AN AUDIO-VISUAL ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM FOR A KITCHEN. BATHROOM AND/OR SHOWER ROOM

The present invention relates to an electronic audio-visual entertainment system for a wet and/or humid environment, such as, but not exclusively, a kitchen, bathroom and/or shower room.

It is common to have audio systems in particular in a kitchen. Often, these are freestanding mains-powered portable units with a radio and/or a CD player. The media or format is presently changing from CD to other types, such as mp3 , but the device which plays the media is typically still free-standing and mains powered.

A free-standing audio-visual entertainment device takes up surface area which, for example, in a small kitchen is inconvenient. It is even more inconvenient to provide a free-standing audio-visual entertainment device in a bathroom or shower room, due in part to the lack of electrical power sockets.

There is also a significant electrical safety hazard. A wet and/or humid environment, such as often in a kitchen, bathroom or shower room, presents a major risk of electrocution to the user when the user operates a mains-powered audio-visual entertainment device.

The present invention seeks to provide a solution to these problems.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an electronic audio-visual entertainment system for a kitchen, bathroom and/or shower room, the system including a low-voltage power supply for location within the said room and for connection to a mains high-voltage power supply, at least one speaker, and a removable audio and/or visual head unit which is connected or connectable to the low-voltage power supply and the at least one speaker.

Preferable and/or optional features of the first aspect of the invention are set forth in claims 2 to 17, inclusive.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of providing an electronic audio-visual entertainment system in a kitchen, bathroom and/or shower room, the method comprising the steps of : a) providing in the said room a low-voltage power supply from a mains high-voltage power supply; b) providing at least one speaker; and c) connecting a removable audio and/or visual head unit of an in-car entertainment system to the low-voltage power supply and the at least one speaker.

Preferably, the head unit has a moisture proof user-interface.

The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which :

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic front view of a kitchen cabinet wall unit having a pelmet on its base, a head unit of one embodiment of an audio-visual entertainment system being incorporated as part of the pelmet;

Figure 2 is a side view of the wall unit, shown in Figure 1 ; and

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic plan view from below, showing the audio-visual entertainment system.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown an electronic audio-visual entertainment system 10 incorporated into or forming part of a pelmet 12 of a wall unit, such as kitchen cabinet 14. The system 10 includes a low-voltage power supply 16 which is or can be connected to a mains power supply. The low-voltage power supply 16 includes a, typically independent, step-down isolating transformer 18 delivering a 12 volt DC output. Known transformers for DC lighting may be beneficially used.

A 12 volt DC operating voltage is recognised in the field as being a 'safe' voltage at which electrical equipment can be operated in a wet and/or humid environment. For example, the IEE Wiring Regulations for Great Britain permit equipment powered by DC voltages at or below 24V DC to be installed in bathrooms within Im of water sources.

The low-voltage power supply 16 can be integrated into the building or room power supply system, and may be remote from the audio unit to comply with wiring or building regulations. It may be conveniently located within or remote from the kitchen, above or below the wall mounted unit 14, within bathroom access panels or furniture, located in the roof void or on the wall of a shower room or other wet and/or humid environment. The power cable 20 can also be beneficially recessed into a wall and plastered over to present a neat appearance. Alternatively, the power cable of the low- voltage system 10 can be run on the external surface of a wall, for example in trunking. The low-voltage supply can be advantageously incorporated as part of a new build.

At least one, and typically a plurality of speakers (shown diagrammatically as 22) is also provided. The speakers 22 are located at desired positions within the room, and are preferably at least water-resistant due to the expected prolonged exposure to moisture and/or humidity.

As with the low- voltage power supply 16, the speakers 22 may be free-standing, or integrated into the room.

The audio-visual entertainment system 10 also comprises a removable low-voltage, in this case 12 volt DC, head unit 24 which is connected or connectable to the low-voltage power supply 16 and the or each speaker 22.

The head unit 24 includes at least an audio element, which may be in the form of a radio, CD or other media audio player, and may also include a visual element, such as a screen for viewing images, for example television, films, and pictures.

The head unit 24 is specifically adapted for use in an audio-visual entertainment system of a vehicle. The head unit 24 is for an in-car entertainment (ICE) system. To this end, the form factor of the head unit 24 matches that required for location in a, typically centre, console of a vehicle. The head unit conforms to the DBSI standard for vehicles, and is thus appropriately dimensioned, typically as a single DDSf size. For foreign installations such as in the USA, the system may be conveniently based around another national IEE standard such as may be defined by the SAE.

