Mobile video system

Abstract

A mobile video system includes a first video source, a second video source, a first video monitor, a second video monitor, an audio signal receiver, and a wireless transmitter. One of the first video source and the second video source generates a first audiovisual signal. One of the first video monitor and the second video monitor receives a video portion of at least one of the first audiovisual signal and the second audiovisual signal. The wireless transmitter transmits an audio portion of one of the first audiovisual signal or the second audiovisual signal to the audio signal receiver. A video portion of the first audiovisual signal or the second audiovisual signal is displayed on the first video monitor, on the second video monitor, or on both the first video monitor and the second video monitor.

1 . A mobile video system comprising: 
 a motorized land vehicle comprising a passenger compartment, a seat having a headrest, the seat positioned in the passenger compartment;    a first video source that generates a first audiovisual signal;    a second video source that generates a second audiovisual signal;    a first video monitor configured to receive a video portion of at least one of the first audiovisual signal and the second audiovisual signal, the first video monitor comprising: 
 a screen structure defining a first hinge portion and including a viewing screen;  
 a housing sized and shaped to be substantially positioned within the headrest, the housing at least partially defining a floor, a first wall and a second wall which cooperate to at least partially form a storage cavity adapted to receive the screen structure, the floor having an aperture formed therein;  
 a first fastening member securing the first hinge portion to a housing surface; and  
 a second removable fastening member configured to be advanced through the aperture of the housing and to be coupled with the headrest to secure the video monitor thereto;  
   wherein the first and second hinge portions cooperate to pivotably secure the screen structure to the housing such that when the screen structure is pivoted outward from the housing to a non-viewing angle, access is provided to the second fastener, wherein the second fastener is hidden from view during normal usage of the video monitor; and    a second video monitor mounted in the passenger compartment, the second video monitor configured to receive a video portion of at least one of the first audiovisual signal and the second audiovisual signal;    whereby a video portion of either of the first audiovisual signal or the second audiovisual signal can be displayed on the first video monitor, on the second video monitor, or on both the first video monitor and the second video monitor.    
   
   
       2 . The mobile video system of  claim 2 , further comprising a radio that includes a loudspeaker and that is installed in the vehicle.  
   
   
       3 . The mobile video system of  claim 3 , further comprising a first wireless transmitter configured to transmit an audio portion of one of the first audiovisual signal or the second audiovisual signal to the radio.  
   
   
       4 . The mobile video system of  claim 1 , wherein the first hinge portion is coupled with the housing adjacent an upper edge thereof and the second hinge is coupled with the screen structure adjacent an upper edge thereof.  
   
   
       5 . The mobile video system of  claim 1 , wherein the screen structure has a stowed position wherein a surface of the screen structure hides the fastener from view.  
   
   
       6 . The mobile video system of  claim 1 , further comprising a manually operated audio frequency selector that selects a transmission frequency upon which the wireless transmitter transmits the audio portion of the first audiovisual signal or the audio portion of the second audiovisual signal.  
   
   
       7 . The mobile video system of  claim 1 , wherein the manually operated audio frequency selector comprises a remote control.  
   
   
       8 . The mobile video system of  claim 1 , wherein the first video source comprises a DVD player.  
   
   
       9 . The mobile video system of  claim 1 , wherein the first video source comprises a video game console.  
   
   
       10 . The mobile video system of  claim 1 , wherein the second video source comprises a DVD player.  
   
   
       11 . The mobile video system of  claim 1 , wherein the first wireless transmitter comprises a frequency modulation (FM) transmitter.  
   
   
       12 . The mobile video system of  claim 1 , wherein an angular orientation of the first video monitor relative to the seat is adjustable without moving the headrest.  
   
   
       13 . A mobile video system comprising: 
 a motorized land vehicle comprising a passenger compartment, a seat having a headrest, the seat positioned in the passenger compartment;    a first video source that generates a first audiovisual signal;    a second video source that generates a second audiovisual signal;    a first video monitor configured to receive a video portion of at least one of the first audiovisual signal and the second audiovisual signal, the first video monitor comprising: 
 a housing comprising a first hinge portion adjacent an upper edge thereof and defining a storage cavity having a floor, the floor having an aperture formed therein;  
 a screen structure comprising a second hinge portion adjacent an upper edge thereof, the second hinge portion cooperating with the first hinge portion to pivotably secure the screen structure to the housing such that when the screen structure is pivoted outward from the housing, access is provided to the aperture, wherein the screen structure is interposed between a viewer and the aperture along a line of sight of the viewer when the screen structure is pivoted out to a desired viewing position; and  
 a fastener configured to be advanced through the aperture and to be coupled with the headrest of the seat to secure the first video monitor thereto; and  
   a second video monitor mounted in the passenger compartment, the second video monitor configured to receive a video portion of at least one of the first audiovisual signal and the second audiovisual signal;    whereby a video portion of either of the first audiovisual signal or the second audiovisual signal can be displayed on the first video monitor, on the second video monitor, or on both the first video monitor and the second video monitor.    
   
