Express Mail Label No.: EV623709633US
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`IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
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`INVENTOR:
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`IRA MARLOWE
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`TITLE:
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`MULTIMEDIA DEVICE INTEGRATION SYSTEM
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`SPECIFICATION
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`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
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`RELATED APPLICATIONS
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`This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application Serial No.
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`10/732,909 filed December 10, 2003, now U.S. Patent No.
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`which is a continuation-in-
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`part of U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 10/316,961 filed December 11, 2002, now U.S. Patent
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`No.
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`., the entire disclosures of which applications are both expressly incorporated
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`herein by reference.
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`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
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`The present invention relates to a multimedia device integration system. More
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`specifically, the present invention relates to a multimedia device integration system for
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`integrating after-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, portable
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`media centers, and other devices), Digital Audio Broadcast (DAB) receivers, auxiliary audio
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`sources, video devices (e.g., DVD players), cellular telephones, and other devices for use with
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`factory-installed (OEM) or after-market car stereo and video systems.
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`TOYOTA Ex. 1009
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`RELATED ART
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`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 after-market audio systems, such
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`as satellite receivers (e.g., XM satellite tuners), digital audio broadcast (DAB) receivers, digital
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`media players (e.g., Apple iPod, MPS, MP4, WMV, etc.), CD changers, auxiliary input sources,
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`video devices (e.g., DVD players), cellular telephones, and the like, to be easily integrated
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`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 after-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 after-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
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`Express Mail Label No.: EV623709633US
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`the car stereo or video system. Thus, in order to integrate after-market systems with existing car
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`stereo and video systems, it is necessary to convert signals between such systems.
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`It known in the art to provide one or more expansion modules for OEM and after-market
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`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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`Further, radio-frequency (RF) transmitters and cassette tape adapters have been
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`developed for allowing music from a device external to a car radio, such as a portable CD player,
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`to be played through the car radio using the FM receiver or the cassette deck of the radio.
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`However, such systems are often prone to interference, and do not provide high fidelity.
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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, 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
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`device, formatted, and transmitted to the car stereo or video system for display thereby, such as
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`Express Mail Label No.: EV623709633US
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`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
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`(e.g., radios installed in dashboards or at other locations within the car), or integrated for display
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`on one or more software or graphically-driven radio systems operable with graphical display
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`panels. Additionally, it would be desirable to provide a multimedia device integration system
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`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 after-market devices, such as CD players, CD
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`changers, digital media devices (e.g., MPS players, MP4 players, Apple iPod, WMV players,
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`portable media centers, and other devices), satellite receivers, DAB receivers, auxiliary input
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`sources, video devices (e.g., DVD players), cellular telephones, or any combination thereof, to be
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`integrated into existing car stereo and video systems while allowing information to be displayed
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`on, and control to be provided from, the car stereo or video system.
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`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
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`The present invention relates to a multimedia device integration system. One or more
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`after-market audio devices, such as CD players, CD changers, digital media devices (e.g., MP3
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`players, MP4 players, WMV players, Apple iPod devices, portable media centers, and other
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`devices), satellite receivers (e.g., XM or Sirius receivers), digital audio broadcast (DAB)
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`receiver, or auxiliary input sources, can be connected to and operate with an existing stereo
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`system in an automobile, such as an OEM car stereo system or an after-market car stereo system
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`installed in the automobile. The integration system connects to and interacts with the car stereo
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`at any available port of the car stereo, such as a CD input port, a satellite input, or other known
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`type of connection. If the car stereo system is an after-market car stereo system, the present
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`invention generates a signal that is sent to the car stereo to keep same in an operational state and
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`responsive to external data and signals. Commands generated at the control panel are received
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`by the present invention and converted into a format recognizable by the after-market device.
