(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2005/0239434 A1
`Ddailovve
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Oct. 27, 2005
`
`US 20050239434A1
`
`(54)
`
`MULTIMEDIA DEVICE INTEGRATION
`SYSTEM
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`(76)
`
`Inventor:
`
`Ira M. Marlowe, Fort Lee, NJ (US)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`Michael R. Friscia
`
`McCarter & English, LLP
`Four Gateway Center
`100 Mulberry Street
`Newark, NJ 07102 (US)
`
`(21)
`
`Appl. No.:
`
`11/071,667
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Mar. 3, 2005
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(63)
`
`Continuation-in-part of application No. 10/732,909,
`filed on Dec. 10, 2003, which is a continuation-in-part
`of application No. 10/316,961, filed on Dec. 11, 2002.
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51)
`(52)
`
`Int. Cl.7 ..................................................... .. H04B 1/06
`U.S. Cl.
`.......................................... .. 455/345; 455/344
`
`An multimedia device integration system is provided. One
`or more after-market audio or video devices, such as a CD
`player, CD changer, digital media device (e.g., MP3 player,
`MP4 player, WMV player, Apple iPod, portable music
`center, or other device) satellite receiver (e.g., XM or Sirius
`receiver), DAB receiver, video device (e.g., DVD player),
`cellular telephone, or any other device or combinations
`thereof,
`is integrated for use with an existing OEM or
`after-market car stereo or video system, wherein control
`commands can be issued at the car stereo or video system
`and data from the after-market device can be displayed on
`the car stereo or video system. Control commands generated
`at the car stereo or video system are received, processed,
`converted into a format recognizable by the after-market
`device, and dispatched to the after-market device for execu-
`tion. Information from the after-market device is converted
`
`into a format recognizable by the car stereo or video system,
`and dispatched to the car stereo or video system for display
`thereon. One or more auxiliary input sources can be inte-
`grated with the car stereo or video system, and selected
`using the controls of the car stereo or video system. A
`docking station is provided for docking a portable audio or
`video device for integration with the car stereo or video
`system.
`
`
`
`
`10
`
`13
`
`CONTROL
`PANEL
`BUTTONS
`
`14
`
`
`
`INTERFACE
`
`
`
`
`
`CD
`PLAYER
`
`AUXILIARY
`INPUT #1
`
`
`
`AUXILIARY
`INPUT #n
`
`
`IPR2016—00418 — Ex. 2003
`Blitzsafe Texas, LDC, Patent Owner
`1
`
` IPR2016-00418 – Ex. 2003
` Blitzsafe Texas, LLC, Patent Owner
` 1
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Oct. 27, 2005 Sheet 1 of 34
`
`US 2005/0239434 A1
`
`F5IE;.
