Abstract: An automobile entertainment system includes a video system having a video monitor and a video source, and a cradle secured within an automobile. The cradle is shaped and dimensioned for selectively receiving and securely holding the video system.

Abstract: A seat back entertainment system includes a seat panel connected to a frame of a vehicle seat. A video unit provides a video signal. A display device is mounted to the seat panel. The display device displays the video signal provided by the video unit. One or more compartments formed in the seat panel.

Abstract: It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a mounting bracket for securing a video system behind a headrest including parallel support arms. The mounting bracket includes a rear support plate adapted for substantial vertical orientation for orienting a video system secured thereto in an orientation facing the passengers seated within the rear seat of a vehicle. The rear support plate includes a front surface to which the video system is secured, a rear surface which ultimately faces the rear surface of the headrest, a top edge, a bottom edge and first and second lateral side edges. First and second attachment members extend rearwardly from the rear support plate. The first attachment member includes a top horizontal plate connected to a bottom horizontal plate. The second attachment member includes a top horizontal plate connected to a bottom horizontal plate.

Abstract: An automobile includes a video system mounted within a ceiling of the automobile. The video system is moveable between a use position and a storage position. The video system includes a rear facing surface from which a video monitor displays images for viewing by passengers of the automobile. The video system also includes a front facing surface having a forward facing video monitor wherein the forward facing video monitor is in alignment with a rearview mirror for viewing by the driver when the video system is in its use position. A video camera is provided for viewing that which would be seen out a rear window of the automobile. The video camera is linked to the forward facing video monitor for displaying an image of the environment in the rear of the automobile a driver would see as the driver looks through a rearview mirror.

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 vehicle passenger is provided with a console (1) for mounting an entertainment apparatus, the console being coupled to the back of a more forwardly located seat by headrest retaining clips (7) of the kind adapted to hold posts of a height adjustable headrest (6) for the seat at a height selected position. In one arrangement, the console is sandwiched between the headrest retaining clips and the top of the seat back. In an alternative arrangement, the console incorporates integral headrest retaining clips that replace the conventional headrest retaining clips.

Abstract: A vehicle headrest cover for covering a vehicle headrest having a display mounted therein includes a material designed to correspond with the shape and dimensions of the vehicle headrest and fit over the vehicle headrest for covering the vehicle headrest. The material has a cut-out in a face thereof which corresponds to the position of the display.

Abstract: A vehicle entertainment system includes a video system mounted within an automobile armrest/console, the armrest/console including an upper support surface. The video system includes an integrated housing supporting a video monitor and a video source.

Abstract: A vehicle entertainment system includes a video system mounted within a vehicle, a video monitor for presenting video content and a video source integrated therewith. The video source is a hard drive or flash memory. The vehicle entertainment system further includes a circuit board including an input/output assembly associated with the video source for the transmission of video content. The entertainment system also includes a common support member upon which the video source and circuit board are mounted. The input/output assembly includes a means for wireless transmission of video content to the video system.

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 method for extending a reception range of a vehicle remote control system includes: receiving, at a repeater, a first radio frequency (RF) signal having inbound data packets indicating a vehicle function to be performed from a remote transmitter; generating, at the repeater, a second RF signal by placing outbound data packets indicating the vehicle function to be performed between the inbound data packets until reception of the first RF signal is complete; and transmitting, from the repeater, the second RF signal to a reception module of a vehicle remote control system.

Abstract: A media system for a vehicle comprises a housing mounted to an overhead portion of the vehicle, and a media unit that is capable of being coupled to the housing, wherein the housing includes a receiving portion that pivots with respect to the housing and receives the media unit in the receiving portion.

Abstract: A method for selectively controlling a security system comprises receiving a tag identification, determining a security identification based on the tag identification, and transmitting a message comprising the security identification and a security system command. A security system having a unique security identification comprises a control device for controlling the security system, wherein the control device transmits a message to the security system comprising the unique security identification and a function command, the control device comprising keypad for entering a tag identification corresponding to the unique security identification.

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 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 home control protection system includes at least one surge protection strip having a plurality of power outlet receptacles, and a wall mountable central control unit that is in electrical communication with the at least one surge protection strip. The surge protection strip includes a replaceable surge protector module. The surge protection strip includes a circuit for detecting and counting the number of power surges which are shunted by the surge protector module, and compares the number of power surges with a predetermined threshold power surge number that corresponds to a predicted maximum number of power surges before failure of the surge protector module will occur.

Abstract: A remote programmer for remotely programming a vehicle control system is provided. The remote programmer includes a display, an input for receiving user input data, a first interface for interfacing with a computer, wherein the first interface receives data associated with programming the vehicle control system from the computer; a transmitter for wirelessly transmitting the data associated with programming the vehicle control system to the vehicle control system; and a controller for controlling operations of the remote programmer, wherein the controller stores the data associated with programming the vehicle control system and controls operations of the first interface and the transmitter in accordance with the user input data.