(12) INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT)
`
`(19) World Intellectual Property Organization
`International Bureau
`
`(43) Internationa] Publication Date
`13 September 2001 (13.09.2001)
`
`IPr-
`
`ss
`
`PCT
`
`(10) International Publication Number
`WO 01/67266 A1
`
`(51) International Patent Classification7:
`
`G06F 15/16
`
`(21) International Application Number: PCT/US01/06600
`
`(22) International Filing Date:
`
`1 March 2001 (01.03.2001)
`
`(25) Filing Language:
`
`(26) Publication Language:
`
`English
`
`English
`
`(30) Priority Data:
`09/521,186
`
`8 March 2000 (08.03.2000) US
`
`(71) Applicant: PHATNOISE, INC. [US/US]; 9911 West Pico
`Boulevard, Suite 808, Los Angeles, CA 90035 (US).
`
`(72) Inventors: LAU, Dannie, C.; 285 Landeros Drive, Santa
`Clara, CA 95051 (US). BENYAMIN, Daniel; 3275 Crane
`Way, Oakland, CA 94602 (US).
`
`(74) Agents: MAGEN, Burt_etal.; VierraMagen Marcus Har­
`mon & DeNiro-LLP, 685 Market Street, Suite 540, San
`Francisco, CA 94105 (US).
`
`(81) Designated States (national)-. AE, AG, AL, AM, AT, AU,
`AZ, BA, BB, BG, BR, BY, BZ, CA, CH, CN, CR, CU, CZ,
`DE, DK, DM, DZ, EE, ES, FI, GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, HU,
`ID, IL, IN, IS, JP, KE, KG, KP, KR, KZ, LC, LK, LR, LS,
`LT, LU, LV, MA, MD, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, MZ, NO,
`NZ, PL, PT, RO, RU, SD, SE, SG, SI, SK, SL, TJ, TM, TR,
`TT, TZ, UA, UG, UZ, VN, YU, ZA, ZW.
`
`(84) Designated States (regional)-. ARIPO patent (GH, GM,
`KE, LS, MW, MZ, SD, SL, SZ, TZ, UG, ZW), Eurasian
`patent (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ, TM), European
`patent (AT, BE, CH, CY, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, IE,
`IT, LU, MC, NL, PT, SE, TR), OAPI patent (BF, BJ, CF,
`CG, CI, CM, GA, GN, GW, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG).
`
`[Continued on next page]
`
`SSS (54) Title: VEHICLE SOUND SYSTEM
`
`(57) Abstract: A vehicle sound system is
`disclosed that includes a set of speakers (106,
`108, 110, 112), a head unit (104) and a disc
`changer.
`In addition to a radio, the head
`unit also includes a means for playing music
`downloaded from a computer (124).
`In one
`embodiment,
`the music downloaded from
`the computer (124) is stored in a compressed
`format on a removable hard disk drive. The
`music can be organized using play lists.
`Software is used to program the head unit (104)
`to communicate with different disc changers.
`The head unit (104) also includes a control
`panel for operating the head unit (104) and the
`disc changer.
`
`Internet
`
`Internet
`server
`
`i 130
`
`A
`
`128
`
`126
`J,
`
`monitor
`
`124
`
`122
`
`120
`
`computer
`
`docking
`station
`
`disk
`cartridge
`
`102
`
`music
`server
`
`104
`
`head
`unit
`i
`
`<
`
`V©
`M
`r-
`vo
`
`O
`£
`
`r T " nr
`
`112
`
`106
`
`108
`
`110
`
`TOYOTA EX. 1107
`
`

`
`WO 01/67266 A1
`
`Published:
`with international search report
`
`For two-letter codes and other abbreviations, refer to the "Guid­
`ance Notes on Codes and Abbreviations" appearing at the begin­
`ning of each regular issue of the PCT Gazette.
`
`

`
`WO 01/67266
`
`PCT/USO1/06600
`
`VEHICLE SOUND SYSTEM
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
`
`This Application is related to the following Applications:
`
`5
`
`AUDIO/VISUAL SERVER, by Dannie C. Lau, et al, filed the same day as the
`
`present application, Attorney Docket No. PHAT-1000US0 BBM; and
`
`PLAY LIST MANAGER, by Daniel Benyamin, et al., filed the same day as the
`
`present application, Attorney Docket No. PHAT-1001US0 BBM.
