(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2005/0239434 A1
`
`Marlowe
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Oct. 27, 2005
`
`US 20050239434A1
`
`(54) MULTIMEDIA DEVICE INTEGRATION
`SYSTEM
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`76
`
`(
`
`)
`
`Inventor:
`
`Ira M' Marlowe> Fort Lee> NJ (Us)
`.
`EfrrESpfrfiiegc? Address’
`MICC ae
`'& Else]? h LLP
`F c ager
`lag ls ’
`1331M fieways enter
`N
`u 13”?”lggetUs
`ewark’
`J
`(
`.
`(21) Appl' No"
`(22) Filed.
`.
`
`)
`
`11/071’667
`Mar 3 2005
`I
`’
`Related US Application Data
`
`(63) Continuationdnmart of application No. 10/732,909,
`filed on Dec. 10, 2003, which is a continuation_in_part
`of application No. 10/316,961, filed on Dec. 11, 2002.
`
`Publication Classification
`
`nt.
`
`.
`Cl7
`I
`51
`(52) US. Cl.
`
`..................................................... ..
`
`H04B 1/06
`.......................................... .. 455/345; 455/344
`
`An multimedia device integration system is provided. One
`or more after-market audio or video devices, such as a CD
`player, CD changer, digital media device (e.g., MP3 player,
`MP4 player, WMV player, Apple iPod, portable music
`center, or other device) satellite receiver (e.g., XM or Sirius
`receiver), DAB receiver, video device (e.g., DVD player),
`cellular telephone, or any other device or combinations
`thereof,
`is integrated for use With an existing OEM or
`after-market car stereo or video system, wherein control
`commands can be issued at the car stereo or video system
`and data from the after-market device can be displayed on
`the car stereo or video system. Control commands generated
`at the car stereo or video system are received, processed,
`converted into a format recognizable by the after-market
`device, and dispatched to the after-market device for execu-
`tion. Information from the after-market device is converted
`into a format recognizable by the car stereo or video system,
`and dispatched to the car stereo or video system for display
`thereon. One or more auxiliary input sources can be inte-
`grated with the car stereo or video system, and selected
`using the controls of the car stereo or video system. A
`docking station is provided for docking a portable audio or
`v1 eo
`ev1ce or mte ration Wit
`t e car stereo or v1 eo
`'d
`d
`'
`f
`'
`g
`'
`'h h
`'d
`system.
`
`
`
`
`10
`
`13
`
`CONTROL
`PANEL
`BUTTONS
`
`14
`
`
`
`INTERFACE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`CD
`PLAYER
`
`AUXILIARY
`INPUT #1
`
`
`
`AUXILIARY
`INPUT #n
`
`
`IPR2016-01445 Ex. 2001
`
`Blitzsafe Texas, LLC Patent Owner
`1
`
` IPR2016-01445 Ex. 2001
` Blitzsafe Texas, LLC Patent Owner
` 1
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 27, 2005 Sheet 1 0f 34
`
`US 2005/0239434 A1
`
`i=113.
