US 20030215102A1
`
`(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2003/0215102 A1
`Marlowe
`(43) Pub. Date:
`NOV. 20, 2003
`
`(54) AUDIO DEVICE INTEGRATION SYSTEM
`
`(76)
`
`Inventor:
`
`Ira Marlowe, Fort Lee, NJ (US)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`WOLFF & SAMSON, P.C.
`ONE BOLAND DRIVE
`WEST ORANGE, NJ 07052 (US)
`
`Appl. No.:
`
`10/316,961
`
`Filed:
`
`Dec. 11, 2002
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51)
`(52)
`
`Int. Cl.7 ..................................................... .. H04B 3/00
`U.S. Cl.
`................................................. 381/77; 381/86
`
`ABSTRACT
`57)
`An audio device integration system is provided. One or more
`after-market audio devices, such as a CD player, CD
`
`changer, MP3 player, satellite receiver, DAB receiver, or the
`like, is integrated for use with an existing OEM or after-
`market car stereo system, wherein control commands can be
`issued at the car stereo and responsive data from the audio
`device can be displayed on the stereo. Control commands
`generated at the car stereo are received, processed, con-
`verted into a format recognizable by the audio device, and
`dispatched to the audio device for execution. Information
`from the audio device, including track, disc, song, station,
`time, and other information,
`is received, processed, con-
`verted into a format recognizable by the car stereo, and
`dispatched to the car stereo for display thereon. One or more
`auxiliary inp11t sources can be integrated with the car stereo,
`and selected between using the controls of the car stereo.
`Both an audio device and one or more auxiliary input
`sources can be integrated together, and a user can select
`between the device or the one or more auxiliary input
`sources by issuing selection commands through the car
`stereo. A docking station is provided for docking a portable
`audio or video device for integration with the car stereo.
`
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`Honda Exhibit 1009
`Page 1
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`

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`Patent Application Publication Nov. 20, 2003 Sheet 1 of 24
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`US 2003/0215102 A1
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`Honda Exhibit 1009
`Page 2
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`Patent Application Publication Nov. 20, 2003 Sheet 2 of 24
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`US 2003/0215102 A1
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`FIG.
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`Honda Exhibit 1009
`Page 3
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`Patent Application Publication Nov. 20, 2003 Sheet 3 of 24
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`US 2003/0215102 A1
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`FIG. 25
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`Honda Exhibit 1009
`Page 4
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`Patent Application Publication Nov. 20, 2003 Sheet 4 of 24
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`FIG.
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`Honda Exhibit 1009
`Page 5
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`Page 6
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`Page 7
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`Patent Application Publication Nov. 20, 2003 Sheet 7 of 24
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`Page 8
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`Patent Application Publication Nov. 20, 2003 Sheet 8 of 24
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`Page 9
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`Patent Application Publication Nov. 20, 2003 Sheet 14 of 24
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`Page 17
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`Page 18
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`Page 19
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`Patent Application Publication Nov. 20, 2003 Sheet 19 of 24
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`Patent Application Publication Nov. 20, 2003 Sheet 21 of 24
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`Page 22
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`Patent Application Publication Nov. 20, 2003 Sheet 22 of 24
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`Honda Exhibit 1009
`Page 23
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`Patent Application Publication Nov. 20, 2003 Sheet 23 of 24
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`Honda Exhibit 1009
`Page 24
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`

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`Patent Application Publication Nov. 20, 2003 Sheet 24 of 24
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`Honda Exhibit 1009
`Page 25
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`

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`US 2003/0215102 A1
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`Nov. 20, 2003
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`AUDIO DEVICE INTEGRATION SYSTEM
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0001]
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`[0002] The present invention relates to an audio device
`integration system. More specifically, the present invention
`relates to an audio device integration system for integrating
`after-market components such as satellite receivers, CD
`players, CD changers, MP3 players, Digital Audio Broad-
`cast (DAB) receivers, auxiliary audio sources, and the like
`with factory-installed (OEM) or after-market car stereo
`systems.
