`
`From:
`Sent:
`To:
`Cc:
`Bcc:
`
`Fava, Janelle on behalf of Friscia, Michael
`Tue 2/08/2005 4:42 PM (GMT-05:00)
`i.marlowe@blitzsafe.com
`Nikolsky, Mark
`
`FW: Attached Image
`Subject:
`Attachments: 3439_001.pdf; Marlowe App|ication.doc; marlow drawings.pdf
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`<<3439_001.pdf>> <<Marlowe App|ication.doc>> <<marlow drawings.pdf>>
`
`Michael R. Friscia
`
`McCarter & English
`Four Gateway Center
`100 Mulberry Street
`Newark, NJ 07102
`Tel. (973) 639-8493
`Fax. (973) 297-6627
`mailto:MFriscia@McCarter.com
`www.McCarter.com
`
`This email message from the law firm of McCarter English, LLP is for the sole use of the
`intended recipient(s)and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized
`review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please
`contact the sender by reply email(or helpdesk@mccarter.com) and destroy all copies of the
`original message.
`
`lPR2()l 6~()()4 18 « Ex. 2005
`Blitzsafc Texas, LLC, Patent Owner
`1
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` IPR2016-00418 – Ex. 2005
`Blitzsafe Texas, LLC, Patent Owner
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`[SLIP SHEET]
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`3439_001.PDF Withheld as Privileged
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`IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`INVENTOR:
`
`IRA MARLOWE
`
`TITLE:
`
`MULTIMEDIA DEVICE INTEGRATION SYSTEM
`
`SPECIFICATION
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`RELATED APPLICATIONS
`
`This application is a continuation-in—part of U.S. Patent Application Serial No.
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`10/732,909 filed December l0, 2003, now U.S. Patent No.
`
`, which is a continuation-in-
`
`part of U.S. Patent Application Serial No. l0/316,961 filed December ll, 2002, now U.S. Patent
`
`No.
`
`,
`
`the entire disclosures of which applications are both expressly incorporated
`
`herein by reference.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present
`
`invention relates to a multimedia device integration system. More
`
`specifically,
`
`the present
`
`invention relates to a multimedia device integration system for
`
`integrating afier-market components such as satellite receivers, CD players, CD changers, digital
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`media devices (e.g., MP3 players, MP4 players, WMV players, Apple iPod devices, and other
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`similar devices), Digital Audio Broadcast (DAB) receivers, auxiliary audio sources, video
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`devices (e.g., DVD players), cellular telephones, and other devices for use with factory-installed
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`(OEM) or after-market car stereo and video systems.
`
`La.)
`
` 3
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`
`
`RELATED ART
`
`Automobile audio systems have continued to advance in complexity and the number of
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`options available to automobile purchasers. Early audio systems offered a simple AM and/or
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`FM tuner, and perhaps an analog tape deck for allowing cassettes, 8—tracks, and other types of
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`tapes to be played while driving. Such early systems were closed, in that external devices could
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`not be easily integrated therewith.
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`With advances in digital technology, CD players have been included with automobile
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`audio systems. Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) often produce car stereos having CD
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`players and/or changers for allowing CDs to be played while driving. However, such systems
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`often include proprietary buses and protocols that do not allow afier—marl<et audio systems, such
`
`as satellite receivers (e.g., XM satellite tuners), digital audio broadcast (DAB) receivers, digital
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`media players (e.g., Apple iPod, MP3, MP4, WMV, etc.), CD changers, auxiliary input sources,
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`video devices (e.g., DVD players), cellular telephones, and the like,
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`to be easily integrated
`
`therewith. Thus, automobile purchasers are frequently forced to either entirely replace the OEM
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`audio system, or use same throughout the life of the vehicle or the duration of ownership. Even
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`if the OEM radio is replaced with an after—market radio, the after-market radio also frequently is
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`not operable with an external device.
