WO2010114373A1

WO2010114373A1 - Apparatus for display of audio and/or video in a mobile application

Info

Publication number: WO2010114373A1
Application number: PCT/NL2010/050166
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bartholomeus Scholte
Original assignee: Eurologics B.V.
Priority date: 2009-03-31
Filing date: 2010-03-31
Publication date: 2010-10-07
Also published as: NL1036791C2

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system for display of audio and/or video, comprising at least one playback device and at least one display device connectable to the playback device, wherein display commands for the playback device to be entered by a user can be provided via the display device to the playback device.

Description

APPARATUS FOR DISPIAY OF AUDIO AND/OR VIDEO IN A MOBILE

APPLICATION

The present invention relates to a system for display of audio and/or video in a mobile application.

Such a system according to the present invention can however also be applied outside the forms of mobile application.

It is for instance known in the field of cars to mount at least one, and more often two, screens on the rear side of headrests of a driver's seat and a passenger seat in a car. Images can then be displayed on such screens, for instance photos, film or other moving images, for instance from a DVD disc etc. A drawback of such a known systems is that use is generally made of cabling and wires and, more particularly, that the operation of the system is based on remote controls, for instance using infrared. The first thing to get lost, probably as early as the first stop on a long trip, is the remote control.

The present invention has for its object to obviate the above stated problems of the known art, for which purpose a system with the combination of features according to main claim number 1 is provided. According to the present invention the convenience of use can be increased by providing the playback device with display commands which can be entered by a user via the display device. Particularly when variable and interactive displays are used to enter the control commands, considerable benefits can be gained relative to the prior art. It can be particularly advantageous here for the screen in the display device to be a touch-sensitive screen. Display commands can then be entered into the system by simply touching the screen. The system can comprise an integrated playback device or a separate playback device, or both. Communication preferably takes place wirelessly. That is, the communication between the individual components. A playback device can thus be in wireless connection with at least one display device, or can be integrated in or with the relevant display device. A display device with a playback device can be designated a main unit, to which a second display device can be added. The connection for obtaining visual material between the first display device and the second display device is then preferably wireless.

In a specific preferred embodiment the second display device, if present, can likewise serve for input of display commands by a user, for instance a second user. It is particularly advantageous if use is not made here of the same source of visual material or audio material, since a conflict may otherwise occur between the users of the system. Conversely, it can be extremely advantageous if one of the two display devices can serve for entering display commands when only a single source of visual or audio material is available. In such a configuration it will be possible to designate the display device with controllable input means as a master unit, while the second display device then follows and can be designated a slave unit. It is even more advantageous if at least two sources of audio and/or video material are provided, wherein input of display commands can take place separately on each of the display devices in respect of the relevant one of the sources of visual or audio material. Each user, sitting at or behind each of the display devices, can thus influence the mode of operation of their own display device by the input of display commands.

In a system according to the present invention having a second display device separate from the playback device, where playback commands can be provided to the playback device, it is extremely beneficial when the second display device comprises a module for converting display commands, that have been input through the second display device, into a format, that is suitable for the playback device in question. Preferably, such a second display device having such a module may serve for simplified expansion of known systems having only a single display device and a single playback device in order to add a second screen (the second display device) to such known systems. The module then insures that such an expansion can easily be achieved, precisely because of the conversion that is provided thereby, which can be directed specifically at a predetermined type or brand of playback device. The module can also serve for converting commands into a form, that is particularly suitable for transmission, for instance wirelessly in accordance with infra-red, Wi-Fi or other wireless technologies, so that the second display device as it were serves as a screen having a type of integrated remote control for the separate playback device. The multi-functionality and versatility, that are thus provided, indicate a considerable improvement and a high degree of inventiveness.

After the foregoing, several embodiments of systems according to the present invention will be elucidated on the basis of the figure description hereinbelow, in which the same or similar parts, components and aspects are designated with the same reference numerals, and in which: fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a part of a vehicle, for instance a car, with a possible application of a system according to the present invention; fig. 2 shows a schematic outline of components and connection options of a system of fig. 1 according to the present invention; fig. 3 shows a view corresponding to fig. 2 of a further expanded embodiment of a system according to the present invention; and fig. 4 shows a perspective, partly exploded view of an embodiment of a display device according to the present invention. Fig. 1 shows a part of the interior 1 of a car as possible application of a system according to the present invention. The interior 1 of the car comprises two front seats 2, each with a seat 3 and a seat back 4, with headrests 5 on seat backs 4. A back seat 6 is arranged behind front seats 2 of the car. Younger people, for instance children, will usually occupy back seat 6. A system according to the present invention is provided for the purpose of entertaining these younger people on back seat 6. A system according to the invention can however also be used in a worthwhile way by adults and older people.

