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`19
`
`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 with one
`
`or more auxiliary input sources, and the user can select between these sources using the
`
`controls of the car stereo. Such “dual input” capability allows operation with devices
`
`connected to either of the inputs of the device, or both.
`
`Importantly, the device can
`
`operate in “plug and play” mode, wherein any device connected to one of the inputs is
`
`automatically detected by the present invention, its device type determined, and the device
`
`automatically integrated with an existing OEM or after-market car stereo. Thus, the
`
`present invention is not dependent any specific device type to be connected therewith to
`
`operate. For example, a user can first purchase a CD changer, plug same into a dual
`
`interface, and use same with the car stereo. At a point later in time, the user could
`
`purchase an XM tuner, plug same into the device, and the tuner will automatically be
`
`detected and integrated with the car stereo, allowing the user to select from and operate
`
`both devices from the car stereo.
`
`it should be noted that such plug and play capability is
`
`not limited to a dual input device, but is provided for in every embodiment of the present
`
`invention. The dual-input configuration of the preset invention is illustrated in FIGS. 2E-
`
`2H and described below.
`
`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 integrated with an OEM or after-market car stereo 10. Both the CD player
`
`15 and one or more of the auxiliary input sources 35 are electrically interconnected with
`
`the interface 20, which, in turn, is electrically 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 by the interface 20 with an OEM or after—market car radio 10. Similar to the
`
`embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 2E and described earlier, the
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`interface 20 allows a user to select between the satellite/DAB receiver 25 and one or more
`
`of the auxiliary input sources 35 using the controls 14 of the radio 10. The interface 20
`
`contains processing logic, described in greater detail below,
`
`for allowing switching
`
`between the satellite/DAB receiver 25 and one or more of the auxiliary input sources 35.
`
`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 illustrated in FIGS. 2E and 2F and described earlier, the interface 20
`
`allows a user to select between the MP3 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 MP3
`
`player 30 and one or more ofthe 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 radio 10. 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 1 0. 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 shown in
`
`FIGS. 1
`
`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, 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
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`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 p01ts could be
`
`embodied by any suitable electrical connector known in the art. Port J 1C1 connects to the
`
`input port of an OEM car
`
`radio,
`
`such as
`
`that manufactured by TOYOTA,
`
`Inc.
`
`Coneeivably, 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, lnc., 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 control commands, such as button or key sequences, initiated by a user at
`
`control panel of the car 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 fonnats
`
`same, and transmits the formatted data to the car stereo via connector J 1C1 for display on
`
`the display of the car stereo. Audio signals provided at the ports J2Al, X2, RCH and
`
`LCH is selectively Channeled to the car radio at port J1C1 under control of one or more
`
`user commands and processing logic, as will be discussed in greater detail, embedded
`
`within microcontroller U1.
`
`In a preferred embodiment of the present
`
`invention,
`
`the microcontroller U]
`
`comprises the 16F628 microcontroller manufactured by MICROCHIP, Inc. The 16F628
`
`chip is a CMOS, flash—based, 8—bit microcontroller having an intemal, 4 MHz intemal
`
`oscillator, 128 bytes of EEPROM data memory, a capture/compare/PWM, a USART, 2
`
`comparators,
`
`and a programmable voltage reference.
`
`Of course,
`
`any suitable
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`
`microcontroller known in the alt can be substituted for microcontroller U1 without
`
`departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.