   
       14 . The mobile video system of  claim 13 , further comprising a radio that includes a loudspeaker and that is installed in the vehicle.  
   
   
       15 . The mobile video system of  claim 14 , further comprising a first wireless transmitter configured to transmit an audio portion of one of the first audiovisual signal or the second audiovisual signal to the radio.  
   
   
       16 . The mobile video system of  claim 13 , wherein the screen structure has a stowed position wherein a surface of the screen structure hides the fastener from view.  
   
   
       17 . The mobile video system of  claim 13 , further comprising a manually operated audio frequency selector that selects a transmission frequency upon which the wireless transmitter transmits the audio portion of the first audiovisual signal or the audio portion of the second audiovisual signal.  
   
   
       18 . The mobile video system of  claim 17 , wherein the manually operated audio frequency selector comprises a remote control.  
   
   
       19 . The mobile video system of  claim 13 , wherein the first video source comprises a DVD player.  
   
   
       20 . The mobile video system of  claim 13 , wherein the first video source comprises a video game console.  
   
   
       21 . The mobile video system of  claim 20 , wherein the second video source comprises a DVD player.  
   
   
       22 . The mobile video system of  claim 13 , wherein the first wireless transmitter comprises a frequency modulation (FM) transmitter.  
   
   
       23 . The mobile video system of  claim 13 , wherein an angular orientation of the first video monitor relative to the seat is adjustable without moving the headrest.  
   
   
       24 . A mobile video system comprising: 
 a motorized land vehicle comprising a passenger compartment, a seat having a headrest, the seat positioned in the passenger compartment;    a first video source that generates a first audiovisual signal;    a second video source that generates a second audiovisual signal;    a first video monitor configured to receive a video portion of at least one of the first audiovisual signal and the second audiovisual signal, the first video monitor comprising: 
 a housing comprising a first hinge portion adjacent an upper edge thereof and defining a storage cavity having a floor, the floor having formed therein a plurality of apertures configured to receive fasteners for securely mounting the first video monitor to the headrest of the seat; and  
 a screen structure comprising a second hinge portion adjacent an upper edge thereof, the second hinge portion cooperating with the first hinge portion to pivotably secure the screen structure to the housing such that when the screen structure is pivoted outward from the housing, access is provided to the apertures, wherein the screen structure is interposed between a viewer and the apertures along a line of sight of the viewer when the screen structure is pivoted out to a desired viewing position; and  
   a second video monitor mounted in the passenger compartment, the second video monitor configured to receive a video portion of at least one of the first audiovisual signal and the second audiovisual signal;    whereby a video portion of either of the first audiovisual signal or the second audiovisual signal can be displayed on the first video monitor, on the second video monitor, or on both the first video monitor and the second video monitor.    
   
   
       25 . The mobile video system of  claim 24 , further comprising a radio that includes a loudspeaker and that is installed in the vehicle.  
   
   
       26 . The mobile video system of  claim 25 , further comprising a first wireless transmitter configured to transmit an audio portion of one of the first audiovisual signal or the second audiovisual signal to the radio.  
   
   
       27 . The mobile video system of  claim 24 , wherein the screen structure has a stowed position wherein a surface of the screen structure hides the apertures from view.  
   
   
       28 . A mobile video system comprising: 
 a motorized land vehicle comprising a passenger compartment, a seat having a headrest, the seat positioned in the passenger compartment;    a first video source that generates a first audiovisual signal;    a second video source that generates a second audiovisual signal;    a first video monitor configured to receive a video portion of at least one of the first audiovisual signal and the second audiovisual signal, the first video monitor comprising: 
 a housing comprising a first hinge portion coupled therewith and defining a storage cavity having a floor, the floor having an aperture formed therein;  
 a screen structure comprising a second hinge portion coupled therewith, the second hinge portion cooperating with the first hinge portion to pivotably secure the screen structure to the housing such that when the screen structure is pivoted outward from the housing, access is provided to the aperture, wherein the screen structure is interposed between a viewer and the aperture along a line of sight of the viewer when the screen structure is pivoted out to a desired viewing position; and  
 a fastener configured to be advanced through the aperture and to be coupled with the headrest of the seat to secure the first video monitor thereto; and  
   a second video monitor mounted in the passenger compartment, the second video monitor configured to receive a video portion of at least one of the first audiovisual signal and the second audiovisual signal;    whereby a video portion of either of the first audiovisual signal or the second audiovisual signal can be displayed on the first video monitor, on the second video monitor, or on both the first video monitor and the second video monitor.    
   
   
       29 . The mobile video system of  claim 28 , further comprising a radio that includes a loudspeaker and that is installed in the vehicle.  
   
   
       30 . The mobile video system of  claim 29 , further comprising a first wireless transmitter configured to transmit an audio portion of one of the first audiovisual signal or the second audiovisual signal to the radio.