Vehicle camera assemblies comprising novel mounting interfaces. In some embodiments, the assembly may comprise a camera housing configured for being mounted to a vehicle having a plurality of protruding coupling members extending therefrom. Each of the plurality of protruding coupling members may comprise a curved surface that may, for example, define curves in two planes perpendicular to one another. The assembly may further comprise a bracket configured for being coupled with the camera housing. The bracket may comprise a plurality of clips configured to releasably receive the plurality of protruding coupling members to releasably couple the camera housing to the bracket.

An aftermarket vehicle head unit integration cartridge for use with an aftermarket head unit is provided. The aftermarket head unit preferably includes a dedicated slot for insertion of the cartridge. The cartridge preferably supports communication between a plurality of electronic components in the aftermarket head unit and a plurality of electronic components in the vehicle. The plurality of electronic components in the aftermarket head unit may include, for example, an audio processing system, a video processing system, an analog I/O and/or a digital I/O. and/or a plurality of electronic components. The plurality of electronic components in the vehicle may include an audio system, an analog I/O, a digital I/O/databus, and/or a steering wheel control unit. The cartridge may include a flashable memory for use in reconfiguring the cartridge. The cartridge may be configured to capture and condition the signals from at least one of the plurality of the vehicle-based electronic components. The conditioned signals from the vehicle-based electronic components may be conditioned for use by the aftermarket head unit.

A communication device weather shield and vehicle door mount apparatus protects a communication device from moisture and debris while being operated by a user, and mounts the communication device to a vehicle door panel, so as to be operable from directly on the vehicle. The apparatus provides an anchor panel that mounts the communication device with an anchoring mechanism, and enables manipulation of the communication device with a hand grip. The apparatus provides a protective transparent shield that is fixedly disposed in a parallel, spaced-apart relationship with the anchor panel. The shield is larger than the anchor panel, covering the anchor panel to protect the communication device from moisture and debris. The transparent shield is sized to slide in a recess between a vehicle side inner window surface and a side inner door so that the communication device hangs on the side of the vehicle below the window.

Vehicle camera assemblies comprising novel mounting interfaces. In some embodiments, the assembly may comprise a camera housing configured for being mounted to a vehicle having a plurality of protruding coupling members extending therefrom. Each of the plurality of protruding coupling members may comprise a curved surface that may, for example, define curves in two planes perpendicular to one another. The assembly may further comprise a bracket configured for being coupled with the camera housing. The bracket may comprise a plurality of clips configured to releasably receive the plurality of protruding coupling members to releasably couple the camera housing to the bracket.

The invention relates to a retaining device for a still or video camera in the interior of a motor vehicle with a fastening apparatus (5, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e) for attaching the retaining device to a vehicle seat part, such as a backrest (2), headrest (3), or headrest holder (4, 4a, 4b) of a vehicle seat (1), and a carrier arm (6, 6, 6, 60, 60, 60, 62, 62, 62) which is oriented approximately horizontally and parallel with respect to the broad side of the backrest (2) and at one end of which a holder (7) is arranged for receiving a camera (8), wherein the carrier arm (6, 6, 6, 60, 60, 60, 62, 62, 62) protrudes beyond the vehicle seat part (2, 3, 4, 4a, 4b) to such an extent that the lens (8a) of the camera (8) has an uninterrupted view towards the front in the driving direction and/or towards the rear in the direction counter to the driving direction, and wherein the carrier arm (6, 6, 6, 60, 60, 60, 62, 62, 62) at its other end is connected via a first rotary joint (6a) with an approximately vertically-oriented rotational axis Z2 to the fastening device (5, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e) and can be pivoted in an approximately horizontal plane.

An aftermarket vehicle head unit integration cartridge for use with an aftermarket head unit is provided. The aftermarket head unit preferably includes a dedicated slot for insertion of the cartridge. The cartridge preferably supports communication between a plurality of electronic components in the aftermarket head unit and a plurality of electronic components in the vehicle. The plurality of electronic components in the aftermarket head unit may include, for example, an audio processing system, a video processing system, an analog I/O and/or a digital I/O, and/or a plurality of electronic components. The plurality of electronic components in the vehicle may include an audio system, an analog I/O, a digital I/O/databus, and/or a steering wheel control unit. The cartridge may include a flashable memory for use in reconfiguring the cartridge. The cartridge may be configured to capture and condition the signals from at least one of the plurality of the vehicle-based electronic components. The conditioned signals from the vehicle-based electronic components may be conditioned for use by the aftermarket head unit.

A vehicle passenger is provided with a console for mounting an entertainment apparatus, the console being coupled to the back of a more forwardly located seat by headrest retaining clips of the kind adapted to hold posts of a height adjustable headrest 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.

An automobile rearview mirror is provided having a driving video recording function that includes a rearview mirror body. The body has a housing, a mirror, a first pivot holder and a second pivot holder mounted at the housing and respectively defined therein is a ball socket and a position-limiting passage. The passage is an open-ended passage disposed in communication with the ball socket and having an inner diameter gradually increased toward an open end thereof. A camera module is provided which includes a camera holder, an image capture device mounted in the camera holder for capturing images. A connection rod extends from the camera holder and is inserted through the position-limiting passage to suspend the camera holder outside the rearview mirror body and has a ball located at an inner end thereof that couples to the ball socket of the first pivot holder.

An electronic device having a unitary housing is disclosed. The device can include a first housing component having an open cavity, an internal electronic part disposed within the cavity, a second housing component disposed across the cavity, and a support feature disposed within the cavity and arranged to support the second housing component. The first housing component can be formed from metal, while the second housing component can be formed from a plurality of laminated foil metal layers. The second housing component can be attached to the first housing component via one or more ultrasonic welds, such that a fully enclosed housing is created. The fully enclosed housing can be hermetically sealed, and the outside surfaces thereof can be machined or otherwise finished after the ultrasonic welding.

An aftermarket vehicle head unit integration cartridge for use with an aftermarket head unit is provided. The aftermarket head unit preferably includes a dedicated slot for insertion of the cartridge. The cartridge preferably supports communication between a plurality of electronic components in the aftermarket head unit and a plurality of electronic components in the vehicle. The plurality of electronic components in the aftermarket head unit may include, for example, an audio processing system, a video processing system, an analog I/O and/or a digital I/O. and/or a plurality of electronic components. The plurality of electronic components in the vehicle may include an audio system, an analog I/O, a digital I/O/databus, and/or a steering wheel control unit. The cartridge may include a flashable memory for use in reconfiguring the cartridge. The cartridge may be configured to capture and condition the signals from at least one of the plurality of the vehicle-based electronic components. The conditioned signals from the vehicle-based electronic components may be conditioned for use by the aftermarket head unit.