`
`A plurality of discrete components, such as resistors R1 through R13, diodes DI
`
`through D4, capacitors C1 and C2, and oscillator Y1, among other components, are
`
`provided for interfacing the microcontroller U1 with the hardware connected to the
`
`connectors J1C1, J2A1, X2, RCH, and LCH. These components, as will be readily
`
`appreciated to one of ordinary skill in the art, can be arranged as desired to accommodate a
`
`variety of mierocontrollers, and the numbers and types of discrete components can be
`
`varied to accommodate other similar controllers. Thus, the circuit shown in FIG. 3A and
`
`described herein is illustrative in nature, and modifications thereof are considered to be
`
`within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
`
`FIG. 313 is a diagram showing an illustrative circuit configuration according to the
`
`present
`
`invention, wherein one or more after—market CD changers / players and an
`
`auxiliary input source are integrated with an existing car stereo, and wherein the user can
`
`select between the CD changer/player and the auxiliary input using the controls of the car
`
`stereo. A plurality of connectors are provided, illustratively indicated as ports J4A, J4B,
`
`J3, J5L1, J5R1, J1, and J2. Ports J4A, J4B, and J3 allow the audio device interface
`
`system of the present invention to be connected to one or more existing car stereos, such
`
`as an OEM car stereo or an after—market car stereo. Each of these ports could be
`
`embodied by any suitable electrical connector known in the art. For example, ports J4A
`
`and J4B can be connected to an OEM car stereo manufactured by BMW, Inc. Port J3 can
`
`be connected to a car stereo manufactured by LANDROVER, Inc. Ofcourse, any number
`
`of car stereos, by any manufacturer, could be provided. Ports J1 and J2 allow connection
`
`to an after—market CD changer or player, such as that manufactured by ALPINE, Inc., and
`
`an auxiliary input source. Optionally, ports JSLI and J5R1 allow integration of a
`
`standard analog (line—level) source. Of course, a single standalone CD player or auxilialy
`
`input source could be connected to either of ports J1 or J2.
`
`Microeontroller DD] is in electrical communication with each of the ports J4A,
`
`J4B, J3, J5L1, J5R1, J1, and J2, and provides functionality for integrating the CD player
`
`and auxilialy input source connected to the p01ts J1 and J2 with the car stereo connected
`
`to the ports J4A and J4B or J3. For example, microcontroller DDl receives control
`
`commands, such as button or key sequences, initiated by a user at control panel of the car
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`radio and received at the connectors J4A and J4B or J3, processes and formats same, and
`
`dispatches the formatted commands to the CD player and auxiliary input source via
`
`connectors J] or J2. Additionally, the microcontroller DD] receives information provided
`
`by the CD player and auxiliary input source via connectors J1 or J2, processes and
`
`formats same, and transmits the formatted data to the car stereo via connectors J4A and
`
`J4B or J3 for display on the display of the car stereo. Further, the microcontroller DDl
`
`controls multiplexer DA3 to allow selection between the CD player/changer and the
`
`auxiliary input. Audio signals provided at the ports J1, J2, J5L1 and J5R1 is selectively
`
`channeled to the car radio at ports J4A and J4B or J3 under control of one or more user
`
`commands and processing logic, as will be discussed in greater detail, embedded within
`microcontroller DDl.
`
`In a preferred embodiment of the present invention,
`
`the microcontroller DD]
`
`comprises the 16F872 microcontroller manufactured by MICROCHIP, Inc. The 16F872
`
`chip is a CMOS, flash—based, 8—bit microcontroller having 64 bytes of EEPROM data
`
`memory, self—programming capability, an ICD, 5 channels of 10 bit Analog—to—Digital
`
`(A/D) converters,
`
`2
`
`timers,
`
`capture/compare/PWM functions,
`
`a USART,
`
`and a
`
`synchronous serial port configurable as either a 3-wire serial peripheral interface or a 2-
`
`wire inter—integrated circuit bus. Of course, any suitable microcontroller known in the art
`
`can be substituted for microcontroller DDl without departing from the spirit or scope of
`
`the present invention. Additionally, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention,
`
`the multiplexer DA3
`
`comprises
`
`the
`
`CD4053
`
`triple,
`
`two—channel
`
`analog
`
`multiplexer/demultiplexer manufactured by FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR, Inc. Any
`
`other suitable multiplexer can be substituted for DA3 without departing from the spirit or
`
`scope of the present invention.
`
`A plurality of discrete components, such as resistors R1 through R18, diodes D1
`
`through D3, capacitors C1—C11, and G1-G3, transistors Q1-Q3, transformers T1 and T2,
`
`amplifiers LClizA and LCflzB, oscillator XTALI, among other components, are
`
`provided for interfacing the microcontroller DD] and the multiplexer DA3 with the
`
`hardware connected to the connectors J4A, J4B, J3, J5L1, J5R1, J1, and J2. These
`
`components, as will be readily appreciated to one of ordinaly skill in the alt, can be
`
`arranged as desired to accommodate a variety of microcontrollers and multiplexers, and
`
`the numbers and types of discrete components can be varied to accommodate other similar
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`controllers and multiplexers. Thus, the circuit shown in FIG. 3B and described herein is
`
`illustrative in nature, and modifications thereof are considered to be within the spirit and
`
`scope of the present invention.
