Abstract: A charge clip having a main body and plug received through an aperture therein includes a cradle for holding a personal electronic instrument (PEI) thereon. The plug is inserted into a wall outlet and the main body is selectively rotationally moveable with respect to the plug so that the main body is maintained in a vertical orientation regardless of the orientation of the wall outlet. The plug includes at least one rib that is selectively engageable with at least one notch formed in the aperture, preventing rotational movement of the main body with respect to the plug. The plug further includes an AC/DC conversion circuit that converts standard AC power from the wall outlet to DC power for charging the PEI. The charge clip further includes at least one USB port in electrical communication with the AC/DC conversion circuit that receives a USB plug in electrical communication with the PEI.

Abstract: A variable power device in a form of a power strip includes a plurality of power outlets for powering electrical devices connected thereto. A current sensing circuit is electrically coupled to each power outlet and senses current flowing through the power outlet and drawn by an electrical device connected to the outlet. A power control circuit selectively provides one of a standby mode power signal and an active mode power signal to a respective power outlet in response to the feedback signal from the current sensing circuit associated with the power outlet.

Abstract: A loudspeaker system includes a speaker enclosure having an opening in a front wall, and a speaker manifold mounted within the speaker enclosure and communicating with the opening. The speaker manifold includes a pair of substantially parallel side walls, a back wall, and top and bottom walls, defining a manifold chamber. The wall opposite the back wall is substantially open to define a manifold opening and to permit the communicating. The manifold opening is substantially in alignment with the front wall opening. A woofer is mounted on a first wall of the speaker manifold. An acoustic vent is mounted on a second wall of the manifold, such that the woofer and the acoustic vent face each other at one of about a 180 degree angle or about a 90 degree angle.

Abstract: An isolation circuit includes a low dropout operational current control loop and a shunt regulator. The current control loop is configured to drive the shunt regulator to result in a high dynamic impedance ratio between a voltage source and a load. The current control loop may include a series-pass transistor, a current sensing resistor, and a high side current sensor.

Abstract: A portable transceiver for locking and locating an automobile, includes a remote keyless entry system for locking the automobile; a locating device determining a location of the transceiver, wherein the remote keyless entry system and the locating device are housed in a pocket sized housing; and a processor deriving directional information from a current location to a waypoint, wherein in response to an activation of the remote keyless entry system, the locating device determines the waypoint corresponding substantially to that of the automobile.

Abstract: An energy harvesting circuit includes one or more broadband or narrow band antennas to detect WIFI (wireless fidelity) or other RF (radio frequency) signals. The signals are rectified and voltage multiplied, and the resultant DC voltage is provided to a power management circuit. The output of the power management circuit charges a lithium battery or other storage device within the energy harvesting circuit. The energy stored in the battery or storage device is provided through a DC/DC converter circuit to a USB output connector to power or recharge the batteries of an external electronic device connected to the USB output connector of the energy harvesting circuit.

Abstract: A loudspeaker system includes a speaker enclosure having an opening in a front wall, and a speaker manifold mounted within the speaker enclosure and communicating with the opening. The speaker manifold includes a pair of substantially parallel side walls, a back wall, and top and bottom walls, defining a manifold chamber. The wall opposite the back wall is substantially open to define a manifold opening and to permit the communicating. The manifold opening is substantially in alignment with the front wall opening. A woofer is mounted on a first wall of the speaker manifold. An acoustic vent is mounted on a second wall of the manifold, such that the woofer and the acoustic vent face each other at one of about a 180 degree angle or about a 90 degree angle.

Abstract: An antenna structure for receiving digital television broadcast signals includes a vase antenna housing having a generally hourglass shape with conically-shaped upper and lower segments joined together to define a narrower diameter middle portion. The antenna structure further includes a signal receiving antenna etched on the inner surface of the vase antenna housing. The signal receiving antenna conforms to the shape of the vase antenna housing and thereby exhibits an arcuate, partial hourglass shape. The signal receiving antenna may be a cloverleaf antenna or a spiral antenna.