`
`1
`
`
`
`1°
`
`E"12
`CONTROL
`5
`:
`HEAD
`5
`L---—]_--__J
`- - - _ _ — - - - - . n n -_.I
`
`
`
`25
`
`
`
`SATELLITE
`RADIO/
`DAB RECEIVER
`
`
`
`l'
`
`INTERFACE
`
`CD
`PLAYER
`
`
`
`
`
`
`14
`
` CONTROL
`
`PANEL
`BUTTONS
`
`
`
`
`
`INTERFACE
`
`CD
`PLAYER
`
`15
`
`NP3
`PLAYER
`
` 2
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 27, 2005 Sheet 2 0f 34
`
`US 2005/0239434 A1
`
`FIG. EB
`
`CONTROL
`WWH
`
`BUTTONS
`
`
`
`INTERFACE
`
`
`
`SATELLITE
`RADIO/
`DAB RECEIVER
`
`
`25
`
`CONTROL
`PANEL
`
`BUTTONS 14
`
`
`
` 3
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 27, 2005 Sheet 3 0f 34
`
`US 2005/0239434 A1
`
`FIG. 20
`
`CONTROL
`PANEL
`
`BUTTONS
`
`
`
`INTERFACE
`
`
`
`CONTROL
`PANEL
`BUTTONS
`
`14
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`CD
`PLAYER
`
`AUXILIARY
`INPUT #1
`
`AUXILIARY
`INPUT #n
`
`\___________________.V.____________________/
`35
`
` 4
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 27, 2005 Sheet 4 0f 34
`
`US 2005/0239434 A1
`
`FIG. 2F
`
`14
`
`
`
`CONTROL
`PANEL
`BUTTONS
`
`
`SATELLITE
`RADIO/
`DAB RECEIVER
`
`35
`
`
`
`
`
`14
`
`CONTROL
`PANEL
`BUTTONS
`
`
`
`INTERFACE
`
`AUXILIARY
`INPUT #1
`
`
`
`NP3
`PLAYER
`
`
`
`
`
`
`AUXILIARY
`INPUT #n
`
`k..—w_____.—J
`35
`
` 5
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 27, 2005 Sheet 5 0f 34
`
`US 2005/0239434 A1
`
`FIG. 2H
`
`10
`
`CAR
`RADIO
`
`20
`
`INTERFACE
`
`13
`
`CONTROL
`PANEL
`
`14
`
`17
`
`AUDIO
`
`DEVICE
`
`AUXILIARY
`INTEfifACE
`
`40
`
`AUXILIARY
`INIEAEACE
`
`#
`
`44
`
`‘5 «um»
`
` 6
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 27, 2005 Sheet 6 0f 34
`
`US 2005/0239434 A1
`
`REE
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 27, 2005 Sheet 7 0f 34
`
`US 2005/0239434 A1
`
`10K
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 27, 2005 Sheet 8 0f 34
`
`US 2005/0239434 A1
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`FIG. 382
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 27, 2005 Sheet 9 0f 34
`
`US 2005/0239434 A1
`
`FIG. 361
`
`
`
`10
`
` 10
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 27, 2005 Sheet 10 0f 34
`
`US 2005/0239434 A1
`
`FIG. 302
`
`R3
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 27, 2005 Sheet 11 0f 34
`
`US 2005/0239434 A1
`
`I;_FI__aua:.iWi:_-Qomm«flmuN_285HmmF......PL229.2egaemfiWST
`___55m__V\n__\\EMama_2mg”_.852-4x__92%N__E_§2%__a__mmama__n__Us:aHmmas;a_:53au222:a,m_x4010_mam.omm."_a_2z_-meE};
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 27, 2005 Sheet 12 0f 34
`
`US 2005/0239434 A1
`
`FIG.
`
`4A
`
`100
`
`f
`
`STANDBY MODE: CAROfléfllo
`
`wAII FOR
`POWER-UP
`
`-
`
`104
`
`YES
`
`105
`
`RADIO IN
`REfi%~9v€
`
`512115 110
`
`
`CONTINUOUSLY
`TRANSMIT
`
`DEW CE PRESENCE
`SIGNAL
`
`
`CONNECT AUDIO
`CHANNELS 0F
`CD PLAYER
`Io RADIO
`
`
`PLAYER
`
`UPDATE DISPLAY
`OF RADIO WITH
`DATA FROM
`
`115
`
`
`
`
`WAIT FOR
`OPERATION
`
`
`INSTRUCTION
`
`FROM RADIO
`
`
`
`
`CONVERT INSTRUCTION
`TO FORMAT
`RECOGNIZED BY
`CD PLAYER
`
`
`
`TRANSMIT FORMATTED
`INSTRUCTION TO
`CD PLAYER AND
`EXECUTE
`
`L____________________________________________________________J
`
`13
`
` 13
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 27, 2005 Sheet 13 0f 34
`
`US 2005/0239434 A1
`
`FIG. 4B
`
`130
`
`I',v-
`
`134
`
`
`
`STANDBY MODE:
`NAIT FOR
`PDNER-UP
`
`PAROEADIO
`‘
`
`YES
`
`135
`
`
`
`RADID IN
`RESPONSIVE
`smrE?