`
`Each of these related Applications are incorporated herein by reference.
`
`10
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Field of the Invention
`
`The present invention is directed to sound system for use in motor vehicles.
`
`15
`
`Description of the Related Art
`
`The automobile audio industry is a growing and successful industry. Most
`
`automobiles sold include some type of audio system. For example, many automobiles
`
`include a radio, a cassette player and/or a compact disc player. Some automobile audio
`
`systems include a disc changer. A disc changer is a device that can hold more than one
`
`20
`
`audio disc and can be used to play songs from any of the discs being stored in the disc
`
`changer. Typical disc changers are separate components of a stereo system and can
`
`hold six, eight or ten discs such that the discs can be inserted in and removed from the
`
`disc changer separately. Examples of disc changers includes audio compact disc
`
`changers, audio minidisc changers and CD-ROM disc changers.
`
`25
`
`Part of the reason that automobile audio systems are so popular is because many
`
`people want to hear music while they are driving. While listening to a radio is sufficient
`
`

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`WO 01/67266
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`PCT/US01/06600
`
`for many people, a growing number of drivers prefer to pick and choose what music
`
`they will listen to. These drivers prefer audio systems that include a tape deck or a
`
`compact disc player.
`
`Although there are many audio systems with a compact disc player or tape deck
`
`5
`
`available to the public, these audio systems have drawbacks. First, these systems can
`
`only store a limited amount of music. That is, a system with a tape deck can only store
`
`the maximum amount of music that fits on a tape, which often is sixty minutes or one
`
`hundred and twenty minutes. Compact discs typically hold approximately seventy four
`
`minutes of music. Thus, these devices have a limited amount of music that can be stored.
`
`10
`
`Second, if a user is listening to a first tape or compact disc and chooses to listen to a
`
`different tape or compact disc that is not already stored in the player, the user must
`
`remove the compact disc or tape and insert a different one. This can be a difficult and
`
`dangerous maneuver while driving an automobile. Third, tape decks and compact disc
`
`players require the purchase of physical media. Although music can be stored on a
`
`15
`
`computer's memory, prior art stereos require tapes or compact discs for each set of
`
`songs. Thus, extra resources are wasted manufacturing and purchasing the media.
`
`Fourth, the media is vulnerable. For example, compact discs can scratch or break.
`
`Cassettes can wear out or break.
`
`Additionally, there is a new trend to order music online. Consumers can
`
`20
`
`purchase music over the Internet by downloading the music. As downloading music
`
`becomes more popular, consumers will want to play this downloaded music in their
`
`automobiles. An automobile stereo that includes a compact disc player to play music
`
`would require the user to purchase a compact disc recorder and burn a compact disc
`
`in order to play the downloaded music. Thus, there is a need for an improved
`
`25
`
`automobile audio system that does not require cassettes or compact discs, can be used
`
`with reusable media and can play music downloaded from a computer or other device.
`
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`One solution that is currently available is the portable solid state music player,
`
`which uses flash memory to store music files in digitally compressed formats. Some of
`
`these devices include a removable memory such as compact flash card. The compact
`
`flash card can be removed from the player and inserted into a compact flash card
`
`5
`
`reader/writer which is connected to a computer. Other music players connect directly
`
`to a computer for downloading music. These portable solid state music players typically
`
`are shipped with headphones for listening to the music. Alternatively, a user can
`
`purchase an adapter so that the output of the music player connects to the cassette input
`
`of an automobile stereo. While this solution solves some of the problems identified
`
`10
`
`above, using the portable solid state music player with an automobile stereo is not
`
`satisfactory. First, sending the sound signal through the cassette deck causes a
`
`degradation in sound quality. Second, using a solid state music player with a car stereo
`
`as described above can be dangerous because all of the controls are on the portable
`
`player, rather than on the dashboard or another convenient location for the driver. Third,
`
`15
`
`while music can be sent from the portable player to the car stereo, the car stereo cannot
`
`communicate back to a music player so the user is unable to use the controls of the car
`
`stereo to control the music player. Additionally, many portable music players tend to
`
`have a limited amount of storage, there is no convenient location to store the music
`
`player while driving and the solution is not available if there is no tape deck.