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`The formatted commands are executed by the after-market device, and audio therefrom is
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`channeled to the car stereo. Information from the after-market device is received by the present
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`invention, converted into a format recognizable by the car stereo, and forwarded to the car stereo
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`for display thereby. The formatted information could include information relating to a CD or
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`MPS track being played, channel, song, and artist information from a satellite receiver or DAB
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`receiver, or video information from one or more external devices connected to the present
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`invention. The information can be presented as one or more menus, textual, or graphical
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`prompts for display on an LCD display of the radio, allowing interaction with the user at the
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`radio.
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`A docking port may be provided for allowing portable external audio devices to be
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`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 after-market car stereo.
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`The user can select between the external audio device and the auxiliary input using the controls
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`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
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`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 after-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 after-market
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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., MPS, MP4, WMV, or Apple
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`iPod device), video device (e.g., DVD player), cellular telephone, or any combination thereof.
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`In another embodiment of the present invention, an interface is provided for integrating a
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`cellular telephone for use with a car stereo or video system. The system comprises a car stereo
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`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.
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`In another embodiment of the present invention, an interface is provided for integrating
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`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
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`between the car video system and the after-market video device for exchanging data, audio, and
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`video signals between the car video system and the after-market video device; means for
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`processing and dispatching commands for controlling the after-market video device from the car
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`video system in a format compatible with the after-market video device; and means for
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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,
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`the system comprises an interface in electrical communication with a car stereo or video system
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`and an after-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. In another embodiment, the system comprises an
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`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
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`the interface for converting signals from the after-market device into a first format compatible
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`with the car stereo or video system and for converting signals from the car stereo or video system
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`into a second format compatible with the after-market device, wherein at least one of the
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`protocol conversion software blocks are selected by the interface using the first and second
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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.
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`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
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`after-market device; loading a protocol conversion software block from memory in the interface
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`using the first and second device types; converting signals from the after-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
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`compatible with the after-market device using the protocol conversion software block.
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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:
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`FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the multimedia device integration system of the
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`present invention.
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`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 MPS 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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`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 MPS 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.
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`FIG. 3c is a circuit diagram showing a device 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. 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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`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 after-market audio device and one or more auxiliary input
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`sources.
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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
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`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
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`stereo or car video system.
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`FIG. 11a is a diagram showing an alternate embodiment of the multimedia device
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`integration system of the present invention for integrating a cellular telephone for use with a car
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`stereo or video system; FIG. lib is a flowchart showing processing logic for integrating a
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`cellular telephone for use with a car stereo or video system.
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`FIG. 12a is a diagram showing an alternate embodiment of the multimedia device
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`integration system of the present invention for integrating an after-market video device for use
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`with a car video system; FIG. 12b is a flowchart showing processing logic for integrating an
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`after-market video device for use with a car video system.
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`FIG. 13a is a block diagram showing an alternate embodiment of the multimedia device
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`integration system of the present invention, wherein configuration jumpers and protocol
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`conversion software blocks are provided for integrating after-market devices of various types
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`using a single interface.
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`FIG. 13b is a block diagram showing an alternate embodiment of the multimedia device
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`integration system of the present invention, wherein wiring harnesses and protocol conversion
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`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 after-market devices of various types using a
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`single interface.
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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 after-market device
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`types for integration using a single interface.
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`FIG. 16 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 quickly navigate through a list of songs on
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`one or more after-market devices using the controls of a car stereo or video system.
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`FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an another embodiment of the present invention, wherein a
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`plurality of external devices are integrated using a single interface.
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`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
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`The present invention relates to a multimedia device integration system. One or more
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`after-market devices, such as a CD player, CD changer, digital media player (e.g., MPS player,
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`MP4 player, WMV player, Apple iPod, portable media center, or other device), satellite receiver,
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`digital audio broadcast (DAB) receiver, video device (e.g., DVD player), cellular telephone, or
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`the like, can be integrated with an existing car radio or car video device, such as an OEM or
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`after-market car stereo or video system. Control of the after-market device is enabled using the
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`car stereo or car video system, and information from the after-market device, such as channel,
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`artist, track, time, song, and other information information, is retrieved form the after-market
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`device, processed, and forwarded to the car stereo or car video system for display thereon. The
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`information channeled to the car stereo or video system can include video from the external
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`device, as well as graphical and menu-based information. A user can review and interact with
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`information via the car stereo. Commands from the car stereo or video system are received.
