Patent Publication Number: US-2009222862-A1

Title: Video player, docking station and system  for vehicle having wireless video transmission

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/015,861, filed Dec. 21, 2007, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/016,018, filed Dec. 21, 2007, the entireties of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to the provision of entertainment systems in vehicles, and specifically to systems and methods for providing video within a vehicle. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In today&#39;s vehicles increasing measures are being provided to supply entertainment to the passengers. In the past passengers were content with radios and other simple audio devices. As time went by more sophisticated steps have been taken in order to provide entertainment to passengers. 
     Although the ability to play videos has been provided to passengers in the past there has been an inadequate provision of access to a variety of mediums on which video data may be stored. Further, while video data has been provided to passengers in automobiles in the past it frequently failed to provide ease of use and ease of portability. Additionally, there is frequently inadequate reproduction of the audio data that accompanies the video data as well as failures to provide an easy and non-cumbersome way of transmitting the information. 
     Thus, there is a need for a comprehensive multimedia player that is able to provide a passenger with the ability to accommodate a variety of media sources as well as enable adequate and easy reproduction of audio and video data. There is also a need for a portable multimedia player for use in vehicles that is able to provide a passenger with the ability to accommodate portable media sources as well as enable adequate reproduction of audio and video data. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a system and method that provides for comprehensive provision of audio and video data to passengers of a vehicle. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a system that is able to wirelessly transmit video data to display devices located within a vehicle. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for transmitting audio data to the audio system of a vehicle. 
     Yet another object of the invention is to provide the capability of accommodating a variety of video and audio sources. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a system and method that provides audio and video data to passengers of a vehicle. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a system for transmitting audio data to the audio system of a vehicle. 
     Yet another object of the invention is to provide the capability of accommodating a portable video media source. 
     These and other objects are met by the present invention, which in a first aspect can be an apparatus for playing video and audio in a vehicle comprising: a housing adapted for placement within a dashboard of a vehicle; a first port located on a front face of the housing, wherein the first port is adapted to receive video and audio data stored on an external media storage device; a slot located on the front face of the housing, wherein the slot is adapted to receive an optical disc and provide the optical disc to an optical disk reader; a controller operably connected to the first port and the optical disk reader and adapted to process the audio data and transmit the audio data to an audio system of the vehicle; and a transmitter operably connected to the controller and adapted for wirelessly transmitting video data to a display unit. 
     A second aspect of the invention can be a system for playing video and audio in a vehicle comprising: a media player for playing video and audio data, wherein the media player is adapted to be installed in a dashboard of a vehicle; a transmitter located within the media player, wherein the transmitter is adapted for wirelessly transmitting the video data to a display device; means for connecting the media player to an audio system of a vehicle, wherein the audio data played by the media player is sent to the audio system of the vehicle; the display device having a means for mounting the display device within a passenger compartment of the vehicle, the display device further comprising a receiver for receiving the video data; and a display controller operably connected to the receiver for displaying the video data on the display device. 
     A third aspect of the invention can be a method for playing video and audio in a vehicle comprising the steps of: providing a media player for playing video and audio data in a vehicle; providing video and audio data to the media player; wirelessly transmitting video data to a display device located in the vehicle; and transmitting audio data to an audio system of the vehicle. 
     In another aspect, the invention can be an apparatus for providing video and audio in a vehicle comprising: a housing adapted for placement within a cup holder of a vehicle, wherein the housing has a top surface, a body portion and a bottom portion; a first port located on the housing, wherein the first port is adapted to receive video and audio data stored on an external media device; a controller operably connected to the first port and adapted to process the video and audio data; and a transmitter operably connected to the controller and adapted for wirelessly transmitting the video and audio data. 
     Yet another aspect of the invention can be a system for playing video and audio in a vehicle comprising: a docking device for receiving an external media device comprising and playing video and audio in a vehicle comprising: a housing adapted for placement within a cup holder of a vehicle, wherein the housing has a top surface, a body portion and a bottom portion; a first port located on the housing, wherein the first port is adapted to receive video and audio data stored on an external media device; a controller operably connected to the first port and adapted to process the video and audio data; and a transmitter operably connected to the controller and adapted for wirelessly transmitting the video and audio data to a display device, wherein the display device has means for mounting the display device within a passenger compartment of the vehicle, the display device further comprising a receiver for receiving the video data; and a display controller operably connected to the receiver for displaying the video data on the display device. 
