DE 101 01 702 A1
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`(19) FEDERAL REPUBLIC
`OF GERMANY
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`(12)Unexamined Application
`(10) DE 101 01 702 A1
`
`(51) Int. Cl.7:
`B 60 R 11/02
`H 05 K 11/02
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`(21) Application no.:
`(22) Filing date:
`(43) Disclosure date:
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`101 01 702.2
`15 January 2001
`18 June 2002
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`
`
`GERMAN
`PATENT AND
`TRADEMARK OFFICE
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`(71) Applicant:
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`Volkswagen AG, 38440 Wolfsburg, Germany
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`(72) Inventors:
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`Dr. Frank Plagge, 38446 Wolfsburg, Germany; Oliver
`Hartkopp, 31234 Edemissen, Germany; Björn Briel,
`38162 Cremlingen, Germany; Andreas Medler, 38268
`Lengede, Germany
`
`(56) Publications
`patentability:
`DE
`199 48 402 A1
`DE
`199 17 169 A1
`EP
` 09 99 549 A2
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`to be
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`considered
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`in evaluating
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`The following text was taken from the documents submitted by the applicant
`(54) Vehicle Audio Device
`(57) The invention relates to a vehicle audio device,
`including an interface for a CD changer, whereby an
`interface emulator (4) is connected to the interface
`(2) for the CD changer, and a playback device (7) for
`digital audio signals that are stored in compressed
`form is connected to the interface emulator (4), and
`whereby the interface emulator (4) converts control
`signals and status signals from the vehicle audio
`device (1) to a format compatible with the playback
`device, and status signals coming from the playback
`device (7) are converted to a format compatible
`with the CD changer.
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`
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`DE 101 01 702 A1
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`FEDERAL GERMAN PRINTING OFFICE 05.02 102 290/565/1
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`Honda Exhibit 1011
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`Description
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`[1]
`The invention relates to a vehicle audio device,
`including an interface for a CD changer, as described in the
`preamble of claim 1.
`[2]
`Currently, there are basically several standards for
`storing music signals or audio signals in a compressed digital
`form, for example, the MP-3 standard (MPEG-1 Audio Layer
`3), the MS Audio Standard (WMA) and AAC (Advanced
`Audio Codirig*), defined by the MPEG-2 standard. By using
`a suitably equipped computer, it is possible to store audio
`signals, compressed and coded according to these standards,
`on commercial CD ROMs, where they can be retrieved at any
`time. Because of the compression, the playing time achieved
`on a CD-ROM is much longer. Various portable playback
`devices, such as MP-3 players, are already known for
`playback. Various devices are already known for integration
`of a playback device for stored compressed data into a motor
`vehicle.
`[3]
`A combined playback device for digitally stored
`music signals and audio signals is known from DE 299 19
`802 U1, in which optically scannable data of the inserted
`CD/CD-ROM is guided by means of a laser beam either to a
`signal processing stage for MP3 or to a signal processing
`stage for non-data-reduced signals, using a manual switch or
`automatically, using a recognition device.
`[4]
`EP 0 999 549 A2 describes an MP3 player for a
`motor vehicle, including a device for recognition of the data
`format, whereby the data of an audio CD is sent directly to a
`digital-analog converter, and the MP3 data is sent to an MP3
`decoder having a downstream digital-analog converter. It is
`thus possible to play both audio CDs and MP3 CDs on a
`single CD player, so there is no need for a CD changer.
`[5]
`The disadvantage of the known MP3 player designs
`is that the vehicle radios, which are already present, must be
`replaced in each case. This is extremely expensive, in
`particular in the case of high-quality vehicle radios as a
`component of infotainment design approaches. On the other
`hand, most available vehicle radios have no option for
`practical
`integration of playback devices
`for stored
`compressed data.
`[6]
`The invention is therefore based on the technical
`problem of creating a vehicle radio having a playback device
`for data stored in compressed form, and it should be possible
`to retrofit most vehicle radios already in existence.
`[7]
`The solution to the technical problem follows from
`the subject matter having the features of patent claim 1.
`Additional advantageous embodiments of the invention
`follow from the dependent claims.
`[8]
`An interface emulator is therefore connected to the
`interface for the CD changer of the vehicle radio, and a
`playback device for audio data stored in compressed form
`according to one of the standards is connected to the interface
`emulator, the interface emulator converting control signals
`and status signals coming from the vehicle radio to a format
`compatible with the player, and converting status signals
`coming from the player to a format compatible with the CD
`changer.
`[9]
`In another preferred specific embodiment, the
`output of the playback device for the digital audio signals
`stored in compressed form is connected directly to an input of
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`the vehicle audio device, whereby the digital audio signals
`are then converted to analog audio signals in the playback
`device before being forwarded to the vehicle audio device.
`[10]
`In principle, the interface emulator could be
`integrated into the playback device of audio signals stored in
`compressed form. This is advantageous if the configuration
`does not change. However, in that case, the existing playback
`devices must be modified.
`[11]
`In another preferred specific embodiment, the
`interface emulator and the playback device for digital audio
`signals stored in compressed form are therefore designed as
`separate units. In this context, an interface is preferably
`allocated to each playback device and interface emulator, in
`particular an interface for wireless data transmission, over
`which
`the control signals and status signals can be
`transmitted.