The vertical depth or height of a single DIN car stereo head unit is typically less than or equal to the depth of a common or standard pelmet 12 provided on a base of kitchen cabinet wall unit. Consequently, it is convenient to utilise the single DIN form factor in the kitchen or other wet or humid environment. Where appropriate, for example with the use of video screens, double DIN or other form factors may be used in this manner.

Connectors at the rear of the head unit 24 enable connection of the head unit 24 to the head-unit wiring harness of the vehicle, including power amplifier and power supply 16.

The head unit 24 may also include a connector for connection to an antenna wiring harness.

The head unit 24 typically includes outputs for connection to a power amplifier 26. However, the power amplifier may be incorporated as part of the head unit 24, and thus these outputs may be dispensed with. If a separate power amplifier 26 is utilised, then the speakers 22 are connected to the head unit 24 via the amplifier. If the power amplifier is integrated as part of the head unit 24, the speakers 22 are directly connected or connectable to the head unit 24.

Other inputs and outputs may be provided. For example, an input for a media storage device, such as hard disk drive and/or flash memory, can be provided, as well as or alternatively to a wireless and/or a hard-wired local- /wide- area-network (LAN / WAN) connection. Direct internet access via the head unit 24 is also entirely feasible.

A line out and/or a wireless output can also be provided.

Preferably, to support the head unit 24 on a base of a kitchen cabinet 14 wall unit, a supporting chassis 28 is provided. The chassis 28 slidably receives the head unit 24, thus allowing simple connection and extraction. The chassis 28 can include head unit connectors, including a connector for the low-voltage power supply 16, pre-mounted thereon as a module 30 at the rear of the chassis 28. This thus allows the head unit 24 and/or power amplifier 26 to be a simple push fit connection without requiring the user to access the rear of the head unit 24 during installation.

The chassis 28 may be hinged to the under surface of the cabinet 14 to allow the chassis 28 to drop down during installation of the head unit 24. Additionally or alternatively, the chassis 28 may include a pull-out portion. The chassis 28 may be beneficially sealed and moisture proof to permit the installation within it of a standard head unit 24, or power amplifier 26, and other automotive specification parts which are not moisture resistant but which form part of the installation.

The user interface 32 at the front of the head unit 24 is moisture and humidity proof. An orifice, such as for a CD, has a moisture and humidity proof seal, and the controls for the head unit 24 are water-proofed.

It is not uncommon for a car audio-visual head unit to include a removable front control panel, typically for security purposes. In this case, the head unit 24 can be provided with two optional control panels 34, one suitable for use with a car or other vehicle, and one which is moisture and humidity proofed for use in a wet and/or humid environment.

Alternatively, a moisture and humidity proof seal such as a transparent flexible seal membrane may be provided to be fitted to a standard automotive specification control panel.

It is thus understood that a single head unit can be used in more than one application, with one of the applications not being automotive Iy related.

The audio-visual entertainment system described above is modular, in that the head unit, power amplifier and speaker(s) can all be changed as necessity dictates. Additionally, multiple adjacent or linked units may be introduced to provide additional facilities or user interfaces.

Instead of being incorporated as part of a pelmet, the system can be provided within or as part of a shelf, or within or as part of a wall, floor or freestanding cabinet.

The kitchen, bathroom, shower room or otiier wet and/or humid environment may be in a domestic, commercial and/or industrial environment. Furthermore, the domestic environment may be in a permanent structure, such as a fixed house, flat or apartment, or in a mobile structure, such as in a mobile home or caravan.

It is thus possible to provide a modular electronic audio-visual entertainment system for safe use in a wet and/or humid environment. By providing a low- voltage power supply and a head unit with a moisture-proof user interface, the electrical hazard is eliminated or significantly reduced. By utilising a vehicle audio and/or visual head unit, simple and convenient location away from a work surface can be achieved.

The present invention thus provides the manufacturer of such vehicular audio-visual systems with a straightforward means of introducing their systems to a domestic environment with the minimum of changes to the products, in a manner such that customers who are familiar with the automotive product will quickly accept the new

application. Additionally, the use of an internationally recognised interface standard in a new environment and or application will allow its widespread uptake and use, thereby maximising consumer choice and options.

The embodiments described above are given by way of examples only, and various other modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.