`
`1
`
`
`
`1°
`
`E"12
`CONTROL
`5
`:
`HEAD
`5
`L----T--_-J
`- — . — - . . . . — . . . .._.I
`
`35
`
`
`
`SATELLITE
`RADIOI
`DAB RECEIVER
`
`F
`
`INTERFACE
`
`
`
`
`
`INTERFACE
`
`CD
`PLAYER
`
`15
`
`
`
`
`
`CONTROL
`14
`PANEL
`BUTTONS
`
`
`
` 2
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Oct. 27, 2005 Sheet 2 of 34
`
`US 2005/0239434 A1
`
`FIG. 2B
`
`CONTROL
`WWH
`BUTTONS
`
` CONTROL
`
`
`
`Hwfl
`BUTTONS
`
`
` SATELLITE
`RADIOI
`
`
`DAB RECEIVER
`
`
`
`
` 3
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Oct. 27, 2005 Sheet 3 of 34
`
`US 2005/0239434 A1
`
`FIG. 20
`
`CONTROL
`PANEL
`BUTTONS
`
`
`
`
`CONTROL
`PANEL
`BUTTONS
`
` .%
`
`
`
`CD
`PLAYER
`
`
`
` 4
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Oct. 27, 2005 Sheet 4 of 34
`
`US 2005/0239434 A1
`
`FIG. 2F
`
`
`
`CONTROL
`PANEL
`BUTTONS
`
`
`
`SATELLITE
`RADIOI
`DAB RECEIVER
`
`
`
`CONTROL
`PANEL
`BUTTONS
`
`MP3
`PLAYER
`
` _____?.?J
`
`
`
` 5
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Oct. 27, 2005 Sheet 5 of 34
`
`US 2005/0239434 A1
`
`10
`
`CAR
`HADIO
`
`20
`
`INTERFACE
`
`13
`
`CONTROL
`PANEL
`
`14
`
`AUDIO
`DEVICE
`
`17
`
`AUXILIARY
`INTERFACE
`#1
`
`40
`
`AUXILIARY
`INTERFACE
`#2
`
`44
`
`"5 «umI’
`
`6
`
`
`
` 6
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Oct. 27, 2005 Sheet 6 of 34
`
`US 2005/0239434 A1
`
`am
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 27, 2005 Sheet 7 of 34
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`US 2005/0239434 A1
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`M We
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 27, 2005 Sheet 8 of 34
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`US 2005/0239434 A1
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`FIG. 3B2
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 27, 2005 Sheet 9 of 34
`
`US 2005/0239434 A1
`
`[J1
`
`FIG. 3C1
`
`
`
` 10
`
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`
`Patent Application Publication Oct. 27, 2005 Sheet 10 of 34
`
`US 2005/0239434 A1
`
`FIG. 302
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 27, 2005 Sheet 11 of 34
`
`US 2005/0239434 A1
`
`22..2E
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` 12
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`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Oct. 27, 2005 Sheet 12 of 34
`
`US 2005/0239434 A1
`
`FIG.
`
`4A
`
`Jr,-100
`
`104
`
`STANDBY MODE:
`WAIT FOR
`
`POWER-UP
`
`CAR RADIO
`ON?
`
`YES
`
`105
`
`HADIO IN
`
`R ESWJMSP V?
`51:? T5
`
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`L
`=
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`i
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`i
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`
`CONVERT INSTRUCTION
`T0 FORMAT
`RECOGNIZED BY
`to PLAYER
`
`
`
`
`
`
`TRANSMIT FORMATTED
`INSTRUCTION T0
`co PLAYER AND
`EXECUTE
`
`
`
`110
`
`115
`
`CONNECT AUDIO
`CHANNELS OF
`co PLAYER
`T0 RADIO
`
`UPDATE DISPLAY
`°%2’%RI2R%'R‘“
`PLAYER
`
`
`
` 13
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Oct. 27, 2005 Sheet 13 of 34
`
`US 2005/0239434 A1
`
`F3113.
`
`-413
`
`130
`
`134
`
`142
`
`144
`
`K
`
`STANDBY MODE:
`
`WAIT FOR
`
`POWER-UP
`
`“A“0fi§°I°
`
`-
`
`YES
`
`135
`
`RADIO IN
`RESPONSIVE
`
`srnré?