`
`
`
`
`
`_____________________ ES..__.__..____.__._.._.._.______._.___.
`
`
`
`L—
`
`140
`
`CDNNECT AUDIO
`CHANNELS 0F
`MP3 PLAYER
`TD RADID
`
`’1
`142 L
`
`
`
`
`CONTINUOUSLY
`TRANSNIT
`
`DEVICE PRESENCE
`
`SIGNAL
`
`
`
`PLAYER
`FROM RADIO
`
`
`WAIT FOR
`
`OPERATION
`INSTRUCTION
`
`145
`
`UPDATE DISPLAY
`OF RADIO WITH
`DATA FROM
`
`144
`
`
`
`CONVERT INSTRUCTION
`TO FORMAT
`RECOGNIZED BY
`MP3 PLAYER
`
`
`
`TRANSMIT FORMATTED
`INSTRUCTION TO
`NPR PLAYER AND
` EXECUTE
`
`
`
`
` 14
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 27, 2005 Sheet 14 0f 34
`
`US 2005/0239434 A1
`
`154
`
`160
`
`/
`
`STANDDV MODE:
`NAIT FOR
`ROVER-UP
`
`FIG. 4C
`
`“Aflofiénlo
`-
`
`YES
`
`155
`
`RADIO IN
`RESPON SCI/E
`
`513:1?
`
`170
`
`175
`
`CONNECT AUDIO
`CHANNELS OF
`SATELLITE RECEIVER
`T0 RADIO
`
`UPDATE DISPLAY
`OF RADIO NITH
`ADATA ERON
`SATELLITE RECEIVER
`
`
`CONTINUOUSLV
`TRANSNIT
`
`Dex/Ia? PRESENCE
`
`
`SICNAL
`
`
`
`
`
`
`NAIT FOR
`OPERATION
`
`INSTRUCTION
`
`
`
` FROM RADIO
`
`
`
`
`
`CONVERT INSTRUCTION
`TO FORMAT
`RECOGNIZED BY
`SATELLITE RECEIVER
`
`TRANSNIT FORMATTED
`INSTRUCTION TO
`SATELLITE RECEIVER
`AND EXECUTE
`
`182
`
`i
`A
`I
`i
`i
`.
`L__..............................................................."__J
`
`172!
`I
`=
`I
`
`174:
`
`;,/-159
`
`
`
`i i ! |
`
`15
`
` 15
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 27, 2005 Sheet 15 0f 34
`
`US 2005/0239434 A1
`
`FIG. 40
`
`190
`
`/'
`
` START
`
`
` CAR RADIO
`ON?
`
`STANDBY MODE:
`WAIT FOR
`POWER-UP
`
`
`
`
`
`CONTINUOUSLY
`_ TRANSHIT
`DévIaf'PHESENCE
`SIGNAL
`
`194
`
`
`
`
`
`RADIO IN
`SENSE
`Ram“?
`CONTROL
`
`51¢n1;
`PANEL BUTTON
`SELECTION
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
` CONNECT
`AUXILIARY
`
`CHANNEL #1
`
`T0 RADIO
`
`
`
` CONNECT
`AUXILIARY
`
`CHANNEL #2
`
`TO RADIO
`
`
`
` CONNECT‘
`AUXILIARY
`
`CHANNEL #3
`
`TO RADIO
`
`
`
`DISC
`I Mmmm
`,
`
`CONNECT
`AUXILIARY
`WWH4
`T0 RADIO
`
`,
`1
`
`L___________________________________________________.._I
`
`| I I | l I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I
`
` 16
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 27, 2005 Sheet 16 0f 34
`
`US 2005/0239434 A1
`
`FIG. 4E
`
`220
`
`/
`
`
`
`STANDBY MODE:
`WAIT FOR
`POWER-UP
`
`START
`
`
`
`CAR RADIO
`0“?
