WO2001010111A2

WO2001010111A2 - Automotive video display with override system

Info

Publication number: WO2001010111A2
Application number: PCT/US2000/012836
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert J. Brice
Original assignee: Rosen Products Llc
Priority date: 1999-05-10
Filing date: 2000-05-10
Publication date: 2001-02-08
Also published as: AU5001600A

Abstract

An entertainment system is provided for use in an automobile including a passenger compartment with a front seat and a rear seat. The entertainment system includes a video system viewable from the rear seat, a control device, and an override system. The video system includes a display screen on which a video signal may be displayed and an attribute, such as an audio component of the video system, a power supply to the video system, or a pause function of the video system. The control device is adapted to allow an occupant of the rear seat of the automobile to control the attribute. The override system is adapted to be operated by an occupant of the front seat of the vehicle to override the control device so that the front seat occupant controls the attribute to the exclusion of the rear seat occupant.

Description

AUTOMOTIVE VIDEO DISPLAY WITH OVERRIDE SYSTEM

Cross-Reference to Related Application This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/133,385, filed May 10, 1999. Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to automotive entertainment systems, and more particularly, to a video display system mounted in the passenger compartment of an automobile for viewing by rear seat passengers, but controllable by a driver to the exclusion of such rear seat passengers. Background of the Invention

Automotive manufacturers have long sought to make passengers as comfortable as possible during travel, focusing both on the physical comfort and the entertainment of passengers. For example, vehicle sound systems have become standard accessories in most cars and trucks. In recent years, efforts have involved attempts to bring video technology into the passenger compartment, either in the form of a television, a computer, or a video game display.

Unfortunately, display units have heretofore been impractical as automotive accessories due to problems in mounting conventional display units within an automobile. Furthermore, many automotive video display units have been unable to meet consumer expectations due to difficulties in providing acceptable picture quality in a package of suitable size. However, with recent advancements in display technology, small, thin displays with a high picture quality are now available.

With these displays, it is now possible to mount a display in an automobile passenger compartment so that it is viewable by a rear seat passenger. Such displays are typically controllable from the rear seat to provide for the convenience of the passengers using the display. The rear seat passengers may have control over selected display system attributes, such as the system power supply and audio volume. Furthermore, if the system includes a video source such as a video cassette player (VCP) or digital video disc (DVD) player, the rear seat passenger may have control over such functions as the "play", "rewind", "fast forward" and "pause" controls of the video source.

Although it is generally desirable for a rear seat passenger to have control over a rear seat display system, some situations may arise in which it is desirable for another passenger to control the system. For example, a driver or front seat passenger who wishes to talk to a rear seat passenger may desire to control the volume of the audio component of the system. Furthermore, a parent in the front seat of a vehicle may wish to exercise supervisory control over a child viewing a display from the rear seat. Known display systems have not provided front seat occupants with adequate supervisory control over display functions. Thus, there remains a need for an automotive video display system that is selectively controllable from a seat other than the seats^' from which the display is viewable. Summary of the Invention

An ente tainment system is provided for use in an automobile including a passenger compartment with a front seat and a rear seat. The entertainment system includes a video system viewable from the rear seat, a control device, and an override system. The video system includes a display screen on which a video signal may be displayed, and an attribute, such as an audio component of the video system, a power supply to the video system, or a pause function of the video system. The control device is adapted to allow an occupant of the rear seat of the automobile to control the attribute. The override system is adapted to be operated by an occupant of the front seat of the vehicle to override the control device so that the front seat occupant controls the attribute to the exclusion of the rear seat occupant. Bnef Descπption of the Drawings Fig 1 is an isometπc view of a video system according to the present invention, with a display screen and control device in deployed positions

Fig 2 is an isometnc view of the video system of Fig 1 , with the display screen and control device in stowed positions

Fig 3 is a rear elevational view of the video system of Fig 1 , with the display screen and control device in stowed positions

Fig 4 is a side elevational view of the video system of Fig 1, with the display screen and control device in stowed positions Fig 5 is a schematic diagram of an entertainment system employing the video system of Fig 1

Fig 6 is a side view of an automobile which includes the entertainment system

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments The present invention relates to an automotive entertainment system including a video system that is generally controllable by a viewer, but which employs an override system to allow an occupant of the automobile other than the viewer to override viewer control of vaπous attπbutes of the video system

Referring initially to Figs 1 and 2, a video system 10 is shown, such video system being adapted to be mounted in a passenger compartment of an automobile such that it is viewable and controllable by a passenger in the rear seat of the automobile Video system 10 includes a base or housing 12 configured for mounting the video system to the passenger compartment of the automobile, a display screen 14 on which a video image may be displayed, and a control device 16 operable by the rear seat passenger Display screen 14 may be pivoted about a hinge between a deployed position, as shown in Fig. 1, and a stowed position, as shown in Fig. 2.