`
`
`
`CONNECT AUDIO
`CHANNELS OF
`MP3 PLAYER
`TO RADIO
`
` 140
`
`
`CONTINUOUSLY
`TRANSMIT
`
`DEV‘ C5 PRESENCE
`
`SIGNAL
`
`
`
`145
`
`UPDATE DISPLAY
`OF RADIO WITH
`DATA FROM
`
`
`
`
`
`
`WAIT FOR
`OPERATION
`
`
`INSTRUCTION
`
`FROM RADIO
`
`PLAYER
`
`
`
`
`CONVERT INSTRUCTION
`T0 FORMAT
`RECOGNIZED BY
`MP3 PLAYER
`
`TRANSMIT FORMATTED
`INSTRUCTION TO
`MP3 PLAYER AND
`EXECUTE
`
`
`
` 14
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Oct. 27, 2005 Sheet 14 of 34
`
`US 2005/0239434 A1
`
`160
`
`154
`
`/
`
`STANDBY MODE:
`
`WAIT FOR
`
`POWER-UP
`
`FIG. 4C
`
`°A"0fi§“I°
`
`-
`
`YES
`
`155
`
`RADIO IN
`RESPON SHIE
`5f?TE7
`
` 170
`
`
`CONIINUOUSLY
`TRANSNIT
`0 Evucé PRESENCE
`SIGNAL
`
`CONNECT AUDIO
`CHANNELS 0F
`SATELLITE RECEIVER
`T0 RADIO
`
`173
`
`174
`
`182
`
`15
`
`
`
`
`UPDAIE DISPLAY
`WAIT FOR
`OF RADIO WITH
`OPERATION
`
`
`A DATA FROM
`INSIRUCTION
`
` SATELLIIE RECEIVER
`
`FROM RADIO
`
`175
`
`
`
`
`
`CONVERT INSTRUCTION
`T0 FORMAT
`RECOGNIZED BY
`SAIELLITE RECEIVER
`
`TRANSMIT FORMATTED
`INSTRUCTION T0
`SATELLITE RECEIVER
`
`AND EXECUTE
`
`
`
`
`
`
` 15
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Oct. 27, 2005 Sheet 15 of 34
`
`US 2005/0239434 A1
`
`FIG. 4D
`
` STANDBY MODE:
`
`NAII FOR
`
`POWER-UP
`
`°A”0fl§°I°
`
`=
`
`YES
`
`________________________________ R
`
`"1
`
`:
`1
`
`DISC
`#4 SELECTED?
`
`CONNECT
`AUXILIARY
`CHANNEL #4
`T0 RADIO
`
`I I I I I I I I I ! ! I I I I I I I I I
`
`I
`,
`
`L......................................................_I‘
`
`16
`
`195
`
`CONTINUOUSLY
`SENSE
`
`TRANSMIT
`CONTROL
`“A010 IN
`‘ YES
`'oevIas PRESENCE
`PANEL BUTTON
`=
`9Ej§:;fi:Y"
`SIGNAL
`SELECTION
`!
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
` 16
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Oct. 27, 2005 Sheet 16 of 34
`
`US 2005/0239434 A1
`
`FIG. 4E
`START
`
`// 220
`
`POWER-UP
`
` RADIO IN
`
`Tzesawswe’
`
`smre2
`
` CONTINUOUSLY
`
`TRANSMIT
`
`DEV”? PRESENCE
`
`SIGNAL
`
`
`
`
` EXECUTE LOGIC SENSE AUX.
`
`OF BLOCK
`MODE SELECTION
`
`108 OF
`FROM CONTROL
`
`FIG. 4A
`PANEL OF RADIO
`
`
`
`
`
`
`DISCONNECT
`AUDIO CHANNELS
`OF CD PLAYER
`
`
`
`CAR RADIO
`0“?
`
`STANDBY MODE:
`WAIT FOR
`
`
`
` 17
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Oct. 27, 2005 Sheet 17 of 34
`
`US 2005/0239434 A1
`
`FIG. 4F
`
`START “(,—— 240
`
`ON?
`
` CAR RADIO
`
`STANDBY MODE:
`WAIT FOR
`POWER—UP
`
`
`
`
`RADIO IN
`
`RE5PoNSn/E
`
`
`srgré
`
`
`
`TRANSMIT
`
`V€Vwf
`PRESENCE
`
`SIGNAL
`
`
` CONTINUOUSLY
`
`
`
` DISCONNECT
`AUDIO CHANNELS
`
`OF SATELLITE
`
`RECEIVER
`
`
`
`18
`
`
`
`
`EXECUTE LOGIC
`OF BLOCK
`168 OF
`FIG. 4C
`
`SENSE AUX.