`
`
` RADIO IN
`RESFbNSNE
`
`5rAre2
`
`
`
`
`
`
`223
`
`
`CD
`PLAYER
`PRESENT?
`
`CONTINUOUSLY
`TRANSMIT
`DEVICE PRESENCE
`SIGNAL
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`DISCONNECT
`AUDIO CHANNELS
`0F co PLAYER
`
`EXECUTE
`LOGIC 0F
`BLOCK 193
`0F FIG. 40
`
`
`
`
`
`17
`
`
`
`SENSE AUX.
`MODE SELECTION
`FROM CONTROL
`
`PANEL OF RADIO
`
`
`
`
`AUXILIARY
`MODE?
`
`EXECUTE LOGIC
`OF BLOCK
`108 OF
`FIG. 4A
`
` 17
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 27, 2005 Sheet 17 0f 34
`
`US 2005/0239434 A1
`
`FIG. 4F
`
`START
`
`24o
`
`1!"'.
`
`
`
`STANDBY MODE:
`WAIT FOR
`POWER—UP
`
`CA” RADIO
`0“?
`
`
`
` RADIO IN
`51'gm?
`
`RESPONSIVE
`
`
`
`
`CI%§%%USLY
`SATELLIT
`24B
`
`
` pgwci PRESENCE
`
`RECEIVER
`
` PRESENT?
`SIGNAL
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`EXECUTE LOGIC
`OF BLOCK
`168 OF
`FIG. 4C
`
`
`
`AUXILIARY
`MODE?
`
`SENSE AUX.
`MODE SELECTION
`FROM CONTROL
`PANEL OF RADIO
`
`18
`
`
`
`
`
`EXECUTE
`DISCONNECT
`LOGIC OF
`AUDIO CHANNELS
`BLOCK 198
`0F SATELLITE
`OF FIG. 40
`RECEIVER
`
`
`
`
`
` 18
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 27, 2005 Sheet 18 0f 34
`
`US 2005/0239434 A1
`
`FIG. 48
`
`START
`
`250
`
`A""'
`
`
`
`0"?
`
`STANDBY HOOE:
`
`POWER-UP
`
` RADIO IN
`
`Kama/u!
`
`5W
`
`19
`
`
`
`
`
`CONTINUOUSLY
`NP3
`268
`
`PLAYER
`THANSgégSENCE
`éFVIcE?
`
`PRESENT?
`SIGNAL
`P
`
`
`
`
`
`
`EXECUTE LOGIC
`OF BLOCK
`138 OF
`FIG. 48
`
`
`SENSE AUX.
`
`MODE SELECTION
`AUXILIARY
`MODE?
`FROM CONTHOL
`
`PANEL OF RADIO
`
`DISCONNECT
`AUDIO CHANNELS
`OF NP3
`PLAYER
`
`
`
`EXECUTE
`LOGIC OF
`BLOCK 198
`OF FIG. 40
`
`
` 19
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 27, 2005 Sheet 19 0f 34
`
`US 2005/0239434 A1
`
`START
`
`FIG. 5
`
`300
`
`afi”'—
`
`
`
`
`
`
`MONITOR
`CONTROL
`PANELS
`BUTTONS
`
`
`
`
`
`PROCESS AND
`DISPATCH
`COMMAND TO
`AUDIO DEVICE
`
`305
`
`20
`
`
`
`
`
`WAIT FOR
`PREDETERMINED
`PERIOD FOR
`
`TRACK DOWN
`
`
`
`
`TRACK
`DOWN WITHIN
`PERIOD?
