`Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., Petitioner
`1
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 30, 1998
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`Sheet 1 of4
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`5,774,793
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 30, 1998
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`Sheet 2 of4
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`5,774,793
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`3
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`U.S. Patent
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`03
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`5,774,793
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 30, 1998
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`Sheet 4 of4
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`5,774,793
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`5,774,793
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`1
`SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INTERFACING
`DIVERSELY CONTROLLED DEVICES TO A
`BUS CONNECTOR HAVING A COMMON
`SIGNAL FORMAT
`
`NOTICE REGARDING COPYRIGHTED
`MATERIAL
`
`A portion of the disclosure of this patent document
`contains materials which are subject to copyright protection.
`The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile
`reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent
`disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office
`patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright
`rights whatsoever.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. General and Particular Scope of the Invention
`The present invention relates in general to a universal data
`interface system and a method which can be used to inter-
`face a variety of devices having different control and com-
`mand formats to a bus having a known universal signal
`format.
`2. Known Prior Art
`
`Previously, automotive interfacing systems for interfacing
`radiotelephone access devices such as cellular telephones to
`a vehicle’s internal electronics and communications system,
`were designed to accommodate a single access device, i.e.,
`not only one brand of cellular telephone, but a single model
`within the brand of cellular telephone, a dedicated interfac-
`ing system. The reason for this limitation is that each and
`every access device requires different interface hardware
`and protocol software or firmware that is specific to the
`particular access device.
`With the increased popularity of cellular telephones, the
`proposed standard universal bus connector to the automotive
`electronics and communications system, and safety laws
`being promulgated to regulate the use of cellular telephones
`in moving vehicles, it has become necessary to develop a
`method and an interfacing system by which a single system
`having modular components can be used to enable the
`interface system installer and cellular user as well, to just
`plug the cellular telephone into the interface system, and
`have the device work without the user having to manually
`change switch settings or load or unload software into the
`device for operation with the specific cellular telephone.
`There are no known prior art automotive interfacing
`systems utilizing both the modular and cable selecting
`approach of the present invention. The closest known prior
`art
`interface units usually include a microprocessor, a
`memory device for storing the protocol for a particular
`cellular telephone unit that the device is designed to work
`with, and associated device specific hardware for connecting
`the interface unit to the designated cellular telephone. These
`devices then require that a wide range of interface units be
`manufactured and that an appropriate interface unit be
`selected for a given cellular telephone that is to be interfaced
`with the particular system. The cost of manufacturing such
`a wide variety of mutually exclusive interfacing units is
`prohibitive in many instances for both the automotive manu-
`facturer and the installer who is forced to carry a large
`inventory of interfacing units to cover the wide number of
`potential cellular telephones that a customer may own.
`Contrary to this, the present invention contains all related
`interface protocol firmware or software in its non-volatile
`memory as well as hardware modules for a number of
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`different make and models of cellular telephones. The appro-
`priate firmware and hardware drivers are selected by the user
`choosing a cable specifically designed to mate with the
`particular model and make of cellular telephone. This cable
`preferably terminates in a standard multiple pin connector,
`such as a 25 pin D-type subminiature connector. The “tele-
`phone” side of the cable is connected to the appropriate
`cellular telephone Input/Output port pins. By shorting
`known pins in the cable in a selected manner, the appropriate
`interface firmware and hardware drivers are selected from
`those held in the unit.
`
`The modular docking station is then, along with the
`device specific cable described below, are the only items that
`need be manufactured specifically for a particular make and
`model of cellular telephone, as the remaining components
`are universal. This arrangement provides for ease of manu-
`facture and updating the system to accommodate new mod-
`els and makes of cellular telephones, as well as changes to
`the command signal structure of existing cellular telephones
`and devices.
`
`The novel features of construction and operation of the
`invention will be more clearly apparent during the course of
`the following description, reference being had to the accom-
`panying drawings wherein has been illustrated a preferred
`form of the device of the invention and wherein like char-
`
`acters of reference designate like parts throughout the draw-
`1ngs.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is an idealized diagram of a system embodying the
`present invention for connecting a cellular telephone to an
`automotive electronics and communications system through
`a bus connector having a known universal signal format;
`FIG. 2 is a diagram of a system embodying the present
`invention showing the component blocks of such a system;
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a system embodying the
`present invention expanding the microcontroller operating
`component block shown in FIG. 2; and,
`FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a system embodying the
`present invention expanding the microcontroller operating
`component block shown in FIG. 3 and its relationship with
`various firmware modules.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
`
`With reference to the accompanying drawings in FIGS. 1
`to 4, a preferred embodiment of the invention is now
`described.
