Express Mail Label No.: EV335727287
`
`IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK
`
`OFFICE
`
`INVENTOR:
`
`IRA MARLOWE
`
`TITLE:
`
`AUDIO DEVICE INTEGRATION SYSTEM
`
`SPECIFICATION
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`RELATED APPLICATIONS
`
`This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application Serial No.
`
`10/316,961 filed December 11, 2002 and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application
`
`Serial No. 60/523,714 filed November 20, 2003, the entire disclosures of which are both
`
`expressly incorporated herein by
`
`reference.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`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
`
`Broadcast (DAB) receivers, auxiliary audio sources, and
`
`the
`
`like
`
`with
`
`factory-installed
`
`after-market car stereo 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, and perhaps an analog tape deck for allowing cassettes, 8-tracks, and other types of
`
`1
`
`Petitioners
`Exhibit 1010, Page 1
`
`

`
`Express Mail Label No.: EV335727287
`
`tapes to be played while driving. Such early systems were closed, in that external devices could
`
`not be easily integrated therewith.
`
`With advances in digital technology, CD players have been included with automobile
`
`audio systems. Original Equipment Manufacturers
`
`(OEMs)
`
`often produce
`
`car
`
`stereos
`
`having
`
`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, MPS
`
`players, CD changers, auxiliary input sources, 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 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 expansion modules for OEM and after-market
`
`car stereos for allowing external audio products to be integrated with the car stereo. However,
`
`2
`
`Petitioners
`Exhibit 1010, Page 2
`
`

`
`Express Mail Label No.: EV335727287
`
`such expansion modules only operate with and allow integration of external audio products
`
`manufactured by the same manufacturer as the OEM / after-market car stereo. For example, a
`
`satellite receiver manufactured by PIONEER, Inc., cannot be integrated with an OEM car radio
`
`manufactured by TOYOTA or an after-market car radio manufactured
`
`
`
`by Thus,
`
`CLARION,
`
`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
`
`system.
`
`Moreover, it would be desirable to provide an 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 LCD panel of the car stereo. Such information could
`
`be transmitted and displayed on both hardwired radio systems (e.g., radios installed in
`
`dashboards or at other locations within
`
`
`
`car), the or integrated for display on one or more software
`
`
`
`
`
`or graphically-driven radio systems operable with graphical display panels. Additionally, it
`
`would be desirable to provide 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
`
`
`
`the existing of the car stereo. controls
`
`
`
`and conveniently switch between
`
`same using
`
`3
`
`Petitioners
`Exhibit 1010, Page 3
`
`

`
`Express Mail Label No.: EV335727287
`
`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,
`
`MPS players, satellite receivers, DAB receivers, auxiliary input sources, or a combination
`
`thereof, to be integrated into existing car stereos while allowing information to be displayed on,
`
`and control to be provided from,
`
`the
`
`car stereo.
`
`4
`
`Petitioners
`Exhibit 1010, Page 4
`
`

`
`Express Mail Label No.: EV335727287
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to an audio device integration system. One or more after-
`
`market audio devices, such as
`
`
`
`a CD player, CD changer, MPS player, satellite receiver (e.g., XM
`
`tuner), digital audio broadcast (DAB)
`
`receiver,
`
`or auxiliary
`
`input
`
`
`
`source, be connected to and can
`
`
`
`
`
`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 connector. If the car stereo system is an after-market car
`
`stereo system, the present invention generates a signal that is sent to the car stereo to keep same
`
`in an operational state and responsive to external data and signals. Commands generated at the
`
`control panel are received by the present invention and converted into a format recognizable by
`
`the after-market 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 relating
`
`to a CD or MPS 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 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.
`
`5
`
`Petitioners
`Exhibit 1010, Page 5
`
`

`
`Express Mail Label No.: EV335727287
`
`In an embodiment of the present
`
`invention,
`
`a dual-input
`
`device
`
`is provided
`
`for
`
`both an external audio device and an auxiliary input with an OEM or after-market car stereo.
`
`The user can select between the external audio device and the auxiliary input using the controls
`
`of the car stereo. The invention can automatically detect the type of device connected to the
`
`auxiliary input, and integrate same with
`
`the car
`
`stereo.
`
`In another embodiment
`
`of
`
`
`
`the present invention, an interface
`
`is provided for integrating a
`
`plurality of auxiliary input sources with an existing
`
`car
`
`
`
`stereo A user can select between system.
`
`
`
`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.
`
`6
`
`Petitioners
`Exhibit 1010, Page 6
`
`