`
`20
`
`Another solution includes an in-dash car stereo which plays music stored in MP3
`
`format. This solution, however, has drawbacks. First, to store music on the stereo, the
`
`entire stereo is removed from the vehicle which can be difficult and can break the stereo.
`
`Second, the stereo does not work with a disc changer; therefore, a user who has a
`
`collection of compact discs can no longer use that collection.
`
`25
`
`Thus, there is a need for an improved automobile audio system.
`
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`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention, roughly described, provides for a vehicle sound system.
`
`In one embodiment, the invention includes a head unit and a disc changer. The head unit
`
`includes a means for playing music downloaded from a computer and, in various
`
`5
`
`embodiments, a radio. In one embodiment, the music downloaded from the computer
`
`is stored in a compressed format on a removable hard disk drive. The music can be
`
`organized using play lists. Software is used to program the head unit to communicate
`
`with the disc changer. In one embodiment, the software is user replaceable so that the
`
`head unit can communicate with different disc changers. Thus, if the user already owns
`
`10
`
`a disc changer, the head unit can be programmed to operate with that particular disc
`
`changer. The head unit also includes a control panel for operating the head unit and the
`
`disc changer.
`
`One embodiment of the present invention includes a dock adapted to be
`
`connected to a music storage device, an audio head unit adapted to be connected to a
`
`15
`
`set of one or more speakers and a removable hard disk drive capable of being
`
`removably connected to the dock and the audio head unit.
`
`Another embodiment of the present invention includes a port capable of being
`
`in communication with the disc changer, one or more speaker outputs, one or more
`
`processor readable storage devices capable of storing user replaceable interface
`
`20
`
`program code and music data files, and one or more processors in communication with
`
`the storage device, the port and the speaker outputs. At least one of the processors
`
`engages in two way communication with the disc changer based on the replaceable
`
`interface program code. One of the processors plays the music data files.
`
`In one alternative, the storage devices store both music data files and a set of
`
`25
`
`one or more play lists. Each play list includes identification of a set of music data files.
`
`In the embodiment that includes play lists, the processor plays the music according to the
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`play lists. Another embodiment of the present invention includes a control panel in
`
`communication with one of the processors. In one alternative, the control panel has one
`
`or more controls dedicated to operating the disc changer, for example, a button that can
`
`be used to select a disc from the disc changer.
`
`5
`
`One embodiment of the present invention includes a radio tuner connected to an
`
`antenna. The radio tuner is also connected to an input of an audio switch. The output
`
`of the CD changer is also communicated to an input of the audio switch. Additionally,
`
`the output of the processor playing the music data files is also communicated to the audio
`
`switch. The audio switch receives a switching signal from one of the processors to
`
`10
`
`determine which of the three music sources to communicate to a preamplifier. After
`
`sending the selected music to the preamplifier, the music is then communicated to an
`
`amplifier for transmission to speakers.
`
`These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear
`
`more clearly from the following detailed description in which the preferred embodiment
`
`15
`
`of the invention has been set forth in conjunction with the drawings.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`Figure 1 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the present invention.
`
`Figure 2 is the side view of the dock of the present invention.
`
`20
`
`Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the dock of the present invention.
`
`Figure 4 is a cut away overhead view of a removable hard disk drive.
`
`Figure 5 is the perspective view of the server of the present invention.
`
`Figure 6 is a block diagram of the components of the server of one embodiment
`
`of the present invention.
`
`25
`
`Figure 7 is a flow chart describing the operation of the present invention.
`
`Figure 8 is a flow chart describing the start up process for the controller.
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`- 6 -
`
`Figure 9 is a flow chart describing the start up process for the processor.
`
`Figure 10 is a flow chart describing the firmware update sequence performed
`
`by the processor.
`
`Figure 11 is a state diagram for the controller.
`
`5
`
`Figure 12 is a flow chart describing a process performed by the processor for
`
`playing audio/visual data.
`
`Figure 13 depicts the graphical user interface for the software used on a
`
`computer to manage play lists and load tracks on the hard disk drive.
`
`Figure 14 is a flow chart describing the process of acquiring tracks, managing
`
`10
`
`tracks and adding tracks to a device.
