Patent ID: 8120716

Claim:
An automobile entertainment system, comprising: a video system mounted within a ceiling of an automobile, the video system being moveable between a use position and a storage position, the video system includes a rear facing surface from which a video monitor displays images for viewing by passengers of the automobile, the video system also includes a front facing surface having a forward facing video monitor wherein the forward facing video monitor is in alignment with a rearview mirror of the automobile for viewing by a driver when the video system is in its use position; a video camera for viewing that which would be seen out a rear window of the automobile, the video camera being linked to the forward facing video monitor for displaying an image of an environment in a rear of the automobile a driver would see as a driver looks through the rearview mirror; means for linking activation of the video camera and the forward facing video monitor to rotation of the video system between its use position and its storage position; and a cradle substantially recessed within the ceiling of the automobile and which is adapted to receive a base portion of the video system therein for detachably mounting the video system to the cradle, wherein the base portion of the video system includes a first hinge that facilitates rotation of the video system about an axis substantially parallel to the ceiling of the automobile for movement from an upward storage position to a downward usage position and a second hinge that permits for rotation of the video system about an axis substantially perpendicular to the axis of the first hinge to allow rotation of the video system in a manner that facilitates viewing of the video system from opposite sides of the automobile.