`
`FIG. 1 shows an idealized diagram of a system 10
`embodying the present invention including a docking station
`12 for connecting a variety of cellular telephones 14, each
`responsive to device-specific command signals for
`its
`operation, to an automotive electronics and communications
`system through a vehicle electrical
`interface accessed
`through a bus connector 16 having a known universal signal
`format.
`
`Docking system 12 acts to interface the cellular tele-
`phones 14 to the automotive electronics and communica-
`tions system, by providing an acceptable electrical and
`mechanical interface 18 between the various makes and
`
`models of cellular telephones 14 and the docking station 12
`itself on the one hand, and across a vehicle mechanical
`interface 20 on the other hand to enable various types of
`cellular devices to communicate through the standard format
`bus connector 16.
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`Likewise, FIG. 2 illustrates an interfacing and docking
`system 30 embodying the present invention showing the
`component blocks of such a system as shown in block form
`in FIG. 1.
`
`A docking station 32 has a cradle member 34 shaped for
`receiving and releasably retaining at least one make and
`model of cellular telephones therein. While one cradle
`member 34 may be capable of holding more than one
`cellular telephone, it is understood that a number of such
`cradle members may be necessary to accommodate all of the
`variously shaped cellular telephones currently available.
`An interface unit 36, which may be either separate from
`or incorporated into cradle member 34,
`is provided for
`processing data transferable over a selected cellular tele-
`phone. Interface unit 36 operates in accord with an interface
`data control program, and further has a plurality of hardware
`and firmware drivers. These drivers have, respectively, the
`operating circuitry and commands necessary for controlling
`the selected cellular telephone. The interface data control
`program operates in accord with a specific signal path
`configuration, as described below, to select a desired one
`pair of hardware and firmware drivers.
`The interface control program further has universal bus
`connector hardware and firmware drivers having,
`respectively, the operating circuitry and commands neces-
`sary for operating in accord with signals received from the
`bus connector 38 in the known universal signal format.
`Afirst external signal path cable 40 connects the interface
`unit 36 with the selected cellular telephone 42 for commu-
`nicating control signals therebetween for controlling and/or
`monitoring the operation of the selected cellular telephone
`42. Cable 40 also has a selected signal path configuration
`chosen from a plurality of such configurations. Each con-
`figuration is adapted to select at least one pair of hardware
`and firmware drivers having, respectively,
`the operating
`circuitry and commands necessary for controlling the
`selected cellular telephone 42 to communicate command
`signals over cable 40 in response to the pair of hardware and
`firmware drivers selected to permit the control of cellular
`telephone 42.
`A second cable 44 connects interface unit 36 and bus
`
`connector 38 for communicating signals therebetween. The
`configuration of this cable 44 is compatible with the uni-
`versal or standard pinout signal format of bus connector 38.
`The preferred embodiment of the present
`invention
`includes circuitry for generating and applying a signal to bus
`connector 38 that is useful for controlling other devices
`connected to the automotive electronics and communica-
`
`tions system based upon the status of cellular telephone 42.
`One non-limiting example is that these signals can be used
`to control a muting function on any radio or the like device
`connected to the automotive electronics and communica-
`
`tions system.
`Additional preferred circuitry include a voice recognition
`circuit capable of receiving a user generated audio voice
`command and generating an electrical signal to control the
`cellular telephone or other device connected to the automo-
`tive electronics and communications system such as door
`locks, lights and the like.
`Also, a speech generation circuit can be connected to the
`invention to echo the voice commands of the user to provide
`the user with a positive audio feedback to confirm the
`instructions being sent via the electronic signal of the voice
`recognition system. This is a safety feature for the moving
`motorist. Specifically, if voice recognition and speech gen-
`eration circuits are combined in the present invention, a user
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`can vocalize a command and continue to concentrate on
`
`driving while he listens for the audio confirmation of his
`command. Thus he need never take his eyes off of the road.