     Still another aspect of the invention can be a method for playing video and audio in a vehicle comprising the steps of: providing a docking device for receiving video and audio data from an external media device in a cup holder of a vehicle; providing video and audio data to the docking device; wirelessly transmitting video data to a display device located in the vehicle; and wirelessly transmitting audio data to an audio system of the vehicle. 
     These and various other advantages and features of novelty that characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, its advantages, and the objects obtained by its use, reference should be made to the drawings which form a further part hereof, and to the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there is illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a view of the multimedia playing device according to an embodiment of the instant invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a view of the display device for use with the multimedia playing device shown in  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the instant invention. 
         FIG. 3  is schematic illustrating an arrangement of the multimedia playing device and the display device shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , according to an embodiment of the instant invention. 
         FIG. 4  is diagram illustrating the interaction of the components of the system shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a view of the docking device according to an embodiment of the instant invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a view of the display device for use with the docking device shown in  FIG. 5 , according to an embodiment of the instant invention. 
         FIG. 7  is schematic illustrating an arrangement of docking device and the display device shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , according to an embodiment of the instant invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a top down view of the docking device placed within a vehicle&#39;s cupholder. 
         FIG. 9  is diagram illustrating the interaction of the components of the system shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 10  is a view of an alternative docking device according to an embodiment of the instant invention. 
         FIG. 11  is top down view of the docking device according to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 10 , placed within a vehicle&#39;s cup holder. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a view of the multimedia playing device  10  according to an embodiment of the instant invention. The multimedia playing device  10  is designed so as to be installed into the dashboard of a vehicle similar to the way in which traditional car stereos are installed. It may be pre-installed in a vehicle or designed to be placed within the dashboard of the vehicle after a vehicle has been sold. 
     The multimedia playing device  10  comprises a housing  14  in which the components of the multimedia playing device  10  are contained. The housing  14  has a front face on which the controls are located as well as the various ports and slots that receive the media devices on which video and audio data are stored and/or transferred from. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  multiple types of media devices may be accommodated. Slot  16  is adapted to receive an optical disc for playback. The optical disc may be a Digital Video Disc (DVD), a Compact Disc (CD) or another type of optical disc. In preferred embodiments the type of disc that is inserted is detected and playback of the disc on the optical disk player  73  commences based upon the format and type of disc. 
     A Universal Serial Bus (USB) port  18  is provided on the face of the housing  14  and is adapted to receive a USB plug. Typically this USB plug is attached to an external media device that may store and/or play video and audio data. The device may be a personal computer, or a handheld device such as video Ipod® that stores video and audio data in some type of video and/or audio format. Video formats that may be used are MPEG-4, AVI, WMV-9, and DRM. Audio formats that may be used are MP3, WMA, OGG, VGF, WAV, etc. The video and audio data from the external media device is transferred to the controller  72  through the USB port  18  for playback. 
     A Secure digital (SD) card port  26  is provided on the face of the housing  14  and is adapted to received a SD card. An SD card is capable of storing large amounts of data in a very small space. The SD card port  26  is operably connected to the controller  72 . When an SD card is placed in the card port  26  the controller  72  is able to process the data contained on the card. 
     Other types of ports and/or slots may be provided in the face of the housing  14  in order to accommodate additional types of media devices, such as IEEE 1394 ports and HDMI cables. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 1 , various other features are located on the face of the housing  14  that function to enable operation of the multimedia playing device  10 . A power button  17  is provided on the face of the housing  14  and is depressed in order to turn the multimedia playing device  10  on and off. A power indicator light  23  is also provided on the face of the housing  14  in order to indicate whether or not the multimedia player device  10  is turned on or not. 
     A mode button  21  may be used to switch the multimedia playing device  10  between various operation modes, such as switching between activating the radio, or to send a signal in order to indicate that data should be received from the SD card port  26 , from the USB port  18  or from the optical disc player  73 . The mode button  21  may also be used to indicate whether or not the audio should be played through the audio system  80  of the vehicle or should be transmitted to a display device  40 . It is also possible to have the multimedia player device  10  detect the type of media that is being loaded and to automatically initiate playback upon detection of the media within the device as opposed to using the mode button  21 . 