`
`
`DISCONNECT
`AUDIO
`
`DEVICE
`
`315
`
`
`
`EXECUTE
`LOGIC 0F
`BLOCK 198
`OF FIG. 40
`
`
`
` 20
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 27, 2005 Sheet 20 0f 34
`
`US 2005/0239434 A1
`
`fill}.
`
`£3
`
`320
`
`“(¢—-
` MONITOR
`
`332
`
`324
`
`CONTROL PANEL
`
`BUTTONS FOR
`
`AUXILIARY
`
`INPUT SELECTION
`
`
`
` SENSE
`TYPE OF
`
`DEVICE AT
`
`AUX.
`INPUT
`
`
`
`CD
`PLAYER?
`
`
`
` EXECUTE
`
`LOGIC 0F
`BLOCK 103
`OF FIG.
`4A
`
`
`
`328
`
`334
`
`333
`
`21
`
` EXECUTE
`
` EXECUTE
`
`LOGIC 0F
`BLOCK 138
`OF FIG. 4B
`
`
`
`MP3
`PLAYER?
`
`
`
`
`
`SATELLITE
`LOGIC OF
`RECEIVER?
`BLOCK 188
`OF FIG.
`4C
`
`
` 21
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 27, 2005
`
`Sheet 21 0f 34
`
`US 2005/0239434 A1
`
`FIG.
`
`7A
`
`400
`
`f
`
`403
`
`
`
`402
`
`
`
`22
`
` 22
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 27, 2005 Sheet 22 0f 34
`
`US 2005/0239434 A1
`
`FIG.
`
`BA
`
`-___-_-_:l
`
`03S
`
`--__-____________-____-,_-
`a
`
`l- - —‘—\
`
`23
`
` 23
`
`
`
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 27, 2005 Sheet 23 0f 34
`
`US 2005/0239434 A1
`
`FIG. 88
`
`515
`
`
`
`FIG. 9
`
`DOCKINB STATION
`
`5°“
`
`
`
`520
`
`AUDIO DEVICE I
`INTERFACE
`I 54°
`
`T0 CAR STEREO
`
`24
`
` 24
`
`

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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 27, 2005 Sheet 26 0f 34
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 27, 2005 Sheet 34 0f 34
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`US 2005/0239434 A1
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`US 2005/0239434 A1
`
`Oct. 27, 2005
`
`MULTIMEDIA DEVICE INTEGRATION SYSTEM
`
`RELATED APPLICATIONS
`
`[0001] This application is a continuation—in—part of U.S.
`patent application Ser. No. 10/732,909 filed Dec. 10, 2003,
`
`now US. Pat. No.
`, which is a continuation-in-part of
`US. patent application Ser. No. 10/310,961 filed Dec. 11,
`
`2002, now US. Pat. No.
`, the entire disclosures of
`which applications are both expressly incorporated herein by
`reference.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0002]
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`invention relates to a multimedia
`[0003] The present
`device integration system. More specifically,
`the present
`invention relates to a multimedia device integration system
`for integrating after-market components such as satellite
`receivers, CD players, CD changers, digital media devices
`(eg, MP3 players, MP4 players, W'MV players, Apple iPod
`devices, portable media centers, and other devices), Digital
`Audio Broadcast (DAB) receivers, auxiliary audio sources,
`Video devices (eg, DVD players), cellular telephones, and
`other devices for use with factory-installed (OEM) or after-
`market car stereo and video systems.
`
`:0004]
`
`2. Related Art
`
`:0005] Automobile audio systems have continued to
`advance in complexity and the number of options available
`0 automobile purchasers. Early audio systems offered a
`simple AM and/or FM tuner, and perhaps an analog tape
`deck for allowing cassettes, 8-traeks, and other types of
`apes to be played while driving. Such early systems were
`closed, in that external devices could not be easily integrated
`herewith.
