Patent Application
20060236345
The present disclosure relates to a video system for a vehicle, and more particularly, to a video system for a vehicle operating with a data storage device.
Media equipment designed to play movies from, for example, digital video disks (DVDs), video compact disks (VCDs) and video cassettes recorder (VCR) tapes is becoming more compact as technology advances. This decrease in size has increased the portability of movie players, leading to their integration into vehicles. A system to play movies in the vehicles consists of a monitor receiving media data from a DVD, a VCD, a VCR, or a game system capable of playing DVDs.
However, the size of DVDs, VCDs, and VCR tapes is standardized such that reducing the size of the movie players receiving those data storage devices is limited. Furthermore, the DVDs, VCDs and VCR tapes have limited data storing capacities. Thus, increasing desires of passengers wanting more diverse activities in the vehicles cannot be satisfied with such media storage devices as DVDs, VCDs and VCR tapes. For example, digital cameras and camcorders are widely available, and users want the capability to see media from these devices in their vehicle. Also, business people spending time in a vehicle preparing a business presentation want to view the presentation while riding in the vehicle, and children want to play video games in the vehicle without carrying videogame systems or multiple game DVDs from home.
Therefore, a need exists for a large capacity data storage device with a minimum size that is capable of providing media data to monitors in a vehicle, and capable of downloading and storing media data from a media source.
In an embodiment of the present invention, a video system for a vehicle comprises a receiving unit for connecting with a portable hard drive, the receiving unit being disposed in a vehicle and electrically connected to a display, wherein the portable hard drive is capable of receiving and storing data from a data source.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a video system for a vehicle comprises a display, and a receiving unit, electrically coupled to the display, for connecting with a portable hard drive, wherein the portable hard drive is capable of receiving and storing data from a data source, and the display and the receiving unit are disposed substantially in a seat of the vehicle.
In still another embodiment of the present invention, a video system for a vehicle comprises a display, and a receiving unit, electrically coupled to the display, for connecting with a portable hard drive, wherein the portable hard drive is capable of receiving and storing data from a data source, and the display and receiving unit are positioned overhead in the vehicle.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a video system for a vehicle comprises a receiving unit including a card reader for reading a memory card, the receiving unit being disposed in the vehicle and electrically connected to a display.
These and other exemplary embodiments, aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments, which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings.
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter below with reference to the accompanying drawings. This invention may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the exemplary embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these exemplary embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be through and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.
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The video unit 100 includes a receiving unit 10, which is capable of receiving data from a portable data storage device. For example, the receiving unit 10 includes slots or ports 11, 12 for selectively receiving a hard drive, memory cards, a digital video recorder (DVR), flash memory sticks, key drives, thumb drives or other type of portable storage device. The receiving unit 10 can be compatible with configurations such as Small Computer System Interface (SCSI), Universal Serial Bus (USB), Parallel Port, internal AT Attachment (ATAPI), Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE), PCI (Peripheral Component Inter Connect), and the like. The ports may be, for example, USB type ports and the ports and slots include contacts for mating with corresponding contacts on the data storage device or contacts on connectors (e.g., wires or cables) coupled to the data storage device. It is to be understood that the slots and ports may be any type of standardized connection for receiving a data storage device. The data storage device can be directly connected to the receiving unit 10 such that the data storage device is mounted to or in the receiving unit 10. Alternatively, the data storage device can be connected to the receiving unit using a wire or cable (e.g., a USB cable) or via a wireless connection (e.g., infrared, radio frequency, BLUETOOTH or 802.11).
The video unit 100 preferably includes the requisite hardware, software or firmware, including a processor, for reading, formatting, extracting, playing, storing or otherwise controlling the data from the data storage device. The video unit 100 may include a reader capable of supporting one or more memory card interfaces, including, but not limited to, MEMORY STICK, IBM Microdrive, compact flash, smart media, secure digital and multimedia cards. In addition or alternatively, the data storage device can include devices for performing the function of transferring data to the video unit 100 for storage and playing of media associated with the data.
The video unit 100 is configured so that data on the data storage device can be processed for displaying on the displays 20, 21 so that a user may view or listen to a media file, such as a movie, video game or presentation. The data storage device is capable of receiving and storing data from a data source. For example, the data storage device can download and store photos, videogames, movies or music from a personal computer, DVR or a videogame system (e.g., SONY PLAYSTATION®). Also, the data storage device can download and store images, video and sound from devices such as digital cameras, camcorders, cellular telephones, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and MP3 applications. Photos or videos can be uploaded from the data storage device to the video unit 100 and displayed on the displays 20 and/or 21. The data storage device has, for example, 20-gigabytes (GB) capacity but may have more or less capacity.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the data can be downloaded to the data storage device from a satellite. Also, the data can be downloaded to the data storage device using a wireless system, for example, a wireless port, such as an infrared (IR) port, from a wireless router. The video unit 100 further comprises a media player 14, electrically coupled to the displays 20 and 21, for playing media stored on a data storage medium such as a DVD, a CD or a videocassette.
Referring to
The video unit 100 further includes a controller port 13 for receiving a controller 50 of a video game. Alternatively, the controller 50 of a video game can be wirelessly connected to the video unit 100 using a remote control sensor 15, that is, for example, infrared (IR). Thus, users can play video games with a wireless controller while watching the display 20 disposed in the headrest 40. Video games requiring increased memory can be stored on the data storage device.
The video unit 100 further includes the media player 14. The video unit 100 can be disposed on a side, top, bottom or front of the housing 30. For example, slots 11 or ports 12 are disposed on the front of the housing 30 so that data storage device(s) may be inserted in, connected to or removed from the video unit 100. Alternatively, the video unit 100 can be disposed on a side of the housing 30 as shown in
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According to embodiments of the present invention, the video units 100, 300 can be disposed in various vehicles including automobiles, buses, air craft and boats. Further, the video units 100, 300 may be used outside the vehicle environment, such as in the home or office. Also, users can control the functions of the video system using, for example, a remote controller, a touch screen system or pushing buttons disposed on the video units 100, 300.
Although exemplary embodiments have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to such exemplary 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.