`
`FIG. 3C is a diagram showing an illustrative circuit configuration for integrating a
`
`plurality of auxilialy inputs using the controls of the car stereo. A plurality of connectors
`
`are provided, illustratively indicated as ports J1, RCHl, LCH1, RCHZ, LCH2, RCH3,
`
`LCH3, RCH4, and LCH4. Port J1 allows the multimedia device integration system of
`
`the present invention to be connected to one or more existing car stereos. Each of these
`
`ports could be embodied by any suitable electrical connector known in the art. For
`
`example, port J1 could be connected to an OEM car stereo manufactured by HONDA,
`
`Inc., or any other manufacturer. Ports RCHl, LCH1, RCHZ, LCH2, RCH3, LCH3,
`
`RCH4, and LCH4 allow connection with the left and right channels of four auxiliary
`
`input sources. Of course, any number of auxiliary input sources and ports/connectors
`
`could be provided.
`
`Microcontroller U1 is in electrical communication with each of the ports J1,
`
`RCH], LCH1, RCHZ. LCH2, RCH3, LCH3, RCH4, and LCH4, and prOVides
`
`functionality for integrating one or more auxiliary input sources connected to the ports
`
`RCHl, LCH1, RCHZ, LCH2, RCH3, LCH3, RCH4, and LCH4 with the car stereo
`
`connected to the port J 1. Further, the microcontroller U1 controls multiplexers DA3 and
`
`DA4 to allow selection amongst any of the auxiliary inputs using the controls of the car
`
`stereo. Audio signals provided at the ports RCHl, LCH1, RCHZ, LCH2, RCH3, LCH3,
`
`RCH4, and LCH4 are selectively channeled to the car radio at port J1 under control of
`
`one or more user commands and processing logic, as will be discussed in greater detail,
`
`embedded within microcontroller U]. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention,
`
`the microcontroller U1 comprises
`
`the
`
`16F872 microcontroller discussed earlier.
`
`Additionally, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the multiplexers DA3
`
`and DA4 comprises the CD4053 triple,
`
`two—channel analog multiplexer/demultiplexer,
`
`discussed earlier. Any other suitable microcontroller and multiplexers can be substituted
`
`for U1, DA3, and DA4 without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.
`
`A plurality of discrete components, such as resistors R1 through R15, diodes D1
`
`through D3, capacitors C1—C5, transistors Q1-Q2, amplifiers DA1:A and DAlzB, and
`
`oscillator Y1, among other components, are provided for interfacing the microcontroller
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`U1 and the multiplexers DA3 and DA4 with the hardware connected to the ports J1,
`
`RCHl, LCHl, RCH2, LCH2, RCH3, LCHS, RCH4, and LCH4. These components, as
`
`will be readily appreciated to one of ordinary skill in the art, can be arranged as desired to
`
`accommodate a variety of microcontrollers and multiplexers, and the numbers and types of
`
`discrete components can be varied to accommodate other similar controllers and
`
`multiplexers. Thus, the circuit shown in FIG. 3C and described herein is illustrative in
`
`nature, and modifications thereof are considered to be within the spirit and scope of the
`
`present invention.
`
`FIG. 3D is an illustrative circuit diagram according to the present invention for
`
`integrating a satellite receiver with an existing OEM or after—market car stereo system.
`
`Ports J1 and J2 are provided for allowing connection of the integration system of the
`
`present invention between an existing car radio and a satellite receiver. These ports could
`
`be embodied by any suitable electrical connector known in the alt. Port J2 connects to the
`
`input port of an existing car radio, such as that manufactured by KEN WOOD, lnc. Port 1
`
`connects to an after—market satellite receiver, such as that manufactured by PIONEER, Inc.
