Patent Application
20060075436
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a television tuner, and more particularly to a plug-in television tuner module for vehicle video systems.
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, consoles having video cassette players and screens have been mounted on in vehicles, facilitating video entertainment on the road.
Some consoles may include television tuners integrated into the device to capturing television signals, for example, terrestrial signals or satellite based signals. The consoles are sold as an integrated unit.
Therefore, a need exists for a plug-in television tuner module for vehicle video system applications.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an overhead device for mobile video applications comprises a first coupling for receiving an optional television tuner module, wherein the television tuner module is concealed within an installed overhead device, and a second coupling for coupling a media player to the television tuner module, the media player for processing a television signal received from the television tuner module.
The television tuner module comprises an antenna for receiving the television signal.
The overhead device comprises a receiver for receiving control signals of a remote control, the control signals for controlling functions of the media player and the television tuner. An indication of the control signals is displayed on a display of the media player.
The first coupling is positioned in a receptacle for securing the television tuner to the overhead device.
The media player is detachable from the overhead device.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for distributing overhead devices and television tuner modules comprises stocking an overhead device and separately a television tuner module, receiving a customer request for installation of the overhead device and the television tuner module in a vehicle, installing the television tuner module in the overhead device, and installing the overhead device and television tuner in the vehicle.
The method comprises placing an order for the overhead device and the television tuner to be stocked, wherein a first number of overhead devices are ordered and a second number of television tuners are ordered, wherein the second number may be greater than, equal to, or less than the first number.
The television tuner module is concealed within the overhead device.
Installing the television tuner module in the overhead device further comprises coupling the television tuner module to a receptacle of the overhead device.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an overhead device for mobile video applications comprises a receptacle for receiving an optional television tuner module, wherein the television tuner module is concealed within an installed overhead device, a media player for processing a television signal received from the television tuner module, and a display for displaying the television signal processed by the media player.
The television tuner module comprises an antenna for receiving the television signal.
The overhead device comprises a receiver for receiving remote control signals for the television tuner module.
The remote control signal is one of a radio frequency signal or an infrared signal. The remote control signal is a short-range wireless signal.
Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below in more detail, with reference to the accompanying drawings:
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure a plug-in or snap-in television tuner may be optionally installed within an overhead device for mobile video applications, such as in an automobile. The overhead device may be an overhead pod or docking station. The overhead pod comprises an integrated media player, such as a liquid crystal display and digital videodisk player. The docking station is adapted to receive a media player that may be removed from the docking station for use elsewhere or for security reasons.
Referring now to
The overhead device 101 comprises a connection port for coupling to the television tuner module 103, for example, a pin array that connects to a corresponding pin array of the television tuner module 103 for providing tuning capabilities to, for example, the video unit 102. Referring to
The television tuner module 103 may be installed in the overhead device 101 during an installation process. The overhead device 101 may be installed with or without the television tuner module 103, allowing an installer or customer to customize the features of the overhead device 101. The installer stocks the overhead device 101 and television tuners module 103 separately, for example, ordering a 2:1 ratio. Thus, the installer does not need to have available more than one type of overhead device, and may reduce inventory.
Referring to
The video system 102 of the overhead device 101 may be controlled by the remote control 303. Further the remote control 303 includes functionality for controlling the television tuner module 103. Therefore, no additional receiver for a remote control 303 need be installed with the television tuner module 103. Input from the remote control 303 may be displayed on the display screen of the video system (e.g., as an on-screen display), for example, as shown in
For docking station applications a pin array of the docking station physically connects to a pin array of the media player 102. As shown in
For overhead pod installations, the television tuner module 103 is coupled to the overhead pod 101 comprising an integrated media player 102 and display 305. Further, a remote display 306 may be coupled to the overhead pod 101.
The overhead device 101 can be connected to the vehicle's electrical system and may include additional connections for audio/video signals to external devices, for example, a vehicle's stereo system.
Referring to
Referring to
It should be noted, that while embodiments described in the present disclosure include an overhead device, that other devices may be used in conjunction with an internal plug-in television tuner module. For example, devices such as those as described in U.S. application Ser. No. 10/749,443, filed on Dec. 31, 2003, entitled SEAT MOUNTABLE ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM, incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, may include a receptacle for receiving a plug-in television tuner. The devices may include video players installed in vehicle headrests, seat backs. As shown in
Having described embodiments for an overhead device for receiving an optional television tuner, 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 required by the patent laws, what is claimed and desired protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.
