR) signals for use with, for example, Whitefire® systems. It is preferred that the wireless transmitters  142 ,  143  have the capability to transmit wireless signals over more than one channel operating at a different frequency for each channel. The use of more than one channel, for example, avoids interference between more than one wireless headphone user watching different programs on different displays. Wireless signals also may be encoded to prevent interference between wireless headphones. Such encoding may be based on, for example, spread spectrum technology. 
     In addition, video and/or audio signals may be provided to a display through the wireless transmitters  142 ,  143  located on the video player or on another display. As an alternative to physical connections between displays and the video player, the transmission of wireless video and/or audio signals from the wireless transmitters  142 ,  143  to the displays allows movement of the displays to any location within a vehicle. Like the wireless headphones, the displays can be equipped with wireless receivers for receiving the wireless signals. The wireless transmitters  142 ,  143  can be directly or indirectly coupled to the video players  108 ,  120  for receiving video and/or audio signals for transmission. 
     The video and/or audio signals can be IR or RF signals and transmitted over more than one channel at different frequencies to avoid interference and enable different programs to be simultaneously played on different displays. As shown, for example, in  FIG. 7 , each display can include a multiplexer  133  for selecting programs to display. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the wireless transmitters  142 ,  143  each include an optical transmitting device  144  (e.g., an LED, a laser, and so forth) and an antenna  146 . The optical transmitting device  144  and the antenna  146  may be used for wireless transmission of IR signals and RF signals, respectively. 
       FIG. 6  shows a video bag  200  for holding the video player housing  100 . The video bag  200  is preferably made from a flexible but sturdy material such as canvas and is configured to have openings  202 ,  204  to allow access to the first and second video players  108 ,  120 , respectively. The video bag  200  also includes openings  206 ,  208 ,  209  for providing access to interface panels and connectors on the video player housing  100 . The video bag  200  may include more or less openings depending on the configuration of the video player housing  100  and the location of the controls, panels and connectors. The video bag  200  further includes a mechanism for facilitating mounting or suspending the video player in an interior of a vehicle. This feature will be further described below with reference to  FIG. 11 . 
       FIG. 7  shows the video player housing  100  placed within the video bag  200  with the displays  130 ,  135  detached. As shown, both the first (DVD) video player  108  and the second (VCP) player  120  and the controls  110 ,  115  are accessible when the video player housing  100  is placed in the video bag  200 . 
       FIG. 8  shows a top portion of the video player housing  100  with an attached display  130  positioned in the video bag  200 . In this orientation, the housing  100  is placed against a surface such as a desktop and the display  130  is reversed from the position shown in  FIG. 1 . To view a video program, a videocassette can be inserted and played by the VCP  120  in a horizontal position. 
       FIG. 9  shows another orientation of the video player housing  100  and the display  130 . In this orientation, the housing again lays horizontally, such as on a tabletop, and the display  130  is attached in a position reversed from the position as shown in  FIG. 8  (i.e., in the same position as shown in  FIG. 1 ). A latch  137  (see  FIG. 7 ) positioned on a top center front portion of the video player housing  100  latches to connector  132 . A press button  139  ( FIG. 8 ) is depressed to release the latch  137  and the display  130  from the video player housing  100 .  FIG. 10  shows the video player housing  100  in the video bag  200  and in an upright position with the attached display  130 . 
       FIG. 11  shows a mobile video system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the video player housing  100  is placed within a video bag  200 . The video bag  200  includes rings at a top (not shown) and rings at a bottom portion (e.g., ring  212 ) of the bag  200  on left and right sides thereof to facilitate mounting of the video bag  200  to an interior of a vehicle. The rings can be attached to straps  220 ,  222  having hooks or clips  224 . Each strap  220 ,  222  can be wrapped around an interior of a vehicle, such as around the top of a headrest  330  of a seat  350 , around the bottom of a seat  350 , or around any object fixed to the interior of the vehicle, such as a seat track. In the configuration shown in  FIG. 11 , both displays  130 ,  135  are detached from the video player housing  100  and the video bag  200  is mounted between the seats  350  of the vehicle. Alternatively, the video bag  200  may also be mounted on an individual seat  350 , for example on the seat&#39;s rear side. 
     The displays  130 ,  135  are individually mounted behind the front section of the vehicle by respective display mounts. The display mounts include a bag  400 , which houses the display  130 ,  135  and attaches to straps  420  for strapping onto a seat  350 . The straps  420  include an adjusting mechanism  425  to adjust for different sizes of a seat  350 . The bag  400  includes openings  440 ,  442  for facilitating access to the connectors of the display and for viewing a video on the screen of the display  130 . A carry bag (not shown) can be used to house the video bag  200 , the video player housing  100 , the displays  130 ,  135 , display mounts, and other accessories. The carry bag has a zippered top to close the bag for transporting the mobile video system. 