`Another safety feature to complement or substitute for the
`foregoing circuits is to include a visual display device, such
`as a LCD screen in a visually convenient location, such as
`in the control panel or on the steering column or wheel, for
`the driver so that he need not remove his eyes from the
`roadway to search for the status or display information
`normally shown on the display of a cellular telephone.
`The present invention can also include circuitry for pass-
`ing the audio output signal of the cellular telephone to the
`bus connector and thus to the automotive electronic and
`
`communications system. The audio output of the cellular
`telephone can then be heard over the automobile’s speaker
`system. Likewise, an external microphone can be located in
`the vehicle’s passenger compartment and a circuit can
`supply an audio signal to the audio input of the cellular
`telephone for permitting a user to keep his hands on the
`wheel while using the cellular telephone for safety reasons.
`Likewise, the preferred embodiment of the present inven-
`tion also includes circuitry for receiving a power signal from
`the bus connector 38 and applying the power signal
`to
`cellular telephone 42 for charging the cellular telephone 42
`when it
`is connected to the automotive electronics and
`
`communications system through bus connector 38 thereby
`providing an additional safety and convenience feature by
`maintaining the cellular telephone 42 in a fully charged state
`for use.
`
`System 30 may also include cable connections 46 for
`connecting the cellular telephone 42 to an external antenna
`48.
`
`interface device 50 includes a
`As shown in FIG. 3,
`microcontroller 52 which contains,
`in its non-volatile
`memory, a data control program having a plurality of
`firmware drivers or modules 54 shown in FIG. 4. Firmware
`
`drivers 54 have the operating commands necessary for
`controlling cellular telephone 56. Data control program 58
`operates in accord with a specific signal path configuration
`as described further below to select a desired one of the
`
`firmware and hardware interface drivers 54, 60 respectively,
`that are specific for the particular cellular telephone 56 being
`used with the interface unit 50.
`
`As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the selection of a specific signal
`path configuration is accomplished by the user choosing a
`specific external cable 40 connecting the interface device 36
`with the selected cellular telephone 42. Cable 40 provides an
`external signal path for communicating control signals
`between interface device 36 and cellular telephone 42 for
`controlling the operation of cellular telephone 42.
`Preferably, a multi-line external cable is used in the
`system of the present invention. The cable has a first jack
`connector at one end 80 compatible with an Input/Output
`port of the interface device 36 and a second jack connector
`compatible with the input/output plug on the selected cel-
`lular telephone 42 at another end 82 of cable 40 for operably
`connecting the second jack connector to the input/output
`port found on each cellular telephone.
`Each jack connector has its pins configured to provide
`external signal connection paths as required to operably
`connect the particular make and model of cellular telephone
`42 with the interface device 36 so as to select one pair of
`firmware and hardware interface drivers 54, 60 respectively.
`The selected drivers have the operating commands and
`hardware circuitry necessary for controlling the particular
`make and model of cellular telephone 42 to communicate
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`5,774,793
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`command signals over the cable lines in response to the
`selected drivers to permit the control of call placement
`functions for a particular make and model of cellular tele-
`phone.
`One example of a preferred cable 40 has on a first end 80
`a first connector, such as a 25 pin D-type subminiature
`connector, adapted to mate with an Input/Output port of the
`interface device 36, and, on a second end 82 a second
`connector adapted to mate with the selected cellular tele-
`phone 42.
`In operation, the user selects a specific cable 40 having the
`appropriate connector plugs for his particular make and
`model of cellular telephone 42, and connects the two units.
`One preferred method of selecting the selected signal path
`configuration of cable 40, is to provide a plurality of cables,
`each one having a pin in and pin out configuration that shorts
`and crossed individual pins to provide a specific signal
`connection path between interface device 36 and cellular
`telephone 42. Each of the cables is then labeled as to which
`particular make and model of cellular telephone it is to be
`used with. Thus, the user chooses the appropriate cable 40
`to mate with a particular make and model of cellular
`telephone 42 from a plurality of such cables having varying
`pin in/pin out configurations. Each cable configuration is
`adapted to select one of the interface drivers that has the
`operating commands necessary for controlling the selected
`make and model of cellular telephone 42. With the appro-
`priate cable 40, command signals are communicated over
`external cable 40 in response to the selected interface drivers
`to permit the control of call placement functions for the
`make and model of cellular telephone 42.