`
`
`
`_0006] With advances in digital technology, CD players
`iave been included with automobile audio systems. Original
`Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) often produce car stereos
`iaving CD players and/0r changers for allowing CDs to be
`)layed while driving. However, such systems often include
`Jroprietary buses and protocols that do not allow after-
`market audio systems, sueh as satellite receivers (e.g., XM
`satellite tuners), digital audio broadcast (DAB) receivers,
`digital media players (e.g., Apple iPod, MP3, MP4, WMV,
`etc.), CD changers, auxiliary input sources, video devices
`(eg, DVD players), cellular telephones, and the like, to be
`easily integrated therewith. Thus, automobile purchasers are
`frequently forced to either entirely replace the OEM audio
`system, or use same throughout the life of the vehicle or the
`duration of ownership. Even if the OEM radio is replaced
`with an after-market radio, the after-market radio also fre-
`quently is not operable with an external device.
`
`[0007] Aparticular problem with integrating after—market
`audio and Video systems with existing car stereo and Video
`systems is that signals generated by both systems are in
`proprietary formats, and are not capable of being processed
`by the after-market system. Additionally, signals generated
`by the after-market system are also in a proprietary format
`that is not recognizable by the car stereo or video system.
`Thus, in order to integrate after-market systems with exist-
`ing car stereo and video systems, it is necessary to convert
`signals between such systems.
`
`It known in the art to provide one or more expan-
`[0008]
`sion modules for OEM and after—market car stereos [or
`allowing external audio products to be integrated with the
`car stereo. However, such expansion modules only operate
`with and allow integration of external audio products manu—
`factured by the same manufacturer as the OEM/after-market
`car stereo. For example, a satellite receiver manufactured by
`PIONEER, Inc., cannot be integrated with an OEM car radio
`manufactured by TOYOTA or an after—market car radio
`manufactured by CLARION, Inc. Thus, existing expansion
`modules only serve the limited purpose of integrating equip—
`ment by the same manufacturer as the car stereo. Thus, it
`would be desirable to provide an integration system that
`allows any audio device of any manufacture to be integrated
`with any OEM or after—market radio system. Further, radio—
`frequency (RF) transmitters and cassette tape adapters have
`been developed for allowing music from a device external to
`a car radio, such as a portable CD player,
`to be played
`through the car radio using the FM receiver or the cassette
`deck of the radio. However, such systems are often prone to
`interference, and do not provide high fidelity.
`[0009] Moreover,
`it would be desirable to provide an
`integration system that not only achieves integration of
`various audio and video devices that are alien to a given
`OEM or after-market car stereo or video system, but also
`allows for information to be exchanged between the after—
`market device and the car stereo or video system. For
`example, it would be desirable to provide a system wherein
`station, track, time, and song information earl be retrieved
`10m the after-market device, formatted, and transmitted to
`he car stereo or video system for display thereby, such as at
`an LCD panel of the car stereo or on one or more display
`Janels of a car Video system. Such information could be
`ransmitted and displayed on both hardwired car stereo and
`video systems (e.g., radios installed in dashboards or at other
`ocations within the car), or integrated for display on one or
`more software or graphically-driven radio systems operable
`with graphical display panels. Additionally,
`it would be
`desirable to provide a multimedia device integration system
`hat allows a user to control more than one device, such as
`a CD or satellite receiver and one or more auxiliary sources,
`and to quickly and conveniently switch between same using
`he existing controls of the car stereo or video system.