`MODE SELECTION
`FROM CONTROL
`PANEL OF RADIO
`
`
`
` 18
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Oct. 27, 2005 Sheet 18 of 34
`
`US 2005/0239434 A1
`
`FIG. 45
`sum
`
`
`
`
`
`// 250
`
`
`
`STANDBY MODE:
`
`0"?
`
`POWER-UP
`
`RADIO IN
`
`K-ggpo ~5n/5
`snvré
` CONTINUOUSLY
`
`
`TRANSMIT
`
`p%!v/cé'PRESENCE
`
`SIGNAL
`
`
`SENSE AUX.
`EXECUTE LOGIC
`MODE SELECTION
`OF BLOCK
`FROM CONTROL
`138 OF
`PANEL OF RADIO
`FIG. 4B
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
` DISCONNECT
`AUDIO CHANNELS
`
`OF MP3
`
`PLAYER
`
`
`
`
`
` 19
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Oct. 27, 2005 Sheet 19 of 34
`
`US 2005/0239434 A1
`
`FIG. 5
`
`/-300 START
`
` 305
`
`PROCESS AND
`DISPATCH
`COMMAND TO
`AUDIO DEVICE
`
`
`
`
`
`WAIT FOR
`PREDETERNINED
`PERIOD FOR
`
`
` TRACK DOWN
`
`TRACK
`DOWN WITHIN
`PERIOD?
`
`
`
`DISCONNECT
`AUDIO
`DEVICE
`
`
`
`316
`
`
`
`20
`
`
`
` 20
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Oct. 27, 2005 Sheet 20 of 34
`
`US 2005/0239434 A1
`
`F511;.
`
`£3
`
`320
`
`"(»—-
`
` MONITOR
`
`CONTROL PANEL
`
`BUTTONS FOR
`
`AUXILIARY
`
`INPUT SELECTION
`
`
`
` SENSE
`TYPE OF
`
`DEVICE AT
`
`AUX.
`INPUT
`
`328
`
`334
`
`338
`
`21
`
`
`
`EXECUTE
`LOGIC OF
`BLOCK 10B
`OF FIG. 4A
`
`EXECUTE
`LOGIC OF
`BLOCK 138
`OF FIG. 4B
`
`EXECUTE
`LOGIC OF
`BLOCK 1GB
`OF FIG.
`4C
`
`33?
`
`334
`
`
`
`co
`PLAYER?
`
`YES
`
`NO
`
`330
`
`MP3
`PLAYER?
`
`YES
`
`SATELLITE
`RECEIVER?
`
`YE3
`
`
`
` 21
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Oct. 27, 2005 Sheet 21 of 34
`
`US 2005/0239434 A1
`
`FIG.
`
`7A
`
`’/— 400
`
`22
`
`
`
` 22
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Oct. 27, 2005 Sheet 22 of 34
`
`US 2005/0239434 A1
`
`515
`
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`
`'
`
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`
`
`
` 23
`
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Oct. 27, 2005 Sheet 23 of 34
`
`US 2005/0239434 A1
`
`FIG. BB
`
`515
`
`FIG. 9
`
`
`
`T0 CAR STEREO
`
`24
`
`
`
` 24
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Oct. 27, 2005 Sheet 24 of 34
`
`US 2005/0239434 A1
`
`E5.
`
`/0
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`
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`25
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`
` 25
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Oct. 27, 2005 Sheet 25 of 34
`
`US 2005/0239434 A1
`
`26
`
`
`
` 26
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Oct. 27, 2005 Sheet 26 of 34
`
`US 2005/0239434 A1
`
`FIG.
`
`//A
`
`’/ 67‘?
`
`65/
`
`STANDBY MODE:
`WAIT FOR
`
`POWER-UP
`
`CAR RADIO
`ON?
