Vehicle entertainment system including monitor for rear view enhancement

1. An automobile entertainment system, comprising:

a video system mounted within a ceiling of an automobile, the video system being 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 of the automobile for viewing by a driver when the video system is in its use position;

a video camera for viewing that which would be seen out a rear window of the automobile, the video camera being linked to the forward facing video monitor for displaying an image of an environment in a rear of the automobile a driver would see as a driver looks through the rearview mirror;

means for linking activation of the video camera and the forward facing video monitor to rotation of the video system between its use position and its storage position; and

a cradle substantially recessed within the ceiling of the automobile and which is adapted to receive a base portion of the video system therein for detachably mounting the video system to the cradle, wherein the base portion of the video system includes a first hinge that facilitates rotation of the video system about an axis substantially parallel to the ceiling of the automobile for movement from an upward storage position to a downward usage position and a second hinge that permits for rotation of the video system about an axis substantially perpendicular to the axis of the first hinge to allow rotation of the video system in a manner that facilitates viewing of the video system from opposite sides of the automobile.

2. The automobile entertainment system according to claim 1 , wherein the means for linking activation includes a switch mounted within the video system.

3. The automobile entertainment system according to claim 1 , wherein the video camera is mounted along the rear facing surface of the video system.

4. The automobile entertainment system according to claim 1 , wherein the video camera is mounted along a rear portion of the automobile.

5. The automobile entertainment system according to claim 1 , wherein the video camera is mounted in a rear bumper of the automobile.

6. The automobile entertainment system according to claim 1 , further including a back seat camera positioned for monitoring activity in a back seat of the automobile, the back seat camera being linked to the forward facing video monitor.

7. The automobile entertainment system of claim 1 , wherein the video system is mounted to the cradle in a manner which permits rotation of the video system about multiple axes.

8. The automobile entertainment system according to claim 1 , wherein the base portion of the video system further includes a projecting attachment member having a fastening mechanism that permits attachment and removal of the video system from the cradle, wherein the fastening mechanism of the cradle includes a primary recess into which the projecting attachment member of the base portion of the video system may be positioned, and wherein the fastening mechanism of the video system includes a first latch member and a second latch member shaped and dimensioned for engaging a respective first latching recess and a second latching recess of a fastening mechanism of the cradle positioned on opposite ends of the cradle.

9. The automobile entertainment system according to claim 8 , wherein the base portion further includes a first safety button and a second safety button which selectively lock the first and second latched members in their latched position, wherein each of the first and second safety buttons includes an obstructing member which sits within the path of the first and second latch members preventing movement thereof, and wherein each of the obstructing members includes a release aperture which aligns with a projection of the respective latch members when the safety buttons are pressed to permit movement of the latch member and release of the video system from the cradle.

10. The automobile entertainment system according to claim 9 , wherein each of the first and second safety buttons is spring biased via a spring.

11. The automobile entertainment system according to claim 1 , wherein the cradle further includes quick release electrical connections for audio input, audio output, video input, video output and power supply, and wherein the base of the video system includes mating electrical connections for transmitting electrical signals and a/v signals between the video system and the cradle.

12. The automobile entertainment system according to claim 1 , wherein the base portion of the video system further includes a first projecting attachment member and a second projecting attachment member shaped and dimensioned to engage a respective first aperture and a second aperture formed in the cradle, wherein the first and second projecting members each include an upwardly extending post with a resilient spring latch formed thereon.

13. The automobile entertainment system according to claim 12 , wherein the base portion further includes a first safety button and a second safety button associated with the first and second projecting attachment members and wherein the first and second safety buttons control actuation of spring latch members which extend from the first and second projecting attachment members so that the video system may not be removed until the respective first and second safety buttons are simultaneously actuated.

14. An automobile entertainment system, comprising:

a video system mounted within a ceiling of an automobile, the video system including a video monitor for displaying an image; and

a cradle substantially recessed within the ceiling of the automobile and which is adapted to receive a base portion of the video system therein for detachably mounting the video system to the cradle,

wherein the base portion of the video system includes a first hinge that facilitates rotation of the video system about an axis substantially parallel to the ceiling of the automobile for movement from an upward storage position to a downward usage position and a second hinge that permits for rotation of the video system about an axis substantially perpendicular to the axis of the first hinge to allow rotation of the video system in a manner that facilitates viewing of the video system from opposite sides of the automobile.

15. The automobile entertainment system of claim 14 , wherein the base portion of the video system further includes a projecting attachment member having a fastening mechanism that permits attachment and removal of the video system from the cradle, wherein the fastening mechanism of the cradle includes a primary recess into which the projecting attachment member of the base portion of the video system may be positioned, and wherein the fastening mechanism of the video system includes a first latch member and a second latch member shaped and dimensioned for engaging a respective first latching recess and a second latching recess of a fastening mechanism of the cradle positioned on opposite ends of the cradle.

16. The automobile entertainment system according to claim 15 , wherein the base portion further includes a first safety button and a second safety button which selectively lock the first and second latched members in their latched position, wherein each of the first and second safety buttons includes an obstructing member which sits within the path of the first and second latch members preventing movement thereof, and wherein each of the obstructing members includes a release aperture which aligns with a projection of the respective latch members when the safety buttons are pressed to permit movement of the latch member and release of the video system from the cradle, and wherein each of the first and second safety buttons is spring biased via a spring.

17. The automobile entertainment system according to claim 14 , wherein the base portion of the video system further includes a first projecting attachment member and a second projecting attachment member shaped and dimensioned to engage a respective first aperture and a second aperture formed in the cradle, wherein the first and second projecting members each include an upwardly extending post with a resilient spring latch formed thereon, and wherein the base portion further includes a first safety button and a second safety button associated with the first and second projecting attachment members and wherein the first and second safety buttons control actuation of spring latch members which extend from the first and second projecting attachment members so that the video system may not be removed until the respective first and second safety buttons are simultaneously actuated.