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`Express Mail Label No.: EL548971255US
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`IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND
`
`
`
`TRADEMARK OFFTCF,
`
`INVENTOR:
`
`IRA MARLOWE
`
`TITLE:
`
`AUDIO DEVICE INTEGRATION
`
`SYSTEM
`
`SPECIFICATION
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE
`
`INVENTION
`
`5
`
`10
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to an audio device integration system. More specifically,
`
`15
`
`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
`
`(OEM)
`
`after-market car stereo
`
`systems.
`
`20 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
`
`tapes to be played while driving. Such early systems were closed, in that external devices could
`
`25
`
`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
`
`CD
`
`players and/or changers for allowing CDs to be played while driving. However, such systems
`
`1
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`Petitioners
`Exhibit 1011, Page 1
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`Express Mail Label No.: EL548971255US
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`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, MP3
`
`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
`
`5
`
`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
`
`10
`
`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.
`
`15
`
`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,
`
`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
`
`20
`
`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, Thus,
`
`Inc.
`
`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
`
`2
`
`Petitioners
`Exhibit 1011, Page 2
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`

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`Express'Mail Label No.: EL548971255US
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`allows any audio device of
`
`any manufacture
`
`to
`
`be
`
`integrated
`
`with
`
`any
`
`system.
`
`Moreover, it would be desirable to provide an integration system that not only achieves
`
`5
`
`
`
`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,
`
`car stereo for display
`
`
`
`thereby, such as at an LCD panel of the car stereo. Such information could
`
`10
`
`be transmitted and displayed on both hardwired radio systems (e.g., radios installed in
`
`dashboards or at other
`
`
`
`locations within the car), or integrated
`
`for
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`one on display 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 than
`
`to
`
`control
`
`
`
`one device, such as a CD or satellite receiver and one or more auxiliary sources, and to quickly
`
`15
`
`and conveniently switch between
`
`same
`
`using
`
`
`
`the controls of the car existing
`
`
`
`stereo.
`
`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
`
`20
`
`thereof, to be integrated into existing car stereos while allowing information to be displayed on.
`
`
`
`and control to be provided from, the car stereo.
`
`3
`
`Petitioners
`Exhibit 1011, Page 3
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`

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`•Express'Mail Label No.: EL548971255US
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`SUMMARY OF THE
`
`INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to an audio device integration system. One or more after-
`
`market audio devices, such
`
`
`
`as player, CD changer, MP3 player, satellite receiver a CD
`
`
`
`(e.g., XM
`
`
`
`tuner), digital audio broadcast (DAB) receiver, or auxiliary input source, can be connected
`
`to
`
`and
`
`5
`
`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,
`
`
`
`as such input port, a
`
`
`
`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
`
`10
`
`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
`
`15
`
`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 interaction with the user at the
`
`20
`
`radio. A docking port is provided for allowing portable external audio devices to be connected
`
`to the interface of
`
`the present invention.
`
`4
`
`Petitioners
`Exhibit 1011, Page 4
`
`

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`Express'Mail Label No.: EL548971255US
`
`.1 O 1
`
`1
`
`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-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
`
`5
`
`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 system. A user can select between car stereo
`
`
`
`
`
`the auxiliary sources using the control panel of the car stereo. One or more after-market audio
`
`10
`
`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.
`
`5
`
`Petitioners
`Exhibit 1011, Page 5
`
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`'Express*Mail Label No.: EL548971255US
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`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:
`
`5
`
`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
`
`10
`
`integration system of
`
`the present
`
`invention,
`
`wherein a
`
`CD
`
`player
`
`is
`
`integrated
`
`FIG. 2b is a block diagram showing an alternate embodiment of the audio device
`
`integration system of
`
`the present
`
`invention,
`
`wherein
`
`a
`
`MP3
`
`player
`
`is
`
`15
`
`FIG. 2c is a block diagram showing an alternate embodiment of the audio device
`
`integration system of
`
`the present
`
`invention, wherein a
`
`satellite
`
`or
`
`DAB receiver
`
`a car radio.
`
`FIG. 2d is a block diagram showing an alternate embodiment of the audio device
`
`20
`
`integration system of the present invention, wherein a plurality of auxiliary input sources are
`
`integrated with a car
`
`radio.
`
`6
`
`Petitioners
`Exhibit 1011, Page 6
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`