Abstract: A mobile video system includes a housing having a front surface and a rear surface. The housing is shaped and dimensioned for attachment to a rear surface of a back support portion of an vehicle seat, wherein the housing includes a rear surface that is provided with coupling members shaped and dimensioned for attachment to the back support portion of the vehicle seat. A video monitor and a video source are supported within the housing. The video monitor is mounted within the housing for movement between an exposed orientation in which it is positioned above the housing and a storage position in which it is positioned within the housing for protection from the external environment.

Abstract: An omni-directional, multi-polarity, low profile planar antenna for receiving high definition television signals includes a dielectric substrate having a first side and a second side on which are respectively formed first and second conductive patterns. Each conductive pattern includes segments functioning as antenna elements which are arranged to form a first modified H-shaped pattern on the first side of the dielectric substrate, and a second modified H-shaped pattern on the second side of the dielectric substrate which is disposed substantially ninety degrees with respect to the first modified H-shaped pattern. Each of the H-shaped patterns includes an extended S-shaped segment.

Abstract: A mobile entertainment system includes a video system in combination with a media source. The video system and media source are housed within a housing secured within an automobile. The media source includes a storage medium upon which audio and video media content is stored for display upon the video system as desired by a user. A wireless global communication network access point is mounted within the automobile, wherein the media source includes wireless communication capabilities permitting communication with the wireless global communication network access point for retrieval of audio and video media content for display upon the video monitor. A remote library of audio and video media content is in wireless communication with the media source via the wireless access point.

Abstract: A universal smart remote control includes intelligence software and algorithms that have been programmed into the remote control's microprocessor memory, and a large display which is used to prompt the user to take certain actions. The remote control provides guidance to the user in setting up and operating the various components of his or her entertainment system, and asks the user non-technical questions that are understandable to the user.

Abstract: An automobile entertainment system includes a plurality of video systems, each video system mounted within an automobile headrest. The headrest includes a headrest body and a first downwardly extending extension arm having a passage extending therethrough. The entertainment system also includes a central switching assembly linking the plurality of video systems. At least one of the video systems includes an output transmitting signals to the central switching assembly to transfer to the remaining video systems. Each video system also includes an input transmitting signals from the central switching assembly to the respective video systems.

Abstract: An automobile entertainment system includes a video system mounted within an automobile headrest. The headrest includes a headrest body and a first downwardly extending extension arm including a passage therethrough. The video system includes a cable extending therefrom and the one cable passes through the first extension arm, wherein the cable includes a cylindrical connector shroud at a distal end thereof. The connector shroud is shaped and dimensioned to pass through the first extension arm.

Abstract: A video system comprises a hood sized for fitting over a vehicle seat headrest, wherein the hood includes a display and a media player, a base portion attached to the hood, and a door pivotally attached to the base portion, wherein the display is mounted to the door and the media player is mounted to the door or mounted in the base portion.

Abstract: A mobile entertainment system includes a video system designed for reducing energy consumption. The video system includes a battery permitting proximity charging of the video system. A supporting structure supports the video system within a vehicle.

Abstract: An entertainment system includes a video system mounted within an automobile headrest, the headrest including a headrest body in which the video system is mounted. A cooling system is integrated with the headrest for maintaining the video system at a desirable temperature.

Abstract: A remote control device, including: a housing having first and second elongated sides opposite each other, the first side including a plurality of user-operable switches for controlling a display device, and the second side including a plurality of user-operable switches for enabling a user to play a video game on the display device.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for drawing cables having a connector shroud at a distal end thereof through a back of an automobile seat in the installation of an automobile entertainment system. The apparatus includes an eyelet shaped and dimensioned for selective attachment to the connector shroud. The eyelet includes a housing shaped and dimensioned to fit over the connector shroud. The housing includes a coupling member shaped and dimensioned for engagement with a wire puller.