`
`:0003]
`
`2. Related Art
`
`[0004] 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-tracks, 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.
`
`:0005] 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/or changers for allowing CDs to be
`alayed while driving. However, such systems often include
`aroprietary 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,
`VIP3 players, CD changers, auxiliary input sources, and the
`like,
`to be easily integrated therewith. Thus, automobile
`aurchasers 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.
`
`[0006] A particular problem with integrating after-m arket
`audio systems with existing car stereos is that signals
`generated by the car stereo is in a proprietary format, and is
`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. Thus,
`in order to integrate after-market
`systems with car stereos, it is necessary to convert signals
`between such systems.
`
`It known in the art to provide one or more expan-
`[0007]
`sion modules for OEM and after-market 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 manu-
`factured by the same manufacturer as the OEM/after-niarket
`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.
`
`it would be desirable to provide an
`[0008] Moreover,
`integration system that not only achieves integration of
`various audio devices that are alien to a given OEM or
`after-market stereo system, but also allows for information
`to be exchanged between the after-market device and the car
`stereo. For example,
`it would be desirable to provide a
`system wherein station, track, time, and song information
`can be retrieved from the after-market device, formatted,
`and transmitted to the car stereo for display thereby, such as
`at an I_CD panel of the car stereo. Such information could
`be transmitted and displayed on both hardwired radio sys-
`tems (e.g., radios installed in dashboards or at other loca-
`tions within the car), or integrated for display 011 one or more
`software or graphically-driven radio systems operable with
`graphical display panels. Additionally, it would be desirable
`to provide an audio 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 car stereo.
`
`[0009] Accordingly, the present invention addresses these
`needs by providing an audio integration system that allows
`a plurality of audio devices, such as CD players, CD
`changers, MP3 players, satellite receivers, DAB receivers,
`auxiliary input sources, or a combination thereof,
`to be
`integrated into existing car stereos while allowing informa-
`tion to be displayed on, and control to be provided from, the
`car stereo.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0010] The present invention relates to an audio device
`integration system. One or more after-market audio devices,
`such as a CD player, CD changer, MP3 player, satellite
`receiver (e.g., XM tuner), digital audio broadcast (DAB)
`receiver, or auxiliary input source, 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 con-
`trol panel are received by the present invention and con-
`verted irito a format recognizable by the after-market audio
`device. The formatted commands are executed by the audio
`device, and audio therefrom is channeled to the car stereo.
`Information from the audio 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 relat-
`ing 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, allow-
`ing interaction with the user at the radio. A docking port is
`provided for allowing portable external audio devices to be
`connected to the interface of the present invention.
`[0011]
`In an embodiment of the present invention, a dual-
`input device is provided for integrating both an external
`
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`US 2003/0215102 A1
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`Nov. 20, 2003
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`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 inventio11 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
`[0012]
`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.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`:0013] 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:
`
`:0014] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the audio
`device integration system of the present invention.
`
`:0015] FIG. 2a is a block diagram showing an alternate
`embodiment of the audio device integration system of the
`resent invention, wherein a CD player is integrated with a
`car radio.
`
`_0016] FIG. 2b is a block diagram showing an alternate
`embodiment of the audio device integration system of the
`wresent invention, wherein a MP3 player is integrated with
`a car radio.
`
`_0017] FIG. 2c is a block diagram showing an alternate
`embodiment of the audio device integration system of the
`aresent invention, wherein a satellite or DAB receiver is
`integrated with a car radio.
`
`_0018] FIG. 2d is a block diagram showing an alternate
`embodiment of the audio device integration system of the
`aresent invention, wherein a plurality of auxiliary input
`sources are integrated with a car radio.
`
`_0019] FIG. 2:? is a block diagram showing an alternate
`embodiment of the audio device integration system of the
`J1'CSC1‘ll invention, wherein a CD player and a plurality of
`auxiliary input sources are integrated with a car radio.
`
`_0020] 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.
`
`[0021] FIG. 2;; 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.