`
`Express Mail Label No.: EV335727287
`
`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 audio device integration system of the present
`
`invention.
`
`FIG. 2a is a block diagram showing an alternate embodiment of the audio device
`
`integration system of
`
`the present
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`a invention, wherein CD player is integrated with a car radio.
`
`FIG. 2b is a block diagram showing an alternate embodiment of the audio device
`
`integration system of
`
`the present
`
`invention, wherein a MPS
`
`player
`
`is
`
`integrated
`
`with
`
`FIG. 2c is a block diagram showing an alternate embodiment of the audio device
`
`integration system of
`
`the present
`
`invention, wherein a
`
`satellite
`
`or
`
`a car radio.
`
`
`
`receiver DAB integrated with
`
`
`
`FIG. 2d is a block diagram showing an alternate embodiment of the audio device
`
`integration system of the present invention, wherein a plurality of auxiliary input sources are
`
`integrated with a car radio.
`
`7
`
`Petitioners
`Exhibit 1010, Page 7
`
`

`
`Express Mail Label No.: EV335727287
`
`FIG. 2e is a block diagram showing an alternate embodiment of the audio device
`
`integration system of the present invention, wherein a CD player and a plurality of auxiliary
`
`
`
`input sources are integrated with car radio. a
`
`
`
`FIG. 2f is a block diagram showing an alternate embodiment of the present invention,
`
`wherein a satellite or DAB receiver and
`
`a plurality
`
`of
`
`car radio.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`source input auxiliary are integrated with a
`
`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 car radio. integrated
`
`
`
`
`
`with
`
`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
`
`
`
`a integrating a CD player or an auxiliary input source with car radio.
`
`
`
`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.
`
`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.
`
`8
`
`Petitioners
`Exhibit 1010, Page 8
`
`

`
`Express Mail Label No.: EV335727287
`
`FIG. 3d is a circuit diagram showing a device according to the present invention for
`
`integrating a satellite or DAB
`
`
`
`receiver with car radio.
`
`a
`
`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 according to the present invention for
`
`integrating a MPS 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.
`
`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 car radio.
`
`a
`
`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 car radio.
`
`a
`
`FIG. 4g is a flowchart showing processing logic according to the present invention for
`
`integrating a MPS player and one or more auxiliary
`
`input
`
`
`
`sources car stereo.
`
`with
`
`a
`
`9
`
`Petitioners
`Exhibit 1010, Page 9
`
`

`
`Express Mail Label No.: EV335727287
`
`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
`
`7a.
`
`FIG.
`
`FIGS. 8a-8b are perspective views of another embodiment of the docking station of the
`
`present invention, which includes the audio 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.
`
`10
`
`Petitioners
`Exhibit 1010, Page 10
`
`

`
`It
`
`Express Mail Label No.: EV335727287
`
`'
`
`'
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`
`INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to an audio device integration system. One or more after-
`
`market audio devices, such as a CD player, CD changer, MPS player, satellite 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, 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
`
`
`
`
`
`and devices one or more auxiliary
`
`input channels using the control panel buttons
`
`of
`
`the
`
`car
`
`radio.
`
`As used herein, the term "integration" or
`
`"integrated"
`
`is
`
`intended
`
`to mean
`
`or more external devices or inputs to an existing car radio or stereo via an interface, processing
`
`and handling signals and audio channels, allowing a user
`
`
`
`
`
`control to 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 player to be sent to the display of the stereo. Of
`
`course, control of audio devices can be provided at locations other than the control panel of the
`
`radio without departing from the spirit or scope of the present
`
`
`
`invention. Further, as used herein,
`
`1 1
`
`Petitioners
`Exhibit 1010, Page 11
`
`

`
`Express Mail Label No.: EV335727287
`
`the term "inter-operable" is intended to mean allowing the external audio device to receive and
`
`process commands that have been formatted by the interface of the present 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 term "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.
`
`
`
`
`
`"car Also, as used herein, the terms "car stereo" and radio" are used interchangeably and
`
`are intended to include all presently existing car stereos and radios, 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 user
`
`a
`
`graphical
`
`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 radio," as used herein, and is within the
`
`spirit and scope of the present
`
`invention.
`
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the audio 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 radio
`
`satellite
`
`receiver
`
`or DAB
`
`receiver
`
`known
`
`in
`
`be integrated with the radio 10, via the interface 20. Further, an MPS player could also be
`
`12
`
`Petitioners
`Exhibit 1010, Page 12
`
`