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`A particular problem with integrating alter-market audio and video systems with existing
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`car stereo and video systems is that signals generated by both systems are in proprietary formats,
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`and are not capable of being processed by the alter-market system. Additionally, signals
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`generated by the after-market system are also in a proprietary format that is not recognizable by
`
` 4
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`
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`the car stereo or video system. Thus, in order to integrate afier—market systems with existing car
`
`stereo and video systems, it is necessary to convert signals between such systems.
`
`It known in the art to provide one or more expansion modules for OEM and after-market
`
`car stereos for allowing external audio products to be integrated with the car stereo. However,
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`such expansion modules only operate with and allow integration of external audio products
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`manufactured by the same manufacturer as the OEM / after-market car stereo. For example, a
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`satellite receiver manufactured by PIONEER, Inc., cannot be integrated with an OEM car radio
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`manufactured by TOYOTA or an after—market car radio manufactured by CLARION, Inc. Thus,
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`existing expansion modules only serve the limited purpose of integrating equipment by the same
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`manufacturer as the car stereo. Thus, it would be desirable to provide an integration system that
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`allows any audio device of any manufacture to be integrated with any OEM or after-market radio
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`system.
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`Moreover, it would be desirable to provide an integration system that not only achieves
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`integration of various audio and video devices that are alien to a given OEM or after—market car
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`stereo or video system, but also allows for information to be exchanged between the after-market
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`device and the car stereo or video system. For example,
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`it would be desirable to provide a
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`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
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`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
`
` 5
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`
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`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
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`more auxiliary sources, and to quickly and conveniently switch between same using the existing
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`controls of the car stereo or video system.
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`Accordingly,
`
`the present
`
`invention addresses these needs by providing a multimedia
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`device integration system that allows a plurality of alter-market devices, such as CD players, CD
`
`changers, digital media devices (e. g., MP3 players, MP4 players, Apple iPod, WMV players, and
`
`other similar devices), satellite receivers, DAB receivers, auxiliary input sources, video devices
`
`(e.g., DVD players), cellular telephones, or any combination thereof,
`
`to be integrated into
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`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.
`
`6
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`
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`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to a multimedia device integration system. One or more
`
`alter-market audio devices, such as CD players, CD changers, digital media devices (e.g., MP3
`
`players, MP4 players, WMV players, Apple iPod devices, and other similar devices), satellite
`
`receivers (e. g., XM or Sirius receivers), digital audio broadcast (DAB) receiver, or auxiliary
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`input sources, can be connected to and operate with an existing stereo system in an automobile,
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`such as an OEM car stereo system or an afier—market car stereo system installed in the
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`automobile. The integration system connects to and interacts with the car stereo at any available
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`port of the car stereo, such as a CD input port, a satellite input, or other known type of connector.
`
`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.
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`Information from the after-market device is received by the present invention, converted into a
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`format recognizable by the car stereo, and forwarded to the car stereo for display thereby. The
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`formatted information could include information relating to a CD or MP3 track being played,
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`channel, song, and artist
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`information from a satellite receiver or DAB receiver, or video
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`information from one or more external devices connected to the present
`
`invention.
`
`The
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`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
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`be provided for allowing portable external audio devices to be connected to the interface of the
`
`present invention.
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`In an embodiment of the present invention, a dual-input device is provided for integrating
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`both an external audio device and an auxiliary input with an OEM or alter—market car stereo.
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`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
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`auxiliary input, and integrate same with the car stereo.
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`In another embodiment of the present invention, an interface is provided for integrating a
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`plurality of auxiliary input sources with an existing car stereo system. A user can select between
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`the auxiliary sources using the control panel of the car stereo. One or more after—market audio
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`devices can be integrated with the auxiliary input sources, and a user can switch between the
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`audio device and the auxiliary input sources using the car stereo. Devices connected to the
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`auxiliary input sources are inter-operable with the car stereo, and are capable of exchanging
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`commands and data via the interface.