`Microcontroller 52 automatically selects the required cel-
`lular telephone protocol needed to interface with the par-
`ticular make and model of cellular telephone 56 based upon
`the user’s selection of a cable 40 configured to a specific
`make and model of cellular telephone, and cable selection
`circuitry 60 as described above.
`Microcontroller 52 also controls system power automati-
`cally by means of power control circuitry 64 which monitors
`the voltage level of battery 66 and indicates by means of low
`voltage circuitry 68 and a visual display, such as LED 70,
`whenever the voltage level of battery 66 falls below a
`preselected level. Power control circuitry 64 may also obtain
`a power signal from connector bus 72 for charging the
`cellular telephone 56 while it is connected to interfacing
`system 50.
`the system utilizes in selecting the
`The method that
`appropriate cellular telephone interface will now be dis-
`cussed.
`
`Cellular telephones differ from one another based upon
`the operating specifications of the manufacturer of the
`particular unit. Each cellular
`telephone has different
`mechanical connectors, audio circuits, communication
`protocols, and individual special command signal require-
`ments specific to the unit’s operation. To accommodate these
`different hardware and firmware interfaces, the system user
`of the present invention selects a cable from a series of
`cables provided him that interfaces a specific cellular tele-
`phone unit with the system of the present invention. Once
`plugged in, the cable pinout wiring automatically indicates
`and selects the internally stored hardware and firmware
`needed to properly interface the system of the present
`invention with the specific cellular telephone unit. Thus, the
`user is provided with a plurality of interconnect cables
`which are designed specifically for each model of cellular
`telephone. However, once the user selects the appropriate
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`cable for the particular cellular telephone used with the
`system, the system then automatically selects, based on the
`cable wiring, the particular cellular telephone interface hard-
`ware and firmware modules necessary. This automatic selec-
`tion mechanism is now described.
`
`The interconnect cable 40 connects to specific hardware
`modules 60 that meet the hardware requirements of the
`particular cellular telephone 56. The user is provided with a
`number of interconnect cables 40 that are each designed to
`interface a specific cellular telephone with system 50
`through a standard connector such as an RS232 standard or
`the like connector. The pinout wiring on each cable 40
`interacts with cable select circuitry 62 to select and activate
`a particular one of several hardware modules 60 and one of
`several firmware modules 54, all contained in system 50.
`Once the appropriate hardware and firmware interface mod-
`ules are selected and activated, firmware module 54 com-
`municates with the microcontroller 52 in the cellular tele-
`
`phone specific protocol for the selected cellular telephone
`unit by means of data line 74.
`The present invention is also embodied in a method of
`connecting a computer device for data transmission over a
`telephone network which can be accessed through a plurality
`of telephone network access devices responsive to device-
`specific command signals to perform a network accessing
`function. The preferred method includes the steps of:
`(a) providing a docking station having a cradle member
`shaped for receiving and releasably retaining at least
`one cellular telephone therein;
`(b) providing an interface unit having a plurality of
`hardware and firmware drivers having, respectively, the
`operating circuitry and commands necessary for con-
`trolling the selected cellular telephone. The interface
`data control program operating in accord with a specific
`signal path configuration to select a desired one pair of
`the hardware and firmware drivers, and further having
`universal bus connector hardware and firmware drivers
`
`having, respectively, the operating circuitry and com-
`mands necessary for operating in accord with signals
`received from the bus connector in the known universal
`
`signal format;
`c) connecting the interfacing unit with the selected cel-
`lular telephone by a first external signal path means for
`communicating signals therebetween for controlling
`and/or monitoring the operation of the selected cellular
`telephone;
`d) selecting a first external signal path cable with a
`selected signal path configuration from a plurality of
`such configurations, each configuration adapted to
`select one pair of hardware and firmware drivers
`having, respectively, the operating circuitry and com-
`mands necessary for controlling the selected telephone
`network access device, to communicate command sig-
`nals over the first external signal path cable in response
`to the pair of hardware and firmware drivers selected,
`to permit the control of the selected cellular telephone;
`(e) providing a second external signal path cable connect-
`ing the interface unit and the bus connector for com-
`municating signals therebetween.
`The invention described above is, of course, susceptible to
`many variations, modifications and changes, all of which are
`within the skill of the art. It should be understood that all
`
`such variations, modifications and changes are within the
`spirit and scope of the invention and of the appended claims.