`
`Express Mail Label No.: EV335727287
`
`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, MPS 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.
`
`FIG. 2a is a block diagram of an alternate embodiment 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 10 includes a display 13 (such as an alphanumeric,
`
`electroluminescent display) for displaying information, and a plurality of control panel buttons
`
`14 that normally operate
`
`to control
`
`the
`
`
`
`radio The interface 20 allows the CD player 15 to be 10.
`
`
`
`controlled by the control buttons
`
`14
`
`of
`
`
`
`the Further, the interface 20 allows radio 10.
`
`
`
`
`
`information
`
`from the CD player 15, such as
`
`track, disc,
`
`time, and
`
`song
`
`information,
`
`to
`
`be
`
`retrieved
`
`
`
`the 13 of the radio 10. display
`
`
`
`processed and formatted by the
`
`interface 20, sent
`
`to
`
`13
`
`Petitioners
`Exhibit 1010, Page 13
`
`

`
`Express Mail Label No.: EV335727287
`
`Importantly, the interface 20 allows for the remote 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 15 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.
`
`FIG. 2b is a block diagram showing an alternate embodiment of the present invention,
`
`wherein an MPS 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. 2b, remote control of
`
`the MP3 player
`
`30 via
`
`radio
`
`10
`
`is
`
`provided
`
`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 processable 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 30. Data from
`
`the MP3 player, such as track, time, and song information, is received by the interface 20,
`
`14
`
`Petitioners
`Exhibit 1010, Page 14
`
`

`
`Express Mail Label No.: EV335727287
`
`processed thereby, and sent to the radio 10 for display on display 13. Audio from the MP3
`
`player 30 is selectively forwarded
`
`
`
`
`
`the by interface 20 to the radio 10 for playing.
`
`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 interconnected 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
`
`
`
`
`
`20 interface for playing by the radio 10.
`
`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
`
`
`
`digitally can be coupled
`
`
`
`with one or more audio devices, such as after-market CD players, CD changers, MPS players,
`
`satellite receivers, DAB receivers, 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
`
`15
`
`Petitioners
`Exhibit 1010, Page 15
`
`

`
`Express Mail Label No.: EV335727287
`
`selectively forwarded to
`
`the
`
`radio
`
`10 under
`
`
`
`command user. As will be discussed herein of the
`
`
`
`
`
`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 auxiliary input sources
`
`
`
`
`
`to 35 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.
`
`As mentioned previously, the present invention allows one or more external audio
`
`devices to be integrated with
`
`an existing OEM
`
`or
`
`after-market
`
`car
`
`stereo,
`
`along
`
`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 from the car stereo. It should be noted that such plug and
`
`play
`
`capability
`
`is
`
`not
`
`limited
`
`a dual input device, but is provided for in every embodiment of the present invention. The dual-
`
`input configuration of the preset
`
`invention
`
`is
`
`16
`
`
`
`illustrated 2e-2h and described below. in FIGS.
`
`
`
`
`
`Petitioners
`Exhibit 1010, Page 16
`
`

`
`Express Mail Label No.: EV335727287
`
`FIG. 2e is a block diagram showing an alternate embodiment of the present invention,
`
`wherein an external CD player/changer 15 and one or more auxiliary input sources 35 are
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`stereo integrated with an OEM or after-market car 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 interconnected 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 will be discussed later in greater detail, the interface 20 contains internal
`
`processing logic for selecting between
`
`
`
`these sources.
`
`FIG. 2f is a block diagram of an alternate embodiment of the present invention, wherein
`
`a satellite receiver or DAB receiver and one
`
`or more
`
`auxiliary
`
`input
`
`sources
`
`are
`
`integrated
`
`interface 20 with an OEM or after-market
`
`car
`
`
`
`
`
`10. radio 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 arid 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.
`
`
`
`FIG. 2g is a block diagram of an alternate embodiment of the present invention, wherein
`
`a MP3 player 30 and one or more auxiliary input sources 35 are integrated by the interface 20
`
`with an OEM or after-market car radio 10. Similar to the embodiments of the present invention
`
`17
`
`Petitioners
`Exhibit 1010, Page 17
`
`