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`In another embodiment of the present invention, an interface is provided for integrating
`
`an external device for use with a car stereo or video system, wherein the interface is positioned
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`within the car stereo or video system. The system comprises a car stereo or video system; an
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`after-market device external to the car stereo or video system; an interface positioned within the
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`car stereo or video system and connected between the car stereo or video system and the after-
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`market device for exchanging data and audio or video signals between the car stereo or video
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`system and the afier—market device; means for processing and dispatching commands for
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`controlling the after—market device from the car stereo or video system in a format compatible
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`with the after-market device; and means for processing and displaying data from the afier—market
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` 8
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`device on a display of the car stereo or video system in a format compatible with the car stereo or
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`video system. The after-market device could comprise one or more of a CD changer, CD player,
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`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 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
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`connected between the car stereo or video system and the cellular telephone for exchanging data
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`and audio or video signals between the car stereo or video system and the cellular telephone;
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`means for processing and dispatching commands for controlling the cellular telephone from the
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`car stereo or video system in a format compatible with the cellular telephone; and means for
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`processing and displaying data from the cellular telephone on a display of the car stereo or video
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`system in a format compatible with the car stereo or video system.
`
`In another embodiment of the present invention, an interface is provided for integrating
`
`an external video system for use with a car video system. The system comprises a car video
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`system; an after-market video device external to the car video system; an interface connected
`
`between the car video system and the alter-market video device for exchanging data, audio, and
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`video signals between the car video system and the afier—market video device; means for
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`processing 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
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` 9
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`
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`processing and displaying data from the after—market video device on a display of the car video
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`system in a format compatible with the car video system.
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`The present invention also provides an interface for integrating a plurality of after—market
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`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
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`and an alter-market device; a plurality of configuration jumpers in the interface for specifying a
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`first device type corresponding to the car stereo or video system and a second device type
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`corresponding to the after-market device; and a plurality of protocol conversion software blocks
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`stored in memory in the interface for converting signals from the after—market device into a first
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`format compatible with the car stereo or video system and for converting signals from the car
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`stereo or video system into a second format compatible with the after-market device, wherein at
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`least one of the protocol conversion software blocks are selected by the interface using settings
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`of the plurality of configuration jumpers.
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`In another embodiment, the system comprises an
`
`interface in electrical communication with a car stereo or video system and an after-market
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`device; first and second wiring harnesses attached to the interface, wherein the first wiring
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`harness includes a first electrical configuration corresponding to the car stereo or video system
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`and the second wiring harness includes a second electrical configuration corresponding to the
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`after-market device; and a plurality of protocol conversion software blocks stored in memory in
`
`the interface for converting signals fiom 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
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`least one of the
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`protocol conversion software blocks are selected by the interface using the first and second
`
`10
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` 10
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`
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`electrical configurations of the first and second wiring harnesses. A plurality of wiring harnesses
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`can be provided for integrating a plurality of devices.
`
`The present invention also provides a method for integrating an after—market device for
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`use with a car stereo or video system, comprising the steps of interconnecting the car stereo or
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`video system and the after-market device with an interface; determining a first device type
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`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 alter-market device into a
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`first format compatible with the car stereo or video system using the protocol conversion
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`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.
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`11
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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`These and other important objects and features of the invention will be apparent from the
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`following Detailed Description of the Invention, taken in connection with the accompanying
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`drawings, in which:
`
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the multimedia device integration system of the
`
`present invention.
`
`FIG. 2a is a block diagram showing an alternate embodiment of the multimedia device
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`integration system of the present invention, wherein a CD player is integrated with a car radio.
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`FIG. 2b is a block diagram showing an alternate embodiment of the multimedia device
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`integration system of the present invention, wherein a MP3 player is integrated with a car radio.
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`FIG. 2c is a block diagram showing an alternate embodiment of the multimedia device
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`integration system of the present invention, wherein a satellite or DAB receiver is integrated with
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`a car radio.
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`FIG. 2d is a block diagram showing an alternate embodiment of the multimedia device
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`integration system of the present invention, wherein a plurality of auxiliary input sources are
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`integrated with a car radio.
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`12
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`FIG. 2e is a block diagram showing an alternate embodiment of the multimedia device
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`integration system of the present invention, wherein a CD player and a plurality of auxiliary
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`input sources are integrated with a car radio.