`
`[0022] FIG. 21; 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.
`
`[0023] 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.
`
`[0024] 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.
`
`[0025: 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.
`
`[0026: 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.
`
`[0027: FIG. 4a is a Ilowc iart siowing processing logic
`according to the present
`invention for integrating a CD
`player with a car radio.
`
`[0028: FIG. 4b is a flowc iart siowing processing logic
`according to the present invention for integrating a MP3
`player with a car radio.
`
`[0029: FIG. 4c is a flowciart slowing processing logic
`according to the present invention for integrating a satellite
`receiver with a car radio.
`
`[0030: FIG. 4d is a flowcaart siowing processing logic
`according to the present invention or integrating a plurality
`of auxiliary input sources with a car radio.
`
`[0031: FIG. 42 is a flowc iart s lowing processing logic
`according to the present
`invention for integrating a CD
`player and one or more auxiliary input sources with a car
`radio.
`
`[0032] FIG. 4f 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.
`
`[0033] 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.
`
`[0034] 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.
`
`[0035] 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.
`
`[0036] FIG. 711 is a perspective view of a docking station
`according to the present invention for retaining an audio
`device within a car.
`
`[0037] FIG. 7b is an end view of the docking station of
`FIG. 7:1.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`[0038] The present invention relates to an audio device
`integration system. One or more after-market audio devices,
`such as a CD player, CD changer, MP3 player, satellite
`
`Honda Exhibit 1009
`Page 27
`
`

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`US 2003/0215102 A1
`
`Nov. 20, 2003
`
`receiver, digital audio broadcast (DAB) receiver, or the like,
`can be integrated with an existing car radio, such as an OEM
`car stereo or an after-market car stereo. Control of the audio
`device is enabled using the car radio, and information from
`the audio device, such as channel number, channel name,
`artist, track, time, and song information, is retrieved form
`the audio device, processed, and forwarded to the car radio
`for display thereon. The information channeled to the car
`radio 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 radio are received, processed by the present
`invention into a format recognizable by the audio device,
`and transmitted thereto for execution. One or more auxiliary
`input channels can be integrated by the present invention
`with the car radio. The user can switch between one or more
`audio devices and one or more auxiliary input channels
`using the control panel buttons of the car radio.
`
`the term “integration” or “inte-
`[0039] As used herein,
`grated” is intended to mean connecting one or more external
`devices or inputs to an existing car radio or stereo via an
`interface, processing and handling signals and audio chan-
`nels, allowing a user to control the devices via the car stereo,
`and displaying data from the devices on the radio. Thus, for
`example, 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
`alayer to be sent to the display of the stereo. Of course,
`control of audio devices can be provided at locations other
`han the control panel of the radio without departing from
`he spirit or scope of the present invention. Further, as used
`1CI‘Cl1'], the term "inter-operable” is intended to mean allow-
`ing the external audio device to receive and process com-
`mands that have been formatted by the interface of the
`resent invention, as well as allowing a car stereo to display
`information that is generated by the external audio device
`and processed by the present invention. Additionally, by the
`erm “inter—operable,” it is meant allowing a device that is
`alien to the environment of an existing OEM or after-market
`car stereo to be utilized thereby.
`
`the terms “car stereo” and
`[0040] Also, as used herein,
`“car radio” are used interchangeably and are intended to
`include all presently existing car stereos and radios, such as
`ahysical devices that are present at any location within a
`vehicle, in addition to software and/or graphically- or dis-
`wlay-driven receivers. An example of such a receiver is a
`software—driven receiver that operates on a universal LCD
`aanel within a vehicle and is operable by a user via a
`graphical user interface displayed on the universal LCD
`wanel. 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 radio,” as used herein, and is within the
`spirit and scope of the present invention.
`
`[0041] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the audio
`device integration (or interface) system of the present inven-
`tion, 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. Asatellite radio or DAB receiver 25, such as an
`XM 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 could also be integrated with the
`radio 10 via interface 20. Moreover, a plurality of auxiliary
`input sources,
`illustratively indicated as auxiliary input
`sources 35 (comprising input sources 1 through n, 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.