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`Express-Mail Label No.: EL548971255US
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`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 a car radio.
`
`5
`
`FIG. 2f is a block diagram showing an alternate embodiment of the present invention,
`
`wherein a satellite or DAB
`
`car radio.
`
`
`
`
`
`and a receiver plurality of auxiliary
`
`input
`
`
`
`source are integrated with
`
`a
`
`FIG. 2g is a block diagram showing an alternate embodiment of the present invention,
`
`10 wherein a MPS player and
`
`a
`
`plurality
`
`of
`
`auxiliary
`
`input
`
`sources
`
`are
`
`FIG. 2h is a block diagram showing an alternate embodiment of the present invention.
`
`wherein a plurality
`
`of auxiliary
`
`interfaces
`
`and
`
`
`
`an integrated with a audio device car
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`are stereo.
`
`15
`
`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 invention for
`
`integrating both a CD player and an auxiliary input source with a car radio, wherein the CD
`
`20
`
`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.
`
`7
`
`Petitioners
`Exhibit 1011, Page 7
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`

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`•Express-Mail Label No.: EL548971255US
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`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.
`
`5
`
`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 MP3 player with a car radio.
`
`10
`
`FIG. 4c is a flowchart showing processing logic according to the present invention for
`
`integrating a satellite
`
`
`
`a receiver with car radio.
`
`
`
`FIG. 4d is a flowchart showing processing logic according to the present invention for
`
`15
`
`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
`
`20
`
`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
`
`8
`
`Petitioners
`Exhibit 1011, Page 8
`
`

`
`'Express Mail Label No.: EL548971255US
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`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 with
`
`a
`
`car
`
`stereo.
`
`FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing logic according to the present invention for
`
`5
`
`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
`
`10
`
`invention.
`
`FIG. 7a is a perspective view of a docking station according to the present invention for
`
`retaining an audio device within a
`
`car.
`
`15
`
`FIG. 7b is an end view of
`
`the
`
`docking
`
`station
`
`of
`
`FIG.
`
`7a.
`
`9
`
`Petitioners
`Exhibit 1011, Page 9
`
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`'Express*Mail Label No.: EL548971255US
`
`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
`
`5
`
`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
`
`from the external device, as well as graphical and menu-based information. A user can review
`
`10
`
`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
`
`one or more auxiliary
`
`input
`
`channels
`
`using
`
`the
`
`control
`
`panel
`
`buttons
`
`of
`
`the
`
`15
`
`As used herein,
`
`the
`
`term
`
`"integration"
`
`or
`
`"integrated"
`
`is
`
`intended
`
`to
`
`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 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
`
`20 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
`
`10
`
`
`
`scope present invention. Further, as used herein, of the
`
`
`
`
`
`Petitioners
`Exhibit 1011, Page 10
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`

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`^ExpresaMail Label No.: EL548971255US
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`1 ID"! -li
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`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
`
`5
`
`allowing a device that is alien to the environment of an existing OEM or after-market car stereo
`
`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 and radios, such as physical devices that
`
`10
`
`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
`
`15
`
`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
`
`20
`
`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 A satellite radio or 20.
`
`
`
`DAB receiver 25, such as an XM radio
`
`satellite
`
`receiver or
`
`
`
`DAB could
`
`receiver
`
`be integrated with the radio 10, via the interface 20. Further, an MP3 player could also be
`
`11
`
`Petitioners
`Exhibit 1011, Page 11
`
`