     Knob  12  is used to tune the radio multimedia player device  10 . The display  24  shows the setting of the radio device as well as to display information related to the video and audio data that is being accessed. Pre-set button  22  is used to automatically switch the radio tuner to a desired setting. 
     Also provided on the face of the housing  14  is an audio jack  13  that may be used in order to listen to audio through head phones. Alternatively the audio jack  13  may be used in order to provide audio and/or video to and/or from an external media device or the display device  40 . 
     Other standard video playback buttons are provided on the face of the housing  14 , such as the fast forward button  15  and the rewind button  12 . Other buttons such as pause, play, skip, etc. may also be provided. Other features such as an infrared sensor may also be located on the housing  14  so as to enable remote control of the functions of the media playback device  10 . 
       FIG. 2  is a view of a display device  40  that may be used with the multimedia player device  10  shown in  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the instant invention. The display device has a housing  44  that houses the various components of the display device  40 . The display screen  42  may be a LCD screen that may be sized to be readily placed within a vehicle and is typically between 3″ and 10″. 
     The display device  40  has a video input  46  that is provided on the display housing  44  that can accommodate a cable that can be extended from an external media device. It is intended that the video input  46  may receive video data for reproduction on the screen  42 . It may also operate as means for charging the external media in some instances. 
     The display device  40  may have a series of controls located on the display housing  44 . Some of the controls that may be provided are a contrast  48  that can control the contrast of video displayed on the screen  42  and a brightness  45  that can control the brightness of the picture shown on the screen  42 . A power button  41  is used in order to turn the display device  40  on and off. The display device  40  may also be triggered to turn on when it receives video data from the media playback device  10 . 
     The volume  43  may be an optional control that is used when the video input  46  is being used and is used to control the volume of audio that is produced by the display device  40 . Alternatively, the volume  43  may control the audio in those instances where the audio is being transmitted from the multimedia player device  10  instead of being played through the vehicle&#39;s audio system. 
       FIG. 3  is schematic illustrating an arrangement in a vehicle of the multimedia playing device  10  and the display device  40 , shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , according to an embodiment of the instant invention. As shown the display devices  40  are placed upon the rear of seats  51 . A display device  40  may be permanently mounted within the seat  51  or may be removably secured to the seat  51  using any number of attachment means such as straps, hook and loop tape, adhesive material, snap fixtures, etc. It is also possible to mount the display device  40  at other locations within the vehicle, such as in the front of a vehicle, or designed to fold down from the roof of the vehicle. The multimedia player device  10  may be mounted either permanently or removably within the dashboard  52  of a vehicle. Together the multimedia player device  10  and the display devices  40  may be part of a package that is installed in the vehicle at some point after the construction of the vehicle. 
       FIG. 4  is diagram illustrating the interaction of the components of the system shown in  FIG. 3 . The multimedia player device  10  has a controller  72  and a transmitter  71  as well as a number of means for reproducing video data, such as the optical disc player  73 , the USB port  18  and the SD port  26 . The multimedia player device  10  may also use a IEEE 1394 port (i.e. a firewire port). The controller  72  operates to receive the video data that is received from the various sources and to provide that video data to the transmitter  71 . The controller  72  has the necessary drivers loaded thereon so that it is able to reproduce data that is transmitted by devices connected through the USB port  18  or from SD cards placed in the SD port  26 . 
     For example, when a user of the multimedia player device  10  places a DVD disc into the slot  16  the optical disc player  73  will receive it. In a preferred embodiment, the optical disc player  73  is capable of playing both CDs and DVDs, in which case the optical disc player  73  first determines the format of the disc. When it is determined that a DVD disc has been placed within the optical disc player  73  the video and audio data read from the disc will be transmitted to the controller  72 . When the video and audio data is received at the controller  72  it may be processed so that the data is split between the audio and the video data. 