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`YES
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`
`R €$P<w$« V5
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`
`
`
`
`
`WAIT FOR
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`
`INSTRUCTION
`
`FROM RADIO
`
`CONNECT AUDIO
`CHANNELS OF
`CELL PH OH?
`TO RADIO
`
`UPDATE DISPLAY
`OF RADIO WITH
`DATA FROM
`
`
` CONVERT INSTRUCTION
`TRANSMIT FORMATTED
`TO FORMAT
`msmucnou T0
`
`RECOGNIZED BY
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`
`
`
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`
`27
`
`56%
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`E ! !
`
`L.............................................................___l
`
`
`
` 27
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Oct. 27, 2005 Sheet 27 of 34
`
`US 2005/0239434 A1
`
`F167,
`
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`
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`
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`
`28
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` 28
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Oct. 27, 2005 Sheet 28 of 34
`
`US 2005/0239434 A1
`
`FIG.
`
`2/ fl
`
`sum
`
`69/
`
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`US 2005/0239434 A1
`
`Oct. 27, 2005
`
`MULTIMEDIA DEVICE INTEGRATION SYSTEM
`
`RELATED APPLICATIONS
`
`[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S.
`patent application Ser. No. 10/732,909 filed Dec. 10, 2003,
`now U.S. Pat. No.
`, which is a continuation-in-part of
`U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/316,961 filed Dec. 11,
`2002, now U.S. Pat. No.
`, the entire disclosures of
`which applications are both expressly incorporated herein by
`reference.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0002]
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`invention relates to a multimedia
`[0003] The present
`device integration system. More specifically,
`the present
`invention relates to a multimedia device integration system
`for integrating after-market components such as satellite
`receivers, CD players, CD changers, digital media devices
`(e.g., MP3 players, MP4 players, WMV players, Apple iPod
`devices, portable media centers, and other devices), Digital
`Audio Broadcast (DAB) receivers, auxiliary audio sources,
`video devices (e.g., DVD players), cellular telephones, and
`other devices for use with factory-installed (OEM) or after-
`market car stereo and video systems.
`
`[0004]
`
`2. Related Art
`
`[0005] Automobile audio systems have continued to
`advance in complexity and the number of options available
`to automobile purchasers. Early audio systems offered a
`simple AM and/or FM tuner, and perhaps an analog tape
`deck for allowing cassettes, 8-tracks, and other types of
`tapes to be played while driving. Such early systems were
`closed, in that external devices could not be easily integrated
`therewith.
`
`[0006] With advances in digital technology, CD players
`have been included with automobile audio systems. Original
`Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) often produce car stereos
`having CD players and/or changers for allowing CDs to be
`played while driving. However, such systems often include
`proprietary buses and protocols that do not allow after-
`market audio systems, such as satellite receivers (e.g., XM
`satellite tuners), digital audio broadcast (DAB) receivers,
`digital media players (e.g., Apple iPod, MP3, MP4, WMV,
`etc.), CD changers, auxiliary input sources, video devices
`(e.g., DVD players), cellular telephones, and the like, to be
`easily integrated therewith. Thus, automobile purchasers are
`frequently forced to either entirely replace the OEM audio
`system, or use same throughout the life of the vehicle or the
`duration of ownership. Even if the OEM radio is replaced
`with an after-market radio, the after-market radio also fre-
`quently is not operable with an external device.
`
`[0007] A particular problem with integrating after-market
`audio and video systems with existing car stereo and video
`systems is that signals generated by both systems are in
`proprietary formats, and are not capable of being processed
`by the after-market system. Additionally, signals generated
`by the after-market system are also in a proprietary format
`that is not recognizable by the car stereo or video system.
`Thus, in order to integrate after-market systems with exist-
`ing car stereo and video systems, it is necessary to convert
`signals between such systems.