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`Express'Mail Label No.: EL548971255US
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`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
`
`5
`
`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
`
`stereo.
`
`10
`
`
`
`
`
`inputs devices and with an OEM or after-market car radio or
`
`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
`
`15
`
`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 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
`
`20
`
`from the CD player
`
`
`
`15, such as track, disc, time, and song information, to be retrieved therefrom.
`
`processed and formatted by the
`
`interface
`
`
`
`of 20, sent to the display 13 the radio 10.
`
`
`
`
`
`12
`
`Petitioners
`Exhibit 1011, Page 12
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`'Express'Mail Label No.: EL548971255US
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`Importantly, the interface 20 allows for the remote control of the CD player 15 from the
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`radio 10 (e.g., the CD player 15 could be located in the trunk of a car, while the radio 10 is
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`mounted on the dashboard of the car). Thus, for example, one or more discs stored within the
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`CD player 15 can be remotely
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`selected a user from the radio 10, and tracks on one or more of by
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`5
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`the discs can be selected therefrom.
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`Moreover, standard CD operational commands, such as
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`pause, play, stop, fast forward, rewind, track forward, and track reverse (among other
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`
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`commands) can be remotely entered at the control panel buttons 14 of the radio 10 for remotely
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`controlling the CD player
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`15.
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`10
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`FIG. 2b is a block diagram showing an alternate embodiment of the present invention,
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`wherein an MP3 player 30 is integrated with an OEM or after-market car radio 10 via interface
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`20.
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`As mentioned earlier, the interface 20 of the present invention allows for a plurality of
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`disparate audio devices to be integrated with an existing car radio for use therewith. Thus, as
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`shown in FIG. 2b, remote control
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`
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`of the MP3 player 30 via radio 10
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`
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`is provided for via interface
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`15
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`20. The MP3 player 30 is electronically interconnected with the interface 20, which itself is
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`electrically interconnected with the car radio 10. The interface 20 allows data and audio signals
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`to be exchanged between the MP3 player 30 and the car radio 10, and processes and formats
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`signals accordingly so that instructions and data from the radio 10 are processable by the MPS
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`player 30, and vice versa. Operational commands, such as track selection, pause, play, stop, fast
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`20
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`forward, rewind, and other commands, are entered via the control panel buttons 14 of car radio
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`10, processed by the interface 20, and formatted for execution by the MP3 player 30. Data from
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`the MPS player, such as track, time, and song information, is received by the interface 20,
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`13
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`Petitioners
`Exhibit 1011, Page 13
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`"Express'Mail Label No.: EL548971255US
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`processed thereby, and sent to the radio 10 for display on display 13. Audio from the MP3
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`player 30 is selectively forwarded
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`by the
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`interface
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`20
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`to
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`the radio
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`10
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`for
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`FIG. 2c is a block diagram showing an alternate embodiment of the present invention,
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`5
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`wherein a satellite receiver or DAB receiver 25 is integrated with an OEM or after-market car
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`radio 10 via the interface 20.
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`Satellite/DAB receiver 25 can be any satellite radio receiver
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`known in the art, such as XM or Sirius, or any DAB receiver known in the art. The
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`satellite/DAB receiver 25 is electrically interconnected with the interface 20, which itself is
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`electrically interconnected with the car radio 10. The satellite/DAB receiver 25 is remotely
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`10
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`operable by the control panel buttons 14 of the radio 10. Commands from the radio 10 are
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`received by the interface 20, processed and formatted thereby, and dispatched to the
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`satellite/DAB receiver
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`25 for
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`
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`execution thereby. Information from the satellite/DAB receiver
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`25,
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`including time, station, and song information, is received by the interface 20, processed, and
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`transmitted to the radio 10 for display on display 13.
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`Further, audio from the satellite/DAB
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`15
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`
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`receiver 25 is selectively forwarded by the interface
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`20 for
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`playing
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`by
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`the radio
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`10.
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`FIG. 2d is a block diagram showing an alternate embodiment of the present invention.
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`wherein one or more auxiliary input sources 35 are integrated with an OEM or after-market car
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`radio 10. The auxiliary inputs 35 can be connected to analog
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`sources, or
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`can
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`be
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`digitally
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`coupled
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`20
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`with one or more audio devices, such as after-market CD players, CD changers, MP3 players.
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`satellite receivers, DAB receivers, and the like, and integrated with an existing car stereo.
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`Preferably, four auxiliary input sources are connectable with the interface 20, but any number of
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`auxiliary input sources could be included.
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`Audio from the auxiliary input sources 35 is
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`14
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`Petitioners
`Exhibit 1011, Page 14
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`'Express'Mail Label No.: EL548971255US
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`selectively forwarded to the radio 10 under command
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`of the user. As will be discussed herein
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`in
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`greater detail, a user can select a desired input source from the auxiliary input sources 35 by
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`depressing one or more
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`of
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`the control
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`panel buttons
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`
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`14 The interface 20 receives of the
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`
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`radio
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`the command initiated from the control panel, processes same, and connects the corresponding
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`5
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`input source from the auxiliary input sources 35 to allow audio therefrom to be forwarded to the
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`radio 10 for playing. Further, the interface 20 determines the type of audio devices connected
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`to
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`the auxiliary input ports
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`
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`35, and integrates same with the car stereo
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`10.
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`As mentioned previously, the present invention allows one or more external audio
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`10
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`devices to be integrated with an
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`
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`one existing OEM or after-market car stereo, along with or more
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`auxiliary input sources, and the user can select between these sources using the controls of the
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`car stereo. Such "dual input" capability allows operation with
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`connected devices to either of the
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`inputs of the device, or both.
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`Importantly, the device can operate in "plug and play" mode.
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`wherein any device connected to one of the inputs is automatically detected by the present
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`15
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`invention, its device type determined, and the device automatically integrated with an existing
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`OEM or after-market car stereo. Thus, the present invention
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`
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`is not dependent any specific device
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`type to be connected therewith to operate. For example, a user can first purchase a CD changer.
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`plug same into a dual interface, and use same with the car stereo. At a point later in time, the
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`user could purchase an XM tuner, plug same into the device, and the tuner will automatically be
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`20
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`detected and integrated with the car stereo, allowing the user to select from and operate both
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`devices from the car stereo. It should be noted that such plug and play capability not limited to is
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`a dual input device, but is provided for in every embodiment
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`of the present invention. The dual-
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`input configuration
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`of the preset
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`invention
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`15
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`
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`in is illustrated FIGS. 2e-2h and described
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`below.
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`Petitioners
`Exhibit 1011, Page 15
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`

