Modular electronic systems for vehicles

Abstract

Modular electronic system for vehicle dashboards, interior roofs, and center consoles that includes a sleeve or frame adapted to engage with the vehicle and integrate with a housing adapted to be mated with the sleeve or frame. The sleeve or frame has an inner surface area, a first pair of power contacts arranged so as to be exposed on the inner surface area, and a power connector adapted to plug into a power supply receptacle located on the vehicle dashboard (such as a cigarette lighter receptacle). Wiring means is used for connecting the power connector to the first pair of power contacts. As a result, when the power connector is plugged into a power supply receptacle on the vehicle dashboard, electrical power from the vehicle is supplied to the pair of power contacts and electronics (such as a cell phone, audio/video entertainment device, computer, radar detector, etc.) within the housing are provided with power from the vehicle. This modular system allows a vehicle owner to install one such frame or sleeve and easily interchange housings to provide the functionality desired.

1 - 46 . (canceled)  
   
   
       47 . A modular vehicle interior roof dome light modification system comprising: 
 a. a mounting adapter configured to attach to the interior roof of a vehicle, the mounting adapter comprising: 
 i. a power connector adapted to mate with a dome light power lead connected to a dome light mounted on the interior roof of the vehicle,  
 ii. a first pair of power contacts;  
 iii. wiring means for connecting the power connector to the first pair of power contacts; whereby, when the power connector is mated with a dome light power lead, electrical power from the vehicle is supplied to the first pair of power contacts; and  
   b. a housing adapted to be engaged with the mounting adapter, the housing comprising an electrically powered device and a second pair of power contacts arranged so as to electrically connect with the first pair of power contacts when the housing is engaged with the mounting adapter and to provide electrical power from the vehicle to the electrically powered device.    
   
   
       48 . The system of  claim 47  wherein the housing comprises an entertainment system comprising a DVD player and a screen.  
   
   
       49 . The system of  claim 47  wherein the housing comprises a television set.  
   
   
       50 . A modular system for vehicle consoles comprising: 
 a. a frame adapted to engage with a console in a vehicle; the frame comprising: 
 i. a first pair of power contacts arranged so as to be exposed on the frame;  
 ii. a power connector adapted to plug into a power supply receptacle located in the vehicle interior;  
 iii. wiring means for connecting the power connector to the first pair of power contacts; whereby, when the power connector is plugged into a power supply receptacle, electrical power from the vehicle is supplied to the pair of power contacts; and  
   b. a housing adapted to be mated with the frame, the housing comprising an electrically powered device and a second pair of power contacts arranged so as to electrically connect with the first pair of power contacts when the housing is mated with the frame and to provide electrical power from the vehicle to the electrically powered device.    
   
   
       51 . The system of  claim 50  wherein the frame further comprises 
 a display device attached thereto, and    a first plurality of display contacts arranged so as to be exposed on the frame;    wherein the first plurality of display contacts are wired to the display device attached to the frame.    
   
   
       52 . The system of  claim 50  wherein the frame further comprises a first plurality of speaker contacts arranged so as to be exposed on the frame, wherein the first plurality of speaker contacts are wired to speakers mounted external to the housing.  
   
   
       53 . The system of  claim 52  wherein the speakers are mounted to the frame.  
   
   
       54 . The system of  claim 52  wherein the speakers are located within the interior of the vehicle.  
   
   
       55 . The system of  claim 50  wherein the frame further comprises a first antenna contact arranged so as to be exposed on the inner surface area, and wherein the antenna contact is wired to an antenna mounted external to the housing.  
   
   
       56 . The system of  claim 50  wherein the electrically powered device comprises an audio/visual entertainment device.  
   
   
       57 . The system of  claim 56  wherein the audio/visual entertainment device comprises display signal output means for providing display signals, the display signal output means comprising a second plurality of display contacts arranged so as to electrically connect with the first plurality of display contacts when the housing is mated with the frame and to provide said display signals from the audio/visual entertainment device to the display device attached to the frame.  
   
   
       58 . The system of  claim 52  wherein the audio/visual entertainment device comprises audio signal output means for providing audio signals, the audio signal output means comprising a second plurality of speaker contacts arranged so as to electrically connect with the first plurality of speaker contacts when the housing is mated with the frame and to provide said audio signals from the audio/visual entertainment device to the speakers mounted external; to the housing.  
   
   
       59 . The system of  claim 56  wherein the audio/visual entertainment device comprises a DVD player.  
   
   
       60 . The system of  claim 56  wherein the audio/visual entertainment device comprises a VCR deck.  
   
   
       61 . The system of  claim 56  wherein the audio/visual entertainment device comprises a gaming console.  
   
   
       62 . The system of  claim 56  wherein the audio/visual entertainment device comprises a personal computer.  
   
   
       63 . The system of  claim 56  wherein the audio/visual entertainment device comprises a television set.  
   
   
       64 . The system of  claim 56  wherein the frame further comprises a pair of guide rails adapted to slidingly engage with a pair of mating rails on the housing.  
   
   
       65 . The system of  claim 56  wherein the housing is adapted to fit substantially within an opening of the console.  
   
   
       66 . The system of  claim 51  wherein the display device is attached to the frame with an articulating arm attached to the housing with a ball and socket mechanism.  
   
   
       67 . The system of  claim 51  wherein the display device is a touchscreen computer.