     The video data will be sent to the transmitter  71 , while the audio data is sent to the vehicle audio system  80  in order to provide audio throughout the vehicle. Preferably the video is transmitted at roughly 2.4 GHz to the display device  40 . The vehicle audio system  80  may comprise pre-installed speakers in the vehicle, or speakers that have installed at some later point. In alternative embodiments that audio data may also be sent to the transmitter  71  for reproduction in the display device  40 . If the audio data is transmitted to the display device  40  it may be transmitted at frequencies between 88.1-107.9 MHz or it may be transmitted at the same frequency as the video data. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 4 , after the video data is sent to the transmitter  71  it is transmitted to the receiver  60  of the display device  40 . When the video data is received at the receiver  60  it is then transmitted to the display controller  90 . The display controller  90  takes the video data and uses it to produce a picture on the screen  42  of the display device  40 . In the event that audio data is also transmitted to the receiver  60 , the display controller  90  will take the audio data and provide it the audio system of the display device  40 . 
     In an alternative embodiment, it is possible for the display device  40  to also have a transmitter. In this embodiment, an external media device may be connected to the display device  40  through the video input  46 . The video data would be sent to the display controller  72  in order to display the video on the screen  42 . Audio data may also then be transmitted through the video input  46  or through a special audio input provided in the housing  44  of the display device  40 . The audio data may be sent to the display controller  90  and then to a transmitter which would then transmit the audio data to a receiver located in the multimedia player device  10 . The audio is preferably transmitted at a frequency between the range of 88.1-107.9 MHz. The multimedia player device  10  then transmits the data to the vehicle audio system  80 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a docking device  1030  according to an embodiment of the instant invention is illustrated. The docking device  1030  is designed to be installed into a cup holder of a vehicle. 
     Docking device  1030  comprises a housing  1035  in which the components of the docking device  1030  are contained. The housing  1035  has a top surface  1031  at which a port  1032  is located. The housing  1035  also has a body portion  1033  that is cylindrical in shape and is sized to be larger in diameter than the diameter of a cup holder located in a vehicle. The housing  1035  has a bottom portion  1034  that is sized to be placed within the cavity of a cup holder. 
     On the base of the bottom portion  1034  there may be a cover (not shown) that when removed permits the placement of batteries into the docking device  1030 . In an alternative embodiment, shown in  FIGS. 10 and 12 , a 12 V adapter cord  1061  is used to power the docking device  1030 . 
     Returning to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , the port  1032  may be a Universal Serial Bus (USB) that is provided at a top surface  1031  of the housing  1035  and is adapted to receive a USB plug or a IEEE 1394 port (i.e. a firewire port). Typically this USB plug is attached to an external media device, that in the instant embodiment preferably plays and/or stores video data. This device may be a personal computer, or other handheld device such as video Ipod® that stores and/or plays video and audio data in some type of video and/or audio format. Video formats that may be used are MPEG-4, AVI, WMV-9, and DRM. The audio formats that may be used are MP3, WMA, OGG, VGF, WAV, etc. The video and audio data from the external media device is transferred to the docking controller  1072  of the docking device  1030 . 
     In an alternative embodiment the port  1032  may be Secure Digital (SD) card port that is located at a top surface  1031  of the housing  1035  and is adapted to receive a SD card. An SD card is capable of storing large amounts of data in a very small space. In embodiments that utilized SD cards, the controller  1072  is adapted to process the data that is stored on the SD card. 
       FIG. 6  is a view of the display device  1040  that may be used with the docking device  1030  shown in  FIG. 5 , according to an embodiment of the instant invention. The display device  1040  may utilize batteries or be charged via the usage of a 12 V cable. The display device  1040  has a housing  1044  that houses the various electrical components. The display screen  1042  may be a LCD screen that may be sized to be readily placed within a vehicle. The screen  1042  may be sized to be between 3″-10″. 
     The display device  1040  may have a video input  1046  that is provided on the display housing  1044  that can accommodate a cable that may be extended from an external media device. It is intended that the video input  1046  may receive video signals for reproduction on the screen  1042 . It may also operate as means for charging a video or audio player in some instances. 
     The display device  1040  may have a series of controls located on the display housing  1044 . Some of the controls that may be provided are a contrast  1048  that can control the contrast of video displayed on the screen  1042  and a brightness  1045  that can control the brightness of the picture shown on the screen  1042 . A power button  1041  is used in order to turn the display device  1040  on and off. The display device  1040  may also be triggered to turn on when it receives video data from the docking device  1030 . 