`
`Microcontroller Ul is in electrical communication with each of the ports J1 and
`
`J2, and provides functionality for integrating the satellite receiver connected to the port J1
`
`with the car stereo connected to the port J2. For example, microcontroller U1 receives
`
`control commands, such as button or key sequences, initiated by a user at control panel of
`
`the car radio and received at the connector J2, processes and formats same, and dispatches
`
`the formatted commands to the satellite receiver via connector J2. Additionally,
`
`the
`
`microcontroller U1 receives information provided by the satellite receiver via connector
`
`J1, processes and formats same, and transmits the formatted data to the car stereo via
`
`connector J2 for display on the display of the car stereo. Audio signals provided at the
`
`port J1 is selectively channeled to the car radio at port J2 under control of one or more
`
`user commands and processing logic, as will be discussed in greater detail, embedded
`
`within microcontroller U1.
`
`In a preferred embodiment of the present
`
`invention,
`
`the microcontroller U]
`
`comprises the 16F873 microcontroller manufactured by MICROCHIP, Inc. The 16F873
`
`chip is a CMOS, flash—based, 8—bit microcontroller having 128 bytes of EEPROM data
`
`memory, self—programming capability, an lCD, 5 channels of 10 bit Analog—to—Digital
`
`(A/D) converters, 2 timers, 2 capture/compare/PWM functions, a synchronous serial port
`
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`that can be configured as a either a 3—wire serial peripheral interface or a 2—wire inter—
`
`integrated circuit bus, and a USART. Of course, any suitable microcontroller known in
`
`the art can be substituted for microcontroller U] without departing from the spirit or scope
`
`of the present invention.
`
`A plurality of discrete components, such as resistors R1 through R7, capacitors C1
`
`and C2, and amplifier A1, among other components, are provided for interfacing the
`microcontroller U1 with the hardware connected to the connectors J1 and J2. These
`
`components, as will be readily appreciated to one of ordinary skill in the art, can be
`
`arranged as desired to accommodate a variety of microcontrollers, and the numbers and
`
`types of discrete components can be varied to accommodate other similar controllers.
`
`Thus, the circuit shown in FIG. 3D and described herein is illustrative in nature, and
`
`modifications thereof are considered to be within the spirit and scope of the present
`invention.
`
`FIGS. 4A through 6 are flowcharts showing processing logic according to the
`
`present invention. Such logic can be embodied as software and/or instructions stored in a
`
`read-only memory circuit (e.g., and EEPROM circuit), or other similar device.
`
`In a
`
`preferred embodiment of the present invention, the processing logic described herein is
`
`stored in one or more microcontrollers, such as the microcontrollers discussed earlier with
`
`reference to FIGS. 3A-3D. Of course, any other suitable means for storing the processing
`
`logic of the present invention can be employed.
`
`FIG. 4A is a flowchart showing processing logic, indicated generally at 100, for
`
`integrating a CD player or changer with an existing OEM or after—market car stereo
`
`system. Beginning in step 100, a determination is made as to whether the existing car
`
`stereo is powered on.
`
`If a negative determination is made, step 104 is invoked, wherein
`
`the present invention enters a standby mode and waits for the car stereo to be powered on.
`
`If a positive determination is made, step 106 is invoked, wherein a second determination is
`
`made as to whether the car stereo is in a state responsive to signals external to the car
`
`stereo. lfa negative determination is made, step 106 is re-invoked.
`
`If a positive determination is made in step 106, a CD handling process, indicated as
`
`block 108, is invoked, allowing the CD player/changer to exchange data and audio signals
`
`with any existing car stereo system. Beginning in step 110, a signal is generated by the
`
`present
`
`invention indicating that a CD player/changer is present, and the signal
`
`is
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`27
`
`continuously transmitted to the car stereo.
`
`Importantly, this signal prevents the car stereo
`
`from shutting off, entering a sleep mode, or otherwise being unresponsive to signals and/or
`
`data from an external source. If the car radio is an OEM car radio, the CD player presence
`
`signal need not be generated. Further, the signal need not be limited to a CD player device
`
`presence signal, but rather, could be any type of device presence signal (e.g., MP3 player
`
`device presence signal, satellite receiver presence signal, video device presence signal,
`
`cellular
`
`telephone presence signal, or any other
`
`type of device presence signal).
`
`Concurrently with step 110, or within a short period of time before or after the execution
`
`of step 110, steps 112 and 114 are invoked.
`
`In step 112, the audio channels of the CD
`
`player/changer are connected (channeled) to the car stereo system, allowing audio from
`
`the CD player/changer to be played through the car stereo.
