# US 6,724,317 B1 · Audiovisual player system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 6,724,317 B1 - Document ID: US6724317B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 09/959,961 - Filed: 2001-11-13 - Granted: 2004-04-20 - Earliest claimed: 2001-11-13 - Assignees: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha - Inventors: Toyoaki Kitano; Ikuo Saga; Masahiro Hibino - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6724317B1 ## CPC - B60R 11/0235: {of flat type, e.g. LCD} - B60R 2011/0028: {Ceiling, e.g. roof rails} - B60R 2011/0082: {collapsible, e.g. for storing after use} - B60R 2011/0084: {with adjustment by linear movement in their operational position} - B60R 2011/0085: {with adjustment by rotation in their operational position} - B60R 2011/0089: {around three axes, i.e. universally mounted} - B60R 2011/0276: {for rear passenger use} - H04N 5/64: Constructional details of receivers, e.g. cabinets or dust covers (furniture aspects {of television cabinets} A47B81/06) - H04N 5/66: Transforming electric information into light information (scanning details H04N3/00) - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION ## Abstract A visual-sound-reproducing system includes a display panel mounted on a ceiling of a cabin to reproduce a picture on a monitor screen; a moving mechanism moving the display panel toward a home-position that the monitor screen of the display panel is nearly parallel to a ceiling of a cabin of an automobile and a play-position that the monitor screen of the display panel faces rearward; and a visual-sound device providing information regarding visual and sound. The moving mechanism includes a rotational axis extending in a direction crossing a longitudinal direction of an automobile to support rotationally the display panel, a rotational means driving rotationally the display panel about the rotational axis, a guide member extending in the longitudinal direction of the automobile, and a rectilinear moving means moving reciprocally the display panel in the longitudinal direction of the automobile, the display panel being supported on the guide member to allow a slide of the display panel thereon. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A visual-sound-reproducing system, comprising: display panel for reproducing a picture on a monitor screen; a moving mechanism for moving the display panel toward a home-position that the monitor screen is nearly parallel to a ceiling of a cabin of an automobile and a play-position that the monitor screen of the display panel faces rearward; a visual-sound device providing information regarding visual and sound; and wherein the moving mechanism includes a guide member mounted on the ceiling of the cabin and extending the longitudinal direction of the automobile, and a rectilinear moving means for moving reciprocally the display panel along the guide member including during operation of the display panel. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A visual-sound-reproducing system according to claim 1, wherein the moving mechanism includes a rotational means rotating the display panel at an angle defined between the play-position and the home-position, the display panel being supported rotationally on a support axis mounted on the ceiling of the cabin and extending in a direction crossing a longitudinal direction of the automobile. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A visual-sound-reproducing system according to claim 2, further comprising a control mechanism controlling the rotational means to return the display panel located at the play-position to the home-position when a transmission gear of the automobile shifts to a reverse gear. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A visual-sound-reproducing system according to claim 1, wherein the moving mechanism includes a rotation-locking mechanism locking the display panel into the home-position, the display panel being supported rotationally on a support axis mounted on the ceiling of the cabin and extending in a direction crossing a longitudinal direction of the automobile. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A visual-sound-reproducing system according to claim 1, wherein the moving mechanism includes a guide member mounted on the ceiling of the cabin and extending a longitudinal direction of the automobile; a support plate being reciprocally supported on the guide member and supporting the display panel; and a reciprocal movement-locking mechanism controlling over a reciprocal movement of the support plate with respect to the guide member, and wherein the reciprocal movement-locking mechanism has an engagement projection arranged at any one of the support plate and the guide member; at least two engagement depressions arranged at the other in the longitudinal direction of the automobile; and a biasing member biasing the engagement projection against the engagement depressions. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A visual-sound-reproducing system according to claim 1, wherein the moving mechanism includes a horizontal turn mechanism supports the display panel to allow an oscillation of the display panel in a lateral direction of the automobile when the display panel locates at the play-position. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A visual-sound-reproducing system according to claim 1, further comprising a loudspeaker performing sonic reproduction regarding the picture reproduced on the display panel and a sound device providing information regarding sound to the loudspeaker. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) A visual-sound-reproducing system according to claim 7, wherein the loudspeaker includes a front loudspeaker located at the front of a front seat and a rear loudspeaker located near a rear seat, and further comprising a control mechanism controlling an operation of the rear loudspeaker in response to open/close of the display panel. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A visual-sound-reproducing system according to claim 1, further comprising an indicator arranged near to the display panel, the indicator indicating operating conditions of the display panel. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) A visual-sound-reproducing system according to claim 9, further comprising a wireless remote controller transmitting optical signals to control an operation of the display panel, and wherein the indicator is provided with a photoreceptor receiving the optical signals from the wireless remote controller. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) A visual-sound-reproducing system according to claim 9, further comprising a wireless headphone performing sonic reproduction regarding the picture reproduced on the display panel, and wherein the indicator is provided with a transmitter transmitting optical signals including information regarding sound to the wireless headphone. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) A visual-sound-reproducing system according to claim 11, further comprising: a loudspeaker for performing sonic reproduction regarding the picture reproduced on the display panel and a sound device providing information regarding sound to the loudspeaker wherein the loudspeaker including a front loudspeaker located at the front of a front seat and a rear loudspeaker located near a rear seat; and a control mechanism for stopping an operation of the rear loudspeaker when the wireless headphone receives information regarding sound from a transmitter. ### Claim 13 A display system, comprising: a display for displaying a video signal; and a mechanism for moving the display toward a first position substantially parallel to a ceiling of a vehicle and a second position facing rearward wherein said mechanism includes a first device for moving said display in a direction substantially parallel to said ceiling including during operation of the display. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The display system of claim 13, wherein said mechanism includes a second device for rotating the display between said first and second position using a support axis arranged substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of said vehicle. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The display system of claim 13, wherein said mechanism includes a second device for rotating said display between said second position and a third position facing frontward using a support axis arranged substantially perpendicular to the ceiling of said vehicle. ### Claim 16 A method for displaying a video signal, comprising: transmitting video signals to a display for viewing; and providing a mechanism for moving said display toward a first position substantially parallel to a ceiling of a vehicle and a second position facing rearward wherein said mechanism includes a first device for moving said display in a direction substantially parallel to said ceiling while in said first position or said second position including during operation of the display. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein said providing includes providing said mechanism including a second device for rotating the display between said first and second position using a support axis arranged substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of said vehicle. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein said providing includes providing said mechanism including a second device for rotating said display between said second position facing rearward and, a third position facing frontward using a support axis arranged substantially perpendicular to the ceiling of said vehicle.