System for listening to playback of music files by a portable audio device while in a vehicle

• US 20060046778A1
• Filed: 08/30/2004
• Published: 03/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ryan M. Hembree
• Original Assignee: Ryan M. Hembree
• Inventors: Hembree, Ryan M.
• Application Number:
  US10/929,508
• Publication Number:
  US 20060046778A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/557
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/082 to be used in vehicles H04B1/086 takes precedence; holding or mounting accessories B60R11/02

Abstract

A system for removably connecting and interfacing an electronic portable audio device with an otherwise substantially conventional vehicle audio system to facilitate listening to playback of electronic music files stored on the portable audio device. A docking connector for receiving the portable audio device is physically and operatively integrated into a shared housing with the vehicle audio system, and a single set of controls is provided for controlling operation of both the portable audio device and all conventional components of the vehicle audio system. A removable interface module allows for adapting the system for use with differently designed portable audio devices.

Claims

1. A system for interfacing an electronic portable audio device with an otherwise substantially conventional vehicle audio system, the system comprising:

a housing;

a docking component physically integrated into the housing and adapted to removably receive the portable audio device and to operatively interface the portable audio device with the vehicle audio system; and

a control component for controlling operation of both the portable audio device and one or more conventional components of the vehicle audio system.

2. The system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the docking component includes a receiving bay for receiving the portable audio device such that, when the portable audio device is so received, an existing set of controls on the portable audio device are not accessible for use.

3. The system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the conventional components of the vehicle audio system include a compact disc player component and an AM/FM radio receiver component.

4. The system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the docking component and the conventional components of the vehicle audio system are physically integrated into the housing.

5. The system as set forth in claim 1, further including a display, wherein the display is adapted to display control choices and otherwise facilitate controlling operation of the portable audio device and the conventional components of the vehicle audio system.

6. The system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the docking component includes a spring-loaded ejection mechanism for ejecting the portable audio device from the docking component.

7. The system as set forth in claim 1, further including an interface module received within the docking component and which, in turn, removably receives the portable audio device.

8. The system as set forth in claim 7, wherein the interface module includes a spring-loaded ejection mechanism for ejecting the portable audio device from the interface module.

9. The system as set forth in claim 7, wherein the interface module is removably received within the docking component.

10. The system as set forth in claim 7, wherein the interface module includes a replaceable faceplate for adapting the interface module for use with any of a variety of differently designed portable audio devices.

11. A system for interfacing an electronic portable audio device with an otherwise substantially conventional vehicle audio system, the system comprising:

a docking component physically integrated with the vehicle audio system and adapted to operatively interface the portable audio device with the vehicle audio system;

an interface module received within the docking component and which, in turn, removably receives the portable audio device, wherein the interface module includes a spring-loaded ejection mechanism for ejecting the received portable audio device from the interface module; and

a control component for controlling operation of both the portable audio device and one or more conventional components of the vehicle audio system.

12. The system as set forth in claim 11, wherein the docking component includes a receiving bay for receiving the interface module such that, when the interface module is so received, and the portable audio device is received within the interface module, an existing set of controls on the portable audio device are not accessible for use.

13. The system as set forth in claim 11, wherein the conventional components of the vehicle audio system include a compact disc player component and an AM/FM radio receiver component.

14. The system as set forth in claim 11, further including a housing, wherein the docking component and the conventional components of the vehicle audio system are physically integrated into the single housing.

15. The system as set forth in claim 11, further including a display, wherein the display is adapted to display control choices and otherwise facilitate controlling operation of the portable audio device and the conventional components of the vehicle audio system.

16. The system as set forth in claim 11, wherein the interface module is removably received within the docking component.

17. The system as set forth in claim 11, wherein the interface module includes a replaceable faceplate for adapting the interface module for use with any of a variety of differently designed portable audio devices.

18. A system for interfacing an electronic portable audio device with an otherwise substantially conventional vehicle audio system, the system comprising:

a docking component, including a receiving bay, adapted to operatively interface the portable audio device with the vehicle audio system;

an interface module removably received within the receiving bay of the docking component and which, in turn, removably receives the portable audio device, wherein the interface module includes a spring-loaded ejection mechanism for ejecting the received portable audio device from the interface module;

a control component for controlling operation of the portable audio device and one or more conventional components of the vehicle audio system;

a display, wherein the display is adapted to display control choices and otherwise facilitate controlling operation of the portable audio device and the conventional components of the vehicle audio system; and

a housing, wherein the docking component, the control component, the conventional components of the vehicle audio system, and the display are all physically integrated into the housing.

19. The system as set forth in claim 18, wherein the conventional components of the vehicle audio system include a compact disc player component and an AM/FM radio receiver component.

20. The system as set forth in claim 18, wherein the interface module includes a replaceable faceplate for adapting the interface module for use with any of a variety of differently designed portable audio devices.