`
`It known in the art to provide one or more expan-
`[0008]
`sion modules for OEM and after-market car stereos for
`
`allowing external audio products to be integrated with the
`car stereo. However, such expansion modules only operate
`with and allow integration of external audio products manu-
`factured by the same manufacturer as the OEM/after-market
`car stereo. For example, a satellite receiver manufactured by
`PIONEER, Inc., cannot be integrated with an OEM car radio
`manufactured by TOYOTA or an after-market car radio
`manufactured by CLARION, Inc. Thus, existing expansion
`modules only serve the limited purpose of integrating equip-
`ment by the same manufacturer as the car stereo. Thus, it
`would be desirable to provide an integration system that
`allows any audio device of any manufacture to be integrated
`with any OEM or after-market radio system. Further, radio-
`frequency (RF) transmitters and cassette tape adapters have
`been developed for allowing music from a device external to
`a car radio, such as a portable CD player,
`to be played
`through the car radio using the FM receiver or the cassette
`deck of the radio. However, such systems are often prone to
`interference, and do not provide high fidelity.
`
`it would be desirable to provide an
`[0009] Moreover,
`integration system that not only achieves integration of
`various audio and video devices that are alien to a given
`OEM or after-market car stereo or video system, but also
`allows for information to be exchanged between the after-
`market device and the car stereo or video system. For
`example, it would be desirable to provide a system wherein
`station, track, time, and song information can be retrieved
`from the after-market device, formatted, and transmitted to
`the car stereo or video system for display thereby, such as at
`an LCD panel of the car stereo or on one or more display
`panels of a car video system. Such information could be
`transmitted and displayed on both hardwired car stereo and
`video systems (e.g., radios installed in dashboards or at other
`locations within the car), or integrated for display on one or
`more software or graphically-driven radio systems operable
`with graphical display panels. Additionally,
`it would be
`desirable to provide a multimedia device integration system
`that allows a user to control more than one device, such as
`a CD or satellite receiver and one or more auxiliary sources,
`and to quickly and conveniently switch between same using
`the existing controls of the car stereo or video system.
`
`[0010] Accordingly, the present invention addresses these
`needs by providing a multimedia device integration system
`that allows a plurality of after-market devices, such as CD
`players, CD changers, digital media devices (e.g., MP3
`players, MP4 players, Apple iPod, WMV players, portable
`media centers, and other devices), satellite receivers, DAB
`receivers, auxiliary input sources, video devices (e.g., DVD
`players), cellular telephones, or any combination thereof, to
`be integrated into existing car stereo and video systems
`while allowing information to be displayed on, and control
`to be provided from, the car stereo or video system.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`invention relates to a multimedia
`[0011] The present
`device integration system. One or more after-market audio
`devices, such as CD players, CD changers, digital media
`devices (e.g., MP3 players, MP4 players, WMV players,
`Apple iPod devices, portable media centers, and other
`devices), satellite receivers (e.g., XM or Sirius receivers),
`digital audio broadcast (DAB) receiver, or auxiliary input 36
`
`
`
` 36
`
`

`
`US 2005/0239434 A1
`
`Oct. 27, 2005
`
`sources, can be connected to and operate with an existing
`stereo system in an automobile, such as an OEM car stereo
`system or an after-market car stereo system installed in the
`automobile. The integration system connects to and interacts
`with the car stereo at any available port of the car stereo,
`such as a CD input port, a satellite input, or other known type
`of connection. If the car stereo system is an after-market car
`stereo system, the present invention generates a signal that
`is sent to the car stereo to keep same in an operational state
`and responsive to external data and signals. Commands
`generated at the control panel are received by the present
`invention and converted into a format recognizable by the
`after-market device. The formatted commands are executed
`
`by the after-market device, and audio therefrom is channeled
`to the car stereo. Information from the after-market device is
`
`received by the present invention, converted into a format
`recognizable by the car stereo, and forwarded to the car
`stereo for display thereby. The formatted information could
`include information relating to a CD or MP3 track being
`played, channel, song, and artist information from a satellite
`receiver or DAB receiver, or video information from one or
`more external devices connected to the present invention.