The system comprises screens 7,8, arranged on the rear side of the headrests, as embodiments of respectively a display device 7 and a second display device 8. Display device 7 comprises an integrated playback device which will be further described in more detail hereinbelow and with which an information carrier, such as a DVD 9, can be played. DVD 9 can be inserted into and removed from the playback device in the direction of double arrow A, this device being integrated in the embodiment shown here in display device 7. Alternatively, a separate playback device 11 can for instance be provided and connected to the display device via a cable 10 for playback of information present on the second playback device 11, for instance visual and/or audio information.

It is noted that both screens 7,8 are touch-sensitive. Fig. 2 shows a system 12 according to the present invention in more detail and in isolation. It has already been stated that system 12 comprises a master display device in the form of a screen 7 and a slave display device 8, likewise in the form of a screen. Integrated with screen 7 is a DVD player, which is not shown, wherein the presence hereof is indicated symbolically by showing a DVD disc 9 which can be inserted and removed in the direction of double arrow A. Fig. 2 also shows in more detail the external player 11 which in fig. 1 can be or is also connected to screen 7 using an AV cable 10. External player 11 can be an

MP3 player, an MP4 player or any other random playback device.

Fig. 2 further shows that a USB stick 13 can be inserted into the playback device, to the extent this device is integrated with screen 7. In the case screen 7 does not comprise a playback device, or an additional source of audio and/or video information is desired, external player 11 can be connected to the display device of screen 7.

Screen 7 further comprises a control 14 which can likewise be integrated into a construction of screen 7. Control 7 can comprise various transmitting and receiving options as component thereby or as addition thereto. Control 14 can thus comprise a GPRS receiver 15 for receiving and transmitting information, for instance in order to gain access to the internet. GPRS receiver 15 can be an addition or alternative to a wireless connection 17 with external player 11, for which purpose a WiFi or Bluetooth transceiver 18 can for instance be provided as part of or addition to control 14. A similar or the same transceiver 18 can be utilized for the contact with second screen 8, which usually functions as slave and generates the same display as screen 7. Screen 8 can comprise a receiver 19 for this purpose. Receiver 19 is then for instance a Bluetooth or WiFi receiver. With unilateral communication from screen 7 to screen 8 it is possible to realize the same display on both screens 7 and 8 simultaneously. A choice can be made here between the integrated source of audio and/or video information, for instance from DVD disc 9, and visual or audio information from external player 11 via wireless connection 17. As already stated above, the wireless connection can of course also be replaced by a cabled connection 10.

It is however also possible to display on screen 7 AV information coming for instance from external player 11, while AV information is transmitted from the DVD disc to second screen 8 via transceiver 18 and receiver 19. The options for display on second screen 8 are then limited, since in the embodiment shown in fig. 2 no display commands can be entered via second screen 8, as is indeed possible in the case of first screen 7. This is because a number of icons or symbols for the purpose of input of display commands by the user are provided at the bottom of the display surface defined by screen.7. These are the usual keys, or at least functions, for playback of visual material or audio material. By touching screen 7 at a position corresponding to an icon a function will be activated, such as playback, fast play, rewind, pause, stop etc. Screen 7 is touch-sensitive, and is known as a so-called touchscreen. The thus entered display commands can be transmitted directly to the playback device as integrated into screen 7, or can be supplied to external player 11 via wireless connection 17 or the cabled connection 10. In the latter case it will however be necessary for the display commands to be converted into a format suitable for a relevant external player 11. Control 14 preferably comprises, if necessary, a module for such conversion. This is favourable, because in this way an arbitrary player can be used, and the display commands for this player can be arranged in a form, that is particularly suitable for this player by means of the module for conversion. As such, the system according to the invention can be expanded by an external player or an external player can be used to realize a system according to the present invention having at least one screen (display device) from the outset. The module can take care of conversion of playback commands into a form that is particularly suitable for the specific player. It is even possible, that the display device can be controlled with a remote control, but the (first or second) display device will then take over the function of the remote control. The module in the control or in the second display device can further convert wireless communication (for instance IR) which belongs to a remote control, into a shape or form, which is suitable to send playback commands via a cable to the player. Consequently, not only the function of the remote control is taken over by the control with the module or the module in the second display device, but it is even possible to realize with certainty that commands that are to be sent to the player arrive in good order. Strangely enough it has become apparent, that at short distances, for instances from the back seat of a car to the back side of head supports of front seats in that car, a remote control needs to be directed very accurately at an infrared receiver in order to receive display commands well, while other signals do not arrive properly. This problem can be solved or mitigated by sending playback commands via a wire or cable from one of both of the display devices to the player, for which the module for conversion then performs a crucial task.

The embodiment of fig. 3 provides options for also inputting display commands via a second screen 8 into an expanded variant of the system 12 shown in fig. 2. In the embodiment of fig. 3 screen 8 is also touch-sensitive, and icons for display commands are displayed thereon. Receiver 19 of screen 8 in fig. 2 is replaced here by a transceiver 20 which - as evidenced by the double arrow in combination with transceiver 20 - is suitable for transmitting information, while in fig. 2 second screen 8 was only suitable for having visual and audio information supplied thereto. Even more options for use are thus provided in the embodiment of fig. 3, in combination with the number of sources of AV information, for display simultaneously or individually on each or one of the two screens 7, 8.