An override system 18, explained in more detail below, is selectively operable by a front seat passenger to override control of the video system by the rear seat passenger. Thus, through the use of override system 18, a front seat occupant may exercise supervisory authority over the use of video system 10 by rear seat occupants.

Base 12 performs several functions in video system 10, including housing many of the electronics of video system 10, protecting display screen 14 when it is in the stowed position, and coupling video system 10 to the automobile. Thus, base 12 may have many different configurations, depending upon where it is to be mounted in the automobile.

In the depicted embodiment, base 12 is configured to be mounted to the ceiling of the passenger compartment in an overhead position between the front and rear seats of the automobile. Base 12 is shaped to minimize the space taken by video system 10 in the automobile passenger compartment, and thus has a thin profile so as to minimize the obstruction of views both within the automobile and of the outside world. Base 12 includes a front region 20 configured to be mounted toward the front of a passenger compartment, and a back region 22 configured to be mounted toward the rear of the passenger compartment.

A recess or cavity 24 may be formed in base 12 to contain display screen 14 when the display screen is in the stowed position. Screen 14 may be configured to retract either partially or entirely into cavity 24. Base 12 may also be embedded in the ceiling of the automobile so that screen 14 is flush with the ceiling of the automobile when in the stowed position, thus eliminating any impediment to the driver's rear view. Base 12 may be mounted to the automobile by any suitable mechanism (including fasteners), and may be installed either during the manufacture of the automobile or post-market. Although not shown in Figs. 1 and 2, an IR receiver may be provided on base 12 to receive signals from a remote control device.

Display screen 14 generally is adapted to display an image from a video source to an occupant of the rear seat of the automobile, and to be pivotable out of view when not in use. In the depicted embodiment, display screen 14 includes a front edge 26 and a rear edge 28. The display screen is coupled to base 12 in front region 20 to pivot about an axis that runs along front edge 26 of screen 14. Display screen 14 may be held in the stowed position by a suitable latching mechanism. When in the stowed position, display screen 14 is generally parallel to the ceiling of the automobile. To deploy display screen 14, the latching mechanism (not shown) is unlatched, and rear edge 28 of display screen 14 is tilted down to reveal a viewing surface 30 to rear seat passengers. Deployment may occur via a hinge by operator force, by gravity, under spring bias, or by controlled operation of a gear arrangement. If desired, a dampening mechanism may be used to dampen the movement of display screen 14 between positions. In one embodiment, the pivotal coupling of display screen 14 to base 12 includes a continuous adjustment mechanism that allows display screen 14 to be held in any desired position within a continuous range of possible deployed positions. A typical range of possible deployed positions is between 45 degrees and 135 degrees from the horizontal, stowed position, although positions outside of this range may also be used. If desired, the screen may also be pivotal about an axis peφendicular to front edge 26 and 28 to enhance the adaptability of screen 14.

Generally, video system 10 (and more generally, an entertainment system employing video system 10) will include various functions or attributes that may be controlled by a viewer. For example, video system 10 may include some attributes that are not specific to any particular video source, such as the supply of power to video system 10 (or another component of the entertainment system), or a volume of an audio component or output of video system 10. Furthermore, various video sources may have particular controllable attributes. For example, if the video source is a tuner, a user may be able to select between various broadcast channels. If the video source is a VCP, a user may have control of such functions as the "forward play", "rewind", "fast forward", "pause" and "stop" functions. Similar control capabilities may be provided for a DVD player.

To provide a viewer with control of these attributes, the entertainment system includes a control device 16 that allows a passenger viewing display screen 14 to control a desired set of attributes of the video system. Such control device may take the form of an onboard keypad or a remote control unit. In the depicted embodiment, control device 16 takes the form of a stowable onboard keypad 32 which is pivotally coupled to base 12. Keypad 32, it will be noted, may be pivoted between a deployed position, as shown in Fig. 1, and a stowed position, as shown in Fig. 2. Typically, the entertainment system will include multiple modes of control, including both a remote control unit and a keypad. Keypad 32 is generally positioned so that a rear seat passenger may reach the various controls on keypad 32. Thus, for a ceiling-mounted video system 10, keypad 32 is typically positioned adjacent rear portion 22 of base 12, and opens to present the controls to rear seat occupants. Keypad 32 may include a latching mechanism 34 so that keypad 32 may be selectively fixed in, or released from, the stowed position. A release button 35 may be included to provide for release of the control panel and for selected pivot thereof to the deployed position under direction of a bias mechanism such as a spring. Alternatively, the control panel may be opened in a more controlled fashion using a motor and associated gear mechanism, or using a dampening mechanism which resists movement of the control panel.