`The information can be presented as one or more menus,
`textual, or graphical prompts for display on an LCD display
`of the radio, allowing interaction with the user at the radio.
`A docking port may be provided for allowing portable
`external audio devices to be connected to the interface of the
`
`present invention.
`
`invention, a
`In an embodiment of the present
`[0012]
`dual-input device is provided for integrating both an external
`audio device and an auxiliary input with an OEM or after-
`market car stereo. The user can select between the external
`
`audio device and the auxiliary input using the controls of the
`car stereo. The invention can automatically detect the type of
`device connected to the auxiliary input, and integrate same
`with the car stereo.
`
`In another embodiment of the present invention, an
`[0013]
`interface is provided for integrating a plurality of auxiliary
`input sources with an existing car stereo system. A user can
`select between the auxiliary sources using the control panel
`of the car stereo. One or more after-market audio devices can
`
`be integrated with the auxiliary input sources, and a user can
`switch between the audio device and the auxiliary input
`sources using the car stereo. Devices connected to the
`auxiliary input sources are inter-operable with the car stereo,
`and are capable of exchanging commands and data via the
`interface.
`
`In another embodiment of the present invention, an
`[0014]
`interface is provided for integrating an external device for
`use with a car stereo or video system, wherein the interface
`is positioned within the car stereo or video system. The
`system comprises a car stereo or video system; an after-
`market device external to the car stereo or video system; an
`interface positioned within the car stereo or video system
`and connected between the car stereo or video system and
`the after-market device for exchanging data and audio or
`video signals between the car stereo or video system and the
`after-market device; means for processing and dispatching
`commands for controlling the after-market device from the
`car stereo or video system in a format compatible with the
`after-market device; and means for processing and display-
`ing data from the after-market device on a display of the car
`stereo or video system in a format compatible with the car
`
`stereo or video system. The after-market device could com-
`prise one or more of a CD changer, CD player, satellite
`receiver (e.g., XM or Sirius), digital media device (e.g.,
`MP3, MP4, WMV, or Apple iPod device), video device (e.g.,
`DVD player), cellular
`telephone, or any combination
`thereof.
`
`In another embodiment of the present invention, an
`[0015]
`interface is provided for integrating a cellular telephone for
`use with a car stereo or video system. The system comprises
`a car stereo or video system; a cellular telephone external to
`the car stereo or video system; an interface connected
`between the car stereo or video system and the cellular
`telephone for exchanging data and audio or video signals
`between the car stereo or video system and the cellular
`telephone; means for processing and dispatching commands
`for controlling the cellular telephone from the car stereo or
`video system in a format compatible with the cellular
`telephone; and means for processing and displaying data
`from the cellular telephone on a display of the car stereo or
`video system in a format compatible with the car stereo or
`video system.
`
`In another embodiment of the present invention, an
`[0016]
`interface is provided for integrating an external video system
`for use with a car video system. The system comprises a car
`video system; an after-market video device external to the
`car video system; an interface connected between the car
`video system and the after-market video device for exchang-
`ing data, audio, and video signals between the car video
`system and the after-market video device; means for pro-
`cessing and dispatching commands for controlling the after-
`market video device from the car video system in a format
`compatible with the after-market video device; and means
`for processing and displaying data from the after-market
`video device on a display of the car video system in a format
`compatible with the car video system.