       FIG. 12A  shows a video player housing  500  and a video bag  600  according to another embodiment of the present invention. The video player housing  500  preferably includes a DVD player and is housed within video bag  600 . Video bag  600  is made to snugly fit the video player housing  500  and includes an opening  608  for facilitating access to control panel  510  and an opening (not shown) to allow access to interface connectors along a side of the video player (not shown). An opening  660  allows access to a disk drawer or slot  511  of the DVD player for insertion or removal of a video disk. The video bag  600  may have more or less openings depending on the configuration of panels, connectors and controls on the housing  500 . Like the previously described embodiments, the DVD player may be a clamshell, slot or drawer type DVD player. 
     A flap  654  can be opened for placing the video player housing  500  into the bag  600  and closed by a close mechanism  652 , which can be Velcro or a zipper. When the flap  654  is closed, all controls and interfaces positioned on the video player housing  500  can be accessed without opening any panel of the video bag  600 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 13 , video bag  600  includes a plurality of mounting rings (e.g., ring  612 ) for receiving straps  620 ,  622  and/or clips  624  for mounting the video player housing  500  and the bag  600  within an interior of a vehicle. Display  530  has characteristics similar to display  130  described above for the above embodiment including capability to attach and detach from the video player housing  500  through a connector  532  and hinge arrangement  534  as previously described. A second display or monitor can be connected to the video player housing  500  via the external connectors of the video player (not shown) or the connectors  538  of the display  530 . 
     The display  530  may be a detachable 5.8″ LCD monitor screen that can be hand held or can mount on a vehicle seat headrest in front of the viewer with a canvas mounting system like the mounting bags  400  and straps  420  described in connection with the previous embodiment. The video player housing  500  may include controls  515  such as brightness up/down, volume up/down, power on/off, DVD menu, DVD power on/off, left/right/up/down/enter and previous/play/next/stop/eject. The video player housing  500  may also include headphone output jacks, an A/V input jack, RCA AV input jacks, DVD/RCA AV output jacks, a display port input jack, a power input jack for a display, a power LED for a display, an S-video output jack, display output jacks for use with optional displays, a power input jack, a full function remote control, a cigarette lighter adapter, a display cable, and an AC/DC adapter. 
     The video player housing  500 , the video player itself and/or the display  530  also include a wireless transmitters  542 ,  543  like the wireless transmitters  142 ,  143  described in connection with the previous embodiment for transmission of, for example, video and/or audio information to other displays and wireless headphones via IR or RF signals. In addition, like the previously described embodiment, speakers  505 ,  536  may be used to play the audio portion of a program. 
       FIG. 12B  shows the video player housing  500  of  FIG. 12A  in a different orientation, with the control panel  510  facing upward. The video player housing  500  is placed on a desktop and configured as a game console for play of a video game. Like the display  130  shown in  FIG. 9 , the monitor  530  can also be pivoted on the video player housing  500  for optimum viewing angles depending on the orientation of the video player housing  500 . 
       FIG. 13  shows the video player housing  500  housed within the video bag  600  and mounted within an interior of a vehicle. A plurality of mounting rings (e.g., ring  612 ) attached to the upper and lower portions of video bag  600  receives clips and/or hooks  624  connected to straps  620 ,  622  for mounting on or between front seats  350  of a vehicle. The display  530  and an optional display  535  can both be mounted using the monitor mounting bags  400  and straps  420  behind each seat  350  as shown in  FIG. 11 . In such configuration, two passengers behind each front seat  350  can each have view of a separate display  530 ,  535 . Alternatively, the display or monitor  530  is detached from the video player housing  500  and can be handheld. A separate carry bag (not shown) can be used to house the video player housing  500 , the video bag  600 , the monitor(s)  530 ,  535  and other accessories. 
     In sum, a video system is provided that can be easily mounted in and transferred between different vehicles. The video system can operate with more than display remote from a media player and provide video and audio signals to wireless receivers. 
     Given the teachings of the present invention provided herein, one of ordinary skill in the related art will contemplate these and various other configurations, interactions, and mounting arrangements between the elements of a display device according to the present invention, while maintaining the spirit and scope thereof. 
     Although the illustrative embodiments have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may be affected therein by one of ordinary skill in the related art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. All such changes and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.