Though it is generally desirable for a rear-seat passenger to have control of the entertainment system, situations may arise when a front seat occupant (e.g. the driver) may wish to override the rear seat passengers' control. Thus, the entertainment system includes override system 18 to allow the front seat occupant, whether a passenger or a driver, selectively to control various attributes of the video system normally controllable by the rear seat passengers. Figs. 3-4 demonstrate one possible embodiment of override system 18. In this configuration, override system 18 includes one or more buttons, disposed on base 12 adjacent front region 20 of base 12, preferably on a front face 38 of base 12. In the depicted embodiment, override system 18 includes three buttons 35, 36 and 37 that extend outward somewhat from front face 38 so that a front seat occupant may reach up and locate any of the buttons by feel, rather than having to locate them visually.

Any desired attribute may be controllable with buttons 35, 36 and 37. Typical attributes include supply of power to the video source or display screen, the volume of the audio component the video system, and the paused play function of a video source (e.g. a VCP or DVD player). The power supply override button 35 allows a front seat passenger to cut the supply of power to the video source or display screen, thereby preventing rear seat passengers from viewing an image on display screen. The volume override button 36 allows a front seat passenger to mute the volume of the audio component of the video system with the touch of a button so a front seat occupant can exercise supervisory control. Finally, the pause control override button 37 allows a front seat occupant to suspend the play of a VCP or a DVD player. The pause override function may be useful when a front seat occupant wishes to communicate with a rear seat passenger without any distractions.

While buttons 35, 36 and 37 are located on base 12 in the depicted embodiment, the buttons may also be disposed at other locations in the automobile that are easily reached by a front seat occupant, such as on the vehicle instrument panel or steering column. To provide for the override control of each desired attribute, buttons 35, 36 and 37 are in electrical communication with a processor that controls the desired attributes. By pushing a desired button, a front seat occupant may simultaneously control a desired attribute of the video system and exclude control by rear seat passengers of the same attribute. A schematic diagram of an entertainment system 40 that employs override system 18 is shown in Fig. 5. The main electronics of entertainment system 40, generally contained within base 12, is indicated at 41. The main electronics, it will be appreciated, may include various circuits, such as power supply conditioning and protection circuits, amplifiers, switching and tuning circuits, video and audio isolation circuits, video and audio multiplexing circuits, on-screen display generation circuits, headphone drivers, etc. As indicated at 43, the main electronics may also contain a processor, typically a microcontroller or the like. A signal source 42. such as a VCP, a DVD player or a tuner, supplies a video signal to main electronics 41. Source 42 is electrically coupled to main electronics 41 with both a power supply input line 44, which supplies power to the source, and a signal output line 46, through which the source sends a signal to main electronics 41 to process for display on a display 48. Though only one source 42 is shown in Fig. 5, the entertainment system may include plural sources from which a viewer may select a signal to view.

Display 48 is electrically coupled to main electronics 41 a connector 49. The number of connectors with which display 48 is coupled to main electronics 41 will vary depending upon the particular display used. Connector 49 provides connections to display 48 for such features as backlight power and return, logic power and return, video in, audio in, and other features that may vary between displays. A remote control 50 may be included to allow a passenger to control system 10, and/or a control device (such as keypad 32) may be directly mounted to base 12 and integrated with main electronics 41. To enable communication with the remote control, main electronics 41 includes an IR receiver 50a and associated controllers or command chips. Power for the entertainment system is provided by a line 52 to the vehicle battery and a line 54 to a vehicle accessory "on" switch, which is often provided in vehicles to allow some electrical systems to be operated even when the vehicle engine power is off. The switches that comprise override system 18 are outlined in phantom. Override buttons 35, 36 and 37 control the states of switches 56, 57 and 58, respectively. Switches 56, 57 and 58, each connected to ground, are pull-down switches that send a LOW logic signal to processor 43 when an override button is depressed, signaling the processor 43 to override the control of the attribute associated with the button by the rear seat passengers, typically with a command sent by processor 43 As indicated, the present invention typically is employed in an automobile.

Such an arrangement thus is shown generally at 60 in Fig. 6. Automobile 60 includes a passenger compartment 62 with a ceiling 64, a front seat 66, a first rear seat 68 and a second rear seat 70. Video system 10 may be located at any desired position in passenger compartment 62 from which it may be viewed by a rear seat passenger, but typically is mounted to ceiling 64 at a position between front seat 66 and first rear seat 68 such that front region 20 of base 12 is adjacent front seat 66, and rear portion 22 of base 12 is adjacent first rear seat 68. In this position, keypad 32 is within reach of a passenger in first rear seat 68, and buttons 35, 36 and 37 are easily accessible by a front seat occupant. Thus, an occupant of front seat 66 may simply reach up over front seat 66 to operate any of override buttons 35, 36 or 37. Though automobile 60 is shown with two rear seats, either fewer or more rear seats may also be provided. To allow occupants of second rear seat 70 to control video system 10, the video system may also include a remote control system, which would also be subject to override control 18.