`[00l0] Accordingly, the present invention addresses these
`needs by providing a multimedia device integration system
`hat allows a plurality of after-market devices, such as CD
`layers, CD changers, digital media devices (eg, MP3
`olayers, MP4 players, Apple iPod, WMV players, portable
`media centers, and other devices), satellite receivers, DAB
`receivers, auxiliary input sources, Video devices (eg, DVD
`alayers), cellular telephones, or any combination thereof, to
`be integrated into existing car stereo and video systems
`while allowing information to be displayed on, and control
`0 be provided from, the car stereo or Video system.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`
`
`invention relates to a multimedia
`[0011] The present
`device integration system. One or more after-market audio
`devices, such as CD players, CD changers, digital media
`devices (eg, MP3 players, MP4 players, WMV players,
`Apple iPod devices, portable media centers, and other
`devices), satellite receivers (e.g., XM or Sirius receivers),
`digital audio broadcast (DAB) receiver, or auxiliary input
`
`36
`
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`
`

`

`US 2005/0239434 A1
`
`Oct. 27, 2005
`
`sources, can be connected to and operate with an existing
`stereo system in an automobile, such as an OEM car stereo
`system or an after—market car stereo system installed in the
`automobile. The integration system connects to and interacts
`with the car stereo at any available port of the car stereo,
`such as a CD input port, a satellite input, or other known type
`of connection. If the car stereo system is an after-market car
`stereo system, the present invention generates a signal that
`is sent to the car stereo to keep same in an operational state
`and responsive to external data and signals. Commands
`generated at the control panel are received by the present
`invention and converted into a format recognizable by the
`after-market device. The formatted commands are executed
`by the after—market device, and audio therefrom is channeled
`to the car stereo. Information from the after—market device is
`received by the present invention, converted into a format
`recognizable by the car stereo, and forwarded to the car
`stereo for display thereby. The formatted information could
`include information relating to a CD or MP3 track being
`played, channel, song, and artist information from a satellite
`receiver or DAR receiver, or Video information from one or
`more external devices connected to the present invention.
`The information can be presented as one or more menus,
`textual, or graphical prompts for display on an LCD display
`of the radio, allowing interaction with the user at the radio.
`A docking port may be provided for allowing portable
`external audio devices to be connected to the interface of the
`present invention.
`a
`invention,
`[0012]
`In an embodiment of the present
`dual-input device is provided for integrating both an external
`audio device and an auxiliary input with an OEM or after-
`market car stereo. The user can select between the external
`audio device and the auxiliary input using the controls of the
`car stereo. The invention can automatically detect the type of
`device connected to the auxiliary input, and integrate same
`with the car stereo.
`
`In another embodiment of the present invention, an
`[0013]
`interface is provided for integrating a plurality of auxiliary
`input sources with an existing car stereo system. A user can
`select between the auxiliary sources using the control panel
`of the car stereo. One or more after—market audio devices can
`be integrated with the auxiliary input sources, and a user can
`switch between the audio device and the auxiliary input
`sources using the car stereo. Devices connected to the
`auxiliary input sources are inter—ope rable with the car stereo,
`and are capable of exchanging commands and data via the
`interface.
`
`In another embodiment of the present invention, an
`[0014]
`interface is provided for integrating an external device for
`use with a car stereo or video system, wherein the interface
`is positioned within the car stereo or video system. The
`system comprises a car stereo or video system; an after-
`market device external to the car stereo or video system; an
`interface positioned within the car stereo or video system
`and connected between the car stereo or video system and
`the after-market device for exchanging data and audio or
`video signals between the car stereo or video system and the
`after-market device; means for processing and dispatching
`commands for controlling the after-market device from the
`car stereo or video system in a format compatible with the
`after-market device; and means for processing and display-
`ing data from the after-market device on a display of the car
`stereo or video system in a format compatible with the car
`
`stereo or video system. The after-market device could com-
`prise one or more of a CD changer, CD player, satellite
`receiver (e.g., XM or Sirius), digital media device (e.g.,
`MP3, MP4, WMV, or Apple iPod device), video device (e.g.,
`DVD player), cellular
`telephone, or any combination
`thereof.
`
`In another embodiment of the present invention, an
`[0015]
`interface is provided for integrating a cellular telephone for
`use with a car stereo or video system. The system comprises
`a car stereo or video system; a cellular telephone external to
`the car stereo or video system; an interface connected
`between the car stereo or video system and the cellular
`telephone for exchanging data and audio or video signals
`between the car stereo or video system and the cellular
`telephone; means for processing and dispatching commands
`for controlling the cellular telephone from the car stereo or
`video system in a
`format compatible with the cellular
`telephone; and means for processing and displaying data
`from the cellular telephone on a display of the car stereo or
`video system in a format compatible with the car stereo or
`video system.