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`Express'Mail Label No.: EL548971255US
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`FIG. 2e is a block diagram showing an alternate embodiment of the present invention.
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`wherein an external CD player/changer 15 and one or more auxiliary input sources 35 are
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`integrated with an OEM or after-market car stereo 10. Both the CD player
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`15 and
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`one or more
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`the auxiliary input sources 35 are electrically interconnected
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`with
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`the
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`
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`interface which, in turn,
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`20,
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`5
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`is electrically interconnected to the radio 10. Using the controls 14 of the radio 10, a user can
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`select between the CD player 15 and one or more of the inputs 35 to selectively channel audio
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`from these sources to the radio. The command to select from one of these sources
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`is
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`received
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`by
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`the interface 20, processed thereby, and the corresponding source is channeled to the radio 10 by
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`the interface 20. As will be discussed later in greater detail, the interface 20 contains internal
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`10
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`processing logic for selecting between these sources.
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`
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`FIG. 2f is a block diagram of an alternate embodiment of the present invention, wherein
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`a satellite receiver or DAB receiver and or more auxiliary input sources are integrated one the
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`by
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`10. interface 20 with an OEM or after-market car radio Similar to the embodiment
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`of the present
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`15
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`invention illustrated in FIG. 2e and described earlier, the interface 20 allows a user to select
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`between the satellite/DAB receiver 25 and one or more of the auxiliary input sources 35 using
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`the controls 14 of the radio 10. The interface 20 contains processing logic, described in greater
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`detail below, for allowing switching between the satellite/DAB receiver 25 and one or more of
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`the auxiliary input sources 35.
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`20
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`
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`FIG. 2g is a block diagram of an alternate embodiment of the present invention, wherein
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`a MP3 player 30 and one or more auxiliary input sources 35 are integrated by the interface 20
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`
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`with an OEM or after-market car radio 10. Similar to the embodiments of the present invention
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`16
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`Petitioners
`Exhibit 1011, Page 16
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`