`[12]
`In another preferred specific embodiment, the
`playback device
`for digital audio signals stored
`in
`compressed form is connected to the vehicle electrical system
`via the interface emulator or via a plug connection. If the
`playback device is a portable unit, it may be provided that the
`batteries are charged during the operating phases of the motor
`vehicle.
`[13]
`In another preferred specific embodiment, means
`for converting various portable media-playback devices that
`can optionally be connected to the interface emulator are
`stored in the interface emulator.
`[14]
`The invention is explained in greater detail below
`on the basis of a preferred exemplary embodiment. The only
`figure shows a schematic block diagram of a vehicle audio
`device with an MP3 player.
`[15]
`Vehicle audio device 1 includes an interface 2 for a
`CD changer and an audio input 3 for CD data. Vehicle audio
`device 1 is connected to an interface emulator 4 via interface
`2. Interface emulator 4 is also designed to include a wireless
`interface 5. Interface emulator 4 is able to communicate with
`an MP3 player 7, which is situated in a mounting unit 6, over
`wireless interface 3. The MP3 data may either be stored in a
`storage medium or made available online.
`[16]
`Mounting unit 6 includes mechanical connecting
`means and electrical plug connections (not shown) by means
`of which the MP3 player can be connected to a vehicle
`electrical system 8 and to the audio input 3 of vehicle radio 1.
`In addition, MP3 player 7 is designed to have a wireless
`interface 9. MP3 player 7 is situated detachably in mounting
`unit 6, so that portable MP3 player 7 can be attached only
`temporarily to vehicle audio device 1, for example.
`[17]
`Now, if such a portable MP3 player 7 is situated in
`the mounting unit, it is supplied with voltage via the vehicle
`electrical system 8, and the batteries (not shown) are charged
`at the same time. The output signals of MP3 player 7, which
`are usually output to the headphones in the case of a portable
`unit, can be output directly to the audio input 3 of vehicle
`radio 1, from which the signals may be forwarded to the
`loudspeakers in the motor vehicle.
`[18]
`The main object of the interface emulator 4 is to
`convert the control signals and status signals of vehicle audio
`device 1 and MP3 player 7. The control signals and status
`signals transmitted by vehicle audio device 1 over interface 2
`are adapted for a CD changer. Interface emulator 4 receives
`these signals and converts them to a format for MP3 player 7.
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`DE 101 01 702 A1
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`The converted control signals and status signals are then sent
`by interface emulator 4 over air interface 5, and received and
`executed by MP3 player 7 via air interface 9. Conversely,
`MP3 player 7 sends its status signals via wireless interface 9;
`these status signals are received via wireless interface 5 of
`interface emulator 4. Interface emulator 4 converts the status
`signals of MP3 player 7 to status signals of a CD changer and
`transmits them to vehicle radio 1 via interface 2. From the
`standpoint of signal technology, interface emulator 4 has the
`effect that the vehicle radio communicates with a virtual CD
`changer.
`
`
`What Is Claimed Is:
`1. A vehicle audio device, including an interface
`for a CD changer, wherein an interface emulator (4)
`is connected to the interface (2) for the CD
`changer, and a playback device (7) for audio
`signals stored in compressed form is connected to
`the interface emulator (4), the interface emulator
`(4) converting control signals and status signals
`coming from the vehicle audio device (1) to a
`format compatible with the playback device (7),
`and converting status signals coming from the
`playback device (7) to a format compatible with the
`CD changer.
`2. The vehicle audio device as recited in claim 1,
`wherein a signal output of the playback device (7)
`is connected directly to a signal input (3) of the
`vehicle audio device (1).
`3. The vehicle audio device as recited in claim 1 or
`2, wherein the interface emulator (4) and the
`playback device (7) are designed as separate units,
`communicating with one another via at least one
`interface for wireless connection (5, 9).
`4. The vehicle audio device as recited in one of the
`preceding claims, wherein the playback device (7)
`is connected to the vehicle electrical system (8) via
`the interface emulator (4) or a plug connection.
`5. The vehicle audio device as recited in one of the
`preceding claims, wherein means for converting
`various portable media playback devices are stored
`in the interface emulator (4), which may optionally
`be connected to the interface emulator (4).
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`(1 Page of Drawings)
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`DE 101 01 702 A1
`Number:
`Int. Cl.7:
`B 60 R 11/02
`Disclosure date: 18 July 2002
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`
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`102 290/565
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`E r r a t a
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`Translator’s note:
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`“Codirig” in the phrase “AAC (Advanced Audio Codirig)” in paragraph [0002] is an
`apparent typo for “Coding” i.e., “AAC (Advanced Audio Coding)”
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`CERTIFICATION OF TRANSLATION
`
`J, Peggy F. Wright, on behalf of
`
`Jones Day‘
`717 Texas Avenue. Suite 3300
`Houston "X 77002
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`hereby declare that:
`
`I
`
`0
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`I am fluent in the German and English languages, and
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`lam the translator of the attache: document, and certify that, to the best
`of my knowledge and belief, the foiiowing is a true and correct English
`translation of the document DE 101 O1 702 A1.
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`Dated this 14“ clay of July 2015.
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`Signature oftranslator:
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`
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