Abstract: A media system for a vehicle having a seat comprises a housing mounted to the seat, 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: An antenna device for use with a laptop computer includes three foldable sections. A bottom section is hinged to a middle section, and the middle section is hinged to a third section. The laptop computer rests on the bottom section when the middle section is raised to a vertical position. When the laptop is opened, its display may be raised in front of the vertically disposed middle section. The third section is in the form of a planar hoop, which defines a cavity in which an antenna resides for receiving digital broadcast television signals. This third section may be raised from the middle section to a desired position to receive such digital broadcast television signals. The foldable first, second and third sections of the antenna device, whether folded or deployed, is only slightly greater than, equal to or less than the width of the laptop computer so as not to interfere with persons situated adjacent to the user of the laptop computer and antenna device.

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: A video system attachable to a docking station includes a display capable of displaying video data received from the docking station, and a media player, wherein the video system is capable of operating when removed from the docking station. The video system is capable of connecting to at least one of a battery and an adapter for a power supply.

Abstract: A video system comprises a base portion mounted in a vehicle seat headrest, and a door pivotally attached to the base portion, wherein the door includes a display and a media player mounted to the door. The media player may be one of a slot-type device and a clamshell-type device.

Abstract: There is provided a display device for a vehicle having a seat. The display device includes an assembly housing adapted to mount at a rear portion of the seat. A receiver is adapted to receive at least one of video and audio signals from at least one external input device. At least one wireless transmitter operatively coupled to the receiver, is adapted to wirelessly transmit the audio signals to at least one wireless headphone set. The display device is adapted to reproduce the video signals. In some embodiments of the invention, the at least one wireless transmitter is adapted to transmit the audio signals based on Code-Division Multiple Access (CDMA) technology.

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 and also includes a zipper mechanism located on the material of the headrest cover which allows the material of the vehicle headrest cover to be zipped up to cover the vehicle headrest with the vehicle headrest cover or unzipped for removing the headrest cover from the vehicle headrest.

Abstract: A remote transmitter, including: an input unit configured to receive programming inputs and function inputs, wherein the programming inputs identify a first function to be transmitted in a first range of the transmitter when a first input of the input unit is selected and a second function to be transmitted in a second range of the transmitter when a second input of the input unit is selected, wherein the function inputs select the first input and the second input; a processor configured to output a first signal along a first path and a second signal along a second path in response to the first and second function inputs, respectively, wherein the first signal corresponds to the first function and the second signal corresponds to the second function; and an output configured to transmit the first signal in the first range and the second signal in the second range, wherein the first range is smaller than the second range.

Abstract: An entertainment system for a vehicle comprises a console section mounted on a surface in the vehicle, a media source layer including a media source mounted on the console section, and a screen section mounted on the media source layer, wherein the screen section includes a display and is capable of being mounted on the console section when the media source layer is removed from the console section.

Abstract: A receiver and distribution unit in a vehicle that includes a wireless receiver and signal processing/conversion facilities. The receiver and distribution unit may include a data bus and a selection multiplexer connected to the wireless receiver and an additional media source. The wireless receiver receives a signal comprising media content from a wireless network, such as the FLO™ network. The processing/conversion facilities decode the signal for output to a display and speaker in the vehicle. The selection multiplexer multiplexes media content from the wireless receiver or media content from the additional media source to the data bus. A function control, controllable by a wired controller and a wireless controller, controls the functions of the receiver and distribution unit.

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: 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 video system attachable to a docking station includes a display capable of displaying video data received from the docking station, and a media player, wherein the video system is capable of operating when removed from the docking station. The video system is capable of connecting to at least one of a battery and an adapter for a power supply.

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 entertainment system for a vehicle comprises a console section mounted on a surface in the vehicle, a media source layer including a media source mounted on the console section, and a screen section mounted on the media source layer, wherein the screen section includes a display and is capable of being mounted on the console section when the media source layer is removed from the console section.

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 video display system for a vehicle includes a first video display for providing an image projection to a rearview mirror of the vehicle, and a second video display mounted behind the first video display. A camera can provide an image feed to the first video display, and the second video display can display media content such as DVD media.

Abstract: A cover for a vehicle media device, wherein the media device comprises a console and a display attached to the console, comprises a first part having a first opening for receiving the console, and a second part coupled to the first part and covering a side of the display. The first part is coupled to the console using a snap-on mechanism or an adhesive.

Abstract: A vehicle monitoring system comprises a tire pressure sensor, a transmitter coupled to the tire pressure sensor for wirelessly transmitting a signal indicative of a tire pressure; and a receiver for receiving the signal indicative of the tire pressure and for receiving a signal of a remote keyless entry device. The system further comprises a controller coupled to the receiver for processing the signal indicative of the tire pressure and outputting a status signal, and a status indicator for receiving the status signal and indicating a tire pressure status according to the status signal.