`
`Figure 15 is a flow chart describing the process of creating a play list.
`
`Figure 16 is a block diagram depicting an IDS tag.
`
`Figure 17 is a flow chart describing the method for automatically adding tracks
`
`to a play list.
`
`15
`
`Figure 18 is a flow chart describing the method of selecting new interface
`
`program code to be loaded on the server of the present invention.
`
`Figure 19 is a flow chart describing the process of synchronizing data between
`
`the hard disk drive and the software on the computer.
`
`Figure 20 is a flow chart describing the process for generating a one click play
`
`20
`
`list.
`
`Figure 21 is a block diagram of an alternative embodiment of the present
`
`invention.
`
`Figure 22 is a block diagram of the components of an alternative embodiment
`
`of the music server.
`
`25
`
`Figure 23 is a flow chart describing the operation of an alternative embodiment
`
`of the present invention.
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`

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`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`While the preferred embodiment of the invention is described in regard to an in-
`
`vehicle audio system, the present invention can also be used in other contexts and with
`
`other types of audio/visual data. For purposes of this patent, audio/visual includes audio
`
`5
`
`alone, visual alone, or a combination of audio and visual. Examples of audio data include
`
`music, speech or other sounds. Examples of visual data include video, animation, slide
`
`show, text, still images, etc. Thus, the present invention can be used as a server for
`
`video data, visual text data, speech data, or any other type of audio/visual data. In one
`
`embodiment, the audio/visual data is grouped into tracks. A track could be a song, a
`
`10
`
`message, a story, a video, a scene from a video, etc. The term track is used, therefore,
`
`to refer to a grouping of audio/visual data.
`
`Figure 1 depicts one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 depicts
`
`music server 102 which is one embodiment of an audio/visual server. Music server 102
`
`emulates a disc changer. Emulating a disc changer is understood to mean that music
`
`15
`
`server 102 is not an actual disk changer; however, based on the input/output data
`
`communication to and from the audio/visual server, music server 102 appears to act like
`
`a disc changer. Music server 102 is in communication with head unit 104. In one
`
`embodiment, head unit 104 is a standard automobile stereo head unit which is adapted
`
`to communicate with a disc changer. Connected to head unit 104 are speakers 106,
`
`20
`
`108,110 and 112 for providing music to the user. Figure 1 also shows removable disk
`
`cartridge 120 which can be connected to music server 102 or docking station 122(also
`
`called a dock).
`
`Docking station 122 is connected to computer 124. In one embodiment,
`
`docking station 122 connects to a USB port of computer 124. In other embodiments,
`
`25
`
`docking station 122 can connect to a parallel port, serial port, fire wire connection or
`
`other interface. In other embodiments, docking station 122 communicates with
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`computer 124 using a wireless connection, including infrared, RF, etc. Alternatively,
`
`docking station can be a separate entity on a network communicating to computer 124
`
`over a network.
`
`Figure 1 shows a monitor 126 connected to computer 124. Computer 124 is
`
`5
`
`a standard personal computer known in the art. For example, computer 124 includes
`
`a processor, a memory in communication with the processor, a hard disk drive in
`
`communication with the processor, a USB port, a serial port, a parallel port, a network
`
`interface (e.g. network card or modem), a keyboard and a pointing device. The
`
`keyboard, pointing device and monitor 126 are used to provide and interact with a
`
`10
`
`graphical user interface (GUI) so that a user can add tracks to music server 102.
`
`Computer 124 is connected to Internet 128 via a modem, LAN orothermeans. In one
`
`embodiment of the present invention, an Internet server 130 is provided via the Internet
`
`for downloading tracks, downloading information about tracks, storing information about
`
`tracks and downloading firmware. In one embodiment of the system of Figure 1, the
`
`15
`
`tracks are songs.
`
`In general, the embodiment shown in Figure 1 operates as follows. A user will
`
`insert disk cartridge 120 into docking station 122. Using the GUI on computer 124, the
`
`user will download tracks from the Internet (including Internet server 130) to the hard
`
`disk of computer 124. The downloading of music can also be done without using the
`
`20
`
`GUI of the present invention. After the tracks are on disk cartridge 120, disk cartridge
`
`120 is removed from docking station 122 and inserted into music server 102. In one
`
`embodiment, music server 102 and head unit 104 are mounted in an automobile. More
`
`specifically, music server 102 may be mounted in the trunk of a car and head unit 104
`
`is mounted in the dash board. After disk cartridge 120 is inserted into music server 102,
`
`25
`
`a user can use head unit 104 to access tracks on disk cartridge 120 and play those
`
`tracks through speakers 106, 108, 110 and 112.