`Similarly, it will be understood that Applicant intends to
`cover and claim all changes, modifications and variations of
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`the example of the preferred embodiment of the invention
`herein disclosed for the purpose of illustration which do not
`constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the present
`invention.
`What is claimed is:
`
`1. A system for connecting a plurality of cellular
`telephones, each responsive to device-specific command
`signals for its operation, to an automotive electronics and
`communications system through a bus connector having a
`known universal signal format, comprising:
`(a) interface means for processing data transferable over
`a selected cellular telephone, and operating in accord
`with an interface data control program, said interface
`means further having a plurality of hardware and
`firmware drivers having, respectively,
`the operating
`circuitry and commands necessary for controlling the
`selected cellular telephone, said interface data control
`program operating in accord with a specific signal path
`configuration to select a desired one pair of said hard-
`ware and firmware drivers,
`said interface control program further having universal
`bus connector hardware and firmware drivers having,
`respectively,
`the operating circuitry and commands
`necessary for operating in accord with signals received
`from the bus connector in the known universal signal
`format;
`(b) first external signal path means connecting said inter-
`face means with the selected cellular telephone for
`communicating control signals therebetween for con-
`trolling and/or monitoring the operation of the selected
`cellular telephone, said first external command signal
`path means further having a selected signal path con-
`figuration chosen from a plurality of such
`configurations, each configuration adapted to select one
`pair of said hardware and firmware drivers having,
`respectively,
`the operating circuitry and commands
`necessary for controlling the selected cellular telephone
`to communicate command signals over said first exter-
`nal command signal path means in response to said
`selected pair of hardware and firmware drivers to
`permit the control of the selected cellular telephone;
`(c) second external signal path means connecting said
`interface means and the bus connector for communi-
`
`cating signals therebetween;
`(d) means for generating and applying a signal to the bus
`connector that is useful for controlling other devices
`connected to the automotive electronics and commu-
`
`nications system based upon the status of the selected
`cellular telephone; and,
`(e) means for receiving a power signal from the bus
`connector and applying said power signal
`to the
`selected cellular telephone for charging the selected
`cellular telephone.
`2. A system as in claim 1 wherein said means for
`generating and applying a signal to the bus connector that is
`useful for controlling other devices connected to the auto-
`motive electronics and communications system based upon
`the status of the selected cellular telephone comprises,
`means for generating a signal useful
`to mute a radio
`connected to the automotive electronics and commu-
`
`nications system.
`3. A system as in claim 1 further comprising a docking
`station having means for connecting the selected cellular
`telephone to an external antenna.
`4. Asystem as in claim 3 wherein said docking station has
`a plurality of cradle members, each being shaped for receiv-
`
`8
`ing and releasably retaining at least one of the plurality of
`cellular telephones therein.
`5. A system as in claim 1 wherein said first external signal
`path means comprises a cable having on a first end a first
`connector adapted to mate with an Input/Output port of said
`interface means and, on a second end, a second connector
`selected by a user and adapted to mate with the selected
`cellular telephone.
`6. A system as in claim 5 wherein said first connector is
`a multiple pin connector.
`7. A system as in claim 6 wherein said multiple pin
`connector is a 25 pin D-type subminiature connector.
`8. A system as in claim 1 wherein said first external signal
`path means comprises a multi-line cable means having a first
`jack means at one end thereof compatible with an Input/
`Output port of said interface means and a second jack means
`compatible with the selected cellular telephone at another
`end thereof for operably connecting said second jack means
`to the selected cellular telephone;
`said first and second jack means each connected to the
`cable lines to provide a configuration at each jack
`means for providing external signal connection paths as
`required to operably connect the selected cellular tele-
`phone with said interface means to select one pair of
`said hardware and firmware drivers having,
`respectively,
`the operating circuitry and commands
`necessary for controlling the selected cellular telephone
`to communicate signals over said cable lines in
`response to said selected pair of hardware and firmware
`drivers to permit the control of the selected cellular
`telephone.
`9. A system as in claim 8 wherein said first and second
`jack means are multiple pin connectors.
`10. A system as in claim 9 wherein at least one of said
`multiple pin connectors is a 25 pin D-type subminiature
`connector.
`
`11. A system as in claim 1 wherein said interface means
`further includes memory means and said firmware drivers
`are retained in said memory means.