`
`[0042] FIG. 2a is a block diagram of an alternate embodi-
`ment of the audio 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 interface 20
`is electrically connected with the car
`radio 10, and
`exchanges data and audio signals therewith. In a preferred
`embodiment of the present
`invention,
`the car radio [0
`includes a display 13 (such as an alphanumeric, electrolu-
`minescent display) for displaying information, and a plural-
`ity of control panel buttons 14 that normally operate to
`control the radio 10. The interface 20 allows the CD player
`15 to be controlled by the control buttons 14 of the radio 10.
`Further, the interface 20 allows information from the CD
`player 15, such as track, disc, time, and song information, to
`be retrieved therefrom, processed and formatted by the
`interface 20, sent to the display 13 of the radio 10.
`
`Importantly, the interface 20 allows for the remote
`[0043]
`control of the CD player 15 from the radio 10 (e.g., the CD
`player 15 could be located in the trunk of a car, while the
`radio 10 is mounted on the dashboard of the car). Thus, for
`example, one or more discs stored within the CD player [5
`can be remotely selected by a user from the radio 10, and
`tracks on one or more of the discs can be selected therefrom.
`Moreover, standard CD operational commands, such as
`pause, play, stop, fast forward, rewind, track forward, and
`track reverse (among other commands) can be remotely
`entered at the control panel buttons 14 of the radio 10 for
`remotely controlling the CD player 15.
`
`[0044] FIG. 2b is a block diagram showing an alternate
`embodiment of the present
`invention, wherein an MP3
`player 30 is integrated with an OEM or after-market car
`radio 10 via interface 20. As mentioned earlier, the interface
`20 of the present invention allows for a plurality of disparate
`audio devices to be integrated with an existing car radio for
`use therewith. Thus, as shown in FIG. 2}), remote control of
`the MP3 player 30 via radio 10 is provided for via interface
`20. The MP3 player 30 is electronically interconnected with
`the interface 20, which itself is electrically interconnected
`with the car radio 10. The interface 20 allows data and audio
`signals to be exchanged between the MP3 player 30 and the
`car radio 10, and processes and formats signals accordingly
`so that instructions and data from the radio 10 are process-
`able by the MP3 player 30, and vice versa. Operational
`commands, such as track selection, pause, play, stop, fast
`forward, rewind, and other commands, are entered via the
`control panel buttons 14 of car radio 10, processed by the
`interface 20, and formatted for execution by the MP3 player
`
`Honda Exhibit 1009
`Page 28
`
`

`
`US 2003/0215102 A1
`
`Nov. 20, 2003
`
`30. Data from the MP3 player, such as track, time, and song
`information,
`is received by the interface 20, processed
`thereby, and sent to the radio 10 for display on display 13.
`Audio from the MP3 player 30 is selectively forwarded by
`the interface 20 to the radio 10 for playing.
`
`[0045] FIG. 2c is a block diagram showing an alternate
`embodiment of the present invention, wherein a satellite
`receiver or DAB receiver 25 is integrated with an OEM or
`after—market car radio 10 via the interface 20. Satellite/DAB
`receiver 25 can be any satellite radio receiver known in the
`art, such as XM or Sirius, or any DAB receiver known in the
`art. The satellite,DAB receiver 25 is electrically intercon-
`nected with the interface 20, which itself is electrically
`interconnected with the car radio 10. The satellite/DAB
`receiver 25 is remotely operable by the control panel buttons
`14 of the radio 10. Commands from the radio 10 are received
`by the interface 20, processed and formatted thereby, and
`dispatched to the satellite/DAB receiver 25 for execution
`thereby. Information from the satellite/DAB receiver 25,
`including time, station, and song information, is received by
`the interface 20, processed, and transmitted to the radio 10
`for display on display 13. Further, audio from the satellite/
`DAB receiver 25 is selectively forwarded by the interface 20
`for playing by the radio 10.
