(12) INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT)
`
`(19)w ldl
`or
`
`11
`IP
`_0
`'
`'
`I’
`Iititeifigiinaiisiigavu rgamzamm ‘
`
`_
`
`-
`
`,
`
`||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
`
`|||||||||||||||||
`
`(43) International Publication Date
`8 September 2006 (08.09.2006)
`
`-
`
`I
`
`(10) International Publication Number
`WO 2006/094281 A2
`
`International Patent Classification:
`
`Not classified
`
`International Application Nuniberz
`PCT/US2006/008043
`
`International Filing Date:
`
`3 March 2006 (03.03.2006)
`
`Filing Language:
`
`Publicatmn Language’
`
`English
`
`English
`
`1’Fi°F“Y 1’ata=
`US
`3 March 2005 (03.03.2005)
`ll/071,667
`l\/IARLOWE, Ira [US/US]; 6403 Hilltop
`Applicant:
`Court, Fort Lee, NJ 07024 (US).
`
`CO, CR, CU, CZ, DE, DK, DM, DZ, EC, EE, EG, ES, FI,
`GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, HR, HU, ID, IL, IN, IS, JP, KE,
`KG, KM, KN, K1), KR, Kz, LC, LK, LR, Ls, LT, LU, LV
`LY, MA, MD, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, MZ, NA, NG. NI,
`NO, NZ, OM, PG, PH, PL, PT, RO, RU, SC, SD, SE, SG,
`SK, SL, SM, SY, TJ, TM, TN, TR, TT, TZ, UA, UG, US,
`UZ, VC, VN, YU, ZA, ZM, ZW.
`
`Designated States (unless otherwise indicated, for every
`kind of regional protection available): ARTPO (BW, GH,
`GM, KE, LS, MW, MZ, NA, SD, SL, SZ, TZ, UG, ZM,
`zw) Eurasian (AM Az BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM)
`European (AT BE BG C11
`CZ DE DK EE ES FI
`FR, GB, GR, IIU, IE, IS, IT, LT, LU, LV, MC, NL, PL, PT,
`RO, SE, SI, SK, TR), OAPI (BE, BJ, CE, CG, CI, CM, GA,
`GN, GQ, GW, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG).
`
`published;
`Agent: FRISCIA, Michael; McCa.1ter & English. LLP,
`Four Gateway Centers 100 Mulbefly Street» N3W'°‘-T1‘: NJ 1 without international search report and to be republished
`07102 (US)
`upon receipt of that report
`Designated States (unless otherwise indicated, for every
`For two—letter codes and other abbreviations, refer to the ”Guid—
`kind of national protection available): AE, AG, AL, AM,
`ance Notes on Codes and Abbreviations " appearing at the begin—
`AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BR, BW, BY, BZ, CA, CH, CN,
`ning ofeaeh regular issue of the PCT Gazette.
`
`(54) Title: MULTIMEDIA DEVICE INTEGRATION SYSTEM
`
`An multimedia
`(57) Abstract:
`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 execution.
`Information from the after—market
`
`600
`
`\
`610
`
`Car Stereo I Car Video System
`
`615
`
`620
`
`625
`
`Buttons
`
`C”-Cumry
`
`|n’[erfaCe
`
`i i
`
`:'
`l
`
`640\
`Auxiliary input
`
`635\
`I After—market
`Device
`
`I
`
`(‘I
`<1
`V-4
`
`X(
`
`‘I
`V‘
`G\
`3T
`\G
`
`33 W
`
`cq 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 integrated 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 video device for
`integration with the car stereo or video system.
`
`0
`
`Honda Exhibit 1005
`Page 440 of 907
`
`