`
`In step 114, data is retrieved
`
`by the present
`
`invention from the CD player/changer,
`
`including track and time
`
`information, formatted, and transmitted to the car stereo for display by the car stereo.
`
`Thus,
`
`information produced by the external CD player/changer can be quickly and
`
`conveniently viewed by a driver by merely viewing the display of the car stereo. After
`
`steps 110, 112, and 114 have been executed, control passes to step 116.
`
`In steps 116, the present invention monitors the control panel buttons of the car
`
`stereo for CD operational commands. Examples of such commands include track forward,
`
`track reverse, play, stop, fast forward, rewind, track program, random track play, and other
`
`similar commands.
`
`In step 118, if a command is not detected, step 116 is re—invoked.
`
`Otherwise, if a command is received, step 118 invokes step 120, wherein the received
`
`command is converted into a format recognizable by the CD player/changer connected to
`
`the present invention. For example, in this step, a command issued from a GM car radio is
`
`converted into a format recognizable by a CD player/changer manufactured by ALPINE,
`
`Inc. Any conceivable command from any type of car radio can be formatted for use by a
`
`CD player/changer of any type or manufacture. Once the command has been formatted,
`
`step 122 is
`
`invoked, wherein the formatted command is
`
`transmitted to the CD
`
`player/changer and executed. Step 110 is then re—invoked, so that additional processing
`can occur.
`
`FIG. 4B is a flowchart showing processing logic, indicated generally at 130, for
`
`integrating an MP3 player with an existing car stereo system. Examples of MP3 players
`
`that can be integrated by the present invention include, but are not limited to, the Apple
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`iPod and other types of digital media devices. Beginning in step 132, a determination is
`
`made as to whether the existing car stereo is powered on.
`
`If a negative determination is
`
`made, step 134 is invoked, wherein the present invention enters a standby mode and waits
`
`for the car stereo to be powered on.
`
`If a positive determination is made, step 136 is
`
`invoked, wherein a second determination is made as to whether the car stereo is in a state
`
`responsive to signals external to the car stereo. If a negative determination is made, step
`136 is re-invoked.
`
`If a positive determination is made in step 136, an MP3 handling process, indicated
`
`as block 138, is invoked, allowing the MP3 player to exchange data and audio signals with
`
`any existing car stereo system. Beginning in step 140, a signal is generated by the present
`
`invention indicating that an MP3 player is present, and the signal
`
`is continuously
`
`transmitted to the car stereo.
`
`Importantly, this signal prevents the car stereo from shutting
`
`off, entering a sleep mode, or otherwise being unresponsive to signals and/or data from an
`
`external source.
`
`In step 142,
`
`the audio channels of the MP3 player are connected
`
`(channeled) to the car stereo system, allowing audio from the MP3 player to be played
`
`through the car stereo.
`
`In step 144, data is retrieved by the present invention from the
`
`lVIP3 player, including track, time, title, and song information, formatted, and transmitted
`
`to the car stereo for display by the car stereo. Thus, information produced by the MP3
`
`player can be quickly and conveniently viewed by a driver by merely viewing the display
`
`of the car stereo. After steps I40, 142, and 144 have been executed, control passes to step
`146.
`
`In steps 146, the present invention monitors the control panel buttons of the car
`
`stereo for MP3 operational commands.
`
`Examples of such commands include track
`
`forward, track reverse, play, stop, fast forward. rewind, track program, random track play,
`
`and other similar commands.
`
`In step 148, if a command is not detected, step 146 is re-
`
`invoked. Othelwise, if a command is received, step 148 invokes step 150, wherein the
`
`received command is converted into a format recognizable by the MP3 player connected
`
`to the present invention. For example, in this step, a command issued from a HONDA car
`
`radio is converted into a format recognizable by an MP3 player manufactured by
`
`PANASONIC, Inc. Any conceivable command from any type of car radio can be
`
`formatted for use by an MP3 player of any type or manufacture. Once the command has
`
`been formatted, step 152 is invoked, wherein the formatted command is transmitted to the
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`lV[P3 player and executed. Step 140 is then re—invoked, so that additional processing can
`occur.
`
`FIG. 4C is a flowchart showing processing logic, indicated generally at 160, for
`
`integrating a satellite receiver or a DAB receiver with an existing car stereo system.