`
`[0046] FIG. 2d is a block diagram showing an alternate
`embodiment of the present invention, wherein one or more
`auxiliary input sources 35 are integrated with an OEM or
`after—market car radio 10. The auxiliary inputs 35 can be
`connected to analog sources, or can be digitally coupled with
`one or more audio devices, such as after—market CD players,
`CD changers, MP3 players, satellite receivers, DAB receiv-
`ers, and the like, and integrated with an existing car stereo.
`Preferably, four auxiliary input sources are connectable with
`the interface 20, but any number of auxiliary input sources
`could be included. Audio from the auxiliary input sources 35
`is selectively forwarded to the radio 10 under command of
`the user. As will be discussed herein in greater detail, a user
`can select a desired input source from the auxiliary input
`sources 35 by depressing one or more of the control panel
`buttons 14 of the radio 10. The interface 20 receives the
`command initiated from the control panel, processes same,
`and connects the corresponding input source from the aux-
`iliary input sources 35 to allow audio therefrom to be
`forwarded to the radio 10 for playing. Further, the interface
`20 determines the type of audio devices connected to the
`auxiliary input ports 35, and integrates same with the car
`stereo 10.
`
`invention
`the present
`[0047] As mentioned previously,
`allows one or more external audio devices to be integrated
`with an existing OEM or after—market car stereo, along with
`one or more auxiliary input sources, and the user can select
`between these sources using the controls of the car stereo.
`Such “dual input” capability allows operation with devices
`connected to either of the inputs of the device, or both.
`Importantly, the device can operate in “plug and play” mode,
`wherein any device connected to one of the inputs is
`automatically detected by the present invention, its device
`type determined, and the device automatically integrated
`with an existing OEM or after—market car stereo. Thus, the
`present invention is not dependent any specific device type
`to be connected therewith to operate. For example, a user
`can first purchase a CD changer, plug same into a dual
`interface, and use same with the car stereo. At a point later
`
`in time, the user could purchase an XM tuner, plug same into
`the device, and the tuner will automatically be detected and
`integrated with the car stereo, allowing the user to select
`from and operate both devices fro111 the car stereo. It should
`be noted that such plug and play capability is not limited to
`a dual input device, but is provided for in every embodiment
`of the present invention. The dual—input configuration of the
`preset invention is illustrated in FIGS. 293-211 and described
`below.
`
`[0048] FIG. 2e is a block diagram showing an alternate
`embodiment of the present invention, wherein an external
`CD player/changer
`l5 and one or more auxiliary input
`sources 35 are integrated with an OEM or after—market car
`stereo 10. Both the CD player 15 and one or more of the
`auxiliary input sources 35 are electrically interconnected
`with the interface 20, which, in turn, is electrically inter-
`connected to the radio 10. Using the controls 14 of the radio
`10, a user can select between the CD player 15 and one or
`more of the inputs 35 to selectively channel audio from these
`sources to the radio. The command to select from one of
`these sources is received by the interface 20, processed
`thereby, and the corresponding source is channeled to the
`radio 10 by the interface 20. As wfll be discussed later in
`greater detail, the interface 20 contains internal processing
`logic for selecting between these sources.
`
`[0049] FIG. 2f is a block diagram of an alternate embodi-
`ment of the present invention, wherein a satellite receiver or
`DAB receiver and one or more auxiliary input sources are
`integrated by the interface 20 with an OEM or after—market
`car radio 10. Similar to the embodiment of the present
`invention illustrated in FIG. 2e and described earlier, the
`interface 20 allows a user to select between the satellite/
`DAB receiver 25 and one or more of the auxiliary input
`sources 35 using the controls 14 of the radio 10. The
`interface 20 contains processing logic, described in greater
`detail below, for allowing switching between the satellite/
`DAB receiver 25 and one or more of the auxiliary input
`sources 35.
`
`[0050] FIG. 2g is a block diagram of an alternate embodi-
`ment of the present invention, wherein