`
`WO 2006/094281
`
`PCT/US2006/008043
`
`IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`INVENTOR:
`
`IRA MARLOWE
`
`TITLE:
`
`MULTIMEDIA
`SYSTEM
`
`DEVICE
`
`INTEGRATION
`
`SPECIFICATION
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to a multimedia device integration system.
`
`More specifically, the present invention relates to a multimedia device integration
`
`system for integrating after-market components such as satellite receivers, CD
`
`players, CD changers, digital media devices (e.g., MP3 players, MP4 players,
`
`WMV players, Apple iPod devices, portable media centers, and other devices),
`
`Digital Audio Broadcast (DAB) receivers, auxiliary audio sources, video devices
`
`(e.g., DVD players), cellular telephones, and other devices for use with factory-
`
`installed (OEM) or after—market car stereo and video systems.
`
`RELATED ART
`
`Automobile audio systems have continued to advance in complexity and
`
`the number of options available to automobile purchasers. Early audio systems
`
`offered a simple AM and/or FM tuner, a11d perhaps an analog tape deck for
`
`allowing cassettes, 8-tracks, and other types of tapes to be played while driving.
`
`Such early systems were closed, in that external devices could not be easily
`
`integrated therewith.
`
`Honda Exhibit 1005
`Page 441 of 907
`
`

`
`WO 2006/094281
`
`PCT/US2006/008043
`
`With advances in digital technology, CD players have been included with
`
`automobile audio systems. Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMS) often
`
`produce car stereos having CD players and/or changers for allowing CDs to be
`
`played while driving. However, such systems often include proprietary buses and
`
`protocols that do not allow after—market audio systems, such 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 (e.g., 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 frequently is not operable with an
`
`external device.
`
`A particular 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 afler-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 existing car stereo and video
`
`systems, it is necessary to convert signals between such systems.
`
`It known in the art to provide one or more expansion modules for OEM and
`
`after—marl<et car stereos for 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 manufactured by the same manufacturer as
`
`Honda Exhibit 1005
`Page 442 of 907
`
`

`
`WO 2006/094281
`
`PCT/US2006/008043
`
`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
`
`equipment 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.
`
`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~mar1cet 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
`
`statio11, track, time, and so11g information can be retrieved from the after-market
`
`device, formatted, and transmitted to the car stereo or video system for display
`
`thereby, such as at an LCD panel of the car stereo or on one or more display panels
`
`of a car video system. Such infonnation could be transmitted and displayed on
`
`both hardwired car stereo and video systems (e. g., radios installed in dashboards or
`
`at other locations within the car), or integrated for display on one or more software
`
`or graphically—driven radio systems operable with graphical display panels.
`
`Honda Exhibit 1005
`Page 443 of 907
`
`

`
`WO 2006/094281
`
`PCT/US2006/008043
`
`Additionally, it would be desirable to provide a multimedia device integration
`
`system that allows a user to control more than one device, such as a CD or satellite
`
`receiver and one or more auxiliary sources, and to quickly and conveniently switch
`
`between same using the existing controls of the carstereo or video system.
`
`Accordingly, the present invention addresses these needs by providing a
`
`multimedia device integration system that allows a plurality of after-market
`
`devices, such as CD players, CD changers, digital media devices (e.g., MP3
`
`players, MP4 players, Apple iPod, WMV players, portable media centers, and
`
`other devices), satellite receivers, DAB receivers, auxiliary input sources, video
`
`devices (e.g., DVD players), 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 to be provided from, the car stereo or video system.
`
`Honda Exhibit 1005
`Page 444 of 907
`
`

`
`W0 2006/094281
`
`PCT/US2006/008043
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to a multimedia device integration system.
`
`One or more after—market audio devices, such as CD players, CD changers, digital
`
`media devices (e.g., 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
`
`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—marlcet 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 fonnat 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~1narket
`
`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
`
`DAB 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
`
`Honda Exhibit 1005
`Page 445 of 907
`
`

`
`WO 2006/094281
`
`PCT/US2006/008043
`
`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.
`
`In an embodiment of the present invention, a dual-input device is provided
`
`for integrating both an external audio device and an auxiliary input with an OEM
`
`or after—niarlcet 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.
`
`Inanother embodiment of the present invention, an 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-operable with the car stereo, and are capable of exchanging
`
`commands and data Via the interface.
`
`In another embodiment of the present invention, an interface is provided for
`
`integrating an external device for use with a car stereo or video system, wherein
`
`the interface is positioned 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 coimected between the car stereo or video system and the afcer—market
`
`device for exchanging data and audio or video signals between the car stereo or
`
`Honda Exhibit 1005
`Page 446 of 907
`
`

`
`WO 2006/094231
`
`PCT/US2006/008043
`
`video system and the after-market device; means for processing and dispatching
`
`commands for controlling the after—n1arket device from the car stereo or video
`
`system in a format compatible with the after-market device; and means for
`
`processing and displaying 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 comprise 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 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.
`
`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
`
`Honda Exhibit 1005
`Page 447 of 907
`
`