It is believed that the disclosure set forth above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in a selected form, the specific embodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated herein are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed herein. No single feature, function, element or property of the disclosed embodiments is essential to all of the disclosed inventions. Similarly, where the claims recite "a" or "a first" element or the equivalent thereof, such claims should be understood to include incorporation of one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements.

It is believed that the following claims particularly point out certain combinations and subcombinations that are directed to one of the disclosed inventions and are novel and non-obvious. Inventions embodied in other combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of the present claims or presentation of new claims in this or a related application. Such amended or new claims, whether they are directed to a different invention or directed to the same invention, whether different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to the original claims, are also regarded as included within the subject matter of the inventions of the present disclosure.

Claims

WE CLAIM

1. In an automobile including a passenger compartment with a front seat for seating a front seat occupant and a rear seat for seating a rear seat occupant, an automotive entertainment system, composing a video system having an attπbute, the video system including a display screen configured to present a video image for view from the rear seat, a control device, the control device being adapted for control by the rear seat occupant to control the attπbute, and an o\ emde system operable by the front seat occupant to ovemde the control device so that the front seat occupant controls the attπbute to the exclusion of the rear seat occupant

2 The entertainment system of claim 1, wherein the video system includes an audio component with a volume, the attπbute being the volume of the audio component

3 The entertainment system of claim 2, wherein the ovemde system includes a button disposed on the video display and operable by the front seat occupant to selectively mute the volume and exclude the control of the volume by the rear seat occupant

4. The entertainment system of claim 1 , wherein the video system includes a power supply, the attribute being the supply of power to the video system.

5. The entertainment system of claim 4, wherein the override system includes a button disposed on the video display and operable by the front seat occupant to selectively disconnect the power supply from the video system and exclude the control of the power supply by the rear seat occupant.

6. The entertainment system of claim 1 , wherein the video system includes a video source with a pause function, the attribute being the control of the pause function of the video source.

7. The entertainment system of claim 6. wherein the override system includes a button disposed on the video display and operable by the front seat occupant to selectively pause the video source and exclude control over the pause function by the rear seat occupant.

8. The entertainment system of claim 1, the passenger compartment including a ceiling, wherein the display screen is coupled to the ceiling of the passenger compartment.

9. The entertainment system of claim 8, wherein the overhead display is disposed on the ceiling of the passenger compartment at a location between the front seat and the rear seat.

10. In an automobile including a passenger compartment with a first seat for seating a first seat occupant and a second seat for seating a second seat occupant, an automotive entertainment system, comprising: a video system having an attribute, the video system including a display screen configured to present a video image for view from the first seat; a control device, the control device being adapted for control by the first seat occupant to control the attribute; and an override system operable by the second seat occupant to override the control device so that the second seat occupant controls the attribute to the exclusion of the first seat occupant.

11. The entertainment system of claim 10, the passenger compartment including a ceiling, wherein the video system includes a display screen coupled to the ceiling of the passenger compartment.

12. The entertainment system of claim 10, wherein the control device is a remote control.

13. The entertainment system of claim 10, wherein the control device is a control panel disposed on the video system.

14. The entertainment system of claim 10, wherein the video system includes an audio component with a volume, the attribute being the volume of the audio component.

15. The entertainment system of claim 10, wherein the video system includes a power supply, the attribute being the presence or absence of a connection of the video system to the power supply.

16. The entertainment system of claim 10, wherein the video system includes a video source with a pause function, the attribute being the pause function.

17. The entertainment system of claim 10, wherein the override system includes a button disposed on the video system, the button being selectively operable by the second seat occupant to control the attribute.

18. The entertainment system of claim 10, the automobile including a ceiling, wherein the video system includes a base coupled to the ceiling of the automobile, and wherein the override system includes a button disposed on the base and operable by the second seat occupant.

19. The entertainment system of claim 10, wherein the video system includes a plurality of attributes, and wherein the override system allows the second seat occupant to control two or more of the plurality of attributes of the video system to the exclusion of the first seat occupant.

20. The entertainment system of claim 19, wherein the override system includes a plurality of buttons disposed on the video system, each button being selectively operable by the second seat occupant to control an attribute of the video system to the exclusion of the first seat occupant.

21. In an automobile, the automobile including a passenger compartment with a front seat, a rear seat and an entertainment system, the entertainment system comprising: a video system, the video system including a video source disposed in the automobile and an overhead video display coupled to the passenger compartment such that the display is viewable by a passenger in the rear seat, the overhead video display including a front portion adjacent the front seat; a control device disposed in the passenger compartment and adapted to allow the passenger to control an attribute of the video system; and an override control disposed on the front portion of the overhead video display adapted to allow an occupant of the vehicle in the front seat to selectively control the attribute to the exclusion of the passenger in the rear seat.