In addition, at least the screen 7 is also equipped with an infrared transmitter 21 for activating headphone 22. The headphone can be worn by a user of the system so as to thus cause the least possible nuisance to the passengers in for instance a car with noise associated with the AV information displayed on screen 7.

It is thus found that many permutations are possible within the scope of the present invention. External player 11 can per se also have a connection option for insertion of a USB stick 13, and can itself also be a Blueray disc player, a DVD player or a CD player. In order to be supplied with display commands and to be able to transmit AV information, external player 11 is preferably equipped with a transceiver 23. External player 11 does not necessarily form part of the system according to the present invention. Different sources of AV information can also be provided in the form of the DVD disc 9 in combination with the USB stick 13 to be inserted in screen 7. Both screens 7,8 can thus produce separate displays. In the embodiment of fig. 3 the separate displays on each of the two screens 7,8 can also be activated individually with display commands via input thereof on touch-sensitive screen 7,8.

Additionally or alternatively, it is also possible that second screen 8 is also equipped with an infrared transmitter 21 for providing audio information to a headphone, or infrared transmitter 21 can be utilized for activating a second headphone (not shown) in the case the same information is displayed on both screens 7,8.

Fig. 4 once again shows screen 7 in more detail. Screen 7 comprises an integrated player 25 on the rear side of an LCD screen 24, and the two parts 24,25 are fixedly connected to each other, and in this sense integrated. Player 25 is suitable for recording and displaying a DVD disc 9. Arranged on the side of player 25 is a USB slot 26, and connection options in the form of cable connections 27,28 are arranged, for instance for an HDMI cable or a general AV cable. Screen 7 can further be connected to the 12V battery voltage in a car via a connecting cable 29, which can be connected to screen 7 via a plug 30. Arranged on the side opposite plug 30 is a plug module 31 which can be connected to the cigarette lighter socket of a car.

LCD screen 24 comprises a border 32 into which the actual screen 33 is recessed. An edge is thus formed round the actual screen 33. Arranged over this edge 34 is a protective layer 35, which comprises a clear, transparent part 36 and a border 37 which falls over edge 34 in order to conceal it from view. A very elegant design is thus realized without adversely affecting the functionalities for a touch-sensitive screen. It will be apparent that, after examination of the foregoing, various alternative and additional embodiments will occur to the skilled person which all lie within the scope of protection defined by the claims, unless such embodiments (not described here) depart from the letter or spirit of these claims. It is thus possible for screens 7,8 not to be mounted on the rear side of headrests 5, but to be handheld. Screens 7,8 can also be embodied as mobile telephones, which are or can be made suitable for display of complex audio and video information. Some telephones for instance already have integrated MP4 players. In many applications external player 11 is not necessary, particularly not when a playback device of a system according to the invention is suitable for simultaneous processing of AV streams from separate sources, for instance DVD disc 9 and USB stick 13.

Claims

1. System for display of audio and/or video, comprising at least one playback device and at least one display device connectable to the playback device, wherein display commands for the playback device to be entered by a user can be provided via the display device to the playback device.

2. System as claimed in claim 1, wherein the display device comprises a touch-sensitive screen.

3. System as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the display device and the playback device are integrated.

4. System as claimed in at least one of the foregoing claims, further comprising a control which can at least be connected to the display device on the one hand and to the playback device on the other in order to transmit display commands.

5. System as claimed in at least one of the foregoing claims, further comprising at least a second display device which is separate from the first display device.

6. System as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein the control comprises a module for converting the display commands to one of at least two formats suitable for a relevant one of the display devices.

7. System as claimed in claim 5 or 6, wherein the second display device is embodied separate from the playback device.

8. System as claimed in claim 7, wherein display commands for the playback device to be entered by a user can be provided to the playback device via the second display device.

9. System as claimed in claim 8, wherein the second display device comprises a touch-sensitive screen for entering display commands via the second display device.

10. System as claimed claim 8 or 9, wherein the second display device comprises a module for conversion of playback commands that are entered through the second display device, into a format that is suitable for the playback device in question.

11. System as claimed in at least one of the foregoing claims, wherein at least one of the connections utilized in the system is wireless.

12. System as claimed in claim 11, wherein the wireless connection is based on at least one of IR, WIFI, GPRS, ethernet, W-lan, Blue-Tooth and/or another variant suitable in mobile applications.

13. System as claimed in at least one of the foregoing claims, wherein the display device comprises:

- a frame,

- a screen, in particular a touch-sensitive screen, recessed into the frame, and - a border over an edge between the frame and a protective layer defining the screen.