`
`WO 2006/094281
`
`PCT/US2006/008043
`
`video system; an interface connected between the car video system and the after-
`
`market video device for exchanging data, audio, and video signals between the car
`
`video system and the after-market Video device; means for processing and
`
`dispatching commands for controlling the after-market Video device from the car
`
`Video system in a format compatible with the after-market video device; and means
`
`for processing and displaying data from the after—1narket video device on a display
`
`of the car video system in a format compatible with the car video system.
`
`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
`
`corrnnunication 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~marlcet 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 afier—1narket device; first and second wiring harnesses attached to
`
`the interface, wherein the first wiring harness
`
`includes
`
`a first electrical
`
`configuration corresponding to the car stereo or video system and the second
`
`Honda Exhibit 1005
`Page 448 of 907
`
`

`
`W0 2006/094281
`
`PCT/US2006/008043
`
`wiring harness includes a second electrical configuration 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 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.
`
`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 fiom 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.
`
`Honda Exhibit 1005
`Page 449 of 907
`
`

`
`W0 2006/094281
`
`PCT/US2006/008043
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`These and other important objects and features of the invention will be
`
`apparent from the following Detailed Description of the Invention,
`
`taken in
`
`connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
`
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the multimedia device integration
`
`system of_ the present invention.
`
`FIG. 2a is a block diagram showing an alternate embodiment of the
`
`multimedia device integration system of the present invention, wherein a CD
`
`player is integrated with a car radio.
`
`FIG. 2b is a block diagram showing an alternate embodiment of the
`
`multimedia device integration system of the present invention, wherein a MP3
`
`player is integrated with a car radio.
`
`FIG. 2c is a block diagram showing an alternate embodiment of the
`
`multimedia device integration system of the present invention, wherein a satellite
`
`or DAB receiver is integrated with a car radio.
`
`FIG. 2d is a block diagram showing an alternate embodiment of the
`
`multimedia device integration system of the present invention, wherein a plurality
`
`of auxiliary input sources are integrated with a car radio.
`
`FIG. 2e is a block diagram showing an alternate embodiment of the
`
`multimedia device integration system of the present invention, wherein a CD
`
`player and a plurality of auxiliary input sources are integrated with a car radio.
`
`FIG. 2f is a block diagram showing an alternate embodiment of the present
`
`invention, wherein a satellite or DAB receiver and a plurality of auxiliary input
`
`source are integrated with a car radio.
`
`Honda Exhibit 1005
`Page 450 of 907
`
`

`
`WO 2006/094281
`
`PCT/US2006/008043
`
`FIG. 2g is a block diagram showing an alternate embodiment of the present
`
`invention, wherein a MP3 player and a plurality of auxiliary input sources are
`
`integrated with a car radio.
`
`FIG. 2h 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.
`
`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.
`
`FIG. 3b is a circuit diagram showing a device according to the present
`
`inventionlfor 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.
`
`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.
`
`FIG. 3d is a circuit diagram showing a device according to the present
`
`invention for integrating a satellite or DAB receiver with a car radio.
`
`FIG. 4a is a flowchart showing processing logic according to the present
`
`invention for integrating a CD player with a car radio.
`
`FIG. 4b is a flowchart showing processing logic accordingito the present
`
`invention for integrating a MP3 player with a car radio.
`
`FIG. 4c is a flowchart showing processing logic according to the present
`
`invention for integrating a satellite receiver with a car radio.
`
`FIG. 4d is a flowchart showing processing logic according to the present
`
`invention for integrating a plurality of auxiliary input sources with a car radio.
`
`Honda Exhibit 1005
`Page 451 of 907
`
`