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`processed by the present invention into a format recognizable by the after-market device device.
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`and transmitted thereto for execution. One or more auxiliary input channels can be integrated by
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`the present invention with the car stereo or video system. The user can switch between one or
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`more after-market devices and one or more auxiliary input channels using the control panel
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`buttons of the car stereo or video system.
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`As used herein, the term "integration" or "integrated" is intended to mean connecting one
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`or more external devices or inputs to an existing car stereo or video system via an interface,
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`processing and handling signals, audio, and/or video information, allowing a user to control the
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`devices via the car stereo or video system, and displaying data from the devices on the car stereo
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`or video system. Thus, for example, integration of a CD player with a car stereo system allows
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`for the CD player to be remotely controlled via the control panel of the stereo system, and data
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`from the CD player to be sent to the display of the stereo. Of course, control of after-market
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`devices can be provided at locations other than the control panel of the car stereo or video system
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`5 without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Further, as used herein, the
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`term "inter-operable" is intended to mean allowing the external audio or video device to receive
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`and process commands that have been formatted by the interface of the present invention, as well
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`as allowing a car stereo or video system to display information that is generated by the external
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`audio or video device and processed by the present invention. Additionally, by the term "inter­
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`operable," it is meant allowing a device that is alien to the environment of an existing OEM or
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`after-market car stereo or video system to be utilized thereby.
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`Also, as used herein, the terms "car stereo" and "car radio" are used interchangeably and
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`are intended to include all presently existing car stereos, radios, video systems, such as physical
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`devices that are present at any location within a vehicle, in addition to software and/or
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`graphically- or display-driven receivers. An example of such a receiver is a software-driven
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`receiver that operates on a universal LCD panel within a vehicle and is operable by a user via a
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`graphical user interface displayed on the universal LCD panel. Further, any future receiver,
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`whether a hardwired or a software/graphical receiver operable on one or more displays, is
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`considered within the definition of the terms "car stereo" and "car radio," as used herein, and is
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`within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Moreover, the term "car" is not limited to
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`any specific type of automobile, but rather, includes all automobiles. Additionally, by the term
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`"after-market," it is meant any device not installed by a manufacturer at the time of sale of the
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`car.
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`FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the multimedia device integration (or interface)
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`system of the present invention, generally indicated at 20. A plurality of devices and auxiliary
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`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
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`satellite radio or DAB receiver 25, such as an XM or Sirius radio satellite receiver or DAB
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`receiver known in the art, could be integrated with the radio 10, via the interface 20. Further, an
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`10 MPS player 30 could also be integrated with the radio 10 via interface 20. The MPS player 30
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`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
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`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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`15 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, MPS 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
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`inputs with an OEM or after-market car radio or stereo.
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`20
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`FIG. 2a is a block diagram of an alternate embodiment of the multimedia device
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`interface system of the present invention, wherein a CD player/changer 15 is integrated with an
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`OEM or after-market car radio 10. The CD player 15 is electrically connected with the interface
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`Express Mail Label No.: EV623709633US
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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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`embodiment of the present invention, 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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`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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`15
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`the discs can be selected therefrom. Moreover, standard CD operational commands, such as
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`pause, play, stop, fast forward, rewind, 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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`20
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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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`Express Mail Label No.: EV623709633US
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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 MPS player 30 is electronically interconnected with the interface 20, which itself is
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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 MPS 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 MPS
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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 MPS player 30. Data from
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`the MPS player, such as track, time, and song information, is received by the interface 20,
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`10
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`processed thereby, and sent to the radio 10 for display on display 13. Audio from the MPS
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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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`15
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`radio 10 via th