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`
`Figure 2 is a side view of docking station 122. On the top of docking station
`
`122 is an opening 140 for receiving disk cartridge 120. In one embodiment, disk
`
`cartridge 120 is inserted into opening 140 in a vertical orientation. Figure 2 also shows
`
`two wires connected to docking station 122. Wire 142 supplies DC power to docking
`
`5
`
`station 122. In one embodiment, wire 142 is connected to a five volt regulated
`
`transformer. Wire 144 connects docking station 122 to a USB port of computer 124.
`
`Figure 3 is a schematic of the internal components of docking station 122. Wire
`
`142 is connected to switch 150. Switch 150 is a mechanical switch that is triggered
`
`when disk cartridge 120 is completely and properly inserted into opening 140. Switch
`
`10
`
`150 is connected to IDE controller 152 and USB to IDE interface 154. Whenswitch
`
`150 is triggered (disk cartridge 120 is inserted in docking station 122), power from wire
`
`142 is provided to IDE connector 152 and USB to IDE interface 154. USB to IDE
`
`interface 154 is also connected to wire 144, IDE connector 152, LED 156 and LED
`
`158. LED 156 indicates whether docking station 122 is receiving power. LED 158
`
`15
`
`indicates hard drive activity. In one embodiment, USB to IDE interface 154 is an
`
`OnSpec 90C36. The purpose of the docking station is to connect the hard disk drive
`
`to the computer. Other alternative docking stations different from that of Figures 2 and
`
`3 could also be used within the spirit of the present invention. Examples of suitable
`
`alternative docks include a cable that connects to both a computer and the disk drive,
`
`20
`
`a connector that connects to both a computer and the disk drive, a drive bay that is
`
`within or connected to the computer and can receive the disk drive, etc.
`
`Figure 4 shows an overhead cutaway view of disk cartridge 120. Outer shell
`
`170 protects and houses the components of disk cartridge 120. In one embodiment,
`
`outer shell 170 is made of hard plastic. Metals can also be used. At one end of outer
`
`25
`
`shell 170 is IDE connector 172. Connected to IDE connector 172 is a printed circuit
`
`board (or a flexible ribbon cable) with various circuit elements and wires. For example,
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`flexible ribbon cable 174 includes capacitors and resistors for decoupling. Connected
`
`to flexible ribbon cable 174 is connector 176. In one embodiment, connector 176 is a
`
`44 pin connector. Flexible ribbon cable 174 maps signals from connector 172 to
`
`connector 176. Connector 176 is attached to hard disk drive 178. In one embodiment,
`
`5
`
`hard disk drive 178 is a 5 gigabyte hard disk drive from Toshiba with a 2 Vi inch form
`
`factor. Other hard disk drives can also be used. A hard disk drives utilizing one or
`
`multiple disks can be used. Hard disk drives with multiple disks typically have separate
`
`read/write heads for each disk. In other alternatives, the hard disk drive can be replaced
`
`by other high density disk drives, flash memory, CDRW or other appropriate storage
`
`10
`
`media. In one embodiment, the gap between hard disk drive 17 8 and outer shell 170
`
`can be filled with a shock absorbing substance.
`
`Hard disk drive 178 includes music files to be played by music server 102.
`
`Hard disk drive 178 also includes various program code and configuration information.
`
`In one embodiment, hard disk drive 178 includes at least five top level directories:
`
`15
`
`/MP3, /playlist, /playlist config, /microcontroller config and /OS. The directory /MP3
`
`contains all of the audio files. The directory /playlist contains all the play list files. The
`
`drive can store many play lists. Each play list file contains a set of strings. Each string
`
`specifies the path location to a particular track in the /MP3 directory. The strings are
`
`stored in the file according to the order set up by the user. The directory /playlist config
`
`20
`
`contains files that include special configuration information for each play list. Examples
`
`of such special configuration information includes whether there should be a pause
`
`between tracks, whether text output should be enabled, whether random play should be
`
`enabled, the length of the gap between tracks, information about repeating tracks in the
`
`play list, etc.