`
`WO 2006/094281
`
`PCT/US2006/008043
`
`FIG. 4e is a flowchart showing processing logic according to the present
`
`invention for integrating a CD player and one or more auxiliary input sources with
`
`a car radio.
`
`FIG. 41' is a flowchart showing processing logic according to the present
`
`invention for integrating a satellite or DAB receiver and one or more auxiliary
`
`input sources with a car radio.
`
`FIG. 4g is a flowchart showing processing logic according to the present
`
`invention for integrating a MP3 player and one or more auxiliary input sources
`
`with a car stereo.
`
`FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing logic according ‘to the present
`
`invention for allowing a user to switch between an after—market audio device and
`
`one or more auxiliary input sources.
`
`FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processing logic according to the present
`
`invention‘ for determining and handling Various device types connected to the
`
`auxiliary input ports of the invention.
`
`FIG. 7a is a perspective View of a docking station according to the present
`
`invention for retaining an audio device within a car.
`
`FIG. 7b is an end view of the docking station of FIG. 7a.
`
`FIGS. 8a-8b are perspective views of another embodiment of the docking
`
`station of the present invention, which includes the multimedia device integration
`
`system of the present invention incorporated therewith.
`
`FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the components of the docking station
`
`of FIGS. 8a—8b.
`
`Honda Exhibit 1005
`Page 452 of 907
`
`

`
`W0 2006/094231
`
`PCT/US2006/008043
`
`FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an alternate embodiment of the
`
`multimedia device integration system of the present
`
`invention, wherein the
`
`interface is incorporated within a car stereo or car video system.
`
`FIG. 11a is a diagram showing an alternate embodiment of the multimedia
`
`device integration system of the present
`
`invention for integrating a cellular
`
`telephone for use with a car stereo or video system; FIG. 11b is a flowchart
`
`showing processing logic for integrating a cellular telephone for use with a car
`
`stereo or video system.
`
`FIG. 12a is a diagram showing an alternate embodiment of the multimedia
`
`device integration system of the present invention for integrating an after-market
`
`video device for use with a car video system; FIG. 12b is a flowchart showing
`
`processing logic for integrating an after-market video device for use with a car
`
`video system.
`
`FIG. 13a is a block diagram showing an alternate embodiment of the
`
`multimedia device
`
`integration system of
`
`the present
`
`invention, wherein
`
`configuration jumpers and protocol conversion software blocks are provided for
`
`integrating afier-market devices of various types using a single interface.
`
`FIG. 13b is a block diagram showing an alternate embodiment of the
`
`multimedia device integration system of the present invention, wherein wiring
`
`harnesses and protocol conversion software blocks are provided for integrating
`
`after-market devices of various types using a single interface.
`
`Honda Exhibit 1005
`Page 453 of 907
`
`

`
`W0 2006/094231
`
`PCT/US2006/008043
`
`FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing processing logic of the multimedia device
`
`integration system of the present invention for integrating after—market devices of
`
`various types using a single interface.
`
`FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing processing logic of the multimedia device
`
`integration system of the present invention for allowing a user to specify one or
`
`more after—1narket device types for integration using a single interface.
`
`FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing processing logic of the multimedia device
`
`integration system of the present invention for allowing a user to quickly navigate
`
`through a list of songs on one or more after-market devices using the controls of a
`
`car stereo or Video system.
`
`FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an another embodiment of the present
`
`invention, wherein a plurality of external devices are integrated using a single
`
`interface .
`
`Honda Exhibit 1005
`Page 454 of 907
`
`

`
`WO 2006/094281
`
`PCT/US2006/008043
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to a multimedia device integration system.
`
`One or more after-market devices, such as a CD player, CD changer, digital media
`
`player (e.g., MP3 player, MP4 player, WMV player, Apple iPod, portable media
`
`center, or other device), satellite receiver, digital audio broadcast (DAB) receiver,
`
`video device (e.g., DVD player), cellular telephone, or the like, can be integrated
`
`with an existing car radio or car video device, such as an OEM or after—market car
`
`stereo or video system. Control of the after—1narket device is enabled using the car
`
`stereo or car video system, and information from the after-market device, such as
`
`channel, artist, track, time, song, and other information information, is retrieved
`
`form the , after-market device, processed, and forwarded to the car stereo or car
`
`video system for display thereon. The information channeled to the car stereo or
`
`video system can include video from the external device, as well as graphical and
`
`menu-based information. A user can review and interact with information via the
`
`car stereo. Commands from the car stereo or video system are received, processed
`
`by the present invention into a format recognizable by the after—market device
`
`device, and transmitted thereto for execution. One or more auxiliary input
`
`channels can be integrated by the present invention with the car stereo or video
`
`system. The user can switch between one or more after—marl<et devices and one or
`
`more auxiliary input channels using the control panel buttons of the car stereo or
`
`video system.
`
`As used herein, the term “integration” or “integrated” is intended to mean
`
`connecting one or more external devices or inputs to an existing car stereo or video
`
`system via an interface, processing and handling signals, audio,. and/or video
`
`Honda Exhibit 1005
`Page 455 of 907
`
`