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`FIG. 2f is a block diagram showing an alternate embodiment of the present invention,
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`wherein a satellite or DAB receiver and a plurality of auxiliary input source are integrated with a
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`car radio.
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`FIG. 2g is a block diagram showing an alternate embodiment of the present invention,
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`wherein a MP3 player and a plurality of auxiliary input sources are integrated with a car radio.
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`FIG. 2h is a block diagram showing an alternate embodiment of the present invention,
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`wherein a plurality of auxiliary interfaces and an audio device are integrated with a car stereo.
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`FIG. 3a is a circuit diagram showing a device according to the present invention for
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`integrating a CD player or an auxiliary input source with a car radio.
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`FIG. 3b is a circuit diagram showing a device according to the present invention for
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`integrating both a CD player and an auxiliary input source with a car radio, wherein the CD
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`player and the auxiliary input are switchable by a user.
`
`FIG. 3c is a circuit diagram showing a device according to the present invention for
`
`integrating a plurality of auxiliary input sources with a car radio.
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`FIG. 3d is a circuit diagram showing a device according to the present invention for
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`integrating a satellite or DAB receiver with a car radio.
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`FIG. 4a is a flowchart showing processing logic according to the present invention for
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`integrating a CD player with a car radio.
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`FIG. 4b is a flowchart showing processing logic according to the present invention for
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`integrating a MP3 player with a car radio.
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`FIG. 4c is a flowchart showing processing logic according to the present invention for
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`integrating a satellite receiver with a car radio.
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`FIG. 4d is a flowchart showing processing logic according to the present invention for
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`integrating a plurality of auxiliary input sources with a car radio.
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`FIG. 4e is a flowchart showing processing logic according to the present invention for
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`integrating a CD player and one or more auxiliary input sources with a car radio.
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`FIG. 4f is a flowchart showing processing logic according to the present invention for
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`integrating a satellite or DAB receiver and one or more auxiliary input sources with a car radio.
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`FIG. 4g is a flowchart showing processing logic according to the present invention for
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`integrating a MP3 player and one or more auxiliary input sources with a car stereo.
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` 14
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`FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing logic according to the present invention for
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`allowing a user to switch between an alter-market audio device and one or more auxiliary input
`
`SOL11"C€S.
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`FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processing logic according to the present invention for
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`determining and handling various device types connected to the auxiliary input ports of the
`
`invention.
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`FIG. 7a is a perspective view of a docking station according to the present invention for
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`retaining an audio device within a car.
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`FIG. 7b is an end view of the docking station of FIG. 7a.
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`FIGS. 8a-8b are perspective views of another embodiment of the docking station of the
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`present
`
`invention, which includes the multimedia device integration system of the present
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`invention incorporated therewith.
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`FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the components of the docking station of FIGS. 8a-
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`8b.
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`FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an alternate embodiment of the multimedia device
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`integration system of the present invention, wherein the interface is incorporated within a car
`
`stereo or car video system.
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`15
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`FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an alternate embodiment of the multimedia device
`
`integration system of the present invention for integrating a cellular telephone for use with a car
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`stereo or video system
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`FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an alternate embodiment of the multimedia device
`
`integration system of the present invention for integrating an after-market video device for use
`
`with a car video system.
`
`FIG. 13a is a block diagram showing an alternate embodiment of the multimedia device
`
`integration system of the present
`
`invention, wherein configuration jumpers and protocol
`
`conversion software blocks are provided for integrating afier—market devices of various types
`
`using a single interface.
`
`FIG. 13b is a block diagram showing an alternate embodiment of the multimedia device
`
`integration system of the present invention, wherein wiring harnesses and protocol conversion
`
`software blocks are provided for integrating after—market devices of various types using a single
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`interface.
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`FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing processing logic of the multimedia device integration
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`system of the present invention for integrating arter—market devices of various types using a
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`single interface.
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`16
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`FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing processing logic of the multimedia device integration
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`system of the present invention for allowing a user to specify one or more ater-market device
`
`types for integration using a single interface.