     The volume  1043  may be an optional control that is used when the video input  1046  is being used and is used to control the volume of audio that is produced by the display device  1040 . Alternatively, the volume  1043  may control the audio in those instances where the audio is being transmitted from the docking device  1030  instead of being played through the vehicle&#39;s audio system. 
       FIG. 7  is diagram illustrating an arrangement of the docking device  1030  and the display device  1040 , shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , according to an embodiment of the instant invention. As shown the display devices  1040  are placed upon the rear of seats  1051 . The display device  1040  may be permanently mounted within the seat  1051  or may be removably secured to the seat  1051  using any number of attachment means such as straps, hook and loop tape, adhesive material, snap fixtures, etc. It is also possible to mount the display device  1040  at other locations within the vehicle, such as in the front of a vehicle, or designed to fold down from the roof of the vehicle. A stereo device  1010  is mounted either permanently or removably within the dashboard  1052  of a vehicle. 
     In many vehicles a center arm rest  1053  may be provided that has a cup holder  1054  or cup holders provided therein. As shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the docking device  1030 , which is shaped as described above is placed within the cup holder  1054  so as to be conveniently situated within the vehicle. 
       FIG. 9  is diagram illustrating the interaction of the components of the system shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . The docking device  1030  has a docking controller  1072  and a transmitter  1071 . The docking controller  1072  operates to receive the video data that is received through the port  1032  and to provide that video data to the transmitter  1071 . The controller  1072  has the necessary drivers loaded thereon so that it is able to reproduce data that is transmitted by devices connected through a USB plug or from SD cards. 
     For example, a user of the docking device  1030  places a external media device  1190 , such as a VideoIpod into the slot  1032 . When the video and/or audio data is received at the controller  1072  it may be parsed so that the data is split between audio and video data. The data is then sent to the transmitter  1071 . The transmitter  1071  may have the ability to transmit at a variety of frequencies or alternatively have both a dedicated audio sub-transmitter and a dedicated video sub-transmitter. Preferably the video is transmitted at roughly 2.4 GHz. The audio is preferably transmitted at a frequency selected from the range of 88.1-107.9 MHz so that it can be played through the vehicle audio system  1080 . The vehicle audio system  1080  may comprise pre-installed speakers in the vehicle, or speakers that have installed at some later point. In alternative embodiments that audio data may also be sent to the display device  1040 . In these instances the audio data may be transmitted at the same frequency as the video data and may processed by the display controller  1090 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 9 , after the video data is sent to the transmitter  1071  it is transmitted to the receiver  1060  of the display device  1040 . When the video data is received at the receiver  1060  it is then transmitted to the display controller  1090 . The display controller  1090  takes the video data and uses it to produce a picture on the screen  1042  of the display device  1040 . In the event that the audio data is also transmitted to the receiver  1060 , the display controller  1090  will take the audio data and provide it the audio system of the display device  1040 . 
     In an alternative embodiment, it is possible for the display device  1040  to also have a transmitter. In this embodiment, an external media device, which may store and/or play media, may be connected to the display device  1040  through the video input  1046 . The video data would be sent to the display controller  1090  in order to display the video on the screen  1042 . Audio data may also then be transmitted through the video input  1046  or through a special audio input  1047  provided in the housing  1044  of the display device  1040 . The audio data is sent to the display controller  1090  and then to a transmitter which would then transmit the audio to the receiver of the stereo system  1010 . 
       FIG. 10  is a view of an alternative docking device  1030  according to an embodiment of the instant invention. The docking device  1030  has a display  1036  located on the top surface  1031  that illustrates at which frequency the audio data is being transmitted. A frequency selector  1038  is provided on the body portion  1033  in order to permit a user to move up and down in frequency in order to select the desired frequency at which a user wishes to transmit. 
       FIG. 11  is top down view of the docking device  1030  according to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 10  placed within a vehicle&#39;s cup holder  1054 . The docking device  1030  has an adapter cord  1061  that is placed in a 12 V cigarette lighter  1055  of a vehicle. When using the adapter cord  1061 , the docking device  1030  may also operate to charge any device that is connected to it. 
     It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. 
     It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.