`
`W0 2006/094231
`
`PCT/US2006/008043
`
`information, allowing a user to control the devices via the car stereo or video
`
`system, and displaying data from the devices on the car stereo or video system.
`
`Thus, foriexample, integration of a CD player with a car stereo system allows for
`
`the CD player to be remotely controlled via the control panel of the stereo system,
`
`and data from the CD player to be sent to the display of the stereo. Of course,
`
`control of after-market devices can be provided at locations other than the control
`
`panel of the car stereo or video system without departing from the spirit or scope of
`
`the present invention. Further, as used herein, the term “inter—operable” is intended
`
`to mean allowing the external audio or video device to receive and process
`
`commands that have been formatted by the interface of the present invention, as
`
`well as allowing a car stereo or video system to display information that is
`
`generated by the external audio or video device and processed by the present
`
`invention.
`
`Additionally, by the term “inter—operable,” it is meant allowing a
`
`device that is alien to the environment of an existing OEM or afier—market car
`
`stereo or video system to be utilized thereby.
`Also, as used herein,
`the terms “car stereo” and “car radio” are used
`
`interchangeably and are intended to include all presently existing car stereos,
`
`radios, video systems, such as physical devices that are present at any location
`
`within a vehicle,
`
`in addition to software and/or graphically- or display-driven
`
`receivers.‘ An example of such a receiver is a software—driven- receiver that
`
`operates on a universal LCD panel within a vehicle and is operable by a user via a
`
`graphical user interface displayed on the universal LCD panel. Further, any future
`
`receiver, whether a hardwired or a software/graphical receiver operable on one or
`
`more displays, is considered within the definition of the terms “car stereo” and “car
`
`Honda Exhibit 1005
`Page 456 of 907
`
`

`
`W0 2006/094231
`
`PCT/US2006/008043
`
`radio,” as used herein, and is within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
`
`Moreover, the term “car” is not limited to any specific type of automobile, but
`
`rather, includes all automobiles. Additionally, by the term “aftermarket,” it is
`
`meant any device not installed by a manufacturer at the time of sale of the car.
`
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the multimedia device integration (or
`
`interface) system of the present invention, generally indicated at 20. A plurality of
`
`devices and auxiliary inputs can be connected to the interface 20, and integrated
`
`with an OEM or after—market car radio 10. A CD player or changer 15 can be
`
`integrated with the radio 10 via interface 20. A satellite radio or DAB receiver 25,
`
`such as an XM or Sirius radio satellite receiver or DAB receiver known in the art,
`
`could be integrated with the radio 10, via the interface 20. Further, an MP3 player
`
`30 could also be integrated with the radio 10 via interface 20. The MP3 player 30
`
`could be any known digital media device, such as an Apple iPod or any other
`
`digital media device. Moreover, a plurality of auxiliary input sources, illustratively
`
`indicated as auxiliary input sources 35 (comprising input sources 1 through 11, n
`
`being any number), could also be integrated with the car radio 10 via interface 20.
`
`Optionally, a control head 12, such as that commonly used with after~market CD
`
`changers and other similar devices, could be integrated with the car radio 10 via
`
`interface 20, for controlling any of the car radio 10, CD player/changer 15,
`
`satellite/DAB receiver 25, MP3 player 30, and auxiliary input sources 35. Thus, as
`
`can be readily appreciated, the interface 20 of the present invention allows for the
`
`integration of a multitude of devices and inputs with an OEM or after—market car
`
`radio or stereo.
`
`Honda Exhibit 1005
`Page 457 of 907
`
`

`
`W0 2006/094231
`
`PCT/US2006/008043
`
`FIG. 2a is a block diagram of an alternate embodiment of the multimedia
`
`device interface system of the present invention, wherein a CD player/changer 15
`
`is integrated with an OEM or after~market car radio 10. The CD player 15 is
`
`electrically connected with the interface 20, and exchanges data and audio signals
`
`therewith. The