`
`25
`
`The directory /microcontroller config includes a series of files for configuring
`
`controller 320 (see Figure 6) to communicate with head unit 104. One file is a text file
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`with a set of flags which indicate any of the following: disk cartridge change, other
`
`devices connected, head unit text on/off, time elapsed to be displayed up or down, etc.
`
`The flag indicating disk cartridge change is a one bit binary value that is inverted by
`
`computer 124 if disk cartridge 120 is connected to docking station 122 and data is
`
`5
`
`written to or deleted from disk cartridge 120. Note that in one embodiment, music
`
`server 102 is prohibited from writing to disk cartridge 120. The directory
`
`/microcontroller config also includes a button mapping file which is used to override the
`
`function of any button on the head unit. A file is also included which provides a
`
`temperature setting for automatically turning the box off. In one embodiment, music
`
`10
`
`server 102 includes a thermometer and electronics for determining the temperature. If
`
`the temperature reaches the setting in the file, music server 102 will automatically turn off.
`
`Another file in the directory /microcontroller config stores the firmware used to program
`
`controller 320 to communicate with head unit 104. The firmware on hard disk drive 178
`
`is encrypted. The /microcontroller config directory also includes files which store a
`
`15
`
`version number for the encrypted microcode and code for programming a PLD or
`
`FPGA (described below).
`
`In the /OS directory, hard disk drive 178 stores the operating system for music
`
`server 102. In one embodiment, the operating system used is LINUX. Other operating
`
`systems can also be used. In addition to the operating system code, the /OS directory
`
`20
`
`also stores drivers including the IDE driver, audio drivers for the digital to analog
`
`converter, a driver for the serial interface between the processor and the controller, etc.
`
`The /OS directory also stores a start up file which includes start up code performed by
`
`processor 302 after receiving power.
`
`Figure 5 shows a perspective view of music server 102. At one end of music
`
`25
`
`server 102 is an opening 202 for inserting disk cartridge 120. The components of music
`
`server 102 are protected by hinged door 204. When disk cartridge 120 is inserted in
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`opening 202, door 204 is opened. In one embodiment, music server 102 will include
`
`metal springs or high density shock absorbing air pouches inside the outer box in order
`
`to suspend the frame that holds disk cartridge 120.
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`Figure 6 shows a block diagram of the components of music server 102. Bus
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`300 is connected to processor 302, boot ROM 304, RAM 306 and IDE glue logic 308.
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`Connected to IDE glue logic 308 is DDE connector 310. IDE connector 310 is used to
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`connect to connector 172 of disk cartridge 120. RAM 306 is used as memory for
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`processor 302. In one embodiment, RAM 306 includes 16 megabytes of DRAM.
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`Boot ROM 304 is used to store the code for booting processor 302. Processor 302
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`is also connected to controller 320. Music server 102 uses a separate processor and
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`controller because the communication with the head unit is in real time, while processor
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`302 is busy decoding audio and/or visual data. In one embodiment, processor 302 is
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`an EP 7212 from Cirrus Logic, which implements the ARM architecture. One example
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`of a suitable controller is the Phillips 8051 Microcontroller. Note that other processors
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`and/or controllers can also be used. Although controller 320 is referred to as a
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`controller, the terms controller and processor can be used interchangeably and controller
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`320 can be referred to as a processor. The reason device 320 is referred to as a
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`controller rather than a processor is to make the text clearer to read.
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`The communication between controller 320 and processor 302 includes a serial
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`interface. In some embodiments, there is also a program signal sent from processor 302
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`to controller 320. Controller 320 includes an internal flash memory. The program signal
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`is used by processor 302 to program the internal flash memory of controller 320.
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`Controller 320 is connected to glue logic 330, which is connected to connector 322.
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`In one embodiment, connector 322 is a 24 pin Centronics port. Connector 322 is
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`attached to a cable. The other end of the cable connects to head unit 104. Many
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`automobile stereo head units have a disc changer port in the back of the head unit. This
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`port contains an interface to connect to a cable. The signals communicated by the disc
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`changer port include a 12 volt power source, ground, an accessory signal, a clock signal
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`and data pins. In some alternatives, the accessory signal is not part of the cable, is not
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`sent or is sent separately.