`12. A system as in claim 1 wherein said memory means
`are non-volatile memory means.
`13. A system as in claim 1 wherein said means for
`generating and applying a signal to the bus connector that is
`useful for controlling other devices connected to the auto-
`motive electronics and communications system based upon
`the status of the selected cellular telephone comprises,
`means, connected to the cellular telephone and to the bus
`connector, for generating a signal useful for passing the
`audio output of the cellular telephone to the automotive
`electronics and communications system.
`14. A system as in claim 1 further including means,
`remote from but connected to said interface means through
`the bus connector, for generating a signal to control the
`cellular telephone.
`15. A system as in claim 14 wherein said means for
`generating a signal to control the cellular telephone further
`comprises:
`speech recognition circuit means for generating an elec-
`trical signal representative of a user spoken command
`for controlling the cellular telephone.
`16. A system as in claim 14 wherein said means for
`generating a signal to control the cellular telephone further
`comprises:
`speech generation circuit means for generating an audio
`speech signal representative of said electrical signal
`generated to control the cellular telephone.
`17. A system as in claim 1 further including means,
`connected to the cellular telephone, for displaying the status
`and the display information of the cellular telephone to a
`user.
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`18. A system as in claim 1 further including:
`a docking station having a cradle member shaped for
`receiving and releasably retaining at least one of the
`plurality of cellular telephones therein.
`19. A system for connecting a plurality of cellular
`telephones, each responsive to device-specific command
`signals for its operation, to an automotive electronics and
`communications system through a bus connector having a
`known universal signal format, comprising:
`(a) interface means for processing data transferable over
`a selected cellular telephone and operating in accord
`with an interface data control program, said interface
`means further having a plurality of hardware and
`firmware drivers having, respectively,
`the operating
`circuitry and commands necessary for controlling the
`selected cellular telephone, said interface data control
`program operating in accord with a specific signal path
`configuration to select a desired one pair of said hard-
`ware and firmware drivers,
`said interface control program further having universal
`bus connector hardware and firmware drivers having,
`respectively,
`the operating circuitry and commands
`necessary for operating in accord with signals received
`from the bus connector in the known universal signal
`format said interface means further comprises means
`for generating and applying a signal to the bus con-
`nector that is useful for controlling other devices con-
`nected to the automotive electronics and communica-
`
`tions system based upon the status of the selected
`cellular telephone that further includes means for gen-
`erating a signal useful to mute a radio connected to the
`automotive electronics and communications system;
`(b) first external signal path means connecting said inter-
`face means with the selected cellular telephone for
`communicating control signals therebetween for con-
`trolling and/or monitoring the operation of the selected
`cellular telephone, said first external command signal
`path means further having a selected signal path con-
`figuration chosen from a plurality of such
`configurations, each configuration adapted to select one
`pair of said hardware and firmware drivers having,
`respectively,
`the operating circuitry and commands
`necessary for controlling the selected cellular telephone
`to communicate command signals over said first exter-
`nal command signal path means in response to said
`selected pair of hardware and firmware drivers to
`permit eh control of the selected cellular telephone;
`(c) second external signal path means connecting said
`interface means and the bus connector for communi-
`
`cating signals therebetween.
`20. A system as in claim 19 further including:
`a docking station having a cradle member shaped for
`receiving and releasably retaining at least one of the
`plurality of cellular telephones therein.
`21. A system as in claim 19 wherein said interface means
`further comprises:
`means for receiving a power signal from the bus connec-
`tor and applying said power signal
`to the selected
`cellular telephone for charging the selected cellular
`telephone.
`22. A system as in claim 19 further comprising a docking
`station having means for connecting the selected cellular
`telephone to an external antenna.
`23. A system as in claim 19 wherein said first external
`signal path means comprises a cable having on a first end a
`first connector adapted to mate with an Input/Output port of
`
`10
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`15
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`20
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`25
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`30
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`35
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`40
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`45
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`50
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`55
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`60
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`65
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`10
`said interface means and, on a second end, a second con-
`nector selected by a user and adapted to mate with the
`selected cellular telephone.
`24. A system as in claim 23 wherein said first connector
`is a multiple pin connector.
`25. A system as in claim 24 wherein said multiple pin
`connector is a 25 pin D-type subminiature connector.
`26. A system as in claim 19 wherein said first external
`signal path means comprises