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`'I V"> 1,
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`J
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`Express'Mail Label No.: EL548971255US
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`illustrated in FIGS. 2e and 2f and described earlier, the interface 20 allows a user to select
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`
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`between the MP3 player 30 and one or more of the auxiliary input sources 35 using the controls
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`14 of the radio 10. The interface 20 contains processing logic, as will be discussed later in
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`greater detail, for allowing switching between the MP3 player 30 and one or more of the
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`5
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`auxiliary input sources 35.
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`FIG. 2h is a block diagram showing an alternate embodiment of the present invention.
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`wherein a plurality of auxiliary interfaces 40 and 44 and an audio device 17 are integrated with
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`an OEM or after-market car stereo 10. Importantly, the present invention can be expanded to
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`10
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`allow a plurality of auxiliary inputs to be connected to the car stereo 10 in a tree-like fashion.
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`Thus, as can be seen in FIG. 2h, a first auxiliary interface 40 is connected to the interface 20,
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`
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`and allows data and audio from the ports 42 to be exchanged with the car radio Connected to 10.
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`
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`one of the ports 42 is another auxiliary interface 44, which, in turn, provides a plurality
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`of input
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`ports 46. Any device connected
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`to any of the ports
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`46 42 or can be integrated with the car radio
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`15
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`10. Further, any device connected to the ports 42 or 46 can be inter-operable with the car radio
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`10, allowing commands to be entered from the car radio 10 (e.g., such as via the control panel
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`14) for commanding the device, and information from the
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`device
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`to
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`be
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`displayed
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`by
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`the
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`10.
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`Conceivably, by configuring the interfaces 40, 44, and successive interfaces in a tree
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`configuration, any number
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`of
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`20
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`can devices be integrated using the present invention.
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`The various embodiments
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`of the present
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`invention
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`described
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`above and
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`shown
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`through 2h are illustrative in nature and are not intended to limit the spirit or
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`scope
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`of
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`the present
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`invention. Indeed, any conceivable audio device or input source, in any desired combination,
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`17
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`Petitioners
`Exhibit 1011, Page 17
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`

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`1 O 1 r;i, «•.!•
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`Express'Mail Label No.: EL548971255US
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`can be integrated by the present invention into existing car stereo systems.
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`Further, it is
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`conceivable that not only can data and audio signals be exchanged between the car stereo and
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`any external device, but also video information that can be captured by the present invention.
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`processed thereby, and transmitted to the car stereo for display thereby and interaction with a
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`5
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`user thereat.
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`Various circuit configurations can be employed to carry out the present invention.
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`Examples of such configurations are described
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`below
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`and
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`shown
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`in
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`FIGS.
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`10
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`FIG. 3a is an illustrative circuit diagram according to the present invention for
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`integrating a CD player or an auxiliary input source with an existing car stereo system. A
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`plurality of ports J1C1, J2A1, X2, RCH, and LCH are provided for allowing connection
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`of
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`the
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`interface system of the present invention between an existing car radio, an after-market CD
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`player or changer, or an auxiliary input source. Each of these ports could be embodied by any
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`15
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`suitable electrical connector known
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`in the art. Port J1C1 connects to the input port of an OEM
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`car radio, such as that manufactured by TOYOTA, Inc.
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`Conceivably, port J1C1 could be
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`modified to allow connection to the input port of an after-market car radio. Ports J2A1, X2,
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`RCH, and LCH connect to an after-market CD changer, such as that manufactured by
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`PANASONIC, Inc., or to an auxiliary input source.
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`20
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`Microcontroller U1 is in electrical communication with each of the ports J1C1, J2A1,
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`and X2, and provides functionality for integrating the CD player or au