`
`Beginning in step 162, a determination is made as to whether the existing car stereo is
`
`powered on. If a negative determination is made, step 164 is invoked, wherein the present
`
`invention enters a standby mode and waits for the car stereo to be powered on.
`
`If a
`
`positive determination is made, step 166 is invoked, wherein a second determination is
`
`made as to whether the car stereo is in a state responsive to signals external to the car
`
`stereo. If a negative determination is made, step 166 is re—invoked.
`
`If a positive determination is made in step 166, a satellite/DAB receiver handling
`
`process,
`
`indicated as block 168,
`
`is invoked, allowing the satellite/DAB receiver to
`
`exchange data and audio signals with any existing car stereo system. Beginning in step
`
`170, a signal is generated by the present invention indicating that a satellite or DAB
`
`receiver
`
`is present, and the signal
`
`is continuously transmitted to the car stereo.
`
`lmportantly, this signal prevents the car stereo from shutting off, entering a sleep mode, or
`
`otherwise being unresponsive to signals and/or data from an external source.
`
`In step 172,
`
`the audio channels of the satellite/DAB receiver are connected (channeled) to the car
`
`stereo system, allowing audio from the satellite receiver or DAB receiver to be played
`
`through the car stereo.
`
`In step 174, data is retrieved by the present invention from the
`
`satellite/DAB receiver, including channel number, channel name, artist name, song time,
`
`and song title, formatted, and transmitted to the car stereo for display by the car stereo.
`
`The information could be presented in one or more menus, or via a graphical interface
`
`viewable and manipulable by the user at the car stereo. Thus, information produced by the
`
`receiver can be quickly and conveniently viewed by a driver by merely viewing the
`
`display of the car stereo. After steps 170, 172, and 174 have been executed, control passes
`
`to step 176.
`
`In steps 176, the present invention monitors the control panel buttons of the car
`
`stereo for satellite/DAB receiver operational commands. Examples of such commands
`
`include station up, station down, station mem01y program, and other similar commands.
`
`In step 178, if a command is not detected, step 176 is re—invoked. Otherwise, if a
`
`command is received, step 178 invokes step 180, wherein the received command is
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`converted into a format recognizable by the satellite/DAB receiver connected to the
`
`present invention. For example, in this step, a command issued from a FORD car radio is
`
`converted into a format recognizable by a satellite receiver manufactured by PIONEER,
`
`Inc. Any conceivable command from any type of car radio can be formatted for use by a
`
`satellite/DAB receiver of any type or manufacture. Once the command has been
`
`formatted, step 182 is invoked, wherein the formatted command is transmitted to the
`
`satellite/DAB receiver and executed.
`
`Step 170 is then re—invoked, so that additional
`
`processing can occur.
`
`FIG. 4D is a flowchart showing processing logic, indicated generally at 190, for
`
`integrating a plurality of auxiliary input sources with a car radio. Beginning in step 192, a
`
`determination is made as to whether the existing car stereo is powered on.
`
`If a negative
`
`determination is made, step 194 is invoked, wherein the present invention enters a standby
`
`mode and waits for the car stereo to be powered 011. If a positive determination is made,
`
`step 196 is invoked, wherein a second determination is made as to whether the car stereo is
`
`in a state responsive to signals external to the car stereo.
`
`If a negative determination is
`
`made, step 196 is re-invoked.
`
`If a positive determination is made in step 196, an auxiliary input handling process,
`
`indicated as block 198, is invoked, allowing one or more auxiliary inputs to be connected
`
`(channeled) to the car stereo. Further, if a plurality of auxiliary inputs exist, the logic of
`
`block 198 allows a user to select a desired input from the plurality of inputs. Beginning in
`
`step 200, a signal is generated by the present invention indicating that an external device is
`
`present, and the signal is continuously transmitted to the car stereo.
`
`Importantly, this
`
`signal prevents the car stereo from shutting off, entering a sleep mode, or otherwise being
`
`unresponsive to signals and/or data from an external source. Then, in step 202, the control
`
`panel buttons of the car stereo are monitored.
`
`In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of the one or more
`
`auxiliary input sources are selectable by selecting a CD disc number on the control panel
`
`of the car radio. Thus, in step 204, a determination is made as to whether the first disc
`
`number has been selected.
`
`If a positive determination is made, step 20