`
`Express Mail Label No.: EV335727287
`
`illustrated in FIGS. 2e and 2f and described earlier, the interface 20 allows a user to select
`
`
`
`between the MPS player 30 and one or more of the auxiliary input sources
`
`
`
`35 using the controls
`
`14 of the radio 10. The interface 20 contains processing logic, as will be discussed later in
`
`greater detail, for allowing switching between the MPS player 30 and one or more of the
`
`auxiliary input sources 35.
`
`FIG. 2h is a block diagram showing an alternate embodiment of the present invention,
`
`wherein a plurality of auxiliary interfaces 40 and 44 and an audio device 17 are integrated with
`
`an OEM or after-market car stereo 10. Importantly, the present invention can be expanded to
`
`allow a plurality of auxiliary inputs to be connected to the car stereo 10 in a tree-like fashion.
`
`Thus, as can be seen in FIG. 2h, a first auxiliary interface 40 is connected to the interface 20,
`
`and allows data and audio from the ports 42 to be exchanged with
`
`the
`
`car
`
`
`
`10. radio Connected to
`
`
`
`
`
`one of the ports 42 is another auxiliary interface 44, which, in turn, provides a plurality of input
`
`ports 46. Any device connected to any of the ports 42 or 46 can be integrated with the car radio
`
`10. Further, any device connected to the ports 42 or 46 can be inter-operable with the car radio
`
`10, allowing commands to be entered from the car radio 10 (e.g., such as via the control panel
`
`14) for commanding the device, and
`
`
`
`information from the device to be displayed by
`
`the
`
`car
`
`radio
`
`10.
`
`Conceivably, by configuring the interfaces 40, 44, and successive interfaces in a tree
`
`
`
`configuration, any number of devices can be integrated using the present
`
`invention.
`
`The various embodiments of the present
`
`invention
`
`described
`
`above
`
`
`
`and 1
`
`shown
`
`in
`
`through 2h are illustrative
`
`
`
`in nature and are not intended to limit the spirit or scope of
`
`the present
`
`invention. Indeed, any conceivable audio device or input source, in any desired combination,
`
`18
`
`Petitioners
`Exhibit 1010, Page 18
`
`

`
`Express Mail Label No.: EV335727287
`
`can be integrated by the present invention into existing car stereo systems. Further, it is
`
`conceivable that not only can data and audio signals be exchanged between the car stereo and
`
`any external device, but also video information that can be captured by the present invention,
`
`processed thereby, and transmitted to the car stereo for display thereby and interaction with a
`
`user thereat.
`
`Various circuit configurations can be employed to carry out the present invention.
`
`Examples of such configurations are described below
`
`and
`
`shown
`
`in
`
`FIGS.
`
`3a-3d.
`
`FIG. 3a is an illustrative circuit diagram according to the present invention for
`
`integrating a CD player or an auxiliary input source with an existing car stereo system. A
`
`plurality of ports
`
`J1C1,
`
`J2A1, X2,
`
`
`
`RCH, and LCH are provided for allowing connection of the
`
`interface system of the present invention between an existing car radio, an after-market CD
`
`player or changer, or an auxiliary input source. Each of these ports could be embodied by any
`
`suitable electrical connector known in the art. Port J1C1 connects to the input port of an OEM
`
`car radio, such as that manufactured by TOYOTA, Inc.
`
`Conceivably, port J1C1 could be
`
`modified to allow connection to the input port of an after-market car radio. Ports J2A1, X2,
`
`RCH, and LCH connect to an after-market CD changer, such as that manufactured by
`
`PANASONIC, Inc., or to an auxiliary input
`
`source.
`
`Microcontroller U1 is in electrical communication with each of the ports J1C1, J2A1,
`
`and X2, and provides functionality for integrating the CD player or auxiliary input source
`
`connected to the ports J2A1, X2, RCH, and LCH. For example, microcontroller U1 receives
`
`19
`
`Petitioners
`Exhibit 1010, Page 19
`
`

`
`Express Mail Label No.: EV335727287
`
`control commands, such as button
`
`or
`
`key sequences,
`
`initiated
`
`by
`
`a
`
`user
`
`at
`
`control panel
`
`radio and received at the connector J1C1, processes and formats same, and dispatches the
`
`formatted commands to the CD player or auxiliary input source via connector J2A1.
`
`Additionally, the microcontroller U1 receives information provided by the CD player or
`
`auxiliary input source via connector J2A1, processes and formats same, and transmits the
`
`formatt