Abstract: A mounting device includes a cradle including a first recess and configured to be mounted in a vehicle, a pivotable hinge member coupled to the cradle, and a docking tray coupled to the pivotable hinge member. The docking tray is configured to lock in a first position within the first recess in the cradle, and lock in a second position extending outward from the first recess in the cradle. The docking tray includes a second recess shaped and dimensioned to receive an electronic computing device.

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 vehicle entertainment system is adapted to be mounted to a vehicle. It has a mounting bracket adapted for coupling to a dashboard of a vehicle, a vehicle seat, its headrest if present, or mounting posts for such a headrest, or into an arm-rest for a vehicle seat. A mounting arm is mounted for rotation relative to the mounting bracket about a main axis arranged in use to extend generally horizontally. A monitor unit has a front side and a rear side. The monitor unit has at least one structure enabling access to entertainment for a user. The structure may be at least one of a monitor screen on the front side, controls for an audio system on the front side, controls for an audio system on the rear side, and a slot adapted for a tablet computer to dock therein both physically and electronically with the screen of the tablet computer exposed on the rear side.

Abstract: A vehicle entertainment system includes a tablet unit and a cradle. The tablet unit includes a display and a touch screen input device disposed on a front surface, a first electrical connection, a first mounting mechanism, and a wireless receiver. The wireless receiver is configured to receive media data from a wireless network and the touch screen input device is configured to receive input from a user. The cradle is disposed in a headrest in a vehicle and includes a second electrical connection and a second mounting mechanism. The tablet unit is electrically connected to the cradle via the first and second electrical connections, and is physically coupled to the cradle via the first and second mounting mechanisms upon mounting the tablet unit to the cradle.

Abstract: A vehicle entertainment system including a video system having a video monitor and a cradle secured within a vehicle. The cradle is shaped and dimensioned for selectively receiving and securely holding the video system. The cradle includes a docking port with a faceplate that is substantially flush with an upper end of a seat back of an automobile.

Abstract: A keyboard deactivation module includes a processor configured to generate an on-screen keyboard control signal, a CAN bus interface configured to connect to a CAN bus of a vehicle, and obtain vehicle speed information indicating a current speed of the vehicle from the vehicle via the CAN bus, and a Bluetooth radio configured to transmit the on-screen keyboard control signal to a target electronic device. An on-screen keyboard of the target electronic device is enabled in response to receiving the on-screen keyboard control signal while the vehicle speed information indicates that the current speed of the vehicle is below a specified threshold, and the on-screen keyboard of the target electronic device is disabled in response to receiving the on-screen keyboard control signal while the vehicle speed information indicates that the current speed of the vehicle is above a specified threshold. The keyboard deactivation module is mounted in the vehicle.

Abstract: A loudspeaker system is provided that includes a speaker enclosure having a first opening and a second opening; a first speaker manifold mounted within the enclosure and including a first back wall, four first side walls, and an open first front side substantially in alignment with the first opening; a second speaker manifold mounted within the enclosure and including a second back wall, four second side walls, and an open second front side substantially in alignment with the second opening; a woofer mounted on a first wall of the first side walls; and an acoustic vent mounted in a second wall among the second side walls.

Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle entertainment unit mounted in a vehicle using a center stack control system of the vehicle includes establishing a BLUETOOTH connection between the center stack control system and the vehicle entertainment unit, retrieving metadata from the vehicle entertainment unit, transmitting the metadata from the vehicle entertainment unit to the center stack control system via the BLUETOOTH connection, receiving a control command at the vehicle entertainment unit via the BLUETOOTH connection, mapping the control command to a corresponding function of the vehicle entertainment unit at the vehicle entertainment unit, and executing the corresponding function at the vehicle entertainment unit.

Abstract: A vehicle entertainment system including a video system having a video monitor and a cradle secured within a vehicle. The cradle is shaped and dimensioned for selectively receiving and securely holding the video system. The cradle includes a docking port with a faceplate that is substantially flush with an upper end of a seat back of an automobile.

Abstract: A keyboard deactivation module includes a processor configured to generate an on-screen keyboard control signal, a CAN bus interface configured to connect to a CAN bus of a vehicle, and obtain vehicle speed information indicating a current speed of the vehicle from the vehicle via the CAN bus, and a Bluetooth radio configured to transmit the on-screen keyboard control signal to a target electronic device. An on-screen keyboard of the target electronic device is enabled in response to receiving the on-screen keyboard control signal while the vehicle speed information indicates that the current speed of the vehicle is below a specified threshold, and the on-screen keyboard of the target electronic device is disabled in response to receiving the on-screen keyboard control signal while the vehicle speed information indicates that the current speed of the vehicle is above a specified threshold. The keyboard deactivation module is mounted in the vehicle.

Abstract: An entertainment apparatus for a passenger of a vehicle is provided with a casing having a top edge region, a bottom edge region and two respective side edge regions interconnecting the top and bottom edge regions. The four such edge regions frame and define a front side of the entertainment apparatus, the front side being provided with a monitor screen. The apparatus plays optically-readable discs, and is provided with an opening in the bottom edge region of its casing for receiving and ejecting optically-readable discs in a generally vertical plane. The apparatus is adapted to be mounted to a more forward seat of a vehicle for use by a passenger when seated behind the more forward seat of the vehicle.

Abstract: A parking sensor and observation system for a vehicle, including: an elongated housing, wherein the housing has a front side with first to third openings and a back side with an elongated opening, the first and third openings are adjacent to opposite ends of the housing, the second opening is located at a center portion of the housing; a first parking sensor disposed within the housing and having its proximity detector disposed in the first opening; a second parking sensor disposed within the housing and having its proximity detector disposed in the third opening; a camera disposed within the housing and having its lens disposed in the second opening; and a backing plate disposed at the back side of the housing to seal the elongated opening.