`[0016]
`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 system; an after-market video device external to the
`car video system; an interface connected between the car
`video system and the after—market video device for exchang—
`ing data, audio, and video signals between the car video
`system and the after—market video device; means for pro—
`cessing and dispatching comm ands for controlling the after—
`market video device from the car video system in a format
`compatible with the after—market video device; and means
`for processing and displaying data from the after—market
`video device on a display of the car video system in a format
`compatible with the car video system.
`
`[00l7] The present invention also provides an interface for
`integrating a plurality of after-market devices for use with a
`car stereo or video system using a single interface. In one
`embodiment, the system comprises an interface in electrical
`communication with a car stereo or video system and an
`after-market device; a plurality of configuration jumpers in
`the interface for specifying a first device type corresponding
`to the car stereo or video system and a second device type
`corresponding to the after-market device; and a plurality of
`protocol conversion software blocks stored in memory in the
`interface for converting signals from the after-market device
`into a first format compatible with the car stereo or video
`system and for converting signals from the car stereo or
`video system into a second format compatible with the
`after-market device, wherein at least one of the protocol
`conversion software blocks are selected by the interface
`using settings of the plurality of configuration jumpers. In
`another embodiment, the system comprises an interface in
`electrical communication with a car stereo or video system
`and an after-market device; first and second wiring har-
`nesses attached to the interface, wherein the first wiring
`harness includes a first electrical configuration correspond—
`ing to the car stereo or video system and the second wiring
`harness includes a second electrical configuration corre-
`sponding to the after—market device; and a plurality of
`protocol conversion software blocks stored in memory in the
`interface for converting signals from the after-market device
`into a first formal compatible with the car stereo or video
`
`37
`
` 37
`
`

`

`US 2005/0239434 A]
`
`Oct. 27, 2005
`
`U.)
`
`[0028] FIG. 211 is a block diagram showing an alternate
`embodiment of the present invention, wherein a plurality of
`auxiliary interfaces and an audio device are integrated with
`a car stereo.
`
`[0029] FIG. 3a is a circuit diagram showing a device
`according to the present
`invention for integrating a CD
`player or an auxiliary input source with a car radio.
`
`[0030] FIG. 3b is a circuit diagram showing a device
`according to the present invention for integrating both a CD
`player and an auxiliary input source with a car radio,
`wherein the CD player and the auxiliary input are switchable
`by a user.
`
`[0031] 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.
`
`[0032] FIG. 3d is a circuit diagram showing a device
`according to the presen invention for integrating a satellite
`or DAB receiver with a car radio.
`
`system and for converting signals from the car stereo or
`video system into a second format compatible with the
`after—market device, wherein at least one of the protocol
`conversion software blocks are selected by the interface
`using the first and second electrical configurations of the first
`and second wiring harnesses. A plurality of wiring harnesses
`can be provided for integrating a plurality of devices.
`
`[0018] The present invention also provides a method for
`integrating an after-market device for use with a car stereo
`or video system, comprising the steps of interconnecting the
`car stereo or video system and the after-market device with
`an interface; determining a first device type corresponding to
`the car stereo or video system and a second device type
`corresponding to the after-market device; loading a protocol
`conversion software block from memory in the interface
`using the first and second device types; converting signals
`from the after-market device into a first format compatible
`with the car stereo or video system using the protocol
`conversion software block, and converting signals from the
`car stereo or video system into a second format compatible
`with the after-market device using the protocol conversion
`software block.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`
`
`:0019] These and other important objects and features of
`he invention will be apparent from the following Detailed
`Description of the Invention, taken in connection with the
`accompanying drawings, in which:
`
`:0020] FIG. I is a block diagram showing the multimedia
`device integration system of the present invention.
`
`:0021] FIG. 2a is a block diagram showing an alternate
`embodiment of the multimedia device i