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`Glue logic 330 is reprogrammable. For example, glue logic 330 can be an
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`FPGA or a PLD (as well as other suitable reprogrammable logic devices). Glue logic
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`330 is connected to and programmed by processor 302. Glue logic 330 provides
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`latches, inverters and other glue logic that is specific for each head unit and used to make
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`communication from controller 320 compatible with the particular head unit.
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`Connector 322 is also connected to power module 330. The cable from head
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`unit 104 to connector 322 provides the auto's accessory signal and a 12 volt power
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`source from the car battery or other power source. This 12 volt power is communicated
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`to power module 330. Power module 330 then creates a 5 volt DC power source,
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`which is communicated to the components shown in Figure 6. Signal 340 provides 5
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`15
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`volt power to controller 320 The 5 volt power connection to the other components is
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`not shown in Figure 6. Power module 330 also communicates a 12 volt power signal
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`342 to controller 320 for programming the internal flash memory of controller 320. In
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`one embodiment, power module 330 is an LM317 from National Semiconductor.
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`Connected to power module 330 is a switch 332. In one embodiment, switch 332 is
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`turned on when disk cartridge 120 is properly inserted into music server 102. When
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`switch 332 is turned on and the accessory signal is on, power module 330 sends the 5
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`volt power to the components of Figure 6. When switch 332 is not turned on or the
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`accessory signal is not turned on, power module 330 does not send the power to the
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`components of Figure 6. Thus, music server 102 will not operate unless disk cartridge
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`120 is properly inserted in music server 102. In one embodiment, one exception is that
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`the 5volt power signal 340 is always on. In other embodiments, the system does not
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`include switch 332 and will operate without the insertion of disk cartridge 120. In this
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`alternative embodiment, music can be stored in RAM 306 or another storage medium.
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`Figure 6 also shows digital to analog converter 324 connected to processor 302
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`and connector 322. Also connected to digital to analog converter 324 is audio
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`5
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`connector 326. In one embodiment, audio connector 326 includes one or more RCA
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`audio ports. One or more cables connect audio connector 326 to head unit 104. In one
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`embodiment, processor 302 is used to decode the audio/visual files. The decoded
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`audio/visual data is communicated to digital to analog converter 324, and then on to
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`either audio connector 326 or connector 322. Thus, server 120 can provide audio to
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`10
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`head unit 104 via connector 322 or audio connector 326, depending on the particular
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`head unit. The audio signal sent via connector 322 can be analog or digital, depending
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`on the particular head unit.
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`The flash memory internal to controller 320 stores firmware to program
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`controller 320 to interface with the appropriate head unit. If music server 102 is initially
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`15
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`set up to communicate with a first head unit and the user subsequently installs music
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`sever 102 into a different automobile with a different head unit, controller 320 can be
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`reprogrammed to communicate with the new head unit by changing the firmware in the
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`internal flash memory of controller 320.
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`Note that the connection from music server 102 to head unit 104 is described
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`20
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`above to include a pin connector and a cable. Alternatives to a pin connector and cable
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`combination include a cable alone, pin connector alone, wireless connection, optical
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`connection, Ethernet, LAN, modem or another high speed or low speed data line.
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`Figure 7 is a flow chart describing the overall use of the embodiment of the
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`present invention described above. In step 402, a user acquires music. There are many
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`suitable alternatives for acquiring music. In one embodiment, music is acquired by
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`transferring it from a floppy disk, CD-ROM, audio compact disc, etc. to computer 124.
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`Altematively, music could be downloaded over Internet 128 from, for example, Internet
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`server 130. Music can also be stored on computer 124 by transferring it across the
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`network, or any other means known for transferring music or other audio/visual files. In
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`step 404, the music desired to be played using music server 102 is transferred from
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`5
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`computer 124 to disk cartridge 120 via docking station 122. In step 406, disk cartridge
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`120 is removed from docking station 122. In step 408, disk cartridge 120 is inserted
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`into music server 102. In step 410, head unit 104 is operated by a user. In step 412,
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`head unit 104 se