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`17
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`
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`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to a multimedia device integration system. One or more
`
`after-market devices, such as a CD player, CD changer, digital media player (e. g., MP3 player,
`
`MP4 player, WMV player, Apple iPod, or other similar player), satellite receiver, digital audio
`
`broadcast (DAB) receiver, video device (e.g., DVD player), cellular telephone, or the like, can be
`
`integrated with an existing car radio or car video device, such as an OEM or after—market car
`
`stereo or video system. Control of the after-market device is enabled using the car stereo or car
`
`video system, and information from the after-market device, such as channel, artist, track, time,
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`song, and other information information, is retrieved form the after—market device, processed,
`
`and forwarded to the car stereo or car video system for display thereon. The information
`
`channeled to the car stereo or video system can include video from the external device, as well as
`
`graphical and menu—based information. A user can review and interact with information via the
`
`car stereo. Commands from the car stereo or video system are received, processed by the present
`
`invention into a format recognizable by the after-market device device, and transmitted thereto
`
`for execution. One or more auxiliary input channels can be integrated by the present invention
`
`with the car stereo or video system. The user can switch between one or more after-market
`
`devices and one or more auxiliary input channels using the control panel buttons of the car stereo
`
`or video system.
`
`As used herein, the term “integration” or “integrated” is intended to mean connecting one
`
`or more external devices or inputs to an existing car stereo or video system via an interface,
`
`processing and handling signals, audio, and/or video information, allowing a user to control the
`
`devices via the car stereo or video system, and displaying data from the devices on the car stereo
`
`18
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`
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`or video system. Thus, for example, integration of a CD player with a car stereo system allows
`
`for the CD player to be remotely controlled via the control panel of the stereo system, and data
`
`from the CD player to be sent to the display of the stereo. Of course, control of alter-market
`
`devices can be provided at locations other than the control panel of the car stereo or video system
`
`without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Further, as used herein, the
`
`term “inter—operable” is intended to mean allowing the external audio or video device to receive
`
`and process commands that have been formatted by the interface of the present invention, as well
`
`as allowing a car stereo or video system to display information that is generated by the external
`
`audio or video device and processed by the present invention. Additionally, by the term “inter-
`
`operable,” it is meant allowing a device that is alien to the environment of an existing OEM or
`
`after-market car stereo or video system to be utilized thereby.
`
`Also, as used herein, the terms “car stereo” and “car radio” are used interchangeably and
`
`are intended to include all presently existing car stereos and radios, such as physical devices that
`
`are present at any location within a vehicle,
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`in addition to software and/or graphically- or
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`display-driven receivers. An example of such a receiver is a software—driven receiver that
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`operates on a universal LCD panel within a vehicle and is operable by a user via a graphical user
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`interface displayed on the universal LCD panel.
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`Further, any future receiver, whether a
`
`hardwired or a software/graphical receiver operable on one or more displays,
`
`is considered
`
`within the definition of the terms “car stereo” and “car radio,” as used herein, and is within the
`
`spirit and scope of the present invention. Moreover, the term “car” is not limited to any specific
`
`type of automobile, but rather,
`
`includes all automobiles. Additionally, by the term “after-
`
`market,” it is meant any device not installed by a manufacturer at the time of sale of the car.
`
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`FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the multimedia device integration (or interface)
`
`system of the present invention, generally indicated at 20. A plurality of devices and auxiliary
`
`inputs can be connected to the interface 20, and integrated with an OEM or after-market car
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`radio 10. A CD player or changer 15 can be integrated with the radio 10 via interface 20. A
`
`satellite radio or DAB receiver 25, such as an XM or Sirius radio satellite receiver or DAB
`
`receiver known in the art, could be integrated with the radio 10, via the interface 20. Further, an
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`MP3 player 30 could also be integrated with the radio 10 via interface 20. The MP3 player 30
`
`could be any known digital media device, such as an Apple iPod or any other digital media
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`device. Moreover, a plurality of auxiliary input sources, illustratively indicated as auxiliary input
`
`sources 35 (comprising input sources 1 through n, n being any number), could also be integrated
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`with the car radio 10 via interface 20. Optionally, a control head 12, such as that commonly used
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`with after-market CD changers and other similar devices, could be integrated with the car radio
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`10 via interface 20, for controlling any of the car radio 10, CD player/changer 15, satellite/DAB
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`receiver 25, MP3 player 30, and auxiliary input sources 35. Thus, as can be readily appreciated,
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`the interface 20 of the present invention allows for the integration of a multitude of devices and
`
`inputs with an OEM or after-market car radio or stereo.