`
`[0017] The present invention also provides an interface for
`integrating a plurality of after-market devices for use with a
`car stereo or video system using a single interface. In one
`embodiment, the system comprises an interface in electrical
`communication with a car stereo or video system and an
`after-market device; a plurality of configuration jumpers in
`the interface for specifying a first device type corresponding
`to the car stereo or video system and a second device type
`corresponding to the after-market device; and a plurality of
`protocol conversion software blocks stored in memory in the
`interface for converting signals from the after-market device
`into a first format compatible with the car stereo or video
`system and for converting signals from the car stereo or
`video system into a second format compatible with the
`after-market device, wherein at least one of the protocol
`conversion software blocks are selected by the interface
`using settings of the plurality of configuration jumpers. In
`another embodiment, the system comprises an interface in
`electrical communication with a car stereo or video system
`and an after-market device; first and second wiring har-
`nesses attached to the interface, wherein the first wiring
`harness includes a first electrical configuration correspond-
`ing to the car stereo or video system and the second wiring
`harness includes a second electrical configuration corre-
`sponding to the after-market device; and a plurality of
`protocol conversion software blocks stored in memory in the
`interface for converting signals from the after-market device
`into a first format compatible with the car stereo or video 37
`
`
`
` 37
`
`

`
`US 2005/0239434 A1
`
`Oct. 27, 2005
`
`system and for converting signals from the car stereo or
`video system into a second format compatible with the
`after-market device, wherein at least one of the protocol
`conversion software blocks are selected by the interface
`using the first and second electrical configurations of the first
`and second wiring harnesses. Aplurality of wiring harnesses
`can be provided for integrating a plurality of devices.
`
`[0018] The present invention also provides a method for
`integrating an after-market device for use with a car stereo
`or video system, comprising the steps of interconnecting the
`car stereo or video system and the after-market device with
`an interface; determining a first device type corresponding to
`the car stereo or video system and a second device type
`corresponding to the after-market device; loading a protocol
`conversion software block from memory in the interface
`using the first and second device types; converting signals
`from the after-market device into a first format compatible
`with the car stereo or video system using the protocol
`conversion software block; and converting signals from the
`car stereo or video system into a second format compatible
`with the after-market device using the protocol conversion
`software block.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0019] These and other important objects and features of
`the invention will be apparent from the following Detailed
`Description of the Invention, taken in connection with the
`accompanying drawings, in which:
`
`[0020] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the multimedia
`device integration system of the present invention.
`
`[0021] FIG. 2a is a block diagram showing an alternate
`embodiment of the multimedia device integration system of
`the present invention, wherein a CD player is integrated with
`a car radio.
`
`[0022] FIG. 2b is a block diagram showing an alternate
`embodiment of the multimedia device integration system of
`the present invention, wherein a MP3 player is integrated
`with a car radio.
`
`[0023] FIG. 2c is a block diagram showing an alternate
`embodiment of the multimedia device integration system of
`the present invention, wherein a satellite or DAB receiver is
`integrated with a car radio.
`
`[0024] FIG. 2a’ is a block diagram showing an alternate
`embodiment of the multimedia device integration system of
`the present invention, wherein a plurality of auxiliary input
`sources are integrated with a car radio.
`
`[0025] FIG. 2e is a block diagram showing an alternate
`embodiment of the multimedia device integration system of
`the present invention, wherein a CD player and a plurality of
`auxiliary input sources are integrated with a car radio.
`
`[0026] FIG. 2f is a block diagram showing an alternate
`embodiment of the present invention, wherein a satellite or
`DAB receiver and a plurality of auxiliary input source are
`integrated with a car radio.
`
`[0027] FIG. 2g is a block diagram showing an alternate
`embodiment of the present invention, wherein a MP3 player
`and a plurality of auxiliary input sources are integrated with
`a car radio.
`
`[0028] FIG. 2k is a block diagram showing an alternate
`embodiment of the present invention, wherein a plurality of
`auxiliary interfaces and an audio device are integrated with
`a car stereo.
`
`[0029] FIG. 3a is a circuit diagram showing a device
`according to the present invention for integrating a CD
`player or an auxiliary input source with a car radio.
`
`[0030] FIG. 3b is a circuit diagram showing a device
`according to the present invention for integrating both a CD
`player and an auxil