`
`FIG. 2a is a block diagram of an alternate embodiment of the multimedia device
`
`interface system of the present invention, wherein a CD player/changer 15 is integrated with an
`
`OEM or after-market car radio 10. The CD player 15 is electrically connected with the interface
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`20, and exchanges data and audio signals therewith. The interface 20 is electrically connected
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`with the car radio 10, and exchanges data and audio signals therewith.
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`In a preferred
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`20
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` 20
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`
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`embodiment of the present
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`invention,
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`the car radio 10 includes a display 13 (such as an
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`alphanumeric, electroluminescent display) for displaying information, and a plurality of control
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`panel buttons 14 that normally operate to control the radio 10. The interface 20 allows the CD
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`player 15 to be controlled by the control buttons 14 of the radio 10. Further, the interface 20
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`allows information from the CD player 15, such as track, disc, time, and song information, to be
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`retrieved therefrom, processed and formatted by the interface 20, sent to the display 13 of the
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`radio 10.
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`Importantly, the interface 20 allows for the remote control of the CD player 15 from the
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`radio 10 (e.g., the CD player 15 could be located in the trunk of a car, while the radio 10 is
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`mounted on the dashboard of the car). Thus, for example, one or more discs stored within the
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`CD player 15 can be remotely selected by a user from the radio 10, and tracks on one or more of
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`the discs can be selected therefrom. Moreover, standard CD operational commands, such as
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`pause, play,
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`stop,
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`fast
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`forward,
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`rewind,
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`track forward, and track reverse (among other
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`commands) can be remotely entered at the control panel buttons 14 of the radio 10 for remotely
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`controlling the CD player 15.
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`FIG. 2b is a block diagram showing an alternate embodiment of the present invention,
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`wherein an MP3 player 30 is integrated with an OEM or after-market car radio 10 via interface
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`20. As mentioned earlier, the interface 20 of the present invention allows for a plurality of
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`disparate audio devices to be integrated with an existing car radio for use therewith. Thus, as
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`shown in FIG. 2b, remote control of the MP3 player 30 via radio 10 is provided for via interface
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`20. The MP3 player 30 is electronically interconnected with the interface 20, which itself is
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`21
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` 21
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`
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`electrically interconnected with the car radio 10. The interface 20 allows data and audio signals
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`to be exchanged between the MP3 player 30 and the car radio 10, and processes and formats
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`signals accordingly so that instructions and data from the radio 10 are processable by the MP3
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`player 30, and vice versa. Operational commands, such as track selection, pause, play, stop, fast
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`forward, rewind, and other commands, are entered via the control panel buttons 14 of car radio
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`10, processed by the interface 20, and formatted for execution by the MP3 player 30. Data from
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`the MP3 player, such as track, time, and song information,
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`is received by the interface 20,
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`processed thereby, and sent to the radio 10 for display on display 13. Audio from the MP3
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`player 30 is selectively forwarded by the interface 20 to the radio 10 for playing.
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`FIG. 2c is a block diagram showing an alternate embodiment of the present invention,
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`wherein a satellite receiver or DAB receiver 25 is integrated with an OEM or after—market car
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`radio 10 via the interface 20. Satellite/DAB receiver 25 can be any satellite radio receiver
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`known in the art, such as XM or Sirius, or any DAB receiver known in the art.
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`The
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`satellite/DAB receiver 25 is electrically interconnected with the interface 20, whic